United News of Bangladesh

Aaron Rai was just another name among a dozen others who had reason to believe the PGA Championship was theirs for the taking Sunday at tough Aronimink. There was Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, with 10 majors among them, all ready to seize the moment on a stage that was unfamiliar to Rai. Justin Thomas was the clubhouse leader for nearly four hours after a 65 before the course turned hard under a hot sun. What followed was a master class from golf's newest major champion. Rai made six birdies over the last 10 holes, taking the lead for good on the 13th and pouring it on with a 70-foot birdie putt across the 17th green that evoked a roar so loud everyone else on the course must have realized it was over. He closed with a 5-under 65 for a three-shot victory to become the first English-born player in more than a century to capture the PGA Championship. “To be here is outside my wildest imagination,” Rai said. Three shots behind as he approached the turn, Rai got back in the game with a 5-wood up the hill and a 40-foot eagle putt. His 40-yard bunker shot was sublime and set up a 6-foot birdie on the 13th hole, the reachable par 4 that moments earlier gobbled up McIlroy and Schauffele. And then the 31-year-old Rai — who wore Ferrari shirts at junior golf tournaments because he once dreamed of being a Formula 1 driver — hit the gas with a back nine that ranks among the best in major championship history. The previous two players to go 6 under or better over the final 10 holes of a major were Cameron Smith at St. Andrews when he won the 2022 British Open, and Jack Nicklaus when he won the 1986 Masters. Rai now takes his place in some exclusive company. Those chasing him with a better golfing pedigree — even Alex Smalley and Matti Schmid, who also took turns atop the leaderboard while going for their first win — were undone by untimely mistakes or failure to get good looks at birdie. McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par 5s in even for the week and he chopped up the reachable par-4 13th for a bogey. He also glared and softly cursed at a fan who said “USA!” after McIlroy hit a wedge from the rough to the bunker on the par-5 16th. It was an indication McIlroy knew his hopes were all but gone. Rai, who finished at 9-under 271, is the first player from England with his name on the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919, the second edition of this major and the first after World War I. Rahm and Smalley tied for second, a big deal for both of them. Rahm had his best finish in a major since defecting to LIV Golf at the end of 2023. He was slowed by a pair of bogeys on the front nine, and managed only one birdie on the back nine for a 68. Smalley lost the lead with a messy double bogey on the sixth hole, and his best golf was too late. Rai already had his eye on the Wanamaker Trophy when Smalley made birdie on the 18th for a 70. The runner-up finish gets him in the next four majors, including the Masters. Thomas made a 16-foot par putt on the final hole to post at 5-under 275, one shot behind as the final group was only in the second fairway. For the longest time, as Aronimink got tougher and the pressure got tighter, it looked like Thomas might have a chance. Like everything else on this final day, Rai ended those hopes, too. So concluded a most remarkable week in the Philadelphia suburbs when no one could separate themselves at Aronimink. The 22 players within four shots of the lead going into the final round was a PGA Championship record. From that pack emerged the 31-year-old Rai, with one PGA Tour title, three on the European tour, and no finishes inside the top 15 at any of the majors. He might not be well known among casual observers, but he is a star in the eyes of his peers for his humility and gracious personality. “You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said. “Super pumped for him and his team,” Schauffele said. “All-world gentleman, no doubt.” He wears two gloves, a habit he started as a kid in England to battle the cold winters when he was practicing — and he was always practicing. Even more unusual for Rai is the plastic covers on each iron, a reminder of his roots. He once said his father sacrificed to buy the nicest golf clubs and then would clean the grooves with baby oil after his son was done playing. Rai has left the iron covers on since then “to remember where I came from and to respect what I have.” “Anybody that uses head covers in his irons because he coveted his irons when he was a kid so much that he wanted to respect the equipment and to still do it? Yeah, it shows a lot about a person,” Rahm said. “What he did today is nothing short of special.” Rai had seven straight one-putt greens, the last one a 6-foot birdie putt on the 13th that made him the first player all week to reach 7 under. And then he kept right on going. Thomas wound up in a for fourth with Ludvig Aberg (69) and Schmid, whose 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole gets him into his first Masters next year. Smith, who didn't drop a shot until the 17th hole, had a 68 to join McIlroy and Schauffele (69) another shot back. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole and twice missed 3-foot par putts on the back nine in his closing round of 69 to tie for 14th, his first time out of the top 10 at a major since the 2024 U.S. Open. Rai now has a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, and into the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open. He can play the PGA Championship for life. “Golf is an amazing game,” Rai said. “It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game.” Nothing was given to him Sunday. Rai simply outplayed the strongest field in golf and won it.  

