After a five-year hiatus, the National Sports Award is set to make a return this year, with the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expected to present the prestigious honour to the selected athletes and sports organisers in June or July, reports Daily Sun.
The State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque confirmed that the awards will recognise outstanding contributions in sports over the last five years, from 2021 to 2025.
The award, introduced in 1976 by the then President Ziaur Rahman, had last been presented in 2020 and has since become irregular.
For the 2025 edition, the Ministry of Youth and Sports initially shortlisted 27 recipients from a total of 99 applications, comprising 14 athletes and 13 sports organisers.
The scrutiny committee, after reviewing 74 applications in its first meeting on 10 March, and 75 applications in the second, finalised the preliminary list of 27.
A subsequent meeting will confirm the final recipients.
The return of the National Sports Award marks a renewed commitment to honouring excellence in Bangladeshi sports, celebrating athletes and organiers who have made remarkable contributions and brought pride to the nation over the past five years.
Athletes on preliminary list: Khan Abdur Razzak (cricket), Rubel Rana, Mahfizur Rahman Sagor and Sabura Khatun (swimming), Nazmun Nahar Beauty, Abdur Rahim Naim and Khurshida Khatun Khushi (athletics), Molla Sabira Sultana (weightlifting), Khandaker Al Mahbub Billah (table tennis), Abdur Rahim (boxing), Akashi Sultana and Tarikul Islam (cycling), Zeba Borna (karate) and Obaidul Islam (deaf chess).
Organisers on preliminary list: Md Arif Bhuiyan (football), Mosharraf Hossain Badal (football), Md Kawsar Ali (hockey), Lutfur Rahman (roller skating), Matiur Rahman (handball), Md Iqbal Hossain (gymnastics), Md Abdul Mannan (swimming), Md Abdul Quadir (judo and karate), freedom fighter Mujibur Rahman (weightlifting), Md Saiful Aziz (cricket), Md Kamrul Hasan, Sayeed Ahmed, and FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Don.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
