Photo: BSS

DHAKA, March 5, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's legendary table tennis player Zobera Rahman Linu is among the 15 distinguished individuals selected for the Independence Award 2026.

Fifteen distinguished individuals, including former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and five institutions have been selected for this year's Independence Award, the country’s highest state honour, said a press release issued by the Cabinet Division today (Thursday).

Born in Kaptai, Rangamati in 1965, Linu showed her talent in table tennis at a young age. Inspired by her father, she started playing table tennis at the age of eight at the Shahajibazar Officers Club in Sylhet.

She became the national champion for the first time in 1977 at the age of just 12. She then became the national women's singles champion a total of 16 times from 1979 to 2001, setting a unique record in the country's table tennis.In recognition of this extraordinary achievement, her name was included in the Guinness World Records in 2002. 

Besides, Linu played for Biman Bangladesh Airlines Sports Club for eighteen years. She received the National Sports Award in 1999 for her contribution to table tennis.

Zobera Rahman Linu also achieved significant success at various international tournaments during her 24-year career. 

She finished fifth in the 1980 Asian Table Tennis Championships and was runner-up in the mixed doubles at the 1982 Pentangular Championships held in Hyderabad, India.  She also represented Bangladesh in the World Table Tennis Championships organized by the International Table Tennis Federation in 1977 and 2000.

After finishing her career as a player, Linu also served in various sports organizations. She was the vice-president of the Bangladesh Cycling Federation and the chairman of the Athletes Commission of the Bangladesh Olympic Association.

Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation congratulated Linu for this prestigious award.