Anisur Rahman

Bangladesh, winners of the SAFF Women’s Championship, returned home from Nepal with their second consecutive regional title amid huge enthusiasm from fans and media personnel at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday.

When legendary footballer Kazi Salahuddin was elected as the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) some 16 year ago in 2008, hopes were that the former footballer-turn-organiser would revive the country’s declining football and elevate it to a new height. But unlike his playing days, Salahuddin failed to deliver by and large as an administrator.

While there are exceptions like archery and chess, which have been some of the few professionally managed sporting federations in the country, most sports bodies are still reeling from the uncertainty and hierarchical void left in the aftermath of the July Uprising.

Eighty-one-year-old WIM Rani Hamid, who is fondly referred to as ‘grandma’ in the chess fraternity, was the second oldest woman chess player in the 45th Chess Olympiad after 83-year-old debutant Pauline Woodward of Guernsey. Hamid secured six wins in a row after skipping the first three rounds in Budapest, Hungary. The 20-time Bangladesh national women’s champion, three-time British Women’s Chess Champion, and Commonwealth Chess gold medalist, Hamid, talked about her experience, memories, and more during an interview with The Daily Star’s Anisur Rahman after the 10th-round matches. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

It was once a different world for the father-son duo of GM Ziaur Rahman and FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, who happily travelled the globe together to participate in various chess tournaments.

Maruful Haque is undoubtedly one of the country's top coaches, with his domestic achievements underscoring his credentials. The 54-year-old added another accolade by guiding Bangladesh's youth football team to their maiden SAFF U-20 Championship title.

“The officials who usually handle the forming of the squad for Sheikh Russel, told us about a week ago that they won’t form a squad,” said a coach who was supposed to be part of Sheikh Russel’s coaching staff, seeking anonymity.

Kazi Salahuddin, who has been at the helm of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for 16 years, is planning to contest for a fifth consecutive term as president in the next BFF elections, set to take place on October 26

It’s an incredible honour to represent Bangladesh on the world’s biggest stage. The wildcard entry is a recognition of the hard work and dedication I've put into my sport, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase my abilities and make my country proud.

I have been working really hard in Thailand, sometimes I have even broken down in tears from the intensity of the training. If I can clock less than 52 seconds, all the pain will be worth it.

“I had nearly confirmed my championship win with two rounds in hand and was really happy about it. But now I am shocked and can’t find the words to express my emotions after the death of my beloved Zia sir,” Neer told The Daily Star yesterday.

Archer Sagor Islam, at just 18 years old, has made history as the youngest athlete from his country to earn a direct spot in the Olympic Games, following in the footsteps of golfer Siddiqur Rahman and archer Ruman Sana who achieved the same in previous editions. Overcoming poverty with unwavering support from his widowed mother, BKSP, and the Bangladesh Archery Federation, Sagor, a high school student in the 11th grade, has reached this milestone. While he has not yet won an individual event medal in either domestic or international competitions, Sagor surprised many by securing a direct Olympic entry and even clinching a silver medal in last month's Final Olympic Quota tournament. The lad from Rajshahi discussed his career, passion for archery, and future aspirations with The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman in an exclusive interview, the excerpts of which are as follows:

Under the giant steel roof at the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Stadium in Paltan, adorned with shining banners featuring a smiling photo of archer Sagor Islam raising his index finger triumphantly, the 18-year-old archer looked radiant alongside his mother during a warm reception yesterday.

The 11th-grade BKSP student spoke to Anisur Rahman of The Daily Star after the team’s arrival from Singapore.

Sabina spoke about the experience of the two Chinese Taipei ties as well as the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship.

"I think if the federation takes an initiative to hold a franchise tournament like the India’s Pro Kabaddi League, then the new generation will be encouraged to take up kabaddi."

Mohammedan Sporting Club finished the season as runners-up in the Bangladesh Premier League for the first time in 14 years after finishing runners-up in two club competitions. Alfaz Ahmed, the man behind the resurgence of the Motijheel outfit, spoke with The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman about the process of rebuilding Mohammedan and many other aspects.

In post-independent Bangladesh, there was a deliberate effort to kick-start women’s hockey, much before women’s cricket or football was a thing in this part of the world.

Mosammat Sagorika of Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC, who finished runners-up in the UCB Bangladesh Women’s Football League on Tuesday, finished as the second highest scorer with 15 goals. The 17-year-old, who had made headlines during February’s SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship by emerging as the top-scorer and the best player, talked to The Daily Star’s Anisur Rahman regarding her experience in the league.

Jahid first-ever goal in top flight became a memorable one.