Sports News (24.04.2010)

Former Austrian cyclist first to face jail for doping VIENNA: Former Austrian cyclist Christof Kerschbaum has become the first athlete to risk jail under the country’s new anti-doping law, after being indicted for doping. Kerschbaum, 33, has been indicted for trafficking doping substances, Vienna prosecutors told AFP on Thursday. He now risks six months in prison if convicted, under a new law introduced in 2008 which foresees up to five years in jail for the possession and trafficking of doping substances, which was previously only deemed a minor offence. Kerschbaum is accused of supplying at least five athletes — who remain unnamed — with banned substances, including blood booster EPO (erythropoietin), starting in mid-2008, prosecutors said.

	Afridi to present gifts to Sania, Shoaib LAHORE: Pakistan T20 cricket team captain Shahid Afridi said he will present kurta to Shoaib Malik and scarf to Sania Mirza. Talking to m ... more
	South Africa star Ntini joins Kent LONDON: South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini is to join Kent as their first overseas player this season, the English county announced on F ... more
	Tsonga stunned by Dutchman in Barcelona BARCELONA: Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was denied a place in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open as the third seed lost Friday to Dutchma ... more
	US hopes Oudin set early tone at FedCup BIRMINGHAM: Melanie Oudin and Alla Kudryavtseva will lead off the Fed Cup semi-final between USA and Russia. The Americans' numbe ... more
	Hewitt to play Davis Cup tie against Japan in May SYDNEY: Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt has been confirmed in Australia's Davis Cup team for next month's Asia-Oceania second round t ... more
	Brimming with confidence, Pakistan eye World T20 glory KARACHI: Pakistan may have lost Umar Gul — their pace spearhead in the Twenty20 format — but skipper Shahid Afridi said that a depth in his ... more
	Junaid wants team unity KARACHI: Pakistan national hockey team coach Khwaja Junaid says he is working to eliminate the weaknesses that the team showed in the World ... more
	Shazaib, Asad guide Dolphins through KARACHI: Shahzaib Hasan and Asad Shafiq cracked half centuries as Sindh Dolphins recorded their second successive victory by defeating Khybe ... more
	Pakistan survive Kamran scare before departure ISLAMABAD: Pakistan survived a last-minute scare after Kamran Akmal was declared fit to accompany the team leaving for Dubai on Saturday (to ... more
	MPs demand investigation of IPL MUMBAI: A potentially significant day in the IPL controversy saga has begun on a stormy note as opposition MPs in the Indian Parliament dema ... more
	‘Players need the support of media and public in WT20’ KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket chief Ijaz Butt has urged the media and people of the country to cast aside all controversies and support the na ... more
	Shan’s batting feats find place in Wisden KARACHI: Shan Masood, the former Pakistan Under-19 team vice-captain has batted his way into Wisden, the iconic almanack which made its 2010 ... more
	Confident Mortaza raring for comeback DHAKA: The Bangladesh fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza believes his success on the domestic circuit has primed him for a strong return to intern ... more
	Asif, Sami to fly separately to WI KARACHI: Pacers Mohammed Asif and Mohammad Sami will reach the West Indies for the World Cup separately and not with the national team. T ... more
	NZ to face Sri Lanka in United States WELLINGTON: New Zealand will play a three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in the United States next month, officials said on Friday. ... more
	Karachi to host Sindh Games KARACHI: The city of Karachi will be hosting the Sindh Games for the third time in 24 years as the 13th edition of the premier provincial ev ... more
	No sexiness; We’re Holy City cheerleaders JERUSALEM: A dozen dancing girls hit the hardwood floors of a Jerusalem basketball court on a recent spring night with an unusual goal — sho ... more
	Advantage Atletico as travel-weary Liverpool fire blanks LONDON: Liverpool’s grueling journey over land took its toll as the five-time European champions lost 1-0 at Atletico Madrid in the first le ... more
	PAF, WAPDA qualify for quarters KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and WAPDA were the last two teams to qualify for the quarter-finals from Group A when PAF edged out Railwa ... more
	Inter’s Balotelli likely to face Atalanta MILAN: Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli may start Saturday’s (today’s) home game with Atalanta in spite of arguing with the crowd and throwing ... more
	Ferguson says no to retirement MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports he will confirm his retirement at the end of next season. “ ... more
	Fletcher wants United to pile pressure on Chelsea LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea will start to feel the strain if the champions reclaim first place in ... more
	Munir sets early pace ISLAMABAD: Country’s top golfer Mohammad Munir set the early pace in the President of Pakistan Gold Medal Golf, carding an impressive five-u ... more
	Asif stuns Yousuf in snooker ISLAMABAD: International Mohammad Asif stunned former world amateur champion Mohammad Yousuf 4-0 following a delicate display of accuracy in ... more
	Ferrer coasts into Barcelona semis BARCELONA: Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer both won Friday to set up an all-Spanish semifinal at the Barcelona Open. Fifth-seeded ... more
	Roddick withdraws from Rome Masters ROME: Seventh-ranked Andy Roddick has withdrawn from the Rome Masters citing personal reasons. The American recently celebrated the o ... more
	briefs... Henin to skip Fed Cup event HASSELT, Belgium: Justine Henin has pulled out of her singles matches in Belgium’s Fed Cup tie with Eston ... more

