The New Nation - Internet Edition

Prince apologises despite Lord's debut hundred

AFP, London

South Africa vice-captain Ashwell Prince apologised to his team-mates despite a gutsy century in his maiden Test innings against England and on his first visit to Lord's here Saturday.

Sadly for Prince, his 101 couldn't prevent England bowling out South Africa for 247 and enforcing the follow-on after the home side had piled up an imposing 593 for eight declared in the first of this four-Test series.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar did the bulk of the damage with four for 74 and South Africa, at stumps on the third day, were 13 without loss - still needing a further 333 runs to make England bat again.

The Proteas were in a parlous position when Prince came in at 47 for three but the 31-year-old left-hander fought hard, and played some fine shots too, in a near five-hour innings featuring one six and 13 fours.

Prince, whose wife and baby son were among the crowd, was hard on himself for being dismissed shortly before the close.

"I thought I let the team down, getting out just a few overs before the end of the day's play," he said.

"The last thing I wanted was to have the captain and Neil McKenzie go out again tonight and face a few overs.

He added: "It's a proud moment for me - but having said that, it would have meant a lot more if it was more meaningful for the team."

Prince, often regarded as a blocker, showed intelligent judgment while making his eighth hundred in his 42nd Test.

"People call me 'obdurate' but I just played the ball," he explained. "I try to do that every time. If it's a good ball, respect it, and if it's there to hit, hit it."

Prince, whose Test career began controversially in 2001/02 after he was helped into the national side by a racial quota system, although he top-scored on debut with 49 against the all- conquering Australians, added: "When I was a youngster I used to come out and try to play every shot in the book.

"But I've been left out of the Test side and went into the wilderness for a bit. I used to make a lot of fifties and not make the big scores.

"I've been playing first-class cricket since the age of 18 and over the years you learn and try to improve."

Facing Panesar, who made good use of the rough on offer, was a particular challenge for Prince.

"It's always going to be an issue for left-handers facing spin bowlers in the rough and you have to learn a technique and trust it," Prince said.

"Monty bowled very well, he got some nice turn and bounce.

I'm sure he's going to be featuring a lot more in the series."

An admiring Panesar said of Prince: "He batted well. Obviously there was a bit of rough there, but he managed to counter-act that well."

Prince, whose experience before this tour of English conditions was limited to an Under-19 trip and a couple of seasons with northern club side Morecambe, insisted South Africa could turn things around after three tough days.

"I'm sure as the series goes on our guys will learn, and hopefully rather quickly, which are the lengths to hit.

"It's not just about the pace and we know that."

And Prince, whose name will now become part of the fabric of Lord's after his century earned him a place on the dressing room honours' board, said the Proteas batsmen could save this game too, citing captain Graeme Smith's 259 against England here five years ago as inspiration.

"We've got guys in our team who can bat for a very long time and have done in the past. Our captain has done it before at Lord's. We have confidence in our ability."

China vows to boost Olympic security

AFP, Beijing

China vowed Sunday to step up security for the Beijing Olympics, warning of an unprecedented threat to the Games amid reports that two "terrorists" were executed in the mainly Muslim far northwest.

With up to 80 heads of state expected to attend the August 8 opening ceremony, China said it was faced with a "huge responsibility" to defend its own people, Olympic athletes and visiting dignitaries.

Rioting and looting in Tibet this year and recent police battles with "terrorist groups" in far northwest Xinjiang region were evidence of real threats to sabotage the Games, the leading People's Daily said in an editorial.

"As far as China is concerned, the international situation and the political environment is becoming increasingly complicated by the day, and the dark clouds of terrorism on our borders are a fact that cannot be ignored," it said.

"Up until the present, we know there will be 80 heads of state attending the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony-as the host nation, we are faced with unprecedented pressure and a huge responsibility."

The commentary defended massive security efforts that have resulted in a missile battery being placed outside the main Olympic Stadium, as well as a raft of new regulations restricting the movement of people and goods.

It also derided Western press reports that have expressed fears that the stringent security measures would result in a "cold and cheerless Olympics."

"These incidents (in Tibet and Xinjiang) showt that the Beijing Olympics is facing a terrorist threat unsurpassed in Olympic history," the People's Daily said.

The paper said the threat had become more real, "especially as the peaceful protests of anti-China forces like those linked to 'democracy movements' outside the nation become violent attacks by Tibetan and Xinjiang separatists."

