The New Nation - Internet Edition

BCB reconstitutes standing committees with minor reshuffle, changes

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reconstituted all its Standing Committees with some minor reshuffle and changes.

Newly appointed member Shakil Kasem, recently given the charge of the chairman of Game development committee, will also act as the vice-chairman of CCDM, audit committee, and marketing and commercial committee.

Another new Board member Engr Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir, who was earlier given the twin charge of the CCDM and the Tournament Committee, will now also act as a member of the Game Development committee.

Besides, cricket operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu will now also act as the vice-chairman of the Game development committee, while former cricketer Salim Shahed has been made member-secretary of the Cricket operations committee.

Reconstituted committees:

Working committee: Syed Fahim Munaim (chairman), Shafiqur Rahman (vice-chairman), and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, MA Momen, Mirza Salman Ispahani and Shakil Kasem (members).

Cricket operations committee: Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu (chairman), Shafiqur Rahman (vice-chairman), Salim Shahed MBA (member-secretary), and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby and Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury (members)

Finance committee: MA Momen (chairman), Feroz Ahmed and Fahim Hossain (vice-chairmen), Kamrul Islam FCA (member-secretary), and Haider Ahmed Khan FCA and Salim Shahed MBA (members).

Disciplinary committee: Ishtiaque Ahmad (chairman), Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu (vice-chairman), Rashed Chowdhury (member- secretary), and Zahandar Rashid and Mahfuzur Rahman Siddique (members).

Game development committee: Shakil Kasem (chairman), Ishtiaque Ahmad and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu (vice-chairmen), GS Hassan (member-secretary), and Engr Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir and Major M Taneem Hasan (members).

Tournament committee: Engr Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir (chairman), Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu (vice-chairman), Hafizur Rahman Joarder (member-secretary), and AKM Shamsul Islam and Jahangir Shah Badsha (members).

Umpires committee: Feroz Ahmed (chairman), Shafiqur Rahman (vice-chairman), AFM Akteruddin (member-secretary), and Tanjib Ahsan and AKM Abdul Hannan Akber (members).

Grounds and facilities committee: Shafiqur Rahman (chairman), Ishtiaque Ahmad and Maj (retd) Imroze Ahmed (vice-chairmen), Zahid Reza (member-secretary), and Hasibuddin Siddiquee, Ziaur Rahman, Tobarukul Islam, Jahangir Hamid, Syed Ali Asaf, Fahimul Huq, Mostafizur Rahman, ASM Tanvir Ahmed and Afzal Hossain (members)

CCDM: Engr Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir (chairman), Feroz Ahmed

(co-chairman), Anowar Hossain (vice-chairman), Mostafa Kabir (member-secretary), and Md. Tarikul Islam (member).

Marketing & commercial committee: Mirza Salman Ispahani (chairman), Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby and Shakil Kasem (vice- chairmen), and Ishtiaque Ahmad and Zulfiqar Ahmed (members).

Medical committee: Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu (chairman), MA Momen (vice-chairman), Dr. Asad-Uz-Zaman (member-secretary), and MA Razzak (member).

Tender & Purchase committee: Mirza Salman Ispahani (chairman), Shafiqur Rahman (vice-chairman), Fahim Hossain (member- secretary), and Sajedur Seraj and Ardeshir Kabir (members).

Media & communications committee: Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby (chairman), Ishtiaque Ahmad (vice-chairman), Rezaur Rahman Sinha (member secretary), and Ali Abbas and Mehedul Islam (members).

Audit committee: Monowar Anis Khan (chairperson), Shakil Kasem (vice-chairman), and Fazle RM Hasan and Iqbal Hossain FCA (members).

Women's wing committee: Monowar Anis Khan (chairperson), Dolly Catherine Cruze (vice-chairperson), Quamar Afroze Ahmed (member-secretary), and Musarat Kabir and Afsana Akhter (members).

Logistics & protocol committee: Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby (chairman), Didarul Alam Chowdhury (vice-chairman), Tariquzzaman (member-secretary), and Mohammed Iqbal, Iqbal Yousuf Chowdhury and Mohammad Salim (members).

4 national records in Age Group Swimming on opening day

UNB, Dhaka

Four new national records were created on the opening day as the Keya Cosmetics 24th National Age Group Swimming Championship began Sunday at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur.

Defense Secretary M Kamrul Islam inaugurated the three-day meet and distributed prizes of some opening day's events. General Secretary of Bangladesh Swimming Federation Commodore (retd) MS Kabir was present.

Out of the 34 events, 24 were decided today when last report came in.

On the first day, Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) dominated the pool securing 11 gold, 11 silver and 3 bronze medals, while Bangladesh Ansar followed closely with 10 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze.

Nikli Swimming Club of Kishoreganj is a distant third with two gold, one silver and three bronze, while Chandpur Swimming Club is in the 4th slot collecting one gold and one silver medal.

