SOCCER
Chinese women get boost
The women’s game in China yesterday received a major financial boost after Ant Financial’s Alipay said it would provide 1 billion yuan (US$145.4 million) in funding for a 10-year project. The initiative was being funded primarily by charitable organization the Alipay Foundation and would look to make the sport more accessible to girls and women, Alipay said in a statement. The funds would be allocated to improve the national team setup, youth development, coaching education and the welfare of retired professionals. The women’s team have traditionally been more competitive on the international stage than the men’s side, finishing runners-up at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and fourth at the 1995 tournament. At the ongoing World Cup in France, China reached the last 16, where they lost 2-0 to Italy. The men’s team have qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002 when they lost all three games.
OLYMPICS
Second round for tickets
Tokyo organizers are putting “a few hundred thousand” tickets into a lottery next month for Japan residents who were shut out when results of the first lottery were announced last month. The new “second-chance” lottery is being organized on short notice because of unprecedented demand, which is believed to be at least 10 times over supply. Organizing committee spokesman Masa Takaya yesterday said that 3.22 million tickets were sold to residents in the first lottery. More than 90 percent of applicants bought the tickets that they were awarded, he said, adding that only the unsold tickets would be those offered in the next round. Japan residents might get fewer than half of the 7.8 million tickets that organizers say are available for all events. It is a reversal from recent Olympics when tickets were unsold and many events were poorly attended.
FOOTBALL
Dolphins’ Norton loses arm
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton has had his arm amputated after a car crash in the early hours of Thursday. Florida police said that the 22-year-old’s Ford F250 overturned after hitting a concrete barrier. His injuries are not considered life-threatening, but his agent said the player had his arm amputated. Norton was drafted by the Carolina Panthers last year after starring for the University of Miami. He joined the Dolphins in December and was competing for a roster spot this off-season.
SOCCER
FIFA rejects criticism
Criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the handling of sexual abuse investigations was “ill-informed and unjustified,” the governing body said on Thursday after Afghanistan women’s team coach Kelly Lindsey said she was “disgusted” with him. Lindsey had demanded Infantino’s departure, claiming FIFA is not being rigorous enough in pursuing Afghanistan Football Federation officials. FIFA has so far only sanctioned Keramuudin Karim, who was banned for life last month for repeated sexual abuse of female players while president of the federation. FIFA has now disclosed that it is “carefully looking into allegations leveled against additional persons and will not hesitate to take appropriate measures and impose sanctions if justified.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care