The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will start their campaign in the Special Olympics Summer World Games today morning as the swimmers take to the pool in the 50-meter freestyle heat

The event's final will be held on Friday (Oct 5).

Bangladesh Bocce team will also compete in the singles final today (Thursday), according to a message received here from Shanghai on Wednesday.

Bangladeshi swimmers will also participate in the 50-meter breaststroke heat on October 8. The event's final will be held on October 9.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh swimming team made their practices on Wednesday at the Shanghai Pudong Nanatorium, a venue of the Special Olympics 2007.

The swimming team, comprising Nurunnahar, Laily Akther, Mohammad Masud and Al Mahmud Bin Dipu, will take part in 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter breaststroke, out of 6 swimming events.

Bangladesh coach Golam Mostafa and assistant coach Laboni Sharmin were present at the practice session of the swimmers. Athina, head of volunteers and a student of Shanghai University, assigned for the Bangladesh team was present

Bangladeshi swimmers also watched the practices of other teams.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Special Olympics Summer World Games (OSWG) began at the Shanghai Stadium of Chinese commercial capital amid much enthusiasm.

Chinese President Hu Jintao inaugurated the 10-day Special Olympics through a gala opening ceremony at Shanghai Stadium before its capacity crowd of 80,000.

A record number of 7,291 mentally disabled athletes from 164 countries, including Bangladesh, are taking part in 21 competitive sports and four demonstration events on Oct 2-11.

A 67-member Bangladesh contingent are taking part in seven disciplines of sports -- Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Bocce, Football, Table Tennis and Cricket

Sports Reporter

BKSP and Dhaka District moved into the final of the Araf Apparels 21st National Youth Hockey Competition on Wednesday.

BKSP defeated Rajshahi District by 4-1 goals after finishing the first session with 2-0 lead at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

Jubaer and skipper Belal scored two goals each for BKSP while Rana of Rajshahi District neted the consolation.

Meanwhile, Dhaka District drubbed Munshiganj District by 13-0 goals in the day's other match at the same venue.

Dhaka had a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half.

Raquib of Dhaka District scored four goals while his teammates Mamunur, Faisal neted three each, Alamgir scored two goals and Rashid struck one time on the board.

Sports Reporter

Gazirchat SC, The Muslim Institute won their respective Super League matches of the Third Division Football League on Wednesday.

In the day's first match, Gazirchat SC came from behind and earned a 2-1 victory over Friends Social Welfare Organisation at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium.

The winners trailed the first half 0-1.

Chormin of Friends Social Welfare Organisation put his team ahead in the 30th minute of the first half.

After the lemon-break Pashbon of Gazirchat SC equalized the margin in the 47th minute of the play.

Pashbon scored the match-winning goal in the 56th minute of the play.

In the day's other match, The Muslim Institute defeated PWD SC by 2-0 goals at the same venue.

After a barren first half Mizanur of The Muslim Institute put his team ahead in the 66th minute of the clash.

Priyotosh confirmed their victory scoring a goal in the 19th minute of the play.

AFP, Colombo

Sri Lanka's former captain and opening batsman Marvan Atapatu is set to make a comeback after being overlooked for the World Cup, chief selector Asantha de Mel told AFP here Wednesday.

"We need his experience in Australia. He has the technique and temperament to stay at the creaset It will be very important for the two Tests against Australia," de Mel said.

He said Atapatu, if available, will be part of Sri Lanka's plans in their quest to win its first Test match on Australian soil during the two-match series next month.

"I will talk to him about his availability," he said, referring to a decision by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to release him from his central contract with effect from this month.

UNB, Dhaka

The nine Tajikistan booters who were scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today will now come on October 6.

They will play the World Cup Qualifying Round away match against Bangladesh on Oct 8 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The fresh schedule of their coming was communicated in a fax message to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

The 18-member Bangladesh squad for the qualifying round match against Tajikistan will be announced shortly, said BFF acting general secretary Manjoor Hossain Malu.

The match will be telecast live by satellite channel ATN Bangla from 3pm on Oct 8. No ticket will be required for the audience, said the BFF official.