Going by FIFA rankings, Bangladesh is at the bottom of Group ‘C’ in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Yet, some believe they can rise from the depths—thanks to the presence of Hamza Choudhury. This footballing optimism seems to mirror the country’s cricketing aspirations. Before every major global tournament, the Tigers express their determination to do well, with some fans even dreaming of a semifinal berth! But in reality, they often bow out after defeats to lower-ranked teams. Perhaps this recurring disappointment stems from an overreliance on emotions rather than rational analysis.

India turned Dubai into a home ground and remained unbeaten to claim the Champions Trophy for the third time, making their dream of wearing the prestigious white blazer a reality. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India has now won back-to-back ICC tournaments. This victory certainly lightens the burden of their defeat against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and their loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at home. With this triumph, India has now won seven ICC trophies—two ODI World Cups, three Champions Trophies, and two T20 World Cups. There is no doubt that Indian cricket is looking ahead, maintaining consistency both at home and abroad.

The rumour that Faruk Ahmed may resign started gaining traction shortly after midnight on Wednesday and has since been rapidly spreading. While it remains unofficial, recent reports in local media suggest that this speculation may soon become a formal announcement. Whether that happens or not is a matter of time, but one thing is clear—the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in a state of turmoil, and that instability is reflecting on the field as well.

Those who work with trends in the country’s sports arena regularly observe that in age-based international tournaments, our boys and girls compete in various sports in South Asia, and even further in Asian-level competitions, with equal emotion, courage, and confidence. This reflects that, just like in other fields, the youth of our country are not lagging behind those of other countries in sports either. This is significant. There is no alternative to ability and creativity.

This isn’t fiction—though it often feels like something out of a novel. I am lucky to be living through a story that may someday become part of football folklore. It’s the story of Shahidul, a poor young man from a remote village in Bangladesh—who, with nothing but fire in his heart and football in his soul, is determined to turn his three-and-a-half-year-old son, Peter Dawn, into a world-class footballer

According to Transfermarkt.com, Inter Milan's squad value stands at €663.80 million, while Barcelona’s squad is valued at a staggering €1.02 billion. Yet it was the Italian side that marched into the UEFA Champions League final, defeating Barcelona. Squad value is often just a number—a notion that gets proven time and again. The latest edition of the Champions League confirmed that yet again. A similar story played out in domestic football, where traditional powerhouse Mohammedan SC defied the odds and outperformed expectations, throwing paper calculations out the window.

People are now vocal in favour of change in the sports arena—because awareness has increased to some extent. People are realising that the sports sector has not progressed the way it should have over the past five decades. That is why the nation’s dream of a thriving sports sector has remained unfulfilled. After independence, the journey of sports in the new country began with aspirations and commitments. But the sports arena is still plagued with a crisis of trust and confidence. It keeps stumbling in various ways. The sector has not been freed from a kind of uncertainty and instability. Beautiful words, promises, and so-called publicised initiatives cannot lead sports in the right direction. What is needed is a realistic, collective effort. The united sincerity of people, coordination among them, and a shared determination.

Barcelona, already Copa del Rey champions, have the chance to complete a domestic double with the league title. A win in El Clásico would stretch their lead to seven points, a gap that would be nearly impossible to close in the final three games. On the other hand, if Real Madrid win, the gap would narrow to a single point—setting up a nail-biting finish to the season.

The Olympic Games are a magical spectacle of five interlocked rings—an enchanting four-letter word that draws humanity like a magnet. The Olympics are a celebration of life itself, one of the greatest legacies of Greek civilization. They represent the harmony of tradition and modernity. From its inception, the modern Olympic movement declared that it would embrace beauty without discrimination—rejecting inequality, gender bias, and racial division. The philosophy of the Olympics champions human dignity and the triumph of humanity.

The increasing tendency to stir emotions regarding sports, athletes, and organizers is alarming. This is detrimental to the sports arena. Division, conflicts, and controversies at various levels weaken unity in sports. A diverse yet unified sporting community is not only aesthetically pleasing but also essential. Rushing into sports-related initiatives and decisions without understanding them fosters a negative mindset. Anticipating incidents that may hinder progress towards goals and becoming overly concerned about them is the definition of anxiety.

Going by FIFA rankings, Bangladesh is at the bottom of Group ‘C’ in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Yet, some believe they can rise from the depths—thanks to the presence of Hamza Choudhury. This footballing optimism seems to mirror the country’s cricketing aspirations. Before every major global tournament, the Tigers express their determination to do well, with some fans even dreaming of a semifinal berth! But in reality, they often bow out after defeats to lower-ranked teams. Perhaps this recurring disappointment stems from an overreliance on emotions rather than rational analysis.

India turned Dubai into a home ground and remained unbeaten to claim the Champions Trophy for the third time, making their dream of wearing the prestigious white blazer a reality. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India has now won back-to-back ICC tournaments. This victory certainly lightens the burden of their defeat against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and their loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at home. With this triumph, India has now won seven ICC trophies—two ODI World Cups, three Champions Trophies, and two T20 World Cups. There is no doubt that Indian cricket is looking ahead, maintaining consistency both at home and abroad.