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Acme Chattogram overpower Monarch Padma 4-3 to lift Hockey Champions Trophy
Coming from behind, Acme Chattogram emerged champions of the first franchise-based Hockey Champions Trophy Bangladesh 2022, beating Shakib Al Hasan's Monarch Padma 4-3 in a penalty shootout at the floodlight Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium Thursday evening.
The match turned out to be a thriller as its scoreline was locked at 2-2 after the stipulated time in front of a large crowd.
Local forward Arshad Hosain scored both goals for Acme Chattogram and was adjudged the player of the final. Japanese players Miya Tanimitsu and Krishna Kumer scored one each for Monarch Padma.
Tanimitsu put Monarch Padma ahead in the 14th minute (1-0). Arshad Hossain equalised in the 40th minute with a field goal (1-1). However, Krishna Kumar put Monarch Padma ahead again in the 44th minute with a field goal (2-1).
Arshad again restored parity for Acme Chattogram just one minute before the final whistle (2-2), sending the game into a shootout.
In the penalty shootout, German player Peer Hinrichs, Farhad Ahmed Shitul, Indian Devindar and Dutch player Kellerman scored for Acme Chattogram. Woohyeong Seo, K Chinglesana and Kiren Ian Govers scored for Monarch Padma.
Read more: Hockey Champions Trophy 2022 draft held
President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan was the chief guest in the final and later he distributed the trophy.
Champions Acme Chattogram received a cheque of Tk20 lakh as prize money; the runners-up Monarch Padma received a cheque of Tk10 lakh.
Obaidul Haque Joy of Cumilla became the most promising player of the tournament; Ashim Gope of Barishal scooped up the best goalkeeper's award.
Devindar of Acme Chattogram finished as the top scorer with 18 goals and became the player of the tournament.
Mettro Barisal received the fair play trophy of the tournament.
Popular singer Momtaz and national cricketer Mehdi Hasan Miraz witnessed the match. Later Momtaz performed her popular songs.
Read more: First-ever Hockey Champions Trophy begins Friday
Six franchise teams – Acme Chattogram, Mettro Express Barisal, Monarch Padma, Rupayan City Cumilla, Saif Power Group Khulna and Walton Dhaka – took part in the competition.
C'Wealth Chess: Bangladeshi GM Razib, IM Fahad earn full points
Bangladeshi Grand Master Enamul Hossain Razib and International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman earned full two points after the 2nd round matches of the Commonwealth Chess Championship'2022, held at Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
In the 2nd round matches, GM Razib beat Saravanabaavan Brijesh of Sri Lanka while IM Fahad defeated Marapana Sanupa Bimsath of Sri Lanka.
Read more: Sheikh Kamal Chess: 3 players share top spot
A total of 94 players from seven countries including 12 Grandmasters, one Woman Grandmaster, seven International Masters and three Women International Masters are taking part in the event.
7th Bangabandhu President Cup Fencing Championship kicks off
The inaugural program of the Bangabandhu 7th President Cup Fencing Championship was held on Tuesday at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur 10, Dhaka.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest.
It was presided over by Bangladesh Fencing Federation (BFF) President Shoeb Chowdhury. The program was anchored by Bangladesh Fencing Federation Joint General Secretary Rezaur Rahman Sinha.
Shoeb Chowdhury paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Bangladeshi fencers have retained their spirit and rhythm despite the turbulent time the world is going through at this moment because of the Russia-Ukraine War,” he said.
Read more: FM inaugurates Bangabandhu Gold Cup football tournament in Sylhet
Shoeb Chowdhury applauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for supporting the expansion of sports across Bangladesh. He also thanked State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell for upgrading Bangladesh Fencing Association to Bangladesh Fencing Federation.
Bangabandhu Chair and Bangladesh Bank’s former Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman gave the keynote speech at the event. He assured his listeners that Bangladesh’s economy stands on a firm foothold and urged everyone not to trust rumours.
Special Guest Lt. General (Retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled said that leadership is a vital thing. Bangabandhu’s unflinching leadership freed Bangladesh from Pakistan, he stated.
Read more: Bangabandhu Gold Cup: Bangladesh off to good start, beat Laos 1-0
BFF General Secretary Selim Omrao Khan gave the welcome speech. BFF Vice President Mohiuddin Ahmed and Vice President Abdul Mabud PPM also spoke on the occasion.
Djokovic expected to be granted visa to compete in Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is set to be granted a visa to play in next year’s Australian Open despite his high-profile deportation in January.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Tuesday said it had confirmed newspaper reports that the immigration minister had overturned a potential three-year exclusion period for Djokovic.
The Australian Border Force has previously said an exclusion period could be waived in certain circumstances — and that each case would be assessed on its merits.
