AUG 22: The South Africans will be out to avenge their Sharjah Cup loss to Pakistan earlier this year, which incidentally was sacked skipper Hansie Cronje's last assignment. Fresh from their strong win over Australia in the final game in Melbourne, the South Africans will be looking to add another feather to their cap by winning the trophy in their debut in Singapore. The South Africans still have plenty of depth in their lineup, and Pollock admitted that his main problem was to find the right combination for the game. On the other hand, Pakistan is unlikely to tinker with the side that defeated New Zealand.MUMBAI: Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar would be the star attraction in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team which is to play a few three-day and one-day games against the Kenyan National outfit at Nairobi from September 12-22.``Sachin is keen to go now that the Sahara Cup in Toronto is off as this would give him the necessary match practice for the new season and especially for the October 3-15 ICC Knock-out Cup tournament in Nairobi'', Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) joint secretary, Ratnakar Shetty, told newsmen on Tuesday.Koya to head Fide teamCHENNAI: World Chess Federation (Fide) vice-president and All India Chess Federation secretary PT Ummer Koya will lead the 11-member contingent of Fide as the Appeals Committee chairman for the conduct of the World Cup to be held in Shenyang (China) from September one to 14.The World's top 24 Grandmasters will vie for honours in the knock-out championship. The total prize fund is 4,06,000 US dollars with the winner taking home 50,000 dollars.Beijing starts English trainingBEIJING: The city of Beijing launched a programme on Tuesday to improve English-language ability among service personnel in a move it hopes will boost the city's bid to host the 2008 Olympics.Tour guides, taxi drivers, traffic policemen, shop assistants, and staff in hotels and restaurants would all undertake language training tailored to their specific needs, city vice-mayor Zhang Mao told a news conference.``This project will give strong support to Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympics,'' Zhang said.Aman Balgu championVIJAYAWADA: Eighth-seed Aman Balgu of Maharashtra emerged the cadet boys champion in the National ranking Table Tennis Championships (South zone) here on Tuesday. Aman overwhelmed Sudipto Ghosh of Bengal 21-15, 16-21, 21-16. In the cadet girls final, Sukanya Bose of Bengal prevailed over AV Nivedita of Tamil Nadu 21-11, 21-13.Churchill enter finalMARGAO: A brace by medio Rocky Bareto helped Zee Churchill to edge past a strong challenge from Dempo 2-1 to enter the finals of the Governor's Cup at Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. Zee Churchill took the lead through Rockey (20th minute) while Dempo restored parity two minutes before the final whistle through Marcus Carvalho.Kulkarni, Krupa get top billingAURANGABAD: Rutuparna Kulkarni and Krupa Telang head the men's and women's singles seedings list in the Maharashtra State Senior Inter-District and State Badminton Tournament, organised by the Khadki Sports Association, which commenced here on Tuesday. In the team championship, Thane are seeded on top in both the sections followed by Greater Mumbai.The seedings: Men's: 1. Rutuparna Kulkarni, 2. Mayur Tawde, 3. Sanket Shetty, 4. Rajeev Bagga, 5. Sushant Nidodi, 6. Himanshu Thakkar, 7. Vinayak Putran, 8. Vivek Gautam. Women's: 1. Krupa Telant, 2. Nurupa Bhide.
