Cycling nod from Eritrea's president
Nairobi - Eritrea President Isaias Afwerkihas has given his backing to the first two cyclists from his country to ride in the Tour de France, despite a spate of defections by sports stars at past international events.
Having received a wild card invitation to the Tour, South African team MTN-Qhubeka have an unprecedented five African riders in their nine-man team for the July 4-26 event, including Eritrea's Daniel Teklehaimanot, 26, and Merhawi Kudus, 21.
AFP
Anthony queries Latvian's selection
New York - New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony has reportedly expressed his displeasure with the National Basketball Association franchise's team president Phil Jackson over the latter's decision to draft 2.15m-tall Kristaps Porzingis.
Anthony, in a phone conversation with former team-mate Tim Hardaway Jr, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, questioned the decision to select the Latvian because the 19-year-old may not be ready to contribute immediately.
Reuters
August retirement for Sangakkara
Colombo - Sri Lanka's batting great Kumar Sangakkara has ended speculation about his future, saying he will retire during the home cricket series against India in August.
The left-hander, 37, Test cricket's current leading run-getter, said he will play two of the three Tests against India.
Beji's win nullified after drugs test
Baku - Azerbaijani Chaltu Beji's joy at winning the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase in the team event at the European Games turned to shame yesterday after the European Olympic Committees announced that she had failed a dope test.
The 18-year-old Ethiopian-born runner tested positive for the banned substance osterine, an anabolic agent, and was disqualified.
AFP
Longines contest winners picked
Longines, the official timekeeper for the French Open, has chosen the two winners of The Straits Times/Longines Future Tennis Aces contest.
They are Charmaine Tay (S852XXXXH) and Kang Po Chien (S741XXXXF).
Each of them will win a women's timepiece worth $1,750. The winners will be notified shortly.
Coaches from 10 nations at clinic
Special Olympics Asia Pacific, together with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, held a football clinic at the Singapore Sports School for coaches working with people with intellectual disabilities.
The three-day clinic, which ended yesterday, saw coaches from 10 countries around the region take part.
Man flies drone over Wimbledon
London - Police have seized a drone which was flown over Wimbledon as some of the world's top tennis players warmed up for the Grand Slam in south-west London yesterday.
Officers are investigating the incident after being alerted to a man flying a drone over the All England Club from a golf course.
AFP
