■BASKETBALL
Rockets re-sign Mutombo
The Houston Rockets on Tuesday found a familiar face to serve as backup for Chinese center Yao Ming, re-signing 42-year-old Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo, second all-time in the NBA with 3,278 blocks, had contemplated retirement before deciding to return for an 18th season. Mutombo appeared in 36 games for the Rockets last season and proved valuable when Yao suffered a broken foot in February. The player from the Democratic Republic of Congo averaged 3.0 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.
■BASKETBALL
Boozer needs rehab for knee
The Utah Jazz will be without top scorer Carlos Boozer for the foreseeable future, announcing on Tuesday that the two-time All-Star needs surgery on his left knee. Boozer originally suffered a strained quadriceps tendon and a bone bruise on Nov. 19 as he went up for a rebound and landed awkwardly late in the fourth quarter of a NBA victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The injury was thought to be slight, and Boozer initially was listed as day-to-day. However, he has missed 21 consecutive games, depleting a Jazz lineup that has been plagued by injuries all season. The Jazz have not set a timetable for Boozer’s return. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Tuesday that general manager Kevin O’Connor has said the two-time All-Star will be sidelined for at least another month. Setting things back even further is a laceration “very near the scope site” that hasn’t yet healed, pushing the date of surgery back to Jan. 9. Prior to his injury, Boozer was averaging a team-best 20.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per contest.
■FOOTBALL
Pro Bowl set for Miami
Next season’s Pro Bowl will be played at the Dolphin Stadium in Miami one week before the Super Bowl is staged at the same venue, the NFL said on Tuesday. It will be only the second time the two events have been hosted in the same city and the first occasion when the Pro Bowl, the league’s All-Star game, will be held outside Hawaii since 1979. The Los Angeles Coliseum hosted the first Super Bowl on Jan. 15, 1967 and the Pro Bowl the following week. “We are looking at alternatives to strengthen the Pro Bowl,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We will continue to work with the players to make it a great event and will evaluate this concept after the 2010 Pro Bowl.” The 2010 Pro Bowl will take place on Jan. 31, with Super Bowl XLIV set for Feb. 7. Pro Bowl games after next year are likely to rotate between the US mainland and Honolulu, Hawaii, the NFL said.
■FOOTBALL
49ers fire coordinator Martz
The San Francisco 49ers have fired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator, the NFL team said on Tuesday. “After an evaluation period, I felt it was best to go in a different direction,” head coach Mike Singletary said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision because I appreciate Mike Martz and I enjoyed working with him. He is a true professional, and I wish him the best in the future.” Singletary released Martz two days after being permanently installed as San Francisco’s head coach. He was appointed on an interim basis in October in place of the sacked Mike Nolan and guided the team to five wins in their last nine games for an overall record of 7-9. The once-powerful 49ers, winners of five Super Bowl titles, have not recorded a winning season in the last six years.
■BOXING
WBA reviewing Valuev win
The World Boxing Association (WBA) is reviewing Nikolai Valuev’s win over Evander Holyfield by majority decision in a Dec. 20 heavyweight title bout. The organization says in a statement on its Web site dated on Monday that it has ordered a panel of judges to study the video of the fight. The WBA says it “always cares about and respects the fans’ and the media’s opinion.” One judged scored the bout a draw while the others had Valuev winning 116-112 and 115-114.
■SOCCER
Vitesse fire Westerhof
Vitesse Arnhem fired coach Hans Westerhof on Tuesday. Vitesse general director Paul van der Kraan said faith had been lost in the 60-year-old Westerhof, who had only been in charge since the beginning of the season with his team 15th in the 18-team Dutch Eredivisie. “It’s a shame but in our evaluation we realized there is no basis to continue with Hans,” Van der Kraan said on Vitesse’s Web site. Westerhof declined to comment. His future had been in doubt since last month when he called his own central defenders substandard after a 1-1 draw with AZ Alkmaar and the comment was picked up by a microphone. Vitesse did not immediately announce a successor.
■SOCCER
Blades striker arrested
Sheffield United striker Jordan Robertson has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a road accident in which a man was killed. The 20-year-old Robertson — on loan with League Championship side Southampton — was released on bail after being held following the Christmas Day crash in Leicestershire, central England. Father-of-five Omar Mohamed was seriously injured in the incident and died the following day. “It is an unfortunate tragedy and our condolences go out to the family of Mr Mohamed but Sheffield United cannot make further comment as it is a police matter,” the club said on Tuesday in a statement.
■CRICKET
Black Caps clash abandoned
The first one-day international between New Zealand and the West Indies was abandoned because of rain in Queenstown yesterday. The West Indies were 129 for five in the 36th over when the players were forced from the field, and play was officially abandoned about two hours later. Xavier Marshall was not out 29 with Denesh Ramdin on two. Captain Chris Gayle was out for 25 and Ramnaresh Sarwan made 38 while Tim Southee had two for 33. The outcome kept the West Indies tour of New Zealand deadlocked after the two Tests were drawn and the two Twenty20 matches ended in a win apiece. The second of the five one-day matches is scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday.
■BOXING
Thai KOs champion
Denkaosan Kaowichit of Thailand took his revenge on Takefumi Sakata of Japan to become the new World Boxing Association flyweight champion yesterday. The Thai challenger fired a right hook to Sakata’s face to send him onto the floor, scoring a knockout victory two minutes, 55 seconds into the second round. A jubilant Denkaosan, who narrowly failed to steal Sakata’s 112-pound (50.8kg)-class title 13 months ago, said the win was a “New Year gift” to his country. “It was my third attempt at a world title and I finally became the world champion,” the 32-year-old said. “I’d like to thank the Thai people who have supported me. I’m going to bring this champion’s belt to my country as a present for them.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely