RUGBY UNION
Otago stave off liquidation
The Otago Rugby Union (ORU) temporarily staved off becoming the first New Zealand union in the professional era to go into liquidation yesterday, though its financial situation still remained “grave” the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said. The ORU had said earlier in the week it was unable to service NZ$2.35 million (US$1.95 million) in debt, pay the wages of players and administrative staff or their bills, and that it would be forced to begin liquidation proceedings yesterday if it could not put together a rescue package. However, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew told reporters in Wellington they had asked the ORU to put off the proceedings for a week and continue working with potential sponsors, benefactors and financial institutions to find a solution. The Otago Highlanders are not directly affected by the bankruptcy, having been hived off as a separate legal entity.
SOCCER
Fowler trains with Blackpool
Former Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler is training with Blackpool and could be set to sign a short-term deal, the English second-tier club said on Thursday. The 36-year-old poacher quit English soccer three years ago to play first in Australia and then in Thailand, but he has returned home after an opportunity to join India’s Premier League Soccer fell through when the inaugural edition was postponed. Fowler, who also played for Leeds United and Manchester City, as well as representing England, is fourth in the all-time English Premier League scorers list with 163 goals. “Has he got some quality, can he find little pockets, can he play a pass, can he score a goal? Yes, he can,” Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said on the Lancashire club’s Web site. “I still think he’s hungry, I still think he wants to play and he’s got undoubted quality.”
SOCCER
Admiral defends costly pitch
The US admiral in charge of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp is defending the decision to build a US$744,000 soccer field for well-behaved prisoners, saying critics misunderstand the facility’s purpose and logistics. Rear Admiral David Woods said the camp’s mission was not to punish foreign captives unnecessarily, many of whom have been held there for 10 years already. He said his job is to detain them away from the battlefield under safe and humane conditions, and that providing socialization opportunities was part of that. “It does include things that keep their mind active, like the classes that we keep and the entertainment, newspapers, books, TV that they’re able to experience here,” Woods said on Wednesday night. The soccer field includes a soft gravel walking track, security cameras and a high fence topped with razor wire. It is expected to open in the spring, after goal posts and latrines are added.
ATHLETICS
Rodgers accepts doping ban
US sprinter Mike Rodgers has accepted a nine-month ban for a failed drug test, but he will still be able to compete in the London Olympics if he qualifies, the US Anti-Doping Agency said on Thursday. The former US 100m champion, who tested positive at an event in Italy in July last year, is banned until April 19, making him eligible for the US Olympic trials in June if he meets testing requirements. The agency said Rodgers gave “inaccurate and misleading testimony” at his hearing, but eventually agreed to his ban. “Needless to say, this has been both a humbling and enlightening experience,” Rodgers said in a statement. “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for my actions.”
BASKETBALL
Jordan to sue in China
Retired NBA superstar Michael Jordan on Thursday welcomed the news that Chinese courts have agreed to hear his lawsuit against a Chinese sportswear and shoe maker over unauthorized use of his name. “I am very happy that the Chinese courts have accepted my case to protect the use of my name and the interests of Chinese consumers,” Jordan said in a statement issued in both the US and China. “Qiaodan Sports has built a business off my Chinese name, the number 23 and even attempted to use the names of my children, without authorization,” he said. The lawsuit filed by Jordan in February charges that Qiaodan Sports Company deliberately misled Chinese consumers about ties to the six-time NBA champion. Jordan has been known in China by the name Qiaodan since he became a global basketball star in the 1980s, his playmaking skills being seen on Chinese TV since the 1987 NBA All-Star Game — the first NBA telecast in China.
MOTORSPORT
Barrichello joins IndyCar
Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced driver in Formula One, will become an IndyCar rookie after joining KV Racing Technology on Thursday to race in the US’ open-wheel series. Barrichello, who spent 19 seasons in F1 and started 322 races — more than any other driver — is scheduled to make his IndyCar debut on March 25 at the series opener on the streets of St Petersburg, Florida, with the team’s other drivers, fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan and Venezuelan EJ Viso. “I am thrilled, it is something very new to me,” Barrichello said in a statement. The 39-year-old began racing in F1 in 1993, the year before his friend and mentor Ayrton Senna was killed in a crash at Imola, and has competed for Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Williams, recording 11 career and 68 podium finishes.
CRICKET
Ryder, Bracewell suspended
Batsman Jesse Ryder and paceman Doug Bracewell have been suspended from the New Zealand team after an alcohol-fueled row following a loss to South Africa, officials said. Team manager Mike Sandle said the pair went out in Napier after the Black Caps’ six-wicket defeat in their second one-day international on Wednesday, becoming involved in an argument when they “verbally reacted to taunts from the public.” Sandle said neither player would be considered for the third and final game of the series in Auckland today. Sandle said the pair had broken team protocols by going out drinking, then showed a lack of judgement by becoming embroiled in a row in a hotel. “Despite the fact that the players were goaded and they didn’t allow the situation to escalate past a short exchange of words, we expect players to walk away,” he said.
BASKETBALL
Woolridge arrested
Former National Basketball Association forward Orlando Woolridge was arrested on charges of stealing aluminum tubing from a drill site in Louisiana. Woolridge, who played 13 seasons with seven teams after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1981, was arrested on a charge of theft of tubing worth more than US$1,500, according to Patrick Cobbs, chief deputy of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office in Mansfield, Louisiana. The 52-year-old Woolridge averaged 16 points and 4.3 rebounds a game. He was suspended during the 1987-1988 NBA season for substance abuse. Woolridge has coached in the Women’s NBA and the American Basketball Association.
The New Taipei Kings claimed the inaugural Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) championship on Sunday, defeating the Kaohsiung FamilyMart Aquas 108-89 in the final. Playing at home, the Kings pulled ahead with Jeremy Lin’s (林書豪) clutch three-pointers, securing their victory over the Aquas in the TPBL final. The Kings came out strong in the first quarter, dominating to build a 35-18 lead. By halftime, they had stretched their advantage to 61-38. In the third quarter, the Aquas narrowed the deficit to 12 points, but Lin stepped up, sinking several tough three- pointers to extend the lead. In the final quarter, the Kings pushed the
In an unlikely Ethiopian outpost of one the most French of pastimes, four men are leaning over their petanque balls, arguing over who is winning. Petanque, the bowling game also known as boules, is more readily associated with French village squares where locals launch metal balls at a jack while enjoying an afternoon drink, but for decades, it has also been a beloved pastime for members of a club near the iconic Meskel Square in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. It was founded in the early 20th century to cater to French railway workers, who built a line connecting Addis Ababa
Taiwanese women’s doubles star Hsieh Su-wei and Australian teenager Maya Joint on Tuesday eased into the Eastbourne Open quarter-finals in England as Hsieh prepares for the Wimbledon Championships next week. Four-time Wimbledon women’s doubles champion Hsieh and 19-year-old Joint fired two aces and converted five of eight break points to defeat Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Poland’s Katarzyna Piter 6-3, 6-3 in 58 minutes on the grass court. Hsieh and Joint are today to face fourth seeds Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, who advanced on Monday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Quinn Gleason of the US and
BEAT THE HEAT: A brutal heat wave in the US has made cooling breaks standard. Dortmund’s coach said the weather could shape the destiny of the tournament Chelsea on Tuesday beat Esperance of Tunisia 3-0 to set up a FIFA Club World Cup last-16 tie against SL Benfica, who earlier defeated Bayern Munich 1-0, as furnace-link heat and the threat of thunder and lightning wreak havoc at the tournament. Elsewhere, minnows Auckland City claimed a memorable draw against Boca Juniors, while Los Angeles bowed out of the tournament with a stalemate against Flamengo. In Charlotte, Andreas Schjelderup scored the only goal for Benfica in their Group C clash with Bayern in front of 33,287 fans, finishing first-time from a cutback by his fellow Norwegian Fredrik Aursnes in the 13th
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