Kazi Anisur Rahman, the first secretary of National Sports Council, breathed his last in the capital at the age of 92 Friday.
The former Bangladesh Olympic Association member had been suffering from old age complicacies.
After his health deteriorated, Anisur was taken to nearby Holy Family hospital where he was announced dead, a family member confirmed Dhaka Tribune.
Anisur served as the convener of the Bangladesh Sports Control Board from February 9, 1972 to March 31, 1975.
He was appointed as the secretary of the Sports Council on February 1, 1975 before resigning on June 16, 1976.
He performed various duties including president and general secretary of Azad Sporting Club.
In 1997, he received the Sports for All award from the International Olympic Committee in Barcelona, Spain.
He also got the national sports award in 2007.
Anisur was born in Narsingdi’s Ghorashal on March 2, 1932.
He played football and swimming during school and college life.
He was actively involved in sports organizing during Pakistan period and carried on after independence.
He was the vice president of Dhaka District Sports Association for more than two decades until 2001 and vice president of Dhaka Division Sports Association from 1986 to 2005.
He served as senior vice president of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and also team manager of national kabaddi team during the 1979 Asian Cup.
From 1988-94, he was the treasurer of Asian Kabaddi Federation and received special honor for his work.
Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hasan expressed deep sadness.
“Kazi Anisur Rahman was associated with sports since before independence. At the invitation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he took over as secretary of the sports council. At present this post is filled by Joint/Additional Secretaries to Government. He worked for a salary of only one taka. He will be forever remembered in sports through his activities. His passing is an irreparable loss to the sport,” said the minister in a condolence message.
A namaz-e-janaza will be held at Bangabandhu National Stadium Sunday morning to pay tribute to the renowned sports organizer.