Read more: Paris Masters: Djokovic denied by unseeded Danish teenager Rune
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles' office declined comment on privacy grounds, meaning any announcement on Djokovic’s visa status would have to come from the 35-year-old Serbian tennis star.
The 21-time Grand Slam singles champion wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title this year after a tumultuous 10-day legal saga over his COVID-19 vaccination status that culminated with his visa being revoked on the eve of the tournament.
Djokovic arrived at Melbourne Airport as the world’s top-ranked tennis player with a visa he’d obtained online and what he believed to be a valid medical exemption to the country’s strict laws for unvaccinated travelers because it was endorsed by Tennis Australia and the government of Victoria state, which hosts the tournament.
Confusion reigned, generating global headlines. As it transpired, that medical exemption allowed him entry to the tournament, which required all players, fans and officials to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, but not necessarily to enter the country. It was rejected by the Australian Border Force.
Read more: Djokovic 2 sets down, rallies for 26th straight at Wimbledon
Alex Hawke, Australia’s immigration minister at the time, used discretionary powers to cancel Djokovic’s visa on character grounds, stating he was a “talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment.”
Australia has had a change of government and changed its border rules this year and, since July 6, incoming travelers no longer have to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. That removed the major barrier to entry for Djokovic.
It allowed him to apply to new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to reconsider his visa status. In his favor, Djokovic left Australia quickly after his visa was revoked and has not publicly criticized Australian authorities.
As the Department of Home Affairs website explains, applicants in Djokovic’s circumstances must explain in writing to Australia's border authorities why the exclusion period should be put aside — “you must show us that there are compassionate or compelling circumstances to put aside your re-entry ban and grant you the visa.”
Djokovic indicated Monday at the ATP Finals in Italy that his lawyers were communicating with the Australian government with a view to him contesting the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open.
BSPA to honour 10 legends during its Diamond Jubilee celebration
Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) will honor country's ten best sports stars after Independence on the occasion of its 60-year founding anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) scheduled to be held later this year.
Selected ten sports personalities are: Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, Monem Munna (Football), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan (Cricket), Niaz Murshed (Chess), Mosharraf Hossain (Boxing), Asif Hossain Khan (Shooting), Shah Alam (Athletics), Mosharraf Hossain Khan (Swimming) and Siddikur Rahman (Golf).
In a press conference at Dutch Bangla Auditorium of BOA on Tuesday, BSPA President Sanat Babla made the announcement of celebrating the 60-year founding anniversary of the association in the later part of this year and to honor the country's ten leading sports personnel during the same program.
BSPA general secretary M Samon Hossain and Chairman of the Program's Organizing Committee Kazi Shahidul Alam spoke on the occasion.
T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand bat first vs Pakistan in 1st semi-final
New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the first semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup at Sydney Cricket Ground.
New Zealand marched to the semi as the champions of Group 1 in the Super 12 stage where they beat Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland, and lost to England. The other match against Afghanistan ended with no result due to bad weather.
Pakistan, on the other hand, experienced a dramatic run in the Super 12 stage. They lost close matches to India and Zimbabwe and were on the verge of elimination. But the Netherlands had created a great opportunity for them by beating South Africa.
Also read; T20 World Cup 2022: Semifinalists, fixtures, venues, H2H records, probable lineups
That historic win of the Netherlands transformed the Super 12 clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan into a virtual quarter-final in which Pakistan edged a disorderly Bangladesh team, and eventually escaped the cliff edge to march to the semifinal.
Now, the South Asian giants are eager to pass the New Zealand challenge to advance to the final of MCG.
The semi-final came as a golden chance for New Zealand as well. Who have played three World Cup finals before and failed to win any of them. Now, once again, they are upbeat to book a final berth and clinch the title.
Also read: T20 World Cup: Passionate New Zealand or fortunate Pakistan, who will march to final?
Both New Zealand and Pakistan are unbeaten at the Sydney Cricket Ground. New Zealand beat the hosts Australia on this ground while Pakistan dealt with South Africa.
New Zealand had played three T20 World Cup semi-finals before and won only one of them while Pakistan played 5 T20 World Cup semis and won two of them.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi.
Read More: Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 world Cup Live Streaming: Where and How to watch semifinal live, Playing XI
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Paris Masters: Djokovic denied by unseeded Danish teenager Rune
Unseeded Danish teenager Holger Rune staged a stunning comeback to secure the biggest victory of his career by beating Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday.
Rune denied Djokovic a record-extending 39th Masters title.
The 19-year-old Rune, who is a friend and former junior doubles partner of top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, saved six break points when serving for the match.
