In Brief

Nigerian footwork
HARARE: A row erupted at Harare’s international airport when Nigeria’s under-23 football team tried to avoid customs and immigration formalities. Diplomats from the Nigerian High commission engaged in a tug-of-war over the players’ passports with immigration officials who disputed their VIP status. After a shouting match, the players’ passports were left behind while they were whisked into town.

Calcutta gets tie
MARGAO: The tie between Punjabi and Calcutta varsities, which was abandoned due to unsavoury incidentsin the field on October 27 during the all India Inter-University Football Championship, has been awarded in the favour of Calcutta varsity by the technical committee. The incident occurred in the 53rd minute with the teams tied 1-1. Referee Pascal Mascarenhas disallowed a goal for Punjabi and fight broke out.

Coaches’ clinic
BANGALORE: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has deputed Dr Rustom Akramau as the technical director to conduct courses for coaches of under-16 and under-19 teams of state associations from November 2-14 at the Sports Authority of India here.

Women play Korea
BANGALORE: India will play champions DPR Korea in its opener in Group A league match in the XIIth Asian Women’s football championships to be played in the Philippines from November 7-21.

According to a press release from the All-India Football Federation, India will take on DPR Korea on November 7, Malaysia on November 9, Vietnam on November 13 and Chinese Taipei on November 15.

Vatwani’sfeat
MUMBAI: Nine-year-old Arjun Vatwani early this month trekked two peaks in Nepal, 18192 feet high Kala Pathar and 17,552 feet high Gokyo Ridge between September 29 and October 10.

Vatwani, who was adopted by a Mumbai-based psychiatrist from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, had few months ago swum the distance between Uran and Gateway of India here.