Khoi Khoi Sai Marma Named Emerging Player of the Year, Says First Award Feels Special
Winning Bangladesh table tennis's first international medal outside South Asia and a string of successes in domestic competition made last year a remarkable one for Khoi Khoi Sai Marma. In recognition of that success, she has received the City Group-Prothom Alo Emerging Player of the Year award.
Winning such an award for the first time in her life, Khoi Khoi was delighted. Holding the award at the Oasis Hall of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, she said: 'I have never received an award like this before. The joy of the first award is a little greater. But I did not know which award I would get, so I was a little nervous too. Just before the announcement I became anxious. Anyway, it feels good. This award will inspire me to move further ahead.'
The biggest contribution behind this recognition was the silver medal she won at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh last November. Partnering Javed Ahmed in the mixed doubles, she made new history for Bangladesh table tennis with that silver. It was Bangladesh table tennis's first international medal outside South Asia.
Alongside her international success, Khoi Khoi has also shown her class in domestic competition. At the prize-money ranking tournament she won gold in the singles, junior and senior team events.
She was also champion in the junior singles and senior team events at the Acme Cup table tennis, and in the women's singles and team events at the President Cup table tennis.
Her biggest domestic success came at the 40th National Table Tennis Championship. Held in Dhaka last January, she entered eight events and won medals in all eight — six golds, one silver and one bronze. She was champion in the singles of both the junior and senior divisions.
The recognition has also lifted her confidence somewhat, and Khoi Khoi's eyes are now on a bigger stage.
The SA Games will be held in Pakistan next year, and Khoi Khoi dreams of taking part in the competition for the first time. Stating her target, she said: 'The SA Games are ahead. I have never played in the SA Games before. If I get a chance in the team this time, I will try to do something good. I will want to win at least one medal.'
