The New Nation - Internet Edition

China confident of safe Olympics

BBC Online

Days before the Olympic Games open in Beijing, the Chinese authorities have said they are confident that athletes and spectators will be safe.

This assurance comes after an attack - blamed on separatist Muslim militants - that killed 16 policemen in the western region of Xinjiang.

A spokesman for the organisers said preparations had been made to meet all conceivable threats at Olympic venues.

Meanwhile China has apologised for the beating of two Japanese journalists.

The journalists, a reporter and a photographer, were detained near the site of Monday's attack in Kashgar.

Police held them for two hours and punched them, they said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gan told a senior diplomat at the Japanese embassy in Beijing that China regretted the incident, Kyodo News agency reported.

Officials and police in Kashgar also apologised for the incident, but accused the two men of breaking rules, Xinhua news agency said.

'Prepared to respond'

China is working to play down any threat to the Games in the wake of Monday's attack.

"China has focused on strengthening security and protection around Olympic venues and at the Olympics Village, so Beijing is already prepared to respond to any threat," Beijing Games spokesman Sun Weide was quoted as saying.

The International Olympic Committee said it also believed the Chinese authorities had done everything possible "to ensure the security and safety of everyone at the Games".

About 100,000 police and soldiers are on standby ahead of Friday's opening ceremony, and the already tight security has been stepped up in Tiananmen Square.

Security has also been beefed up in Xinjiang, Xinhua news agency said. Police intensified road checks and increased personnel at government offices, schools and hospitals in Kashgar, the agency said.

Kashgar, known as Kashi in Chinese, is some 4,000km (2,500 miles) from Beijing, near the border with Tajikistan.

Early on Monday, two men drove a rubbish truck into a group of policemen, then attacked them with grenades and knives.

The men - a taxi driver and a vegetable seller from the local area, according to Chinese media - were later arrested.

Although the episode happened a long way away from Beijing, the very fact that it happened four days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is making organisers nervous, says the BBC's James Reynolds in Xinjiang.

But, says our reporter, at the scene itself there is almost no trace of the incident, apart from three uprooted trees.

Uighur suppression

Xinjiang, in the north-west of the country, is home to the Muslim Uighur people. Uighur separatists have waged a low-level campaign against Chinese rule for decades.

Human rights groups say Beijing is suppressing the rights of Uighurs.

Last week, a senior Chinese army officer warned that Islamic separatists were the biggest danger to the Olympics.

Col Tian Yixiang of the Olympics security command centre told reporters the main threat came from the "East Turkestan terrorist organisation".

The term is used by the government to refer to Islamist separatists in Xinjiang.

Late last month a group called the Turkestan Islamic Party said it had blown up buses in Shanghai and Yunnan, killing five people.

But China denied that the explosions were acts of terrorism.

The Washington-based IntelCenter, which monitors terrorism communications, said the Turkestan Islamic Party had released a video entitled Our Blessed Jihad in Yunnan.

Under-achievers India eye 'best ever’ Games

AFP, Beijing

India hope to make up for the absence of their trademark field hockey team at Beijing by providing their "best ever" finish at the Olympics.

The hockey stars, India's flag-bearers at past Olympics despite winning the last of their eight gold medals way back in 1980, have fallen on such hard days that they failed to qualify for the first time.

But officials are confident hockey's absence in Beijing will be made up by a promising display from other competitors like shooters, archers, boxers and tennis players.

"This is our chance to prove there is more to Indian sport than just hockey or cricket," the country's senior Olympic official Randhir Singh told AFP.

"We are confident this could be our best ever Olympics."

It will not take much to achieve that. India's best Olympic performance was in Helsinki in 1952 when wrestler Khasaba Jadhav added a bronze to the hockey team's then customary gold medal.

India, a growing economy with ambitions to host the Olympics, has just four individual medals to show for its efforts at the four-yearly Games.

The last three Games produced a medal each with tennis star Leander Paes winning a bronze at Atlanta, women's weightlifter Karnam Malleswari a bronze in Sydney and shooter Rajyavardhan Rathore a silver at Athens.

The shooters remain the best bet in the 57-strong contingent with army officer Rathore, the flag-bearer at Friday's opening ceremony, hoping to relive his Athens moment of glory in the double trap.

Rifle shooters Gagan Narang and Abhinav Bindra, both among the top 10 in the world, pistol ace Samaresh Jung and trap shooter Manavjit Sandhu are also strong contenders for medals.

"We have worked very hard for these Games and I am sure our efforts will bear fruit," said Sandhu. "If we fail, it will not be for lack of effort."

The seventh-ranked Narang, 25, returns to China where he won the air rifle gold medal at the World Cup in 2006 and followed that with a bronze at a similar event in April this year. In tennis, Paes rubbished suggestions that his on-off partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi had hurt the three-time Grand Slam winners' chances of winning a doubles medal.

