Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Sheikh Kamal would have done much more for the country if he had remained alive, highlighting the significant contributions he made to the country's politics, culture and sports.

"If Kamal [Sheikh Kamal] was alive today he could have given the country many things. His all-round talent could have made contributions to every sector if it blossomed. He even left his contribution [in many sectors]," she said.

Hasina made the comments during a virtual discussion marking the 71st birth anniversary of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports arranged the discussion and a doa mahfil at the Jatiya Krira Parishad Bhaban on the occasion.

Addressing the conference, Hasina said Kamal was a sports organiser on one hand and had multifaceted brilliance in the cultural arena on the other, while he had an impressive role in politics as well.

Recalling Sheikh Kamal's contribution to politics and movements, the premier said, "Kamal had played an active role in each of the struggle and movement since giving the six-point demand and the arrest of the Father of the Nation in Agartola conspiracy case."

She said Kamal actively took part in the country's Liberation War of 1971 after receiving proper training.

About Sheikh Kamal's contribution to sports, the PM said that the greatest contribution of Kamal in sports was to make arrangement for it in Dhanmondi, and establishing Abahani Club and making it stronger further after the Liberation War.

Kamal had a great passion for Abahani, the premier said, recalling his demand for Adidas boots for players of the football team when she went to Germany after his marriage in 1975.

Hasina, elder sister of Sheikh Kamal, said Kamal never used to demand anything for himself.

The PM said Kamal used to sing songs, play the sitar and had a band, "Spondon Shilpa Gosthi".

Kamal had a role in establishing the Dhaka Theatre as well, she added.

 "Kamal is no more within us now. But the Abahani and Spondon, which he had established, are still within us," Hasina said.

Among others, PM's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Youths and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, member secretary of the national committee for the nationwide celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Bangladesh Football Federation President Kazi Salahiddin, and Editor-in-Charge of the Ekattor Television and member of the board of directors of the national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mozammel Babu spoke on the occasion.