Zakaria Pintoo laid to rest

Zakaria Pintoo, the legendary captain of Swadhin Bangla National Football Team, was laid to rest at The Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in Mirpur yesterday following three namaz-e-janazas held in the capital. 

The 81-year-old footballer passed away on Monday, leaving behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of sport and resonates with a nation's history.

During the Independence War, Pintoo led a group of footballers to play several friendly matches in different states of neighbouring India to rally support for Bangladesh's liberation, using football as their weapon in the struggle for independence.

Before being laid to rest, Pintoo's coffin was taken to the premises of his beloved club - Mohammedan SC. He captained the Black and Whites for eight years. Former Mohammedan players, officials, and the incumbent board of directors attended the namaz-e-janaza before the state gave the legendary defender a Guard of Honour. The coffin was wrapped in the flags of Bangladesh and Mohammedan SC.

Later he was taken to the Bangladesh Football Federation for the day's second namaz-e-janaza in which the BFF executive members, including BFF president Tabith Awal, were present. They placed wreaths beside his coffin. 

The names of Swadhin Bangla Football Team's players, officials and coaches were engraved in a commemorative stone at the entrance of the BFF House and the question was raised whether the local game's governing body will take any initiative in memory of the former Mohammedan captain.  

"He was one of the legendary players in our sports fraternity and we will take decisions about it in the BFF executive committee meeting," said Tabith yesterday.

"All the stadiums in the country belong to the government and we can only talk to the government about it after discussing the matter at the BFF executive meeting," Tabith replied after being asked whether any stadium would be named after Pintoo.
Tabith also informed the media that they received condolence messages from the Asian Football Confederation and around the world.

"Swadhin Bangla Football Federation hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh beyond the territory and Pintoo bhai was the captain of that team as well as the first captain of Bangladesh national football team. For his demise, we received condolence messages from AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, several national football federations and clubs," said Tabith.

The third namaz-e-janaza was held at the National Press Club before he was buried at the graveyard in the presence of one of his three daughters who returned to the country from England earlier today.