Asean Para Games to be hosted separately from SEA Games
KUALA LUMPUR • The SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) yesterday rejected Malaysia's proposal to host the 2017 SEA Games and Asean Para Games concurrently.
SEAGF chairman Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar said that out of the 11 member countries, nine were not in favour of the plan.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the next SEA Games in 2019 will be hosted by the Philippines.
Wilmots fired for failing to inspire Red Devils beyond q-final finishes
BRUSSELS • •Belgium sacked its national football coach Marc Wilmots yesterday, after its highly-fancied team of stars failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals at the recently-concluded Euro 2016.
The former Schalke midfielder, 47, had coached the Red Devils for four years, taking them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2014 and seeing them top Fifa's world ranking.
REUTERS
Swede Aregawi wants to run at Olympics after meldonium reprieve
STOCKHOLM • Sweden's former 1,500m world champion Abeba Aregawi hopes to compete at the Rio Olympics after the Swedish Doping Commission lifted her suspension for testing positive for meldonium.
The Swedish Sports Confederation said that her suspension had been lifted with immediate effect as it had not been proven she had taken meldonium after it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency list of banned substances on Jan 1.
REUTERS
Shamed Amir returns from spot-fixing ban to little fanfare
LONDON • Pakistan's Mohammad Amir got a muted reception at Lord's on the second day of the first cricket Test yesterday as he bowled for the first time in a Test since being banned for spot-fixing.
The left-handed fast bowler, who served half of a six-month prison sentence and was banned for five years for deliberately bowling no-balls against England at the same ground in 2010, was treated to a few shouts of "no-ball" from the crowd after his first delivery, but his return to Pakistan's bowling attack otherwise passed largely without incident.
REUTERS
France's Payet dispels speculation by committing future to West Ham
LONDON • Dimitri Payet has told West Ham United that he is "100 per cent staying" at the English football club.
The playmaker, 29, had an outstanding Euro 2016, scoring three times as France reached the final. That led to speculation he would leave West Ham in the close season.
THE GUARDIAN
FAS to hold first U-21 competition involving HK, Iran and Uzbekistan
SINGAPORE • The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will host the inaugural FAS Under-21 International Challenge Cup.
The quadrangular tournament will take place on July 20 and 23 at Bishan Stadium, and will feature the U-21 national teams from Hong Kong, Iran and Uzbekistan.
The 20-strong squad will be led by national youth teams head coach Richard Tardy. For ticketing details, visit www.globaltickets.sg
Spain's El Clasico clashes next season decided for December, April
MADRID • Spanish football's 'El Clasico' encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid will happen in December and April, according to the 2016-17 La Liga fixtures which were released yesterday.
Defending champions Barca host Real on Dec 4 at the Camp Nou. The reverse fixture will take place on April 23 at the Bernabeu.
REUTERS
