United News of Bangladesh

A new 60,000-seat stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, located in inner-city parkland, has been revealed as part of a major revision of the planning for the 2032 Summer Games. David Crisafulli, the third premier of Queensland state since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2032 Games to Brisbane almost four years ago, presented the updated plans on a rainy Tuesday during a Future Brisbane forum. Jahir Raihan leaves for China to compete in 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship It has been over 1,340 days since the IOC's decision in 2021, yet local organisers have yet to begin constructing Olympic venues. During this time, changes in government at both federal and state levels have occurred. After 150 days in office, Crisafulli declared, “The time has come to just get on with it — get on with it, and build.” He added, “We are going to start immediately. We've got seven years to make it work, and make it work we will.” A 25,000-seat aquatics centre has also been proposed for an Olympic precinct that includes the new main stadium at Victoria Park, a former golf course near downtown Brisbane. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games, Brisbane is next in line. The 11 years initially allotted for Brisbane's preparations have now been reduced to seven, and leaders at all levels of government and sports federations agree that it is time to cease arguing over venues and begin constructing them. Newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry has overseen the early stages of planning for the Olympic movement and has been kept informed of the changes by Andrew Liveris, chairman of the 2032 organising committee. Liveris mentioned that there had been daily engagement between a review panel assessing all venue options and the local organising committee, which is responsible for running the Games. “The stage matters,” he said. “We’ve still got 7½ years to go, and we have a plan. None of this is embarrassing — this is a go-get-it-done plan.” Brisbane was the first Summer Games host chosen through a new process that allowed a preferred candidate to enter exclusive, fast-track discussions without competing against rival bidders in a vote. This change aimed to reduce the costs of campaigning and venue construction while avoiding vote-buying scandals. False starts It has been a year since local organisers abandoned plans to demolish and rebuild the Gabba, an iconic cricket ground, as the centrepiece of the 2032 Games after a review panel, appointed in 2023, suggested a new stadium in city parkland instead. The costs for rebuilding the Gabba had escalated, and the Australian Olympic Committee withdrew its support for the concept. At the time, Queensland's premier Steven Miles rejected the review’s recommendations, led by former Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk. Instead, Miles planned to upgrade an existing rugby stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and renovate an older facility in the city’s southern outskirts, built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games, to serve as the track and field venue. Quirk argued that a new stadium at Victoria Park, on former council-owned golf course land, would cost slightly more than the full Gabba rebuild but offer better operational efficiencies. Crisafulli, who ran for election late last year with a promise of no new stadiums, quickly instituted another 100-day review after taking power for the Liberal-National coalition. His cabinet approved the recommendations on Monday. A croc, or not? Ahead of the venue announcements, local media reported that rowing would take place on the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton on the central Queensland coast, where crocodiles are often sighted. Crisafulli confirmed the proposed Fitzroy River venue, noting that numerous events, including Australia's pre-Olympic rowing camps, had been held there. He added that local children swam and paddled in the river most weekends, and crocodiles posed no real threat. Rowing Australia stated that media concerns about crocodiles had been exaggerated but raised some concerns regarding the river's current. Liveris mentioned that World Rowing would visit the organisers in May. National Athletics: 3 more national records created on day-2 He also downplayed any concerns about crocodiles at the rowing venue, saying, “There’s sharks in the ocean and we still do sailing and we still do surfing. It’s a bit kind of Hollywood-ish. I’m not worried about crocodiles.”

Bangladeshi athlete Jahir Raihan left Dhaka for China on a China Southern flight on Wednesday night to participate in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship, which begins in the Chinese city of Nanjing on Friday (March 21). The navy athlete will compete in Bangladesh’s only event the men’s 400-meter run during the three-day meet. He will race in the event's heat on Friday (March 21) at 11 am local time and 9 am Bangladesh time. The semifinal of the men’s 400-meter run is scheduled for Friday at 8:50 pm China time and 6:50 pm Bangladesh time, while the final will take place on Saturday (March 22) at 8:55 pm local time and 6:55 pm Bangladesh time. Navy coach Al Amin is accompanying him to China as the team leader. The two-member Bangladesh athletics team will return home on March 25.

Three more new national records were created on the 2nd day of the three-day 48th National Athletics Championship 2025 at the National Stadium, Dhaka on Tuesday. With the day’s three new national marks--two in the men’s and women’s 400-meter hurdles and one in the women’s 4x100-meter relay race, the total new national records raised to four in the first two days of the meet. Nazmul Hossain Ronny of Bangladesh Army made the day’s first record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles to win the event’s gold medal with a timing of 50.84 seconds to improve the event’s 31 years old record of 51.87 seconds made by Abdur Rahim Naim in 1993. Borsha Khatun of Bangladesh Army created the day’s 2nd record in the Women’s 400-meter hurdles clocking 1:04.61 seconds to clinch the gold medal, bettering the event’s previous record of 1:04 70 seconds made by Libya Khatun of Bangladesh Army in 2022. Bangladesh Navy team, consists of Shirin Akhter, Sonia Akhter, Sumaiya Dewan and Kabita Roy, made the day’s 3rd and last record in the Women’s 4x100 relay race with a timing of 46.43 seconds They bettered event’s old record of 48.10 seconds made by Bangladesh Army team in 2022. A total of 28 events were decided in the first two days. Bangladesh Army dominated the meet securing 15 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals, Bangladesh Navy followed the leaders with 13 gold. 12 silver and 8 bronze medals while BKSP are in distant 3rd collecting two silver and one bronze medal. The three-day national meet will conclude on Wednesday.

The three-day 48th National Athletics Championship 2025, organised by the Bangladesh Athletics Federation (BAF), began here on Monday at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Adviser of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, LGRD and Cooperatives, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan inaugurated the three-day meet Monday afternoon as the chief guest. BAF President Major General (Retd) Dr. Mohammad Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury presided over the inaugural function, conducted by BAF general secretary M Shah Alam. Mohammad Ismail of Bangladesh Navy regained the country’s fasted man crown after three years in absence of injury-grabbed Bangladesh-origin English Athlete Imrarur Rahman, who clinched the 100-meter sprint gold medal four times in the National and Summer Athletics in the last three years. Ismail clinched his 5th gold medal in the 100-meter gold after three years with a timing of 10.61 seconds on the first day of the three-day athletics on Monday while Rakibul Hasan of the same team finished runner-up to win the event’s silver clocking 10.63 seconds. Another Navy athlete Shirin Akter celebrated her 16th 100-meter gold medal in the National and Summer Athletics to maintain her fasted woman crown intact with a timing of 12.01 seconds while Sumaiya Dewan of Bangladesh Navy, who grabbed 100-meter gold medal two years back beating Shirin Akhter, won the event’s silver clocking 12.15 seconds. In an immediate reaction after winning the day’s gold medal, Shirin Akhter said, “My dream is to win the South Asian Games gold medal and I am preparing myself accordingly." A total of 445 athletes from 41 teams representing different districts, divisions, universities and organizations are taking part in 40 events of the three-day meet — 22 for men and 18 for women. A total of 12 events were finalized on the first day (Monday).

The highly anticipated Dhaka International Marathon-2025 is set to take place on Saturday in the 300 Feet area of Dhaka, under the overall supervision of the Bangladesh Army. This event will mark the largest marathon ever organised in Bangladesh, with around 10,000 runners expected to participate, ISPR said in a statement on Friday. In addition, the marathon will feature several participants from 10 different countries, further adding to the event's international appeal. The main theme of the marathon, "Run for Unity, Run for Humanity," carries a powerful message of unity, friendship, and respect for diversity. The competition will be divided into five different categories: Marathon (42.2 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km General, 10 km for first-time participants, and the 10 km veteran category. According to ISPR, special security arrangements, healthcare support, and smooth traffic management have been put in place to ensure the safety and comfort of both the participants and spectators. The authorities have prioritised creating a secure and enjoyable environment for everyone involved, it added. In preparation for the marathon, traffic management will be in effect on February 7. From 7 pm on February 7 until 2 pm on February 8, the four lanes on the north side of the 300 Feet highway, from Pragati Sarani towards Kanchan Bridge, along with the service road, will be closed. Vehicles are advised to use the four lanes on the south side of the highway (towards Kanchan Bridge) and the service road (from Kanchan Bridge to Pragati Sarani) during this time.

Thakurgaon District emerged champions in the day-long Youth Festival Inter-District Athletics Championship of Rangpur Division held at Rangpur Stadium on Sunday. Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur M Shahidul Islam, who is also the President of Rangpur Division Sports Association inaugurated the meet as the chief guest. Thakurgoan District clinched the divisional title securing 44 points while Lalmonirhat District finiahed runners-up with 31 points. Nine-year old prodigy from Bangladesh beats World Number 1 Carlsen in ‘bullet chess’ Some 150 athletes from eight districts of Rangpur Division took part in the 18 events – 10 for the men’s and 8 for the women’s. The final round of the meet, the Youth Festival Inter-Division Athletics Championship’ 2025, with the participation of eight divisional teams will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on February 7. Kho Kho World Cup: Bangladesh make flying start in both men’s and women’s events

The three -day  long 51st Aga  Khan  Gold  Cup  Golf Tournament concluded at the Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday. Brigadier General M Zahid Hasan (retd) became winner while Major Sheikh Md Yousuf Reza (retd) finished runner up in the tournament. Mrs. Shamim Ara Sadeque became winner  in the ladies’ event. Narail District emerged champions in Khulna Divisional Inter-District Youth Athletics Festival Chief  of  Bangladesh  Air  Force,  Air  Chief  Marshal  Hasan  Mahmood  Khan was the chief guest at the day’s closing function held at the Banquet Hall of Kurmitola Golf Club and later he distributed the prizes among the winners. Among others, Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul  Haque, Commandant of  National Defence College and Vice President, of Kurmitola Golf Club, Madad Ali Virani, President of Prince Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh, Brigadier General Md Towhid  Hossain, Captain of Kurmitola  Golf  Club, Brigadier  General  Abidur Reza  Khan (Retd), Toumament  Director of Kurmitola  Golf  Club were present.

