Published: May 17, 2025, 04:21 PM
Bangladesh’s national football team has unveiled a striking new home jersey that artfully blends heritage, symbolism, and design innovation. Designed by Tasmit Afiat Arny, the Creative Director of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the jersey is a visual homage to the nation’s identity, combining traditional Jamdani motifs with iconic national symbols - the Royal Bengal Tiger, the magpie robin (doel), and the hilsa fish.
Unlike the predominantly red away jersey that reflected Bangladesh’s riverine nature, the new home jersey comes in white with green-themed patterns on the sleeves. Accents of red and green on the neckline and sleeve cuffs evoke the national flag, tying the design closely to national pride.
At the heart of the design is a masterfully integrated tiger’s face - not just a graphic, but a layered symbol of strength and identity. Its ears are shaped like hilsa, the forehead mirrors a doel, and the entire composition is interwoven using the geometric finesse of Jamdani - a textile tradition that has earned UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Arny, speaking from Doha, noted that the decision to use white as the base color made the creative process more challenging, but also allowed her to highlight Bangladesh’s cultural depth in a refined, elegant way. “The tiger is not just a design element,” she said, “it’s a symbol of courage - a reflection of our players, our tiger cubs.”
The jersey’s design also draws inspiration from the Sundarbans, where tigers, birds, and fish coexist - a symbolic nod to the southern regions of the country, often threatened by natural calamities. Through this layered symbolism, the jersey serves not just as sportswear, but as a statement of resilience and national unity.
One standout feature is the stylized typography of the word ‘Bangladesh,’ cleverly shaped into the outline of the country - a detail carried over from the away jersey, reinforcing continuity and national branding.
Dour, the BFF’s official kit sponsor, is marketing the jersey, while Arny’s own brand Stride supports the creative side. As sportswear in Bangladesh often lacks thoughtful design integration, this jersey stands out not only for its aesthetics but also for its attention to meaning, function, and national representation.
In a sporting culture where visual identity is frequently overlooked, this initiative marks a significant step forward. It reflects a deliberate effort to bring artistry, symbolism, and national pride into the arena — turning the jersey into more than just a uniform, but a visual emblem of Bangladesh.
