MoFA brings diplomats together through sports
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) brought diplomats, international organisations and government representatives together through the 2nd Diplomatic Indoor Games 2026, held at International School Dhaka (ISD) on August 28-29.
The two-day event opened the Sports Diplomacy Initiative 2026, using badminton and table tennis as platforms for informal engagement and stronger international relationships.
Representatives from diplomatic missions, UN agencies, international financial institutions and other international organisations participated in the games.
Countries represented included Australia, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
Representatives from the United Nations, WHO, World Bank, ADB, UNDP, IOM and IFC also took part.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, Dr Rahman said sports could provide an informal environment for building trust and understanding among people from different countries and institutions.
“Sports has always been the language of trust and understanding among people. The games offered a relaxed space for our international partners and host institutions to have open conversations and build relationships outside their usual diplomatic settings,” he said.
Beyond the sporting competition, the games created an informal setting where diplomatic missions, government institutions and international organisations could network and exchange ideas.
The initiative highlighted the potential of sports to encourage dialogue and strengthen relationships among Bangladesh and its international partners.
Mike Miller, Director of ISD, welcomed the participation of the diplomatic community at the school.
“It was a privilege for us to welcome the diplomatic community to our campus. Bringing people from different countries and institutions together through sports reflects the values we strive to foster through the IB curriculum-diversity, collaboration and international-mindedness,” he said.
The games concluded on August 29 with an awards ceremony. Dr Nazrul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented crests to the winning teams.
The Diplomatic Indoor Games form part of Bangladesh’s Sports Diplomacy Initiative 2026, which uses sports to promote goodwill, dialogue and engagement among the country’s diplomatic community.
