SOCCER
Sexwale eyes FIFA role
An apartheid-era political prisoner turned multi-millionaire mining tycoon joined the FIFA presidential race on Saturday. South African Tokyo Sexwale announced his intention to run in next year’s emergency election to replace FIFA president Sepp Blatter after receiving the endorsement of the South African Football Association. Sexwale is to submit his candidature papers to FIFA to meet today’s deadline after receiving the unanimous backing of his national federation, he said at a news conference in Johannesburg. The 62-year-old Sexwale’s varied credentials include being a current FIFA anti-racism adviser, a former prisoner on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela, and a previous host of South Africa’s version of The Apprentice television show. He is also a hugely successful businessman, with interests in the mining and energy sectors, whose wealth has been estimated at US$200 million. Four other men have already submitted their papers for the FIFA election: UEFA President Michel Platini, whose chances appear to have been thwarted by an ethics investigation, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, ex-FIFA official Jerome Champagne and David Nakhid, a former player from Trinidad and Tobago.
CRICKET
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe
Afghanistan made history on Saturday when they became the first associate nation to defeat a Test-playing nation in a one-day series, with a comprehensive 73-run win over Zimbabwe. The victory gave Afghanistan a 3-2 series win after the two sides had shared the first four games at the Queen’s Sports Club. Chasing a 246-run winning target, Zimbabwe were skittled for 172 in the 45th over, despite Sean Williams making a fine 102 off 124 balls, with three boundaries and four sixes. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran finished with a career best 4-22 in his 10 overs. Earlier, opener Noor Ali Zadran made 54 and Mohammad Nabi, who hit a maiden century in the second match of the series, chipped in with 53 as Afghanistan reached 245-9 in their 50 overs.
TENNIS
Ferrer, Johnson make final
Top-seeded David Ferrer beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6(7/5), 7-5 at the Erste Bank Open on Saturday to reach his fifth final of the season. Ferrer was to play Steve Johnson of the US for the title. The 47th-ranked American beat Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 6-3, 7-6(7/4) to advance to his maiden ATP final.
TENNIS
Sock faces Berdych in final
American Jack Sock reached his second ATP tour final of the season on Saturday by beating second-seeded Richard Gasquet of France 6-4, 6-2 at the Stockholm Open. He was to play defending champion Tomas Berdych in the final, after the top-seeded Czech player advanced when Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus retired with a right groin injury after losing the first set 6-1 in the other semi-final.
TENNIS
Doi, Barthel win semis
Misaki Doi was to take on Mona Barthel in her first WTA tour final after Alison van Uytvanck was forced to retire when trailing 6-4 against the Japanese player in their semi-final at the Luxembourg Open on Saturday. Van Uytvanck, a quarter-finalist at the French Open, cited a viral illness. Barthel converted four of five break points to breeze past wild-card entry Stefanie Voegele 6-2, 6-3 in the other semi-final.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was