Abahani Trophy Snatch Still Haunts Former Sri Lankan Footballer Pakir’s Memory

BD Digest Report

As soon as the topic of Abahani’s trophy loot came up, the voice of Sri Lankan defender Pakir Ali, who had sweated for a decade on the Dhaka field, became heavy.

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, various events, including the looting of Dhaka Abahani Limited’s trophy and the vandalism of the club’s trophy room, deeply moved him.

“They are not just cups, they are memories of our lives,” he says.

He expressed this sentiment in a recent interview with the private online news outlet Bangla Tribune.

Pakir Ali played as a stopper back for Dhaka Abahani Limited from 1981 to 1991. He was a familiar face to the fans for his shaggy hair and strong tackle. He also learned the Bengali language during his long time in Bangladesh. He still speaks fluent Bengali.

Although he currently lives in Colombo, he regularly follows Bangladeshi football. He was saddened by the news that Abahani’s trophy room was vandalized and most of the trophies were stolen after August 5, 2024.

In Pakir’s words, “When we played, we made the audience happy. The trophies or medals we received in return were memories. If one day we go and see that they are gone, it will be very sad.”

He said sports should never be sacrificed for political unrest. “Politics will have its place, but the history of the club, the memories of the players – it is not right to destroy these,” he commented.

After his playing career, he also worked as a coach for several teams in Bangladesh, including Abahani, Mohammedan Krira Chakra, and Sheikh Jamal Club.

Even during his coaching days, Bengali was his main reliance. He believes that the linguistic bridge gave him a distinct advantage in building relationships with the players.

His relationship with Bangladesh is not limited to the field.

Currently, he is helping Bangladeshi patients at a hospital in Colombo because he knows Bengali. “If people from Bangladesh come, there will be no problem with the language—I am here,” said Pakir.

The former defender is also optimistic about football in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, seeing the inclusion of foreign-born players as a positive.

Highlighting Hamza Chowdhury’s performance, he said, “Such a player can make the difference in the match. However, if the grassroots are not strong, the progress will not be sustainable.”

Pakir is also happy that former Bangladesh goalkeeper Aminul Haque has become the State Minister for Sports. Reminiscing, he said that he once had the opportunity to coach abroad, but was drawn back to Bangladesh.

However, at the end of the discussion, the topic of Abahani’s trophy returned.

“They are not just metal cups,” said Pakir Ali, commenting, “Our blood and sweat are associated with them. The pain of losing those memories is not easily forgotten.”