Bangladesh's Hockey Legend Abdus Sadeque Breathes His Last

Abdus Sadeque, a legendary figure in Bangladeshi hockey and a renowned sports administrator, passed away on Saturday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. 

He was 78. His passing was confirmed by family members, who noted that he breathed his last at 8 am following a period of illness. 

Born into a family with a profound legacy, Abdus Sadeque was the elder brother of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and the father of Ishtiaque Sadeque, the Chief Executive Officer of T Sports. 

His funeral arrangements have been finalized: the first funeral prayer (Namaz-e-janaza) is scheduled to take place after Asr prayers at the Baitus Sobhan Jame Mosque in Block I of the Bashundhara Residential Area. 

A second janaza will follow on Sunday at 10:30 am at the Old DOHS ground in Banani.

Abdus Sadeque’s illustrious career spanned across playing, coaching, and administration. 

Before Bangladesh's independence, he starred for the Pakistan national hockey team, gaining international prominence during a 1969 European tour. 

During this tour, he played in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Egypt, where his skill and consistency drew wide attention. 

After independence, he continued to be a driving force in the sport, captaining the Cumilla district team in the 1973 national hockey championship.

He eventually transitioned into coaching, taking charge of Abahani Krira Chakra in 1977. 

Under his leadership, the club achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first in independent Bangladesh to win the league title without suffering a single defeat. 

In the 1977–78 season, he captained Bangladesh’s first national hockey team in a three-match series against Sri Lanka, securing one win, one draw, and one defeat. 

He also led the national side during their first appearance at the 1978 Asian Games.

Beyond his contributions on the field, Sadeque was a visionary sports administrator. 

He served as the general secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation from 1983 to 1985. 

During his tenure, he achieved a significant diplomatic feat by securing the hosting rights for the 1985 Asia Cup Hockey tournament, which had originally been scheduled for Japan. 

He successfully persuaded several Asian Hockey Federation members, including Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Iran, to bring the tournament to Bangladesh. 

His legacy as both a trailblazing athlete and a dedicated administrator remains deeply embedded in the history of Bangladeshi sports.