United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh team will battle for the gold medal of the recurve mixed team event of the 2023 Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament, Stage-1 in the Chinese Taipei on Sunday. Bangladesh mixed doubles pair Hakim Ahmed Rubel and Diya Siddiqui will play the gold medal deciding final natch against Kazakhstan rivals on Monday at 2:52 pm local time. Besides, Hakim Ahmed Rubel and Diya Siddiqui will also compete in the bronze medal match of the recurve men's singles and recurve women's singles, also on Sunday. Diya Siddiqui will play a Malaysian archer in the 3rd place deciding bronze medal match at 3:12 pm local time while Hakim Ahmed Rubel will face a Kazakh archer in the 3:43 local  time on Sunday. Earlier, a nine member Bangladesh National Archery team, comprises comprises six archers and three officials, left the capital for Chinese Taipei last Tuesday to compete in seven events out of the tournament's ten events. Bangladesh's participating seven events are: recurve men's singles, recurve women's singles, recurve men's team,  recurve mixed team, compound men' s singles, compound women's singles and compound mixed team. Members of Bangladesh team: Mohamnad Hakim Ahmed Rubel, M Sagor Islam, Ram Krishna Saha (recurve men's archer), Diya Siddiqui (recurve women's archer), Mohammad Ashiquzzaman (compound men's archer) and Shymoli Rai (compound women's archer). Officials: Aynal Haque Swapan (team manager),  Martin Frederick ( head coach) and Mohammad Hasan (coach).  

Holders Bangladesh emerged Group A champions in the Bangabandhu Cup'2023 International Kabaddi Tournament with all-win record beating Iraq by 49-33 point at the Shaheed Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium here on Saturday. Bangladesh led the first half by 28-13 point. With the day's feat, Bangladesh made it five in five to clinch the top slot of Group A securing full 10 points from straight five matches and will play Group B runners up in the first semifinal at 4pm on Monday. Formidable Iraq took the court on Saturday afternoon with three back to back wins,  but conceded their first defeat in the  meet against  last two times champions hosts Bangladesh. However, they still in the semifinal race from Group B securing six points from four matches and will play England in the remaining Group B match on Sunday to assure the semifinal berth. In the day's vital match, Bangladesh had a slow start but gradually regained the rhythm with overall teamwork.  .The first five minutes saw some neck to neck duels but Bangladesh inflicted the first Lona (all out) in the sixth minute.  Experienced raider Arduzzaman initiated efficient attacks while Tuhin Tarafder and Mizanur Rahman was witty in their raids.  Iraq skipper Sabir Aloi Sari made some headache for Bangladesh defence with his height and long limbed kicks. In the 16th minute, Bangladesh was reduced to three against Iraq’s seven. But a super raid of Mizanur Rahman saw three Iraqi players out and three Bangladesh players back into the court.  After the change of ends, Bangladesh concentrated upon maintaining the lead with cautious approach. Iraq tried hard but failed to overcome the tactical net of the hosts.  Tuhin Tarafder and Arduzzaman both scored nine points each but Tuhin was grabbed the glittering trophy and the purse of BDT 10000 allocated for the Man of the Match. In the day's other match, Chinese Taipei took a solo lead in the Group B of the Tournament  beating all losers Malaysia by 79-34 point  at the same venue  on Saturday. Chen Chi Chih Chang was adjudged Man of the Match. With the day's well merited victory, Chinese Taipei completed their Group B campaign in the top slot securing eight points from all the five group encounters. But, the Chinese Taipei still have to wait for their semifinal slot as Sri Lanka and Thailand both also have six points and one match to play.   

A two-day ‘Independence Day Golf Tournament, with the participation of Golfing Rotarians from home and abroad, begins on Sunday (March 19) at the Savar Golf Course Rotary’s Past District Governor in India Parag Sheth, the founding chair of the South Asian Fellowship for Golfing Rotarians (SAFGR), will be the guest of honour to inaugurate the tournament at the Savar Golf Club on Sunday. The SAFGR, a platform of Rotarians who play golf in South Asia, is organizing the tournament with much enthusiasm as a gesture of remembering the 1971 war heroes and celebrating the country's Independence earned through a hard-fought war against Pakistan. But, the final day of the tournament will take place at Kurmitola Golf Course in Dhaka Cantonment on Monday. Rotarian Engr. M.A. Wahab, Rotary’s incumbent District Governor in Bangladesh, will chair the closing and prize giving ceremony at the Kurmitola Golf Club. Read more: YU Young-oh wins first prize at 39th Korean Cup Golf Tournament Rotarian Shafiqul Islam, SAFGR’s Bangladesh chief and a freedom fighter, said on Saturday that at least 15 golfing Rotarians from India and Nepal have arrived in Dhaka to join the tournament while a number of Bangladeshi golfing Rotarians will also take part in the competition. “Rotarians work for humanity. In Bangladesh some 10,000 Rotarians are engaged in various social work. But they also play golf, cricket and other games. As the Independence Day is knocking our door we have planned to remember the war heroes through this tournament,” Shafiqul, who is also a former President of Rotary Club of Uttara, said. “This tournament, I am sure, will also strengthen friendship among the Rotarians from other South Asian countries including India and Nepal,” he said. SAFGR Golfers who are joining from India and Nepal are Asish Sen, Gp Capt RS Raghav, Justice JK Ranka, Yogesh Gupta, Ramesh Kumar Kakkar, Kamal Bordia, Parag Sheth, Bhai Raja Pabday, Uday Narayan, Athmaram Simkhada, Ajoy Nongrum, RR Panday, JP Tiwary.    

Defending champions Bangladesh smartly reached the semifinals of the 12-nation Bangabandhu Cup' 2023 International Kabaddi with all-win run outplaying England by 55-27 points in their 4th group match at the Shaheed Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium Friday afternoon Bangladesh led the first half by 29-10 points..With the day's well merited victory, last two times champions Bangladesh clearly dominated the Group A securing full eight points from straight matches and will face Iraq in their last and group deciding match on Saturday. Captain Tuhin Tarafder started Bangladesh journey with a point in the very first raid of the match giving a clear message to England in the very beginning about Bangladesh’s intention. But, Bangladesh received a severe blow in the very 5th minute when two reliable players Roman Hossain and Rasel Hasan collided with each during a catch attempt and had to leave the court with forehead injuries. Bangladesh earned the first Lona in the 13th minute. The other Lona in the first half happened in the 17th minute. Bangladesh’s dominating approach never allowed England to settle as Al Amin and Mizanur Rahman continued to explore the opponent territory regularly with success. Bangladesh earned another two Lona’s in the second half. Mizanur scored 14 points in the day's match taking his total individual points to 54 points in four matches. Later, Mizanur was adjudged man of the match. After the match, skipper Tuhin Tarafder paid tribute to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and vowed to continue the winning streak. “I dedicate the victory to our father of the nation and we have attained our first goal of reaching the semifinals. Now we are more confident to make our next goal a reality, we will now focus on reaching the final,” said Tuhin. In the day's other match, Kenya came out firing with a massive 81-26 points win over Malaysia. Kenya registered their 2nd win in four matches while consecutive four losses saw Malaysia crash out of the tournament. In the day's other match, Nepal outplayed all losers Argentina by 62-28 points in the day's third match. Argentina suffered their third defeat in same number of matches while Nepal kept their semifinal hopes alive with the 2nd win from four matches

ATM Sayeduzzaman of Kaler Kantha and Anisur Rahman Paltu of The Daily Star have been re-elected the president and general secretary (GS) of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA).Chief election commissioner and former BSJA president Monjurul Haque announced the new committee for two years ( 2023-24) after the 19th biennial general meeting of the association held at the BSJA office premises at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital Thursday. The other office bearers and executive committee (EC) members of the new committee are – Vice President Syed Saidur Rahman Shamim (Channel i), Raihan Al Mugni (Global Sports.com) and Borshan Kabir (NTV), Joint Secretary SM Sumon (Boishakhi TV), Finance Secretary Minhajuddin Khan (Dhaka Tribune).Mazhar Uddin Omi (The Daily Star), Ahmed Rakib (T-Sports), Manjur Morshed (Jamuna TV), Jyotirmoy Mondal (Dainik Jugantor), Robiul Islam (Bangla Tribune) and Yeasin Hasan (Rising BD) are EC members. 

Defending champions Bangladesh outplayed Nepal by 40-24 points to earn their third consecutive victory at the Bangabandhu Cup 2023 International Kabaddi Tournament at the Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium in the capital Thursday. With today's win, Bangladesh maintained an unbeaten record to secure a spot in the semi-finals from Group A after earning nine points from three matches. They beat Poland and Argentina in the previous two matches. In today's match, Bangladesh dominated the first half by 21-9 points. Tuhin Tarafder- led Bangladesh started the day's match in an aggressive fashion as Nepal were tactically superior to their two previous opponents. Bangladesh was cautious about notching regular points from raids and was watchful in defence. Tuhin showed his real form and he slipped out of Nepal defenders' grip twice, scoring two or more points. Al Amin and Razib, two long-legged raiders, also kept the scoreboard ticking with fine raids. Russell of Bangladesh was adjudged the man of the match. Bangladesh will face England in their fourth match Friday at 2pm. In the day's other matches, Kenya tasted their first victory after beating Indonesia by 65-33 points following two defeats in the previous matches. Thailand also earned the third consecutive victory after outplaying Malaysia by 25-14 points.  

Defending champions and hosts Bangladesh will lock horns with Nepal at the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament Thursday. The match will start at 4pm at the Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium in the capital.With two consecutive wins against Poland and Argentina, Tuhin Tarafder-led Bangladesh will take to the field to continue their winning streak. Bangladesh defeated Poland by 50-22 points and outplayed Argentina 72-23 before facing a tough Nepal. The Himalayan nation also played two matches. Nepal lost 48-49 to Iraq. They beat England 39-24 Wednesday. Tuhin said: "I am happy with our teamwork and commitment of all the players. Nepal knows us well but we are ready to battle it out. We are focusing on our strength and believe we will win the match." In today's match, Iraq staged a superb comeback to beat Poland 38-31. This was Poland's third consecutive defeat in the competition. In today's other match, Thailand defeated last year's runners-up Kenya 47-42 at the same venue in the evening. Kenya also lost their first match to Chinese Taipei.

Bangladesh Ansar and VDP made good starts to the Independence Day Handball Tournament by winning men's and women's matches on the opening day at the Shaheed Captain Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital Wednesday. Abdur Rahman, former chairman of Rajuk and former vice-president of the Bangladesh Handball Federation, inaugurated the competition. In the men's group, Ansar and VDP beat Chattogram Zila Krira Sangstha 41-12 after leading the first half 26-7. In today's other men's match, Border Guard Bangladesh outplayed Ideal Handball Garden Chapainawabganj 43-10 goals after leading the first half 23-6. In the women's group, Ansar and VDP beat Tetulia Upazila KS 41-22 after dominating the first half 23-9. Bangladesh Police Handball Club defeated Handball Training Center Dhaka 24-7. Handball Training Center Dhaka beat Jamalpur Sports Academy 36-16. Six teams, divided into two groups, are participating in the men's and women's competitions.  Men's teams Group A: Border Guard Bangladesh, Team Handball Dhaka and Ideal Handball Garden Chapainawabganj Group B: Ansar and VDP, Police Handball Club, and Chattogram Zila Krira Sangstha Women's teams Group A: Ansar and VDP, Badalgachi Handball Association, and Tetulia Upazila KS Group B: Jamalpur Sports Academy, Police Handball Club, and Handball Training Center Dhaka

Defending champions and host Bangladesh earned 2nd consecutive victory in the 12-nation  Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi Tournament' 2023 beating football world champions Argentina by 72-23 points  in their 2nd match at the Shaheed Nur Hossain Volleyball Stadium here on Tuesday. Bangladesh, which earned six creditable "lona" (all out) in the match against their Latin American rivals, clearly dominated the first half by  44-8 points. Mizanur Rahman of Bangladesh was adjudged the man of the match to receive prize money of BDT 10,000. Also Read: Bangabandhu Cup Int'l Kabaddi: Bangladesh make flying start beating Poland in opener Two South East Asian countries--Thailand and Indonesia also made a good start after winning their opening matches on the 2nd day of the Tournament at the same venue on Tuesday. Thailand beat last times semi-finalists Sri Lanka by 36-32 points in a hard-fought day's 2nd match after leading the first half by 20-16 points. Earlier in the day's first between two neighbor,  Indonesia defeated Malaysia by 36-23 points.  A record 12 twelve countries --England and Poland from Europe, Argentina from Latin America, Kenya from Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei from South East Asia,  Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh from South Asia and Iraq from Middle East of Asia--are taking part in the eight-day  Participating teams are:  Group A- Bangladesh, Iraq, Nepal, England, Argentina and Poland Group B- Kenya, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.    

The Independence Day Handball Tournament (Men's and Women's), organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF), will begin on Wednesday (Match 15) at the Shaheed Capt (Retd) M Monsur Ali National Handball Stadium here. Former Chairman of Rajuk and former BHF Vice President Abdur Rahman will inaugurate the tournament. Six teams, split into two groups, will participate in both the men's and women's competitions. Participating Men's teams: Group A - Border Guard Bangladesh, Team Handball, Dhaka and Ideal Handball Garden Chapainawabganj) Group B- Ansar & VDP, Police Handball Club and Chattogram Zila Krira Sangstha. Also read: Youth Games Handball: Rangpur Div clinch women's title beating Dhaka Div by 30-17 goal Women's teams: Group A- Ansar & VDP, Badalgachi Handball Association and Tetulia Upazila KS Group B - Jamalpur Sports Academy, Police Handball Club and Handball Training Center, Dhaka Eight matches will be held on the opening day (Wednesday).