Young Imaan wins hearts

Imaan Azim Rahman (L) of Gulshan Club receives the Under-18 champions trophy of the Delta Life Insurance Open squash tournament from the Secretary for Youth and Sports Mohammad Golam Mustafa Talukdar at the Dhaka Club premises yesterday.Photo: STAR

Swapan Parvez became the new Premier champion of the Delta Life Open Squash tournament but it was Imaan Azimur Rahman who won everyone's hearts at the Dhaka Club court yesterday.
The very young Imaan, who played for Gulshan Club, clinched the Under-18 title of the competition after his win over Dhaka Club's Shahin the final.
The 13-year-old became the youngest ever player to win any squash tournament in the country.
Evidently, Imaan looked younger than a Class VII student and his achievement looked all the more amazing in a section where most of his opponents are much older than him. He received his trophy from Golam Mustafa Talukdar, the secretary for youth and sports, who was present as chief guest.
Back to the keenly-contested Premier Division final and Swapan led 2-0 before defending champion Bhola, representing Sonargaon Hotel, fought back to take the third set.
Swapan, who however had the last laugh as he clinched the final in 3-1 sets to make sure that the country's squash gets a new winner after many years of Bhola's dominance.
Mohit took the honours in the A Division after his 3-0 straights sets win over Omar Bhai in the final to take the trophy. Shahid of Gulshan Club claimed the B Division trophy when he beat Johny Ram of Chittagong Club by the same margin.
Swapan clinched the C Division title after his easy win over Sadaf.
In the above-40 Division, Commander Gani of Navy Club became champion after his 2-0 straights sets win over Indian Dinesh Biddopa of Gulshan Club while the above-50 trophy went to Brig Kamal after he defeated Iftekhar Nawshad.
Rahim received an award as the best contender during the prize giving ceremony.
Bangladesh Squash & Rackets Federation president Firoz Ahmed and Delta Life Insurance president Syed Moazzem Hossain were present alongside members and officials of both Dhaka Club and the squash federation during the ceremony.