Sheikh Kamal faced malicious campaign
Hasina says at function marking 72nd birth anniversary of her brother
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Sheikh Kamal used to lead a very simple life but faced a malicious campaign after surviving a futile assassination attempt in 1974.
"Kamal was shot on December 16, 1974 following a conspiracy. An ill-attempt was made to kill him. When he survived it, various negative campaigns were carried out against him," she said.
The PM was addressing a function marking the 72nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal and the handover of Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (NSC) Award-2021.
The function was held at Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Auditorium of the National Sports Council, with the premier joining virtually from the Gono Bhaban.
Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara, Gopalganj.
Hasina said Kamal led a very simple life despite being a son of the then president or prime minister.
"Though his father was the prime minister or the president, he never had any intention of making money and wealth or building a business."
Kamal's biggest passion was to develop the country's educational institutions and improve cultural and sports arenas, said the PM recalling the contributions of her younger brother to different sectors, particularly sports.
She said Kamal played a sincere role in modernising football, cricket and the sports sector. "He made tangible contributions to the field of music, too. As a Dhaka University student, he made a lot of contributions to our society."
Kamal's biggest goal was to reorganise the young generation, motivate them to love the country and work in the interest of the country, the PM said. "Had he been alive, he could have done a lot of work for the country's young generation."
Describing Kamal as a versatile man, Hasina said he had a good sense of responsibility and dutifulness, and he played various games like football, cricket and hockey in addition to founding Abahani Krira Chakra.
Alongside sports, Kamal was very good in drama, song and extempore activity. He had established Spondon Shilpi Gosthi.
About Kamal's organisational competence, Hasina said he played a very active role in different movements after the Six-Point Demand was placed in 1966. He also conducted a campaign competently before the 1970 election.
Earlier, the PM distributed Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award-2021 among 10 sports personalities and two organisations.
On behalf of the prime minister, Senior Secretary of Youth and Sports Akhter Hossain handed the awards to the winners under seven categories.
Mahfuza Khatun Shila (swimming), Ruman Sana (archery) and Mabia Akter Simanto (weightlifting) received the award in the athlete category.
The award in the emerging athlete category was handed to Akbar Ali (captain of U-19 Cricket World Cup winning team), Fahad Rahman (chess) and Unnati Khatun (football).
Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin was given the lifetime honour award.
Manzoor Quader and Kya Shai Hra won the award in sports organiser category, while Muhammad Kamruzzaman in the sports journalist category.
Bangladesh Cricket Board received the award in the federation/association/organisation category while Walton received it in the sports patron/sponsor category.
Hasina also unveiled the cover of an illustrated memoir on Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal.
At the event, a documentary titled "Sheikh Kamal: Uttal Taronyer Nabik" was screened with focus on the life and works of the sports organiser.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, also the NSC chairman, presided over the event, joining it virtually from Japan.
Two sports organisers -- Swadhin Bangla Football Team Manager Tanvir Mazahar Islam Tanna and Youth and Sports Affairs Secretary of Awami League Harunur Rashid -- highlighted the life and works of Sheikh Kamal.
POSTAGE STAMP RELEASED
Yesterday, the prime minister released a commemorative postage stamp, an opening-day cover and a data card marking the 72nd birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal.
Hasina unveiled the Tk 10 stamp along with a Tk 10 opening-day cover and Tk 5 data card at a function at the Gono Bhaban, said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.