Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz was named sportsperson of the year 2024 during a colourful Kool-BSPA Sports Award ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka Friday.
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 Bangladesh’s SAFF Championship triumph.
Ritu came on top in this category leaving behind sportsperson of the year Miraz, and new pace sensation of the national cricket team, Nahid Rana.
Meanwhile, Miraz beat Ritu and archer Sagor Islam, who achieved direct qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics, to win the sportsperson of the year award.
Bangladesh Sports Press Association is the oldest organization of the country’s sports journalists and writers.
The organization was founded in 1962 and two years after its inception in 1964, the organization started honouring the best sportsperson and sports-related personalities.
In continuation of this streak, BSPA recognized the best performers of 2024 in front of hundreds of current and former athletes, coaches, administrators and organizers during the gala event.
The programme was presided over by BSPA president Rejwan Uz Zaman Rajib.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud and managing director of Square Toiletries Limited, Anjan Chowdhury, were present in the grand ceremony as the guests of honour.
Sportsperson of the year, Bangladesh all-rounder Miraz said: “I would 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.”
Bangladesh footballer Ritu, who won the popular choice award, could not attend the programme as she is currently out of the country to play in the Bhutan League.
But in a video message, she said: “I would like to thank BSPA for honouring me. I couldn’t attend the programme due to my matches in Bhutan but I’m missing not being there. This prize will inspire me to perform even better in the coming days.”
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud said: “First of all, I would like to give a special thanks 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 are 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.”
MD of Square Toiletries Ltd 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.”
AWARDS
Sportsperson of the year
Champion: Mehedi Hasan Miraz (Cricket)
Runner-up: Ritu Porna Chakma (Football) and Sagor Islam (Archery)
Popular choice award: Ritu Porna Chakma
Cricketer of the year: Mehedi Hasan Miraz
Footballer of the year: Ritu Porna Chakma
Archer of the year: 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: Under-21 National Hockey Team (for advancing to the Junior World Cup)
Organization of the year: Shams Ul Huda Football Academy, Jessore
Coach of the year: Moududur Rahman Shuvo (Hockey)
Grassroots sports personality of the year: Birsen Chakma (Football organizer, Rangamati)
Organizer of the year: Imrul Hasan (President, Bashundhara Kings)
Umpire of the year: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat
Special recognition: Hamidul Islam (2010 South Asian Games gold medalist weightlifter)
