Cheah takes up role as assistant coach of NTC

Following their strong showing with 19 golds at last month's SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Singapore Swimming Association announced yesterday that Marcus Cheah has joined the National Training Centre (NTC) as assistant coach.

The 29-year-old former national swimmer had already started his tenure on Sept 18, and will be working alongside NTC head coach Gary Tan and national head coach Stephan Widmer on matters pertaining to training at the NTC.

Qatar will serve as Lions' warmup for Turkmenistan

The national football squad is set to take on Qatar in a friendly match in Doha on Oct 5, in preparation for its 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Group E qualifier against Turkmenistan five days later on Oct 10.

The Turkmenistan game will be played at the Kopetdag Stadium in Ashgabat. The friendly against Qatar will be played at midnight (5am, Singapore time) and the clash in Turkmenistan will be at 10pm (1am, Singapore time).

Rising Chinese teen falls at first hurdle in Chengdu

CHENGDU (China) • Chinese hopeful Wu Yibing lost to Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 6-1, 6-7 (6-8), 2-6 in the first round of the Chengdu Open yesterday.

The 17-year-old, China's first boys' Grand Slam singles champion when he triumphed at the US Open this month, was making his Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour debut.

However, he could not maintain his winning run after lifting his first ATP Challenger Tour title this month.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Wade weighs up options after splitting with Bulls

CHICAGO • Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to part ways after the point guard's first season with his hometown team, the US media reported on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old has reached a buyout agreement with the Bulls, according to American broadcaster ESPN. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and his former Miami Heat team are all reportedly interested in signing Wade.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE