Bangladesh, Turkey to Boost Football Ties and Training

Bangladesh and Turkey have pledged to deepen cooperation in football development following a high-level meeting between Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu in Istanbul.

The meeting, held at the TFF headquarters, focused on expanding collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, training, and talent development. Both sides agreed to enhance joint efforts to support the growth of football in Bangladesh.

Adviser Bhuiyan highlighted the recent momentum in Bangladesh’s football scene, pointing to the inclusion of Bangladeshi-origin players in the national squad and government initiatives aimed at building a sustainable football ecosystem.

He also praised the strong fan support for the Turkish national team in Bangladesh and proposed a friendly football match between the two nations as a symbol of goodwill.

TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu welcomed the proposal and said a friendly match between the women’s national teams could be organised as early as August, subject to logistical arrangements.

He also offered full technical support to Bangladesh, including training programmes for coaches and referees, sports medicine assistance, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to bolster the country's football infrastructure.

Adviser Bhuiyan commended Turkey’s global humanitarian leadership and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s advocacy in the Muslim world. He also invited the TFF president to the upcoming Global Youth Summit to be held in Bangladesh in September.

Both parties expressed confidence that the meeting marked the start of a new chapter in sports diplomacy and cooperation, laying the groundwork for broader partnerships in the future.