SOCCER
Former Barca coach dies
Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died following a battle with cancer that forced him to stand down at the end of last season, the club announced on Friday. The 45-year-old took over at the Nou Camp ahead of last season having been Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the most successful period in the club’s history, during which they won three out of four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in 2009 and 2011. Barca went on to make the best-ever start to a La Liga season with 18 wins from 19 games but, in December 2012, Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It meant that his assistant Jordi Roura was forced to take charge of the team on occasions when he was undergoing treatment. At the end of the season Vilanova announced he was resigning to concentrate on his recovery from the illness.
CRICKET
Giles resigns as selector
Ashley Giles has resigned as an England selector after being passed over for the role of national team coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday. Former England spinner Giles had been England’s one-day coach since 2012, having joined the selection panel four years earlier. However, after Andy Flower stood down as head coach following the team’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, England officials decided they wanted just one man in charge of the side across all three major international formats — Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s. Last week Giles’ hopes of succeeding Flower were ended when the ECB announced they had recalled former Lancashire boss Peter Moores for a second stint as England coach.
DOG SHOWS
‘Royal’ added to lineup
A hardy Hungarian hunting dog and a pet known as the “royal dog of Madagascar” will join the pack at the Westminster Kennel Club show next year, organizers announced on Friday. The kennel club said the wire-haired visla and the coton de tulear will be eligible to compete for the first time in the New York show in February next year. The wire-haired visla is a medium-size breed developed to hunt in northern Hungary’s cold winters and rough terrain. It is related to the visla, which has a smooth coat. The coton de tulear is a small, cheerful companion dog with a long, white, cotton-like coat. Breeds are added to the prestigious dog show after they are recognized by the American Kennel Club. It is the governing body for Westminster and many other canine events. Recognition requires having several hundred dogs of the breed nationwide, among other criteria.
SOCCER
Cup no savior: Ronaldo
Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo warned his compatriots on Friday that the upcoming World Cup could not solve the country’s deep-rooted social problems. Ronaldo, a member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning side and a member of the organizing committee said only politicians could properly address issues such as poor public services and crumbling infrastructure. “Brazilians hope the World Cup will prove the salvation of our country, with improvements in education, health and security. It will bring benefits, but will not resolve our problems,” Ronaldo told a forum in Sao Paulo. The World Cup’s US$11 billion price tag has fueled public anger in Brazil, the scene of massive protests during last year’s Confederations Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal. More recent protests have been smaller, but some have ended in violence.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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