Narail District emerged champions in the Khulna Divisional Inter-District Youth Athletics Festival securing seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals that concluded on Sunday at the Sonadanga Divisional Women’s Sports Complex in Khulna. Khulna District Sports Association finished runners-up collecting four gold, seven silver and one bronze medal in the Youth Festival organized by Bangladesh Athletics Federation under the co-operation of the Khulna Divisional Sports Association.    Earlier, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) of Khulna Division Mohammad Firoz Shah inaugurated the day-long meet as the chief guest Sunday morning while Additional Divisional Commissioner (Development) of the division Abu Sayed Mohammad Manzur Alam presided over the inaugural function. Some 250 athletes from ten districts of the Khulna Division competed in the meet’s 18 events—ten for men’s and eight for the women’s.  

A gold medal from the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, awarded to the 110-meter hurdles champion, is being auctioned as part of a collection featuring hundreds of Olympic memorabilia spanning decades, reports AP. The medal, inscribed with “Olympiad, 1904,” depicts a victorious athlete holding a wreath on one side and Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, alongside Zeus on the other, with an engraving specifying the hurdles event. Awarded to American athlete Fred Schule, it comes with its original ribbon and leather case. This marked the first Olympics where gold medals were introduced, with the U.S. dominating by winning 78 of 96 events. Unlike modern Olympic gold medals, which are primarily silver with gold plating, these were smaller and crafted entirely from gold. Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform at Paris Olympics' closing ceremony Bobby Eaton, an Olympic memorabilia specialist at Boston-based RR Auction, highlighted the rarity of such medals, noting that few of the roughly 100 awarded in 1904 remain, as many have been lost or are held in private collections and museums. The 1904 Games, remembered for both achievements and controversies, were initially set for Chicago but were moved to St. Louis after disputes with the World’s Fair organizers, who threatened to hold their own competing athletic events. The marathon was marred by scandal when Fred Lorz, initially thought to be the winner, was found to have traveled part of the race by car. Additionally, “Anthropology Days” saw indigenous tribes competing without prior notice as part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The event also introduced boxing and freestyle wrestling to the Olympics, alongside now-defunct events like croquet and tug-of-war. “These medals are more than symbols of competition; they represent the early days of the modern Olympics,” Eaton remarked, describing the auction as a rare opportunity for collectors. The auction also features other Olympic treasures, including a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics and gold medals from the 1932 Los Angeles, 1964 Tokyo, 1998 Nagano, and 2012 London Games. IOC president Thomas Bach plans to leave office next year. He says the Olympics needs a change Olympic memorabilia continues to attract high prices. In recent years, Luz Long’s 1936 Berlin Olympics silver medal sold for over $488,000, while a silver medal from the first modern Olympics in 1896 fetched $180,111 in 2021. More recently, Yuri Cheban of Ukraine sold his medals to support the war effort, and Ryan Lochte auctioned six of his medals for charity, retaining only his golds. Looking ahead, the Summer Olympics will return to Los Angeles in 2028, marking its third time hosting, after 1932 and 1984.

The Max Group 33rd National Swimming, Diving and Waterpolo Championship’2024 , organized by Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) and sponsored by Max Group, begins on Saturday (November 9) at the Syed Nazmul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur. BSF Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Max Group Engineer Golam Mohammad Alamgir will inaugurate the four-day meet on Saturday afternoon. Tournament’s sponsor Max Group will bear the entire expenses of the meet. Some 550 athletes and 185 officials from 52 teams including, different divisions, district, Army, Navy, Air Force, BKSP, BGB, Police, Ansar and swimming clubs will participate in 38 swimming (19 each for the male and female), three diving and one waterpolo event of the meet. The details of the meet disclosed by acting general secretary of the Swimming Federation M. Salim Miah at a press conference at the Dutch Bangla auditorium of the Bangladesh Olympic Association here on Thursday. Representative of the Max Group Ibrahim Khalil Palash was also present of the occasion. BSF president and Chief of Bangladesh Navy Admiral M Nazmul Hasan will be the chief guest at the closing and prize distribution ceremony on Tuesday (November 12). The champions, runners-up teams, the best male and female athletes of the meet will be awarded with trophies.