Heartfelt tribute was paid to Raahib Reza, a pioneer who established esports in Bangladesh, through a competition whose finale was held Wednesday.
The esports tournament titled "Legacy Deciphered: Echoes of Raahib 'Animal' Reza (Season 1)" was dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Raahib.
Known in the gaming world as both "Animal" and "Deciphered", Raahib was a trailblazer in Bangladeshi esports, leaving an enduring mark on the gaming community with his passion, dedication, and vision.
The tournament featured Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2, games Raahib loved and excelled in, uniting gamers to honor his contributions and celebrate his legacy.
The grand finale held on the first death anniversary of Raahib was a tribute to his extraordinary influence on Bangladeshi esports.
“This event is not just about competition; it is a celebration of Raahib’s enduring spirit, the countless lives he touched, and the community he helped build,” stated the organizers.
The organizers urged the gamers to join as they relived cherished memories, celebrated his extraordinary contributions, and unite in continuing his dream of a thriving Bangladeshi esports community.
It was the grand finale of the online phase which started from February 8.
Top teams of Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 participated in this event and the two best teams made it to the final to compete for the champion title.
The fight of the four best teams at Elite Convention Hall kept Raahib’s legacy alive.
The event was organized by 1 United.
Niveen Reza, Raahib's sister, expressed gratitude for organizing the tournament in honor of her brother Raahib.
“Raahib’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come together to keep his legacy alive. The support from the esports and IT community has been a tremendous source of strength since his passing, and through this tournament, they have helped honor his name,” said Niveen.
Raahib passed away from cardiac arrest during an endoscopy procedure at Lab Aid Hospital in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on February 19 last year.
His family members alleged that Raahib was given anesthesia without a prior examination of his test reports.
Niveen reminded: “Although Raahib’s life was tragically cut short due to medical negligence, his impact remains enduring. We are committed to fighting for justice in his memory, hoping that his story will inspire change in the fight against medical negligence and save countless lives.”
1 United’s Zahirul Islam Piash informed Dhaka Tribune that Raahib used to be a competitive player from a very young age.
He had a lot of international achievements.
In Bangladesh, he was one of the leading gamers and a champion.
“There was little scope for competitive games. He saw that there was a scope to develop esports in Bangladesh and make it bigger. Then he moved on to holding events and giving players the opportunity to build career in esports,” said Piash.
“He organized competitions, brought sponsors and did everything for the development of esports. This is how a journey started in Bangladesh esports.”