Osmaninagar – Celebrating Ten Years Of Excellence
By Emdad Rahman
Woolston Manor Golf & Country Club provided a fittingly elegant backdrop for a landmark moment in community sporting heritage as the Osmaninagar Sporting Association celebrated its 10-year anniversary; a decade defined by pride, unity, and unforgettable triumphs.
It was a night that blended nostalgia with ambition, honouring the journey of an organisation that has become synonymous with excellence across football, cricket, charity, and cultural engagement within the British Bangladeshi community.
A Decade of Sporting Heritage
Formed in 2015, Osmaninagar announced its arrival on the national scene in emphatic fashion. That inaugural year, they wrote their name into the history books by becoming the very first champions of the Greater Sylhet Upazila Cup, a triumph that electrified the community. Remarkably, they repeated the feat the following year, defending the title with skill, belief and unity, establishing the gold standard for all who followed.
Those early victories did more than fill the trophy cabinet. They set the tone for an organisation that would spend the next decade championing sporting excellence and community service in equal measure.
A Warm Welcome
Ana Miah, President of the Osmaninagar Association, opened the ceremony by paying tribute to a decade defined by collective effort: “It is with immense pride and heartfelt gratitude that I welcome you all to the 10th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony of the Osmaninagar Association. Tonight, we mark not just a milestone, but a decade of unity, service, and achievement.“
He reflected on the humble origins of the organisation: “Ten years ago, we began with a simple mission: to bring our community together, to preserve our heritage, and to support those in need both here in the UK and back home in Osmaninagar. What started as a small gathering of passionate individuals has grown into a respected organisation known for its dedication to charity, sports, culture, and community welfare.”
The President paid tribute to the countless volunteers, supporters and young people who have shaped the organisation’s legacy: “Over the past decade, our teams have lifted trophies, our volunteers have lifted spirits, and our donors and supporters have lifted entire communities. This celebration is yours.”
Leadership With Vision
Chairman Azmol Ali echoed this sentiment, delivering a stirring reflection on the Association’s journey: “It is a true honour to stand before you on this momentous occasion as we celebrate the ten year journey of the Osmaninagar Association. This is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with passion, purpose, and pride.”
The evening also featured tributes from notable community figures, each recognising Osmaninagar’s impact:
• Rashid Ali, former ILFL Chairman, praised the Association’s role in raising the standard of community sport.
• Barrister Lutfur Rahman highlighted the organisation’s commitment to youth empowerment and heritage preservation.
• Syed Salique Ahmed spoke about the unity and resilience embedded in Osmaninagar’s sporting DNA.
• Jawar Ali applauded the Association’s contribution to sporting excellence across the UK Bangladeshi diaspora.
• Double Bangladesh District Cup winner Sayfur Rahman shared his pride lifting the famous trophy and his gratitude for being a part of these history making achievements.
Their words reflected the widespread admiration earned by the Osmaninagar Association over ten transformative years.
Initiatives
Road to Bangladesh: A Journey of Heart and Heritage
One of the most profound achievements showcased was the Road To Bangladesh (RTB) project, led by Anam Hoque, with heritage tours in 2018 and 2023.
Anam shared a deeply meaningful message: “Seeing people across England and Wales come together through football, charity walks, and fundraising events reminded us of what unity can achieve. I am incredibly proud that 100% of all funds raised supported food distribution and medical camps in Osmani Nagar – with every step organised entirely by volunteers.”
RTB was a bridge between generations, reconnecting young British Bangladeshis with their ancestral roots and turning compassion into action.
Celebrating Flagship Projects
Throughout the evening, several standout initiatives were showcased:
Family Fun Day
A celebration of heritage and community, offering children games, activities, entertainment, delicious food stalls and the chance for families to reconnect. It has grown into one of the Association’s flagship annual events.
Upazila Cricket Team
Cricketers of Osmaninagar heritage travelled from across the UK to don the colours with pride, representing the Upazila at national level with passion and determination.
Vets & Open Age Upazila Football Teams
“The footballing arm remains one of the strongest pillars of Osmaninagar sport, said two times winner and current coaching team member Kabir Ahmed.
This year marked the inaugural season of the Osmani Nagar Open Age Upazila Team, and their debut campaign was nothing short of remarkable.
The squad built unity and identity at pace. Winning their group emphatically and reaching the quarter final knockouts on their first attempt was a remarkable achievement, underlining the strength of Osmaninagar talent across the UK.
Boat Race Championship Team
The Upazila boat races, introduced in 2021, gave rise to a new chapter of sporting excitement. In 2024, under the leadership of Abjal Miah, the team missed out on the final by mere milliseconds to the formidable Derai Racing Team. It was a performance that signalled Osmaninagar’s growing pedigree in the sport.
Charity & Welfare Projects
True to its founding purpose, the Osmaninagar Association’s charitable output over the past decade has been wide ranging and impactful:
• Medical camps supporting vulnerable families
• Ramadan Relief for rickshaw drivers and low-income households
• Educational support initiatives
• Food aid and winter blanket distributions
Jakir Ahmed commented, “These projects demonstrate that Osmaninagar’s victories off the pitch are every bit as meaningful as their triumphs on it.”
The night would not be complete without the reflections of Repon Chowdhury, the iconic double Upazila Cup winning captain – the first man ever to lift the trophy for Osmaninagar.
His voice carried the pride of a decade:“Ten years ago, we stepped onto that pitch with belief in our hearts and the hope of inspiring our community.
“Today, seeing how far Osmaninagar has come, on the field and in service to others fills me with immense pride. The spirit of 2015 lives on in every project, every team, and every young person representing Osmaninagar today.”
Guests on the night included Meghna Minara Uddin, former Sonali Othith Chair Dawlath Khan Babul, Councillors Ahbab Hossain, Habib Ali, Josh Alam, Shuhel Malique
Media: LB24TV
Guests on the night included Meghna Minara Uddin, former Sonali Othith Chair Dawlath Khan Babul, Anfor Ali from Bishwanath Sports Association, Bokul Hussain, Councillors Ahbab Hussain, Habib Ali, Josh Alam, Shuhel Malique, Rashid Ali, Sazzad Miah, Shahajan Miah, Atikur Rahman, London Sportif
Management Committee
Azmol Ali • Rashid Ali • Jakir Ahmed • Shahajan Miah • Abul Hussain • Mujibur Rahman • Suraf Miah • Abjal Miah • Kabir Miah
