The New Nation - Internet Edition

Baishakhi becomes 1st Bangladeshi to win Arthur Ashe Jr Collegiate Award

UNB, Dhaka

Shefat Nusrat Baishakhi became the first Bangladeshi to achieve the Arthur Ashe Jr Collegiate Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship, 08 in America.

This award is given every year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) of America under the supervision of United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Baishakhi has been chosen for this category for her singles and doubles records in the ITA, her academic career results, sportsmanship, leadership and character.

Participants from some 50 educational institutions of America were the nominees for this year's award.

Baishakhi, now studying Information System Analysis at the Lewis Clark University, will formally receive her award at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium during the US Open in August.

Bangladesh Tennis Federation (BTF) will accord a reception in honour of the country's female tennis player, said Federation general secretary Mohammad Sanaul Haque disclosed the details at a press briefing at its conference room Monday afternoon.

Baishakhi's father Lutfar Rahman and mother Nafiza Bashar Poppy also spoke on the occasion.

Lutfar Rahman said, "Baishakhi is always a hardworking girl. After achieving such an award, we can hope that our country will produce more girls like Baishakhi in the future."

Mother Poppy expressed her feelings saying, "I was so happy when she was nominated for this category… it's a great privilege to get such award as a Bengali Muslim girl."

She also informed that Baishakhi played charity matches in America to raise funds for the cyclone Sidr victims in Bangladesh.

Besides, during her stay in America, Baishakhi won 24 tournament titles.

Cute become sponsors of national eves handball team

UNB, Dhaka

Cute, a cosmetics brand of Mousumi Industries Ltd., has become sponsors of the national women's handball team, which leaves here for India Tuesday morning by road to take part in the 3rd South Asian Handball Championship.

Five South Asian countries -- holders India, runners-up Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan -- will compete in the third version of the meet to be held May 23-25 in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Bangladesh, which finished runners-up in the 2nd version of the meet in Dhaka in 2000, will play their first match against Nepal on May 23.

Chairman of Mousumi Industries Ltd. and senior vice president of Bangladesh Handball Federation Kazi Mahtabuddin Ahmed handed over the sporting gears to national skipper Dalia Akhter at a simple ceremony at the Handball Federation office Monday morning.

Federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, assistant general secretaries Hasan Ullah Khan Rana and Mohammad Nurul Islam, team manager Selim Miah Babu and coach Mohammad Nasir Ullah Lablu were, among others, present.

The 25-member Bangladesh women's handball team comprises 14 players, five officials, two congress delegates, two referees and two observers.

The team: Players - Dalia Akhter (captain), Rozina Khatun (Vice-captain), Sheela Roy, Ismat Ara Nishi, Sharmin Farzana Rumi, Shahnaz Parvin Maleka, Rita Khatun, Happy Begum, Akhirun Nessa, Maina Begum, Nazira Akhter, Kamrun Nahar Sheela, Lipi Begum and Sheuli Parvin.

Officials - Principal Hamida Ali (team leader), M Haiul Quaium (deputy team leader), Salim Miah Babu (manager), Aysha Zaman (assistant manager), Nasir Ullah Lablu (coach).

Delegates - Asaduzzaman Kohinoor and M Nurul Islam, Referees - Mokbul Hossain, Khalequzzaman Sikder, Observers - M Ayub Ali and Dr Anupom Hossain.

Afghanistan take first step towards cricket World Cup

AFP, Karachi

Burgeoning cricket talent Afghanistan are confident as they prepare for the first step towards the 2011 World Cup, captain Norooz Khan Mangal was quoted as saying Monday.

Afghanistan are one of 12 teams featuring in the division five event of the ICC (International Cricket Council) World Cricket League, which starts in Jersey from May 23.

"A few years ago, any talk of Afghanistan playing in the World Cup would have been laughable. But not any more as we are taking the first step with the qualifying rounds," Mangal is quoted as saying in an ICC press release.

The winners will qualify for the next stage of the qualifying rounds. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh host the World Cup in 2011.

Mangal said Afghanistan's maiden appearance in the league was special.

"The qualifying event will mark the dawn of a new era for Afghan sport and it can show the war-torn country in a fresh light," said the 23-year-old top- order batsman.

"It's still unlikely but far from impossible Afghanistan will reach the 2011 event but the way cricket is taking off, there is perhaps only a matter of time before we see it taking part in a major ICC event.

"Like any other team, we are travelling to Jersey with the objective to win the tournament and take the first step in the right direction. But at the same time, we would like to make more friends and try to learn good cricket."

Afghanistan are one of six teams in Group B, along with the Bahamas, Botswana, Japan, Singapore and hosts Jersey.

