Sense of sadness and shock prevailed in the country’s sports arena at the sad demise of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) vice president Khaja Rahmatullah who breathed last Tuesday evening.
Different sports federations, sports organizations, clubs, former and current players expressed deep shock at the death of the former hockey star Rahmatullah who passed away on Tuesday evening due to cardiac arrest.
Bangladesh Cricket Board, Bangladesh Football Federation, Bangladesh Olympic Association, Bangladesh Hockey Federation, Bangladesh Chess Federation, Bangladesh Sports Journalist Association, Bangladesh Sports Press Association issued separate condolence messages at the passing away of Rahmatullah.
His first namaz-e-janaja was held (Wednesday) at the Abahani Club premise where BHF president and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan Papon, Bangladesh Olympic Association Secretary General Syed Shahed Reza, Awami League Sports Affairs Secretary Harun-Ur Rashid, officials of different clubs, sports federations, sports organizers, former and current hockey players, near and dear once and friends paid their last respect.
The former hockey’s general secretary Rahmatullah started his hockey career for Shadharan Bima in 1978 and then joined Mohammedan in 1985 before switching to Abahani where he captained the Sky Blue Dhanmondi ‘outfit’ till 1995. He represented Bangladesh from 1986 and called time on his career after the 1989 Asia Cup.
Rahmatullah had a busy time during the just concluded Hero Men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament and was one of general secretary candidates of the postponed BHF polls.
