A mainstay in domestic football and a reliable presence between the sticks for Bangladesh from 2015 to 2022, Rana also played for Chittagong Abahani, Saif Sporting Club and Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra.
The vibe would likely have been different had Mohammedan SC clinched their maiden Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title with a win on the field -- especially after such a dominant display by the Black and Whites throughout the tournament.
Unless reconciliation happens -- unless Butler and the BFF work to reintegrate the veterans and unify the squad -- Bangladesh could head into the Asian qualifiers at risk of squandering hard-won momentum.
Jubaidur Rahman Rana, convenor of five-member Search Committee, talked to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman.
After leading Bashundhara Kings to Federation Cup title defence as captain, central defender -- even becoming the joint-top scorer -- Tapu Barman was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Ridoy had the simplest of chances to put Bangladesh ahead against India in the 12th minute.
Playing alongside English Premier League footballer Hamza Choudhury was the best-ever experience of his playing career, according to Bangladesh forward Sheikh Morsalin.
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.