• Canucks top Kings, take 3-2 series lead

  AP – Sat Apr 24, 1:04 am ET  
  AP

  VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Mikael Samuelsson scored twice and added an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks routed the Los Angeles Kings 7-2 on Friday night to grab a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference first-round playoff series. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Goodell has flexibility in suspension

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 6:22 pm ET  
  NEW YORK - The NFL can increase the six-game suspension for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger if new evidence of misbehavior emerges that violates its personal conduct policy. Full Story »
  

• Ochoa retires from golf in a wrenching farewell

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 7:17 pm ET  
  AP

  MEXICO CITY - Her voice breaking and eyes watering, Lorena Ochoa said goodbye to golf. Full Story »
  

  • Slideshow: Golfer Lorena Ochoa

• Falcons boost both lines in third round

  AP – Sat Apr 24, 12:43 am ET  
  FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons added bulk and smarts with Southeastern Conference talent on the second day of the NFL draft. Full Story »
  

• Morales hits homer in eighth, Angels beats Yanks

  AP – 2 hrs 1 min ago  
  AP

  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Kendry Morales hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the New York Yankees 6-4 on Friday night. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Celtics take 3-0 series lead, Spurs and Jazz win

  Reuters – 1 hr 56 mins ago  
  Reuters

  MIAMI (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics put the Miami Heat on the brink of elimination from the playoffs, with a clutch 100-98 victory on Friday to take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first round series. Full Story »
  

• Fletcher wants United to pile pressure on Chelsea

  AFP – Sat Apr 24, 12:59 am ET  
  AFP/File

  LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea will start to feel the strain if the champions reclaim first place in the title race with a win over in-form Tottenham on Saturday. Full Story »
  

• Vinokourov wins Tour of Trentino by hairsbreadth

  AFP – Fri Apr 23, 12:08 pm ET  
  AFP/BELGA/File

  ROME (AFP) - Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov of Astana won the 34th edition of the Tour of Trentino on Friday for his first major success of the season, edging out Italy's Riccardo Ricco of Ceramica Flaminia. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Mair scores early, Sabres stay alive vs. Bruins

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 11:08 pm ET  
  AP

  BUFFALO, N.Y. - Adam Mair, Jason Pominville, and Mike Grier scored in the first 30 minutes for the Buffalo Sabres, who rebounded from a devastating loss and beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Friday night to force a sixth game in the Eastern Conference first-round series. Full Story »
  

• US hopes Oudin will set early tone at FedCup tennis

  AFP – Sat Apr 24, 12:04 am ET  
  AFP/Getty Images/File

  BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AFP) - Melanie Oudin and Alla Kudryavtseva will lead off the Fed Cup semi-final between USA and Russia in the first match of the best-of-five tie on Saturday. Full Story »
  

