Bangladesh's sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the death of national award-winning sports legend Abdus Sadeque, one of the country's finest all-round athletes and an iconic figure in both hockey and football.
Sadeque breathed his last at a hospital in Gulshan at 7:38am on Saturday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 80.
A towering personality in Bangladesh sport, Abdus Sadeque wore many hats with distinction, player, captain, coach, organiser and administrator. He was the first captain of the independent Bangladesh national hockey team, a role that etched his name indelibly into the nation's sporting history. He also enjoyed considerable acclaim as a footballer and had the rare distinction of becoming the first captain of both the football and hockey teams of Dhaka Abahani.
His contributions extended far beyond the playing field. Following retirement, he remained deeply involved in sports administration and played a significant role in nurturing and promoting the country's sporting culture. In recognition of his outstanding services, he received the National Sports Award in 1996 and was later honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Sports Council Awards in 2023.
He is survived by two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives, admirers and former colleagues.
The first funeral prayer was held at Baitus Sobhan Mosque in Bashundhara on Saturday, while a second janaza is scheduled at Banani DOHS Ground on Sunday morning.
Tributes have poured in from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), sporting federations, clubs and the Bangladesh Sports Press Association, all paying homage to a man who played the beautiful game and wielded the hockey stick with equal grace.
With his passing, an era of Bangladesh sport draws to a close.