Jewel Ahmed of Bangladesh Ansar made the day's first record in the Boys' 200-meter individual medley for 15-17 years age group, with a timing of 2:30.34 seconds as against the old mark of 2:30.59 seconds.

Mohammad Sagar Ali of Chandpur Swimming Club set up the day's second record in the Boys' 400-meter freestyle for 15-17 years age group clocking 4:54.51 seconds to better the previous mark of 4:54.66 seconds.

Two BKSP swimmers made the day's last two records in the Girls' 100-meter breaststroke for 11-12 years age group and in the Boys' 400-meter individual medley for 18-20 years age group.

Naima Akhter created national mark in 100-meter breaststroke taking 1:32.90 seconds to better the old mark of 1:35.73 seconds, while Anik Islam made new record in 400-meter individual medley clocking 5:09.16 seconds to improve upon previous timing of 5:10.00 seconds.

Some 517 promising swimmers, including 132 girls, are taking part in the three-day meet.

President of Bangladesh Swimming Federation and Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam will be the chief guest at the closing function on Tuesday (July 22).

ICC delays final decision on Pakistan hosting Champions Trophy amid security concerns

AFP, Dubai

A final decision over whether Pakistan is still a safe venue for September's Champions Trophy was delayed Sunday until later this week amid persistent security concerns.

The International Cricket Council said fears were raised about potential security threats marring the tournament during a briefing for the eight participating countries, player representatives and broadcasters.

The Sep. 11-28 tournament will proceed in Pakistan for now, but the ICC Board must decide this week whether to move the one-day international tournament featuring the top eight teams in the world.

The ICC's security consultants delivered Sunday's briefing in Dubai based on arrangements for the recently completed Asia Cup in Pakistan. At the same meeting, the Pakistan Cricket Board detailed its safety plans.

"While there was recognition the PCB had gone to great lengths to provide a high level of security during the Asia Cup and would do so again during the ICC Champions Trophy, concerns were expressed about the potential for threats beyond the PCB's control," the ICC said in a statement.

"These concerns will now be taken to the ICC Board during the course of this week with the board then arriving at a definitive decision on the location of this year's ICC Champions Trophy. Until or unless the board decides otherwise, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan."

In one recent high-profile incident, a suicide bombing on July 7 killed 15 people in Karachi, one of the host cities, along with Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Defending champion Australia postponed a tour of Pakistan in March after several bomb attacks in the wake of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination in December, and several Australian and New Zealand players have already indicated they may pull out of the tournament rather than play in Pakistan.

The Australian, British and New Zealand governments advise citizens against visiting Pakistan.

India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa and host Pakistan are also taking part.

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC fail to form good team, still hopes to be champions in 2nd B. League

UNB, Dhaka

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, which finished 4th in the 1st B. League last year, hopes to win upcoming 2nd B. League that will begin end-August, although they failed to form a good team this season.

Talking to UNB Sunday, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC team manager Abdus Sattar admitted that they have failed to form a good team this session due to financial constraints.

"We formed a mediocre team recruiting young booters so that our team will not be eliminated at the initial stage of the league," he said.

The optimistic Mukitijoddha Sangsad manager said if their local players play well, if the foreign booters would able to show their best, "we have a fair chance to clinch the 2nd B. League title."

"We already confirmed the services of Moroccan medio Ighir Mohammad, who played for Sheikh Russell KC last season. We are also trying to recruit three more foreign players," he said.

He said: "Our team advisor Mej gen Amin Ahmed Chowdhury, who supported us a lot to form the team, has taken the responsibility to back the financial support for bringing the foreign booters."

Sattar said England-based "late Osmani Muktijoddha Trust" would contribute to the team US$ 20,000 towards the remuneration of foreign players.

He said they would be taking the Federation Cup Football that will begin on July 26 as a preparation for the B. League. "We've no specific target in the Federation Cup, but hope we will be able to hold a good place."

He informed they have a plan to recruit a foreign coach for the team ahead of the B. League.

Muktijoddha Sangsad KC began practice on July 8 under team coach Ali Asgar Nasir at the BG Press ground.

Hackett breaks 800m shortcourse world record

AFP, Melbourne

Australian Grant Hackett broke his own shortcourse 800 metres freestyle world record in a time of seven minutes 23.42 seconds here today.

Hackett, preparing for a record third 1500m freestyle gold medal at next month's Beijing Olympics, shaved 1.86 seconds off his 2001 world mark of 7:25.28.

Hackett also holds the world shortcourse records in the 400m and 1500m freestyle along with the 800m and 1500m freestyle longcourse world records.

Brazil Olympic team to play in Singapore

AFP, Singapore

Brazil's Olympic football team, including stars Ronaldinho and Robinho, will play an exhibition match in Singapore before they head to next month's Olympic Games in Beijing, officials said Sunday.

The Brazilians will play a Singapore team on July 28 after arriving in the city state on July 23, the Football Association of Singapore said in a statement with promoters of the event.

Bangladesh A face Derbyshire in 4th three-day match today

UNB, Dhaka

Touring Bangladesh A team meets Derbyshire in the 4th three-day match on Monday at the County Ground, Derbyshire.

