Bangladesh clinched a victory against Sri Lanka in their opening match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 on Friday, bringing smiles to over half of the capacity crowd at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium. Thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis had gathered from across the USA to witness the match in Dallas.
The Bangladesh team has been under severe criticism and trolling on social media following their recent loss to the US team in a three-match series.
Radwan Mujib: Quietly Empowering the Youth
Radwan Mujib Siddiq, a prominent supporter, made a decisive show of support by urging fans to back the national team and dismiss the online abuse directed at the players. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Radwan condemned the harsh treatment of the cricketers and their families on social media.
“I really hope the Tigers are not following the press or checking into social media. The level of abuse they are receiving is simply unacceptable,” Radwan wrote.
Radwan Mujib joins youths at Joy Bangla Concert in Chattogram
He emphasized that while debating team selection and performance is normal, personal attacks and constant ridicule of young athletes are not. “If supporting our national team causes anyone such misery then there’s a very simple solution - stop following them. You won’t be missed. There are enough true fans who will be here for the Tigers through thick and thin,” he added.
The backlash escalated to the point where family members of the players and even their religions were targeted with smear attacks, violating all codes of decency.
‘Leave no sector behind’: Radwan Mujib stresses in latest issue of WhiteBoard
Radwan, a London School of Economics graduate, is a trustee of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), editor of the country’s first policy magazine WhiteBoard, and leads the Young Bangla initiative, which empowers youth and organizes significant events like the Joy Bangla Youth Award and the Joy Bangla Concert. As a youth advocate, he has spearheaded initiatives allowing young people to voice their concerns directly to policymakers.
Radwan’s support for the team is deeply personal. Having lost most of his family, including his grandfather, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a brutal assassination in 1975, Radwan and his surviving family have navigated tumultuous times. His resilience and commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s youth and sports figures remain unwavering.