Global sport

The accident occurred last night during an Egypt cup match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Korum.

The ministry said hundreds of fans, angered over a delay in opening the gates, tried to push their way into the stadium.

Fifteen people remained hospitalised with broken bones and other injuries while five others received treatment and were released.

Black belt death ruled accidental

ANAHEIM (US): The death of a black belt who was kicked in the head during an international martial arts competition has been ruled an accident, authorities said.

Michael Struwe-Andersen, 25, died from blunt force trauma to the head, said coroner’s deputy Larry Esslinger after an autopsy was conducted on Monday his body was released for return to his nativeDenmark. Struwe-Andersen’s death was only the second time an athlete has died during an official taekwondo competition in the United States, said US taekwondo union spokesman Cecil Bleiker on Monday.

Ten-year-old makes chess history

LONDON: A 10-year-old chess player was celebrating a record as the youngest player in the game’s history to qualify for a National Championship final.Murugan Thiruchelva, whose parents are from Sri Lanka, qualified for the British championship aged 10 years and one month, breaking the previous best by over a year, according to chess historians.

Five previous boys who qualified aged 11, have included British world title challenger, Grandmaster Nigel Short.

Last year, Thiruchelva was the youngest player to draw with a Grandmaster and to perform in competition at the level of an International Master.

Cruyff named Footballer of Century

ROTHENBURG ( GERMANY): Johan Cruyff of the Netherlands has been named as the European Footballer of the Century, finishingahead of Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, who was placed second.

Finishing third was Alfredo di Stefano of Italy in the poll conducted by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). The announcement was made at the world football gala held here.

Michael Jordan to retire this week

CHICAGO: Michael Jordan, regarded as the greatest player and greatest draw in NBA history, will announce his retirement from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the Associated Press has learned.

Jordan’s retirement also was reported by the New York Times, USA Today and The Denver Post.

Jordan, whose final shot last season brought the Bulls their sixth championship of the decade, will retire for the second time in five years, a source who asked not to be identified said.

There had been considerable speculation as to Jordan’s future since NBA players and owners reached a settlement last Wednesday to end the six-month lockout. But the six-time playoff MVP has decided to retire at age35.

Waugh, Donald rated as best in world

LONDON: Australia’s Steve Waugh has returned to the top of world batting rankings after successful performances during the Ashes series, according to ratings published by accountancy firm Price Waterhouse Coopers.

The PWC ratings, formerly known as the Coopers and Lybrand Ratings, show South African paceman Allan Donald staying at the top of the bowling ratings, with West Indies Curtly Ambrose second and South African Shaun Pollock third.

Aussie IOC members back Samaranch

SYDNEY: Australia’s International Olympic Committee members backed IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch in the face of mounting pressure for the resignation of the elderly lord of the rings.

IOC members Phil Coles and Kevan Gosper said they did not want to see Samaranch resign before the 2000 Olympics and his scheduled departure as head of the Olympics’ governing body in 2001 despite recent allegations of widespread corruption within the movement.

`No wounds over Hair’scomments’

BRISBANE: Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan bears no grudges toward Australian umpire Darrell Hair despite damning comments about his controversial bowling action.

Muralitharan would not comment on possible disciplinary action facing Hair following this week’s International Cricket Council meeting, but team manager Ranjith Fernando said the whole drama was finished.

Tyson still feels like a champion

LAS VEGAS: Mike Tyson had just finished working out when a fan shouted, “You’re the true champion, buddy.”

“Pardon me,” Tyson said.

The fan repeated his tribute.

“Thank you, sir,” said Tyson, who happens to agree with that assessment even though he does not have a title and has lost his last two fights, both to Evander Holyfield.

“I’m the champion even when I’m not the champion,” said Tyson, who begins his latest comeback Saturday night in a 10-round bout against Francois Botha in the MGM Grand Garden.