Former hockey player Ehtesham dies at the age of 77

Former national hockey player and coach Ehtesham Sultan breathed his last at a city hospital in Mirpur today morning at the age of 77. 

Ehtesham, who had been suffering from liver cancer for the last few months, was admitted to Dr. Azmal Hospital on Saturday following the deterioration of his condition before passing away this morning, confirmed Sultan's younger brother and former national footballer Imtiaz Sultan Jonny.

Ehtesham left behind a son and a daughter, wife and a number of well-wishers to mourn his death. 

Ehtesham represented the national hockey team till 1978 before guiding the national team as a coach from 1982. He played for Sonali Bank, Azad Sporting Club while representing PWD and Azad SC in football.

"He was basically suffering from a gallbladder problem from last year and underwent the surgery to remove gallbladder but later it infected his liver which finally turned into cancer," said Jonny.

"Today is another sad day for us because yesterday (August 16) was my mother's death anniversary," said Jonny, whose two other brothers -- Elham Sultan and Emran Sultan Donny -- were also footballers. 

Ehtesham will be taken to Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium this afternoon where the former hockey player will be paid homage. His first namaz-e-janaza will also be held there. His second namaz-e-janaza will take place in his locality before his burial at Kalsi Graveyard in Mirpur.