United News of Bangladesh

Prominent businessman Tajwar Mohammad Awal has been elected as the new president of Arambagh Krira Sangha, one of the oldest sports organizations in Bangladesh. Tajwar is the son of Abdul Awal Mintoo, a vice chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and he is the younger brother of the former vice president of the Bangladesh Football Federation, Tabith Awal. Tajwar was unanimously elected during a special general meeting on Saturday night. The meeting also announced a 10-member partial executive committee for the 2024-25 term, with Md. Yakub Ali as the General Secretary. The full committee will be announced later. The event was attended by notable figures including Abdus Salam, a freedom fighter and central leader of BNP, who was as the chief guest.  

Rani Hamid, a name synonymous with women’s chess in Bangladesh, has a long career marked with triumphs and accolades. Her journey in chess has inspired generations and made her a national icon. With multiple national and international championships, she has proven that societal limitations cannot hold back true talent. This article sheds light on the life, career, and legacy of Rani Hamid, one of the most prominent female chess players in the history of Bangladesh. Early Life and Introduction to Chess Born as Saiyeda Jasimunnesa Khatun on July 14, 1944, in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Rani Hamid's early life was influenced by her father's passion for sports, especially chess. Her father, Saiyed Momtaz Ali, a police officer, often played chess with friends, sparking her interest in the game.  Although her family moved frequently due to her father’s job, her passion for chess remained constant. Rani completed her primary education at Nandankanan Girls’ High School in Chattogram. Despite the restrictions of the time, which limited girls' participation in sports and education, Rani managed to balance both. After completing her education at Eden College, Dhaka, she found an encouraging partner, her husband, Lieutenant Colonel MA Hamid, an athlete and sports organizer. Read More: Top Bangladeshi Golf Players of All Time International Acclaim and Recognition Rani Hamid did not stop at national glory; she also made her mark on the international stage. In 1981, she participated in the first Asian Women’s Chess Championship in Hyderabad, India, where she gained international recognition. She became the first Bangladeshi woman to win the title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 1985. Rani’s success in the international circuit continued when she participated in the British Women’s Chess Championship, winning the title three times (in 1983, 1985, and 1989). Her dominance in this tournament was such that foreign players were eventually barred from competing in the British National Championship. Triumphs and Honors Rani Hamid’s chess career is studded with prestigious titles and awards. Hamid won the national title for six consecutive years from 1979 to 1984, totaling 19 times throughout her career.  She won the Commonwealth Chess Gold Medal in 2017, and the Zonal Championship in 2018. Her contributions to chess were recognized in 1985 when she received the Bangladesh National Sports Award, one of the country’s highest honors in sports. Recognizing her contribution as a renowned Bangladeshi chess player, the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2016. In 2018, she was awarded the Journalists' Choice Award during the Chess World Cup in Russia. This accolade was a testament to her enduring prowess and contribution to the sport.  She continues to dominate the women’s chess scene in Bangladesh and has become a symbol of excellence and perseverance.  Read The most famous Bangladeshi female athletes of all time Victory at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest In an inspiring display of resilience and chess mastery, 80-year-old Rani Hamid led the Bangladeshi women’s team to a resounding victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary in 2024. Competing against Barbados, Rani triumphed over her opponent, Springer Leshay, contributing to her team's overwhelming 3.5-0.5 win. Her victory came as part of a stellar team performance, with Women FIDE Masters Noshin Anjum and Wadifa Ahmed also securing wins against their Barbadian counterparts, Wilson Hannah and Reifer-Belle Chanon. Woman Candidate Master Nusrat Jahan Alo drew her match against WCM Blackman Katrina, completing the team’s dominant performance. This victory not only highlighted Rani Hamid’s enduring excellence in chess but also served as a testament to her leadership and ability to inspire younger players. Leading a new generation of Bangladeshi chess talent, she remains a formidable force on the international stage, defying age and expectations with each passing tournament. Read more: Top Bangladeshi Chess Players of All Time Conclusion Rani Hamid’s journey from a curious child watching her father play chess to becoming a national icon is a testament to her talent, determination, and resilience. She not only broke barriers for women in chess; but also brought international recognition to Bangladesh through her achievements.

