Nagad brings electrifying World Cup atmosphere at DU

Avid Argentine fan Shahabuddin, 50, goes vagabonding about the Dhaka University campus, and he sleeps in the open when night falls. 

The man having no connection with family and friends now only dreams of witnessing Argentina's Fifa World Cup triumph once more.

He has been waiting for his favorite team to clinch this glory since 1990. 

Gone are the days when he had no option to experience his favorite team's matches in a stadium-like atmosphere.

Whenever there was a World Cup, he would move from a TV showroom to another to watch matches. 

A special arrangement by Nagad at Dhaka University's Teacher Student Center has made it possible for a fan like him to watch World Cup matches on giant screens with a large crowd. 

“Nagad has made it all possible for us (virtual stadium). We all enjoy live matches together,” said Shahabuddin, who sported Argentina's jersey, while watching the Albiceleste's final group stage match against Poland Wednesday night.

“We will become the champions this time,” a confident Shahabuddin said. 

Time will tell who will take home the World Cup glory, but to many like him, Nagad, a mobile financial service of Bangladesh Postal Department, is already making a mark, thanks to the MFS provider's never-seen-before arrangements in making the Dhaka University campus a little gallery for avid football lovers.

Nagad has installed three giant LED screens on three venues on the campus on the occasion of Fifa World Cup 2022.

Such a move has already earned much appreciation among football lovers in particular, who in their hundreds throng Dhaka University to watch live matches and cheer for their teams.  

The biggest arrangement, a 40-foot LED screen, was set up at Mohsin Hall's playground, while two other venues are TSC and Shoparjito Shadhinota.

Pictures of thousands of football fans watching World Cup matches on giant screens at Mohsin Hall have already grabbed the headlines in global media.

Even world celebrities shared such pictures on social media.

“It is totally a new experience for me,” said Suman Hasnat, an engineer who thronged the Mohsin Hall playground to watch Argentina's game. 

“So many people are watching matches together and cheering for their teams. It is really a feel like watching a match in a stadium,” he added. 

Dhaka University student Saif Khan said, “I have never seen such an electrifying atmosphere while watching a football match.”

When it comes to supporting teams, emotions among fans prevail here.

Chanting and shouting goes on all the time the moment a goal is scored or missed, Saif narrated.

Another university student Nabir said, “I have never watched World Cup matches with so many people. We all have got a huge occasion for celebration.”

BTL, a team of Nagad, has made the entire arrangement possible. 

Chief Business Officer of Nagad Sheikh Aminur Rahman said Nagad always talks about youth, something new, and lends its support to festivals.

“The World Cup is like a festival in our country, especially for the youth. We wanted to be a part of it. I wanted university students to get the same flavor of watching football matches like sitting in the gallery,” said Aminur.