It turned into a get-together for the sports personalities at the NSC Tower on occasion of the Kool BSJA Awards 2002-2008 yesterday.
Star sportsmen, coaches, organisers, sponsors, all gathered to attend a colourful function organised by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), which gave away awards to sports personalities of the last seven years.
Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad graced the function as chief guest while State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarker and Managing Director of Square Toiletries Anjan Chowdhury Pintu were also present as special guests.
For their brilliant contributions in different fields a total of 111 sports personalities were honoured in the function.
There was a pleasant surprise for national cricket all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was nominated for the sportsman of the year 2008, as his 21st birthday was celebrated at the function.
World number one all-rounder in ODIs, Shakib celebrated his birthday in a buoyant mood by cutting a birthday cake in presence of the sports personalities from different disciplines.
"I was prepared to enjoy with an award in the function but never thought that such a big surprise was waiting for me," said an excited Shakib.
RECIPIENTS FOR THE YEAR 2008: cricketer Shakib Al Hasan (sportsman of the year), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (cricket), Arman Aziz (football),