Brief....
January 01, 2008
PPL resumes today after four-day break
By our correspondent
KARACHI: After a four-day break due to political unrest throughout the country following the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto on December 27, the Fourth Pakistan Premier Football League will resume today (Tuesday) with six matches to be held at different venues. The defending champions Pakistan Army will take on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at Army Sports Complex Rawalpindi while former champions Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) will face Pakistan Railways at Railways Stadium Lahore. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) will flex their muscles against Karachi Port Trust (KPT) at KRL Stadium Rawalpindi. Navy will meet NBP at Naval Sports Complex, Islamabad, while PTV will face Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) at Jinnah Stadium. Wohaib Club host Chaman’s Afghan Club at University Ground Chauburji Lahore.
‘Match-fixing hard to prove’
PERTH, Australia: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova here on Monday backed efforts to remove corruption from the sport but conceded that match-fixing was hard to prove. She said it was not hard for a player to deliberately throw a singles match. “It is pretty new this match-fixing idea,” she said. “Of course if it is a problem, it’s pretty easy to throw a tennis match so it will be pretty hard to prove.” Navratilova said match-fixing hadn’t been an issue during her playing days but stressed it was crucial the sport stayed clean. “We’ll see, but we have to make sure the sport stays clean,” she said. “Both on the drugs side as well as any kind of betting scandal. We have to keep it clean, whatever it takes. We need to make sure the players understand what’s at stake here,” she added.
Army record basketball win
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Defending champions Pakistan Army, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Railways, Police and Pakistan Rangers recorded victories in the 27th National Men’s Basketball Championship, which resumed here on Monday at the Railways stadium. Army thrashed Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) with a high flying 164-49 win, KESC routed Balochistan 79-33, Railways outplayed Sindh 73-21, Police outstroked Punjab Blue 69-41 while Rangers beat FATA 69-30. The final of the tournament will be played on January 5.
Match postponed in player’s memory
GLASGOW: Wednesday’s Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers has been postponed as a mark of respect following the death last weekend of Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) announced here Monday. It is the third game due to take place on Wednesday to be postponed since O’Donnell died in hospital on Saturday. Motherwell’s game against Hibernian was the first to be postponed and this was followed on Sunday with Gretna delaying their game against St Mirren. Celtic’s visit to Motherwell on Sunday has also been postponed.
Dimitar Berbatov looking to move
LONDON: Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov wants to leave Tottenham if a suitable offer comes in during the January transfer window, his agent said on Monday. The striker has rediscovered his stunning form for Spurs in recent weeks and fired four goals in the 6-4 win over Reading on Saturday. And his agent Emil Dantchev claims the player is keen to join a team with greater trophy-winning potential than the north Londoners.
Iran face ties without coach
TEHRAN: Iran have still not reached a final agreement with its preferred candidate to head the football national side, leaving the team without a coach ahead of World Cup warm-up games, an official said on Monday. Iranian media reports said last week that Iran’s football federation was agreeing terms with veteran Portuguese coach Artur Jorge and he had even travelled to Tehran for final talks with officials.
Heskey set for Wigan return
LONDON: Wigan’s England striker Emile Heskey looks set to make his comeback at Liverpool on Wednesday. Heskey has been plagued by injury this season and has missed the Latics entire festive programme so far with a sprained ankle. But manager Steve Bruce confirmed the former Liverpool star will train on Monday and is hopeful Heskey will be available for the trip to Anfield.
Rui Costa to quit at season end
LISBON: Benfica’s former Portuguese international Rui Costa revealed on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season. The 35-year-old midfielder said that he always intended to end his career with Benfica, the club where he began his professional career in 1991. He admitted that he would like to continue with the Portuguese giants in a coaching capacity.
Gillot appointed Sochaux coach
PARIS: Francis Gillot has been appointed coach of French first division strugglers Sochaux, the club announced on Monday. The 47-year-old takes over the position on January 2. He replaces Frederic Hantz who was sacked as the club sit second-from-bottom in the league.
Alloudi pens million-dollar deal
RABAT: Rising Moroccan star Soufiane Alloudi revealed on Monday that he has signed a three-year deal worth one-million dollars with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. The 24-year-old striker’s new deal runs until January 2011.
By our correspondent
KARACHI: After a four-day break due to political unrest throughout the country following the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto on December 27, the Fourth Pakistan Premier Football League will resume today (Tuesday) with six matches to be held at different venues. The defending champions Pakistan Army will take on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at Army Sports Complex Rawalpindi while former champions Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) will face Pakistan Railways at Railways Stadium Lahore. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) will flex their muscles against Karachi Port Trust (KPT) at KRL Stadium Rawalpindi. Navy will meet NBP at Naval Sports Complex, Islamabad, while PTV will face Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) at Jinnah Stadium. Wohaib Club host Chaman’s Afghan Club at University Ground Chauburji Lahore.
‘Match-fixing hard to prove’
PERTH, Australia: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova here on Monday backed efforts to remove corruption from the sport but conceded that match-fixing was hard to prove. She said it was not hard for a player to deliberately throw a singles match. “It is pretty new this match-fixing idea,” she said. “Of course if it is a problem, it’s pretty easy to throw a tennis match so it will be pretty hard to prove.” Navratilova said match-fixing hadn’t been an issue during her playing days but stressed it was crucial the sport stayed clean. “We’ll see, but we have to make sure the sport stays clean,” she said. “Both on the drugs side as well as any kind of betting scandal. We have to keep it clean, whatever it takes. We need to make sure the players understand what’s at stake here,” she added.
Army record basketball win
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Defending champions Pakistan Army, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Railways, Police and Pakistan Rangers recorded victories in the 27th National Men’s Basketball Championship, which resumed here on Monday at the Railways stadium. Army thrashed Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) with a high flying 164-49 win, KESC routed Balochistan 79-33, Railways outplayed Sindh 73-21, Police outstroked Punjab Blue 69-41 while Rangers beat FATA 69-30. The final of the tournament will be played on January 5.
Match postponed in player’s memory
GLASGOW: Wednesday’s Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers has been postponed as a mark of respect following the death last weekend of Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell, the Scottish Premier League (SPL) announced here Monday. It is the third game due to take place on Wednesday to be postponed since O’Donnell died in hospital on Saturday. Motherwell’s game against Hibernian was the first to be postponed and this was followed on Sunday with Gretna delaying their game against St Mirren. Celtic’s visit to Motherwell on Sunday has also been postponed.
Dimitar Berbatov looking to move
LONDON: Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov wants to leave Tottenham if a suitable offer comes in during the January transfer window, his agent said on Monday. The striker has rediscovered his stunning form for Spurs in recent weeks and fired four goals in the 6-4 win over Reading on Saturday. And his agent Emil Dantchev claims the player is keen to join a team with greater trophy-winning potential than the north Londoners.
Iran face ties without coach
TEHRAN: Iran have still not reached a final agreement with its preferred candidate to head the football national side, leaving the team without a coach ahead of World Cup warm-up games, an official said on Monday. Iranian media reports said last week that Iran’s football federation was agreeing terms with veteran Portuguese coach Artur Jorge and he had even travelled to Tehran for final talks with officials.
Heskey set for Wigan return
LONDON: Wigan’s England striker Emile Heskey looks set to make his comeback at Liverpool on Wednesday. Heskey has been plagued by injury this season and has missed the Latics entire festive programme so far with a sprained ankle. But manager Steve Bruce confirmed the former Liverpool star will train on Monday and is hopeful Heskey will be available for the trip to Anfield.
Rui Costa to quit at season end
LISBON: Benfica’s former Portuguese international Rui Costa revealed on Monday that he will retire at the end of the season. The 35-year-old midfielder said that he always intended to end his career with Benfica, the club where he began his professional career in 1991. He admitted that he would like to continue with the Portuguese giants in a coaching capacity.
Gillot appointed Sochaux coach
PARIS: Francis Gillot has been appointed coach of French first division strugglers Sochaux, the club announced on Monday. The 47-year-old takes over the position on January 2. He replaces Frederic Hantz who was sacked as the club sit second-from-bottom in the league.
Alloudi pens million-dollar deal
RABAT: Rising Moroccan star Soufiane Alloudi revealed on Monday that he has signed a three-year deal worth one-million dollars with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. The 24-year-old striker’s new deal runs until January 2011.
