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Nigerian's 60-hour chess marathon breaks record
Deutsche Welle
20 Apr 2024, 21:47
Tunde Onakoya played chess nonstop for 60 hours on New York City's Times Square and is looking to raise money for children in need across Africa.
Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya appears to have broken the world record for the longest chess marathon, managing to play unbeaten for 60 hours on New York City's Times Square.
Onakoya, who is a child education advocate, bettered the Guinness World Record of over 56 hours in an effort to raise funds for underprivileged children.
'I just couldn't give up on them'
An enthusiastic crowd cheered him on as he achieved the feat Friday night.
"I can't process a lot of the emotions I feel right now. I don't have the right words for them. But I know we did something truly remarkable," he told AFP.
"(At) 3 a.m. last night, that was the moment I was ready to just give it all up," he said. "But Nigerians traveled from all over the world," he added. "And they were with me overnight."
"We were singing together, and they were dancing together, and I couldn't just give up on them," Onakoya said.
The 29-year-old chess supremo is hoping to raise $1 million (€937,500) for children's education in Africa.
The record attempt began on Wednesday and continued for 60 hours, through to 12:40 a.m. on Saturday.
Tunde is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa. The organization aims to support the education of at least 1 million children in slums across the continent.
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U-19 Women's Asia Cup: / Bangladesh's Dream Shattered by Loss to India
Just days ago, Bangladesh’s U-19 team brought home the Asia Cup title by defeating India. This time, the Bangladeshi girls had a similar opportunity—not only to win the title but also to avenge their Super Four loss against India.
However, they couldn’t seize the chance, losing to India in the Asia Cup final by a significant margin of 41 runs.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangladesh restricted India to 117 runs for 7 wickets, sparking hopes of a championship win.
But the batters faltered, and the team was bowled out for just 76 runs in 18.3 overs, falling short of their dream.
BPL Music Fest: Ticket Prices Drop to BDT 500
BPL T20 Music Fest, the much-anticipated concert, is scheduled for December 23 at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Gates will open at 2:30 pm, entry will close at 4:30 pm, and the concert will begin at 3:30 pm.
The event promises to be a musical extravaganza, headlined by renowned Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, one of the subcontinent's most celebrated singers. Supporting acts include popular bands and artists like Miles, AvoidRafa, Muza, Xefer, Sanjay, and Hannan.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan arrived in Bangladesh to participate in the "Spirits of July" event. Additionally, he is set to perform at the BPL T20 Music Fest on December 23.
This information was revealed during a board meeting held on Saturday (December 21) at the BCB office at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
It has been reported that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will receive a fee of $286,000, equivalent to 3.4 crore BDT, for his performance at the BPL T20 Music Fest at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. The BCB Board of Directors has already approved the payment for the singer.
Regarding this, BCB President Faruk Ahmed stated, "Madhumati Bank has purchased the title sponsorship rights for three events in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, held in connection with the BPL Music Fest. They will pay 4 crore BDT to BCB, nearly all of which will be allocated to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan."
Meanwhile, ticket prices for the BPL Music Fest have been reduced. Tickets are available online via Tickify, the official ticketing platform.
New pricing categories include:
Platinum: BDT 8,000 (reduced from BDT 12,000)
Gold: BDT 6,000 (down from BDT 8,000)
Silver: BDT 4,000 (was BDT 6,000)
Grandstand: BDT 1,500 (down from BDT 4,000)
Clubhouse: BDT 500 (previously BDT 2,500)
Fans can also purchase tickets directly from:
Mirpur Stadium Ticket Counter
Indoor Stadium Counter
Dosa Express at Bailey Road
Tabaq Coffee outlets in Dhanmondi and Gulshan 1
To honour contributors to the July-August movement, the BCB has reserved 100 special seats for them and their families.
The festivities won't be limited to Dhaka. Concerts are also planned for the other two BPL venues, Sylhet and Chattogram, creating excitement across the country.
Incidentally, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also performed at a charity concert titled "Echoes of Revolution" at Dhaka's Army Stadium on Saturday (December 21) night. The concert was organized by a platform named "Spirits of July" to support the families of those killed and injured in the student-led protests of July-August. This Pakistani artist performed on Dhaka's stage without any remuneration.
BPL Kicks Off with a Music Fest, Mirpur Gets a New Look
The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will hit the field on December 30. However, the festivities begin a week earlier, with the BPL Music Fest 2025 set to take place on Monday (December 23) in Mirpur. Excitement is at its peak as the "Home of Cricket" has been transformed with a fresh new look for the occasion.
The highlight of this glamorous night is the performance by legendary singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. This evening of melodies and excitement marks the official inauguration of the newly revamped Bangladesh Premier League. It is more than just a fusion of music and cricket; it is a heartfelt event that resonates with millions of people across the nation.
The audience eagerly awaits the soulful voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, whose performance has cost the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) approximately 34 million BDT, approved in the BCB's board meeting last Saturday.
Additionally, renowned Bangladeshi artists such as Miles, Jefar, AvoidRafa, and Muza will also perform on stage. The BPL theme song, "Elo BPL", co-produced by Muza and AvoidRafa, will blend local and international music, further amplifying the audience's enthusiasm for the league.
Following the Mirpur event, music fests will also be held in Chattogram and Sylhet. However, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's performance will be exclusive to the Mirpur stage, adding a unique touch to this event. The stadium gates will open at 2:30 PM, allowing fans to enjoy the entire program.
In preparation for the BPL's inauguration, Mirpur Stadium has been redecorated, with old structures repainted and banners placed at the gates.
Sponsorship and Tickets
The festival is sponsored by Madhumati Bank, which is contributing nearly 50 million BDT. Tickets for the event are available online, with pricing designed to be more affordable for fans. Platinum tickets cost 8,000 BDT, Gold 6,000 BDT, Silver 4,000 BDT, Grandstand 1,500 BDT, and Clubhouse tickets 500 BDT.
Modern Technology and Special Features
This year’s BPL will showcase advanced technologies such as upgraded DRS, Hawk-Eye, and spy cameras. There are also various arrangements for fans, including the unveiling of the BPL mascot. Many aspects of the 11th BPL will also pay tribute to the student-people movement of July-August.
To honor the memory of Shaheed Mir Mugdha, free drinking water will be available for fans in the gallery. A portion of the gallery will also serve as a "Zero Waste Zone." Additionally, e-ticketing facilities will be in place for the convenience of spectators.
BPL Fever Kicks Off: Full Schedule Announced
The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to begin on December 30 at Mirpur. However, the excitement has already started a week earlier with the Dhaka leg of the BPL Music Fest held on Monday, December 23, marking the official kickoff of the tournament festivities.
BCB President Faruk Ahmed and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud graced the stage, with the latter inaugurating the tournament under the theme "A New BPL for a New Bangladesh," recalling the transformation after the July revolution.
The event featured electrifying performances by artists like Jafar, Muza, and Sanjay, followed by renowned band Miles and a grand finale performance by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The night concluded with a spectacular fireworks display around the stadium.
The Music Fest will continue in Chattogram on December 25 and conclude in Sylhet on December 27. Afterward, the on-field competition begins.
Teams and Matches
This season features seven teams:
Dhaka Capitals
Chittagong Kings
Durbar Rajshahi
Fortune Barishal
Khulna Tigers
Rangpur Riders
Sylhet Strikers
The opening match will see Fortune Barishal face Durbar Rajshahi, followed by a second match between Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals on the same day. The group stage concludes on February 1 with a match between Barishal and Chittagong Kings.
Venues and Schedule:
Mirpur, Dhaka: First 8 matches (Dec 30 - Jan 5)
Sylhet: 12 matches (Jan 6 - Jan 13)
Chattogram: 12 matches (Jan 16 - Jan 23)
Dhaka Final Leg: Eliminator, Qualifiers, and Final (Jan 26 - Feb 7)
Key dates include:
Eliminator & 1st Qualifier: February 3
2nd Qualifier: February 5
Final: February 7
To ease ticketing, the BCB has introduced an e-ticketing system, allowing fans to purchase tickets from the comfort of their homes.
Let the cricketing excitement begin!
Proper Trial of Hasina Depends on Her Repatriation: Tajul
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam today said if the government can bring Sheikh Hasina back from India, it will be possible to conduct her trial properly.
Replying to a question about his assessment of the government's diplomatic note to India to send back Sheikh Hasina, the ICT chief prosecutor said, “There is no scope to assess this on his part as it is the duty of the state.”
“The state is doing its job and I also doing my job for a state organization. The state has sent a note verbal to the Indian government following our request and trying to bring her back through diplomatic channels. If the government can successfully bring Sheikh Hasina back from India, then it would be possible to conduct her trial in a better way,” Tajul said.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Monday said that Dhaka has sent a note verbal to New Delhi saying that the Bangladesh government wanted Sheikh Hasina back here for the judicial process.
The home adviser said that the former prime minister could be brought back to Bangladesh under the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India.
The ICT on October 17 issued an arrest warrant against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others on the charge of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.
BPL Begins on Monday: A Glimpse at the Squads of 7 Teams
The 11th season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is just one day away from kicking off. The opening match will feature Fortune Barishal facing Durbar Rajshahi. The match will begin at 1:30 pm Bangladesh time.
The 11th season of BPL will feature 7 teams, including three new ones. This nearly one-and-a-half-month-long tournament will conclude on February 7, next year.
The seven teams competing in this year's BPL are Dhaka Capitals, Chittagong Kings, Durbar Rajshahi, Fortune Barishal, Khulna Tigers, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Strikers.
