Mabia named best lifter

South Asian Games gold medallist Mabia Akter Simanta was named the weightlifter of the year yesterday, the Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation (BWF) announced while celebrating the Bengali New Year at the National Sports Council.

Simanta has also been given a monthly stipend worth Tk 15,000 for next six months after RAK Group came forward to assist the gold winner, who created a national record in 63kg category in the recently-concluded national weightlifting championship.

"I am really happy with cash incentive and such initiatives will encourage others to do better in future," said an ecstatic Simanta.

BWF president president Major General Abul Hossain, who is also the director general of Border Guard Bangladesh, announced cash awards for each gold winner of the national weightlifting championship.