Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury on Saturday said that Sheikh Kamal would live for from generation to generation as a symbol of eternal youth. "Bangladesh's emerging multi-dimensional talent Sheikh Kamal was a shining star in sports, culture and theater... He was an established dramatist, player and organiser," she said.
Kamal had set a precedent of far-reaching dreams, dedication and ambition by establishing modern clubs like Abahani and he was the first to bring in foreign coaches and try to present the local sports in the world arena, she added.
The speaker said these at a panel discussion titled "Remembering Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: Role of Youth and Sports in Promoting Peace, Tolerance and Nation Building".
The discussion was organized by Bangladesh High Commission at Impression Events Venue, Miller Road, London marking the 73rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal.
She paid tributes to Captain Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait and inaugurated a photo exhibition organized on the martyred freedom fighter Sheikh Kamal, said a press release.
The speaker said that the month of August is a tragic month for the Bengali Nation as in this month the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with his family members including Kamal, was brutally killed.
The speaker said, Sheikh Kamal was very modest despite being the son of the President and he lived a very simple life.
"Kamal rarely had the chance to meet his own father as Bangabandhu had to spend a long time in jail during Pakistan regime. When Bangabandhu was released from prison in February 1952, Sheikh Kamal had just learned to speak. He never saw his father that way. At that time, he suddenly said to his elder sister Sheikh Hasina, should I call your father as father?" the speaker said.
The panel discussion was moderated by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the UK M Saida Mona Tasnim. It was joined by young British Bangladeshi sports and culture enthusiast Miraj Sadat, young British Ukrainian sports fan Albert Edward Salimov, prominent British Bangladeshi community member Syed Sajidur Rahman Farooq and Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association Ambassador Syed Shahed Reza.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sh M Rezaul Karim also spoke as a special guest on the occasion.
Besides, prominent British Bangladeshi community member Sultan Mahmood Sharif, members of Student Action Committee of the Overseas Freedom Movement of Bangladesh War of Liberation in the UK and Overseas Freedom Fighters and British Bangladeshi community member and prominent freedom fighter Mahmud Hasan MBE spoke at the event.