Visually impaired runners are using AI-powered smart glasses to take part in the London Marathon, helping them navigate routes and track progress more independently. Tilly Dowler, who has Stargardt disease and only about 10 percent useful vision, is preparing to run the marathon after starting her running journey just last year. Training near Buckingham Palace, she is using AI-enabled smart glasses to assist her while running alongside her boyfriend, who acts as her guide. “They are AI-assisted,” she said. “While running, I can ask for live cues, such as what landmarks are around me and how far I have run.” The glasses provide audio feedback, allowing her to listen to instructions while still hearing her guide and music. Dowler said her goal is not about speed but to inspire others facing vision loss and difficult challenges. “I want to show people they can believe in themselves,” she said. She is among a growing number of runners using such technology. These smart glasses combine cameras, microphones and open-ear speakers, using artificial intelligence to understand surroundings and deliver real-time audio guidance. One of the most widely used versions comes from Meta, developed in partnership with brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. The devices have become increasingly popular, though they have also raised privacy concerns, including fears of recording people without their knowledge. Another runner, Sha Khan, who lost about 90 percent of his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease, said the glasses have become essential in his daily life. “It’s like a part of me now,” he said. Khan also uses a guide dog provided by Guide Dogs UK and says the hands-free nature of the glasses allows him to stay focused without handling a phone. He began running in 2022 after being encouraged by the charity, following the impact of vision loss on his mental health. The glasses use a front-facing camera to capture images, which AI then processes into spoken information for the user. This helps runners understand their surroundings without losing awareness. Technology analyst Chris Lewis said such devices add an extra layer of awareness by identifying objects and movement in real time. However, he warned that large events like marathons can create challenges, such as weak mobile signals due to heavy network use, which may affect performance. Experts also stress that the technology should support, not replace, existing tools like guide dogs and mobility training. “These glasses can enhance independence, but they are not a replacement for essential skills,” said Tommy Dean of Guide Dogs UK. Analyst Ben Hatton said reliability remains a major concern. “If the technology is to be used for navigating busy streets, it must work perfectly every time,” he said. Despite limitations, experts say advances in AI are making everyday technology more accessible for people with disabilities. More than 59,000 runners are expected to join this year’s London Marathon, covering the 26.2-mile route from Greenwich to near Buckingham Palace.

Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker denied taking any prohibited substance and said his failed drug test from last month's loss to Fabio Wardley was “a real surprise.” The New Zealander's voluntary anti-doping test conducted on the day of the bout returned an adverse finding, promotions company Queensberry announced on Friday. Wardley stopped Parker in the 11th round at the O2 Arena in London on Oct. 25 in a fight to determine who would become the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk. “Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me," Parker said early Saturday in a statement on Instagram. “I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use,” he continued. “I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name.” The 33-year-old Parker faces a potential lengthy ban by the British Boxing Board of Control. “Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It means a great deal to me and my family,” Parker’s statement added. “When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.” On Friday, Queensberry said the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association had informed all parties of the adverse finding. The promotions company said it won’t make any other comments “while the matter is investigated further.” Parker won the WBO title in December 2016 when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr. on a majority decision. He then lost the belt to Anthony Joshua by a unanimous decision in late March 2018 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.  

French swimming sensation Léon Marchand is back in the pool and eyeing more world records, a year after winning four Olympic gold medals at the Paris Games. Now a national hero in France, Marchand said life has changed significantly since his Olympic success, especially at home. “I have to plan things. I can’t just go out in the city to buy bread,” Marchand said on Saturday. “I’ve also learned how to say ‘no’ better. It’s much more peaceful when I travel outside France.” Marchand, who trained under Bob Bowman at the University of Texas at Austin, is set to headline the swimming world championships in Singapore — the largest international meet since the Olympics and a key qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Pool events will run from Sunday through August 3. He will compete in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys, as well as team relays, but has opted out of his other Olympic gold-winning events — the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke. “This is a transition year for me, so I wanted a lighter schedule,” Marchand said. “I'm really excited to do less and see how fast I can go.” The 22-year-old will attempt to break the 200 IM world record of 1:54.00, set by American Ryan Lochte in 2011, and better his own 400 IM world record (4:02.50) set at the 2023 World Championships in Japan. 48th National Athletics Championship underway He credited coach Bowman, who famously mentored Michael Phelps to 23 Olympic golds, for preparing him both physically and mentally. “He knows how to be calm in every situation,” Marchand said. “He has a lot of experience on the biggest stage, so I trust him fully.” Also drawing attention in Singapore are Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh and American veteran Katie Ledecky, along with 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, a rising star already clocking medal-worthy times. Marchand, however, remains focused. “Of course I want to break all the records,” he said. “I just don’t know when that’s going to happen.” Many believe it could be this week.

