The nominees are Mohammad Hasanuzzaman Bablu and Khandaker Wasim Iqbal (football), Mohammad Rafique (cricket), Begum Sharmin Akhter (shooting), Mohammad Ehetesham Sultan (hockey), Fouzia Huda (athletics), Mahmuda Sharif (swimming), Azad Abul Kalam (body-building and weightlifting), Nayana Chowdhury (Judo) and Lt Col MA Hamid (organiser).

The National Sports Award that carries medal, cash and citation was introduced in 1976. So far 158 personalities have received the award since 1976 to 2005.

RATING CHESS
Three players joined International Masters Abdullah Al Rakib and Enamul Hossain Rajib atop the table in the premier group of Destiny International Rating chess tournament yesterday after three rounds.

Previous round's joint leaders Rakib and Rajib drew their board at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room to finish on 2.5 points.

Also on 2.5 points are Grand Master Ziaur Rahman, FIDE Master Nasir Ahmed and Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar.

Zia beat Delwar Hossain; Nasir defeated Debaraj Chatterjee while Sagar outplayed Enayet Hossain.

In the primary group, 12 players shared the lead with maximum three points.

OLYMPIC HOCKEY
UNB adds: Bangladesh will participate in the first-ever qualifying round of Olympic hockey to be held in Japan next year in April.

Joint secretary of Bangladesh Hockey Federation Khawja Rahmat Ullah told UNB on Wednesday that International Hockey Federation has given Bangladesh the opportunity to participate in the biggest sports event after the country's satisfactory performance in the last Asian Games Hockey.

A total of 18 countries will compete in the qualifying round from where three top teams will qualify for the final round of the Olympic Games.

Eight teams from Europe, four each from Asia and Pan America, one each from Africa and Oceania will compete in the qualifying round.

Nine countries have already confirmed their participation directly while the remaining three teams from qualifying round will play in the 12-team final round of the Olympic Games to be held in the Chinese capital Beijing on 2008.

DIV 1 VOLLEYBALL
East End Club became champions in the National Bank First Division Volleyball League when they beat Swabalombi Club by 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19 points at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium yesterday.

With the day's feat, East End Club earned the rights to play in the Premier League from next season.

Azad Sporting Club finished runners-up in the league defeating Dhaka Sabuj 3-0 at the same venue this afternoon.