The New Nation - Internet Edition

Kutubuddin elected BOA Secretary General

Sports Reporter

Kutubuddin Ahmed has been elected Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA). Yesterday (Thursday) the election of the executive committee of BOA was held at the conference room of National Sports Council.

A total of 74 councillors took part in the election. Kutubuddin Ahmed got 49 votes while his opponent Golam Quddus Chowdhury, the president of Bagladesh Volleyball Federation got 24 votes.

Besides, four candidates-- Qutubuddin Aksir (Dhaka), Begum Lily Aziz (Chittagong), Asaduzzaman Khasru (Barisal) and Mahmud Jamil (Rajshahi) competed for the posts of three executive members from the divisional quotas. Of them, Qutubuddin Aksir (65 votes), Begum Lity Aziz (50 votes), Asaduzzaman Khasru (43 votes) have been elected while Mahmud Jamil was defeated who got 37 votes.

Earlier, 29 members of the 37 posts of the executive committee of BOA have been elected unopposed.

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed has been re-elected President of the BOA while Mizanur Rahman Manu, Major General Ashabuddin, Sirajul Islam Bachchu, Khondker Jamil Uddin, Mushfiqa Iffat have been elected Vice-President of BOA without any contest.

Lietenant Commander A K Sarkar, Ferdous Ara Khanom, Kazi Mohiuddin Bulbul have been elected Deputy Secretary General unopposed.

Sanaul Haque Bakul has been elected Treasurer of BOA unopposed. The other members of the executive committee, are: Abdul Awal Mojnu, Abdul Qader, Anisur Rahman (1), Anisur Rahman (2), Ashraf ud Dowla, Lietenant Colonel AKM Golam Rabbani Hasan Ullah Khan Rana, Haiul Quiyum, Khondker Hasan Munir, Mahfuzur Rahman Sarkar, Mahmudul Islam Rana, Wing Commander (Retd) Mohiuddin Ahmed, Advocate Monirul Haque Bachchu, Mosharrof Hossain Shamim, Nazrul Islam, Israfil, Parvez Hasan, Kamrun Nahar Dana and Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal.

After winning the election, the newly elected Secretary General of BOA Kutubuddin Ahmed told the reporters that he had been working as the acting secretary general for four years before he was elected on Thursday. Kutubuddin added that he would maintain his consistency. Kutubuddin also added that he would start the preparation works to stage the upcoming SA Games scheduled to be held in Dhaka. He also added that they would show transparency, professionalism and consistency in their works.

The newly elected BOA Secretary General praised his opponent Golam Quddus Chowdhury for his work. He also added that he would seek the help from Golam Quddus Chowdhury to run the BOA smoothly.

Meanwhile, Golam Quddus Chowdhury told the newsmen that he accepted his defeat. He added that he would give all sorts of cooperation to BOA in future.

South Africa in command

AP, Ahmadabad

India was bowled out in the opening session of a test for the first time on Thursday, dismissed for 76 in a woeful start to the second test against South Africa.

India won the toss and chose to bat, but was back in the pavilion after just 20 overs, making it the shortest completed innings ever on the subcontinent. The meager total was only one run higher than India's worst ever innings at home - 75 against the West Indies in 1987.

South Africa replied strongly to be 223-4 at stumps on day one. Already the tourists look unbeatable, as no team has won a test after scoring under 100 in its first innings since 1907.

Jacques Kallis (60 not out) and A.B. de Villiers (59 not out) put on 106 runs in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership, adding to a superb bowling performance by paceman Dale Steyn, who claimed 5-23.

Makhaya Ntini took three wickets from his first four overs and Steyn's searing pace ripped through the host's batting lineup.

This was India's second shortest test innings, behind the 17-over dismissal by England at Lord's in 1974 when it was bowled out for 42. It did set a new mark for brevity on the subcontinent, with the previous shortest completed innings being Sri Lanka's 24.5 over effort against Pakistan in Kandy in 2006.

India's batsmen, who made 627 in its only innings of the drawn first test last week, struggled when presented with a lively track after the batsmen's paradise of the series opener.

Ntini (3-18) made the first breakthrough as opener Wasim Jaffer (9) edged an outswinger, offering a low catch to skipper Graeme Smith at first slip.

First test triple century maker, Virender Sehwag (6) was bowled by Steyn before Ntini knocked back the stumps of V.V.S. Laxman (3) and Sourav Ganguly (0) in the space of three deliveries to have India tottering at 30-4. Laxman shouldered arms to an inswinger while Ganguly edged an in-cutter.

