Argentina or Spain? Feasts organized in search of the result

Waiting with eager anticipation. Who will take the cup? The result will be known in just a few hours – Argentina or Spain. This edition of the Football World Cup has reached its farewell moment. The final match is surrounded not only by intense excitement but also by festive fans.

In various districts of the country, feasts (Bhuribhoj) have been organized for tonight. Somewhere, a cow has been draped in the Argentine flag, and elsewhere, a buffalo wrapped in the Spanish flag has been spotted. This is the peak of football fans' frenzy!

Whatever the result, Argentine supporters are ahead in organizing final match viewing events. In the Pabanapara village of Kushla Union in Kotalipara Upazila, Gopalganj, supporters of this team have arranged a grand feast.

The feast is being held at the KM Chand Mia Public Library and Sporting Club premises. Since this morning, Argentine supporters from Pabanapara village and surrounding areas have gathered there. The cow for the feast has been brought draped in the Argentine flag.

Barkatullah, a local resident, said, "We Argentine supporters organized a feast last time for Argentina's final match. Continuing that tradition, this time we bought a cow for Tk 1,30,000. Besides us Argentine supporters, we have also arranged food for orphans and the needy."

Feasts by Argentine supporters have been organized in various areas of the upazila. Large screens have been set up in clubs for watching the match. Households are also arranging viewing parties and special meals.

Mannan Sheikh, member secretary of the upazila Youth Dal and an Argentina fan, said, "On the occasion of Argentina's final, we have arranged food for 8,000 people at 12 locations in Kandi Union. We will watch the match on big screens. Everyone who comes to watch will be served food."

Argentine supporters have also organized a feast in Gangni, Meherpur. In the Garabaria resident area of the upazila, cooking preparations have been underway since noon, with commotion starting from the afternoon.

Liton Hossain, president of the organizing committee, said, "Our favorite team Argentina has reached the final – it's hard to contain this joy! This arrangement is to celebrate together with everyone in the village. I hope Argentina will become champions this time and double our happiness."

Shukur Ali, a local elder, remarked, "It feels great to see how the neighborhood youth have come together to organize this festival around football. Win or lose, this unity among everyone is what truly matters."

Roni Ahmed, a Spain supporter, came to see the Argentine arrangements. He said, "Although I support Spain, I came to my Argentine friends' event. There will be competition on the field, but off the field, we will all eat together and watch the match. That is the true joy of football."
"We are confident that today the trophy will go to Argentina. We have arranged food for over five hundred supporters today," said an exuberant Mohiuddin Ahmed, advisor to the organizing committee.

Spanish supporters are not behind in their arrangements either. In Kadirpur, Shibchar Upazila, Madaripur, they have arrived with a buffalo draped in their team's flag. The buffalo was purchased from Kushtia for approximately Tk 1,90,000. Argentine and Brazilian fans have also been invited to the feast. Large screens are ready for watching the match.

Behind this arrangement are Spain expatriates Ravi Howlader and Shahin Madbar, Canada expatriate Mohammad Kalam, and local social worker and Spain supporter Abdul Gaffar Munshi Sohag. Their initiative has made this feast possible for over a hundred football enthusiasts.

Abdul Gaffar said, "We want everyone to share the joy and celebration surrounding football. That's why supporters of all teams have been invited. Our expectation is that Spain will win the final and claim the World Champions crown."

Alongside the feasts, more news of various arrangements surrounding the final match has emerged.

In Kaukhali, Pirojpur, large screens have been set up at various intersections, clubs, neighborhoods, and localities for watching the match, alongside picnic preparations. Football enthusiasts there say that with Brazil knocked out, supporters of that team have now taken Spain's side. As a result, the festive rivalry has become quite intense.

Rafiqul Islam, member secretary of the Kaukhali Upazila Kriya Sangstha, said, "Along with celebrating our favorite team's victory, our main goal is to enjoy the beauty of the game."

In Chandpur, a humorous debate competition was organized around the final match. The event, hosted by the Chandpur branch of International College, took place today (Sunday) at noon.

The debate topic was: "We are the best in the World Cup." Supporters of Argentina, Spain, France, Brazil, England, and Germany participated. The debaters tried to win the judges' hearts by presenting information, arguments, history, and various aspects of success in support of their respective teams.

Nusrat Jahan Ohi, a debater from the Argentina-supported team, said, "Football is not just a game; it is a symbol of emotion and tradition." Meanwhile, Sidratul Muntaha Rahi, a debater from the Spain-supported team, believes that such events play an important role in boosting students' confidence and developing evidence-based thinking.

Local reporters of Agamir Somoy contributed to this story.