Tue, Jan 13, 2004 page19

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■ Soccer

  Leeds looks for savior

  Debt-ridden English premier league club Leeds United said yesterday they were being circled by an unspecified number of prospective bidders, but warned that a bid for their shares was not on the table. Leeds, second from bottom of the premier league, have been given until Jan. 19 by their creditors to find a buyer or major investor as they try to avoid going into administration. The English club, who are also battling against relegation after selling off a number of key players in a bid to cut debts, said the prospective bidders were interested either in buying or providing funds. "However, none of these interested parties' proposals contemplates an offer for the company's shares," the club said in a statement. Shares in the club have been the focus of frequent takeover rumors over the past two months. In December, the stock hit a 20-month high on talk of a possible takeover by Chinese businessman Xu Ming. Industry sources said that outgoing chairman John McKenzie could spearhead a takeover bid by a group of wealthy Chinese investors as the club attempt to find a way to cut their US$147.5 million of debt.

  ■ Olympics

  India enters 2016 bid

  The Indian Olympic Association said yesterday it had decided to bid for the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in the capital, New Delhi. The brief announcement of the Sunday decision was made in a press release, which noted India's recent success in being named the host country for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the world's second largest sports competition after the Olympics. India hosted the first ever Afro-Asian Games last year, after moving the event from New Delhi to the southern city of Hyderabad and postponing it by a year. Shortly after those Games went off well, New Delhi beat Hamilton, Canada, by a vote of 46 to 22 to host the Commonwealth Games, in a controversial balloting that came after both cities offered millions of dollars in training to the sports teams of other countries. The Indian Olympic Association had long promoted the Afro-Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games, as events that would prove its ability to hold the Olympics.

  ■ Soccer

  Coach tells player to dive

  Perugia coach Serse Cosmi has criticized his English striker Jay Bothroyd for not falling when he was touched inside the penalty area. Perugia lost 1-0 at home to Serie A leaders AS Roma on Sunday but there was controversy on the hour when Bothroyd appeared to be held by Roma's Greek defender Traianos Dellas inside the area. Bothroyd did not go down, but his team mate Giovanni Tedesco was booked after strong protests to the referee. "I think he was naive to not fall because I think he was held," Cosmi said. "A normal player, not a `diver' would go down in that situation. Just as we have had so many campaigns against divers now lets have one against heroes as well," added the Perugia coach.

  ■ Handball

  Crowd fight injures three

  Opposing fans fought on Sunday after a qualifying match for the world handball championships, and three people were treated for minor injuries, Dutch television reported. At least one fight occurred before host Netherlands beat Bosnia 27-22 in Volendam, 20km north of Amsterdam. But several dozen of the 300 people attending the match rushed the court after it ended. According to NOS television, two policemen and one player had minor injuries, and one Bosnian fan was arrested.
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