Career of late Monem Munna

Dhaka, Feb 12 (BDNEWS) – With the sad demise of Monem Muna Saturday dawn, curtain fell to a 24 years football career.

Munna, one of the finest footballers the country has ever produced, left playing football in 1997 due to kidney complicacy, but later he had engaged himself with his favourite tent Abahani Limited as manager.

Munna started playing football through school team. His Narayangang Zila School became champions in the National School Championship, where Munna was adjudged the best player.

He also played for Sirajuddoullah Club of Narayanganj in his early life.

The one of the few superstars in he country's football history started his career in Dhaka through Pioneer Division team Gulistan Club in 1981.

Next year he went to second division team of Shantinagar.

And, he came in the limelight in 1982 during a match between Narayanganj and Bangladesh national team.

After the match, Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, the then general secretary of Bangladesh Football Federation, told journalists that he found a golden boy named Munna who can be included in the national team at that time.

Muktijoddha Sangsad brought Munna in 1983 and the club clinched the title to be promoted into the first division league.

He joined Brothers Union in 1986.

The next year, he was called in national team at the age of only 18.

He played for national team for 11 years from 1986 to 1997.

Munna went to Abahani Ltd in 1987, and was associated with Abahani till his last day.

He led Abahani for 1993-1995 as captain and clinched two consecutive titles in 1993 and 1994.

During his managerial regime, Abahani clinched trio titles -- Premier Division League, Federation Cup and National Football League.

In the year of 1991-92, he played for Kolkata's East Bengal Club, one of the prestigious football clubs in the subcontinent. East Bengal became champions on both occasions.

Munna played his last international match for national team in 1997 against Malaysia in the world cup-qualifying match in Kuala Lumpur and declared retirement from the international career.

He led the national team thrice. Under his stewardship Bangladesh won the 4-nation Tiger Trophy in Myanmar in 1995, the first-ever international triumph for the country.

Bangladesh also became runners-up in 1995 SAF games, under his captaincy.

Munna earned National Sports Council Award.

Former national footballer Aslam said as an opponent he was very much intelligent in the field. It was very difficult to beat him.

Aslam termed him as one of the best defenders and best teammates.

"When I went to play for the East Bengal I got injured in a match and became unconscious. After my sense back, I found him crying," said Aslam recalling his long association with Munna.

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