Former national footballer Selim no more

Shahiduddin Ahmed Selim, former captain of Bangladesh national football team and Brothers Union, passed away of cancer at the age of 69 at Asgar Ali Hospital today.

The former defender, who has been suffering from mouth cancer for the last six to seven months and taking chemotherapy, left behind two sons, one daughter, wife and a lot of well-wishers.

Selim, along with Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu and Mohammad Mohsin, played a tremendous role in establishing Brothers Union as the third force of country's football behind traditional powerhouses Mohammedan SC and Abahani.

The defender also represented Bangladesh from 1975 to 1981 before calling time in Asian Cup in which he captained Bangladesh national team. One year later, Selim had hung his boots from the domestic competition in 1982. The renowned defender also coached both Bangladesh national team and Brothers Union.

"He was a diehard player for Brothers Union as the training camp of Brothers from 1974 to 1980 was held from his house in Gopibagh. He made an immense contribution to Brothers Union," said former national defender Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu.

Selim was laid to rest at Banani graveyard after two Namaz-e-Janaza were held at the premises of Brothers Union and Bangladesh Football Federation.