The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Two best performers of the just concluded 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games - swimming prodigies Monalisa Mondal and Rubel Rana - were honoured by sports journalists at a function at the NSC conference room on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Sports Writers Association (BSWA) and Bangladesh Sports Writers and Journalists Community (BSWJC), separately selected both Monalisa Mondal of West Bengal and Rubel Rana of Bangladesh as the best athletes of the 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games that concluded on Tuesday.

Bengal's wonder girl Monalisa, a 16-year-old Class X1 student from Hoogly, came to limelight as the most outstanding swimmer of the meet securing nine gold medals with six new Games records. She grabbed seven individual gold medals and two from team events.

Rubel Rana, a petty officer of Bangladesh Navy from Kushtia, emerged as the best male athlete of the meet clinching five swimming gold, including one from team event. He created Games record in all the four individual events.

Taking to UNB, Monalisa, who earlier won four gold medals in the Indian national championship, expressed complete satisfaction over local hospitality and facilities at the swimming pool and hoped to do better in next year's South Asia Games in Bangladesh.

BOA Secretary General Kutubuddin Ahmed, also the secretary general of the South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC), handed over the prizes to the two swimmers.

BOA deputy secretaries general Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu and Ishtiaque Ahmed Karen, and CEO Col. (retd) Wali Ullah were also present on the occasion.

Despite the amazing solo effort of Monalisa Mondal, Bangladesh finished top in the Games swimming with 18 gold, 15 silver and 10 bronze medals while West Bengal bagged 14 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronzes.