Sports
Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games begins Monday
The first phase of the Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games 2023, organised by the Bangladesh Olympics Association (BOA), will begin Monday at the upazila level.
After the completion of the first phase on January 10, the inter-district second phase of the competition will be held during January 16-22.
The final phase of the competition will be held in Dhaka from February 26 to March 4.
The boys and girls aged under 17, born after January 2, 2006, can participate in the competition by showing their birth certificates.
Read: Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games begins on January 2
With the new inclusion of cycling, gymnastics and rugby, the Bangladesh Youth Games will feature 24 disciplines of sports.
Around 50,000 athletes took part in the first Youth Games in 21 disciplines of sports.
An athlete can compete in a maximum of eight events – six in individual and two in team events – in the first phase of the Games.
On December 23, BOA President and Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed unveiled the Games' logo and mascot at a function in Dhaka.
BPL 2023: Salahuddin laments lack of DRS
The new season of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 (BPL) is just around the corner, and only five days before the first match, the authority confirmed that there would be no Decision Review System (DRS) for any matches prior to the play-offs.
This announcement came as a surprise to many, including Mohammad Salahuddin, coach of the Comilla Victorians, who expressed his dismay at the lack of DRS from the start of the tournament.
A total of seven teams are set to compete in this season. The new edition will take place in three different venues across Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet.
Read: Bangladesh Cricket in 2022: A peak to begin with, then mostly downhill
“Such a big cricket event, it would be a great pity if it does not have DRS,” Salahuddin said on Sunday during a practice session of his team.
“One wrong decision could turn out to be fatal for a team’s chances of winning the tournament. The board has earned considerable money, so I think they should invest in DRS. Moreover, they had plenty of time before the BPL commences,” he added.
It’s going to be the ninth edition of BPL.
Read: Russell Domingo Steps Down as Bangladesh Head Coach
The Victorians are the most successful team in BPL history, with three titles. Imrul Kayes, the left-handed opener, led the Victorians to the titles on two occasions.
Salahuddin announced that they have yet to decide who will captain the team for the upcoming BPL season, but hinted that they will likely continue to depend on Imrul's leadership.
Read More: BPL 2023: All Teams Squad, Captain, Players List details
National Handball: Dhaka, Chattogram, Bandarban, Kushtia top groups
Dhaka, Chattogram, Bandarban, and Kushtia DSAs topped their groups to reach the second round of the Exim Bank 33rd National Men's Handball Championship 2022 after their wins at the Shaheed Captain Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital Sunday.
Dhaka came top of Group A, defeating Dinajpur by 46-18 goals after leading the first half 21-10.
Chattogram topped Group B, beating Lalmonirhat 20-12 after dominating the first half 11-6.
Read: Sheikh Kamal 2nd Bangladesh Youth Games begins on January 2
Bandarban defeated Narail 31-15 in their day's first match and later outplayed Joypurhat 26-4 in the day's second match to come top of Group C.
Kushtia topped Group by defeating Cumilla 40-14 in the first match and beating Jamalpur 33-29 in the second match.
In the day's other matches, Jamalpur outplayed Thakurgaon 28-12, Patuakhali defeated Khulna 25-11, and Cumilla beat Thakurgaon 23-11 at the same venue.
U-19 T20 World Cup: Young Tigresses to leave Dhaka for South Africa tonight
The Bangladesh U-19 women's cricket team, led by Disha Biswas, will head to South Africa on Sunday night to participate in the first ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup.
While speaking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital's Mirpur Saturday, Disha, from all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's hometown Magura, hoped that they would achieve something remarkable at the competition.
"Even though we might not win the title, we have an outstanding team, and I am confident that we will be able to achieve great success," she said.
Disha believes the Bangladesh U-19 women's team is a force to be reckoned with, boasting an impressive balance across all departments of the game.
Read: Russell Domingo Steps Down as Bangladesh Head Coach
Not only is the team well-stocked in batting, but they have also nurtured several immensely talented cricketers who are poised to make their mark soon, the U-19 women's cricket team captain said.