Historic Feats on the World Stage When Mohammad Ruman Shana stepped onto the global archery stage, few expected a Bangladeshi to challenge the sport’s giants. But in 2019, he proved everyone wrong by clinching a bronze medal at the World Archery Championships, Bangladesh’s first-ever podium finish at the event. In that Cinderella run at Den Bosch, Netherlands, Shana toppled powerhouses like former world champions Kim Woojin and Mauro Nespoli to earn his place on the podium. The achievement not only made history but also secured Bangladesh its first direct Olympic archery berth for the Tokyo Games. Riding that momentum, Shana captured gold at the Asia Cup in the Philippines later the same year, proving his world medal was no fluke. In 2021, he added another feather to his cap by partnering with rising archer Diya Siddique to claim silver in the mixed team event at the Archery World Cup, Bangladesh’s best-ever finish at the competition. That year, World Archery named him the 2019 Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, recognising both his bronze and the path it cleared for Olympic qualification. At his peak, the boy from Khulna reached a world ranking of No. 10, firmly placing him among archery’s global elite. Read more: Bazball Brilliance: Ben Duckett’s Rise Reshaping England’s Game Champion on Home Soil Shana was instrumental in Bangladesh’s clean sweep of all ten archery gold medals at the 2019 South Asian Games—an unprecedented regional triumph that put the nation firmly on the archery map. In 2023, he reclaimed the national crown by winning the Bangladesh National Archery Championship, sealing the men’s recurve title with a dominant 6–0 win in the final. (He and Diya took silver in the mixed-team event.) That title, his first in five years, reaffirmed Shana’s lasting dominance. He continues to represent Bangladesh Ansar, a leading domestic sports institution that regularly tops national medal tallies. Rising from a Disorganized System Archery in Bangladesh is still finding its footing, and when Shana picked up a bow in 2010, the sport lacked both structure and funding. His early training involved bamboo bows, built in a grassroots programme for youth. A turning point came in 2018 with the appointment of German coach Martin Frederick, funded by the “Teer Go for Gold” initiative. Frederick brought structure, international exposure, and professional training. The impact was immediate: Bangladesh’s archers won 15 gold, 18 silver, and 10 bronze medals on the international stage in 2018–2019. Read more: Najmul steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after Colombo defeat But even as Shana’s star rose, cracks remained. Despite being the country’s top archer, he received a monthly allowance of just ৳3,000 (around $35)—a sum he said was “barely enough to live on.” When Shana voiced his frustration, officials responded defensively. The federation’s secretary went so far as to claim Shana had “mental issues” and needed a psychiatrist, rather than addressing the real concerns he raised. Challenges and a Crossroads By 2023, after COVID-related disruptions and internal disputes, Shana’s form began to dip. He was briefly benched and banned for alleged disciplinary issues. Feeling pressured by restrictive federation rules and disrespected despite years of service, Shana made the shock decision to retire from the national team at just 28. In a heartfelt letter, he questioned what he had earned after 14 years of dedication—feeling that even historic achievements hadn’t secured him recognition or meaningful reward. In early 2025, the story took another turn. Ruman Shana, Bangladesh’s Olympic flag-bearer in archery, left the country with his wife, Diya Siddique, in search of better prospects in the United States. “We left… hoping for a better future,” Shana said. Read more: Who could handle the burden of Bangladesh's Test captaincy? If things don’t change, his story risks becoming a one-off—a symbol not of progress, but of missed opportunity. The Way Forward: Hitting the Bullseye Despite the setbacks, Ruman Shana’s story is far from finished—and it holds valuable lessons for Bangladesh. He has expressed openness to returning, but only if real changes are made. His message is clear: talent alone isn’t enough—support systems matter. First, athletes need secure livelihoods. Competitive stipends or sponsorships are essential for full-time training. Second, the country must retain top-tier coaching and upgrade training facilities. The Martin Frederick era showed what’s possible—replicating that success demands sustained investment. Lastly, there must be a culture of recognition. Athletes need more than applause. National awards, job placements, and long-term financial backing show that the country truly values its heroes. While the private sector, like City Group’s “Teer” brand, stepped up to support Shana, the public sector must now play its part with equal commitment. Read more: Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh to start campaign against Bahrain on Sunday For an archer to aim for Olympic gold, they mustn’t fear what happens after the final arrow is released. A Legacy to Build On Ruman Shana’s journey in archery, from a small village in Khulna to the world championship podium, is proof of what Bangladeshi talent can achieve when determination meets opportunity. His story is a rallying cry: with the right support, more Rumans can rise. The nation owes him not just thanks, but change.

