NBA star Ming forced to retire July 20, 2011 BASKETBALL: China’s biggest sporting star Yao Ming has confirmed that he is retiring from basketball, after suffering a series of injuries. The 7ft 6in Houston Rockets player, 30, broke his foot year. NBA official David Stern said: “Yao Ming has been a transformational player for our league and a source of enormous pride to the [...]
India hold no fears for us, insists Swann July 19, 2011 ENGLAND spinner Graeme Swann can’t wait to finally get down to the serious business of the summer and wrestle the No1 Test ranking from India’s grasp. The visit of a limited Sri Lankan side represented a low-key start to England’s summer campaign in a series heavily disrupted by the weather. India, cricket’s current world superpower [...]
Payne wins gold – and a 2012 place July 19, 2011 SWIMMER Keri-Anne Payne has admitted her “massive relief” after becoming the first British athlete in any discipline to guarantee their place at London 2012. The 23-year-old from Stockport ensured her qualification by defending her 10km open water title at the Fina World Championships in Shanghai yesterday. Payne said: “I really wish I could swear right [...]
Terry hoping world class Modric will join Chelsea July 19, 2011 CHELSEA captain John Terry believes the potential signing of Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric would significantly enhance his club’s chances of regaining the Premier League title. Modric has been the subject of two failed sub £30m bids this summer from the west London club with Spurs adamant that the Croatia playmaker will remain at White Hart [...]
Olympic preparations boosted by major reduction in building costs July 19, 2011 WITH just a year to go before the London Olympics encouraging new figures reveal that the anticipated final cost of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s construction programme has fallen to £7.25bn and is likely to come in £850m under budget. Sports and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson claimed the figure, a £16m reduction on the previous quarter, showed [...]
Barca will fight until the end for Fabregas July 19, 2011 BARCELONA manager Pep Guardiola is willing to wait until the dying embers of the transfer window to force through the transfer of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has publically expressed a desire to retain the Spaniard’s services but his counterpart at Barcelona revealed the north London club’s resistance is lessening and is [...]
City step up campaign to replace Tevez with Aguero July 19, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini believes a bid for Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is imminent. 0The Atletico Madrid hitman is viewed as the ideal candidate to fill the void likely to be created by Carlos Tevez’s move to Brazilian club Corinthians. Asked whether a firm offer had been made for Aguero, Mancini replied: “Maybe in [...]
New foreign signing for Hammers July 19, 2011 WEST HAM have signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Alpari (UK) Limited a leading foreign exchange broker. The deal includes the renaming of the West Stand at Upton Park to the Alpari Stand. Barry Webber, West Ham United Commercial Director, said: “This shows West Ham are still an attractive proposition to prospective partners.”
Hushovd’s on the money July 19, 2011 CYCLING: World champion Thor Hushovd pipped Edvald Boasson Hagen to beat the Team Sky rider and claim his second stage win in the 2011 Tour de France. Frenchman Thomas Voeckler kept hold of the yellow jersey, but Australian Cadel Evans and three-time winner Alberto Contador both made significant gains. Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas has signed [...]
Waugh wants lie detectors July 19, 2011 CRICKET: Former Australia captain Steve Waugh believes lie detectors would help remove the stain of match fixing from the sport. Waugh has undergone a polygraph examination and said:?“Anybody with something to hide would be found out by this process.”