BSS, Dhaka :
The people of the sports arena on Tuesday bid their last farewell to Zakaria Pintoo, the legendary Captain of the Shadhin Bangla football team, showing him love and respect.
The legendary footballer passed away at a city hospital on Monday last after a prolonged battle with multiple illnesses at the age of 81.
The first Namaj-e-Janaza was held on Tuesday at his beloved club Mohammedan Sporting Club premise where various federations, associations, organizations have paid rich tribute to this valiant freedom fighter.
Pintoo’s body was placed on a small platform at the premises of the Club. After that, wreaths were placed on his coffin by different clubs, various federations, Bangladesh Olympic Associations and former players.
His second Namaj-e-Janaza was held at Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban where the members of the BFF Executive Committee paid rich tribute to the Captain of the Shadhin Bangla football team.
Pintoo was born in Naogaon on January 1 in 1943 and represented both the Pakistan National Football team and the East Pakistan Football team, captaining the latter in numerous occasions.
In club football competitions, Pintoo represented Mohammedan, one of the most popular clubs in Bangladesh, for a continuous period of 14 years.
In recognition for his contribution to the country’s football, he was accorded with the Independence Award in 1995 and the National Sports Awards in 1978.
