A NEIGHBOURHOOD TRANSFORMED

The locals have been observing a stir amongst their youth for days. On the morning of 20th June, they finally figured out what it was all about. Over a day's work, the street (locally known as goli) in Koltabazar, Old Dhaka had transformed into something special, something incredible. Heading straight down Hazi Abdul Majid Lane, one would be amazed to see the sudden splurge of colours, lights, floating soccer balls and waving flags. This was the freshly proclaimed World Cup Goal-E, a newfound tourist attraction, a transformed neighbourhood that shows the Bangladeshis' love for football.
According to a recent feature in TIME, Bangladesh hosts more Argentenian fans than the country itself. With an abundance of fans and fanatics surrounding the World Cup, what better way to celebrate than uniting Bangladeshis through art, culture, graffiti, music and photography? The locals joined in enthusiastically, one house owner competing with the other to make their building more colourful, more vibrant with World Cup imagery. On the day of its opening, the Goal-E was flooded with somewhat over a thousand 'tourists' with organisers expecting more over the coming days. This initiative was jointly organised by the One Degree Initiative Foundation and ZANALA Bangladesh Limited with the active partnership of Robi Axiata Limited and BDJobs.com. The World Cup Goal-E is now a tourist 'capital' and is open for public viewing throughout this World Cup season.

PHOTOS: SM MOBASSHER HUSSAIN,
IFTEKHAR RAKIN AND FARIHA JAHIN