Abahani's beloved 'Harun vai' is no more

Harunur Rashid stood by Dhanmondi's iconic Abahani club through its highs and lows from its beginning, when it was known as Abahani Krira Chakra, to its present-day identity as Abahani Limited. 

A founding general secretary and later a member of the club's governing body, his bond with Abahani went far beyond mere association.

A successful sports organiser in post-independence Bangladesh, Harunur Rashid served as general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on several occasions. 

He served as the club's foundation general secretary in 1972 and went on to serve five times as general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). 

He also chaired the Dhaka Metropolitan Football League Committee and served as vice-president of the Bangladesh Olympic Association.

From 1997 to 2000, he was a member of the Asian Football Confederation's executive committee. 

His contributions to sports earned him the National Sports Award and the AFC's prestigious Golden Award.

Harun also designed Abahani's famous logo, taking inspiration from the colours of the United Nations flag and adding leaf designs on both sides. 

His hard work, dedication and vision helped shape the club's identity. As long as Abahani's legacy lives on, so will the memory of Harunur Rashid.

Harunur Rashid was also associated with the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA). 

In recognition of his contributions to sports, he received the National Sports Award.

Despite holding several prominent positions, he was best known in Bangladesh's sporting fraternity by one name ‘Abahani's Harun vai’.

The devoted Abahani organiser passed away late Monday night at a hospital in the capital after battling for his life (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un).

He spent a significant part of his life with his beloved Abahani. 

Fittingly, his final farewell also took place at the club's ground, where the memories of his long life were deeply intertwined with the club's joys and sorrows.

Former footballers, cricketers, hockey players, sports organisers and well-wishers attended his funeral prayers after Zuhr. 

His coffin was covered with Abahani's familiar flag before the prayers. Club director Anjan Chowdhury Pintu and other prominent figures were also present.

The country’s entire sports fraternity expressed their profound shock at his death and condoled his bereaved family.