What? Russian top flight football club Dynamo Moscow, who are currently playing in the Europa League, visited Bangladesh and played in Jessore? When did that happen? Well, upon hearing the rumours I approached a few former national footballers and it was really surprising to know that the match did take place, although decades back.
I approached a few Swadhin Bangla Football Team members, former footballers who played before and after the liberation war, and veteran local organisers who confirmed Dynamo Moscow’s visit to Dhaka but failed to give a clear idea about the time of the event which was played in Jessore. Some informed it was before the liberation war while the majority said it took place in 1973.
After talking for around 25 minutes, Swadhin Bangla captain Zakaria Pintoo remembered that the Russian club played against East Pakistan before 1971 while legendary footballer and former national team coach Golam Sarwar Tipu is certain that Dynamo Moscow came to Bangladesh in 1973 and played a match against the Bangladesh national team in Dhaka but could not remember if the Russian club also visited Jessore later. He even expanded the memory by adding that defender Nazir got injured during that match.
The story gets interesting when former national footballer and Mohammedan forward Azizul Haque Zillu and former Jessore District Sports Association general secretary Shafiquzzaman confirmed that Dynamo Moscow played in Jessore 41 years ago and it has been the biggest football event in the area till date.
However, interest among the locals involving today’s friendly between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is set to surpass the 41-year old record as the Shamsul Huda stadium is expected to be filled to its brim today.
The stadium with a capacity of 12,000 has already sold 15,000 tickets with most reportedly going to the black market. According to District Football Association president Asaduzzaman Mithu the demand is 10 times more than the capacity.
The organisers also informed that a three-layered security force will be put in action today to avoid any unexpected accident.