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Youth Hockey: Holders BKSP, Dhaka reach final round with all-win records
Defending champions Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and former champions Dhaka District reached the final round of the Al Arafah Islami Bank 27th National Youth Hockey Tournament 2022 with all win record beating their rivals comfortably in their 2nd matches at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Saturday.
The national sports training institute team BKSP, which made a flying start crushing Narayanganj District by 12-0 goals in their first match, today (Saturday) outplayed Kishoreganj District by 8-0 goals.
Saddam Khan struck three, Ramim Hossain, Sabedur Rahman Saju, Shimul Islam, Azizur Rahman and Aman Sharif scored one goal each for BKSP.
Read: First phase of National Youth Hockey begins Thursday
In the day's other match, Dhaka District crushed Gazipur District by 16-0 goals.
Earlier in the tournament opener, Dhaka District outplayed Shariatpur District by 13-0 goals.
In the day's match, Rafiul Haque struck four goals, Shahadat Hossain scored three, Tanjil Rahman Ranok, and Mohammad Emon scored two goals each while Nazmus Sabit, Pavel Hossain Pappu, Wasim Ahmed, Shihab Ahmed and Shahruk Mia scored one each for Dhaka.
A record 57 teams, split into nine groups, are taking part in the first phase of the country wide meet.
The nine zonal venues are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Narail, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Faridpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.
National Youth Hockey: Holders BKSP, Dhaka District make flying start
Defending champions Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) and former champions Dhaka District team made flying start in the Al Arafah Islami Bank 27th National Youth Hockey Tournament' 2022 crushing their opponents in two opening day's fixture at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Thursday.BKSP earned an emphatic 12-0 goal victory over Narayanganj District team in the day's 2nd match. Earlier in the day's first match, Dhaka District crushed Shariatpur District by 13-0 goal. Tanjil Rahman Ronak and Mohammad Emon scored three goals each, Rafiul Haque and Najmus Sabid scored two goals each while Shihab Hossain, Pavel Hossain Pappu and Shahrukh Mia Siam scored one each for Dhaka District team. Earlier, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan inaugurated the meet as chief guest. Chairman of the meet's sponsor Al Arafah Islami Bank Ltd Alhaj Salim Rahman was also present on the occasion as special guest.
Read: First phase of National Youth Hockey begins Thursday
Two more matches will be held on Friday (Sept 30) at the same venue. Gazipur DSA will play Shariatpur DSA at 2 pm while Kishoreganj DSA will face Narayanganj DSA at 4 pm on Friday. A record 57 teams, split into nine groups, are taking part in the first phase of the country wide meet.The nine zonal venues are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Narail, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Faridpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.
BSPA Sports: Sajjad emerges singles champion in Badminton
Sajjad Hossain Mukul emerged boys singles champion in badminton competition of Walton-BSPA Sports Carnival beating Shamim Hasan in the final at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Wooden Floor Gymnasium here on Wednesday.
In the doubles, Shamim Hasan pairing Mahmudun Nabi Chanchal clinched the title beating Arafat Daria and Kabirul Islam partner.
Swimming, Carom, Call Bridge and Ludo (women's) competitions will be held on the 5th day of the meet on Thursday.
First phase of National Youth Hockey begins Thursday
The first phase of the Al Arafah Islami Bank National Youth Hockey Tournament' 2022 begins on Thursday at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here.
President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan will inaugurate the meet as the chief guest.
Chairman of the meet's sponsor Al Arafah Islami Bank Alhaj Salim Rahman will also attend the function as special guest.
Two matches of Dhaka zone will be held on the opening day (Thursday).
Hosts Dhaka DSA will play Shariatpur DSA at 1:45 pm while defending champions BKSP will play Narayanganj DSA at 3:30 pm in two opening day's fixture.
A record 57 teams will initially compete in the first phase in nine zonal venues across the country.
The nine zonal venues are: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Narail, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Faridpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.
Bangladesh Hockey Federation arranging the national youth hockey meet this time after a long gap of five years.
Roger Federer’s tearful goodbye to tennis at 41
Roger Federer officially announced his retirement from tennis on September 15 and mentioned he would play his last match in the Laver Cup. Roger paired up with Rafael Nadal on September 23 to compete in his final match in London's O2 Arena.