• Bad weather suspends play at Zurich Classic

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 7:32 pm ET  
  AP

  AVONDALE, La. - Dark clouds rolled in hours before the rain started at the Zurich Classic on Friday. However, even the brisk winds before the storm did not seem to hamper those who teed off early. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Herschel Walker hoping for another MMA fight

  AP – Sat Apr 17, 11:05 pm ET  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former NFL star Herschel Walker is hoping to schedule another mixed martial arts fight even though he has not scheduled an opponent. Full Story »
  

• Mayweather aims to enhance his legacy against Mosley

  Reuters – Thu Apr 22, 9:14 pm ET  
  Reuters

  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Already accepted as one of the greatest boxers of any era, Floyd Mayweather has set his sights on adding further gloss to his glittering career instead of acquiring more titles. Full Story »
  

• Busch signs contract extension with Penske Racing

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 6:44 pm ET  
  AP

  TALLADEGA, Ala. - Kurt Busch is staying put with Penske Racing. Full Story »
  

• Former IOC president Samaranch laid to rest

  AP – Thu Apr 22, 2:39 pm ET  
  AP

  BARCELONA, Spain - A host of international figures and dignitaries paid tribute to former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch on Thursday at the funeral service for the man who changed the face of the Olympics. Full Story »
  
  
  
  
  

  AP

  Halak, Canadiens edge Capitals 2-1, forcing Game 6

  AP – Fri Apr 23, 10:20 pm ET WASHINGTON – Thanks to terrific goaltending by Jaroslav Halak and a pair of early goals, the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens ensured Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals still have work to do in the first round of the playoffs. Full Story »
  
  

  Defending champions Pak to leave for West Indies today amidst high hopes

  Lahore,Defending champions Pakistan would be leaving for the West Indies for the ICC World T20 Championship today (April  Read more »
  

   

   

  BCCI refuses to postpone Monday’s IPL Governing Council meeting

  New Delhi, The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Saturday rejected Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi''s plea to defer the Governing  Read more »
  

   

   

  
  

  Chess champ Anand against playing ‘in silence’ during world championship

  London, Indian chess Grandmaster and world champion Viswanathan Anand has said that he will refuse to play in silence during the world championship, and has escalated a dispute over rules allowing players to demand a ban on communication.  Read more »
  

   

   

  New Zealand Cricket chief Vaughan game for annual cricket series in US

  Auckland,New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan predicts that the Black Caps will play annually in Florida, as part of the new partnership between NZC and USA Cricket (USACA).  Read more »
  

   

   

  Maniram Sharma wins maiden professional golf title

  Gurgaon, Maniram Sharma won his maiden professional title at the PGTI Feeder Tour event at Golden Greens Golf Course in Gurgaon Friday. Sharma shot a one over 73 to finish with a winning total of two over 218.  Read more »
  

   

   

  
  

  Income tax officials visit Kings XI Punjab office

  Mohali, A team of income tax officials Friday visited the warehouse-cum-office of Kings XI Punjab, a franchisee team of theIndian Premier League (IPL), here.  Read more »
  

   

   

  Kapur, Bhullar well placed at Ballantine’s golf

   

  Jeju Island (South Korea),Shiv Kapur overcame a topsy-turvy day to stay in the hunt for weekend action at the truncated Ballantine’s Championships golf, an event co-sanctioned by the  Read more »
  

   

   

  Anand relieved to make it to World Championships

  Sofia (Bulagaria),Defending champion Viswanathan Anand said he is happy to make it to the World Chess Championships, which had to be delayed by one day because the Indian's travel plans were  Read more »
  

   

   

  
  

  CAG raps Maharashtra government on IPL losses

   

  Mumbai,The Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Friday slammed the Maharashtra government for losing nearly Rs. 49.99 million (Rs. 4.99 crore) in 2008 by not levying entertainment tax on theIndian Premier League (IPL) tourney.  Read more »
  

   

   

  Tendulkar two Test short of becoming most capped player

  New Delhi,Sachin Tendulkar, who turns 37 Saturday, is all set to cross another milestone as he is just two Tests away from becoming the most capped player in world cricket.  Read more »