Journalist
Modern football is no longer confined to the goal line and touchline. It is a contest of technology, psychology, words and tactics — at times even of shrewd manoeuvring. The match Bangladesh played against Hong Kong-China could easily have been held in the afternoon or evening; but starting it at 8 pm had a clear purpose — to throw the visiting side into possible logistical complications ahead of their away match on 14 October.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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