Sheikh Kamal was a glittering star in sports arena

On the eve of the 66th birth anniversary of late Sheikh Kamal, the country’s celebrated sports organizers and sports personalities on Tuesday recalled his outstanding contribution to the field of sports and games alongside the cultural arena.
They describe his passing away an irreparable loss for the country’s sports arena, saying that Bangladesh would have immensely benefit from these fields had he been alive.
Talking to BSS, Syed Shahed Reza, a very close school-friend of Sheikh Kamal, and secretary general of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) said: “It was sad that we lost him in his prime. He was avid sports personality and Bangladesh would have benefitted immensely through his modern approach, but sadly his life was cut short cruelly by the cowards on August 15, 1975.”
Reza said Kamal used to enjoy sport with great passion and always was eager to come forward to help for the development of sports in Bangladesh.
“I remember my friend with fondest memory and pray for the peace of his departed soul,” the former ambassador to Kuwait said.
Harun-or-Rashid, an ex-lawmaker and former president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), termed Sheikh Kamal as a glittering star of the country’s sports arena.
“As a son of a prominent political family, Sheikh Kamal was supposed to be involved in politics. But he set a glorious example for the youths by engaging himself in sports and games,” he said.
Harun said Sheikh Kamal, the founder of Abahani Krira Chakra and Spandan Shilpi Goshthi, was a man with multidimensional talents.
“He was equally genius in sports and games and cultural field and attracted the youths to build themselves as worthy citizens of the country through games and sports,” Harun said.
Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born in Tungirapa village of Gopalganj on August 5 in 1949. His beloved club Abahani Limited and other social organizations have drawn up various programmes to observe the 66th anniversary of his birth.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at his portrait at Abahani Limited, Qurankhwani, feeding of the destitute and discussion meeting.
Qurankhwani will be held throughout the day on the Abahani Club premises and a kangali bhoz (feeding of the destitute) will also be organized there. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, eldest sister of Sheikh Kamal, is expected to be present at the discussion at Abahani Ltd as the chief guest at 4pm.
Before the discussion, the Premier will place wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Kamal on Abahani Club premises. Sheikh Kamal’s eventful life was cut short as he was assassinated along with most of his family members on the black night of August 15, 1975.
Sheikh Kamal is revered for introducing modern football in Bangladesh. He used to play cricket in first division for Azad Boys and Basketball too in first division for Spurs.
Apart from a sports organizer, Kamal was involved with various cultural organizations.
Kamal joined the great War of Liberation in 1971 and performed duties of the ADC of Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Forces General Ataul Gani Osmani during the war.
He was a central committee member of Bangladesh Chhatra League.