The New Nation - Internet Edition

National booters begin practice for SAFF championship

UNB, Dhaka

The national booters began practice on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the 5th SAFF Championship, at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with two new faces included in the squad.

Midfielder Arif Khan Joy, who retired from international football, has been recalled for the SAFF mission along with another defender Nazrul Islam to strengthen the team's central midfield position.

The 5th SAFF Championship will be held on June 3-14, to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Maldives. Bangladesh have been placed in Group B with Afghanistan, Bhutan and co-host Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh will play Bhutan on June 4, Afghanistan on June 6 and Sri Lanka on June 8.

Eighteen the initially selected 28 booters have joined the training camp today, while the remaining 10 booters -- Zia, Faisal, Saikat, Pervez, Uzzal, Zahid Hasan, Arman Aziz, Mamun, Mithu and Nazrul -- will join the camp in a day or two.

The booters had some light practice under the supervision of coach Abu Yousuf.

"It's difficult to say right now about our target in the SAFF Championship… our objective will be to win all the matches in the meet," national team coach Abu Yousuf told reporters at the practice venue in the afternoon.

Replying to a question, he said that they recalled Joy to strengthen the midfield position as they found out shortcomings in the midfield during the just concluded AFC Challenge Cup in Kyrgyzstan.

Captain Hasan Al Mamun said that to bring a balance in the team, there is no alternative to senior players.

He, however, stressed the need for playing some practice matches with foreign teams to do well in the SAFF championship.

In the last SAFF meet in Karachi in 2005, Pakistan emerged as champions, while Bangladesh became runners-up.

National Kho Kho Championship begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The 4th First Security Bank National Kho Kho Championship, organised by Bangladesh Kho Kho Federation, begins today (Thursday) at the outer stadium.

Managing director of First Security Bank Limited AAM Kibria will formally inaugurate the meet at 3:30pm.

A total of 15 DSAs, split into four groups, are taking part in the three-day meet, sponsored by First Security Bank Limited.

Sponsor First Security Bank Limited will provide the entire championship budget of Tk 5.80 lakh to run the meet.

Bangladesh Kho Kho Federation general secretary Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal disclosed the details of the championship at a press conference at a local hotel Wednesday.

First Security Bank Limited deputy managing director Shafiqul Alam and Bangladesh Kho Kho Federation senior president Mizanur Rahman were present.

Arbachin KC, Swarnali Sangsad reach semis

UNB, Dhaka

Arbachin KC and Swarnali Club moved into the semifinals of the Metropolis 2nd Division Kabaddi League winning their respective matches at the Outer Stadium kabaddi court on Wednesday.

In the day's quarterfinals, Arbachin KC eliminated Freedom Fighters Rehabilitation Society by 44-40 points with three creditable `lonas', while Swarnali Sangsad outplayed Star Sports by 58-29 points with four lonas.

Abahani Limited faces Mohammedan SC in a key super league match today

UNB, Dhaka

Country's two traditional rivals in sports - Abahani Limited and Mohammedan SC-will lock horn today (Thursday) in a vital super league match of the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

State-owned Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live.

In the day's another two matches, league leader Biman Bangladesh Airlines (23 points) will play newcomers BKSP (17 points) at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah while two lowly teams -- Surjotarun Club (12 points) and City Club (11 points) -- will face each other at the BKSP ground in Savar.

Abahani Limited and Mohammedan SC are battling for the league crown with 21 and 20 points respectively behind the league leader Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan player Thilima Kandamby, who arrived here last night, is expected to play for Abahani Limited in today's (Thursday's) key match.

Inter-club players transfer for 2nd B. League begin today

UNB, Dhaka

The inter-club players' transfer for the 2nd B. League begins tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 pm at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban.

Eleven 11 clubs are taking part in the players' transfer, to be held everyday from 4pm to 7pm till June 20.

The players will have to submit four passport size photograph, copy of the agreement with club, player registration form, code and conduct form and registration fee of Tk 1000 at the time of registration.

Participating clubs: Abahani Limited, Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Brothers Union Club, Sheikh Russell KC, Rahamatganj MFS, Farashganj SC, Arambagh KS, Chittagong Abahani, Chittagong Mohammedan and Khulna Abahani.

Jatrabari drew 1-1 with Mir Hazaribagh

UNB, Dhaka

Jatrabari Jhatika Sangsad played to a 1-1 draw with Mir Hazaribagh KC in the day's only match of the Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football (Under-16) League at the Dhupkhola Jagannath University ground on Wednesday.

Rana put Jatrabari Jhatika Sangsad ahead in the very 5th minute of the match, while Papel scored the equalizer for Mir Hazaribagh KC in the 40th minute.

Today's matches: Adamjee KC vs Power Sun Ganderia (3:15pm); Bangladesh SC vs Titu Smriti Sangsad (4:30pm) at the same venue.