Recipients elated with sports award

Sports personalities from different disciplines have expressed their elation after receiving Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital yesterday.

Ten sports personalities and two organisations were handed over the awards in eight categories in recognition for their outstanding contribution to sports at the programme, organised by the NSC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Among the recipients were legendary hockey player and organiser Abdus Sadek, women's football team captain Sabina Khatun and cricketer Taskin Ahmed.

Each of the awardees received Tk 1 lakh, a crest and certificate.

Sadek, the legendary hockey player who also played football, recalled his affection towards Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after whom the award has been named.

Sadek received the national sports award in 1996. Now he has won the NSC award for his lifetime contribution to sports and took the award from the same person 27 years later.

"I received both the awards from the Prime Minister. But this award is special as it is named after Sheikh Kamal. I was the captain of Abahani's first football team, so I have many memories with Sheikh Kamal," Sadek said in his reaction.

Footballer Sabina, who led the Bangladesh team to the title of the SAFF Women's Championship last year, said this award is special since it is an individual award.

"I have received many awards in the past and I have also accepted awards from the honourable Prime Minister. But today's reward is above all." she said.

Cricketer Taskin, who has been in terrific form in recent times, was overjoyed with getting his first national award.

"For the first time I have received a national award. it is a matter of great pride for me to receive the award from the honourable Prime Minister," Taskin said, adding: "She was asking what matches we have ahead. Honourable Prime Minister herself was saying that Asia Cup, World Cup are ahead, good luck to all, play well."

Among the others to receive the award were: South Asian Games gold medallist weightlifter Ziarul Islam, young table tennis player Muhtasin Ahmed Hridoy, young hockey player Amirul islam, cricketer-turned-commentator Athar Ali Khan, veteran photojournalist Khandakar Tarek, grassroots hockey organiser Ustad Fazlu, Kalsindur Govt School and College's principal Mala Rani Sarker, Bangladesh Archery Federation and Bangladesh Association of Banks.

The youth and sports ministry introduced the award in 2021.