Inspiring athlete Sultana Kamal, daughter-in-law of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was recalled on her birth anniversary today.

“Sultana Kamal Khuki was an iconic athlete in erstwhile East Pakistan and post-independence Bangladesh. As a natural athlete, she excelled in 100-metre Hurdles, 100-metre Sprint, Long Jump and High Jump. She is an inspiration for future women athletes in Bangladesh. Today is her birth anniversary,” Centre for Research and Information (CRI) posted on Facebook.

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Sultana Kamal, known as Sultana Ahmed before her marriage to Sheikh Kamal, continues to be a guiding figure in the country’s sports arena 48 years after her passing.

She soared to prominence during the inter-school athletics in 1962-63. By 1968, she set a remarkable record at the Pakistan Olympics. Two years later, in the 1970 edition at Lahore, she surpassed her own record.

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Post-liberation, Sultana showcased her prowess at the first Bangladesh National Athletics competition in Dhaka, where she excelled in nine events. She emerged as the champion in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, and broad jump, securing second place in the 100-meter sprint.

In 1975, during the national athletics competition held in February, Sultana once again displayed her track dominance, clocking in at 17.05 seconds, setting a new national record.

Sultana Ahmed tied the knot with Sheikh Kamal, eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on July 14, 1975, a month before she was assassinated along with her family on August 15, 1975.

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