The 70th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be observed today amid due respect and solemnity. The eminent sports organiser was born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara in Gopalganj; and on the black night of August 15, he was assassinated along with Bangabandhu and other family members at the age of 26 while he was a Master’s Degree (final year) examinee.
He was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). Awami League, its associate bodies and different political, socio-cultural and sports organisations have taken up elaborate programmes marking the day. The Abahani Limited and its supporters will pay tribute to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait on Dhanmondi Abahani Club premises at 12.01 am on early Monday.
They will visit Kamal’s grave at the Banani Graveyard and hold a doa-mahfil there seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Sheikh Kamal and other family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who were assassinated by a group of disgruntled army personnel on August 15, 1975. The Abahani Limited will also hold a discussion over the colourful life and works of Sheikh Kamal at 4 pm and programmes including day-long recitation from the Holy Quran along with milad-mahfil (after Asr prayers) today.
Kamal played a heroic role in 1969’s mass upsurge and took part in the Liberation War directly. He was the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Armed Forces General Ataul Gani Osmani during the War of Liberation.Kamal was well-trained on war-course and he got commission beforetaking part in Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
After passing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination from Shahin School and HSC from Dhaka College, Kamal was admitted into Dhaka University. He was one of the pioneers of modern football in Bangladesh and also founder-president of the country’s leading sporting club Abahani Krira Chakra. Kamal used to play cricket in first division for Azad Boys Club and Basketball too in first division for Spurs Club. He was also founder-member of Dhaka Theatre and Spondon Shilpa Gosthi, a musical band of folk songs.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Awami League and its associate bodies will place floral wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Kamal on the premises of Abahani Club at Dhanmondi around 8:00am and will pay tribute to the grave of Sheikh Kamal at Banani Graveyard at 9:00am followed by Quran Khawani and Milad Mahfil. Besides, different sports, and socio-cultural organizations have taken up elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Bangladesh Awami League’s General Secretary and Roads, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged Awami League and its front organisations to observe the 70th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal in a befitting manner.
