Football along the India- Bangladesh Border

Football scripts spirit along the India- Bangladesh Border

Football is a not just a game. It is global language that crosses religion, languages and geographical territories. It has helped in building bridges among communities and countries across the world. The ongoing World Cup in South Africa has brought people from different cultures, sects and religions onto a single platform and celebrate friendships to spread the message of love and respect for each other. Far away at Shella, a small village along the India –Bangladesh border in the Indian state of Meghalaya football matches played between villagers from both these countries have warmed up the relationship between these two hostile South Asian neighbors and also between security forces and local villagers.

United in Sport

Football has become the new language in the border areas of India and Bangladesh amidst high tensions that crops up due to disputed border tangles from time to time. People across the border villages organize a number of Football tournaments and friendly matches where people from these villages participate. One major tournament is the Independence Day Cup played on 15 August. Under the boiling sun, and amidst the air blowing from the across the border , the crowd of some 300-500 spectators roars in support of their teams at the historic border in the village of Shella.

On several occasions the spectators include high profile personalities like former Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and also from the Border Security Forces who organize these events in this sensitive border area and hoped that greater peace and brotherhood will prevail among all the border residents .These measures taken by the BSF is building new friendship among the paramillitary forces and the Local Villagers.

Events like these will increase the bonhomie among the guarding forces and the border residents. The match, organized in March by the border security force is part of a broader communication programme aimed at taking the border forces to the people. This was an opportunity for the border villages of Meghalaya to come forward and enjoy football in the spirit of friendship , it is a moment something to be cherished.