The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh A clinch one wicket victory over Derbyshire

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Bangladesh A team clinches their first victory in the England tour as they notched a thrilling one wicket win over Derbyshire on the 3rd day of the 4th three-day match at the County Ground Derbyshire Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 285, Bangladesh A scored the required runs with one wicket remaining, playing out 76.5 overs. Opener Tamim Iqbal led from the front with his fifty to secure a morale-booster victory.

There were also some useful knocks from Dhiman Ghosh, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mosharraf Hossain Rubel and Shakib Al Hasan.

Left-handed Tamim along with Junaed Siddiqui gave a good chase for the 2nd string Bangladesh side putting up 84 runs in the opening stand before Tamim departed for 60 off 69 balls that featured six fours and three sixes.

Skipper Junaed was the 2nd Bangladesh A batsman to fall scoring 25 runs, leaving the team total at 94 for 2.

Then Dhiman's 41, Mushfiqur Rahim's 36, Rubel's 31 and Shakib's 29 paved the way for a narrow win for the visitors before number 10 Sajidul Islam struck the winning run.

J Needham and ND Doshi captured three wickets each for 53 and 84 runs respectively, while GM Smith took two wickets for 53 runs.

Earlier, Derbyshire declared their 2nd innings at 176 for 8 setting the winning target of 285 to the visitors. Before that Bangladesh A team were all out in their 1st innings scoring 190 runs in 59.5 overs replying to Derbyshire's 1st innings total of 298/6.

Bangladesh's next three-day affair is against a South African selection at New Road on Friday.

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.

Earlier, the first three three-day matches between Bangladesh A and their English counterparts ended in draws.

Dhaka Zone matches of Women Kabaddi from today

Sports Reporter

The Dhaka Zone matches of the Spectra Group National Women Kabaddi Competition begins today at the Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex Gymnasium. Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation will arrange the Kabaddi meet.

Sports Officer of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Sports Control Board SM Alam will formally open the meet.

Dhaka District team will take on Mymensingh District team today at 3:30 PM while Gaibandha District team will face Munshiganj District team at 4:15 PM and Rangamati District team will meet Narayanganj District team at 4:50 PM.

A number of seven teams are taking part in the Dhaka Zone. They are: Mymensingh, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Rangamati and Dhaka. The champions and the runners-up of Dhaka Zone will get tickets of the final round, which is scheduled to be held at the Dhaka Kabaddi Stadium from July 27 to July 30.

Office Handball: Rifles beat Police

Sports Reporter

Reigning champions Bangladesh Rifles defeated Bangladesh Police by 34-26 goals in the opening match of the Design Zone Second Office Handball League at the Handball Ground in Paltan Maidan on Thursday.

Earlier, Treasurer of Bangladesh Olympic Association and General Secretary of Bangladesh Tennis Federation Md Sanaul Haque inaugurated the meet as the chief guest.

Business Partner of Design Zone and Chairman of the League Committee Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, Joint-Secretary of Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) Hasanullah Khan Rana, Joint-Secretary of BHF Nurul Islam, Secretary of the League Committee Md Salim Mia Babu were present at the time.

Rifles led the first half 18-10.

Sudhan of Bangladesh Rifles top-scored with nine goals and his teammate Khairuzzaman netted seven while Priti of Bangladesh Police returned 12.

Today Bangladesh Rifles will take on Cute at 3:30 PM at the same venue.

Kournikova avoids Gimelstob following insult

AP, Washington

Anna Kournikova doesn't care about Justin Gimelstob or what he thinks about her.

Last month, Gimelstob insulted the 28-year-old tennis diva on a radio show, but fans who were hoping to see the two face off on court were likely to be disappointed.

Kournikova was in Washington on Wednesday night with World Team Tennis' St. Louis Aces, who were playing the Washington Kastles, featuring the 31-year-old Gimelstob. The two were not scheduled to play each other in mixed doubles.

In the radio appearance, Gimelstob used a derogatory term to describe Kournikova and made suggestive comments about another player, Nicole Vaidisova.

Kournikova declined to engage in a verbal volley.

"I really don't want to discuss the matter," Kournikova said. "I don't want to give it any more attention or meaning that it already has received. I'm just treating this like any other match."

Television commercials featuring Gimelstob promoting the U.S. Open Series were scrapped by the U.S. Tennis Association following his remarks and he was suspended for one match without pay by World Team Tennis, but stayed on the air during Wimbledon for his job with the Tennis Channel.

Gimelstob, who retired last year from the tour and sits on the board of the ATP, made no effort to reach out to Kournikova during pre-match festivities. When Kournikova was questioned about Gimelstob, she tried to deflect attention from him.

"I actually forgot about it until you just mentioned it," Kournikova said. "It's really no big deal to me."

Pioneer Football: Golam Mostafa Lane, Lalbagh win

Sports Reporter

Golam Mostafa Lane Kishore Sangha and Lalbagh Tarun Sangha registered wins in the Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football League on Thursday.