Nino Benvenuti, an Italian former boxer who won gold at his home Olympics in 1960 before earning world championship titles in two weight classes as a pro, has died at age 87. The Italian National Olympic Committee, CONI, said Benvenuti died Tuesday. It did not disclose the cause of death. CONI called Benvenuti one of the best boxers in the country’s history “and certainly one of the most beloved athletes.” The elegant boxer won the Olympic welterweight title in Rome in 1960, the same Games where Cassius Clay — who would later become Muhammad Ali — took the heavyweight gold medal. Benvenuti beat out Clay for the Val Barker trophy as the games’ best boxer. IOC board approves boxing for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics “I only realized the importance of that award in the years that followed the games, when Muhammad Ali really became Muhammad Ali and the best boxer in the world,” Benvenuti later said. Benvenuti finished his amateur career with just one loss in 120 matches, according to the International Olympic Committee. After turning pro in 1961, he became the world light middleweight and middleweight champion (twice). But he said those titles pale in comparison to his gold medal. “When you win the Olympics you’re an Olympic champion for the rest of your life,” Benvenuti said.

The Indian Premier League match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, originally set to take place in Dharamsala on Sunday, has been relocated to Ahmedabad due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The IPL announced the change on Thursday, citing logistical difficulties. Civilian and commercial flights have been suspended at the airports in Dharamsala and Chandigarh — the home base for the Punjab Kings — since Wednesday. Similar airport closures have occurred across India’s northwestern region in response to the escalating cross-border situation. With air travel halted, it became impossible for the Mumbai Indians to fly into either Chandigarh or Dharamsala. Additionally, transporting the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals squads, along with broadcast personnel, from Dharamsala to their upcoming match locations posed further logistical hurdles. Punjab takes on Delhi in Dharamsala in a crucial game on Thursday. Both teams will take a 10-hour road journey to New Delhi after the game. The Capitals play Gujarat Titans at home next, and the Kings fly from Delhi to Ahmedabad for their next game against the Mumbai Indians. SAFF U-19 Champs: Holders Bangladesh will start campaign taking on Maldives in opener on Friday Punjab, Delhi and Mumbai are all in contention for the four knockout spots. Despite shifting Sunday's game to Ahmedabad, there were other operational challenges as well: Narendra Modi Stadium was adorned with Gujarat Titans sponsor branding as its home ground. Punjab hosts the game on Sunday, so shaping a neutral tone to the venue presents another challenge as Gujarat has two more home games on May 14 and 18.    

