Obituary: Alhaj Dawlath Khan Babul

Emdad Rahman

Today we honour the life, legacy, and immeasurable impact of Dawlath Khan Babul – a giant of grassroots football, a mentor to generations, and a man whose actions spoke far louder than words ever could.

My earliest memories of him take me back to the 1980s, on the old Berner Estate, where he wasn’t just a resident and coach, but was everything rolled into one. Trainer, mentor, driver, financier. He saw potential where others saw none, and he invested in it relentlessly.

Young people weren’t just taught football; they were carried, guided, and believed in. I was one of many who benefitted in so many ways, picked up, dropped off, fed, and supported, quietly, without expectation, without recognition.

He didn’t just build players, he built people.

As Manager and then President, his leadership transformed Bishwanath from underdogs into a powerhouse, dominating the Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup and cementing a legacy as the greatest teams in the tournament’s history. His vision reshaped football structures, and as the Chairman of Sonali Othith, he introduced that very competition, a platform that would inspire generations across Sylhet and beyond.

For me personally, he will always hold a specia place. He was my very first captain when the Lions of Sylhet District Over 50s stormed to a historic and inaugural District Cup victory. At the age of 53, his fire, passion, and belief on the field never dimmed.

He changed lives by personally funding young players who couldn’t afford to play and providing transport, food, and kit without question.

I vividly remember the pride in his voice when he called to share that his son had earned a football scholarship in the United States. That joy: pure and unfiltered summed him up. He lived for others’ success.

Babul Bhai’s legacy is not written in trophies alone, but in people, thousands, who carry his lessons, his standards, his spirit.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.