The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- England and Pietersen reach agreement: ECB
- Greece gives 29 mn euros for Formula One racetrack
- S. Korean star Choi looks forward to homecoming
| England and Pietersen reach agreement: ECB Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:56 AM PDT COLOMBO: Axed England batsman Kevin Pietersen has reached an agreement with the England Cricket Board over his future as an international player, the ECB said on Wednesday. "The ECB and Kevin Pietersen confirm that agreement has been reached concerning a process for his re-integration into the England team during the remainder of 2012," the ECB said in a statement. "Upon completion of the programme, the England selectors will consider Kevin for future matches." The 32-year-old star batsman was cast into international exile in August after sending text messages to touring South Africa players that contained criticism of then England captain Andrew Strauss during the Test series. He missed out on England's failed World Twenty20 title defence in Sri Lanka and was not also selected for the upcoming tour of India. The ECB confirmed reports that Pietersen had apologised to Strauss for what he admitted were "provocative" messages to the South African players. "Pietersen has apologised to Andrew Strauss and wishes to express to all those who support England his regrets at the impact the recent controversies have had on the England team," the statement continued. "He now wishes to put the events of the summer behind him and to focus on regaining his place in the England team. "Kevin conceded that the messages exchanged were provocative. The ECB is satisfied, following receipt of this binding assurance, that to the best of his recollection, Kevin did not convey any messages which were derogatory about the England captain, the England team director (Andy Flower), the ECB or employees of the ECB. "Furthermore, there was no tactical information whatsoever provided to members of the South African touring party." It was unclear if Pietersen, who is in Sri Lanka working as a studio expert for the host broadcaster for the World Twenty20, will be considered for the Indian tour starting next month. Defending champions England failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.-AFP |
| Greece gives 29 mn euros for Formula One racetrack Posted: 03 Oct 2012 03:40 AM PDT ATHENS: Debt-ridden Greece is to spend 28.9 million euros ($37.3 million) on a Formula One racetrack despite the nation's economic crisis, the development ministry said Wednesday. The funds, which will subsidise about one-third of the 94-million-euro project, were released as part of a government effort to speed up investments that it considers top priorities but that have been delayed by bureaucratic procedures. The government gave the project the green light in May, saying the racetrack would boost tourism and create jobs, in a country where severe austerity measures and a crippling recession now in its fifth year have driven the unemployment rate over 20 percent. The racetrack, to be built by Greek construction group Avtokinitodromio Patras will host Formula One races - pending approval from the sport's governing body - as well as motorcycle and go-kart races. The town of Fares in the northwest of the Peloponnese peninsula will host the track, which will be built over the next three years. Greece's leaders have been debating for years whether to build a Formula One racetrack but have faced resistance from residents and environmentalists. The country spent 8.95 billion euros to host the 2004 Athens Olympics, including 7.2 billion euros to build and outfit venues, according to opposition party Syriza. As the country has slid into financial catastrophe, the government has come under fire for that tab. The development ministry also announced Wednesday the release of credit lines of 29.25 million euros to help fund construction of a solar panel factory in the northeast and 15 million euros to renovate the Elounda Bay luxury hotel on the island of Crete.- AFP |
| S. Korean star Choi looks forward to homecoming Posted: 03 Oct 2012 02:58 AM PDT SEOUL: South Korea's K.J. Choi says hosting his own tournament will allow him to reunite old friends and give back to the community, ahead of the CJ Invitational which starts on Thursday. Choi, who has been based in the United States since 1999, described his homecoming as "a very meaningful event". "I've all of my close friends coming to play in my tournament and also participate in this Build a Nest program which is going to help many kids fulfil their dreams," said Choi. The Build a Nest campaign is part of a charity initiative under the KJ Choi Foundation where players volunteer to be ambassadors and donate 100,000 won ($90) for every birdie they record in the tournament. Choi said: "This tournament extends beyond the boundaries of just playing a tournament. It's more of a community thing and giving back to society and my fans. "When I play in the US, all the people from Korea would cheer me on TV even though it's very late in the night there. Without my fans' support, I wouldn't be able to be where I'm today," said Choi. The CJ Invitational, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour, is in its second year and has a total prize fund of US$750,000. Choi, a five-time winner of the Asian Tour, who also holds eight wins on the PGA Tour, joined the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods as players with their own tournaments. Although he won the inaugural event last year, the Korean superstar does not believe his title defence will be easy. "The Asian Tour has come a long way and the field is getting stronger and stronger each year. It's not going to be easy but I'll try my best as always to defend my title this week," said Choi. Other Asian Tour stars to look out for include India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, Singapore's Mardan Mamat and Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant who holds the record of having 14 Asian Tour wins.- AFP |
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