Footballer Hamza Choudhury was the star of the evening at the Kool-BSPA Sports Award 2025, claiming three major honours including Sportsperson of the Year at a glittering ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Friday 22 May. The event, now in its eleventh consecutive year under Kool sponsorship, recognised 15 current and former athletes, coaches, administrators and organisations across 16 categories.
Hamza edged out women’s footballer Ritu Porna Chakma and hockey star Amirul Islam to clinch the Sportsperson of the Year title, and also triumphed in the Popular Choice Award, decided by online fan voting, overcoming the same duo alongside cricketer Tanzid Tamim. He was additionally named joint Footballer of the Year alongside Ritu Porna, completing a memorable treble on the night.
Speaking via video message from abroad, Hamza said, “I am truly honoured to receive this award. The Kool-BSPA Award is one of the most prestigious honours in the country. I would like to thank my family, my coaches, my teammates, my friends, and the fans for their unwavering support. Inshallah, we will continue to achieve great things for Bangladesh.”
Cricketer Rishad Hossain was named Cricketer of the Year, whilst women’s football coach Peter Butler claimed Coach of the Year in recognition of his role in guiding Bangladesh to SAFF Championship glory. Ritu Porna was named Women’s Footballer of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the SAFF-winning side throughout 2025.
Other individual winners included Amirul Islam in hockey, Abdur Rahman Alif in archery, Khoi Khoi Sai Marma in table tennis, and Al-Amin Jumar in badminton. Young cricketer Ripon Mondol claimed the Emerging Athlete of the Year award, whilst Alamgir Kabir was recognised as Grassroots Sports Personality for his long-standing contribution to cricket at the community level. Hockey umpire Selim Lucky was named Best Umpire, and Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal of Asian Archery received the Best Organiser award. Shahnaz Parvin Maleka received a Special Recognition Award for her contribution to sport, and Prime Bank PLC was named Sponsor of the Year for sustained support of youth cricket. The Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation was honoured as Active Federation of the Year for its efforts to revive the traditional sport throughout the year.
The ceremony was presided over by BSPA president Rejwan Uz Zaman Rajib, with State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque attending as chief guest and Square Toiletries Limited CEO Malik Mohammed Sayeed present as guest of honour. BSPA president Rajib also announced plans to establish a Sports Journalists’ Institute to strengthen sports journalism in Bangladesh.
In a notable addition to the evening’s proceedings, the Bangladesh Football Federation used the occasion to formally introduce newly appointed head coach Thomas Dooley, who had arrived in Dhaka earlier that same morning.
Full list of winners:
- Sportsperson of the Year, Hamza Choudhury.
- Popular Choice Award, Hamza Choudhury.
- Footballer of the Year, Hamza Choudhury and Ritu Porna Chakma.
- Cricketer of the Year, Rishad Hossain.
- 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 Jumar.
- Emerging Athlete, Ripon Mondol.
- Coach of the Year, Peter Butler.
- Best Umpire, Selim Lucky.
- Best Organiser, Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal.
- Grassroots Sports Personality, Alamgir Kabir.
- Special Recognition Award, Shahnaz Parvin Maleka.
- Best Sponsor, Prime Bank PLC. Active Federation, Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation.