In the day's first match, Golam Mostafa Lane Kishore Sangha came from behind and earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Jatrabari Jhatika Sangsad at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Statium.

The first half was locked 1-1.

Babu of Golam Mostafa Lane scored two goals and his teammate Kayes netted one.

On the other hand, Mithun and Sohel Rana scored one goal each for the losers.

In the day's second match, Lalbagh Tarun Sangha defeated Dhaka Eleven Club by 3-1 goals at the same venue.

Lalbagh led the first half 2-1.

Zakir of Lalbagh scored two goals and his teammate Al Amin netted one while Abul Qalam pulled off one for the losers.

Dhaka Open Tennis Competition begins August 1

UNB, Dhaka

The Dhaka Open Tennis Competition, organized by Bangladesh Tennis Federation, will begin in the city on August 1 at the Ramna National Tennis Complex (NTC).

The competition will be held in five categories -- men's singles, women's singles, boys' Under-12 singles, boys' Under-14 singles and men's doubles.

The tournament will be formally inaugurated on July 31. Tk 76,000 will be given as cash prizes among the winners.

Intending participants have been requested to send their entries on or before July 31 at the Bangladesh Tennis Federation (BTF) office.

Pakistan to host Champions Trophy

AFP, Pakistan

Pakistan's cricket chief said today that his country would host the Champions Trophy as planned but that the International Cricket Council would appoint a commission to ensure security.

Jankovic opens with straight-set victory

AFP, Los Angeles

Serbian top seed Jelena Jankovic denied American Vania King on two set points in the opening set, then won eight of the last 10 games to advance 7-5, 6-2 in a WTA hardcourt tournament here Wednesday.

Jankovic, ranked a career-best second in the world, improved to 4-0 against King and advanced to a third-round match Thursday against Hungary's Melinda Czink, who defeated Ukraine's Olga Savchuk 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Jankovic, 23, won her sixth career title earlier this year in Rome and has reached the quarter-finals in 11 of 12 events in 2008, something she will do again with a victory over Czink.

A finalist here in 2006 and a semi-finalist last year before losing to countrywoman and eventual winner Ana Ivanovic, Jankovic hopes for another deep run as she prepares for next month's US Open.

French Open champion Ivanovic, the world number one, is not here to defend her title.

Japan's Ai Sugiyama upset Swiss seventh seed Patty Schnyder while Russian fourth seed Dinara Safina in second-round matches here on Wednesday at a 600,000-dollar WTA event.

Safina ousted China's Peng Shuai 6-2, 6-2 while Sugiyama subdued Schnyder 6-4, 7-5 and will next face Italy's Flavia Pennetta, who beat Austrian Tamira Paszek 2-6, 6- 1, 6-4.

Australian Samantha Stosur ousted Russia's Regina Kulikova 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 and next will face eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who eliminated Taiwan's Chan- Yung-Jan 6-1, 6-3.

BFF signs agreement with sponsors Citycell, receives cheque of Tk 10 million

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Thursday received a cheque of Tk 10 million (one crore) from the title sponsors Citycell for the Federation Cup Football.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (Citycell) Michael Seymour handed over the cheque to BFF president Kazi Salahuddin after signing an agreement at the BFF Bhaban conference room in the afternoon.

BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedi, vice-president Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir and executive committee member Anwarul Haq Helal were present on the occasion.

The Citycell Federation Cup Football begins on Saturday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with Jatrabari Krira Chakra taking on Rajshahi Diganto Prosari in the day's lone group A opening match at 4 pm.

BFF president Salahuddin informed that they would receive another Tk 10 million (one crore) from sponsors Citycell in August for the 2nd B. League and Tk 5 million (50 lakh) for the National Football Championship in October.

As per the title sponsorship contract with Citycell, BFF would receive Tk 55 million (5.5 crore) this year for the 16 football events, he said.

Citycell CEO Michael Seymour said they expect a significant progress by the BFF for the development of football.

He hoped that they would be able to contribute something good for the young football loving people of the country.

Earlier, on July 14, BFF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with mobile phone operator Citycell for the next three years.

Under the contract, Citycell will provide Tk 165 million (16.5 crore) over three years for the football tournaments, including the three main events - Federation Cup, B. League and School Football Tournament.

Besides, they will also co-sponsor other football events organized by BFF.

India's world champion fails to bag wildcard

AFP, New Delhi

India's double-trap world record holder Ronjon Sodhi will not be able to take part in the Beijing Olympics after failing to bag a wildcard, a top official said today.

"It is really unfortunate," Baljeet Sethi, secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), told AFP.

"Sodhi is in top form and he could have brought us a medal from the Beijing Olympics."

Sodhi, 28, did not make the nine-member Indian team as the double-trap berth went to Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Rathore.

Sodhi however shot into Olympic contention when he won the World Cup in Belgrade last month with a world record-equalling final score of 194 out of 200.

Ranked number five in the world, Sodhi was banking on a "hardship" quota that is awarded to an individual who fails to qualify but gives an outstanding performance in any of the official events.

"I had a chat with the international federation officials last night and they said they had no quota left in the double-trap," Sethi said.

