Like millions of sports lovers all over the world, the people of Bangladesh have been waiting eagerly for Fifa World Cup 2018, which is set to commence from June 14 in Russia.
The national team of Bangladesh is ranked 197th in the world by Fifa, but world famous footballers such as Lionel Messi, Mesut Özil, and Andres Iniesta will play the quadrennial international football tournament wearing jackets with “Made in Bangladesh” tags on them.
Officials and footballers will be seen wearing the jackets on the sidelines and substitute benches during the greatest sporting event on earth.
The workers of a factory at Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in the Anwara Upazila of Chattogram made the official jackets of Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Colombia, Mexico, and Russia.
German sportswear giant Adidas is the official sponsor of these countries, making their jerseys, socks, trousers, jackets, and other sportswear and accessories.
Mushfiqur Rahman, assistant general manager of KEPZ told the Dhaka Tribune that this World Cup, the jackets of some Adidas-sponsored countries were manufactured at Karnaphuli Shoe Industries Ltd, a company of Korea-based Youngone Group.
“It is a matter of great joy and pride for Bangladesh that the jackets manufactured for the World Cup will have Made in Bangladesh tags,” said the KEPZ official.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Md Shamsur Rahman, deputy general manager of Karnaphuli Shoe Industries Ltd said: “The workers of the factory are over the moon as many teams will play in the international football tournament wearing jackets made by heir hands.”
The concerned manufacturers of the sportswear remain alert so that the jackets do not reach the open market, so officials and workers are tight-lipped about the sports items.