The inaugural edition of the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023 will kick off in South Africa on January 14. Sixteen teams will lock horns against each other in the tournament – 12 secured direct qualifications while the other four earned their places after winning their respective qualifier tournaments.
In their first match, Bangladesh will take on Australia on January 14.
Bangladesh squad
Disha Biswas (c), Shorna Akter (vc), Rabeya, Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter, Misty Rany Saha, Reya Akter Shika, Sumaiya Akter, Afia Humaira Anam Prottasha, Mst Unnoti Akter, Mst Dipa Khatun, Leky Chakma, Asrafi Yeasmin Arthy, Jannatul Maoua, and Eva.
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez joining Brazil's Gremio
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is joining Gremio, the Brazilian club said Saturday.
The 35-year-old Suárez was a free agent after he left his boyhood club Nacional before the World Cup in Qatar. Brazilian media reports said Suárez signed a two-year deal with Gremio.
“One of the biggest in Uruguay's history, Luis Suarez is coming to continue his victorious trajectory,” Gremio said on social media. “A top goal scorer, a multiple champion, and a fighter. Welcome, Luisito.”
Read more: Ronaldo Saudi move to signal likely end of elite club career
Suárez, who played for Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, confirmed the deal.
“I wanted to thank you for all the love I have received,” Suárez said in a video posted on social media. “We will meet shortly.”
Gremio returned to Brazil’s Serie A after one year in the second division.
Ronaldo Saudi move to signal likely end of elite club career
Less than two weeks after his great rival Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and likely signalled the end of his career in elite club soccer.
In agreeing a contract until 2025, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has ended speculation about his future after having his contract terminated by Manchester United last month.
“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football and feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia,” Ronaldo said.
Al Nassr described the deal as “history in the making,” however, it is likely to raise questions about Ronaldo’s ambition at this stage of his career.
While Messi finally won the one major trophy that had evaded the two men widely regarded as the greatest players of their generation, after leading Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo will be playing outside of top level European soccer for the first time in his career.
Media reports have claimed the 37-year-old Portugal international could earn up to $200 million a year from the move, but he will miss out on the chance to extend his record as the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with his record currently standing at 140 goals.
Messi is on 129 goals in the competition.
Ronaldo is also unlikely to add to his Ballon d’Or collection - the trophy awarded to the best player in the world.
Meanwhile, Messi will be among the favourites to win that trophy for an eighth time next year after his World Cup triumph.
He also has the chance to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, having lifted European club soccer’s biggest prize on four occasions with Barcelona.
Ronaldo won the Champions League five times during spells with United and Real Madrid.
Six months ago Ronaldo wanted to join a team playing in the Champions League after United failed to qualify for this season’s competition.
Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo bids adieu to the World Cup
However, a move never materialized, with the most serious interest in him coming from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club.
It is not known what other serious offers were made after he became a free agent last month, but the move to Al Nassr represents a significant step down compared to the level he has operated at throughout his career.
Still it is a major coup for soccer in the Middle East and will add to the debate over Saudi Arabia’s attempts to use so-called “sportswashing” to improve its reputation internationally after its sovereign wealth fund led a buyout of Premier League club Newcastle United last year.
“This is more than history in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves,” Al Nassr posted on social media.
Ronaldo remains one of soccer’s biggest global icons, but the move comes at a time when he has faced questions over his ability to still produce his best form at the highest level.
He managed just three goals for United in 16 games this season, with one of those coming from the penalty spot.
He became the first male player to score in five World Cups with his penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana in Qatar, but ended the tournament having been dropped for his country’s last two games before going out to Morocco in the quarterfinals.
By comparison Messi inspired Argentina’s third World Cup triumph, scoring seven goals, including two in the 4-2 penalty shootout win against France in the final after a 3-3 draw through extra time.
Ronaldo and Messi have had their achievements compared throughout their careers.
