The Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (SKKP) annually recognises the country's top athletes, federations, and organisers across eight categories. This year, twelve individuals and organisations will be honoured.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will present the awards on Monday, marking the 75th birth anniversary of valiant freedom fighter and eldest son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Kamal. The ceremony will take place at the Tejgaon office.
Veteran cricketer and freedom fighter Tanveer Mazharul Islam Tanna will receive a lifetime achievement award. A star of the 1970s, Tanna's contributions extend beyond cricket. He managed the independent Bengali football team and later excelled as an administrator, serving as General Secretary of Abahani Krira Chakra and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Three athletes have been selected for individual awards. Shooter Shakil, hailing from Dumuria, Khulna, boasts an impressive medal tally of one gold, four silver, and five bronze internationally, and thirteen gold, five silver, and two bronze domestically. Swimmer Mahfizur from Pabna has clinched 68 national golds, along with two silver and ten bronze at international level. Weightlifter Feroza Khatun from Keraniganj adds to the list of awardees with two South Asian Games bronze medals and a strong domestic record.
Emerging talents Tawheed Hriday and Zaheer Raihan will be honoured. Hriday, a rising star in cricket, made his international debut in March 2023 and has already showcased his abilities in ODIs and T20s, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup. Sprinter Zaheer Raihan, from Sherpur, has excelled domestically and recently secured a silver medal in the 400m sprint at the Asian Indoor Championship.
In the organiser category, Mahi Uddin, General Secretary of Sylhet District Sports Association, will be recognised. His involvement extends to multiple sporting bodies, including Sylhet Divisional Sports Association and the Bangladesh Football Federation. He shares the spotlight with a senior organiser from Kalabagan Club.
The Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation is the recipient of the Federation award, while the Hamid Group receives the Sheikh Kamal National Sports Award in the sponsor category. The group's contributions include the establishment of the Professor Hamidur Rahman Cricket Stadium and support for various shooting competitions.
Sports journalist Khandkar Manjurul Islam and sports commentator Kalyan Kumar Saha complete the list of awardees.
