Sheikh Kamal was born on August 5, 1949, at Tungipara in Gopalganj and is considered as the pioneer of modern sports in the country
Abahani Limited will commemorate the 72nd birthday of its founder Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, through various programs Friday.
Due to the pandemic situation, the programs will follow strict health regulations while recollecting the memories of one of the most important sports persons in the country’s history, informed a club press release.
The high-ups of the club will place bouquet of flowers on the monument of Sheikh Kamal that is situated on the club premises at 12:01 am following special prayer.
Quran recitation throughout the day will continue before a milad mahfil takes place after Asr prayer and a virtual discussion about the memories of Sheikh Kamal will take place at 4pm.
Sheikh Kamal was born on August 5, 1949, at Tungipara in Gopalganj and is considered as the pioneer of modern sports in the country as he, during his lifetime, contributed to a number of sports such as football, cricket, basketball, athletics and also established Abahani, the powerhouse of country’s sports.
Abahani ushered the new era just after the independent war and the significance was paramount as it shaped the mindset of youth and set high standards for the newly-born country.
Sheikh Kamal played a heroic role in the mass uprising of 1969 and the great Liberation War of 1971 as a dedicated fighter and ideological activist of the Bangladesh Chhatra League. https://t.co/IdKnabhrrw
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) August 4, 2021
Through his vision, dedication and ambition, Sheikh Kamal established the country’s first modern sports entity and thus inspired the country to hoist its drape in the global stage.
Football was the most popular sport during that era and under the guidance of Sheikh Kamal, Abahani juxtaposed the modern knowledge and passion as they hired the first ever foreign coach, Irishman William Bill Hurt.
And soon Abahani became the bastion and symbol of the spirit of liberation war that cherished a youthful, independent nation willing to strive forward under the stewardship of Sheikh Kamal’s father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
As a player, Sheikh Kamal played football for Dhanmondi Club (now Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd), led Abhani’s title-winning side in 1974 as a cricketer and also played his part as a fast bowler for his alma mater, University of Dhaka in national cricket championship.
Sheikh Kamal, the winner of 100m sprint of the annual sports event of Salimullah Hall in 1975, also led social science department to the inter-house volleyball championship title during his university life.
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