Djokovic saved one match point when Rune double-faulted. But the audacious Dane took his chance on the next, whipping a forehand into Djokovic’s feet that he could only volley back into the net.
“It means everything to me, a perfect way to finish the week,” Rune said. “It’s a privilege to share the court with Novak.”
Rune, who is the same age as U.S. Open champion Alcaraz, slid on his back in disbelief after winning his first Masters title. He got back up and looked close to tears as he sank his head in his hands, then raised both fists in the air to celebrate a remarkable week where he beat five top 10-ranked opponents in a row. That run only came about after he saved three match points in the first round against three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic, who missed out on a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title, hugged him warmly at the net.
“I feel exhausted. It was an incredible tournament,” Rune said. “I have so much respect for what (Djokovic) has done,” Rune said. “I’m so proud of myself, it hasn’t sunk in yet. The last game was one of the most stressful of my tennis life.”
His achievement is even
Those victories followed a thrilling first-round win in which he saved three match points against Stan Wawrinka,
Djokovic looked set to cruise to a 91st career title.
The sixth-seeded Serb wrapped up the first set with a love hold on serve, then had Rune 0-40 down in the opening service game of the second set.
Hockey Champs Trophy: Saif Power Khulna taste first win beating Walton Dhaka
Coming from behind, Saif Power Group Khulna tasted victory for the first time in their 6th match of the first-ever franchise-based Hockey Champions Trophy Bangladesh'2022 beating Walton Dhaka by 5-3 goals at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium here Sunday evening.
With the day's well merited victory, Saif Power Group Khulna opened their account first in the tournament securing three points from six matches while Walton Dhaka remained at six points from six matches.
In the day's match, Walton Dhaka took 2-0 lead within twelve minutes. Rokibul Hasan Roki opened the account in the 10th minute by a field goal (1-0) while captain Ashraful Islam doubled the margin in the 12th minute from a penalty corner (2-0).
Read more: Hockey Champs Trophy: Monarch Padma beat Walton Dhaka 6-3
Tanzim Ahmed reduced the Saif Power margin in the 32nd minute by a field goal (2-1) while Sajib Hossain Sifat leveled the Saif Power margin in the 36th minute, also by a field goal (2-2).
Sifat put Saif Power ahead from behind in the 54th minute scoring his 2nd goal (3-2) while forward Moinul Islam Kowshik equalized the margin for Walton Dhaka in the very next minute by a field goal (3-3).
German recruit Martin and Malaysian player Firdaus Rosdi scored two more field goals for Saif Power in the 56th and 59th minute respectively to guide their team in their maiden victory.
Premier Handball: Flame Boys Club finish 5th
Flame Boys Club finished 5th in the Cute Premier Division Handball League' 2022 beating Menjis Krira Chakra by 41-39 goals in a place deciding match at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here Sunday.
In the day's other place deciding match, Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club finished 7th beating Surjodaya Boys Club by 41-32 points Sunday afternoon.
The title deciding match between Prime Sporting Club and Narinda Pragoti Sangha will be held on Monday (Nov 7) at 3 pm while the 3rd place-deciding match between Bangla Club and Jurain Janata Club will also be held on Monday at 1:30 pm at the same venue.
Read: Cute Premier Handball: Prime SC, Narinda Pragoti Boys reach final
Secretary of the Ministry Youth and Sports Mesbah Uddin will be the chief guest in Monday's final and will distribute the champions and runners-up trophies at the closing ceremony to be chaired by President of Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Sporting Club managed a final berth as the Group A champions outplaying Arambagh KS by 55-17 goals while Narinda Pragoti Boys Club emerged B Group champions to reach the final beating Bangla Club 46-36 goals.
Hockey Champs Trophy: Monarch Padma beat Walton Dhaka 6-3
Shakib Al Hasan's Monarch Padma returned to winning ways beating Walton Dhaka by 6-3 goals in the first-ever franchise-based Hockey Champions Trophy Bangladesh'2022 at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium here Saturday evening.
This was the 2nd victory for the lowly Monarch Padma in their 6th match while Acme Chattogram and Mettro Express Barisal jointly dominating the meet with four wins from five matches.
In the day's match, Indian recruit Saif Khan struck two while Al Nahian Shuvo, Belal Hossain. Ramim Hossain and Australian player Kiren Ian Govers scored one goal each for Monarch Padma
Rokibul Hassan Roki, Indonesia Alfandy Aly Surya and captain Ashraful Islam scored one each for Walton Dhaka.
Six franchise teams--Acme Chattogram, Mettro Express Barisal, Monarch Padma, Rupayan City Cumilla, Saif Power Group Khulna and Walton Dhaka--are taking part in the new look inaugural hockey meet.