Today is the 9th death anniversary of the legendary footballer and former national captain Mohammad Monem Munna. Munna, one of the greatest defenders the country has ever produced, died of kidney complications in 2005 this day at the age of 39.
Munna’s surviving family, his well-wishers and teammates have been remembering the legendary centre-back on his death anniversaries at his home Narayanganj every year.
This time, Narayanganj District Sports Association (DSA), in cooperation with Monem Munna Smriti Sangsad, also took the initiative to pay tributes to the legend with organising commemorative meeting at the Narayanganj Osmani Municipality Stadium today. Yasmin Monem Surovi, the widow of late Munna, his son and daughter Azman Salid and Yusra Monem Dania are expected to attend the meeting.
“We want to move forward keeping the memory of Monem Munna in our heart. That is why we are organizing the event,” said AZM Ismail Babul, vice president of Narayanganj DSA.
Sonali Otit Club and Monem Munna Smriti Sangsad will also organize a milad and provide food to the poor people at the Alauddin Khan Stadium.
Munna started his career with Pioneer Division club Gulistan Club in 1981. After playing for Muktijoddha and Brothers Union, the star centre-back joined Abahani Limited in 1987 where he spent the rest of his career till 1997. Munna earned the Sky Blues premier division league titles both as captain and as manager.
At the age of only 18, Munna was picked for the national team for the first time in the Seoul Asian Games in 1986 and led the national team defense line for 11 years. Bangladesh achieved their first-ever international triumph under his captaincy in the 4-nation Grand Royal Challenge Cup in Myanmar in 1995.
Munna also played for Kolkata giants East Bengal Club in the years 1991-92 where they emerged champions.
