Bangladesh’s football community faced renewed scrutiny this week after leading institutions failed to commemorate the death anniversaries of two of the country’s most influential figures, Zakaria Pintoo and Badal Roy, prompting frustration among former players and supporters.
Pintoo, Bangladesh’s first national team captain and a symbol of the country’s sporting identity, passed away on 18 November last year. Yet on his first death anniversary, neither his long time club Mohammedan Sporting Club, nor the Bangladesh Football Federation, nor the former players’ association Sonali Otit Club marked the occasion. In contrast, Samit Shome dedicated the team’s win over India on the same day to Pinto, underscoring the silence from within the domestic game.
Four days later came the fifth death anniversary of Badal Roy, another beloved figure who served Bangladesh football on and off the pitch for decades. While the federation had acknowledged the date last year, no official remembrance was made this time. Mohammedan, the club where Badal spent much of his life, also offered no public tribute despite his long service as a player and administrator, including leading efforts to revive the club after the casino scandal.
The lack of formal remembrance has struck a particularly raw note given the stature of both men. Pintoo had over sixty years of association with Mohammedan and held numerous roles within the federation. Badal’s influence extended beyond football, earning affection across the nation’s sporting landscape.
Sonali Otit Club also drew criticism for the absence of a specific commemoration for either figure. The organisation’s general secretary, Iqbal Gaffar, said their recent memorial gathering had included prayers for Pinto, Badal and other former players, and added that they would aim to hold dedicated observances on future anniversaries.
Former national team captain Shahid Hasan Kanan, now coach of Mohammedan and a member of the federation, expressed regret and took responsibility on behalf of both institutions. He stressed that figures such as Pinto and Badal should be remembered with respect and urged that the club and federation ensure formal commemorations in the years ahead.
As two of the most significant names in Bangladesh football, their absence from the collective memory on key dates has reopened a wider conversation about how the sport recognises its pioneers and preserves its history.
