The government of Maldives presented 'Sports Icon’ award in special recognition category to the State Minister for Youth and Sports of Bangladesh Md. Zahid Ahsan Russell for his contribution in developing the Bangladeshi sports. President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Saleh presented the award to Md. Zahid Ahsan Russell at Ekuveni Track, Maldives on March 17.
"Today (March 17) is the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I feel very honored to receive the award on this auspicious day. I am grateful to the people of Maldives. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all concerned, including the President of the Maldives and the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Maldives, Ahmed Mahloof. This recognition will inspire me to do more for the development of youth and sports in Bangladesh and Maldives," said Md. Zahid Ahsan.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa was also conferred with the Special Recognition award alongside Md. Zahir Ahsan Russel, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh, Al-Kadi Badr Abdul Rahman, the Vice Minister of Sports of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Nazeer, the Honorary President of the Maldives Tennis Association; and Hussein Afeef for promoting societal progress and change through sports.
The ‘Sports Icon’ award was presented to 16 international sportspersons which including Jayasuriya and Sivalingam, former Brazil midfielder Roberto Carlos, Jamaican Sprinter Asafa Powell, Indian cricketer Suresh Raina and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids.
State Minister for Youth and Sports. The Maldivian government has given Zahid Ahsan Russell MP the Maldives Sports Award 2022 in the Special Recognition Award category.
Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Tharjini Sivalingam have been conferred the ‘sports icon’ award at the Maldives Sports Awards 2022.
Jayasuriya, the legendary cricketer, was presented with the award for creating positive social change through sports.
Netballer Sivalingam too, received the ‘sports icon’ award.
At the event, sports minister Namal Rajapaksa received a special recognition award.
Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Soli presented a total of 108 awards under 18 different sports at Ekuveni Track n March 17.
