The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chef-De-Mission gives guideline to Bangladesh contingents

UNB, Dhaka

Chef-De-Mission Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed on Wednesday gave a guideline of behaviour and manners to the Bangladesh contingents who are preparing to go to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8-24.

During the briefing at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) conference room this afternoon Gen Shakil asked the contingent coaches, players and officials to uphold the image of the country.

He said: "We shall have to maintain a very good behave as well as a strict discipline in all spheres there as we are going to represent Bangladesh."

The Chef-De-Mission said, "We will face many world famous sportsmen in Beijing Olympic Games. Our target will be to learn for them and will take lesson from them for the future."

BOA Secretary General Kutubuddin Ahmed and Chief Operating Officer Col (retd) M Wali Ullah also spoke on the occasion.

Of the 28 disciplines, Bangladesh will compete in three disciplines --athletics, swimming and shooting.

The first batch of Bangladesh contingent with chef-de-mission Gen Shakil and secretary general Kutubuddin will leave for Beijing on August 4 as an advance party.

The 2nd batch with six sportsmen -- two athletes, two swimmers and two shooters, two team manager-cum-coaches, general team manager and two participants of youth camp, will go on August 6.

The third batch with the Sports Adviser and the BOA Chief will fly on August 7, a day before the mega sports festival. Athletics coach Nazrul Islam Rumi will be the last to join the team on August 12.

Rajshahi DSA clinch Women's Kabaddi title

UNB, Dhaka

Rajshahi DSA clinched the Spectra Group National Women's Kabaddi title upsetting Bangladesh Ansar by 20-18 points with one creditable `lona' in a keenly contested final at the Kabaddi Stadium here today (Wednesday).

Fatema Akhter Sheela of champions Rajshahi DSA was adjudged the best player of the tournament.

Secretary General of District and Divisional Sports Organizers Parishad Ashiqur Rahman Miku was the chief guest in the final and distributed prizes.

Earlier, in the semifinals on Tuesday, Bangladesh Ansar outplayed Faridpur DSA by 38-12 points while Rajshahi DSA beat Narail DSA by 24-12 points.

Rajshahi DSA - Barna, Moyna, Fatema, Helena, Jui, Dipa, Marium, Rita, Diana and Farhana.

Bangladesh Ansar - Maleka, Shahnaz, Yasmin, Kamrunnahar, Laboni, Chingbai, Latika, Moyna, Fatema, Toki and Farhana.

Bangladesh A score 182/10 in 1st one day match against Lancashire

UNB, Dhaka

Touring Bangladesh A team scored a moderate 182 for all in 45.5 overs in the first one-day match against English County side Lancashire at Moss Lane Elderley Edge on Wednesday.

Sent into bat first, the second string Bangladesh side received an early blow as skipper Junaed Siddiqui returned to the pavilion with a duck leaving team total a 1.

Then number three Nazimuddin along with left-handed Tamim Iqbal put up 71 runs in the 2nd wicket stand before Nazim departed for 3rd highest 24 runs off 27 balls with four fours.

Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal contributed team highest 50 runs off 53 balls with nine fours, while Rokibul Hassan made 14, Shakib Al Hasan 4, Nayeem Islam 30, Dhiman Ghosh 7, Mosharraf Hossain 20, Dollar Mahmud 13.

F du Plessis and SP Cheetham claimed three wickets apiece for 18 and 25 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, in the other two one-day matches, the Bangladesh A side will meet Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Durham on August 1 and face another English county Durham on August 3 at Chester-le-street.

The visiting Bangladesh A team so far remained unbeaten in the England tour playing five three-day matches.

Bangladesh beat English county Derbyshire by one-wicket in the 4th three-day match. Earlier, in the four three-day matches, they drew with England Under-19 team, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and South Africa.

Beijing Olympics to become grand gathering of world youth

Xinhua, Kinshasa

Jean Beya, president of the Olympic Committee of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), said Wednesday the Beijing Games will be a grand gathering of world youth, to share their dreams and passion.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Kinshasa, Beya, who is also a member of DRC's National Congress, condemned some international media as trying to disturb the Olympics with political affairs.

Their behaviors defamed China and denied the success it was to achieve, he said.

DRC appreciates the effort China has made for the Beijing Games. And the Games will be a great success for Chinese people, said Beya.

DRC is a war-stricken country with limited national power, yet it manages to organize a team consisting of 29 athletes, coaches, and sports officials to take part in the track and field, judo, boxing and swimming in Beijing Games, according to Beya.

DRC, which has never won a medal in previous Olympics, is to send the best of the country's sportsmen including Garry Kikaya, champion of the men's 400-meter-race in Africa, to Beijing, hoping to honor the country with an Olympic medal.

Nawabpur KC blank Bangladesh SC 5-0

UNB, Dhaka

A brilliant hattrick by Nayan guided Nawabpur KC to a 5-0 goals victory over Bangladesh SC in a 2nd phase match of the Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football League at Kamalapur Stadium on Wednesday.

