Ehtesham Sultan, former national hockey star, coach and national sports award winner, passed away in a capital hospital on Monday morning after suffering from liver cancer. He was 77.
Ehtesham left behind a son, two daughters, wife and many well-wishers to mourn his death.
Ehstesham played both hockey and football. As midfield-cum-forward he represented the national hockey team till 1978 and played for Azad Sporting Club and Sonali Bank. He later became national team hockey coach in 1982.
Though his main focus was on hockey, he also played football as goalkeeper and represented PWD and Azad Sporting Club.
He won the national award for his contribution toward sports in 2006.
Ehtesham was the elder brother of former national footballer Imteaz Sultan Johnny whose two other brothers were also footballers.
“He was my idol during my playing career. He was very disciplined man all his life. It was because of his guidance I became the footballer I was.” said Johnny.
Ehtesham was suffering from liver cancer for few months and wad admitted to Dr. Azmal Hospital in Mirpur after his condition worsened and breathed his last there.
Former hockey players and organisers paid tribute to Ehtesham during the first namaz-e-janaza at Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium before laid to rest at Kalsi graveyard in Mirpur.