The Nagoya Women's Marathon, a globally recognized celebration of women's running, has opened its doors to international participants for the 2025 race. Participants from Bangladesh will also be able to join it.  Runners who live outside Japan can submit their names from September 5th to 25th, requesting for sport in the race taking place on March 9th next year.  The Guinness World Records recognize this marathon as the world’s largest women’s marathon. The next edition of this event is expected to be joined by 20,000 runners on the field, with 3,500 international runners.  Every runner who completes the marathon will receive a crystal tumbler from Baccarat, the esteemed French luxury brand marking its 260th anniversary. The tumbler’s design, which will be revealed at the Marathon Expo, adds a touch of anticipation to the event’s pre-race excitement. The event will also have a virtual version for the runners who want to participate from their own comfort zones. This virtual race, held from February 9th to March 31st, offers a sustainable and inclusive option for those unable to travel to Nagoya or wishing to minimize their carbon footprint. Virtual participants completing the full marathon distance will receive the same commemorative tumbler as in-person finishers. With limited spots available and entries expected to be highly competitive, interested runners are encouraged to apply early. The Nagoya Women's Marathon 2025 promises an unforgettable experience for all participants, uniting women runners from across the globe in a celebration of athleticism and camaraderie.

Jyotirmoy Mondal of Dainik Jugantor emerged champions in the call bridge competition of the Walton-BSJA Sports Carnival for the 2nd consecutive time on Wednesday. Toriqul Islam Sajal of Kaler Kontha finished runner- up while Rakibul Islam of Independent Television became 3rd in the event held on the 2nd day of the week-long meet, organized by Bangladesh Sports  Journalists Association (BSJA). The swimming competition of the carnival will be held on Thursday (Sept 19) at the Ivy Rahman Swimming pool at the Bangabandhu National Stadium premises from 12 noon. Earlier on the first day (Tuesday), Fazle Rabbi Moon of Dhaka Tribune earned double crown in the table tennis competition winning both the singles and doubles titles at the same venue. Seven disciplines of sports---badminton, chess, shooting, swimming,  call bridge, carom (singles and doubles) and table tennis (singles and doubles) were included in the week long sports festival only for the BSJA members. Shooting will be held at the Hockey Stadium, Badminton at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, Swimming at the ivy Rahman Swimming Pool while remaining two sports --- carom and chess  --will be held at the BSJA office at the Bangabandhu National Stadium premises.

Fazle Rabbi Moon of Dhaka Tribune earned double crown in the table tennis competition on  the first day of the Walton-BSJA Sports Carnival '2024 that began here on Tuesday (Sept 17)  at the Bangladesh Sports  Journalists Association (BSJA) office premises. Senior Executive Director of the meet's sponsor Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Don inaugurated the week- long festival, organised by Bangladesh Sports  Journalists Association. Coach of national table tennis team Mohammad Ali and former national women's champions Sonam Sultana Soma were also present on the occasion as special guests. Moon clinched the table tennis singles title beating Mazharul Islam of Independent Television in the  final while he shared the doubles title with Jotirmoy Mondal beating Mazharul Islam and Tayeb Ananta pair  in the event's final. The call bridge competition will be held on Wednesday at the BSJA office. Seven disciplines of sports---badminton, chess, shooting, swimming,  call bridge, carom (singles and doubles) and table tennis (singles and doubles) were included in the week long sports festival only for the BSJA members. Shooting will be held at the Hockey Stadium, Badminton events at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, Swimmers at the ivy Rahman Swimming Pool while remaining four sports ---table tennis, carom, chess and call bridge --scheduled to be held at the BSJA office at the Bangabandhu National Stadium premises.    