Rahul Dravid (3) held up his end for 51 minutes and featured in the innings' highest stand of 26 for the fifth wicket with Mahendra Dhoni (14) before he became the second of Steyn's victims, also playing a delivery onto the stumps.

Dhoni was then caught behind by Mark Boucher off Morne Morkel (2-20), who sent skipper Kumble back to the dressing room without scoring two balls later.

Steyn claimed five wickets for the eighth time in his 23-test career, also dismissing Harbhajan Singh (1), Rudra Pratap Singh (0) and Shantakumaran Sreesanth (0).

Having slumped to 56-8, India looked like falling short of its previous lowest total against South Africa of 66, before top-scorer Irfan Pathan (21 not out) put on 20 runs for the ninth wicket with Rudra Pratap Singh, who was among four batsmen scoring ducks.

In reply, South Africa's in-form openers Smith and Neil McKenzie put on 78, with Smith benefiting from a dropped catch by Ganguly at short-leg when he was on 3.

South Africa surpassed India's total in just 88 balls before Sreesanth trapped Smith (34) lbw.

McKenzie's two-hour knock of 42 ended when he edged spinner Harbhajan Singh to Dravid in the slips.

Harbhajan Singh (3-49) went on to claim three wickets in four overs in a brief period of dominance by Indian bowlers, snaring Hashim Amla (16) and Ashwell Prince (2). Amla was caught by Jaffer at short-leg and Prince fell lbw.

Kallis and A.B. de Villiers reasserted South African control, with Kallis striking five fours and a six off 125 deliveries during his authoritative knock, while de Villier's 102-ball innings featured seven boundaries.

Nadal downs Blake to reach semis

BBC Online

Rafael Nadal moved a step closer to his first title of the year with a three-set win over James Blake to reach the Sony Ericsson Open semi-finals.

The world number two only converted four out of 19 break-points but finally ran out a 3-6 6-3 6-1 winner.

In the last four the Spaniard will play Tomas Berdych, who defeated Igor Andreev in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

Jelena Jankovic reached the women's semi-finals after world number 11 Elena Dementieva retired with a back injury.

Jankovic, 23, was leading 6-1 3-1 when Dementieva, who had the injury treated on court earlier in the match, decided she could not carry on.

Jankovic will now play Russian Vera Zvonareva, who beat her compatriot Dinara Safina 7-5 6-4.

Dementieva struggled from the outset and racked up 26 unforced errors before calling time on the match, but Jankovic also struggled physically in Florida.

"I'm fighting. I'm sick. I cannot play, I cannot breathe on the court," said Jankovic.

"I don't want to go on to the court. But I'm hanging in there and trying to be strong."

Despite her health problems she was happy with how she played in the truncated encounter.

Nadal, who had never beaten Blake before, said: "Right now I am feeling like I am playing at my best level, so that's important, to come to the clay season with more confidence.

Women Volleyball Competition begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The 11th Inter District Women Volleyball Competition, organised by Bangladesh Volleyball Federation, begins today (Friday) at the Volleyball Stadium.

Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu, chairman of Ifad Group, will formally inaugurate the three-day meet as chief guest at 4 pm.

Opening day matches are: Pabna DSA vs Rangpur DSA, Jessore DSA vs Bagerhat DSA, Rajbari DSA vs Naogaon DSA, Rajshahi DSA vs Sathkhira DSA.

10 players complete transfer formality

UNB, Dhaka

Ten hockey players completed inter-club player transfer formality on the extended time today at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

Shahidullah Tito, Mostafizur Rahman Dinar, Tabib A Noor, AKM Shamsuddin Tuhin, Zahidul Islam Rajan, Kh. Hasan Ahmed remained in Usha KC. Maksud Alam Habul, Mahbub Ullah Chowdhury Shakil of Mohammedan SC and Rahul Kanti Roy of Mariners Young's Club signed for Usha KC.

Zahid Hossain was the lone player of Usha KC enrolled with Abahani Limited.

Biman finishes top beating BKSP by two runs

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Biman finished top after the first phase matches of the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League with a thrilling two-run victory over BKSP at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.

After the day's victory, national flag carrier Biman topped the list securing 19 points while BKSP remained at fourth place with 15 points, playing all the 11 first phase matches.

Mohammedan SC and holders Abahani Limited followed the Biman neck and neck with 18 and 17 points respectively from the eleven engagements.

In the day's other matches, City Club beat Victoria SC by 28 runs at the BKSP ground 1, Sonargaon Cricketers defeated Surjotarun Club by 24 runs at the BKSP ground-2, Partex SC beat Old DOHS SC by four wickets at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium while Young Pegasus beat Kalabagan KC by one wicket at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah.

Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh Biman scored 219 for 6 in 50 overs with national opener Tamim Iqbal contributing 60 off 92 deliveries with six fours.

In reply, BKSP were miserably all out for 217 runs in the second last ball (49.5) of the match with middle order Nasir Hossain making team highest 61 off just 66 balls, hitting six fours and one six.

Nabil Samad of Biman grabbed four wickets for 34 runs in 10 overs to be adjudged man of the match.

PCB to sue Akhtar for alleged defamation

AP, Islamabad

Pakistan's cricket board launched a 200 million rupees (US$3.2 million) defamation action against paceman Shoaib Akhtar on Thursday, two days after it banned him for five years for indiscipline.

Akhtar reacted to the ban by accusing PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf of trying to extort money from him and other players in the national team.

A notice served to the fast bowler by a lawyer on Thursday said the allegations were not only baseless, "but malicious and made solely to character assassinate our client."

The notice said Akhtar should retract his comments, apologize to Ashraf and pay damages of 200 million rupees - half for defaming Ashraf and the rest for "sullying the name of the PCB and the Pakistan cricket team."

Akhtar had said he will appeal against the ban, which threatens to end the 32-year-old bowler's international career.

In further bad news for Akhtar, he will not be allowed to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition until his Pakistan ban ends or is overturned.

Initially it was thought Akhtar could play in the new league beginning this month, but IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said that a "big discussion on Akhtar has taken place" and ruled against his involvement.

"The decision of the governing council was very simple that Akhtar has been banned for a period of five years, he has appealed t and until the time he is cleared the governing council will not be allowing Akhtar in the IPL," Modi told reporters in India.

Super league of Metropolis 1st div cricket begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The super league matches of the Metropolis First Division Cricket League begin Friday in the capital and adjoining areas with four matches billed for the opening day.

Opening day's matches: League leaders Gazi Tank Cricketers vs Indira Road KC (BKSP ground-2), Cricket Coaching School (CCS) vs Azad Sporting Club (BKSP ground-1), Rupali Bank CC vs Orient SC (Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium), and Brothers Union vs Bangladesh Boys Club (Narayanganj Osmani Stadium).

In the second round matches on Sunday (Apr 6), Gazi Tank Cricketers will meet Azad SC at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Cricket Coaching School face Bangladesh Boys Club at BKSP ground-2, Brothers Union play Orient SC at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadiumm while Rupali Bank CC meet Indira Road KC at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium.

The next two rounds of super league will be held on April 8 and 10.

Chief Adviser to hand over sports awards on Apr 8

UNB, Dhaka

The prestigious National Sports Awards for 2007 will be handed over to 10 sports personalities of the country at a function at the Osmani Memorial Hall on April 8 (Tuesday)

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will hand over the awards at a function at 10:30 am. Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Youth and Sports Mahbub Jamil will presided over the function.

The award recipients: Sharmila Roy (athletics), Ranjit Das (football), Amir Hossain Patwari (kabaddi), Lt Commander (retd) Arshad Hossain (swimming), Aminul Islam (judo), Nurul Islam (hockey), Engineer Sheikh Abul Hashem (badminton) and Professor Dr. Rashiduddin Ahmed (basketball), and late Ataul Haq Mallik (posthumous) and Kazi Anisur Rahman (organisers).

Each award carries gold medal, cash prize of Tk 20,000 and a certificate.

A total of 178 sports personalities so far received national sports awards introduced in 1976.

Tri-nation GP Academy Cup cricket begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The tri-nation Grameenphone Academy Cup Cricket tournament involving the national cricket academy teams from South Africa and Pakistan begins today (Friday) at 9:30 am in Jessore with a four-day match between Bangladesh and South Africa.

The five-week competition featuring one-day and four-day matches will be held at five venues - Jessore, Khulna, Chittagong, Dhaka and Bogra.

The 2nd four-day match between Bangladesh and South Africa will be held on April 9-12 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ft Lt Motiur Rahman Stadium (BSSMRS) in Khulna.

After the four dayers, the home team will play the 1st one-day match against South Africa on Apr 15 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chittagong.

GP BCB team: Nasiruddin Faruk (Captain), Jahurul Islam, Imrul Kayes, Mehrab Hossain Jr, Shamsur Rahman, Nayeem Islam, Nazmus Sadat, Mushfiqur Rahim, Dollar Mahmud, Talha Jubair, Nazmul Hossain, Enamul Haque Jr, Raihanuddin Arafat and Suhrawardi Shuvo.