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Mahbub Sarkar

  • Journalist

Journalist
Politics in sport, sport of politics
sport of politics
Sports

Politics in sport, sport of politics

In early October 2015, Cricket Australia postponed its scheduled tour of Bangladesh citing security concerns. Around the same time, the country’s national football team was also due to visit Dhaka. Just like the cricketers, the Socceroos also backed out. Their demand was that the match be shifted elsewhere. But after reviewing the security situation in Bangladesh, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) declared that the match would be held in Dhaka. If Australia refused to play, Bangladesh would be awarded three points. Yet the International Cricket Council (ICC) could not compel the Australians to tour Bangladesh.

Chess of potential, chess of despair
chess of despair
Sports

Chess of potential, chess of despair

Divya Deshmukh sowed the seeds of dreams for many aspiring Indian chess players at Batumi in Georgia. At the age of 19, she became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE World Cup. Born at Nagpur in Maharashtra, she also received the Grandmaster (GM) title along with the World Cup. She is the fourth woman to become a GM in India. The total number of GMs stands at 88 including both men and women.

'National sport’ kabaddi: Past, present and future
kabaddi
Sports

'National sport’ kabaddi: Past, present and future

As the national sport, kabaddi is supposed to hold special significance among the country’s 52 sports federations. That significance had long been confined to paper. Is the path now widening for kabaddi to emerge from that ‘book-bound’ state? Various events at home and abroad, priority in the activities of the National Sports Council, and Bangladesh’s growing importance in the international arena around kabaddi all point in that direction.

Ritu and the World Cup: Dreams and reality
Ritu and the World Cup
Sports

Ritu and the World Cup: Dreams and reality

Another achievement. The women’s football team has qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time. Following this historic success, the female footballers are overjoyed. Amidst the emotions and excitement, many are already dreaming of Rituparna Chakma and her teammates playing in the World Cup. But is Bangladesh really in a position to think about the World Cup?

Cost of errors, failure to capitalise opportunities
Bangladesh-Singapore match
Sports

Cost of errors, failure to capitalise opportunities

Hamza Choudhury has experience playing in the English Premier League and has also played for England’s U-21 national team. Shamit Shome plays in the Canadian league and has experience playing for that country’s national team. Fahmidul Islam, though playing in a lower-tier league in Italy, is a forward enriched with speed and a never-give-up attitude. Tariq Kazi, raised in Finland, is a symbol of reliability in Bangladesh’s defence. These players have enriched the Bangladesh national football team with their skills; but the task of weaving this talent into a coherent unit didn’t happen! That’s the coach’s job

Rumors of another shake-up at BCB
Rumors of another shake-up at BCB
Sports

Rumors of another shake-up at BCB

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.

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