Soccer scores for Indo-Bangla friendship in Agartala

Agartala, July 13 (ANI): Improving bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh got another shot in its arm through a friendly soccer tournament between the teams of Dhaka and Tripura here recently.

A jam-packed Umakanta Mini Stadium hosted the event that had Dhaka's renowned Mohamedan Sporting Club played a friendship match with Tripura XI, after a gap of over a decade.

Players from both sides were happy that soccer brought them closer.

"We have come here because Tripura has very close relations with Bangladesh. We cannot forget the history and the contribution of Tripura for our liberation. We enjoyed the match as the crowd was very sporting," Hassan Al Mamun, Captain, Mohamedan Sporting Club, said.

Pabitra Kar, former president of Tripura Football Association, who was present at the event, was hopeful that the initiative would brink the two neighbours closer.

" It is a good game which can bring improvement in relations between the two countries. We hope this type of friendly match should be played and organized. It will definitely help us improve the ties," Kar said.

The Bangladeshi contingent also evoked India's contribution to their liberation in 1971.

Jakaria Pintu, Team Leader of the visiting team, said, "If Bangladesh is my motherland, my second residence is Agartala. I am a freedom fighter. The help that we got from here during the 1971 War of Liberation is unparalleled."

The game was won 1-0 by Mohamedan Sporting Club.

Seeing the overwhelming response, the organizers are planning to organise women's soccer matches too.

Tripura Governor Dr. D Y Patil and other state ministers also attended the event. (ANI)