In the year 1984, while having lunch, one footballer said what will you have us fish or meat? As he speaks in Bangla, all can think he must be a Bengali footballer. But he was not a Bangladeshi. He was a foreign footballer who played in Bangladesh for a club. I was saying about Sri Lankan footballer Pakir Ali. He was the renowned defender in Dhaka’s field. Pakir Ali played for Abahani Limited Dhaka for a long with a reputation. This Lankan footballer learned Bangla from his local fellow players. In 1985, Abahani Limited Dhaka became a hat-trick champion. One journalist wanted to know Pakir Ali’s reaction after winning in English. Pakir Ali replied to the journalist with a chuckle. He surprised the reporter by saying in Bangla, “Today is a very pleasure to me which I can’t describe in words. Another Sri Lankan footballer Premlal can also speak Bangla.    

Not only Pakir Ali and Premlal, but also many others foreign players speak in Bangla which mesmerized others. Bashundhara Kings' Spanish successful coach Oscar Bruzon Barreras, always shakes hands and said in Bangla, “Kemon Ahhen? (How are you)”. Although Oscar has some difficulties speaking in Bangla, we can understand his words easily. He speaks in Bangla calling Dhaka’s favourite dishes named Biriani, Kacchhi, Chicken Roast, and Ilish. Before the match, while riding in the bus, Oscar used to say in Bangla, “Tumra dua koro aj Bashundhara jitbe” (You pray for us today Bashundhara Kings will win). Bashundhara Kings’ Brazilian forward Robson Robinho is a popular name in domestic football. Many used to say such hardworking and standard footballer is rare in Bangladesh. This Brazilian forward can also speak Bangla. When we meet he said, “Salam, Bashundhara khub valo. Rickshai ghorte vao lage” (Bashudhara Residential Area is a very good place to reside. I enjoy rickshaw riding in this area). Robinho’s Bashundhara Kings’ fellow Brazilian Dorielton Gomes Nascimento can also speak in Bangla.     

When we meet, Mohammedan Dhaka attacker Souleymane Diabate always raises his hand and said “Bondhu salam” (Buddy greetings). Haitian footballer Sony Nordé played for Sheikh Russel and Sheikh Jamal. He learned Bangla. Solaiman Kings of Sheikh Jamal used to speak Bangla.

During 1980-1989, Mohammedan Dhaka footballer Emaka learned and speaks Bangla very fluently. When he comes to Dhaka he speaks in Bangla “Mohammedan k valovashi. Kaiser Hamid amar bondhu.” (I love Mohammedan Dhaka. Former Bangladeshi footballer Kaiser Hamid is my friend).

Pakistani Gafoor Baloch played in Dhaka League with a reputation before the Liberation War of Bangladesh. He later became the coach of BJMC and Brothers Union. Gafoor likes to speak in Bangla although he was an Urdu native. He loved Bangladeshis and helped Bangladesh during the great Liberation War in 1971. He didn’t return to Pakistan after Bangladesh’s independence. Gafoor breathed his last in Dhaka.

Former West Indies' cricketer Sir Curtly Elconn Lynwall Ambrose came recently to Bangladesh as a commentator at Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)-2023. He often speaks in Bangla. Pakistani Aamer Sohail spoke Bangla also.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 21, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.