"Never write us off," warned Paes, 35, with whom Bhupathi won the Asian Games title in Doha in 2006 after losing the Olympic bronze medal play-off in Athens.

Paes and Bhupathi, who parted ways in 2000, differ on most matters and reunite only to represent India at the Davis Cup, Olympics or Asian Games.

Tennis queen Sania Mirza, making a comeback after a wrist surgery, faces a tough field at Beijing, but India is counting on the archers and boxers to spring surprises.

Archer Mangal Singh, picked up from a remote village by steel baron Lakshmi Mittal's sports foundation in 2006, helped India win the men's recurve team event in the World Cup in Turkey in May.

Boxing officials have pinned their hopes on Commonwealth Games 54kg champion Akhil Kumar and Vijender Singh, who recently beat Olympic champion Bakhtiyar Artayev of Uzbekistan in the 75kg category.

Final round of Federation Cup Football kicks off today

UNB, Dhaka

The final round of the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament kicks-off today (Wednesday) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with professional league (B League) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited playing Jatrabari KC in the opening match at 5 pm.

In the other opening day's fixture, two arch rivals of Chittagong football -- Chittagong Mohammedan SC and Chittagong Abahani Limited -- will lock horns with each other at 7 pm at the same venue.

Bangladesh Football Federation president and legendary footballer Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin will inaugurate the 16-team meet, the curtain raiser soccer meet of the season, at a simple ceremony.

Chief Executive Officer of meet sponsor Citycell Michael Seymour will be present as special guest.

State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) will telecast the opening match live from the country's premier sports venue --Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Two matches will be held every day from group stage (Aug 6-20) to quarterfinals (Aug 22 and 23) at 5pm and 7pm.

BFF announced the rates of ticket for the tournament with VIP (Gate no 3) ticket costing Tk 50 and gallery ticket Tk 20. Tickets will be available at the stadium ticket counters on the match day.

Four top teams of the maiden Professional League (B League) -holders Dhaka Abahani Limited, runners-up Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Sheikh Russell KC - have been considered as the top seeded teams to lead four groups.

Group A - Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Farashganj SC, Khulna Abahani KC and Dhaka Wanderers Club;

Group B - Dhaka Abahani Limited, Chittagong Mohammedan SC, Chittagong Abahani Limited and Jatrabari KC;

Group C - Sheikh Russell KC, Brothers Union Club, Victoria SC and BKSP;

Group D - Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Arambagh KS, Rahmatganj MFS and Sunrise SC.

On completion of the group matches on August 20, champions and runners-up of the four groups will play in the quarterfinals on August 22 and 23.

The two semifinals will be held on Aug 25 and 26 while the final match is billed for Aug 28, all at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Argentina, Brazil to rise above Messi action

AFP, Beijing

The Olympic men's football competition, which kicks off Thursday under a pall of legal action, shapes as a South American extravaganza featuring Argentina and Brazil-but not in the final.

As football celebrates 100 years as an Olympic sport, the South American powerhouses are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, if both win their group and quarter- final matches, leaving the other finals berths wide open.

The Netherlands have the strongest European claim ahead of Italy, and the United States also command respect in the 16-nation tournament, but none holds the same aura as defending champions Argentina and their neighbours Brazil.

Less than 48-hours before their opening matches, however, the South Americans were still in the dark about their line-ups

European clubs Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke are fighting to keep their young stars-Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Diego and Rafinha-out of the Games which clash with their own season.

But, even if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decides in favour of the clubs in a decision due on Wednesday, the South Americans have an ability to draw on a seemingly endless assembly line of young talent.

While the under-23 age restriction at the Olympics may have weakened many countries, the strength of the Argentinian and Brazilian sides lies with their youthful prodigies.

Even if Messi is ruled out, Argentina's squad includes Boca star Juan Roman Riquelme, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.

Confirmed for Brazil are Manchester United's Anderson, Alexandre Pato of AC Milan, Real Madrid back Marcelo and among the three permitted senior players is Ronaldinho.

Other stars on show are Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid) and Roy Makaay (Feyenoord) in the Netherlands squad.

Former Fulham player Brian McBride, 36 comes out of retirement to lead the USA which also includes Jozy Altidor (Villarreal) and teenager Freddy Adu (Benfica).

Italy, who won the gold in Berlin a distant 72 years ago, have Tommaso Rocchi and Lorenzo De Silvestri from Lazio as well as Ignazio Abate from AC Milan.

Argentina, who beat Paraguay 1-0 in the Athens final four years ago, face potential surprise package Ivory Coast first up in a pool which also includes Serbia, who have performed well at Under-21 level, and Australia.

