Monem Munna

Mohammad Monem Munna (Bengali: মোনেম মুন্না; 9 June 1966 – 12 February 2005)[1][2] was a Bangladeshi footballer who mainly played as a center back.[3][4][5] He is often regarded as the best defender that ever played for Bangladesh.[3][6] He is well known by his nickname "The King-Back".[7][8][9]

Monem Munna
Personal information
Full name Mohammad Monem Munna
Date of birth (1966-06-09)9 June 1966
Place of birth East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh)
Date of death 12 February 2005(2005-02-12) (aged 38)
Place of death Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Central defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1985 Muktijoddha Sangsad
1986 Brothers Union
1987–1991 Abahani Limited Dhaka
1991 East Bengal
1991–1993 Abahani Limited Dhaka
1993 East Bengal
1994–1995 Abahani Limited Dhaka
1995 East Bengal
1995–1997 Abahani Limited Dhaka
International career
1986–1997 Bangladesh
Medal record
Representing  Bangladesh
South Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 1995 Madras
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Munna started playing football through his school team, Narayanganj Zilla School, which became the champions in the National School Championship, where he was adjudged the best player.[10] He then played for Sirajuddoullah Club of Narayanganj. He started his career in Dhaka through Pioneer Division team Gulistan Club in 1981.[10] In 1982, he moved to the second division team of Shantinagar.[10]

Club career

Munna came in the limelight at first in 1982 during a match between Narayanganj and Bangladesh National team. He joined the Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in 1983 and became the second division champion. During these two seasons, 1984–85, Munna displayed extraordinary skill in the first division on behalf of the Muktijoddha Sangsad. In 1986 he moved to Brothers Union for one season. At that time, Abahani officials came to notice because of his great performance for the Brothers. As a result, he joined Abahani Limited Dhaka in 1987.[4] In 1991, Munna received a record fee, 20 lakh taka, for Abahani, which was a unique record for the whole of South Asia at that time.[11] He led Abahani for 1993-1995 as captain and won two consecutive titles in 1993 and 1994.[10][12]

During 1991 and again in 1993, Munna played for Kolkata's East Bengal Club. On both occasions East Bengal emerged champions in the Calcutta League.[13] Monem Munna was inducted into the East Bengal Club's "Hall of Fame" for his outstanding performance.

Munna later served as the manager (team leader) of Abahani.[14] He earned the Sky Blues premier division league titles both as captain and as manager.[15][16]

International career
Bangladesh's first international trophy

Munna played for Bangladesh national football team from 1986 until 1997.[17][4] He served as the captain of the national team three times.[4] In 1995, under his leadership, Bangladesh won the 4-nation Tiger Trophy in Myanmar, the first-ever international trophy won by the country.[18] Bangladesh also became runners-up in 1995 SAFF games, under his captaincy.[10][19]

Personal life and health

Munna was married to Yasmin Monem Surovi. Together they had one daughter, Eusra Monem Dania and one son, Azman Salid.[4][20]

Munna left his football career in 1997 due to kidney complicacy.[10][21][22]

On 9 June 2008 the Dhanmondi Road No 8 was officially renamed as the "Monem Munna Bridge" as a remembrance of Monem Munna illustrious career on his 42 birthday.[23]

References
  1. ফুটবলের সোনালি যুগের মহানায়ক মোনেম মুন্নাকে ভুলে গেছি আমরা. Jugantor (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  2. ‘কিংব্যাক’ খ্যাত বাংলার ফুটবল জাদুকর. Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  3. স্বাধীনতার ৫০ বছর: মুন্না কি জন্মাবে আবার! | মতামত. bdnews24.com (Opinion) (in Bengali). 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  4. "Footballer Munna dies at 39". bdnews24.com. 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  5. "THROWBACK: When East Bengal FC became the Champions of Central Asia!". BADGEB. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  6. "The Best Bangladeshi Footballers of All Time". UNB. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. কিং ব্যাক মোনেম মুন্না : হি ওয়াজ মিস্টেকেনলি বর্ন ইন বাংলাদেশ. Onnoekdiganta.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  8. মোনেম মুন্না ‘দ্য কিং ব্যাক’ – অলি গলি. Oli-goli.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  9. Shams, Sayeed Ibna (9 June 2020). স্মরনে কিং ব্যাক (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  10. "Career of late Monem Munna". Bdnews24.com. 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  11. "Remembering Monem Munna: When Abahani paid Tk20 lakh for the mercurial defender". The Business Standard. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  12. "They don't make 'em like Munna anymore". The Daily Star. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  13. "Memories of Munna". The Daily Star. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  14. "Monem Munna remembered". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  15. "Munna's death anniversary". Dhaka Tribune. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  16. "মোনেম মুন্নার চলে যাওয়ার ১৬ বছর". Dhakapost.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  17. "Bangladesh Football: The Fallen Empire?". Krirabakko.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  18. "'আন্তর্জাতিক' ফুটবলে প্রথম শিরোপা". উৎপল শুভ্র :: Utp al Shuvro. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  19. "SAFF Games gold medal, an illusion for the Bangladesh team". Weeklyblitz.net. 2 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  20. "Families of 2 ex-footballers, hockey player get flats from PM". Dhaka Tribune. 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  21. "Football lovers remember Monem Munna |". Bff.com.bd. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  22. "Munna's historic jersey put up for auction Saturday". The Independent. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  23. "Monem Munna Bridge goes official today". The Daily Star. 9 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
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