DHAKA, Aug 5, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today distributed Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council (NSC) Award-2023 to 10 sports personalities and two organizations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to sports.

She handed over the awards to the recipients at a function in city's Osmani Memorial auditorium this morning.

Ministry of Youth and Sports organized the ceremony on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of Freedom Fighter Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Abdus Sadek, the legendary hockey player and the first captain of the Bangladesh national hockey team, was adorned with the lifetime achievement award.

Women's football team captain Sabina Khatun, cricketer Taskin Ahmed and South Asian gold medalist weightlifter Ziarul Islam got the award in the sportsman category.

Table tennis player Muhtasin Ahmed Hridoy and hockey player Amirul Islam received the emerging athlete award, while grassroots hockey organiser Fazlul Islam and Kalsindur Govt. School and College's principal Mala Rani Sarker were given the awards in sports organiser category.

Khandakar Tarek Md Nurullah received the sports journalist award, while Bangladesh Archery Federation received the sports association/federation/organisation award, and Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) got the sports sponsor award.

On behalf of BAB, Md Nazrul Islam Mazumder and Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat received the award.

In addition, the ministry, for the first time, included the sports commentator category in the Sheikh Kamal NSC award. Former national cricketer and cricket commentator Atahar Ali Khan received the sports commentator award.

Each of the awardees received Taka one lakh, a crest, and a certificate.

With State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel in the chair, its Secretary Dr Mohiuddin Ahmed delivered the welcome address.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman also spoke reminiscing the life and activities of Sheikh Kamal.

On behalf of the award recipients, Abdus Sadek and Sabina Khatun spoke at the function.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Youth and Sports Abdullah Al Islam Jakob was present.

At the outset, an audio-visual on life and activities of Freedom Fighter Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal was screened.

The premier also unveiled the cover of a book "Sheikh Kamal: Khanajonma Ek Nakhkhatra".

Earlier on August 3, the names of the 10 sports personalities and two organizations in eight categories were announced for the prestigious Sheikh Kamal NSC Award-2023.

The recipients for this award have been finalized after being scrutinized by the concerned committee in light of specific criteria in recognition of outstanding contributions to sports.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports introduced the award for the first time in 2021 on the occasion of Sheikh Kamal's 72nd birth anniversary.

The prime minister also distributed "Bangabandhu Sports Scholarship" at the ceremony.

The scholarship is being given by the Bangabandhu Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation in fiscal year 2023-24.

A total of 500 students is being provided with the scholarship, where students in classes V-X is getting Taka 12,000 annually, Taka 1,000 each month, while students in classes XI to honors level is getting Taka 24,000 annually, Taka 2,000 each month.

Earlier, before joining this ceremony, the premier, at her official residence Ganabhaban, released a commemorative postage stamp of Taka 10, a souvenir sheet comprising three stamps of Taka 40, first day cover of Taka 10, a data card of Taka 5, and used a canceller on the occasion of the Sheikh Kamal's birth anniversary.