The International Organization for Migration (IOM) arranged the game marking the World Refugee Day to promote good ties between locals and Rohingyas.
Two teams – Alikhali Blue and Alikhali Orange – played against each other. Both teams had a mix of Rohingya and Bangalee players.
A large number of people – both locals and Rohingyas – turned up to watch the game. Alikhali Orange won in the end in the tie-breaker. Both teams had scored one goal each in the scheduled time.
Md Shahjahan, assistant camp in-charge of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission in Leda and Alikhali, was present as the chief guest.
He lauded the IOM initiative and urged to make arrangements that would involve the women.
A senior IOM official said they are working to maintain communal harmony, peaceful coexistence and friendly ties between Rohingyas and the locals through various efforts, including sports.
Bangladesh currently hosts over 1.2 million Rohingyas. Most of them fled their homeland in the Rakhine State after Myanmar launched a brutal offensive targeting the mainly-Muslim ethnic minority on August 25, 2017.
Bangladesh was lauded globally for opening its border and accepting the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
State-sponsored discrimination stretches back decades against Rohingyas, who are denied citizenships and basic rights by Myanmar.