Tuesday morning saw Bangladesh’s sporting calendar brought to a halt following the death of three-time former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away at 6am at Evercare Hospital while undergoing treatment. She was 80.
A shadow of mourning fell across the country’s sports community as major governing bodies announced the suspension of domestic fixtures for the day. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed in separate statements that scheduled matches would be postponed as a mark of respect.
In a condolence message, the BCB paid tribute to Zia’s role in the development of the game. “The BCB is deeply saddened by the death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia,” the statement read. “During her time, Bangladesh cricket saw significant infrastructural development. She worked to spread cricket across the country, and her contribution to where the game stands today is considerable. At this difficult moment for the nation, we express our heartfelt condolences and pray for the forgiveness of her departed soul.”
The BFF echoed those sentiments, describing Zia as a significant figure in the country’s history. “Former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am today,” the federation said. “She was an extraordinary personality in Bangladesh politics, and her contribution will remain immortal in the nation’s history. Her death is an irreparable loss for the country.”
Other sporting bodies, including the Bangladesh Cycling Federation, Bangladesh Tennis Federation, Bangladesh Handball Federation and Bangladesh Badminton Federation, also issued messages of condolence.
National team athletes joined the tributes, with leading cricketers posting messages on social media throughout the day. Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Litton Das were among those to express their grief, as the death of one of Bangladesh’s most influential political figures resonated well beyond politics and into the heart of the country’s sporting life.
