Hamza Choudhury and Rishad Hossain Shine at BSPA Sports Awards 2025
A Night of Celebration: The Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025
The sporting community in Bangladesh gathered for a grand celebration at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka this past Friday for the highly anticipated Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025. Organized by the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA), the event served as a glittering tribute to the athletes, coaches, organizers, and contributors who have shaped the national sports landscape over the past year.
Hamza Choudhury: The Star of the Evening
While the event highlighted excellence across numerous disciplines, one name resonated above all others: Hamza Choudhury. In a remarkable display of talent and popularity, the football star dominated the proceedings. Competing against stellar athletes such as women’s footballer Rituparna Chakma and hockey standout Amirul Islam, Choudhury was crowned the Sports Person of the Year 2025.
His dominance did not stop there. In addition to the top accolade, Choudhury claimed the Popular Choice Award—a title determined by the votes of passionate sports fans—and was officially recognized as the Footballer of the Year. This triple victory underscores his immense impact on the pitch and his significant connection with the public throughout the 2025 season.
In a heartfelt video message shared with the audience, Choudhury expressed his gratitude: “I’m truly proud to receive this award. The Cool-BSPA Awards are one of the country’s most prestigious sports honors. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, friends, and especially the fans for supporting me and the national team throughout the year.”
Recognizing Excellence Across Disciplines
The BSPA, which first introduced these awards in 1964, continues to uphold its tradition of celebrating the diversity of Bangladeshi sports. This year’s ceremony honored 15 individuals and institutions across 16 categories. Among the notable winners was cricketer Rishad Hossain, who earned the title of Cricketer of the Year, further highlighting the country’s ongoing success in the sport.
Voices from the Ceremony
The event was chaired by BSPA President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib, with the State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, attending as the chief guest to present the trophies. Reflecting on his own journey, Minister Haque remarked, “The BSPA Sports Awards have been taking place for many years. Earlier I attended this event as a footballer, and now I’m here as the sports minister. I believe this reflects the growth and achievement of our sports sector.”
Malik Mohammed Said, CEO of Square Toiletries Limited, whose brand “Cool” has sponsored the awards for 11 consecutive years, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the sporting community and the historic work of the BSPA.
Looking toward the future, BSPA President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib emphasized the organization’s commitment to professional development. “I believe our sports journalism is already world-class, but there is still room to improve. BSPA wants to establish a Sports Journalism Institute, and for that, we need everyone’s support.”
Full List of Honorees
The following individuals and organizations were recognized for their dedication and performance throughout 2025:
- 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 BSPA Awards not only served to reward the hard work of these athletes but also highlighted the vibrant potential of Bangladesh’s sports sector as it continues to evolve on the national and international stage.
