Dhaka, Jan 22 (UNB) – New football organization “Bangladesh Football Club Association (BFCA)” was formed Tuesday (Jan 22) in a meeting of the representatives of Dhaka Premier League, Championship League, Senior Division, clubs of 2nd and 3rd divisions at a city hotel on Tuesday aiming to the development of the country’s football.

The country’s renowned football organizer and also SAIF Sporting Club Chairman Tarafder Md Ruhul Amin elected the President while Arambagh KS President Mominul Haque Saeed as general secretary of the maiden committee in presence of 57 metropolis clubs, out of 67.

Renowned sports organizer and veteran politician Mozaffar Hossain Poltu, former BFF President SA Sultan, BFF Vice-president Badal Roy, BFF member Fazlur Rahman Babul, former national footballers Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu, Imtiaz Sultan Jony, Abdul Gaffar and Wahiduzzaman Pintu, among others, were present on the occasion.

Addressing the function, the newly elected BFCA President announced a sponsorship money of Tk 5 lakh each for all the Championship League clubs, Tk 3.5 lakh for Senior Division clubs, Tk 2.5 lakh for the 2nd Division League clubs and Tk 2 lakh for the 3rd Division clubs on behalf of his organization.

The meeting also decided to arrange a grand conference of football organisers with representatives of Bangladesh Football Club Association and Bangladesh District & Divisional Football Association in Cox’s bazar in mid-February.

Dhaka, Jan 22 (UNB) - Comilla Victorians earned their fifth win of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Tuesday beating Dhaka Dynamites by seven runs at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

In the first innings of the match, Victorians posted 153 for eight wickets. While chasing it, the Dynamites tumbled for 146 for nine wickets in 20 overs. Andre Russell struck 46 for them, but that was not enough to avoid the defeat. 

While replying, Dhaka lost the first wicket in the first over when Hazratullah Zazai pulls a short ball off Mohammad Saifuddin to Thisara Perera. The Sri Lankan recruit of the Victorians did not miss the chance. Zazai failed in four consecutive matches to touch a double-digit score in spite of hitting two wonderful fifties in the first two matches for the Dynamites. 

Dhaka lost their second wicket at 21 when Rony Talukder fails to clear Wahab Riaz, but managed an outside edge to poke to the keeper. Anamul, the wicketkeeper of the Victorians, took that easily. 

They lost four wickets in 50 runs. Along with Saifuddin, Wahab and Shahid Afridi played the big role to throw Dhaka into the deep hole. 

However, in the fifth wicket stand, Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan put 52 runs. But, Thisara Perera managed a big breakthrough for the Victorians scalping Russell for 46 off 24 balls. 

After six more runs from Russell’s dismissal, Shakib tumbled for 20 off 19 balls. The captain of Dynamites went to hit Afridi for a boundary, but failed to take advantage of that full-toss. He skied that ball to deep midwicket and Shamsur Rahman took an easy catch. 

Dhaka kept losing the wickets in regular intervals and eventually, they wrapped in for 146 and lost the match by seven runs. 

After scoring 26 off 12 deliveries, Thisara Perera took three wickets conceding 13 runs. And subsequently, he won the man of the match award. 

Earlier, the Victorians post a mediocre total of 153 for eight wickets in 20 overs. Shamsur Rahman was the best batsman for them as he struck 48 off 35 deliveries before being dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan. The Dynamites captain Shakib took three wickets and completed 100 BPL scalps as the first bowler.  

Victorians disappointed to ensure an ideal start as Anamul Haque fell for one while facing off a short ball off Andre Russell. He tried to pull it away but skied to square leg. Victorians’ initial blow continued as they lost captain Imrul Kayes in 27 runs.

Kayes hit a six at the start of his innings but failed to bring this golden start ahead. Rubel Hossain was the bowler to splatter his stumps. 

However, in the third wicket stand, Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman added 51 runs to guide Comilla to a challenging total. Tamim fell for 34 off 29 balls. We went for a slog sweep but the ball has gone straight to the mid-wicket fielder Rony Talukder. 

After hunting Tamim Iqbal, Shakib completed 100 BPL wickets as the first bowler taking Shahid Afridi and Shamsur Rahman.

Afridi posted 16 off 8 balls while Shamsur added 48 off 35 balls. They added 34 runs to help the Victorians to post a big total. 

After the dismissals of Afridi and Shamsur, Thisara Perera was the only batsman to display some big shots. Before being trapped in run-out by a superb effort of Nurul Hasan Shohan and Rubel Hossain, Perera posted 26 off 12 deliveries. 

Shakib Al Hasan was the best bowler for the Dynamites as he bagged three for 24. Rubel Hossain and Andre Russell took two wickets each. 

Comilla will play their next match against Rangpur Riders on 28 January at Chattogram, and on the same day Dhaka will take on Khulna Titans in the same venue. 
 

Islamic University, Jan 22 (UNB) – The inter-department and inter-hall badminton, basketball and table tennis competitions of Islamic University (IU) began on its campus in Kushtia on Tuesday amid festivity and much enthusiasm.

IU Vice-chancellor Professor M Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari inaugurated the competitions as the chief guest at the Gymnesium around 11:00 am.

IU Treasurer Professor M Selim Toha addressed the inaugural function as the special guest with its Pro-VC Professor M Shahinoor Rahman in the chair.

Physical Instructor Mabila Rahman conducted the function attended by three hundred teachers and students of different departments of the university.

While addressing the function, the speakers said that sports keep one’s mind fresh. The university authorities would provide all kinds of sports related equipment for the female students besides providing for male students.

A total of 33 departments and 8 residential halls took part in the competitions, IU Physical Education department director Dr Muhammad Sohel said.
 

Dhaka, Jan 22 (UNB) – Dhaka United earned an easy 4-2 victory over Combined Sporting Club in the Green Delta Insurance First Division Hockey League at the Maulna Bhashani National Stadium here on Tuesday.

Arafat Hossain Pial, Sajib Hossain Sifat, Moniruzzaman Rocky, Syed Al Mamun scored one each for United.

In the day’s other match, Dhaka Railways beat Shantinagar Club by 4-2 at the same venue. 

Ashiqur Rahman struck two, Arpon Das and Azimuddin Choton contributed one each for the Railways while Arif and Sourav scored one each for the losers.

Dhaka, Jan 22 (UNB) – The Walton 42nd National Athletics Championship, organised by Bangladesh Athletics Federation, begins on Thursday (Jan 24) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Newly-appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports M Zahid Ahsan Russel will inaugurate the three-day meet in the afternoon. Youth and Sports Secretary of ruling Awami League and veteran sports organiser M Harun-ur-Rashid will also be present at the event as special guest.

Some 500 athletes from 64 districts, eight divisions, universities, education boards, physical education colleges, BJMC, BKSP and other affiliated organisations will compete in 36 events of the meet – 22 for men and 14 for women.

President of Bangladesh Athletics Federation ASM Ali Kabir disclosed the details of the meet at a press conference at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday. BAF Vice-President M Shah Alam and General Secretary Advocate Abdur Rakib Montu and FM Iqbal Bin Anwar of Walton Group were also present, among others.  

In the ensuing meet, the organiser will use electronics photo finish machine to decide the result.

Besides, Bangladesh Athletics Federation and the meet’s sponsor Walton Group will award the record-holder and gold medalist athletes of the meet.