The world watched Federer and Nadal participate in a professional tennis match for the final time, but not as rivals but as partners. Overall, it was an emotional event, despite the fact that they were defeated by the Jack Sock-Frances Tiafoe team by scores of 6-4, 6-7, and 9-11.
Also read: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announces retirement from pro tennis
When the 41-year-old left the court for the final time, he was greeted with a standing ovation. The Swiss master was fortunate to say goodbye to his 24-year professional career in front of some of his competitors. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's presence was undoubtedly particularly significant to him, with whom he had many wonderful experiences.
Roger Federer is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all-time if not the best broke down in tears after playing his final tennis match on Friday. Nadal also lost control of his emotions and started crying during Federer's speech. Thousands of supporters yelled his name before Roger hugged the presence of the tennis players on the court at the O2 Arena in London.
"It's been a wonderful day. I told the guys, 'I'm happy. I'm not sad.' Roger Federer said in a post-match speech. "It feels great to be here and I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. Everything was the last time." He said this while starting his farewell remarks.
Also read: Roger Federer pulls out of French Open before 4th round
Roger Federer turned pro in 1998 and won 103 career titles, including 20 Grand Slam singles. He was the No. 1 tennis player for 310 weeks, including a record 237 straight weeks. Federer also ended the year as the No. 1 player five times.
Hamza can be a real beacon for young Bangladeshi kids: Watford coach Edwards
Hamza Dewan Choudhury, the first English professional footballer of Bangladeshi descent, can become an inspiring figure for the next generation if he chooses to play international football for Bangladesh, Watford head coach Rob Edwards has said.
The former England U21 midfielder, who has Grenadian and Sylheti roots, last week opened the door to the possibility of playing for Bangladesh in an interview aired on Sky Sports News.
Hamza's popularity in Bangladesh factors in his desire to represent the South Asian country. He also wants to reconnect with his roots in Bangladesh.
The 24-year-old said he is open to playing for Bangladesh, adding he would be "more than proud" and "honoured" to represent the country.
Edwards told Sky Sports that Hamza can give the next generation of youngsters a renewed sense of belief if he decides to play for Bangladesh. "I think it could be a fantastic thing if that is what he chooses to do."
"I think he can be a real beacon for young Bangladeshi kids, who could look to him and say I can do that."
"Hamza can be a real shining light as someone who can encourage others to take up the sport. If he chooses to do it, I think it could be really positive for a lot of people."
The midfielder, who struggled for minutes at Leicester last season, has been a mainstay in Edwards' side since joining the Hornets on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
His arrival at Watford last month was greeted with delight by the club's East and South East Asian fans' group, ESEA Hornets, who said they were thrilled to welcome a British Asian to the football club.
"Definitely the best is yet to come from him, no doubt about it. He is a very good young player and a very good person as well," Edwards said.
Hamza was born in 1997 in Loughborough, England. His mother and stepfather are both from Bangladesh. So, he can represent Bangladesh if he wants to.
The midfielder's ancestral hometown is Bahubal, Habiganj. Due to his upbringing in a typical Bengali-Muslim family, he speaks Bangla fluently. Hamza's biological father is from Grenada. So, he can also represent the Grenada national football team.
Hamza showed his footballing prowess at a very early age and was called up to England's U21 side in 2018. He played seven matches for the Three Lions' age-group level team from 2018 to 2019.
The midfielder began his youth career at the age of 14 at the Leicester City football academy. He played for four years (2011-2015) for the club's youth level teams before making his full professional debut for Leicester's senior side in 2015.
Hamza was loaned out to Burton Albion for the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 seasons.
After two successful campaigns with Burton Albion, he came back to Leicester in 2017 and played five consecutive Premier League seasons with the club. In 2019–202, Hamza made 20 league appearances for Leicester, which is the highest for him in a single season.
He won the FA Cup (2020–2021) and FA Community Shield (2021) with Leicester. He has an international trophy (Toulon Tournament: 2018) with the England U21 side as well.
