Ismail Najeeb Russell went to conduct an international badminton competition in Guwahati, India. He is considered one of the best badminton umpires in the country. He accepted death while doing his duty. The 52-year-old umpire was also on the panel of the World Badminton Federation.
Former national badminton champion and former general secretary of the federation Zobayedur Rahman Rana confirmed the death of Russell. He said that he died in the hotel room, 'An international series was going on in Guwahati, India. Russell went on to officiate the match as an umpire for the World Badminton Panel. Today was his match. When he was not coming to the court, the organizers went to the hotel. The door was broken as the room did not open even after knocking. Then they saw that Russell was gone.'
Russell is a well-known face in Badminton in Bangladesh. Apart from umpiring, he is also a member of the current executive committee of the federation. He studied a lot about badminton.
Russell has umpired in major tournaments in various countries of the world including South Korea, Japan. Although the standard of badminton in Bangladesh is at the level of South Asia, he was world class. Former national champion Enayet Ullah Khan said, 'Russell Bhai is not only a special asset of Bangladesh, but Asia and the world badminton. He has officiated many international matches. Such a great umpire, yet his use and movements are so ordinary and unmanageable.'
Badminton people in Bangladesh believe that Russell passed away due to stroke or heart attack. Many people in badminton also said that he was not suffering from any special disease. Attempts are being made to bring his body to the Federation.
