Dhaka: Youth and Sports State Minister Md. Aminul Haque today confirmed that all uncertainties surrounding the broadcast of the FIFA World Cup in Bangladesh have been resolved. Football fans across the nation will be able to enjoy the tournament through Bangladesh Television (BTV) and other rights-holding platforms.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has planned live screenings of World Cup matches on giant screens at key locations in Dhaka and other parts of the country for the convenience of football-loving people. The announcement was made during a press briefing on the FIFA World Cup broadcast held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman also spoke at the briefing, elaborating on various aspects of the broadcast arrangements.
Md. Aminul Haque highlighted the passion and enthusiasm of Bangladeshis for the Football World Cup. He acknowledged the uncertainties regarding the telecast of the matches but assured that these have been entirely cleared. People across the country can watch the World Cup through BTV and other broadcasters that have acquired the rights.
The state minister addressed the late-night and early-morning match schedules, stating that special measures are being taken to facilitate public viewing. Several private companies have already contacted the government regarding the initiative. Matches, mostly scheduled for midnight or the early hours of the morning, will be accessible through public screenings, with the government providing overall support. Large monitors and digital billboards will be installed across Dhaka and the country to show the matches live.
Aminul emphasized the transparency of the broadcast process and the government’s cost-saving approach. The previous government had spent around Taka 100 crore to acquire World Cup broadcasting rights, whereas the current government secured the rights for Taka 47 crore through a transparent process. The expenditure is expected to be recovered through the sale of advertisement rights, resulting in significant savings of public funds.
The broadcast arrangements align with the Prime Minister’s directive to ensure transparency and accountability. Aminul sought the cooperation of the media in informing the public about the initiative, encouraging football enthusiasts across the country to become part of the World Cup celebration.