, Feb. 6 -- The government has announced the names of 14 eminent citizens and the Bangladesh women's national football team for the Ekushey Padak 2025 in recognition of their contributions to their respective fields.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs revealed the names in a press release on Thursday.

The women's football team was selected for this year's Ekushey Padak in recognition of their contribution to the country's sports sector.

Eminent poet Helal Hafiz (posthumous) and Shahidul Zahir (Md. Shahidul Haque) (posthumous) were named for their contributions in language and literature.

In the field of arts and culture, the awardees include Azizur Rahman (posthumous) for film, Ustad Nirad Baran Barua (posthumous) for music, Ferdous Ara...