■ SOCCER
Beckham plans academy
David Beckham was to announce plans yesterday for his third soccer academy -- the Beckham World of Sport in Brazil, a sports complex that will be located in a soon-to-be-built luxury resort that backers say will be one of the country's largest. The latest David Beckham Academy will be among the highlights of the new development in northeastern Brazil, according to a statement by the Cabo Sao Roque resort, which will be built near the resort city of Natal. Beckham is a partner in the resort project, and will also oversee the academy, a soccer training facility on the resort's grounds. Beckham's academies have already been established in London and at the Home Depot Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, home to the Los Angeles Galaxy and the US national team programs.
■ SOCCER
Mother begs for son
Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios' mother begged her younger son's kidnappers on Monday to release him after the family reportedly paid a ransom. "Please, you also have a mother ... be compassionate and return my son," Orfilia Cacho said in La Ceiba on Honduras' Atlantic coast. She said she was sure her 16-year-old son, Edwin Rene Palacios, was alive, despite the fact that police are investigating whether he may have been killed. On Oct. 30, five armed assailants abducted Palacios from his family's home in La Ceiba. The victim's family asked police not to intervene, although officials set up a special team of officers to work on the case. Local media reported the family paid a ransom of US$260,000 but there has been no word from the victim or his kidnappers.
■ RUGBY UNION
White misses training
Scotland captain Jason White missed training when the squad gathered on Monday but officials were confident he would be fit to lead the team out for Sunday's Six Nations opener against France at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sale back-row forward White was the only member of the provisional 23-man squad selected by coach Frank Hadden not to train on Monday. But team doctor James Robson said White's injury was no cause for alarm. "Jason took a bang on his leg playing for his club on Friday night," Robson explained in a Scottish Rugby Union statement. "It's a similar injury to that which he sustained before the World Cup and it took two to three days to settle on that occasion and we're anticipating the same sort of timescale this time."
■ CYCLING
Tom Boonen takes the lead
Former world road race champion Tom Boonen took the lead at the 2008 Tour of Qatar after winning the second stage on Monday. Boonen, who won this tour last year, finished the 137.5km course in 2 hours, 28 minutes, 37 seconds. The 27-year-old Belgian took the top spot from Quick Step teammate Matteo Tosatto of Italy. "We attacked from the very first kilometer -- in fact the entire team attacked. There was a real battle during the first 60 kilometers," Boonen said. "It's always fast here, but it is better when you attack yourself. That way, you're sure that you're at the front." Belgian Greg Van Avermaet was second for Silence Lotto and Lampre rider Danilo Napolitano of Italy came third. Tosatto led Quick Step to the team trial win during Sunday's first stage, which was held over 6km near Doha's sea front.
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