The 74th birth anniversary of valiant freedom fighter Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be observed today in a befitting manner, reports BSS.

Born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sheikh Kamal was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Awami League (AL).

Sheikh Kamal passed his secondary examination from Shahin School and higher secondary exam from Dhaka College.

He obtained Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in sociology from Dhaka University.

He was also a student of Setar musical department of Chhayanaut, a reputed cultural entity in the country.

Kamal was not only the founder of Abahani Krira Chakra, one of the best sports organizations in the subcontinent and pioneer of modern football in Bangladesh, but also a founder-member of Dhaka Theatre.

He was well-known as an actor in the Dhaka University's drama arena.

Since his childhood, Kamal was very much enthusiastic about different sports including football, cricket, hockey and basket-ball.

Sheikh Kamal was commissioned in the Muktibahini after receiving training from the first war course in independent Bangladesh and served as ADC of General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Liberation War in 1971.

After the country's independence, Sheikh Kamal retired from the army and paid attention to the study.

Kamal was a Master's (final year) examinee and a member of the Jatiya Chhatra League central committee, a wing of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BKSAL), when he embraced martyrdom on August 15 in 1975 at the age of 26.

Meanwhile, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid rich tributes to the memory of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

In separate messages on the eve of the anniversary, the President and Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Sheikh Kamal, who was a shining star in the country's sports and cultural arenas.

In his message, the president said on the 74th birth anniversary of valiant freedom fighter and Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal, “I pay my deepest respect to his memory”.

The head of the state welcomed the initiative taken by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to celebrate the day nationwide with due dignity.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said assassins killed Bangabandhu's eldest son Sheikh Kamal at first on the black night of August 15, 1975 after storming Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi.

Though the group of coward assassins killed Sheikh Kamal physically, the path he showed, his principles and guidelines in reaching the country's sports arena at international level still remain as model to be followed, she said.

Sheikh Kamal still remains as a source of inspiration to the people and will remain in future, too, she mentioned.

On his 74th birth anniversary, I am recalling him with profound love and affection, the premier said.

She said Sheikh Kamal was a shining star in the field of sports in independent Bangladesh.

Different sports and socio-cultural organisations, including the ruling Awami League, popular club Abahani Limited and Abahani ‘Samarthak Goshti have taken elaborate programmes to observe the day.

Awami League and its associate and front organizations will place floral wreaths at his portrait on the premises of Dhanmondi Abahani Club at 8am. Later, wreaths will be laid at his grave at Banani graveyard at 9:00am.

AL Dhaka City South unit will organise a discussion at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office at 11:00am.

Jubo League will hold milad and doa mahfils and distribute foods among orphans and distressed people.

Awami Swechchhasebak League will arrange a discussion and photo-exhibition at 11:00am.

Sramik League's Dhaka city north and south units will hold discussion at 3:00pm.

A memorial meeting on the life and works of Sheikh Kamal will be held at 5:00pm on the club premises and a special prayer will be offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul.

Besides, Abahani 'Samarthak Goshti' will also chalk out different programmes to observe the birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal.