Legendary Bangladesh national hockey team player and captain Abdus Sadeque passed away at a city hospital on Sunday.

He was 80.

The pioneering sporting figure of the country, Sadeque, had been battling with cancer for over a year.

A national sports award recipient, Sadeque left behind two sons, one daughter, and a host of well-wishers to mourn his death.

Sadeque's first namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers at the Baitus Sobhan Jame Mosque in Block I of the Bashundhara Residential Area on Saturday.

He will be laid to rest after a second janaza at the Old DOHS ground in Banani at 10:30am on Sunday.

Sadeque contributed to the development of the country's hockey and football as a player, captain, coach, organiser, and sports administrator during his lifetime.

He also holds the distinction of captaining the first international hockey team of independent Bangladesh, leading the country with pride on the global stage.

He became the first captain of the Abahani football team after the club was established in 1972.

He represented the Pakistan national hockey team before independence and later played for Bangladesh and became the first captain of the national team.

Sadeque captained the Bangladesh hockey team at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, a tournament considered the nation's first major appearance on the international stage.

After retiring, Sadeque remained actively involved in sports administration and development. He served as the general secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation for several terms.

His remarkable achievements and lifelong dedication to sports have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.

The ministry for youth and sports, BHF, BFF, BCB, Bangladesh Olympic Association, and several other sports organisations and organisers expressed profound sorrow and extended their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.