Sports patrons
Abahani Limited (formerly Iqbal Sporting) has contributed a lot to the development of the country’s sports. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman’s eldest son Sheikh Kamal loved sports more than he loved anything. In 1972, he purchased Iqbal Sporting Club in a legal process and renamed it Abahani KC. It is noticeable that he did not hanker after personal reputation, but country’s sports. That is why he did not name the club after his name.
Sheikh Kamal will be remembered in this country because he hired foreign coach for his club in 1973. The coach brought with him modern techniques of football from Europe and we were really amazed. Several other football clubs’ management, particularly WAPDA, also hired European coaches. Thus the footballers of this country were introduced with modern techniques of soccer. It still continues.
Had Sheikh Kamal lived long, the country’s sports would have been immensely benefited. We really feel for him.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
