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Messi for sure, what about the masses?

Sports Reporter
After much deliberation and wavering, it has been finally confirmed that Messi and his Albiceleste mates will be coming to town on September 5 and will definitely play the much-hyped FIFA friendly against Nigeria the following day. But the confirmation came so late that it might have taken a heavy toll on the chief purpose of arranging the game by the BFF — showcasing the country's image as an attractive sports venue and generating a flow of enthusiasm amongst the youth.
The match on September 6, it seems, will only be telecast to a small segment of the population within the country and even smaller Bangladeshi communities outside the country. It could have been so different had there been some sense of interest shown from the associated ministries; for example, the information ministry and the sports ministry.
Take the case of Friday's friendly between Argentina and Venezuela in Kolkata. The West Bengal government,
even though not a party to the agreement of the FIFA friendly, took it up as a challenge to promote the match and thus the city’s football infrastructure. The same model could have been replicated here with much success, but unfortunately there was very little interest or involvement shown from the associated ministries here.
The lukewarm approach from the sports ministry was very much reflected in the late and hasty renovation of the match venue and the indecision over preparing the practice venue. The information ministry was completely out of the picture. There were no promotional activities regarding the match from the information ministry or its designated wings, who seem negligent of the fact that it is much more than a football match, and rather an excellent branding opportunity.
As a result, there was no approach from the state-owned Bangladesh Television to buy the feed from Independent Television, that holds exclusive satellite rights to broadcast the match, to take the game to the masses where satellite TV has no entry, yet Messi and the likes are idolised. The result is that less than 25% of theMessi in for sure, but what about the masses? recipients of satellite channels within the country will be able to watch the match.
Argentina's match against Venezuela on Friday night was telecast across 152 countries including ours. Imagine the impression it created at the international arena of Kolkata as a host of high-level international football. The same impression could have been created of Dhaka if the match was telecast internationally by an internationally acclaimed channel. But the overseas broadcast issue was nullified by the backing out of ESPN from the deal. One feels, a strong initiative from the information ministry could have tweaked the deal so as to ensure that the match would be telecast overseas by an international telecast agent.
There are still two days left for the match. Let's hope that someone from the authority takes a bold step to make the dual objectives of arranging the match come true.