Messi’s World Cup win saw him emulate soccer greats Pele and Diego Maradona by lifting the sport’s biggest prize.
Read more: Ronaldo's career at Manchester United may be over
To many, it will also have given him the edge in his personal rivalry with Ronaldo. And at the age of 35, he still has time to further embellish his career in top level soccer.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has earned headlines in recent months for his antics away from the field.
He was dropped and made to train away from United’s first team when refusing to come on as a substitute in a game against Tottenham in October.
He then conducted an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticized manager Erik ten Hag and United’s owners the Glazer family.
It led to the termination of his contract, his eventual move to Al Nassr and the next chapter of his career away from the glare of top flight European soccer.
Brazil mourns Pelé, who made every part of the country proud
With Pelé’s death, Brazilians have lost a piece of their hearts.
On Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema beach, the news broke when Paulo Vinicius was playing soccer with his 9-year-old nephew.
“Pelé represents the best of Brazil: its people, its working class,” said Vinicius, 38, a physical-education instructor. “Pelé gives a sense of identity to the Brazilian people.”
In the coastal city of Santos, where Pelé made his name, Nicolas Oliveira, 18, was outside the stadium along with roughly 200 others. Oliveira said even replays of Pelé’s sensational playing make him swell with emotion.
Read: Pele: The Greatest Football Legend of All Time
“Pelé is a Black man from the interior of Minas Gerais state,” Oliveira said. “I’m here because of what he did, for the soccer he played, for the soccer he improved and for the future players he helped mold and inspire.”
Everton Luz, a 41-year-old lawyer, was crying outside the hospital with a Santos club flag wrapped around him. He had come directly from work to pay tribute to the player whose performances had electrified his own dad, and prompted decades of stories.
Luz recounts those stories to his own two children, and shows them videos of the idol. He recalled seeing Pelé in person once, watching a game at a stadium.
“We managed to get close to his box, and he waved goodbye,” Luz said. “He was an example of the Brazilian, of what we could become.”
Bangladesh Cricket in 2022: A peak to begin with, then mostly downhill
With no more play left in what remains of the year, it’s time to reflect on the past 12 months of Bangladesh cricket. To sum it up, 2022 was an exciting but challenging year with its share of highs and lows.
In 2022, Bangladesh had a mixed performance in international cricket. They played 10 Test matches and won only one. However, they fared much better in ODIs and won 10 out of the 15 matches they competed in, including a first series win against South Africa in South Africa. Unfortunately, the team continues to struggle in the shortest format, and won only six out of the 21 T20I matches they played this year.
The highest achievement of the Bangladesh cricket team in 2022 was their resounding Test victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui right at the start of the year. Sadly the team did nothing the rest of the year to dispel the doubters who viewed it as a fluke.
Bangladesh's lowest performance came at the Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE when they didn't live up to expectations, as they failed to win any matches.
Ebadot Hossain stands tall
At Mount Maunganui, Ebadot Hossain heroically took six wickets in the second innings of New Zealand, paving the way for Bangladesh's most remarkable victory in Test cricket. Young batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the then captain Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das all hit a fifty each in that match and helped the Tigers to register the memorable victory.
Read: Russell Domingo Steps Down as Bangladesh Head Coach
Failure in the Asia Cup
In the opening round of Asia Cup 2022, Bangladesh faced Afghanistan and Sri Lanka but unfortunately lost both matches, resulting in their elimination from the tournament. The Asia Cup has long been the stage for the Asian giants, but with Bangladesh failing to make it far in this year's T20 format tournament, it is evident that they still have much to learn when it comes to the game's shortest format.
Shakib back as Test captain
Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant hospitalised after car crash
Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant was hospitalized on Friday with non life-threatening injuries sustained in a car crash in northern India.
Pant, 25, was driving the car that overturned and caught fire after hitting a road divider near Roorkee, his hometown in Uttarakhand state, Ravi Bijaria, a state government spokesman said.