Renewed sports organiser cum businessman Tarafder Md Ruhul Amin will contest in the hot seat of president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in the upcoming election slated for October 26 next. The decision came a day after present president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin announced that he will not compete in the upcoming BFF election 2024 after serving the federation for uninterrupted period of 16 years. The name of Tarafder Ruhul Amin, as president candidate was formally proposed by former top official of Bangladesh Athletics Federation Ali Imam Tapon at a press conference at a local hotel on Sunday. Accepting the proposal to compete for BFF presidency, Amin said he wants to revive the country's flagging footballing scene. Former national footballer cum coach Shafiqul Islam Manik, star footballer Syed Rumman bin Wali Sabbir among others were on the stage. Former national goalkeeper cum sports secretary of BNP Aminul Haque and BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon were also present at the press conference arranged under the banner of "declaration of president candidate in Bangladesh Football Federation elections with consensus." Another BNP leader Tabitha Awal, a former vice-president of BFF, is likely to be another strong president candidate of Bangladesh Football Federation. Ruhul Amin, Managing Director Saif Powertec Limited, former president of Bangladesh District and Divisional Football Association is a well-known figure in football and chess since 2015. He had made generous investments in district leagues and lower-division clubs of Dhaka. He was also the chairman of now-defunct Saif Sporting Club and was the vice-president of Chittagong Abahani Limited.

Both the Bangladesh Open and Women's Chess teams made a flying start in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad Budapest' 2024 outplaying their respective rivals by straight 4-0 in the first-round matches held in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday. In the Open Section, four Bangladeshi players--Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib (Rating-2354), Grandmaster Niaz Murshed (Rating-2318), International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman (Rating-2419) and FIDE Master Manon Reja Neer (Rating-2417) won their respective matches against their four rivals from Lesotho. Another player of five member Bangladesh Open Chess team --FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia (Rating- 2255)-- son of late Grand Master Ziaur Rahman was a reserve player in the first round. In the Women's section, four Bangladeshi players ---Woman FIDE Master Noshin Anjum (Rating-2085), Woman FIDE Master Wadifa Ahmed (Rating-1988), Woman Candidate Master Nusrat Jahan Alo (Rating-2033) and Women's Candidate Master Walijah Ahmed (Rating-1936) beat their rivals from St Lucia. Veteran chess player and International Women's Master Rani Hamid (Rating-1900) was a reserve player in the first round. Bangladesh open team playing against Vietnam while Bangladesh Women's team playing against Romania on Thursday's 2nd round matches till last report received.

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was knocked out of the U.S. Open in the second round on Wednesday, defeated by Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 7-5. The No. 8-seeded Krejcikova won her second Grand Slam singles title this summer, but then she didn't play any matches after the Paris Olympics. She acknowledged last week not knowing where her level of play was. Turns out, it wasn't good enough. IOC president Thomas Bach plans to leave office next year. He says the Olympics needs a change “I mean, winning Wimbledon is amazing. It’s a great, great, great result, I’m very proud about it and how I was able to handle everything there,” said Krejcikova, who hadn't played a tournament on hard courts since February. “I think I was playing quite well, definitely better than in the first match. I think my game was improving, but it just wasn’t enough.” Ruse got much more work on the U.S. Open's hard courts while playing her way into the main draw through the qualifying tournament and was better than Krejcikova on the points that mattered most, fighting back from a 5-3 deficit in the second set to win the final four games. “Barbora, she's such a good player, she's won so many matches in the last two years and it’s just a dream for me,” said Ruse, a 26-year-old from Romania. No woman has won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year since Serena Williams in 2012. Ruse advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time and will play No. 26 seed Paula Badosa, who eliminated American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5. Paris Olympics:Bangladeshi swimmer Samiul finishes 69th out of 79 in 100m freestyle Badosa continued her resurgence in a strong summer by reaching the third round of the U.S. Open for the first time. “I know it’s just a third round, but I was really looking forward to doing this in New York,” said Badosa, a Spaniard who was born in New York. Another women's third-round match will see No. 14 seed Madison Keys against No. 33 Elise Mertens. Keys rolled past Maya Joint 6-4, 6-0, while Mertens knocked out Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2. Defending champions Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic were on the schedule Wednesday night. The first men's third-round matchup to be determined will have No. 9 seed Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the U.S. Open semifinals in 2019, against Tallon Griekspoor. Dimitrov swept past Rinky Hijikata, while Griekspoor advanced when No. 21 seed Sebastian Baez stopped playing in the second set of their match.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Arif Khan Joy. This information was shared through a brief message from the DMP's public relations branch. According to the DMP's statement, Arif Khan Joy was arrested on Monday night in the Dhanmondi area of the capital. He was detained in connection with a murder case filed at Mohammadpur Police Station. Arif Khan Joy was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Netrakona-2 constituency on an Awami League ticket in 2014. Following his election, the former national football team captain was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He served in this role for four years but did not receive the Awami League nomination in the 2018 election.

