Even as president’s son, Kamal led a simple life: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Sheikh Kamal used to lead a very simple life but faced a malicious campaign after surviving a futile assassination attempt in 1974.

“Kamal was shot on December 16, 1974 following a conspiracy. An ill-attempt was made to kill him. When he survived it, various negative campaigns were carried out against him,” she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing a function arranged to confer Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (NSC) Award-2021 on its recipients marking the 72nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal.

Hasina joined the function, held at Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Auditorium of the National Sports Council, through a virtual platform from Ganabhaban.

The prime minister said Sheikh Kamal had led a very simple life despite being a son of the President, Prime Minister or Father of the Nation.

“Though his father was the Prime Minister or the President, he never had any intention to make money and wealth or build a business,” she said.

His biggest passion was to develop the country’s educational institutions and improve cultural and sports arenas, said Hasina recollecting the contributions of her younger brother to different sectors, particularly sports.

Kamal had played a sincere role in modernizing football, cricket and the sports sector. “He had made tangible contributions to the field of music, too. As a Dhaka University student, he had a lot of contributions to our society,” she said.

His biggest goal was to reorganise the young generation, motivate them to love the country and work in the interest of the country. “Had he been alive (for a long) he could have done a lot of work for the country’s young generation,” she said.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Senior Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry Akhter Hossain handed over the awards to the recipients under seven categories.

Mahfuza Khatun Shila (swimming), Ruman Sana (archery) and Mabia Akter Simanto (weightlifting) received the award in the athlete category.

Akbar Ali (captain of U-19 Cricket World Cup winner), Fahad Rahman (chess) and Unnati Khatun (football) got the award in the emerging athlete category.

Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin was given the lifetime honor award.

Manzoor Quader and Kya Shai Hra got the award in sports organizer category, while Muhammad Kamruzzaman in the sports journalist category.

Bangladesh Cricket Board received the award in the Federation/Association/Organization category while Walton received it in the sports patron/sponsor category.

In the event, a documentary titled “Sheikh Kamal: Uttal Tarunyer Nabik” was screened with focus on the life and works of the sports organiser.

State Minister for Youth and Sports and NSC Chairman Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, now on a foreign trip, spoke at the event, joining it virtually.

Besides, two sports organisers — Manager of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team Tanvir Mazahar Islam Tanna and Youth and Sports Secretary of Awami League Harunur Rashid — highlighted the life and works of Sheikh Kamal.