Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was named sportsperson of the year 2024 during a colourful Kool-BSPA Sports Award 2024 ceremony held at the city's local hotel on Friday, said a press release.
During the two-and-a-half-hour programme, 13 athletes, teams, and organizations were recognized in 15 different categories.
National women's team midfielder Ritu Porna Chakma won the popular choice award by fans' votes for her tremendous contribution to the women's team's SAFF Championship triumph. Ritu Porna Chakma came on top in this category leaving behind sportsperson of the year 2024 Mehidy Hasan Miraz and new pace sensation of national cricket team Nahid Rana.
Meanwhile, Miraz won the best sportsman of the year 2024. Ritu Porna Chakma and archer Sagor Islam were also nominated in this category.
Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA), the oldest organization of the country's sports journalists and sports writers, founded in 1962, introduced the first sports award in the country in 1964.
The programme was presided over by BSPA president Rejwan Uz Zaman Rajib. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and managing director of Square Toiletries Limited Anjan Chowdhury were present in the ceremony as the guest of honour.
In immediate reaction sportsperson of the year Miraz said: "I like to thank BSPA for arranging such programme every year. This ceremony is very important for every athlete. We can meet and talk with the players from other sports such as hockey, football, etc. It feels really good."
Footballer Ritu Porna Chakma, who won the popular choice award, couldn't attend the programme as she is currently out of the country to play Bhutan League through a video message said: "I like to thank BSPA for honouring me. I couldn't attend the programme due to my matches in Bhutan. This prize will inspire me to perform even better in the coming days."
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud said: "First of all, I like to give a special thank to BSPA for arranging such an event. This will inspire the athletes to dream big in the coming days. You all know that the interim government is working really hard for a radical change in the sports sector.
We're working on restructuring and reforming the sports sector. We have many challenges ahead of us. We have requested the government to provide more incentives in the sports sector given the shortage of the sports budget."
Managing Director of Square Toiletries Limited Anjan Chowdhury said: "I'm very happy that we have been with BSPA for 12 years. We will stay with BSPA as long as they want. We have our adviser here and I would like to request him to pay attention to the sports in the district. I hope everyone will remain fine and stay with the sports fraternity."
Best in 2024:
Sportsperson of the year:
Champion: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Cricket)
Runner-up: Ritu Porna Chakma (Football) and Sagor Islam (Archery)
Popular choice award:Ritu Porna Chakma (Football)
Cricketer of the year: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Footballer of the year: Ritu Porna Chakma
Archer of the year: Md Sagor Islam
Athlete (Track and Field) of the year: Jahir Rayhan
Emerging sportsperson of the year: Nahid Rana (Cricket)
Chess player of the year: Manon Reja Neer
Team of the year: U-21 National Hockey Team (for qualifying to the Junior World Cup)
Organization of the year: Shams Ul Huda Football Academy, Jashore
Coach of the year: Moududur Rahman Shuvo (Hockey)
Grassroots sports personality of the year: Birsen Chakma (Football organizer, Rangamati)
Organizer of the year: Md Imrul Hassan (President, Bashundhara Kings)
Umpire of the year: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat
Special recognition: Hamidul Islam (2010 SA Games gold medalist
weightlifter).