Earlier, the first three 3-day matches of the 2nd string Bangladesh side against their English counterparts ended in draws.

Bangladesh A played the first three-day match against England Under-19 team, the 2nd against Warwickshire and the 3rd against Leicestershire.

Bangladesh A will play the 5th and last 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.

Residential volleyball training camp for women gets underway

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Volleyball Federation started yesterday a residential volleyball training camp for women at the Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex. The Gederation took the programme to form Bangladesh National Women Volleyball team. Director (Sports) of National Sports Council Md Haiyul Kaiyum inaugurated the three-week long training camp as the chief guest. President of Bangladesh Volleyball Federation (BVF) Golam Quddus Chowdhury, Vice-President of BVF Morshed A Chowdhury, Vice-President of the Federation Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu, Vice-President of BVF Mostafa Kamal, General Secretary of the Federation Md Anisur Rahman, Member of the Federation Md Monirul Haque were present at the time.

A number of 17 partcipants are taking part in the training camp. Farida Begum and Amit Kumar Krishna are conducting the programme.

Amateur Wrestling Team leaves for Nepal today

Sports Reporter

A two-member Bangladesh Amateur Wrestling team will leave the city today for Nepal to take part in the second Asian Zurkhanch Sports Championship scheduled to be held in Nepal from July 22 to July 28. Asian Zurkhanch Sports Confederation and Nepal National Sports Federation jointly invited the team.

The participant wrestler is: Nayek Md Mizanur Rahman (90 kg weight category)

The official is : Alauddin (Team Manager).

The two-member team returns home on July 28.

National Women Kabaddi starts today

Sports Reporter

The Spectra Group National Women Kabaddi Competition starts tomorrow in Jamalpur. Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation will launch the Kabaddi meet for women.

A total of 23 districts will take part in the first phase of the competition. The first phase will be held in five zones.

Tangail, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, Sherpur are in Jamalpur Zone, Faridpur, Shariatpur. Madaripur, Rajbari are in Faridpur Zone, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Meherpur, Magura are in Jhenaidah Zone, Jessore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Narail are in Jessore Zone and Dhaka, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Rangamati, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Mymensingh are in Dhaka Zone.

Top one team from first four Zones, two top teams from Dhaka Zone and Bangladesh Ansar will play in the final round.

Marking the forthcoming Kabaddi meet for women, a press conference was held at the conference room of National Sports Council on Sunday. Vice-President of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) Shah Alam, General Secretary of BKF Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the Tournament Committee Rawshan Akhter Chabi, Secretary of the Tournament Committee Subimol Chandra Das were present at the conference, among others.

The final round will be held at the Dhaka Kabaddi Stadium or Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex Gymnasium.

Seven teams splitting into two groups will participate in the final round.

The budget of the tournament of the competition is Tk three lakh and fifty thousand while Spectra Group, the sponsor of the meet gave Tk two lakh to BKF. BKF will bear rest of the expenditure from their own fund.

Wozniak reaches final as Serena hobbles out

AFP, California

Serena Williams's march toward a fourth WTA title of 2008 came to a premature halt Saturday, as an injured knee and Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak proved too much for the top seed.

Williams retired with a left knee injury while trailing Wozniak 2-6, 1-3 at the 600,000- dollar hardcourt event in Stanford.

Williams, ranked fifth in the world, has come up empty in Grand Slams this year, including falling to elder sister Venus in the Wimbledon final. But she has had plenty of WTA success with three titles this year.

Wozniak, currently ranked 85th in the world, showed no sign that she was intimidated by the 26-year-old American.

After Williams won the opening game, Wozniak captured the next three and quickly closed out the opening set as her opponent started limping.

Williams had her left knee wrapped, but still was laboring early in the second set and retired 47 minutes after the match had begun.

Wozniak, 20, won 70 percent of her service points and capitalized on three of four break chances to advance to just her second WTA final.

"I tried to stay focused on me," Wozniak said. "I knew I would play a big champion.

"I just wanted to play really aggressive, to take the ball as early as I could and come in when I could.

"In the middle of the first set, I saw her watching a little bit her leg," Wozniak added. "I thought it was her ankle, but in the end it was the knee."

Wozniak will be attempting to capture her first singles title on Sunday, when she takes on the winner of the second semi-final between sixth-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli and unseeded Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama.

Bartoli took a huge step toward getting her season revved up on Friday, when she upset second seed and defending champion Anna Chakvetadze of Russia in the quarters.

The 23-year-old Bartoli, a surprise finalist at Wimbledon last year, is just 15-16 this season and has yet to appear in a final.

For that to change, Bartoli will have to reverse her fortunes against Sugiyama, who has won all five of their previous meetings.

Sugiyama, 33, is attempting to reach her second final at this event. She was runner- up in 1995, when the tournament was held in Oakland.

Sugiyama hasn't played in a final in two years, and won her last title four years ago.