Notably, Comilla Victorians and Chattogram Challengers will not participate this season. Additionally, Dhaka has changed ownership, and Durbar Rajshahi has made a comeback.
Let's take a quick look at the squads of all seven teams:
Dhaka Capitals
Local Players:
Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Habibur Rahman, Mukidul Islam, Abu Jayed, Mushfiq Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Munem Shahriar, Asif Hasan, Shahadat Hossain.
Foreign Players:
Thisara Perera, Johnson Charles, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Stephen Eskinazi, Saim Ayub, Amir Hamza.
Chittagong Kings
Local Players:
Shakib Al Hasan, Shariful Islam, Shamim Hossain, Parvez Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Aliss Al Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Naeem Islam, Maruf Mridha, Rahatul Ferdous, Sheikh Parvez, Marshal Ayub.
Foreign Players:
Moeen Ali, Usman Khan, Haider Ali, Angelo Mathews, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Binura Fernando, Graham Clark, Thomas O’Connell.
Durbar Rajshahi
Local Players:
Anamul Haque, Taskin Ahmed, Zeeshan Alam, Yasir Ali, Sabbir Hossain, Sanjamul Islam, SM Mehrab Hossain, Akbar Ali, Hasan Murad, Shafiul Islam, Moher Sheikh.
Foreign Players:
Mohammad Haris, Bilal Khan, Saad Nasim, Lahiru Samarakoon.
Khulna Tigers
Local Players:
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Afif Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Naim, Imrul Kayes, Mahidul Islam, Abu Hider, Ziaur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mahmudul Hasan.
Foreign Players:
Oshane Thomas, Mohammad Hasnain, Lewis Gregory, Mohammad Nawaz.
Rangpur Riders
Local Players:
Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Saif Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Rakibul Hasan, Rezaur Rahman, Irfan Sukkur, Kamrul Islam, Azizul Haque Tamim, Toufiq Khan.
Foreign Players:
Alex Hales, Khushdil Shah, Allah Ghazanfar, Steven Ryan Taylor, Saurabh Netravalkar, Akif Javed, Curtis Campher.
Sylhet Strikers
Local Players:
Zakir Hasan, Zaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Rony Talukdar, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Al Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Ruyel Miah, Ariful Haque, Nihaduzzaman, Nahidul Islam.
Foreign Players:
Paul Stirling, George Munsey, Rahkeem Cornwall, Samiullah Shinwari, Reece Topley.
Fortune Barishal
Local Players:
Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Tanvir Islam, Najmul Hossain, Ripon Mondol, Ebadot Hossain, Naeem Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shahidul Islam, Ariful Islam, Iqbal Hossain Emon.
Foreign Players:
Dawid Malan, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Ali Mohammad, Khan Jahandad, James Fuller, Pathum Nissanka, Nandre Burger.
New Zealand Fight Back to Beat Sri Lanka by 8 Runs in First T20
Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell made half-centuries in a 105-run sixth-wicket partnership to help lead New Zealand to an eight-run win over Sri Lanka on Saturday in the first of three T20 internationals.
Outstanding bowling at the death also turned the match in New Zealand's favour as Sri Lanka slumped from 121-0 to 164-8 in reply to New Zealand's 172-8.
Mitchell made 62 and Bracewell 59 in a partnership lasting only 60 balls, after coming together with New Zealand in trouble at 65-5 when Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Hay with consecutive deliveries in the 10th over.
New Zealand's total looked inadequate as Pathum Nissanka made 90 in 60 balls and shared a 121-run opening stand with Kusal Mendis which seemed to have set up Sri Lanka for a comfortable win.
Mendis contributed 46 to Sri Lanka's first-century opening partnership in T20s in 122 innings over eight years.
He was out in the 14th over, an over where Jacob Duffy took three wickets for one run, marking the point at which Sri Lanka's run chase began to unravel. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Perera were also out in the same over.
“They're class batters, particularly those two at the top,” Duffy said. "We know these conditions well with a bit of bounce and swing up top.”
Nissanka was dismissed with a total of 153-5 in the 19th over and only 20 runs needed for victory.
But Sri Lanka went into the match with a long tail and it wasn't able to finish what Nissanka and Kusal Mendis had started.
“We're really disappointed about the result and we really should have done better,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said. “I think Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis batted really well and the rest of us, myself included, should take responsibility for this loss.”
New Zealand was under pressure for most of the match, stumbling to 32-2 at the end of the power play as Binura Fernando bowled superbly at the top of the innings, finishing with 2-22.
Hasaranga then stepped up and took his two important middle-order wickets as New Zealand reached 65-5 by the midpoint of its innings.
Mitchell and Bracewell lifted New Zealand to a solid total which was still made to look reachable under the early onslaught from Nissanka and Mendis.
But after Duffy's three-wicket burst, Sri Lanka lost its way and the next-best score after the opening pair was 8. Matt Henry and Zak Foulkes bowled superbly at the death. UNB News.
