A fabulous fifty

Here is a jigsaw puzzle. Who is the longest serving sport journalist, writer or columnist in Bangladesh? Struggling? Let's make it a bit simpler. That gentleman completed a unique half-century in the field of sports journalism on Tuesday. Need more clues? He is a confirmed bachelor, a virtual encyclopedia of Bangladesh sport and the first staff reporter (sports) of a popular Bangla daily, which had dedicated a full page for sport in a time when others simply ignored it.

The gentleman, who completed that unique piece of history reflecting on those eventful years probably at his worn-out Jhulonbari abode in the old part of the city, is Muhammad Quamruzzaman whom we respectfully address as Zaman Bhai.

A witness of many firsts, Quamruzzaman started his illustrious journey as a sports reporter of Dainik Pakistan in 1967. And after the War of Liberation when the daily turned into Dainik Bangla, Quamruzzaman played the pivotal role in promoting the country's fledgling sport. It was also at that time when many young sport scribes, like yours truly, followed the sport page of the now defunct daily for not just updating ourselves with local sport but also international events at a time when sport news was very hard to get.

He served the daily as its sports editor till its last days in 1997. Sport in every newspaper, portal or TV channel in the country is not only an integral part now but also financially viable if not very lucrative. But to be honest it is Quamruzzaman and his famed team that set the tone for the next generation to take up this profession seriously. A Dhaka University Bleu, Quamruzzaman is still writing and attending cricket or football games at the age of 77. An inspiration for many of today's famous sport writers, Zaman Bhai and his half-century at least deserves to be acknowledged if not cheered.