Nation mourns as hockey icon Abdus Sadeque passes away

Abdus Sadeque, Bangladesh’s first national hockey captain and one of the country’s most celebrated sports figures, passed away on Saturday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka at the age of 78. 
Sadeque, who helped shape the country’s hockey landscape over several decades, is survived by two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives, admirers and well-wishers who mourn his death. He also left an enduring legacy as a player, coach, administrator and sports organiser. 
Family members confirmed that the legendary sportsman breathed his last at 8am at a hospital in the Gulshan area of Dhaka after a prolonged period of illness.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held after Asr prayers at Baitus Sobhan Jame Mosque in Bashundhara Residential Area, while the second janaza is scheduled to be held at the Old DOHS playground in the Banani area of Dhaka at 10:30am today.
He was the elder brother of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and the father of Ishtiaque Sadeque, chief executive officer of T Sports, the first television channel in Bangladesh entirely dedicated to sports programmes. 
Bashundhara Group, Safwan Bashundhara Global express condolence over Sadeque’s death 
Bashundhara Group, one of the leading business conglomerates in the country led by Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, and Safwan Bashundhara Global (SBG), a forward-thinking business conglomerate in Bangladesh, led by founder and Chairman Safwan Sobhan, expressed deep shock at Abdus Sadeque’s death and sought eternal peace of the departed soul.
They also extended sympathy to the bereaved family members of the legendary hockey player, remembering his illustrious career as a player. 
Apart from these, the Daily Sun family also expressed deep shock and sorrow over his death.
In a condolence message, Daily Sun Editor Md Rezaul Karim recalled Abdus Sadeque’s outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s sports arena and extended sympathy to the bereaved family members.
BOA expresses condolence over Sadeque’s death  
Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) has expressed condolence over the death of legendary hockey player Abdus Sadeque.
In a press release, BOA President Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman and Secretary General Jubaidur Rahman Rana expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Sadeque was a former BOA executive committee member and with his demise, the country’s sports arena has lost a dedicated sports organiser, said the BOA press release.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) expressed profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences following the passing of the legendary athlete.
Bashundhara Kings also expressed condolences following the death of the legendary sports personality and pioneer Sadeque.  
BFF mourns the death of legendary hockey player Sadeque
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Sadeque, citing his outstanding contributions to the development of hockey and football in Bangladesh. 
His remarkable achievements and lifelong dedication to sports have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of athletes, said BFF President Tabith Awal.
The BFF senior vice president, vice presidents, members of the executive committee, the general secretary, members of all standing committees and the federation’s officials and staff also expressed profound grief over Sadeque’s death and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Born on 18 September 1946 in Dhaka, his journey began on the historic grounds of Armanitola School and Notre Dame College in then-East Pakistan. 
Growing up in Armanitola, widely considered the cradle of hockey in the country, Sadeque became one of its most legendary alumni, helping to popularise the sport across the nation.
During the 1960s, he reigned supreme across his three chosen disciplines. His football journey commenced in 1965 with Azad Sporting, followed by two years at Victoria and a stint with Dilkusha in 1969. 
Sadeque joined the Ispahani Club, the very team that, in 1970, after independence, evolved into the traditional Abahani hockey team in 1975.
His raw talent earned him a call-up to the Pakistan national hockey squad for the 1968 Olympics, though a cruel injury ultimately ruled him out.
However, his moment of international recognition arrived in 1969 when he became the sole Bengali player selected for Pakistan’s monumental month-and-a-half-long tour of Europe. 
In 1973, he captained the Cumilla district team to the National Hockey Championship title, secured by a solitary goal from his younger brother, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, who had previously played alongside him as a right-half in the East Pakistan youth team. 
When the Bangladesh national hockey team embarked on its first official international testing tour to Sri Lanka in the 1977-78 season, Sadeque was the historic first official captain. 
He retained the armband when Bangladesh sent its first-ever hockey squad to the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games, taking the red-and-green flag into the nation’s first major step in international hockey.
Upon hanging up his boots, Sadeque proved himself an equally formidable tactician. Taking full charge as head coach of the Abahani football team in 1977, the astute strategist led them to a historic unbeaten championship in the Dhaka League, setting an unprecedented record for the club. 
His managerial prowess extended effortlessly to the national setup. In 1989, he coached the Bangladesh national team to a glorious championship victory in the President’s Gold Cup.
Sadeque’s impact transcended the pitch and the dugout, forever changing the country’s sports administration. Serving as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) from 1983 to 1985, he operated with visionary foresight. 
Through sheer diplomatic brilliance, he successfully relocated the 1985 Second Asia Cup from Japan to Bangladesh, firmly placing Dhaka on the global hockey map. 
He was also instrumental in the successful hosting of the 2017 Asia Cup in Dhaka and was the driving force behind the installation of modern electronic scoreboards and floodlights for hockey in the country.