Bangabandhu: from a captain in the field to the leader of the Bengali nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born to Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Sayera Khatun at a remote village, which was not known to many, on Mar 17 in 1920. Since his childhood, he was very much attached to the playground as his passion for sports was innate. After the country's independence, he took timely plans and initiatives for the development of the country's sports arena.

In all cases, his timely decisions are still leading the country to the peak of success today. From his inclination towards sports, Bangabandhu immediately focused on the development of the sports sector since the country became independent. In 1972, he formed the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board, now known as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Also, he established Bangladesh Sports Control Organisation in the same year for better coordination and smooth management of sports. It is now known as the National Sports Council (NSC), a sports regulatory body run by the government and under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

This organisation, under the patronage of the government, now controls around 45 separate sports organisations. One of these organisations, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the highest football regulatory body in the country, was also established in 1972.

Realising the need for the overall development of the sports arena, Bangabandhu formed the Ministry of Youth and Sports. For their significant role in the Liberation War, he provided jobs to the Swadhin Bangla Football team members and took their overall responsibility.

Bangabandhu's commitment to the development of sports did not stop with these only. He passed the Bangladesh Sports Council Act ensuring the highest status of athletes. On Aug 6 in 1975, he approved a proposal called Bangabandhu Krirashebi Kalyan Parishad (Bangabandhu Sports Welfare Council) to help and support the players and their families. But the great initiative ended with the brutal murder of Bangabandhu and his family members. However, after almost four decades, Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina passed the Bangabandhu Sports Welfare Council Act in 2011 and now the provisions of that act are being implemented in various ways.

Though Bangabandhu loved all sports, he was very much fond of football. In addition to it, he also marked his footprint of success in volleyball and hockey.

Dhaka Wanderers Club and Bangabandhu

Bangabandhu did not only rule on the playgrounds at school and college, but he also spread the light of his athletic skills on a larger scale. He even played for the Dhaka Wanderers, a successful club of the prestigious Dhaka League at that time. He joined the club in 1941 as a striker after participating in various tournaments for the district team.

He played regularly in the second division for the next two years. He used to wear the jersey number 9 or 10 most of the time. He also led the team as captain. Under his leadership, Wanderers Club won a tournament in Bogura. He was the hero by scoring a pair of goals in the final match of the tournament.

Seeing Bangabandhu's performance, famous Wanderers footballer Amir Jong Ghaznabi said, "Without getting involved in politics, if he (Bangabandhu) had continued playing football, we would have definitely got a top striker in Asia."

Bangabandhu did not contain himself within only football. He was also a member of the club's volleyball and hockey teams.

Sports memories at school 

Bangabandhu used to play football since childhood. An example of how much he loved sports by his heart is written in his 'The Unfinished Memories': "I slowly entered into politics. Abba [Father] would never stop me, but just tell me to take care of my studies. A little interest also grew in me for studies as I wasted a few years due to illness. I was also the captain at school. I was very interested in sports too. Abba didn't want to let me play too much because I suffered a heart attack earlier. My father was also a good player. He was the secretary of the Officers' Club. And I was the captain of the mission school. When Abba's team and my team faced each other in the field, people enjoyed the match very much. Our school team was very good. I would bring in the best players in the sub-division and get them admitted in our school with free tuition fees."

"In 1940, my school team defeated my father's team in almost all the games. The Officers Club did not lack money. They used to hire all the famous players from outside. In the last game of the year, my team had a five-day draw with my father's team. We are students – only 11 of us used to play regularly, and the Officers' Club hired new players. We were very tired. Father said, 'Our game will be in tomorrow morning. Outside players can no longer be kept, it costs a lot.'

"I said, 'We won't be able to play tomorrow morning, we have our exams then.' The secretary of Gopalganj Football Club walked to my father once and then to me and said, 'It's your father and son's business, I can't walk anymore.'

"Our headmaster was Mr Rasranjan Sengupta. He was also my tutor. Father called our headmaster. I am at one goal post with my team and Abba is at another goal post with his team. Mr Headmaster said, 'Mujib, surrender to your father. Play tomorrow morning, they'll face trouble. 'I said, 'Sir, we're all tired, eleven of us have played all year. Everyone has pain in their legs, they need rest for two to four days. Otherwise, we will lose. 'We haven't lost a single game this year, and it's the final of the AZ Khan Shield. I however had to obey the headmaster. The match was held the next morning. My team lost to my father's team by one goal."

Organising the first tournament in an independent country

The first football match in independent Bangladesh was held in February 1972. Today's Bangabandhu National Stadium was the venue of that match, which was organised with the participation of the star footballers of the country. The match was held between the Bangladesh XI and President XI. In May 1972, Kolkata Mohun Bagan, one of the best teams in Indian football, came to play in Dhaka. Kolkata Mohun Bagan beat Dhaka Mohammedan in the first match, but the visitors lost the next match.

Being present himself in the field, Bangabandhu encouraged the players before the match started. After losing the first match, he revived the confidence of the players. Dhaka Mohammedan left the field with a 1-0 victory in the second match. The current BFF president, Kazi Salahuddin, scored the goal in that historic match.

Bangabandhu also invited international clubs to introduce them to the country's football. In 1973, he brought the Minsk Dynamo Club of Russia to Dhaka to play a friendly match. Sitting in the VIP gallery with his youngest son Sheikh Russel, he enjoyed the match between Dhaka XI and Russia.

He expressed his special affection for the players at different times. In 1975, the Bangladesh football team visited Malaysia to play in the Merdeka Football Tournament. Before the visit, the Father of the Nation called the players to the Ganabhaban. Before their departure, he also took pictures with footballers.

Not only was Bangabandhu, but also other members of his family were involved in sports. Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal have made a great contribution to the development of sports of the country. Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu and a heroic freedom fighter, is called the pioneer of modern sports in independent Bangladesh. Bangabandhu's daughter-in-law Sultana Kamal was the best athlete in the country. Now the development of the sports sector is further marching forward with the blessing hands of Bangabandhu's daughter Hasina.

As a player, I have seen how she holds us in her arms with absolute compassion. Amidst hundreds of state activities, she rushes to the stadium to watch the game and encourage our players. She is the one who congratulates us first on our victories. She is the one who encourages us to boost our confidence and morale to do better in the future if we lose any match. Hasina is the skyscraper inspiration and strength for Bangladesh cricket and the entire sports arena.

I can say, for sure, that the source of this genuine love of the prime minister for sports is the Father of the Nation. This love of Bangabandhu and his family for sports has enriched the sector and has moved us forward with a commitment to building a healthy and beautiful generation.

I pay my humble homage to the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary.

Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.