Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 937 Wed. January 17, 2007  
   
Sports


Reds kick off training


Professional Football League title aspirants Muktijoddha Sangsad began their training yesterday at the Police Lines ground in Uttara.

Muktijoddha, who failed to win any major title in the previous season under two coaches -- Shafiqul Islam Manik and George Kottan of Austria -- have put together a stronger team for the inaugural B. League.

The Reds not only managed to hold most of their old players like Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun, Rajani, Arman Mia, Kanchan and Moni but also landed big names like Alfaz, Matiur Munna, Parvez Babu and Arman Aziz, which will provide new coach Abu Yusuf to go for a shot at the title.

Yusuf, who is also looking after the national under-23 team, informed that although they began at the Police Lines ground, the team will switch to the Friend's Club ground in the same vicinity from today.

"We did a little running and less practice because all the officials were present to see the players. Full-fledged practice will start tomorrow," told Yusuf yesterday.

Charles Ghansah was the only foreign import at the session that missed Rajani and second-choice goalkeeper Titumir.

"Rajani has yet to return from India while Titumir has to attend his sick child," added the former national centre-back.

Striker Saifur Rahman Moni, who spent most of the last season at bench due to a knee injury, will lead Muktijoddha this year.