He called everyone to a local hotel. He knew the problem, after hearing everything, Sadek said, ‘You go to the field, everything will be fine. Trust me.’ Can anyone talk about him? The clubs returned to play and the problem was solved by Abdus Sadek
The history of sports in Bangladesh is unknown to many. The present generation understands the meaning of history as a handful of successes. Golden history will know or how! How much importance has been given to those who have played a big role as players or organizers behind Bangladeshi sports? Was it enough to write about their charisma in various media? Qualified guardians must be identified. Those who had this responsibility have always been sidelined. If importance was given, the sports field would not be in this poor condition today. So the desire was to organize a beautiful chat with the legends and bring it up through writing.
The dream was that Bangladesh would make a report every day with such well-known players or organizers as Abdus Sadek, Bashir Ahmed, Zakaria Pintu, Pratap Shankar Hazra and Golam Sarwar Tipu. After Zakaria Pintu went to the land of no return, the plan was to organize a gathering of Sadek, Pratap and Tipu despite a major setback. Everyone promised to find time to sit down. Tipu said, ‘Without brother Sadek, your arrangements will be in vain. He is the only player who shines equally in football and hockey. He is also known as an organizer. Pratap also said the same – ‘Contact Sadek, call me and you will get it.’ Talk to Sadek Bhai on the phone and go to his house in Old DOHS. Abdus Sadek was very happy to hear the proposal, he said, they often talk on the phone. But long time no see. What you are going to do is certainly beautiful. After he said ‘but’ I was shocked. So Sadek brother will not be imprisoned in a frame?
Then Sadek Bhai said, ‘Pratapada and I played hockey together in other teams apart from Abahani. Tipu was my teammate in Abahani’s football team. Interestingly, I was the captain of both. Tipu in football and Pratapada in hockey. Both again in Abahani. How many happy and sad memories are mixed with them. We will sit together and take pictures and write in the newspaper. This greed is worth handling! But give some time, the body is not going well. Wait you will get me right.’
No, Sadek Bhai was not found. He will never be found again. When he saw him, he would say – ‘How are you?’ Dardamakha, this skilled interrogator, left us yesterday and went to the land of no return. The long-burning light of the sports hall was extinguished.
Abdus Sadek was the man who became the first football and hockey captain of the popular Dhaka Abahani. This is a huge achievement. He was the first captain of Bangladesh national hockey team. He was also the coach of the national hockey team. Again under his training, Abahani became undefeated champions in football and hockey leagues. In 1977, Abahani became the first undefeated champion in domestic football. The coach-cum-player of that team was Abdus Sadek. This is his big identity because he played football and hockey, but that’s not it. His walk was all over the sports field. In 1975, Abahani had a hard time. He was the one who bravely took the helm in such a situation whether the club would survive or not. While the others retreat secretly, it is Abdus Sadek who takes the risk to sustain Abahani.
That Abahani is the best of the country today. That club is ahead in terms of success in all fields of hockey, football or cricket. This is ten years ago when there was extreme mismanagement in hockey. As the clubs decided not to play the league, Abdus Sadek stepped in to resolve the issue.
He called everyone to a local hotel. He knew the problem, after hearing everything, Sadek said, ‘You go to the field, everything will be fine. Trust me.’ Can anyone talk about him? The clubs returned to play and the problem was solved by Abdus Sadek. He was the elected general secretary of the Hockey Federation three times. Also held the position of Senior Vice President.
If anyone is called the architect who popularized and developed hockey, the first name that comes to mind is Abdus Sadek. In the eighties, the Asian Cup of Hockey was equivalent to the World Cup of Hockey. No one even dreamed that this event will be held in Bangladesh. However, with his organizational skills, the Asia Cup Hockey was organized in Dhaka in 1985. The meeting of the Asian Hockey Federation was held in Malaysia. Abdus Sadek was present in the meeting as a representative of Bangladesh Hockey Federation. The main agenda in the meeting was to decide the venue of the 1985 Asian Cup of Hockey. Pakistan, India, Japan and Malaysia showed interest in hosting the meeting in their respective countries. Abdus Sadek proposed the name of Dhaka. He said, ‘Have faith in Bangladesh. You will see that I will organize the best in history.’
After that, no one else could do it. Everyone agreed to Abdus Sadek’s proposal. In the end, an Asia Cup was organized which is the best so far.
Abdus Sadek used to do what he said. So he is called the lighthouse of sports. How many conspiracies were woven to prevent Bengali players from playing in the Pakistan national team. But the conspirators succumbed to Sadek’s merits. Playing in the Pakistan national team has proved that Bengalis can do it. When Pakistan toured Europe in the late 1960s for 20 matches, Sadeq played eight matches at right half. Not only him, his younger brother Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, currently the chairman of Bashundhara Group, was also a hockey player. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan also led the East Pakistan Youth League. Their father, Advocate Abdus Sobhan, was a champion swimmer during the British era. Raised from a sporting family, Abdus Sadek became a legendary player.
This sad news came when everyone was busy with the World Cup football frenzy. This is not only grief, but the lights of the sports field are extinguished.
I lost a guardian in sports. Which the country will not get back. Abdus Sadek just passed. What has the nation been able to give him in return? Just some awards. What gems are recognized by the award? we didn’t know International Hockey Federation president Andre Negre knew right. Negre came to Dhaka in 2017. On one occasion, he screamed with joy when he found Abdus Sadek. He said, ‘I met my friend after a few days’. Then he took the mic and said, ‘Why is this condition of hockey in Bangladesh in a country where there is an expert like Sadek? Use Sadek’s wisdom, it will go ahead.’ Have we been able to use his wisdom? What is given is the respect of his work. No, we can honor him. I couldn’t give Bellei so much laughter in hockey.
In 1972, Abahani had no shortage of star footballers. Why was Abdus Sadek chosen as the captain in that case? As he had all the qualities to lead a big team, Abahani made his debut on the field under his leadership. Hockey had players like Ibrahim Saber, Abdur Razzak Sona Mia, Sabbir Yusuf and Pratap Shankar Hazra. Despite that, Abdus Sadek, who is considered the leader, got the captain’s arm band. He became the banyan tree of the sports field. The lighthouse went out. Who will light the lighthouse now? Unfortunately, they could not be captured on camera together. He went to the land of no return.