Ongoing crackdowns in Tibet and Xinjiang have been motivated by Olympic security concerns, the government has said.

According to US-based Radio Free Asia, two ethnic minority Uighur Muslims convicted of terrorist and separatist activities were executed last week in Xinjiang. Fifteen others were jailed for similar crimes.

China announced last week that 82 "suspected terrorists" had been detained there this year for allegedly plotting to sabotage the Olympics.

State press also said last week that police had shot dead five knife-wielding Muslims and detained 10 others in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, who allegedly wanted to launch a "holy war".

The People's Daily said that when China was awarded the right to host the Games in 2001, its number one commitment to the International Olympic Committee was that it would maintain security.

"In order to fulfil this commitment, China has built the most strict prevention and control system in Olympic history, adopting a series of security measures rarely seen," it said.

Such measures include security checks on roads, at airports and in train and subway stations, as well as stricter controls at borders, including tough new visa application requirements, it said.

Authorities in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, announced Saturday that check points would be set up on all roads leading into the capital from July 20.

"Our province must strike hard and our police must firmly attack the evil forces and wipe out those who seek to dominate and endanger others," the Hebei government said in a statement on its website.

"We must prevent any person with ulterior motives from entering Beijing and we must prevent any dangerous or illegal materials from entering Beijing."

Also on Saturday, Beijing unveiled its new special armoured rapid response team that includes 39 new bullet-proof vehicles that will patrol the capital during the Games.

3-day match between Bangladesh A & Warwickshire heading for draw

UNB, Dhaka

The rain-affected second three-day match between visiting Bangladesh A team and English county side Warwickshire is heading for a draw on the third and last day at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.

The first three-day match between touring Bangladesh A team and England Under-19 team also ended in a draw on Tuesday due to rain at the Hazelgrave Ground in Loughborough.

Replying to Bangladesh's first innings total 252 for all,

Warwickshire resumed the first innings with overnight 144 for 4 in 42 overs and scored 342 for 9 in 86.2 overs when last report came in.

Nazmul Hossain claimed five wickets for 90 runs, while Rubel grabbed three for 76 runs.

Earlier, on Saturday, the second string Bangladesh team were all out for 252 in 71.5 overs in the first innings with two half century by captain Junaid Siddiqui (50) and wicket keeper Dhiman Ghosh (not out 50).

Naeem Islam (30), Rajin saleh (29), Raquibul Hasan (28) and Tamim Iqbal (27) were the other major contributors for Bangladesh A team.

N Tahir picked up three Bangladesh wickets for 49 runs while Miler, Gronewald and Daggett took two wickets each.

On completion of the 2nd three-dayer, Bangladesh A team will play the 3rd match against Leicestershire on July 16-18, the 4th against Derbyshire July 21-23 and the 5th three-day match against a South African selection on July 25-27.

After the three-dayers, Bangladesh A will play three one-day matches -- against Lancashire on July 30, Marylebone Cricket Club on August 1 and Durham on August 3.

Bangladesh maul Oman in Junior Asia Cup Hockey

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Junior Hockey team registered a comprehensive 7-1 victory over Oman Junior Hockey team in the 6th Men's Junior Asia Cup Hockey in Hyderabad, India on Sunday.

Bangladesh led the first half 2-1.

Jimmy opened the flood-gate using a penalty corner in the 17th minute of the first half.

Rimon made it 2-0 by a field goal in the 23rd minute of the play.

Rajab of Oman reduced the margin by a field goal in the 32nd minute of the encounter.

After the intermission Krishna increased the tally into 3-1 by a field goal in the 44th minute of the match.

Hasan made it 4-1 by a field goal in the 50th minute of the game.

Jimmy struck again on the board (5-1) capitalising a penalty corner in the 53rd minute of the clash.

Hasan scored his second goal (6-1) in the 56th minute of the game.

Chandan sealed the fate of the match (7-1) utilising a penalty corner just two minutes before the long whistle.

Earlier, Bangladesh conceded a 8-0 defeat by South Korea on July 11.

Today Bangladesh will face Pakistan at the same venue.

