National award-winning footballer and captain of the Swadhin Bangla football team, freedom fighter Zakaria Pintu, is no more. He died while undergoing treatment at Ibne Sina Hospital in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on Monday. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences on Monday over the death of Zakaria Pintu, captain of the Swadhin Bangla football team and the first national football team of independent Bangladesh.
In a condolence message, the Chief Adviser said, "I am shocked and saddened to learn that the captain of the Swadhin Bangla football team, freedom fighter Zakaria Pintu, has passed away in the hospital."
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, "The legendary captain of the Swadhin Bangla football team, Zakaria Pintu, traveled all over India in 1971 to collect money and important support for the wartime government. Even when he was not playing on the field, he used to encourage our freedom fighters." He emerged as one of the faces of our freedom struggle.’
Muhammad Yunus further said, ‘After the war of independence, he became the captain of the first national football team of independent Bangladesh. This legendary player played in the central back position, and at the same time, he was an extraordinary defender in the red-green jersey. After completing his two-decade career, he also played an important role in organizing the country's sports arena. He was a complete sportsman until his death.’
‘I pray for the forgiveness of his departed soul. My condolences to his bereaved family and all those involved in the sports arena, to whom Zakaria Pintu was a true legend.’
Zakaria Pintu was born in Naogaon in 1943. However, he will be forever remembered for his role in 1971. During the liberation war in 1971, the country's top footballers formed the Swadhin Bangla Football Team. The Swadhin Bangla football team created world public opinion in favor of the liberation of the people of the country through the game of football.