For a campus more accustomed to political rallies and academic seminars, Wednesday afternoon felt different at the University of Dhaka. Word spread quickly – football icon Mesut Özil was on his way.
By the time the former Germany and Arsenal star reached the Shaheed Buddhijibi Dr Mohammad Mortuza Medical Centre, hundreds of students had gathered, phones raised, chanting his name and hoping for a selfie.
Though there had been no major prior announcement, excitement rippled across the campus as soon as news of his arrival broke.
Özil inaugurated the newly renovated medical centre, refurbished with financial assistance from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The project, implemented at a cost of around Tk 27.5 million, included infrastructure upgrades and service enhancements aimed at improving healthcare access for students, teachers and staff.
Dressed in a dark suit and smiling warmly, the 2014 World Cup winner toured the upgraded facility, exchanged greetings with students and paused repeatedly for photographs. For many on campus, it was a rare chance to see a global football figure up close.
The inauguration ceremony, held at 3:00pm, was presided over by DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan. Among those present were Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen, TİKA President Abdullah Eren, and Bilal Erdoğan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Addressing the gathering, Bilal Erdoğan said Özil would travel to Cox’s Bazar to play football with Rohingya children, highlighting ongoing humanitarian engagement by Turkish organisations in Bangladesh. The footballer is also scheduled to attend an iftar at a Rohingya camp before concluding his brief visit and departing at night.
DUCSU Sports Secretary Arman Hossain said TİKA provided full financial support for the medical centre’s development, and Özil’s presence marked the official inauguration of the project.
University authorities expressed hope that the renovation would significantly strengthen on-campus healthcare services, ensuring quicker and more reliable medical support for the university community.
But beyond the formal speeches and ribbon-cutting, it was the atmosphere that stood out. From the Arts Building to the medical centre grounds, clusters of students waited patiently, some recalling Özil’s glory days with Germany and clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal. Others simply wanted to tell him how he inspired their love for football.
For a few hours, Dhaka University turned into a mini football arena of cheers and camera flashes – proof that even years after lifting the World Cup, Mesut Özil still knows how to draw a crowd, thousands of miles away from the stadiums where he made his name.