Dhaka Tribune journalist Bilkis Irani has won the first ever title of the "best sportswomen of the year" at the Walton-DRU Annual Sports Festival 2020.
She, along with the other winners of the sports festival, were awarded during a prize giving ceremony held at DRU's Sagar-Runi auditorium on Wednesday.
Executive Director (Head of Sports and Welfare Department) of Walton Group FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn handed over the awards to the winning DRU members.
Irani was awarded for her outstanding performance in different sporting events of this year's festival, said a press release issued in this regard.
The Dhaka Tribune journo was declared champion in the shooting and carrom competition of the Walton-DRU Sports Festival 2020.
With the latest victory, Irani marked her fourth consecutive championship in the carrom competition organized by DRU.
Meanwhile, Mahmudunnabi Chanchal of Bangladesher Khobor, was awarded the "best sportsmen of the year" title by the organizers for his splendid performance in the sporting competition.
DRU President Rafiqul Islam Azad presided over the function while DRU General Secretary Reaz Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, DRU Sports Secretary Mujibur Rahman, said: "This is for the first time in DRU's history that we awarded the best sportswomen and sportsmen of the year title in two categories (male and female)"
Bilkis Irani said: "This [the sports festival] was a great opportunity to blow off some steam outside the hectic workload of a journalist's life.
"I hope that this award will also inspire other female members of the DRU to do better in sports."
A total of 66 prizes -- in different categories and competitions -- were awarded this year.
DRU arranges a sports tournament for Dhaka's reporters every year.
