SOCCER
Mbia signs for Hebei
Cameroon captain and former Olympique de Marseille center-back Stephane Mbia has signed for Hebei China Fortune, the club announced yesterday, the latest Europe-based player to head east in the current transfer window. “Looking forward to ‘absolute beast defender’ Mbia fully showing his strength,” the club said in a microblog post, adding that he would give the team’s defense a “qualitative leap.” Hebei did not give a fee, but soccer Web site Transfermarkt said the club paid Turkey’s Trabzonspor 4 million euros (US$4.4 million) for the 29-year-old.
CRICKET
Warne foundation to close
Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne says he is closing the charitable foundation that bears his name after “unwarranted speculation” over its financial management. Warne announced the foundation’s closure on Facebook yesterday. “In response to recent, unwarranted speculation about the Shane Warne Foundation and its distribution of funds, we confirm we have distributed $3.67 million to date with an additional and final substantial check to be distributed on March 18, 2016,” he wrote. The Shane Warne Foundation is to be audited by the Victoria State Consumer Affairs Department.
CRICKET
Sri Lanka regain Ford
South African Graham Ford is to return as Sri Lanka’s head coach after leaving English county championship side Surrey. The 55-year-old Ford took over as Sri Lanka’s coach in 2012 for two years before moving to Surrey, whom he led to promotion from County Championship Division Two last year. “Ford has been appointed with effect from Feb. 1,” a Sri Lanka Cricket source said, without giving further details. The Sri Lanka head coach’s position has been lying vacant since former Test captain Marvan Atapattu resigned in early September last year. Ford was South Africa’s coach from 1999 to 2001 before moving to English county Kent as director of cricket in 2004. In 2006 he returned to South Africa to take charge of the Dolphins.
FORMULA ONE
Pirelli to discuss rules
Pirelli is to host a meeting of Formula One’s key stakeholders in Milan, Italy, next week to discuss how the sport wants the tires to perform. F1 is planning a rewrite of the rules from next year to improve the show with faster and more aggressive-looking cars. Drivers have said that they want tires that let them race flat-out from start to finish rather than the quick-wearing ones that need careful management over a distance. The company would “discuss target tire performance guidelines,” it said. “Pirelli sees this meeting as being of vital importance in order to further consolidate the close collaboration that got under way last year.”
BASEBALL
Wrongful-death suit settled
The family of a University of Rhode Island baseball player who died after a team workout has received US$1.45 million in a settlement with the university and its insurance carrier. An attorney for Joseph Ciancola III’s mother on Thursday said that the settlement in her wrongful-death lawsuit was reached on Jan. 8, days before the case was set to go to trial. The 20-year-old student from Orange, Connecticut, suffered an unspecified medical emergency and collapsed during an Oct. 24, 2011, team pre-season workout. He died in a hospital three days later. Her attorney, Patrick Barry, said the settlement ends a “hard-fought” legal dispute over a “tragic death.”
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