Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal was multi-talented, a role model for the youth.
She said this in a message given on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal on Saturday.
The Prime Minister said that the man possessed of endless vitality was at the same time very modest, polite, unassuming and good-natured. He used to mix with common people by being very common. He would lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
She said, I am very happy to know that the 74th birth anniversary of the brave freedom fighter martyred Captain Sheikh Kamal is being celebrated with due dignity nationally by the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. I sincerely thank everyone associated with this celebration.
The Prime Minister said Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was a bright star in the sports world of independent Bangladesh. Before the independence of the country, he formed Abahani Social Welfare Organization. After returning from the war of liberation, Abahani founded Krirachakra. Apart from football, he also formed hockey, cricket and table tennis teams under Abahani Krirachakra. He used to provide the players with modern clothes and sports equipment.
Sheikh Hasina said that Sheikh Kamal appointed the first British coach in the independent country for advanced training in sports. At one stage he decided to establish the district branch of Abahani Krirachakra. He also took steps to provide retirement allowance to the players besides taking various initiatives to make them self-reliant. For that purpose, he formed the 'Khelwar Kalyan Fund' with a donation of 10 lakh taka from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said that as Sheikh Kamal was the best sports organizer and athlete in the country, he was also very talented as a student. Along with studies, he cherished and practiced native culture wholeheartedly. His contribution to sports, music, acting, debates, public speaking etc. was undeniable. He has been immortalized in the world of culture by establishing 'Spandan Shilpi Group'.
The Prime Minister said, "On August 15, 1975, a group of anti-independence assassins brutally killed the Father of the Nation and his family in a brutal attack. That very night, the killers entered the Bangabandhu building at Dhanmondi-32 and first killed the brave freedom fighter Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. Although a group of cowardly assassins physically killed Sheikh Kamal, his path, ideals and direction in the journey to elevate Bangladesh's sports arena to international standards are still a role model.
She said, "Sheikh Kamal has always been a source of inspiration among us and will continue to be so in the future." Today on his 74th birth anniversary I remember him with deep compassion and affection. I believe, if we can implement Sheikh Kamal's constructive thoughts, soon our sports will be at the pinnacle of success in the international field.
The Prime Minister said that in order to remember the contribution of the brave freedom fighter Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal and as a sign of deep respect to his memory, those who have made important contributions in various fields of sports are being given the 'Sheikh Kamal Jatiya Krira Parishad Award-2023' today. She congratulated all the recipients of this prestigious award. She said, I believe that this award will encourage all the people and organizations associated with sports and will accelerate the ongoing progress in the field of sports.
The Prime Minister wished the all-round success of all the programs undertaken on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary celebrations of the heroic freedom fighter Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal.