Football organiser Harunur Rashid dies at 77

Harunur Rashid, one of the pioneers who rebuilt the country's sporting arena from the ruins after independence, the founding general secretary of the traditional Abahani Krira Chakra and a former general secretary of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), is no more.

He breathed his last early on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at LabAid Hospital in the capital. He was 77 years old at the time of his death.

The veteran sports organiser had long been suffering from various age-related physical complications. When his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to hospital a few days ago, where he remained on life support for the last few days. News of his death has cast a deep shadow of grief over the country's football arena and the entire sporting world.

Abahani Krira Chakra was founded in 1972 by Sheikh Kamal, and Harunur Rashid took on the heavy responsibility of general secretary from the very beginning. He held the post until the club was transformed into Abahani Limited in the first half of the 1990s, playing a key role in turning the club into the country's top football power.

Beyond club football, he steered the BFF, the highest body of football in the country, on several occasions. He served as its general secretary a record five times. He also contributed to strengthening the foundation of domestic football in various terms as a member of the executive committee and as chairman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Football League Committee.

Outside football, he also contributed to the development of sports and policy-making as vice-president of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA).

Beyond the country's borders, Harunur Rashid also left his mark on international football politics. From 1997 to 2000, he served as a member of the executive committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He also worked efficiently in the media committee of FIFA, the world football governing body.

In recognition of his long and colourful contribution as a sports organiser, the AFC honoured him with the prestigious 'Golden Award'.

Family sources said his namaz-e-janaza will be held today, Tuesday, after Zuhr prayers at the Abahani Club premises in Dhanmondi. After players, organisers and well-wishers pay their last respects there, his body will be taken to his home district of Lakshmipur, where he will be laid to rest in the family graveyard.