Open Squash: Shawpan Parvez champion in Premier Division

Sports Reporter

Shawpan Parvez of Bashundhara Group emerged as the champion of the Premier Division of the Delta Life Open Squash Tournament when he beat the other title contender Bhola Lal Chowhan of Sonargaon Hotel by 3-1 sets in the final at the Squash Court of Dhaka Club on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Kamaluzzaman of Dhaka Army Club became champion of the Above-50 Division when he defeated Iftekharuddin Nawshad of Dhaka Club by 3-0 sets in the final at the same venue on the same day.

After the matches Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Dr Md. Golam Mostafa Talukdar distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest while Chairman of the Delta Life Insurance Company Limited Syed Moazzem Hussain and President of Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation and Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Feroze Ahmed were present as special guests.

Former president of the federation Abdus Sattar and General Secretary of the federation Sohel Hamid were also present, among others.

Brazil win World Grand Prix for record seventh time

AFP, Yokohama

World silver medallists Brazil powered past Japan to regain the title and secure a record seventh victory in the World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament on Sunday.

The Brazilians, the runners-up in the World Cup last year, silenced a vociferous home crowd with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-19 victory for a perfect record of five straight wins in the six- team round robin competition.

Brazil won the title in 1994, 1996, 1998 and in three straight years from 2004.

Earlier in the day, former world champions Cuba defeated World Cup holders Italy 28-30, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19 to finish second with a 4-1 win-loss record, beating Italy into third place with 2-3.

The United States edged past Athens Olympic gold medallists China 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 17-15 to take fourth place with 2-3, a worse points ratio than Italy's.

Japan and China both finished with a 1-4 record, with the Chinese edging fifth place thanks to a better points ratio.

BFF to sign MoU with CITYCELL as football sponsor

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with mobile phone operator CITYCELL at the BFF Bhaban at 3pm today (Monday).

Talking to the reporters, BFF president Kazi Salahudin CITYCELL has agreed to become the title sponsor of BFF soccer meets for next three years.

Although he would not give the exact figure of the deal, it was learnt that the amount will be over Tk 15 crore.

BFF earlier had been negotiating with Aktel, another cell phone company, for the sponsorship.

Two Bangladeshi coaches leave for Sri Lanka to participate

in coaches' course

UNB, Dhaka

Two Bangladeshi Tennis coaches --Rashedul Islam Rumi and Mustafizur Rahman Russell -- left here Sunday for Sri Lanka via Bangkok to participate in the "New Level 1 Coaches Course-beginner & Intermediate Players" to be held in the island nation on July 14-25.

International Tennis Federation coaches Serush Menon and Karl Davies will conduct the 12-day coaching program.

National Sports Council will provide Tk 100,000 towards meeting the expenditure, while Bangladesh Tennis Federation will bear the rest amount.

Sri Lanka will provide lodging, food and local transport for the participants.

Bangladeshi coaches will return home on July 26.

Ganguly to play in the football I-League

PTI, Kolkata

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly will try his legs on football and will turn out for Chirag United in the I-League starting in September.

Chirag United, who were promoted to the I-League this season, will sign up Ganguly to add some "gloss" to the league.

A brand ambassador of Chirag computers, part of the RP Group, Ganguly will formally complete the formalities after he is back from the three-Test tour of Sri Lanka, Chirag chairman Kaustav Roy said.

"Ganguly's presence in a football match will be a star attraction; maybe he'll play for a two-minute slot in one of the I-League matches. Again, it all depends on Ganguly's availability from his cricketing assignments," Roy added.

National cricketers start practice today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh national cricketers start practising today (Monday) at the Mirpur She-e-Bangla National Stadium at 10 am ahead of their ensuing Twenty20 and one-day series after a six-day break.

The training will mainly focus on fitness of the cricketers before the campaign next month.

Bangladesh will take part in the four-nation Twenty20 cricket to be held on August 14-17 in Canada. After the Twenty20, Bangladesh will play a one-day series against host Australia on August 31 to September 4.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will likely announce the final squad in a day or two after missing a Sunday deadline.

Open FIDE rating Chess Tournament begins July 17

UNB, Dhaka

The 3rd Greenwich University Open FIDE rating Chess Tournament, sponsored by Overseas School, will begin on July 17 at the Chess Federation at 3:30 pm.

The competition is open for all. Interested players have been requested to enroll their names with entry fee on or before 15th July at the Federation at 4-8pm.

The events will be held in nine round Swiss-League system and Tk 50,000 cash prize, trophies and certificates will be awarded to the winners.