The Olympic movement will have a new leader next year. IOC president Thomas Bach told a meeting of members Saturday that he will not change the rules to stay in office and that the Olympics will be “best served with a change in leadership.” Bach has led the International Olympic Committee since September 2013 and his 12-year presidency was to expire next year — a term limit introduced as part of reforms passed after the Salt Lake City bidding scandal 25 years ago. But speculation has grown since last October that Bach could stay on after IOC members asked him to consider changing Olympic Charter rules that would otherwise end his leadership. The 70-year-old Bach ended any doubt about his plans on the penultimate day of the Paris Games, noting that governance had to be respected “in order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC.” The IOC now needed a new leader, he said, who could navigate an increasingly digital and politically pressured world while building strong relations with emerging powers in the “ever more influential so-called Global South.” “New times are calling for new leaders,” Bach said in a speech where he paused to hold back tears. “I, with my age, am not the best captain. I know with this decision I am disappointing many of you.” An election will be scheduled for the March 18-21 IOC meetings in Greece. The IOC membership comprises invited members including royalty from the Middle East and Europe, a current head of state — the Emir of Qatar — former diplomats and lawmakers, industrialists, and leaders of sports bodies and athletes. The likely candidates include several members of the IOC's executive board, including vice presidents Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, whose father was IOC president for 21 years until leaving in 2001 after the Salt Lake turmoil. Board members Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and former Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe are likely entrants in the race. The IOC never had a woman as president in its 130-year history. One of its members, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, was the president of Croatia for five years until 2020. Sebastian Coe, the head of track and field's governing body World Athletics, has long been seen as the most qualified contender. Coe was a two-time Olympic champion in the 1,500 meters, led the organizing committee of the 2012 London Olympics and is a former lawmaker in the British parliament. However, Coe and Bach who met as athlete representatives in Olympic politics in the 1980s have not been allies in recent years — including over track and field taking tougher stances than the IOC on Russia in its state doping scandal and the invasion of Ukraine. It unclear if the 68-year-old Coe's candidacy would comply with the IOC's age limit of 70 for members elected since the Salt Lake City reforms. Bach has increasingly been seen as promoting David Lappartient, the president of the International Cycling Union, in Olympic politics. Bach gave Lappartient the lead in steering the Olympic body toward video gaming, which saw an Esports Olympic Games deal with Saudi Arabia announced last month. Lappartient also headed a French Alps bid for the 2030 Winter Games which was approved by IOC members on the eve of these Olympics. In a message Saturday to whomever is his successor, Bach said he would “also be at your disposal with all my passion for our beloved Olympic movement.” Bach said there would a transition period with his successor before his final day on June 23, when Olympic Day is celebrated. A gold medalist in fencing for West Germany at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Bach is a lawyer who got his sports politics education with Adidas in the 1980s. He was elected to the IOC in 1991 and helped draft its anti-corruption reforms after the Salt Lake City scandal. “In order to safeguard the credibility of the IOC we all, and in particular I as your president, have to respect the highest standards of good governance we have set for ourselves,” he said Saturday, explaining why he would comply with its term limits. Bach won an IOC election of six male candidates in 2013 to succeed Jacques Rogge, a Belgian surgeon and former Olympic sailor who served 12 years after Juan Antonio Samaranch.