Hasmat Ali's home is in the Banagram Mahalla of Bera municipality area in Pabna. He is a painter by profession. Painting signboards, banners, and billboards for various individuals and institutions is his job. However, since the start of the World Cup, he has been spending almost all his time painting flags on the faces, hands, and bodies of Argentina supporters.
On the ground, it was seen that since Saturday morning, there was a long line of children and teenagers in front of his house. He is painting the Argentine flag on the faces and bodies of one supporter after another with a paintbrush. At the request of many, he is also painting the Bangladesh flag.
Several children and teenagers from the Banagram area, including Sohan, Sajib, and Foysal, who came to get flags painted, said they are big fans of Argentina and Messi. They came to share the joy with friends by having the Argentine flag painted on their bodies for the final.
Hasmat Ali said that whenever there is an Argentina match, a crowd of supporters starts gathering at his house from noon. The joy of watching the match on a big screen with the jersey and the flag painted on the body is different. If the team wins, many come to get the flag painted the next day as well.
He said, "I am also an Argentina supporter. So, I cannot turn anyone away if they want the flag of their favorite team painted. On the day of the final, I plan to paint flags on the bodies of five to six hundred people from morning till evening. I have already painted flags on the bodies of nearly three thousand people. I hope to paint flags on the bodies of more than four thousand people before the World Cup ends."
Argentina supporter and Bera market businessman Enamul Haque said that the flags painted by Hasmat Ali have created a festive atmosphere throughout the area. His initiative has multiplied the joy of the World Cup several times over.