Walton Salutes Bangladesh’s “Remittance Warriors” on Sharjah’s Giant Screen

A lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy is the billions of dollars sent home every year by migrant workers. Yesterday, during the first T20I between Bangladesh and the UAE at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, electronics giant Walton paid an emotional tribute to those overseas workers—whom the company calls the nation’s “real heroes.”

Mid-match, the stadium’s giant screen lit up with a special message in Bangla:

“While our Tigers roar on the field, our true heroes—the expatriates—raise the flag abroad. Walton salutes every Bangladeshi in the United Arab Emirates.”

The unexpected salute drew cheers from migrant fans in the stands and countless more watching on television, many of whom said they felt seen and valued for the first time at an international sporting event.

Why the tribute matters

• Economic backbone: Remittances are often described as the “oxygen” of Bangladesh’s economy, cushioning the country during crises such as the current foreign-currency squeeze.

• Recognition gap: Despite their outsized contribution, expatriate workers rarely receive public acknowledgment at home or abroad. Walton’s gesture aimed to close that gap—at least symbolically.

Walton’s deep cricket ties

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC is the title sponsor of the “Bangladesh vs UAE T20 Series 2025.” The company is a familiar name in Bangladeshi cricket, backing tournaments from the National Cricket League and Dhaka Premier Division to the Bangladesh Cricket League. Their slogan—“Where there’s cricket, there’s Walton”—has become ubiquitous at home fixtures.

Reaction in Sharjah

Fans sporting red-and-green flags erupted when the tribute appeared. One migrant worker, Altaf, told local media: “We send money every month, but moments like this send something back to us—respect.”

With Bangladesh already one-up in the two-match series, the emotional boost could hardly have come at a better time, both for the team and the millions of remittance earners following from afar.