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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Finnish to take break from F1
HELSINKI: Outgoing Ferrari star Kimi Raikkonen will take next season off from Formula One as he could not get a deal with McLaren his manager Steve Robertson was quoted as saying in the Finnish media. “The choices in Formula One for the next season were McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren could not reach an agreement so he will not drive on Formula One level for at least next season,” Robertson said. He said they were not negotiating with other Formula One teams and added that the 29-year-old Finn will now concentrate on other areas and could be compete in some rally next season. Robertson did not rule out Raikkonen returning to Formula One after a year off if a suitable team was found. “Kimi is still full of the will to drive. A gap year will not mean anything in that respect. It means more that we can find a place for Kimi where he can compete to win and (compete) for the world championship,” he said.
Kapur has point to prove in Cambodia
SIEM REAP, Cambodia: India’s Shiv Kapur is hoping to maintain a personal milestone by retaining his Asian Tour card with a strong showing at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open starting on Thursday (today). Since capping his debut with a victory in 2005, Kapur has successfully maintained his playing rights in Asia, but the former Rookie of the Year needs a top result at Phokeethra Country Club to keep the streak alive. He will face tough opposition from a plethora of Asian Tour stars including Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, 11-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand.
Evans predicts more from Texan
MELBOURNE: Road race world champion Cadel Evans is predicting bigger things for seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in 2010 than he achieved in his comeback to professional cycling this season. Armstrong finished third in this year’s Tour de France at age 37, his first since retiring following his unprecedented seventh straight win in 2005. “He’s going to be bigger and more dangerous than in 2009 — we’ll see Armstrong at another level in 2010,” Evans told the Australian Associated Press on Wednesday during a promotional tour in Australia.
Iran to host AFC qualifiers
By our correspondent
KARACHI: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have decided to give Iran the responsibility of hosting the AFC Under-19 Football Championship Qualifiers Group D following the neighbouring country’s request, the continental football governing body said on Wednesday. The competitions were earlier scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore but were moved due to security concerns. The event, featuring Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and Turkmenistan is scheduled for December 8 to 16. The top two teams and the best third-placed side from the west zone will join the 13 teams who have already qualified for next year’s finals.
Kuyt upset by Italy over Van Persie tackle
LONDON: Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt said he was “disappointed” by the lack of respect Italy showed during last weekend’s friendly which saw fellow Netherlands forward Robin van Persie sustain an injury. The Arsenal striker was stretchered off the pitch after being tackled by Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini 14 minutes into Saturday’s goalless draw in Pescara and could be out of action for up to six weeks. “I was very disappointed (by Italy),” Kuyt told Sky Sports. “We played a friendly against a big country and if you see the way they kicked us it’s very sad, very sad for the Dutch team and also very sad for Robin because he was in great form,” the Liverpool forward added. “I think it was a bad tackle. Sometimes you think about this when you play a friendly for your country there should be more respect for each other and hopefully it won’t happen in the future.”
Azeem shines in team’s triumph
KARACHI: Azeem Ahmed knocked a brilliant 72 runs and helped Al-Hayat Sports record a formidable seven-wicket win over Ameen Brothers Cricket Club in Quaid-e-Azam Cup Senior Grade II cricket tournament here Tuesday at KCCA Stadium. Ameen Brothers CC batted first in the match and scored 136 runs before they were all bundled out in 20 overs. Al-Hayat Sports in their turn reached the victory target in 19 overs with seven wickets in hand. Azeem Ahmed played pivotal role in the triumph with his much needed 72-run knock. Meanwhile, Fine Tex Sports registered a convincing seven-wicket win over Project Management Sports at RLCA Ground. In the last match of the day, NJC Sports overcame Medicare Sports recording a five wicket win.
Warner backs Aussies’ Cup bid
SYDNEY: Influential FIFA heavyweight Jack Warner has thrown his support behind Australia hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, saying the country has an “excellent chance”. Warner, who has publicly criticised England’s World Cup bid in recent weeks, dismissed concerns that Australia being too far away would work against it. Australia is one of nine bidders for 2018, and one of 11 in the race for 2022, with the decision on both made in December 2010. “Australia created the best ever Olympics and demonstrated an ability to host and manage some of the biggest sporting events in the world with class, expertise and with a dedication to excellence,” he said. “If there is a country that truly deserves to host the FIFA World Cup, then it is the island continent of Australia”.
Ramzi stripped of gold medal
DONETSK: Bahrain’s Olympic 1,500 metres champion Rashid Ramzi has been stripped of his gold medal for doping at the Beijing 2008 Games, a source within the Olympic movement said on Wednesday. “Ramzi has been stripped of his gold medal,” the source told Reuters. Moroccan-born Ramzi’s positive test for the banned blood-booster CERA was announced in April after frozen samples from the Beijing Olympics were re-tested for that specific substance. The athletes who finished in second, third and fourth place now stand to be upgraded, with the decision resting on the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Kitajima back in combat mode
TOKYO: Japan’s two-time double Olympic breaststroke champion Kosuke Kitajima has returned to competition after a break of 15 months on the road to the 2012 London Games. The 27-year-old swimmer swept all before him in time trials at the weekend in Fullerton, California, a one-hour drive from his training base in Los Angeles. “I got exhausted but I felt fulfilled at this meeting,” Kitajima said on his website after his first competition since his 100-metre and 200-metre triumphs at last year’s Beijing Olympics. “I believe this feeling of exhaustion has given me new inspiration,” he said. “I may have a long road ahead of me and I think I will take my time in moving forward.”
Gibbs suffers foot injury
LONDON: Arsenal left back Kieran Gibbs was taken to hospital for an x-ray after hobbling off with a foot injury in the 21st minute of England’s goalless European under-21 Championship qualifier in Lithuania on Tuesday. British media reports said he left the stadium in Vilniuson crutches and was initially feared to have broken a metatarsal, although his club manager Arsene Wenger will have to wait for a medical update to find out the full extent of the injury. Gibbs will struggle to be fit for the Premier League match at Sunderland on Saturday.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
