Muhammad Ali In Bangladesh: 35 Years Ago The Champ Visited A New Nation In Turmoil :
Thirty-five years ago, the self-proclaimed "greatest" heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) visited the South Asian nation of Bangladesh, then only seven years old at the time, born of a deadly civil war in 1971. In February 1978, after he had lost the heavyweight title to Leon Spinks, Ali journeyed to Bangladesh with his wife Veronica for a week-long tour.
According to a documentary made of his trip called “Muhammad Ali Goes East: Bangladesh, I Love You,” Ali initially balked at the idea of traveling to the other side of the world, fearing the public's reaction to his recent defeat in the ring. (Ali wore dark sunglasses not only to protect himself from the sweltering Bengal heat, but also to hide the swelling in his eyes -- a brutal gift from Spinks.) However, Ali need not have worried.
Some 2 million delirious fans greeted Ali's arrival at the airport in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. During his stay in Bangladesh, Ali went to some of the country's most scenic areas, including the Sundarbans, a world-famous mangrove forest, tiger preserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site; the splendid Sylhet Tea Gardens; the beautiful lakeside town of Rangamati; and the coastal district of Cox's Bazaar.
The champ even received Bangladeshi citizenship, courtesy of a passport, which prompted him to quip: “If I get kicked out of America, I have another home.”
Perhaps the highlight of Ali's visit occurred at Dhaka Stadium, where he staged a “boxing match” with a 12-year-old Bengali boy who “knocked him out” (to huge cheers and laughs). Ali was also awarded a plot of land in the aforementioned Cox's Bazaar and had a stadium named in his honor. In the documentary, Ali speaks of returning to Bangladesh and building a home there, declaring “If you want to go to heaven, come to Bangladesh.”
President Md Abdul Hamid have condoled the death of legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Said :
“Muhammad Ali’s death is an irreparable loss for the sport world,” Hamid said in a message on Saturday.
He prayed for the departed soul and sympathized with his family.
The boxing great, who had long suffered from Parkinson's disease that impaired his speech and made the once-graceful athlete almost a prisoner in his own body, died at 74 on Friday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has mourned the death of boxing great Muhammad Ali and, in a message to US President Barack Obama, said he was a ‘bridge’ between two countries.
And, she added, he “would remain so for generations to come”.
“The people of Bangladesh would always remember their brother, Muhammad Ali, with love and reverence,” she wrote.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion whose record-setting career, flair for showmanship and political stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, died on Friday at the aged of 74.
The prime minister said she was ‘profoundly saddened’ at his ‘unfortunate’ demise. Ali was also an honorary citizen of Bangladesh.
She termed him as “one of the greatest sports icons of all time” and said he had long been a “household name” in Bangladesh, according to the message released by the foreign ministry.
He was regarded with “great respect and passion” by its people for his extraordinary talent and skills in boxing, and also for his bold voice to uphold the dignity of all human beings and challenge all wrongs.
Hasina conveyed the deepest condolences to the US President and, through him, to the members of Ali’s family.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a message condoling the death of Muhammad Ali, has recalled the boxing legend’s 1978 visit to Bangladesh.
Ali, whose record-setting boxing career, flair for showmanship and political stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, was given Bangladesh citizenship during Khaleda’s husband Ziaur Rahman’s tenure.
Ali, who had long suffered from Parkinson's disease that impaired his speech and made the once-graceful athlete almost a prisoner in his own body, died on Friday aged 74.
“The legend’s uncompromising struggle for peace will always inspire us,” Khaleda said.
“His sacrifice for social welfare will always be a bright example. He hated racism, war and bloodshed from his heart and always raised his voice against them,” she added.
Ali visited Bangladesh twice.
“Late president Ziaur Rahman honoured him with Bangladesh’s citizenship in 1978,” the BNP chief said.
The former prime minister also extended condolence to the grieving family.