Condolences pour in for sports organizer Rafiqul Islam Tipu

Dhaka, 25 July - Tribute and Condolence continued to pour in for sports organizer Rafiqul Islam Tipu, a familiar face in the country’s sports community, who passed away Tuesday at a hospital here in the afternoon.

Different federations, sports body and sports organization including Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Bangladesh Archery Federation (BAF), Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) and Bangladesh Sports Press Association and Bangladesh Sports Journalist Association in a separate messages condoled at the death of Tipu.

In another condolence message, State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP, also expressed his deep shock and sorrow at the death of Tipu.

A BAF press release said the sports arena of the country has lost an efficient official, well-wisher and guardian for his death. This death is an irreparable loss for the BAF and sports arena of the country. The BAF president and general secretary, all officials, judges, coaches, archers and employees on behalf of the federation seek eternal peach for the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

In a BOA press release, BOA president and chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, its secretary general Syed Shahed Reza and officials and employees expressed deep shock at the death of Tipu.

In another message, BFF president Kazi Mohammaad Salahuddin, its vice presidents, general secretary official and employees condoled the death of Tipu.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Complex at 5:30pm. He is supposed to bury at Azimpur grave yard after second namaz-e-janaza at Swamibagh Jame Mosque after Esha prayers.

The former Table Tennis Federation’s general secretary Tipu was admitted to city’s local hospital after he suddenly fell on the stairs at his residence on Monday last and received severe head injury.

He was under treatment at the hospital in a critical condition. A CT scan report found blood clots in his brain, and he was kept under observation at the intensive care unit. Later, he was taken to life support on the same day before being pronounced him dead at 3.03 pm.

Tipu, convener of sub-committee of media, publication and public relation officer of BAF, was currently an executive member of Bangladesh Archery Federation.

Apart from serving the archery and table tennis federations, Tipu was associated as a member of different committees in different national and international events for the last four decades.