Sports icon Abdus Sadeque laid to rest

Bangladesh’s sporting fraternity bade a final farewell on Sunday to Abdus Sadeque, the legendary hockey player and the first captain of Abahani Krira Chakra, who passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Sadeque, 80, one of the most celebrated sports figures in the country, breathed his last at a Dhaka hospital on Saturday morning. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
His second namaz-e-janaza was held at the Banani Old DOHS field at 11am on Sunday, 
led by Hafez Maulana Mufti Abdus Sakur. An earlier janaza had been held on Saturday afternoon at Baitus Sobhan Mosque in Bashundhara Residential Area. He was later laid to rest at Banani Graveyard.
A large number of sports organisers, former athletes and admirers gathered to pay their final respects to one of the country’s most influential sporting figures.
Officials from Abahani Limited, Mohammedan Sporting Club and Dhaka Mariners Club attended the funeral, alongside prominent figures from Bangladesh’s sporting community. Among them were Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal, BCB Director Fahim Sinha, former BCB President Faruque Ahmed, former national cricket captain Akram Khan, veteran hockey players and officials of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF).
Floral wreaths from leading sports clubs and federations were placed beside his coffin in tribute to his remarkable contribution to Bangladesh sports.
Paying tribute, former national hockey player Sajed AA Adel described Sadeque as an irreplaceable figure in the country’s sporting history.
Paying tribute, former national hockey player Sajed AA Adel described Sadeque as an irreplaceable figure in the country’s sporting history.
“Whatever I say about Sadeque bhai will fall short. There is no one like him,” Adel said. “I do not wish to compare him to anyone because there simply is no comparison. He was not only a great player but also a great ambassador for the sport. As juniors, we hardly dared speak in front of him, yet he always looked after us. We have lost an unparalleled legend.”
BHF General Secretary Lt Col (retd) Riazul Hasan recalled facing Sadeque on the field in 1975 and being mesmerised by his skill.
“Watching him play, we would wonder whether we should play the game ourselves or simply stand and watch him,” Riazul said.
Expressing concern that younger generations are unfamiliar with Sadeque’s achievements, he added, “The greatest tragedy is that many young people today know little about his contributions. He would often call me and say, ‘Riaz, do this for hockey.’ He was a profoundly good human being.”
Sadeque’s legacy, however, extended far beyond a single discipline.
Former BCB President Faruque Ahmed highlighted Sadeque’s wider contribution to Bangladesh sports.
“There were only a handful of people who helped shape sports in this country, and he was undoubtedly one of them,” Faruque said. “He led both the football and hockey teams of independent Bangladesh and played a key role in establishing Abahani Club in 1972.”
Former national cricket captain Akram Khan also remembered Sadeque as a mentor and guardian to generations of athletes.
“He always looked after us and offered valuable advice, particularly on fitness,” Akram said. “It is difficult to find a person like him. He genuinely loved every sport. Bangladesh has lost one of its greatest sporting figures.”
Sadeque’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the country’s sporting history, but his contribution to hockey and Bangladesh sports will continue to inspire future generations.