From Amirul’s stick to Niaz’s mind: A Year to Remember

2025 was a tapestry woven with contrasting threads. While senior squads faltered, the youth rewrote history—from a hockey prodigy shattering world records to para-athletes delivering a golden haul. It was a year where a 59-year-old Grandmaster defied time and archery claimed continental leadership. Beyond the noise, the nation’s sporting soul thrived not in the spotlight, but in the quiet corners of resilience and unheralded triumph.

Hockey: Where the future shined brighter than the present

Bangladesh hockey lived two contrasting stories in the same year.

The brightest chapter was written by the Under-18 teams at the Youth Hockey World Cup. Playing their first-ever tournament, the boys’ team stunned observers by winning the Challenger Trophy, defeating Austria 5–2 in Madurai to finish 17th overall. For a debutant nation, it was a statement of arrival.

At the heart of that story stood Amirul Islam, who delivered a performance for the ages. Scoring an astonishing 18 goals, Amirul became the highest goal scorer in Youth World Cup history, earning Player of the Match awards in four games. No Bangladeshi athlete had ever achieved such individual dominance on a global stage.

The Under-18 women’s team complemented the success by winning a bronze medal, defeating Kazakhstan and signaling steady growth in women’s hockey.

The senior men’s team, however, faced a harsh reality. A sixth-place finish in the Asia Cup was followed by a painful World Cup playoff series against Pakistan, where Bangladesh conceded 26 goals across three matches. The year also witnessed controversy over the exclusion of veteran Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, raising questions about selection policies, planning and respect for experience.

 Kabaddi: Quiet steps, historic footprints

Kabaddi, Bangladesh’s national sport, continued its quiet climb.

The women’s kabaddi team achieved a landmark feat by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka, defeating Thailand and securing Bangladesh’s first-ever medal at a world-level kabaddi event. It was a breakthrough that deserved far louder celebration than it received.

At the Asian Youth Games, both the boys’ and girls’ teams earned bronze medals, delivering Bangladesh’s first medals in the history of the Games. Rewards followed, but recognition remained limited—an all-too-familiar pattern for kabaddi.

Archery: From medals to continental leadership

2025 was a year of pride for Bangladesh archery, both on and off the field.

Veteran organizer Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal was elected President of Asian Archery, a remarkable achievement that saw the federation’s headquarters relocated to Dhaka. The capital hosted the Asian Archery Championships, placing Bangladesh firmly at the center of the continent’s archery map.

Performance matched prestige. Bangladesh claimed silver and bronze medals at the championships, while Abdur Rahman Alif won gold at the Asia Cup in Singapore, reaffirming archery as one of the country’s most consistently successful sports.

Chess: New masters, old magic

Bangladesh chess produced a year rich in symbolism.

Wadifa Ahmed became the country’s fourth Woman International Master, winning the Asian Zonal Championship and joining an elite group led by Rani Hamid.

The legacy of late Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman continued through his son Tahsin Tajwar Zia, who earned his third International Master norm, edging closer to the coveted 2400 rating.

And then there was Niaz Morshed. At 59 years old, the subcontinent’s first Grandmaster won the national championship, a rare feat anywhere in the world and a reminder that class does not fade with age.

Table Tennis, Swimming: small arenas, big statements

Bangladesh table tennis reached its highest point when Javed Ahmed and Khoy Khoy Marma won silver in mixed doubles at the Islamic Solidarity Games, the nation’s best-ever result in the sport.

The same Games delivered medals in wushu and weightlifting, while Bangladeshi athletes stood on the podium in SAF Athletics relays. Swimmer Samiul Islam Rafi collected medals in international invitational meets in Singapore and Malaysia, signaling progress beyond regional waters.

Para Sports: The most inspiring story of the year

If one chapter defined the spirit of 2025, it belonged to Bangladesh’s para athletes.

At the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, Bangladesh returned with five medals—three gold and two bronze, the largest medal haul in NPC Bangladesh’s history at an Asian youth event.

Chaiti Rani Deb won gold in javelin throw and 100 meters, while Mohammad Shahidullah, competing with a single leg, captured gold in 50m freestyle swimming and bronze in the 100m. The women’s wheelchair basketball team added a bronze, completing a historic campaign built on courage and belief.

Other Sports: Progress Beyond the Familiar

While the spotlight largely stayed elsewhere, several other sports continued to move forward in 2025, often without noise but with substance.

Golfer Jamal Hossain produced one of the year’s finest individual performances by dominating the BPGA Open with a stunning 24-under-par score, reaffirming that elite golfing talent still exists in Bangladesh.

Boxing also found a moment to celebrate as Zinnat Ferdous claimed gold at the National Championships, standing out in a sport that survives largely on personal commitment rather than institutional backing.

 Courts, Fields and Quiet Competitions

Beyond individual brilliance, multiple disciplines maintained competitive momentum throughout the year. Volleyball hosted the CAVA Cup, keeping regional competition alive, while handball successfully conducted its national competitions. In women’s baseball, Police Women emerged as champions, marking steady growth in a sport still finding its footing in the country.

These events may not have grabbed headlines, but they formed the backbone of Bangladesh’s sporting calendar in 2025.

Beyond the Field: Harassment allegations shake sports

2025 wasn’t just about victories—Bangladesh sports faced serious scrutiny as sexual harassment allegations surfaced. Former cricket captain Jahanara Alam was first to speak out, followed by shooters Ema, Sharmin Akter Ratna, and Kamrun Nahar Kali, accusing Shooting Federation official G.M. Haider Sajjad. The National Sports Council formed an investigation committee, which is yet to release its findings, highlighting urgent gaps in accountability and governance.