Munna and Alfaz's jersey to be put up for auction

People from various walks of life have been coming through to help out in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. The national cricketers are doing their bit with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza doing their bit. Shakib and Mushfiqur had recently put their favourite bats up for auction and now former football captain and legendary national footballer Monem Munna's jersey is also going to be put up for auction and the money will be used to help out those in need. Munna, who passed away in 2005, was a charismatic leader of the national team. He also played for Abahani Limited in the national league. Former striker Alfaz Ahmed also confirmed that he is going to put one of his jerseys up for auction.

It was in 1995 during a four-team tournament in Myanmar that Munna led the country to its very first trophy. His wife Shurovi Munna confirmed to The Daily Star that the captain's number 2 jersey that he wore during that victorious tournament is going to be put up for auction.

Yesterday a fan had called up Munna's family to ask if any of the former national star's mementos will be up for auction after cricketer Shakib Al Hasan had announced that he will auction the bat he used to score 606 runs in the 2019 World Cup and use the money to help the needy.

It was learned that those who had arranged for Shakib's bat to be up for an online auction, will get in touch with Munna's family. Shakib's jersey had raised 20 lakh Taka yesterday night in an online auction at 'auction for action' Facebook page.

"Activities like this take place abroad and I have always asked myself why something like that do not happen in Bangladesh," Munna's wife Shurovi told The Daily Star today.

"It will be a big achievement for me if Munna' jersey can be used to raise money for those labours suffering due to the ongoing crisis. If Munna was alive today, he would have done something bigger to help people. He was the kind of person, who, if he had five Taka in his pocket, would give it all away to someone in need instead of doing his own grocery shopping," she said.

The jersey is a historic souvenir but Shurovi had no regrets of giving it away. "Munna's memory will always be with me, in my heart until I die. I have some jerseys and boots but apart from those, I have already given most of his mementos away to help people."

Former national team striker Alfaz Ahmed said that he will be auctioning off the jersey that he wore when Bangladesh won the 1999 South Asian Games. "During this coronavirus crisis where people are suffering, it's my small effort to stand beside those in need. The jersey I had worn when scoring in the final of the South Asian Games will be given away. Besides I urge the others in the country to help those in need.," Alfaz told The Daily Star.