Bangladesh’s women’s hockey team are set to embark on a historic journey today as they play their first-ever senior international match, opening their Asian Games Qualifiers campaign in Jakarta.

World number one Jannik Sinner said Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the "best possible shape" for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam.

Following The Daily Star’s Monday report, titled "‘Recognition more honourable than money’: Trailblazers speak out after sports card snub", State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has confirmed today that boxer Sura Krishna Chakma and triathlete Mohammad Shamsuzzaman Arafat are set to be included in the Sports Card scheme, designed to provide financial security to elite athletes.

European squash champion Victor Crouin believes the visibility of his sport will get a huge boost after it makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The pair were honoured after glittering 2025 campaigns that saw them finish atop the women's and men's tennis rankings respectively.

The 22-year-old pulled out of the Barcelona clay-court tournament last week when he felt his wrist "give out on a return" and then revealed the injury to be "a more serious injury than any of us expected".

Boxer Sura Krishna Chakma argues that the system is missing the mark for athletes who have navigated immense professional hurdles.

India has been elevated to a list of nations including Russia where there is an "extremely high" risk of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Monday.

Orpita Pal is leading a youthful Bangladesh women's hockey team in their debut appearance at international stage.

Notably, the women’s national hockey team--set to compete internationally for the first time--has also been incorporated into the payroll system.

On Sunday, voters in Germany's Rhine/Ruhr region will be the latest to have their say on a possible bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, 2040 or 2044.

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Masters on Friday, increasing concerns over whether he will be able to defend his Roland Garros title.

Former three-time winner Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Madrid Open beginning next week as he needs more time to recover from a shoulder injury.

The Bangladesh Hockey Federation has announced an 18-member squad for the Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifiers, set to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from April 23 to 29.

A fifth-place finish among nine teams in the recently concluded Asian Games Qualifiers underlined a worrying slide.

Muhammad Abdul Musawwir has etched his name into Bangladesh’s taekwondo history, becoming the youngest Black Belt 1st Dan holder in the country at just seven years of age.

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov clinched victory in the Candidates Tournament with a round to spare on Tuesday, drawing with Dutchman Anish Giri to set up a World Championship match against India's Gukesh Dommaraju.

Swiatek, who has won four French Open titles on her favoured clay courts, began preparations for the Grand Slam that begins on May 24 with a training block at Nadal's academy in Mallorca under the watchful eyes of the Spaniard.

The spirit of Pahela Baishakh came alive at Paltan Maidan in the capital today as the “Cute Baishakhi Krira Utsab 1433” unfolded with a vibrant showcase of Bangladesh’s traditional rural games.

With hopes of reaching the Asian Games, the Bangladesh squad is scheduled to leave for Jakarta on April 19.