Floral wreaths adorn the coffin of Al Musabbir Sadi, the deceased general secretary of Bangladesh Football Federation, as hundreds expressed their condolences before he was laid to rest yesterday noon. Photo: STAR

Bangladesh sports, specifically football, suffered a terrible loss as a genuine champion of its cause left his earthly bonds. Noted sports journalist and general secretary of Bangladesh Football Federation Al Musabbir Sadi was laid to rest yesterday noon at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard after two separate namaz-e-janazas. The first janaza was held at the Bangladesh Football Federation at 10am and the second one was held at the Bangabanndhu National Stadium at 12 noon.
Bereaved family members, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers paid their last tribute to their beloved 'Pommel'. Kazi Salahuddin, the president of BFF paid his tribute to his colleague:
“I did not personally know Sadi for long before I nominated him for the position of general secretary of the federation. And it was his vast knowledge of football and his vision to take forward the game in our country that encouraged me to take him in the federation.”
Sadi's elder brother, a Canada-resident physician Al Muttafi Sadi said:
“From young and old, Pommel was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was made the general secretary of BFF not only for his good work, but he had a vision which the BFF president spotted in him,” said Al Muttafi.
“The love for sports grew in Pommel from a very early age. Me and my brother used to run to the national stadium as soon as our classes were over to watch the football matches there. He showed promise and vision in everything that he did from a very young age. But I believe, and it is agreed by everyone, that it was the friendliness and the generosity that made him dear to everyone,” concluded Al Muttafi as his voice choked.
Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation Sadek Hossain Khoka, president of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, sports secretary Mahbub Ahmed, BFF president Kazi Salahhuddin, senior vice president and vice-presidents of the federation, Bangladesh Cricket Board's senior-vice president Mahbub Anam, vice-president Sazzadul Alam, director Enayet Hossain and sports organisers from other disciplines were present at the janazas.
Meanwhile, national and international sports organisations and federations continued to convey their condolences at the death of the noted sports journalist.
Asian Football Confederation's general secretary and the president, and general secretaries of South Asian Football Federation members condoled the passing away of the sports administrator.
General Abdul Mubeen, president of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) and its general secretary Kutubuddin Ahmed extended their deepest condolences at the untimely death of Sadi.
Sadi's qulkhwani will be held at his residence of 3/7, Lalmatia, Block D after the Asr prayers. Bangladesh Sports Journalists' Association (BSJA) have arranged a Doa mehfil in remembrance of their beloved colleague.