Bangladesh Olympic Contingent leaves the city for Beijing today

Sports Reporter

The 12-member Bangladesh Olympic contingent will leave the city today for Beijing, the capital city of China to take part in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Earlier, Chef de Mission Major General Shakil Ahmed reached Beijing.

The players are: Rubel Rana (Swimming), Doly Akhter (Swimming), Abu Abdullah (Athletics), Nazmun Nahar Beauty (Athletics), Imran Hossain (Shooting).

The Officials are: Sadaruddin Ahmed (Team Manager), Nazrul Islam Rumi (Coach-Manager) (Athletics), Md Shoaibuzzaman (Coach-Manager) (Shooting), ASM Israfil (Coach-Manager) (Swimming).

Besides, Abu Hena Kawsar and Sharmin Manjoor will accompany the contingent as they will take part in the Youth Camp scheduled to be held in Beijing.

Selected 15 women

Kabaddi players

for training camp

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation has selected 15 women Kabaddi players to form Bangladesh National Women Kabaddi team, which will take part in the Third Asian Women Kabaddi Championship scheduled to be held in Tamilnadu of India from September 19 to September 21.

The players have been selected from the recently concluded National Women Kabaddi Competition. The selected players will take part in training camp, which begins from August 9 at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex.

The players, who have been selected, are: Shahnaj Parvin Maleka, Kamrun Nahar Shila, Yasmin Ara, Laboni Chakma, Moina Akhtar, Farzana Akhtar (Bangladesh Ansar), Hasna Mariam Barna, Fatema Akhtar Shila, Mariam Khatun, Mariam Khatun Moina (Rajshahi District), Farzana Akhtar Baby (Gaibandha District), Kazi Shaheen Ara, Iti Islam (Faridpur District), Juni Chakma (Rangmati District).

The selected players have been requested to report on August 8 at 5.00 PM at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex to take part in the residential coaching camp.

Pioneer Football: Mugdapara, Rampura record wins

Sports Reporter

Mugdapara Samaj Kalyan, Krira Sangsad and Rampura KC won their respective matches of the Dhaka City Corporation Pioneer Football League on Tuesday.

In the day's first match, Mugdapara beat Mansoor Sporting Club by a solitary goal at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium.

Pappa of Mugdapara scored the all-important goal in the 30th minute of the play.

In the day's second match, Rampura KC edged past Moghbazar KC 1-0 at the same venue.After a barren first half Al Amin struck the match-decider in the 61st minute of the game.

Today Nababpur KC will face BKSP at the same venue.

Bangladesh A returns home

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh A team returned home Tuesday after completing their over a month-long tour in England and Ireland.

During the England tour, Bangladesh A played five three-day and three one-day matches against their English counterparts.

The first three three-day matches against England Under-19's, Warwickshire and Leicestershire ended in draws. Then Bangladesh A secured an exciting one-wicket victory over Derbyshire in the 4th three-day match, while the 5th three-day match against South Africa also ended in draw.

In the one dayers, Bangladesh A conceded a six-wicket defeat to Lancashire in the first match, secured a 80-run victory over Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in the 2nd one-day match, while they ended the tour with a 117-run defeat to Durham in the 3rd limited over encounter.

Before that the second string Bangladesh side toured Ireland where they played two four-day matches, one one-day and one twenty20 match.

Bangladesh lost both the one-day and Twenty20 fixture against Ireland by 82 runs and 5 wickets respectively. One four-dayer against Ireland A was drawn while the other was washed out.

Raqibul emerge champion in Boys' singles

UNB, Dhaka

Raqibul Alam Charu of Bogra Station Club emerged champion in the Boys' singles (Under-12) of the Dhaka Open Tennis Competition crushing Suraka Suchana of ZITC by 8-0 game in the final at the National Tennis Complex here Tuesday.

In the men's doubles, Niranjan Ram and Mahmudul Huq pair moved to the semifinals thrashing Sohan and Tanvir pair by 6-1, 6-0 sets, Amal Roy and Ranjan Ram pair advanced to the semis beating Milon Hossain and Mofazzal Hossain pair 6-4, 6-3.

Delwar Hossain and Anwar Hossain pair also ensured a semifinal berth defeating Laxman Lal and Mizanur Rahman pair 7-5, 6-1.

India coach Kirsten to fly home to ailing mother

AFP, New Delhi

India coach Gary Kirsten will leave the team's Sri Lanka tour and fly home to his native South Africa Tuesday to visit his critically ill mother, the cricket board said here.

"Kirsten has been granted leave to go to South Africa to be with his mother as she is critically ill," board secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

"Kirsten will not be available for the third Test as he will be leaving from Colombo for South Africa tonight (Tuesday). There will not be any replacement in his absence," he said.