Abahani Dhaka

Iqbal Sporting Club (1964–1971)

In 1964, after going through many legal implications, former Youth and Sports Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, Harunur Rashid got hold of the Dhanmondi field in Road No. 19, which was owned by CNB (now known as PWD) back in East Pakistan. However, as an institution was needed to complete the transaction, in May 1966, Rashid established Abahani Samaj Kalyan Samiti, a social welfare association involved with sports, literature and culture. In 1968, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's eldest son, Sheikh Kamal, got involved with Abahani following his father's request. After the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War subsided, Kamal decided to create a new club in the newly liberated nation, then he learned of Iqbal Sporting Club, located in Mohammadpur, the Biharis who played at the club, had fled during the war. The club had already won the second-tier league before the war set about, however, they stopped all club activities the proceeding year due to the state of disarray the country was in. Kamal and co, reformed the club after being granted legal permission, and decided to use the club for Abahani's sports cycle. The reformed club appointed Nazmul Haque as their first president, while Harunur Rashid and Mohammad Farooq served as the main secretary and football secretary, respectively.

Early years (1972–1979)

Having been crowned the Second Division title in 1970 as Iqbal Sporting Club, they were granted a place in the 1972 First Division, reformed as Abahani Krira Chakra. Before the 1972 season got underway, Abahani had already made a name for themselves by attaining the service of the country's first "megastar" footballer, Kazi Salahuddin from Mohammedan SC. Abahani's first league squad consisted of: Abul Kashem, Muslim, Zubair, Abdus Sadek (captain), Sheikh Jamaluddin, Hashemuddin, Farooq, Jahangir Shah Badsha, Mozammel Quader, Kazi Anwar, Mohsin, QM Rafique Dipu, Ranjit Kumar Saha, Gafur Bhuiyan, Sheikh Farid, Kazi Abu Siddique, Golam Sarwar Tipu, Kazi Salahuddin, Amalesh Sen, Mohammad Hossain, Abdul Quader, Masood Hasan, Sheikh Ashraf Ali, Belal Hossain, Ali Imam (vice-captain) and coach Kabir. Abahani played their first-ever top-tier league match on 11 June 1972, the opening day of the league, against the defending champions, Bangladesh JIC (BJIC), and earned a 0–0 draw. However, the league was abandoned midway, with the winners being unannounced. Abahani finished their first full season as the 1973 First Division runners-up, behind Bangladesh JIC. The team displayed their best performance in a 2–0 victory over giants Mohammedan, with goals from Amalesh Sen and Kazi Salahuddin; the latter scored 24 league goals that year.

Abahani won their first league title in 1974, under the guidance of Irish coach William Bill Hart, Abahani introduced Total Football to the Dhaka football scene. However, the club went through a dark period the subsequent year, following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which also claimed the life of founding member Sheikh Kamal. Due to the political situation in the country, Abahani's future was left uncertain, and it was on the path of disbanding only to be saved by some officials and players. Amidst the chaos, Abahani lost the league title to Mohammedan, starting off the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, which was later branded as the Dhaka Derby. Kazi Salahuddin moved to the Hong Kong League following the season's conclusion, largely due to Sheikh Kamal's murder. The late 70s was a rebuilding era for Abahani, players like Monwar Hossain Nannu, Golam Rabbani Helal, Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu and Amalesh Sen were a major part of the club's return to glory. Although the club did not enjoy much success at the Aga Khan Gold Cup, they were able to break Mohammedan's league dominance by regaining the First Division title in 1977, after defeating Rahmatganj MFS 3–1 in the league-deciding game, with goals coming from Kazi Salahuddin, Khurshid Alam Babul and Kazi Anwar. The return of Kazi Salahuddin to full fitness was a major boost as he scored 14 goals during their unbeaten 1977 league triumph and again in 1978, helping Abahani retain the title.