‘It’s an attack on sports fraternity’

The plot to kill Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir is a threat to the development in the country's sports sector, sports organisers said on Tuesday.

Sayem Sobhan Anvir, also managing director of Bashundhara Group, is a known face in the sports fraternity. He has already earned appreciation at home and abroad for his passion for developing the sports sector.

The attempt on the life of the Bashundhara MD has aroused deep resentment among the sports community, they added.

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited has strongly condemned the repeated attempts to assassinate Sayem Sobhan Anvir, and demanded immediate arrest of the conspirators.

The club leaders made the demand at a press conference at the Dhaka City Football Committee office at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.

They also sought proper investigation into the horrendous incident to mete out exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.

Mentioning that they will meet the home minister as soon as possible, the club leaders said they will go wherever they need to go to realise their demand.

Director-in-Charge of Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited Ismat Jamil Akhond Lablu read out a written statement at the press conference.

“It’s an attack on the sports fraternity. Sayem Sobhan Anvir is a true sports organiser, and we condemn the heinous act,’’ Jamil said.

“We must remember his (Anvir) contributions to developing sports sector. It is needed to make sure that such a true organiser is not harmed by any conspirators,’’ he said.

“Police have already arrested a culprit, but we have to know who is behind the murder plot. We want justice, which will help to restore calmness in sports fraternity,’’ he said.

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Director (Sports) Saleh Jaman Selim said it is an attempt to disrupt the growth of sports in the country, considering their family (Anvir’s family) has been involved with sports for a long time. “You have heard the name of country’s prominent swimmer Brojen Das. Advocate Sobhan Shaheb, Mr Anvir’s grandfather, used to swim with Brojen Das. His another son and Anvir’s uncle Abdus Sadek was one of the best footballers and hockey players of the country. He was the first captain of the national hockey team. History suggests that their family has been patronising sports for a long time,’’ Selim said, adding that the culprits must be brought to justice.

“Our Honorable Prime Minister has never spared any criminal; no matter which party he belongs to. Whoever is the real culprit will be brought to book,” he also said.

Sheikh Russel KC Vice-chairman Imdadul Haq Milan, Director (Sports) Saleh Jaman Selim, Director (Finance) Fakhruddin Ahmed, directors Md Rafiqul Alam, Abul Kashem, SM Hasan Zaman, Habibur Rahman Khan, Alimuzzaman Alam, Khalilur Rahman, Mir Mohammad Shahab Uddin Tipu, Hamidul Haque Shamim, Abu Bakar, Belayet Hossain Bepari, Asaduzzaman, SM Jahangir and Al Maruf Enayet were present on the occasion.

Foiling the assassination plot, police on Friday arrested a young man named Saiful Islam Saad, who initially confessed that he tried to kill the country's business tycoon on the instruction of Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and his son Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun.

Shortly after his arrest, Saad also confessed to police that he was given a good amount of money to execute the murder plot.

Saad was placed on three-day remand for interrogation to indentify the masterminds of the horrendous incident.