Mahbub Hasan Nayan made the hattrick scoring three goals in a row -- in the 47th, 67th and 69th minutes -- while Faisal Iqbal and Mamun netted the other goals in the 26th and 41st minutes.

In the day's other match, Surjosena SC outplayed Mugdapara Samaj Kalyan Sangsad by 4-0 goals at the same venue in the afternoon.

Pavel Ahmed struck twice, while Syed Ali and Jasim scored one goal each.

Today's matches: Swadhinata KS vs Dhaka Eleven (3pm), and Lalbagh Tarun Sangha vs Golam Mostafa Lane Kishore Sangha (4:30 pm).

Bangladesh Army tastes 1st win beating Bangladesh Customs 2-0

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Army tasted their 1st win in the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament beating Bangladesh Customs Krira Parishad by 2-0 goals in a Group C match at the Banani Army Stadium on Wednesday.

Ahsanur Rahman scored both the goals for the winners.

Earlier, in the opening match, Bangladesh Army suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sunrise SC.

The day's Group A match between Jatrabari KC and Bangladesh Police ended in 3-3 draw at Gazipur Stadium.

Tapash, Yamin and Shariful scored for Jatrabari KC, while Bishu, Shariful Islam and Monirul Hasan were on target for Bangladesh Police.

Today's matches: Bangladesh Navy vs Bangladesh Air Force (Gazipur Stadium), Victoria SC vs Dhaka Wanderers Club (Army Stadium), both at 4pm.

GP-BCB National Cricket Academy leaves for South Africa on August 4

Sports Reporter

Grameenphone-Bangladesh Cricket Board National Cricket Academy will leave the city for South Africa on August 4 to play two four-dayer cricket matches and three one-dayer cricket matches against South Africa National Cricket Academy in South Africa.

Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Wednesday the 14-member squad, which will play against South Africa Academy team.

Marking the upcoming tour, a press conference was held at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

Chief Selector Rafiqul Alam, Chairman Game Development of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Shakil Kasem, Director Marketing at Grameenphone Limited Rubaba Dowla, Coach Ruan Kalpege, Team Manager Khaled Mahmud were present at the conference.

Kalpege told the newsmen that their target was to perform well and their target was to play good cricket. Kalpege added that his boys would prepare them in that tour to perform in the national squad.

GP-BCB National Cricket Academy will play against South Africa National Cricket Academy team in a four-dayer, which begins August 8 in Pritoria. Then, GP-BCB Naitonal Cricket Academy will face South Africa National Cricket Academy in another four-dayer, which starts on August 14 in Pritoria. GP-BCB National Cricket Academy will meet their counterpart in a one-dayer on August 20 in Johanesburg.

GP-BCB National Cricket Academy will take on South Africa National Cricket Academy in the second one-dayer on August 22 in Pritoria.

GP-BCB National Cricket Academy will meet their South African counterpart on August 24 in Johannesburg.

The players are: Suhrawardy Shuvo (captaion), Shagir Hossain Pavel, Farhad Hossain, Shamsur Rahman Shuvo, Marshal Aiyub, Johirul Islam, Nasir Hossain, Mahbubul Alam Robin, Shafaq Al Jabir, Ziaur Rahman Tapu, Delwar Hossain, Nadif Chowdhury, Imrul Kayes, Raihan Uddin.

The officials are: Ruan Kalpege (Coach) and Khaled Mahmud (Manager).

Rifles retain Office League title

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Rifles retained their championship title of the Design Zone Second Office Handball League when they defeated runners-up Bangladesh Police by 34-27 goals in the final at the Handball Ground in Paltan Maidan on Wednesday.

The winners had a 21-14 goals lead in the first session.

Khairuzzaman of Bangladesh Rifles top-scored with eight goals and his teammate Kamrul netted seven.

On the other hand, Helal of Bangladesh Police scored six goals and his teammates Russel and Didar netted five each.

Didar of Bangladesh Police was adjudged the best player of the final match.

After the final match Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Exim Bank Limited Md Nurul Fazal Bulbul distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest. General Secretary of Bangladesh Handball Federation Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, Business Partner of Design Zone and Chairman of the League Committee Md Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, Secretary of the League Committee Md Salim Mia Babu were present at the time.

Before starting yesterday's final match, the players, the officials and the spectators observed one minute silence for the death of former president of Bangladesh Handball Federation Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) MA Hamid.

Second Test from today: Sri Lanka aims to seal India series early

AP, Galle

A confident Sri Lanka, which handed India one of its worst ever defeats last week, goes into the second test Thursday aiming to put an early seal on the three-match series.

Sri Lanka won the first test by an innings and 239 runs, inflicting India's worst innings defeat since their 1974 loss against England by an innings and and 285 runs.

"We are confident with the way we played and we want to go full strength and wrap up the series," Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene told reporters ahead of the match at Galle International Stadium.

