Eighty-five make memories worth a lifetime

The Youth and Sports Ministry yesterday recognised 85 individuals for their contributions to Bangladesh sport between 2013 and 2022, awarding them National Sports Awards at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who attended virtually.

Each awardee received an 18-carat gold medal, one lakh taka and a certificate, handed over to veterans and youngsters alike by State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The auditorium was teeming with former stars and dedicated organisers, leading to many mingling ahead of the start of the programme. There were also plenty of photos taken to preserve the memories of receiving the highest sporting recognition from the state.

PHoto: BSS

"I feel deeply lucky to be meeting my nearest and dearest, especially the Abahani footballers, cricketers and hockey players, after such a long gap. I am really happy to see them again," Swadhin Bangla Football Team manager Tanvir Mazhar Islam Tanna, one of the recipients of the award, said after the programme.

"As a freedom fighter, I'm happy to get this prestigious award. I want to dedicate this award to the Swadhin Bangla Football team, whose members risked their lives to cross borders and represent the nation during the liberation war," added Tanna, who also played an important role in cricket.

Another recipient, former Bangladesh Cricket Board secretary Mozzafar Ahmed Poltu, said: "Any recognition is always a pleasure. Despite getting the award after such a delay, I am happy because late is better than never.

"Bangabandhu made me the secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and, under his leadership, I tried to lift cricket from a poor state and keep the game alive. Many wanted to stop cricket, opining that it was a luxurious and time-consuming game for lords."

Seven-time fastest woman Sultana Parveen Lovely, another awardee, said: "I think I should have received this award before because I was more successful as a sprinter at the domestic and international levels than some athletes who received this award before me."

Meanwhile, athletics coach Rafiq Ullah Akhtar Milon was ecstatic to get recognition. 

"Schools are the breeding grounds of sport and local coaches like me have been working hard to groom players and push them to the district, divisional and national level gradually. We have also been working to accommodate athletes in different services teams. But grassroot coaches are often ignored. I am happy that I have been recognised. I would urge authorities to consider grassroots organisers more when it comes to awards. Then, the wheel of sports will turn smoothly."

Former FIFA referee Tayeb Hasan Shamsuddin expressed his desire to disburse his prize money to benefit the children suffering from malnutrition in Shatkira's coastal areas.

As an eight-year span was considered, some awardees were recognised posthumously. Nadia Rahmatullah accepted an award on behalf of her husband, national hockey player Khaza Rahmatullah.

"Receiving this award is a pleasure for me, but it's also painful. I would not have received this award if it was given timely. Rahmatullah got this award in 2015, but he left us in 2016. No one would have been happier than me if he could have received this award himself," said Nadia, who also appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's instructions to hold the national awards each year.