"Sodhi deserved to be at the Olympics but this was not to be. We can only pray now that Rathore is able to win a medal."

Sodhi caught international attention when he upset a top-class field in Belgrade with his record-equalling score set by Italian Daniele Di Spigno at the 1999 world championships.

The bearded Sikh, coached by Olympic gold-medallist Mark Russell of Australia, matched the previous qualification record held jointly by Richard Faulds of Britain and Michael Diamond of Australia.

Both Faulds and Diamond are the top medal contenders in Beijing along with Di Spigno.

Warnapura hits century, becomes first batsman referred for umpiring decision challenge

AP, Colombo

Sri Lanka opener Malinda Warnapura scored his second test hundred Thursday and also became the first batsman ever subject to an umpiring decision challenge during the second day's play of the first cricket test against India.

The left-handed batsman paired with captain Mahela Jayawardene in an undefeated 148-run stand for the third wicket as the host team dominated the tourists, going to lunch at a healthy 205-2 at Sinhalese Sports Club.

Resuming the day at 85-2 after a rain-shortened first day, the pair made the most of good batting conditions.

Warnapura was unbeaten on 110 at the break, having faced 194 balls and hit 14 boundaries. Jayawardene supported him with a well-compiled 66. His runs came in 138 balls, including seven fours and a six.

India's skipper Anil Kumble made the first-ever challenge of an umpiring decision permitted under new rules being introduced in this test in which all decisions - not just run outs or stumpings - can be appealed for replay review by the third umpire.

A delivery from off spinner Harbhajan Singh hit Warnapura's pad, and appeals for lbw were turned down. Kumble then asked for the decision to be referred to third umpire Rudi Koertzen, but he agreed with the initial decision that the ball was going to miss leg stump.

Each side is allowed three challenges per innings, with that number remaining intact if a challenge is upheld.

Only 22 overs were played on the first day because of rain and wet ground conditions. Michael Vandort (3) and Kumar Sangakkara (12) were the batsmen out.

Seamers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma picked up a wicket each for India.

Germans look to dominate landmark Olympics

AFP, New Delhi

Resurgent Australia hope to defend their gold medal against a strong field in Beijing as men's hockey celebrates 100 years at the Olympics without former masters India.

The Kookaburras, who won their first Olympic gold at Athens four years ago, reclaimed the number one ranking at Germany's expense by lifting the elite Champions Trophy in the Netherlands last month.

The victory revived coach Barry Dancer's men, who had struggled to build on their Olympic success after losing to Germany in the final of both the 2006 World Cup and the 2007 Champions Trophy.

Dancer said the tag of being the world's number one team would mean little when the 12-nation competition, expected to be one of the closest in the sport's history, opens in Beijing.

"Teams such as Germany, the Netherlands and Spain are all quality teams who, along with a number of other countries, are all capable of winning gold at Beijing," he said.

"But in saying that, the Australian team has shown steady signs of improvement throughout the last six months and deserve whatever praise comes their way."

Field hockey was first played at the Summer Games in London in 1908 with six teams drawn from England, Ireland and Scotland, but it was not until the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928 it became a regular medal sport.

India reigned supreme on grass with six consecutive titles from 1928 to 1956 and two more in Tokyo in 1964 and Moscow in 1980, but have fallen on such hard times that they failed to qualify for Beijing.

The Indians will miss the Olympics for the first time after losing to Great Britain in a qualifying tournament in Chile in April, adding to the misery of a failed Asian Games campaign in Doha in 2006.

"No one wanted to see India out of the Olympics but the reality is that the best 12 nations have qualified for Beijing," said International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Els van Breda Vriesman.

"The hockey world will obviously miss India, but I am confident they will come back stronger and ready to take on the world again."

Germany, meanwhile, are looking to end a 16-year drought and wrest the Olympic gold medal they last won as a unified team in Barcelona in 1992 and, before that, as West Germany in 1972.

The Germans were embarrassingly confined to a bronze medal in Athens four years ago despite being the reigning World Cup champions, but have conjured a remarkable revival since then.

They retained the World Cup title at home in Munchengladbach in 2006 and won the Champions Trophy in Malaysia in 2007, but only managed fifth place in this year's edition.

Germany's failure to finish among the top three in the European championships, thereby missing out on a direct entry to Beijing, proved to be a minor hiccup in their search for glory.

The Germans won the Olympic qualifier in April without conceding a goal in the tournament that included formidable opponents in hosts Japan and Malaysia.

Germany's revival has been masterminded by coach Markus Weise, who fashioned the women's gold medal winning campaign in Athens before taking over the men following Bernhard Peters' switch to football.

The unpredictable nature of modern men's hockey came to the fore in May when two non-qualifiers, Argentina and India, contested the Azlan Shah final in Malaysia ahead of four Olympic teams, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada and Belgium.

In the women's field, reigning world champions the Netherlands hope to avenge their Athens Olympic final defeat to Germany despite a shock third-place finish in the Champions Trophy in May.