Monem Munna Explained

Monem Munna
Fullname:Mohammad Monem Munna
Birth Date:9 June 1966
Birth Place:Narayanganj, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh)
Death Place:Dhaka, Bangladesh
Position:Central defender
Years1:1982–1983
Clubs1:Shantinagar Club
Years2:1983–1985
Clubs2:Muktijoddha Sangsad
Years3:1986
Clubs3:Brothers Union
Years4:1987–1998
Clubs4:Dhaka Abahani
Years5:1991
Clubs5:East Bengal
Years6:1993
Clubs6:East Bengal
Years7:1995
Clubs7:East Bengal
Nationalyears1:1986–1997
Nationalteam1:Bangladesh

Mohammad Monem Munna (; 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]

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. He then played for Sirajuddoullah Club of Narayanganj. He started his career in Dhaka through Pioneer Division team Gulistan Club in 1981. In 1982, he moved to the second division team of Shantinagar Club.

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.[10] He led Abahani for 1993–1995 as captain and won two consecutive titles in 1993 and 1994.[11]

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.[12] Monem Munna was inducted into the East Bengal Club's "Hall of Fame" for his outstanding performance.[13]

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

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.[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 complications. He died on 12 February 2005.[21] [22] [23]

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.[24]

Career statistics

International goals

Date Venue Opponent Score ResultCompetition Goals
13 March 1986 XI 1–0 Won1
10 December 1993 3–0 Won 2

Honours

Abahani Limited Dhaka

East Bengal Club[25]

Bangladesh

Notes and References

  1. News: https://www.jugantor.com/country-news/392782/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE. bn:ফুটবলের সোনালি যুগের মহানায়ক মোনেম মুন্নাকে ভুলে গেছি আমরা. Jugantor. bn. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107162248/https://www.jugantor.com/country-news/392782/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE. live.
  2. News: https://www.banglanews24.com/cat/news/bd/366798.details. bn:‘কিংব্যাক’ খ্যাত বাংলার ফুটবল জাদুকর. 12 February 2015. Banglanews24.com. bn. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107182410/https://www.banglanews24.com/cat/news/bd/366798.details. live.
  3. News: https://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/archives/65917. bn:স্বাধীনতার ৫০ বছর: মুন্না কি জন্মাবে আবার! | মতামত. 6 April 2021. bdnews24.com. Opinion. bn. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107090655/https://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/archives/65917. live.
  4. News: Footballer Munna dies at 39. bdnews24.com. 2005-02-11. 2017-11-24. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030521/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2005/02/11/footballer-munna-dies-at-39-1st-lead. dead.
  5. Web site: THROWBACK: When East Bengal FC became the Champions of Central Asia!. BADGEB. 1 October 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023055529/https://www.badgeb.com/throwback-when-east-bengal-fc-became-the-champions-of-central-asia/. 23 October 2020.
  6. News: The Best Bangladeshi Footballers of All Time. UNB. 7 November 2021. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105183447/https://unb.com.bd/category/Sports/the-best-bangladeshi-footballers-of-all-time/67031. live.
  7. Web site: http://www.onnoekdiganta.com/article/detail/11006. bn:কিং ব্যাক মোনেম মুন্না : হি ওয়াজ মিস্টেকেনলি বর্ন ইন বাংলাদেশ. Onnoekdiganta.com. bn. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107090918/https://www.onnoekdiganta.com/article/detail/11006. live.
  8. Web site: https://oli-goli.com/monem-munna-the-king-back/. bn:মোনেম মুন্না ‘দ্য কিং ব্যাক’ – অলি গলি. Oli-goli.com. bn. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107162248/https://oli-goli.com/monem-munna-the-king-back/. live.
  9. Web site: https://www.offsidebangladesh.com/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%82-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95/. bn:স্মরনে কিং ব্যাক. Sayeed Ibna. Shams. 9 June 2020. bn. 2 June 2023. 17 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417202425/https://www.offsidebangladesh.com/%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%82-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%af%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%95/. live.
  10. News: Remembering Monem Munna: When Abahani paid Tk20 lakh for the mercurial defender. 12 February 2021. The Business Standard. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107090252/https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/remembering-monem-munna-when-abahani-paid-tk20-lakh-mercurial-defender-200512. live.
  11. News: They don't make 'em like Munna anymore. 22 October 2015. The Daily Star. 7 November 2021. 20 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020092326/https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/they-dont-make-em-munna-anymore-160762. live.
  12. News: Memories of Munna. 2011-12-09. The Daily Star. 2017-11-24. en. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030737/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-213384. live.
  13. Web site: TEAM ARCHIVES - East Bengal FC . 13 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191108213722/http://eastbengalclub.co.in/teamarchives.html . 8 November 2019.
  14. News: Monem Munna remembered. Daily Sun. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107163426/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/461701/Monem-Munna-remembered. live.
  15. News: Munna's death anniversary. Dhaka Tribune. 2014-02-11. en-US. 2017-11-24. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201094146/http://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/2014/02/11/munnas-death-anniversary/. live.
  16. Web site: মোনেম মুন্নার চলে যাওয়ার ১৬ বছর. Dhakapost.com. 7 November 2021. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105183140/https://www.dhakapost.com/sports/football/10812. live.
  17. Web site: Bangladesh Football: The Fallen Empire?. Krirabakko.com. 7 November 2021. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105184551/https://krirabakko.com/bangladesh-football-the-fallen-empire/. live.
  18. Web site: 'আন্তর্জাতিক' ফুটবলে প্রথম শিরোপা. উৎপল শুভ্র :: Utp al Shuvro. 30 September 2022. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219054858/https://www.utpalshuvro.com/special-article/news/1179. live.
  19. Web site: SAFF Games gold medal, an illusion for the Bangladesh team. Weeklyblitz.net. 2 May 2021 . 7 November 2021. 30 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211230145639/https://www.weeklyblitz.net/leisure/saff-games-gold-medal-an-illusion-for-the-bangladesh-team/. live.
  20. News: Families of 2 ex-footballers, hockey player get flats from PM. 20 September 2018. Dhaka Tribune. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107121827/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/09/20/families-of-2-ex-footballers-hockey-player-get-flats-from-pm. live.
  21. News: Career of late Monem Munna. Bdnews24.com. 2005-02-11. 2017-11-24. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030344/https://bdnews24.com/sport/2005/02/11/career-of-late-monem-munna. live.
  22. Web site: Football lovers remember Monem Munna. Bff.com.bd. 7 November 2021. 9 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809073834/http://www.bff.com.bd/. live.
  23. News: Munna's historic jersey put up for auction Saturday. The Independent. Dhaka. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107180307/https://www.theindependentbd.com/post/245965. live.
  24. News: Monem Munna Bridge goes official today. 9 June 2008. The Daily Star. 7 November 2021. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107092742/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-40342. live.
  25. Web site: কলকাতার ইস্টবেঙ্গল ভুলে গেছে বাংলাদেশের অবদান. 3 August 2020. 13 January 2024. prothomalo.com. Prothom Alo. Kolkata's East Bengal has forgotten the contribution of Bangladesh. Dhaka. bn. 5 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201005104607/https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8.