SOCCER
Bayern tweak Rwanda deal
Bayern Munich signaled on Friday that they would cut down on “Visit Rwanda” branding as they move away from a commercial sponsorship with the African nation facing a backlash over alleged support for rebels in neighboring DR Congo. Bayern dismissed allegations of “sportswashing” when they signed a five-year Rwanda deal in 2023. It included advertisements in the stadium and what Bayern called events “to promote tourism and investment opportunities in Rwanda.” Some Bayern fans displayed a large banner at a game in February protesting the deal, amid accusations from the UN that Rwanda has backed rebels in neighboring DR Congo. Now the German soccer champions say they have reached a new deal with Rwanda, which turns the existing sponsorship deal into a three-year agreement focusing on developing young soccer players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in the country. The club did not specify how soon they would drop “Visit Rwanda” branding as part of the move, which is described as a transition.
MARTIAL ART
Taiwanese bags medal
Liu Chang-min of Taiwan won bronze in the men’s nanquan-nangun combined event at the World Games in Chengdu, China, on Friday, securing Taiwan’s first medal of the Games. In nanquan, a southern Chinese martial art known for its short strikes and distinctive arm movements, Liu scored 9.740 points to lead the field. He followed with 9.690 in nangun, a staff-based discipline, for a combined total of 19.430, finishing behind gold medalist Shahin Banitalebi of Iran and silver medalist Mohammad Adi Salihin of Brunei. In the women’s combined tai chi and taijijian (straight two-edged sword) event, Taiwan’s Liu Pei-hsun placed sixth with a total of 19.056, scoring 9.393 in tai chi and 9.663 in taijijian. This year’s World Games are being held from Friday to Tuesday.
SOCCER
‘Palestinian Pele’ killed
Former Palestine national team player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” has been killed by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip, the sport’s local governing body said. Al-Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces “targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip,” the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement. A former star of the Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza, Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine, the PFA said. “During his long career, Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football,” it added. The midfielder also played for the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
SOCCER
Rodri sustains groin injury
Manchester City midfielder Rodri could be sidelined for the start of the English Premier League season because of an injury sustained at the FIFA Club World Cup, City coach Pep Guardiola said. Last year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or winner sat out nearly all of last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, and Guardiola described the Spain international’s latest setback as a “big injury.” It is believed to be a groin problem this time and occurred during City’s 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup on June 30.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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