A new 60,000-seat stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, located in inner-city parkland, has been revealed as part of a major revision of the planning for the 2032 Summer Games. David Crisafulli, the third premier of Queensland state since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2032 Games to Brisbane almost four years ago, presented the updated plans on a rainy Tuesday during a Future Brisbane forum. Jahir Raihan leaves for China to compete in 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship It has been over 1,340 days since the IOC's decision in 2021, yet local organisers have yet to begin constructing Olympic venues. During this time, changes in government at both federal and state levels have occurred. After 150 days in office, Crisafulli declared, “The time has come to just get on with it — get on with it, and build.” He added, “We are going to start immediately. We've got seven years to make it work, and make it work we will.” A 25,000-seat aquatics centre has also been proposed for an Olympic precinct that includes the new main stadium at Victoria Park, a former golf course near downtown Brisbane. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games, Brisbane is next in line. The 11 years initially allotted for Brisbane's preparations have now been reduced to seven, and leaders at all levels of government and sports federations agree that it is time to cease arguing over venues and begin constructing them. Newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry has overseen the early stages of planning for the Olympic movement and has been kept informed of the changes by Andrew Liveris, chairman of the 2032 organising committee. Liveris mentioned that there had been daily engagement between a review panel assessing all venue options and the local organising committee, which is responsible for running the Games. “The stage matters,” he said. “We’ve still got 7½ years to go, and we have a plan. None of this is embarrassing — this is a go-get-it-done plan.” Brisbane was the first Summer Games host chosen through a new process that allowed a preferred candidate to enter exclusive, fast-track discussions without competing against rival bidders in a vote. This change aimed to reduce the costs of campaigning and venue construction while avoiding vote-buying scandals. False starts It has been a year since local organisers abandoned plans to demolish and rebuild the Gabba, an iconic cricket ground, as the centrepiece of the 2032 Games after a review panel, appointed in 2023, suggested a new stadium in city parkland instead. The costs for rebuilding the Gabba had escalated, and the Australian Olympic Committee withdrew its support for the concept. At the time, Queensland's premier Steven Miles rejected the review’s recommendations, led by former Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk. Instead, Miles planned to upgrade an existing rugby stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and renovate an older facility in the city’s southern outskirts, built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games, to serve as the track and field venue. Quirk argued that a new stadium at Victoria Park, on former council-owned golf course land, would cost slightly more than the full Gabba rebuild but offer better operational efficiencies. Crisafulli, who ran for election late last year with a promise of no new stadiums, quickly instituted another 100-day review after taking power for the Liberal-National coalition. His cabinet approved the recommendations on Monday. A croc, or not? Ahead of the venue announcements, local media reported that rowing would take place on the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton on the central Queensland coast, where crocodiles are often sighted. Crisafulli confirmed the proposed Fitzroy River venue, noting that numerous events, including Australia's pre-Olympic rowing camps, had been held there. He added that local children swam and paddled in the river most weekends, and crocodiles posed no real threat. Rowing Australia stated that media concerns about crocodiles had been exaggerated but raised some concerns regarding the river's current. Liveris mentioned that World Rowing would visit the organisers in May. National Athletics: 3 more national records created on day-2 He also downplayed any concerns about crocodiles at the rowing venue, saying, “There’s sharks in the ocean and we still do sailing and we still do surfing. It’s a bit kind of Hollywood-ish. I’m not worried about crocodiles.”

Bangladeshi athlete Jahir Raihan left Dhaka for China on a China Southern flight on Wednesday night to participate in the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championship, which begins in the Chinese city of Nanjing on Friday (March 21). The navy athlete will compete in Bangladesh’s only event the men’s 400-meter run during the three-day meet. He will race in the event's heat on Friday (March 21) at 11 am local time and 9 am Bangladesh time. The semifinal of the men’s 400-meter run is scheduled for Friday at 8:50 pm China time and 6:50 pm Bangladesh time, while the final will take place on Saturday (March 22) at 8:55 pm local time and 6:55 pm Bangladesh time. Navy coach Al Amin is accompanying him to China as the team leader. The two-member Bangladesh athletics team will return home on March 25.

Three more new national records were created on the 2nd day of the three-day 48th National Athletics Championship 2025 at the National Stadium, Dhaka on Tuesday. With the day’s three new national marks--two in the men’s and women’s 400-meter hurdles and one in the women’s 4x100-meter relay race, the total new national records raised to four in the first two days of the meet. Nazmul Hossain Ronny of Bangladesh Army made the day’s first record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles to win the event’s gold medal with a timing of 50.84 seconds to improve the event’s 31 years old record of 51.87 seconds made by Abdur Rahim Naim in 1993. Borsha Khatun of Bangladesh Army created the day’s 2nd record in the Women’s 400-meter hurdles clocking 1:04.61 seconds to clinch the gold medal, bettering the event’s previous record of 1:04 70 seconds made by Libya Khatun of Bangladesh Army in 2022. Bangladesh Navy team, consists of Shirin Akhter, Sonia Akhter, Sumaiya Dewan and Kabita Roy, made the day’s 3rd and last record in the Women’s 4x100 relay race with a timing of 46.43 seconds They bettered event’s old record of 48.10 seconds made by Bangladesh Army team in 2022. A total of 28 events were decided in the first two days. Bangladesh Army dominated the meet securing 15 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals, Bangladesh Navy followed the leaders with 13 gold. 12 silver and 8 bronze medals while BKSP are in distant 3rd collecting two silver and one bronze medal. The three-day national meet will conclude on Wednesday.