Captain of the Shadhin Bangla Football Team Zakaria Pintoo has passed away at the age of 81 at a city hospital on Monday (Nov 18) after prolonged battle with multiple illnesses.
Pintoo, who was also the first captain of the Bangladesh national football team, was suffering from heart, kidney and liver complications and was admitted to the hospital on Sunday (Nov 17) after his condition worsened.
He breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital at around 11:45 a.m. He is survived by his son and three daughters.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) mourned the passing of Pintoo in a press release, saying, "His contributions to our nation's independence and football legacy will never be forgotten. May Allah grant him eternal peace."
Pintoo was born Naogaon in 1943 and represented both the Pakistan national football team and the East Pakistan football team, captaining the latter in numerous occasions.
In recognition for his contribution to the country's football, he was accorded with the the Independence Award in 1995, and the National Sports Awards in 1978.
Chief Adviser mourns death of Zakaria Pintoo
Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences at the death of Zakaria Pintoo, captain of Swadhin Bangla Football Dal (team). In a message, the Chief Adviser said he was shocked and saddened to learn that Zakaria Pintoo, a freedom fighter and the captain of historic Swadhin Bangla Football Dal.
“As the leader of that legendary team, he toured India to raise money and crucial support for our wartime government in exile. When he was not playing, he would be cheering up for our freedom fighters and emerged as a face of our liberation struggle,” said the chief adviser.
“After the war of independence, Zakaria Pintoo became our first national team captain. He was a legendary central back and a true defender of the Green and Red national colours.
When he ended his two decade-long playing career, he played a crucial role in organising sports. He was an out-and-out sportsman till this death," Prof Yunus said.
"I pray for the departed soul. My condolences to his bereaved family and the sports fraternity — to whom Zakaria Pintoo was a true legend," he added.