Read more: Indian police say 4 suspected rebels killed in Kashmir
He was alone in the car at the time of the accident, Bijaria said — “he suffered injuries on his forehead and leg."
State police officer Ashok Kumar said Pant lost control of the car and that Pant was pulled out of the vehicle by local villagers.
Pant’s hometown is nearly 190 kilometers (120 miles) north of New Delhi.
Pant has scored 2,271 runs in 33 tests. He has also represented the country in 30 one-day internationals and 66 Twenty20 matches.
Read more: Dhaka Test: Iyer, Ashwin guide India's win from a lost position
Pant was part of the Indian team that defeated Bangladesh in a test series earlier this month.
He made his T-20 debut as a wicketkeeper-batsman in 2017 and played his first test and one-day international for India in 2018.
'Greatest of all time': Pelé as described by his peers
Pele has been praised over the decades by everyone from world leaders to artists. Here are superlatives from over the years about Pele, who died Thursday in Brazil at age 82:
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“To watch him play was to watch the delight of a child combined with the extraordinary grace of a man in full.” — Nelson Mandela.
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“I told myself before the game, he’s made of skin and bones just like everyone else — but I was wrong.” — Italy's Tarcisio Burgnich, after playing against Pele in the 1970 World Cup Final.
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“Pelé was one of the few who contradicted my theory: Instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.” — Andy Warhol.
Read more: Pelé remembered for transcending football around world
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“I sometimes feel as though football was invented for this magical player.” — Sir Bobby Charlton, retired England great who won 1966 World Cup and Ballon d’Or in same year.
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“Pelé was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic.” — Johan Cruyff, the late Dutch star and standout manager who won the Ballon d’Or three times.
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“He is the most complete player I ever saw.” — Retired German great Franz Beckenbauer.
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“If you take the qualities of Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi, put them together, then you’d have a player to compare to Pelé!” — Retired Brazil forward Tostao.
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“The best player ever? Pelé. (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pelé was better.” — Alfredo Di Stefano, the late Argentine star for Real Madrid.
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“His great secret was improvisation. Those things he did were in one moment. He had an extraordinary perception of the game.” — Brazil defender Carlos Alberto Torres.
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“This debate about the player of the century is absurd. There’s only one possible answer: Pelé. He’s the greatest player of all time, and by some distance, I might add.” — Retired Brazil star Zico.
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“The greatest player in history was Di Stefano. I refuse to classify Pelé as a player. He was above that.” — Hungary star Ferenc Puskas.
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“We went up together to head a ball. I was taller, had a better impulse. When I came back down, I looked up in astonishment. Pelé was still there, in the air, heading that ball. It was like he could stay suspended for as long as he wanted to.” — Italy defender Giacinto Facchetti.
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“When I saw Pelé play, it made me feel I should hang up my boots.” — Just Fontaine, the Morocco-born French star who scored 13 goals in six games in the 1958 World Cup.
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“The moment the ball arrived at Pelé’s feet, football transformed into poetry.” — Italian poet Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Read more: Pelé set the standard for greatness in the land of his sport
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“The difficulty, the extraordinary, is not to score 1,000 goals like Pelé — it’s to score one goal like Pelé.” — Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Brazilian poet.
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“Pelé was the most complete player I’ve ever seen. Two good feet. Magic in the air. Quick. Powerful. Could beat people with skill. Could outrun people. Only 5-feet-8 inches tall, yet he seemed a giant of an athlete on the pitch. Perfect balance and impossible vision.” — Bobby Moore, captain of the 1966 World Cup champion team from England.
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“I arrived hoping to stop a great man, but I went away convinced I had been undone by someone who was not born on the same planet as the rest of us.” — Benfica goalkeeper Costa Pereira after 5-2 loss to Santos.
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“There’s Pelé the man, and then Pelé the player. And to play like Pelé is to play like God.” — Retired France star and three-time Ballon d’Or winner Michel Platini.
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“Pelé is the greatest player in football history, and there will only be one Pelé in the world.” — Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal star forward.