Sun, Nov 18, 2007 page22

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■ CRICKETT

  Ashley Giles to coach spin

  Former Test bowler Ashley Giles will join England's Performance Programme as spin coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. The 34-year-old left-armer, part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, will work with England's promising spin bowlers in India during the four-week training camp. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of working with the players involved in the EPP," Giles, who had to retire this year because of chronic hip problems, said in a statement. "It's exciting to be so hands-on in a coaching role."

  ■ Boxing

  WBC plans Rocky statue

  The World Boxing Council (WBC) said yesterday that it plans to set up a statue honoring late heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano in his home state of Massachusetts. WBC secretary general Gabriel Penagaricano said the boxing organization approved the statue of Marciano, the "Brockton Blockbuster" during its annual convention in the Philippine capital. The WBC is now seeking the permission of US authorities to set up the statue either in Boston or in Brockton, the birthplace of Marciano, the only man to retire undefeated as heavyweight champion, Penagaricano said.

  ■ Volleyball

  Simona Gioli made MVP

  Italy's Simona Gioli received the most valuable player's award after leading her team to their first victory in the women's World Cup volleyball tournament in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday. It was the 30-year-old middle blocker's triple victory as she also won the best blocker's award with a total of 33 points. Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata, of Poland, was the best scorer with a total of 182 points, including 154 points off her powerful shots in 11 games. Cuba's Yanelis Santos Allegne won the best server's award, hitting 21 aces, and her compatriot Nancy Carrillo de la Paz received the best spiker's award, with the best percentage of 52.53.

  ■ Boxing

  Warrant issued for Eubank

  A judge issued a warrant for the arrest of former world boxing champion Chris Eubank after he failed to appear in court on Friday over a solo anti-war truck protest. Eubank, who has a reputation as an eccentric, drives a huge truck and attempted to park it outside the entrance to Downing Street, the prime minister's residence in London, in May to protest about the war in Iraq. The 41-year-old was due to appear before City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London over the protest involving the 7 tonne truck, which is 9.75m long. In his absence, a district judge fined Eubank ?500 (US$1,025), ordered him to pay ?365 costs and a ?15 victim surcharge. He has 14 days to pay.

  ■ Soccer

  Ferreira back in action

  Former Paraguay striker Julio Gonzalez Ferreira, who had his arm amputated after a car accident almost two years ago, is poised to make his comeback for first division Tacuary on Friday. Gonzalez was playing for Italy's Vicenza when he was involved in the accident on the way to Venice airport in December 2005. He is not in the team for Friday's league match against Olimpia but Tacuary's coach has promised to use him as a substitute. "I pray to God everything goes well today and I can continue training and playing at professional level," Gonzalez said.
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