Hailing from Magura, Amjad Hossain drew nationwide and also Germany’s attention with his 3.5km flag of the 2014 Fifa world champions crafted during the World Cup. At a reception hosted by SA TV yesterday, Amjad was duly rewarded for his passionate following as he received his official German national team fan club card.
Dr. Ferdinand von Wehye, the acting German ambassador to Bangladesh, officially handed over the card to Amjad who was visibly charged with emotions. To honour his deed, the card flashed the name ‘Pataka Amjad Hossain’.
Ferdinand, who visited Magura to acknowledge Amjad’s feat during the World Cup, was still amazed. “It was awesome. In a village of Bangladesh, far, far away from Germany, a man for the love of the German national team created a 3.5km flag. It was hard to believe but we were moved with the deed and salute him for his commitment. He is the official member of the German national team fan club,” he said.
SA TV managing director Salahuddin Ahmed said people like Amjad has raised the country’s image. “With the deed of Amjad, Bangladesh formed a link with Germany. That is why the German ambassador is here with us and beside Amjad, these kind of deeds should be acknowledged as it raises the image of the country,” he said.
It is mentionable that Amjad fell sick back in 2006 but cured himself by taking German-made homeopathy medicines. Since then, he started thinking that he should return the favour by making a gigantic flag. He started his mission back in 2006, continued the work in 2010 but as Germany failed to win the World Cup he did not disclose his project.
But his time arrived in 2014 with Joachim Loew’s men finally winning the World Cup after a span of 24 years. Consequently Amjad revealed his project. He spent an amount in the region of Tk250,000 for making the flag but he had to sell some of his cultivable lands to meet the expenses.
Deep inside his heart he hopes that Bangladesh football will flourish one day. “I hope and pray that Bangladesh football raises its standard gradually and reach a higher stage. I also hope to see the German national team play a match in Bangladesh,” said Amjad.
State minister for foreign affairs, Shahriyar Alam, and former football star Sheikh Md. Aslam were also present on the occasion. Noted sports journalists and a number of journalists who covered the World Cup in Brazil were also present among others.
