Being South African, cricket is not unfamiliar to Bradford Ross, the global football manager and Fifa World Cup Trophy Tour, and he is well aware of Bangladesh’s competency in the gentlemen’s game, but it was the overwhelming passion of Bangladesh’s football lovers that he found astonishing.
The Atlanta based South African was expressing his reaction as he stood on the balcony of Radisson Blu Hotel with thousands of spectators standing in the terrace of the hotel. The man who had flown to 28 countries with the trophy since its take-off in September, was enjoying the spirit. “Bringing the trophy to Bangladesh was an awesome experience. The passionate fans reminds me of the global language of football and how it brings people in a common platform,” said Ross.
“You see from the president, prime minister to mass people, Bangladesh has witnessed the euphoria of the arrival of World Cup trophy, it’s amazing to see Bangladesh’s response to it,” he added.
He was quick to point out that Bangladesh has never played in the finals of the World Cup but still thousands of football lovers turned out to have a glimpse of the trophy. “I enjoyed it, it’s the same passion whether you are a world cup winning country or yet to reach the finals. The crowd showed the same passion towards the trophy in Bangladesh,” he said.
Talking about the most exciting moment of the tour Ross said he enjoyed it when a man dressed in red and green came to have a glimpse. “It was a true reflection of loving the country and football. I hope Bangladesh will work hard towards raising the standards” said the Fifa official.
“We are taking the trophy on its longest journey to date, visiting 90 countries over 9 months. To quantify the tour, we will be traveling 92,000 miles which is over 3.5 times around the world. Bangladesh will have a special place in the tour history,” concluded the Fifa global manager.
