Abahani Limited paid day-long tribute to the club’s founder and freedom fighter, Captain Sheikh Kamal, on the legendary figure’s 74th birth anniversary through different activities in the capital Saturday.
The directors, officials and players of the local powerhouse placed wreaths at Sheikh Kamal’s portrait at the club premises in the early hours.
An elaborate discussion and memorial meeting on the life and works of Sheikh Kamal was held in the afternoon at the same place.
Kazi Nabil Ahmed, the acting director in charge of Abahani, and Salman F Rahman, the chairman of the club, were among the speakers.
“The name of the club Abahani comes from the Bangla word Abahan. Abahan means to invite people, bring them together. He has that captivating power to unite people and put them to good work,” said Nabil, who is also Member of Parliament and vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation and Bangladesh Olympic Association.
“He (Sheikh Kamal) is not only within the confines of Abahani. Sheikh Kamal's message is reaching every home in Bangladesh. For this we are even more grateful. The work started by Sheikh Kamal, we are all trying to continue it under the leadership of the Prime Minister,” Nabil added.
Salman, who is the private industry and investment adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, recalled few memories of his friend Sheikh Kamal and elaborated on his contribution to sports and culture.
Abahani “Samarthak Goshti” also paid homage by placing wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Kamal at the club premises and at his grave at Banani Graveyard in the morning.
Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born in Tungipara village of Gopalganj on August 5, 1949.
Sheikh Kamal, brother of Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, was one of the pioneers of modern football in Bangladesh and also founder-president of Abahani Krira Chakra which later changed the name to Abahani Ltd.
He used to play cricket in the first division for Azad Boys Club and basketball in the first division for Spurs Club.
Apart from being a sports organizer, Sheikh Kamal was involved with various cultural organizations.
He was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League.
Sheikh Kamal, one of the prominent organizers of the Liberation War and noted sports and cultural personality, was also a founder-member of Dhaka Theatre and Spondon Shilpa Gousthi, a musical band of folk songs.
Sheikh Kamal joined the 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.
After the country's independence, Sheikh Kamal retired from the army and paid attention to studies.
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.