Hamza Choudhury and Rishad Hossain Shine at Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025

Rafiq Hasan · 22/05/2026 · 4 min read

Hamza Choudhury and Rishad Hossain Lead the Charge at Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025

Dhaka witnessed a night of glory and celebration as the Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025 took center stage at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Friday. Organized by the historic Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA), the prestigious event honored the nation’s most outstanding athletes, coaches, and contributors across multiple disciplines.

Hamza Choudhury Dominates with Historic Triple Win

Football star Hamza Choudhury was the undisputed hero of the evening, capturing the highest honor as Sports Person of the Year 2025. Outshining competitors Rituparna Chakma (women’s football) and hockey ace Amirul Islam, Hamza’s impact on the national and international stage proved unmatched this year.

But his success didn’t stop there. Hamza also secured the Popular Choice Award, voted directly by fans, and was named Footballer of the Year alongside Rituparna Chakma—highlighting his broad influence both on and off the pitch. With three major awards, Hamza’s sweep marked one of the most dominant performances in the history of the BSPA Awards.

In a heartfelt video message, Hamza 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.”

Cricketer of the Year Goes to Rishad Hossain

On the cricket front, all-rounder Rishad Hossain earned well-deserved recognition, bagging the Cricketer of the Year award. His consistent performances and rising prominence on the international circuit have made him a key figure in Bangladesh’s evolving bowling lineup, marking him as one of the nation’s brightest young stars.

Prestigious Ceremony Led by National Figures

The grand event was chaired by BSPA President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib, with Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, serving as chief guest. Aminul Haque, a former footballer himself, presented the awards and reflected on the nation’s sporting evolution: “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.”

The guest of honor was Malik Mohammed Said, CEO of Square Toiletries Limited, whose brand Cool has sponsored the awards for the 11th consecutive year. He praised BSPA’s enduring legacy: “We are proud to be associated with these awards and thank BSPA for keeping us part of this journey.”

BSPA’s Vision for the Future of Sports Journalism

President Rezwan Uz Zaman Rajib highlighted the growth of sports journalism in Bangladesh, calling it “world-class” while emphasizing the need for further development. He announced BSPA’s aspiration to establish a Sports Journalism Institute, urging collective support to build a stronger foundation for future sports storytellers.

Full List of Cool-BSPA Sports Awards 2025 Winners

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 BSPA has been recognizing sporting excellence since 1964, making these awards a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s sports culture. This year’s ceremony, honoring 15 individuals and institutions across 16 categories, stood as a powerful tribute to dedication, excellence, and the growing spirit of national pride in sports.

Rafiq Hasan

Rafiq Hasan is the chief cricket correspondent for The Daily Star, Bangladesh's largest English-language newspaper. Over his two-decade career, he has chronicked the rise of Bangladesh cricket from perennial underdogs to a formidable force in world cricket. Hasan has covered every major ICC event featuring Bangladesh and reported from the press boxes of Lord's, the MCG, and Mirpur. He has a deep understanding of the country's cricket ecosystem—from the Dhaka Premier League rivalries to the politics of the BCB. Known for his balanced analysis and insider access to the dressing room, he wrote the widely acclaimed long-form series "Tigers' Roar: How Bangladesh Changed the Cricket Map." A graduate of the University of Dhaka, Hasan is also a respected voice on global cricket diplomacy, exploring how the sport affects the balance of power in South Asia.