Group A is made up of Germany, Mozambique, Nepal, Norway, the USA and Vanuatu.

Afghanistan was admitted as an ICC affiliate member in 2001.

After playing their early cricket in Pakistan with the Asian Cricket Council funding the tours, Afghanistan beat an MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) team, led by former England captain Mike Gatting, by 171 runs in a one-dayer in 2006.

As part of their preparations for the ICC League, Afghanistan played 14 warm-up matches in Peshawar, Pakistan, last month before attending a training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Kabul, which has two turf pitches and a bowling machine.

"The tour to Peshawar was a good one in which we won 13 out of 14 40- overs-a-side matches. In our domestic cricket, we have mostly 20-overs-a-side matches so the tour to Peshawar was a huge learning experience," said Mangal.

The Afghan captain said his team has some special players who can perform against the best, including pacers Hamid Hassan, Dawlat Ahamdzai, Hasti Gul Abed and Ahmad Shah Ahmadi.

Amongst the batsmen, Karim Khan Sedeq and Nabi Eisakhil stand out, he said.

"They like to play aggressively and if they fire in the tournament, we will have an excellent chance to return from Jersey with flying colours."

Dhanmondi FA crush Mohanagar KC by 6-0 goals

UNB, Dhaka

Dhanmondi Football Academy earned huge 6-0 goals victory over Mohanagar KC in a South Zone match of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League at Mohammadpur Eidgah Maidan here on Monday.

Rubel and Maruf struck twice each while Shafique and Nafees netted one apiece for the winners who dominated the first half by 3-0 goals.

Today's matches: East Zone - Bangladesh SC vs Ganderia Power Sun (3.15pm), and Mansoor SC vs Tito Smriti Sangsad (4.30 pm), South Zone- BKSP vs Tangail Football Club (3.15 pm), and Dragon KC vs Muktajibon Football Club (4:30pm).

Usha KC meet MSC in vital match today

UNB, Dhaka

League leaders Usha KC meet Mohammedan SC in a vital match of the Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League today (Tuesday) at 4 pm at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.

Usha KC in their all-win run so far secured 21 points, two points ahead of Abahani Limited (19), while Mohammedan SC have 17 points, all playing seven matches.

2nd Div Badminton League begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The 2nd Division Badminton League, organised by Bangladesh Badminton Federation, begins today (Tuesday) at 5 pm at the NSC Wooden Floor Gymnasium in the city.

Board of Investment (BoI) executive chairman and Bangladesh Badminton Federation president Kamaluddin Ahmed will formally inaugurate the meet as chief guest.

Kakrail Boys register 72-run win over Gopibagh FA

UNB, Dhaka

Kakrail Boys Club notched a 72-run win over Gopibagh Friends Association in the Super League of the Metropolis Second Division Cricket at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) here Monday.

Sent into bat first in a curtailed over match, Kakrail Boys Club were all out for 177 in 42.2 overs with Sohel contributing 42 runs, while Saju chipped in with 23 runs.

Jamil and Ejaz bagged two wickets each for 2 and 20 runs respectively.

In reply, Gopibagh Friends Association were dismissed for 105 runs in 33.2 overs with Tanvir making 17. Saju claimed three wickets for 27 runs while Masud took two wickets for 18 runs.

In the day's other two super league matches, Dhanmondi Pragati Sangha (197/7) beat Green Leaf SC (194/7) by three wickets at the Dhaka University Ground, while Prime Doleshwar SC (153/9) defeated Prantik KC (152/10) by one wicket at the City Club Ground.

Bangladesh SC plays 2-2 draw with Sadharan Bima

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh SC split points with Sadharan Bima KS in a 2-2 draw in the day's lone match of the Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Jamal Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan scored one goal each for the Bangladesh SC who led the first half 1-0, while Raju Sarkar and Prasahnto Roy netted one goal each for Sadharan Bima KS.

Jamal Hasan put Bangladesh SC ahead in the 29th minute with a field goal (1-0), Raju restored parity for Sadharan Bima KS converting a penalty corner in the 40th minute (1-1).

Sadharan Bima KS took lead as Prashanto scored from penalty corner in the 43rd minute (2-1), while Mahmudul Hasan scored the equaliser for Bangladesh SC in the 47th minute with a field goal (2-2).

Today's matches: Sonali Bank VS Azad SC (2:30 pm); Usha KC vs Mohammedan SC (4:00 pm) at the same venue.

2nd Roller Skating Championship to be held May 30

UNB, Dhaka

The Second Roller Skating Championship, organized by Bangladesh Roller Skating Federation, will be held on May 30 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Some 150 participants representing 35 clubs and DSAs will compete in 19 boys' and girls' events of the meet.