The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Protiti Pharmaceutical Club Cup Football Tournament, scheduled to begin on January 11 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS), has been deferred by another week due to the ongoing renovation work of the turf.

National Sports Council (NSC) director (development and planning) Abdur Rahman on Monday requested Mohammedan SC, organisers of the tournament, to defer the tournament considering the ongoing renovation work at the BNS.

"We will receive an official letter from the NSC in a day or two," Mohammaden SC additional general secretary Mostaqur Rahman told UNB today (Tuesday).

Meanwhile, he said Walton officially assured the organisers today to be the co-sponsor of the tournament.

He informed that Walton, as co-sponsor, would provide two wristwatches (Tk 3,000 each) - for man of the match and spectator of the match (to be decided through lottery) against each match of the tournament up to the quarterfinals.

For the semifinal, the co-sponsor will give two DVD players -- one for man of the match and other for the spectator.

For the final, co-sponsor Walton would provide a 15" color TV for the man of the match award, Mostaqur said.

Eight metropolis clubs will take part in the tournament, being organised by Mohammedan SC.

Participating clubs: Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Arambagh KS, Victoria SC and Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool (group A), and Dhaka Abahani Limited, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Dhaka Wanderers Club and Badda Jagarani Sangsad (group B).

Reuters, Sydney

Australia have named an unchanged team for the second test against India starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting told a news conference today that the selectors saw no reason to tamper with the side that won last week's first test in Melbourne by 337 runs.

"We are going in with the same team after an emphatic performance last week," Ponting said.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait (12th man).

Sports Reporter

Badda Jagarani Sangsad beat Jatrabari KC by 2-1 goals in the Senior Division Football League at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Mohammad Mostafa Stadium on Tuesday.

Badda led the first half 1-0.

Milon of Badda put his team ahead in the 25th minute of the first half.

After the breather Delwar made it 2-0 for Badda in the 58th minute of the play.

Sohel of Jatrabari pulled off one in the 79th minute of the encounter.

Today Victoria SC will meet City Club at the same venue.

UNB, Dhaka

The Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football League will begin in the city from February 10.

Ahead of the League, the formalities of the players' registration will proceed from January 10 everyday (6:00-8:30 pm).

Interested players have been requested to appear before the 'age verifying' committee with three recent passport size photographs.

Subject to the approval of the 'age verifying' committee, the interested players will have to collect the registration form mentioning the name of their clubs with a fee of Tk 30.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has fined Nahidul Haque, Mohammad Selim and Anisur Rahman for breach of BCB Code of Conduct during the Monday's one-day match of Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National League.

Nahidul and Selim of Khulna Division have been fined 50 percent of their match fees by match referee Hemayet Ahmed Siddiky during the one dayer against Rajshahi at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS).

The match referee also fined Rajshahi Division batsman Anisur Rahman 25 percent of his match fees.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation is holding a three-weak national training camp from January 13 to enhance the standard and efficiency of the players.

Some 32 promising boys, girls and women will take part in the camp, which will be conducted by international coach Kamalesh Mehta of India.

International Table Tennis Federation will bear the airfare, accommodation cost and allowance of the Indian coach during his stay in Dhaka while Asian Table Tennis Union will provide US$ 2,500 to the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation.

The Federation will bear the conveyance, accommodation, food cost of the participating players.

The Federation will also hold the Victory Day Table Tennis Tournament from January 10 in the men, women, boys and girls sections.

Sports Reporter

Sonali Bank SRC came from behind and earned a 2-1 victory over Bangladesh Navy in the lone match of the Dhaka Bank Victory Day Hockey Competition at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

The first half was locked 0-0.

After a barren first half Mostaq of Bangladesh Navy put his team ahead by a field goal in the 40th minute of the play.

Chayan of Sonali Bank equalised the margin using a penalty corner in the 44th minute of the game.

Skipper Tito scored the match winning goal for the winners in the 53rd minute of the match.

Today Bangladesh Army will take on Barnak Samaj at1.15 PM while BKSP will face Bangladesh Air Force at 3.00 PM at the same venue.