Hamza Chowdhury Named Sportsman of the Year, Lifetime Honour for Lutfor Rahman Makhan

Bangladesh national footballer Hamza Chowdhury has received the Sportsman of the Year award at the 'City Group–Prothom Alo Sports Awards–2025'. Former cricketer and veteran organiser Lutfor Rahman Makhan received the lifetime achievement honour. The award ceremony was held yesterday at a hotel in the capital.

Apart from Sportsman of the Year and the lifetime honour, awards were given in four other categories. National football team captain Hamza Chowdhury was named the best both by the judges and by readers' votes. Bangladesh women's cricket team's ODI captain Nigar Sultana was named Sportswoman of the Year.

The two runners-up for the top award were footballer Rituparna Chakma and hockey player Amirul Islam. Table tennis player Khoi Khoi Marma received the Emerging Player of the Year award.

Hamza could not attend the ceremony because of his SAFF Championship duties with the national team. Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque announced his name on stage. Introducing Hamza, he said, 'He is the craze of Bangladesh at this moment. His fame is not only in the country but also abroad. Bangladesh is proud of him, and will remain proud.' The state minister announced Hamza's name saying Bangladesh dreams of becoming SAFF champion again through him, after 2003.

All awards except one were chosen by a jury vote. The jury board, led by legendary footballer Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu, included former cricketer Akram Khan, hockey player Russell Mahmud Jimmy, shooter Sharmin Akter Ratna and journalist Dulal Mahmud.

Readers also had the chance to vote for the top award. The nominees in this category were Hamza, Rituparna, Mustafizur Rahman, Mili Akter, Rishad Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Former cricketer and commentator Athar Ali Khan announced Hamza's name as the winner of the readers' vote.

Nigar Sultana received the Sportswoman of the Year award. As she was abroad, her father accepted the award on her behalf. Emerging player Khoi Khoi Marma is a table tennis player from Bandarban. In 2025 she won silver in the mixed doubles at the Islamic Solidarity Games, as well as titles in domestic table tennis.

Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman draped the traditional scarf on lifetime honouree Lutfor Rahman Makhan, while City Group executive director (sales and marketing) Zafar Uddin Siddiqui handed him the crest. A documentary on the playing and organising life of the veteran organiser, who played cricket in the fifties and sixties, was screened at the event.

Bangladesh table tennis legend Zobera Rahman Linu presented a written speech on stage. Recalling her playing life, she said, 'My childhood, adolescence and youth were spent around a small table. That table gave me dreams, the strength to turn around after defeat, and the chance to understand life.' Referring to players' struggles, she said, 'Awards and medals are only the visible part of a player's life. Spectators only see the medal on stage. Nobody sees the fight inside.'

Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and City Group executive director Zafar Uddin Siddiqui gave welcome speeches at the event. In his speech, Matiur Rahman remembered recently deceased sports organisers Harunur Rashid, Abdus Sadeq and Shamima Sattar Mimu.

Hosted by Kazi Sabir, the event featured Khaled Masud and Habibul Bashar, winners of the first two editions of the Prothom Alo Sports Awards, recalling their award wins on stage, alongside 2024's best player Rituparna Chakma. The programme, opened by Prothom Alo chief sports editor Utpal Shuvro, was closed by sports editor Tarek Mahmud.