Khandoker Mohammad Nurunnabi

Khandoker Mohammad Nurunnabi (31 July 1946 – 8 December 2016) was a Bangladesh Army major general who served in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He was awarded the National Sports Awards in 2002 for his contribution to Bangladeshi football as a member of the Shadhin Bangla football team.

Football career In 1963, Nurunnabi began his football career by joining Azad Sporting Club, where he played until 1964. The following year, Nurunnabi fulfilled his dream of playing for Mohammedan SC, who were at the time the most popular team in East Pakistan. During his time with the Black & Whites, he played alongside a group of legendary players like Zakaria Pintoo, Pratap Shankar Hazra, Mohamed Kaikobad, and Golam Sarwar Tipu. He spent six years in Mohammedan, winning three First Division League titles and one Aga Khan Gold Cup (1968) trophy. While at Mohammedan, he got a job at the National Bank of Pakistan (now Sonali Bank).

In 1970, Nurunnabi became the last debutant from East Pakistan to represent the Pakistan national football team, as he travelled to Tehran, Iran, to participate in the 1970 RCD Cup. During the tournament, Nurunabbi played against both Iran and a Turkey XI. Nurunnabi is among only four goalkeepers from East Pakistan to represent the Pakistan national team, the others being Wajeed Ali Miazi, Manzur Hasan Mintu, and Shahidur Rahman Shantoo.

Military After returning to East Pakistan from India with Hafizuddin Ahmed, Nurunnabi trained as a member of the Bangladesh Army, and was later ordered to take up arms at Kushtia of Sector Eight, under Major Muhammed Abul Manzur, as a sub-sector commander. He remained at his post until the war concluded.