TİKA Supported the 1st Arakan League Held in a Refugee Camp

The 1^st Arakan Football League, which is organized by the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner of Bangladesh (RRRC) and the Arakan Rohingya Football Federation (ARFF) with the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Turkish Red Crescent and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, ended with a cup ceremony organized after the final match.

During the month-long sports festival, which started on January 3, 2024, within the camps housing Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, twelve teams competed for the championship. Almost 20,000 spectators watched the final match, played on the 7^th of March. The Rathe Daung football team won the final match, ending in a 2-2 draw, against Nakkura after penalties, and became the champion.

Representatives from organizations such as UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), FIFA (International Association Football Federation), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), WFP (World Food Programme), ISCG (Inter Sector Coordination Group) and also officials from Bangladeshi authorities watched the final match live.

Following the match, the championship cup, second place cup, golden shoe, golden gloves, player of the match award, fair play award and second place medals were presented to the players amid applause and celebration.

During his closing speech, TİKA’s Coordinator in Bangladesh, Şevki Mert Barış, congratulated the champion team, and expressed his gratitude to all Rohingya people for the patience, support and love they have shown.

Bangladesh Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman also expressed his gratitude to TİKA for their support.

Stating the importance of unity in reestablishing the Rohingya people’s image, traditions and heritage, Rahman emphasized that the tournament aimed to enhance the feeling of unity and ultimately facilitate the return of these people to their homeland. Inviting young people to steer clear of bad habits such as conflicts and drugs, Rahman expressed his hope that the event would make a positive contribution to society.