Also read: Will be “honoured” to play for Bangladesh football team: Hamza Choudhury
BCB announces Tk 50 lac reward for SAFF Champions
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a cash reward of Tk 50 lac for the National Women’s Football Team who won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship for the first time.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon has lauded the success of the women footballers.
“The women’s football team has made the whole nation proud with its exceptional performance and historic achievement,” Papon was quoted in a BCB press release.
Read: Rise and rise of Bangladesh women and football
“As a mark of our appreciation and support for their effort, I am declaring 50 lac taka for the entire team on behalf of the BCB. I have no doubts that the SAFF triumph will greatly inspire sportsmen and women around the country and sports teams to strive for international glory in respective disciplines,” the press release further reads.
Bangladesh women beat the hosts Nepal in the final by 3-1. Before that, Bangladesh beat the hot favourite India in the semifinals.
It was the first time for Bangladesh women to win the SAAF. In 2003, Bangladesh men won the event in Dhaka beating Maldives.
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announces retirement from pro tennis
Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis at age 41 after a series of knee operations, closing a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons ranked No. 1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Federer posted what he called a “bittersweet decision” via social media on Thursday, less than a week after 23-time major champion Serena Williams played what is expected to the last match of her career.
Combined, the exits by two of the greatest athletes in their sport’s history represent a significant turning of the page.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” Federer wrote on Twitter. “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.”
Federer has not competed since Wimbledon in July 2021, and so, in that sense, his news is not all that surprising.
But he had appeared at an event marking the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court at the All England Club this July and said he hoped to come back to play there “one more time.”
He also had said he would return to tournament action in his home country at the Swiss Indoors in October.
In Thursday’s announcement, Federer said his farewell event will be the Laver Cup in London next week. That is a team event run by his management company.
Federer is married and he and his wife, Mirka — a tennis player, too; they met as athletes at an Olympics — have two sets of twins.
Read: Federer stunned by 55th-ranked Millman in US Open 4th Round
He leaves with a total of 103 tour-level titles on his substantial resume and 1,251 wins in singles matches, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer’s records include being the oldest No. 1 in ATP rankings history — he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 — and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic).
When Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the men’s record for most was held by Pete Sampras, who had won his 14th at the U.S. Open the year before in what turned out to be the last match of the American’s career.
Federer would go on to blow way past that, ending up with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the U.S. Open and one at the French Open. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.
His serving, forehand, footwork and attacking style will all be remembered. Also unforgettable were his matches against younger rivals Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, who both equalled, then surpassed, Federer’s Slam total and are still winning titles at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
Nadal now leads the count with 22, one ahead of Djokovic.
“I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget,” Federer said in Thursday’s announcement.
Also read: Federer marks 100th match on Rod Laver Arena with 3-set win
Addressing his “competitors on the court” — although not by name — he wrote: “We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.”
Federer’s last match anywhere came on July 7, 2021, when he lost at Centre Court in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0.
Soon after, Federer had surgery to repair damage to his meniscus and cartilage in his right knee — his third operation on that knee in a span of 1 1/2 years.
“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt,” Federer said Thursday, “and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”
Women's Hockey: BHF Red beat BHF Yellow by 3-1 goal
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Red team earned a facile 3-1 goal victory over BHF Yellow team in the Walton Development Cup Women' s Hockey Tournament at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium here on Wednesday.
Nadira struck twice in the 19th and 31st minutes, both from penalty corners while Kona Akhter scored a field goal in the 53rd minute for the Red team.
Read:Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team make first training session in Singapore
Aharin Akhter Riya scored the lone goal for Yellow team from a penalty corner in the very first minute of the match.
BHF Blue team will play BHF Green team in Thursday's lone match at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Women's Hockey: BHF Green team beat BHF Yellow team by 2-1 goals
Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Green team beat BHF Yellow team by 2-1 goals in the Walton Women's Development Cup Hockey Tournament at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Tuesday.Rani Khatun scored twice for the winners in the 17th and 55th minutes while Riva Khatun scored the lone goal for the losers in the 28th minute.
Read: Bangladesh Hockey team due to fly for Indonesia Monday for Asia CupBHF Red team will play BHF Yellow team on Wednesday (Sept 14) at 4 pm at the same venue.