Hamza Choudhury and Rishad Hossain Shine at BSPA Sports Awards 2025
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A Night of Celebration for Bangladesh Sports
The prestigious Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025, organized by the historic Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA), took place on Friday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka. The grand ceremony served as a vibrant platform to celebrate and honor the country’s most exceptional athletes, coaches, organizers, and contributors who have left an indelible mark on the sporting landscape over the past year.
Hamza Choudhury Dominates the Stage
The undisputed star of the evening was footballer Hamza Choudhury. In a field of formidable contenders, including women’s footballer Rituparna Chakma and talented hockey player Amirul Islam, Choudhury secured the night’s most coveted title: Sports Person of the Year 2025. His dominance was absolute, as he also claimed the Popular Choice Award—voted for by the public—and was officially recognized as the Footballer of the Year for his consistent and remarkable contributions throughout the season.
Expressing his gratitude in a video message, Choudhury remarked on the prestige of the event. He extended his appreciation to his family, coaches, teammates, and the dedicated fans whose support for him and the national team remained steadfast throughout the year.
High-Profile Attendance and Industry Milestones
The event was chaired by BSPA President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib, with the State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, in attendance as the chief guest. Minister Haque reflected on his own journey, noting his transition from a footballer to his current role as a minister, and praised the growth of the local sports sector as mirrored by the longevity of these awards. Malik Mohammed Said, CEO of Square Toiletries Limited, represented the brand ‘Cool,’ which has sponsored the BSPA awards for eleven consecutive years, highlighting the long-standing commitment to nurturing sports journalism and excellence.
The Future of Sports Journalism
BSPA President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib used the platform to reiterate the organization’s vision. Praising the current state of sports journalism in Bangladesh as world-class, he emphasized that there is always room for progress. He highlighted plans for a potential Sports Journalism Institute, calling for continued support from the community to elevate the standards of the profession.
Full List of Winners at the Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025
The BSPA, which first introduced sports awards in Bangladesh in 1964, honored 15 current and former athletes and institutions across 16 categories this year. Here are the distinguished winners:
- Sports Person of the Year: Hamza Choudhury
- Runners-up: Rituparna Chakma, Amirul Islam
- Popular Choice Award: Hamza Choudhury
- Cricketer of the Year: Rishad Hossain
- Footballers of the Year: Hamza Choudhury and Rituparna Chakma
- Hockey Player of the Year: Amirul Islam
- Archer of the Year: Abdur Rahman Alif
- Table Tennis Player of the Year: Khoi Khoi Sai Marma
- Badminton Player of the Year: Al Amin Zumar
- Emerging Athlete: Ripon Mondol
- Coach of the Year: Peter Butler
- Umpire of the Year: Selim Lucky
- Organizer of the Year: Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal
- Grassroots Sports Personality: Alamgir Kabir
- Special Honor: Shahnaz Parveen Maleka
- Best Sponsor: Prime Bank PLC
- Most Active Federation: Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation
The 2025 ceremony not only recognized individual brilliance but also underscored the collective effort required to maintain a thriving sporting ecosystem in Bangladesh. From the rising stars in athletics to the veteran organizers and federations, the event reinforced the importance of rewarding excellence and promoting development at every level of the game.
