Hockey loses its guardian
A contemporary of legendary hockey players such as Abus Sadeque, Ibrahim Saber and Mohammad Mohsin and an absolute legend of the game's administration, Shamsul Bari breathed his last at a hospital in the capital yesterday morning. He was 74.
Bari successfully administered Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) as a general secretary from 1988 to 2007. He also worked as joint secretary and vice-president of the federation.
A Blue of Dhaka University, Bari played for Combined SC, Mahuthtuli SC, Abahani and Mohammedan SC from 1964 to 1978 while representing the national team from 1972 to 1978. After ending his playing career, he worked as an organiser, judge and umpire. He was also a member of Asian Hockey Federation.
The successful organiser paid his last visit to the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium in a coffin yesterday as former players, organisers and others paid their last tribute by attending his namaz-e-janaza.
"He had a great power to unite people and I never saw him angry," said his contemporary hockey player Mohammad Hasan.
"I played with Bari bhai for one year in Mahuthtuli SC. He was a real gentleman," said BHF vice-president Sadek A Adel.
Veteran organiser Moinuzzaman Pila said, "Bari bhai had a great capacity to manage everyone and no one could refuse him as he was a gentleman. His departure will undoubtedly impact the environment of hockey."
The late organiser had been suffering from diabetes, kidney ailment before contacting Covid-19. Even though he recovered from the infection but could not survive the impact of the disease. Bari, who left behind his wife, two sons and a host of well-wishers, was laid to rest at the Banani Graveyard.
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