"We asked them some questions and they didn't have the answers (in the first match) and we need to find out whether they will have the answers for this test match," Jayawardene said.

Sri Lanka's spin twins, veteran Muttiah Muralitharan and rookie Ajantha Mendis, shared 19 wickets between themselves to steer the hosts to the crushing first test win.

India captain Anil Kumble said losing the first test had not killed the confidence of his team.

"We will definitely approach this match in a positive way the series is still alive," Kumble said.

"Its a matter of regrouping and we have done that. We have spent quality time discussing issues and discussing how to cope and how we can come back.

"There is definitely a lot of experience and resilience in this team which we will fall back on and I am sure we will be able put up a better show."

Kumble's faith in the capacity of the side to strike back was reflected by the likely retention of the same XI that was so badly beaten in Colombo, while Sri Lanka was also expected to maintain its winning combination.

Squads:

Sri Lanka: (from):Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilina Thushara Mirando, Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera and Dammika Prasad.

India: (from): Anil Kumble (captain), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Munaf Patel and Pragyan Ojha.

Polevault queen Isinbayeva, Powell star in Monaco

AFP, Monaco

A world record jump from Russia pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva and a third straight 100m win from Asafa Powell were the highlights of Tuesday's Monaco Super Grand Prix meeting.

Isinbayeva set a new women's polevault world best of 5.04m, the Olympic and double world champion bettering her previous world record of 5.03m set in Rome on July 11.

Her 23rd world record was established on her third attempt to cement her standing as firm favourite for gold at the Beijing Olympic Games next month.

After seeing the bar tremble but unlike London last Friday remain in place Isinbayeva embarked on a lap of honour to celebrate this latest milestone of her outstanding career.

"Honestly I wasn't worried because I didn't feel that I'd touched the bar," she said.

Looking ahead to the Olympics she added: "To win there I think I'll have to beat the world record again."

Earlier Powell won his third 100 metres event inside a week, cruising to victory with a season-best time of 9.82sec suggesting he has Beijing gold bang in his sights next month. Powell shaved 0.06sec off his previous season-best of 9.88, set last Tuesday in Stockholm, where he saw off fellow Jamaican and world record holder Usain Bolt.

On Tuesday Powell saw off Davis Patton of the United States (9.98) and Nesta Carter of Jamaica (10.02), the fourth best time of the season all the more impressive given the windless conditions.

Bolt's 9.72 mark set on May 31 in New York in contrast was achieved with wind of 1.7 m/s.

"I am very happy," smiled Powell. "I feel great, very fresh. I've got a world record in my legs. I am very confident. My goal is to be consistent."

A tough headwind had compromised Powell's attempts to have a tilt at Bolt's mark although he still cruised to a weekend victory at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in 9.94sec.

But three quick-fire wins on the trot have laid to rest any doubts that Powell might not have bounced back sufficiently from a shoulder problem which dogged him for several weeks.

Cramping in his groin also forced him to scratch from the final of the 100 meters earlier this month at the Golden League meeting in Rome.

His showings over the past seven days suggest he is ready to see off allcomers at the Olympics and shrug off a disappointing third place at last year's worlds, won by US racer Tyson Gay, who missed an expected London duel as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered during the US Olympic trials.

Other Tuesday highlights saw Jamaica's Melaine Walker set a year mark in the women's 400 meters hurdles in clocking 53.48 sec.

Lashinda Demus of the United States had been half a second slower in timing 53.99 on May 8 in Fort-de-France on Martinique for the previous year best mark.

Walker, who shattered her own personal best of 54.14 in the process, will hope her performance augurs well for the Beijing Games, where Aussie two-time world champion Jana Rawlinson will not be competing owing to a toe injury.

Kenyan Daniel Kipchirchir Komen also set a year best mark in the 1500 meters, crossing the line in 3 min 31.49sec to take 0.08sec off compatriot Augustine Kiprono Choge's June 1 showing in Berlin.

The 23-year-old's win tempered the disappointment of missing out on an Olympic berth.

Home fans had little to cheer as France's former heptathlon and long jump world champion Eunice Barber saw her season hit a new low when she came in bottom of the heap in the long-jump in Monaco.

The 33-year-old Sierra Leone-born athlete - world champion in the heptathlon in 1999 and then long jump queen in 2003 - had already failed to qualify for her fifth Olympic Games last Saturday in failing by 18 centimeters to reach the qualifying mark for the long jump at the French national championships.

This time, she came in tenth and rank last with a jump of 6.27 meters as Portugal's Naide Gomes won with 7.12 meters for a year best mark, besting the 7.04 she shared with Russian Lyudmila Kolchanova. French sprinter and European 100m record holder Christine Arron meanwhile failed to recover from a dreadful start in clocking 11.24 sec for a disastrous seventh place in a race won in 10.94 by Jamaican Kerron Stewart, who saw off compatriot Sherone Simpson.