Sports
Lionel Messi Snubs Saudi, Chooses Inter Miami in Major League Soccer
Putting an end to months of speculation, Lionel Messi confirmed on Wednesday his decision to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Miami franchise, led by global soccer icon David Beckham, has been eagerly awaiting a game-changing acquisition on the field and Messi’s arrival is set to fulfill that expectation.
The announcement came after Jorge Mas, one of Inter Miami’s owners, tweeted a photo of a silhouetted Messi jersey, hinting at the imminent signing. While many believed Messi would opt to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia or return to his beloved Barcelona, the Argentine superstar surprised the world by choosing MLS and Miami as his next destination.
Messi disclosed in interviews with Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport that he is excited to embark on a new chapter in his career in the United States. Although some final details remain to be worked out, he affirmed his commitment to “continue my path” in Miami after being unable to return to Barcelona following his World Cup triumph. At 35 years old, Messi has achieved nearly everything there is to accomplish in the sport and secured his place in history. With over 800 career goals and 102 international goals for Argentina, he stands as one of the greatest scorers in soccer’s illustrious history.
This move to MLS marks a significant milestone for Messi and a major boost for American soccer on the professional stage. While legendary players like Pele, Thierry Henry, and Beckham himself have joined MLS towards the twilight of their careers, acquiring a player of Messi’s caliber, who is still at or near the peak of his game, is an unprecedented achievement. Notably, Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory last December, fulfilling the only major accolade missing from his illustrious resume.
Messi’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for Inter Miami, as the team currently languishes in last place in the Eastern Conference and recently parted ways with head coach Phil Neville. The addition of a player of Messi’s caliber is expected to invigorate the team’s performance on the field and generate excitement among fans and supporters.
As Messi prepares to make his mark in MLS, his decision to choose the United States as his next footballing destination ushers in a new era for American soccer and solidifies the league’s growing prominence on the global stage. With his unparalleled talent and recent World Cup triumph, Messi’s presence is set to captivate audiences and elevate the sport’s profile in the United States to unprecedented heights.
Eight venues in South Africa have been confirmed for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, according to Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki.
In addition to the South African grounds, matches will also be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, who will co-host the tournament.
Moseki told the South African News24 website that the eight South African venues had been chosen for what he described as “scientific” reasons, including proximity to an airport and the availability of hotel rooms.
South Africa’s regular Test venues – the Wanderers in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands in Cape Town, Kingsmead in Durban and St George’s Park in Gqeberha – will all host matches.
The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in East London will be the other venues.
All eight grounds were used when South Africa previously hosted the World Cup in 2003.
Benoni, Potchefstroom and Kimberley also staged matches in 2003 but were not included for the 2027 edition.
The tournament is scheduled for October and November 2027.
Venue guide
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg: South Africa’s premier venue with a capacity of about 30,000. Hosted the finals of the 2003 World Cup and inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and a semi-final of the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Newlands, Cape Town: The scenic ground with a backdrop of Table Mountain has hosted more Test matches (60) than any other South African ground. Was the venue for the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup final and a 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final.
SuperSport Park, Centurion: The purpose-built stadium outside Pretoria hosted the 2009 Champions Trophy final.
Kingsmead, Durban: Semi-final venue for the 2003 World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup.
St George’s Park, Gqeberha: South Africa’s oldest Test ground. Hosted a semi-final in the 2003 World Cup.
Boland Park, Paarl: Another scenic venue in the Cape Winelands. Along with the five grounds above, a centre for a team in the SA20 franchise competition. Hosted three matches in the 2003 World Cup.
Springbok Park, Bloemfontein: Five Test matches have been played in Bloemfontein as well as two matches in the Super Six stage of the 2003 World Cup.
Buffalo Park, East London: Infrequently used for men’s international matches in recent years but it has hosted one Test match as well as being a Super Six venue in 2003.
Star cricketer and Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan is set to venture into the footwear business with the launch of a new brand, “SAH 75,” in collaboration with Step Footwear, one of the country’s largest non-leather footwear companies.
Under this joint venture, Step Footwear will handle the manufacturing, selling, and marketing of wearable products for the “SAH 75” brand. The products will be available in 95 Step Footwear showrooms nationwide. Shamim Kabir, Managing Director of Step Footwear, confirmed this collaboration.
The formal announcement of the new business venture is scheduled to take place at a hotel in the capital on Sunday.
Sources indicate that Step Footwear will produce certain shoes under the “SAH 75” brand, while additional products will be sourced from both domestic and international markets. These products will be sold through Step’s showrooms.
The product range under the “SAH 75” brand will include shoes, sandals, boots, bats, pads, sportswear, and other wearables.
Step Footwear operates three factories in Narsingdi, where two of them focus on producing trolleys, bags, backpacks, and the third factory specializes in shoemaking equipment. All three factories are currently in full production.
Sports
Major Reshuffling as 22 Companies, Including Khulna Printing, Yeakin Polymers, Enter ‘Z’ Category Deals
In a recent development, ten companies have undergone a change in their categories, transitioning to the ‘Z’ category in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). The information comes from official sources from DSE.
The companies affected by this reclassification include Alltex Industries, Aramit Cement, Aziz Pipes, Delta Spinning, FAS Finance and Investment Limited, GBB Power Limited, Intech Limited, International Leasing, Keya Cosmetics, Khulna Printing, National Tea, Premier Leasing, Regent Textile, Ring Shine Textile, Safko Spinning, Standard Ceramics, Dacca Dyeing, Union Capital, Uttara Finance and Investment Limited, Yeakin Polymer, and Zahintex Industries Limited.
Effective from today (18th February), trading for these companies in the ‘Z’ category has commenced.
Sources reveal that these companies have been transferred to the ‘Z’ category due to their inability to hold the annual general meeting (AGM) within the stipulated time, remaining closed for more than six months, and having higher liabilities than assets.
Before this update, there were 27 companies in the ‘Z’ category at the DSE. With the addition of 22 more companies, the total number of companies in the ‘Z’ category has now reached 49.
It is noteworthy that companies failing to hold the AGM within the specified time, remaining closed for more than six months, or having higher liabilities than assets are moved to the ‘Z’ category after undergoing the necessary scrutiny and reevaluation.
