Sports Bar

Beckham to sue tabloid

Footballer David Beckham has rubbished claims by a prostitute that he paid 10,000 for a threesome and plans to sue the tabloid which published the report. The 35-year-old English player said he has never even met the girl called Irma Nici. The allegations that have been made are completely untrue and totally ridiculous,as the magazine was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it, his spokesman said.

Sania-Elena out of Tashkent Open

Sania Mirzas hopes of winning back-to-back WTA titles went up in smoke after losing the quarterfinals of the Tashkent Open in straight sets with partner Maria Elena Camerin. The Indo-Italian combination lost 5-7,1-6 to Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania and Magdalena Rybrikova of Slovakia in little over one hour.

Rs 10 lakh reward for Mary Kom

Manipur government will award Rs 10 lakh to boxer Mary Kom,who recently won her fifth World Women Boxing Championship. Manipur sports minister N Biren said a cabinet meeting decided that a grand reception would be given to Mary Kom and a cheque of Rs 10 lakh presented to her. The government has already promoted her to DSP.

England recall Panesar for Ashes

England have recalled spinner Monty Panesar and fast bowler Chris Tremlett in the 16-man squad for the Ashes series in Australia. Panesar has not played a Test since featuring in last years Ashes opener. Tremlett played the last of his three Tests in 2007. The squad will be captained by Andrew Strauss with batsman Kevin Pietersen recalled.

Squad: Andrew Strauss capt,Alastair Cook,Jonathan Trott,Kevin Pietersen,Ian Bell,Paul Collingwood,Eoin Morgan,Matt Prior,Graeme Swann,Stuart Broad,Steven Finn,James Anderson,Tim Bresnan,Chris Tremlett,Monty Panesar,Steven Davies.

India-Hong Kong football friendly

The Indian football team will face Hong Kong in an international friendly on October 4 in Pune as part of preparation for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha. The two teams have clashed twice over the last four years,with Hong Kong winning on one occasion and the other ending in a draw. Besides Hong Kong,India are expected to play two more friendlies in October against Vietnam on 8th followed by one against either Yemen or Iraq.

Els to be part of Hall of Fame

South Africas Ernie Els,whose 62 global victories include two US Open triumphs and a British Open title,has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot. Elss election was announced on Wednesday,on the eve of the US PGA Tour Championship. It makes you feel very good about what youve done, Els said.Els will be among five celebrated golfers inducted in St. Augustine,Florida,next May 9,in the week of the Players Championship. Els received 66 percent of the vote from a panel of journalists,golf dignitaries and Hall of Fame members.

IBF names reserves for Asian team

Former World Championship silver medallist L Sarita Devi has been included in the Indian womens boxing team for the Asian Games as a reserve. Sarita,the reigning Asian champion,lost to Mary Kom in the trials. In the other weight categories,Haryanas Neetu Chahal was included as a reserve for Preeti Beniwal in the 60kg division while former world champion RL Jenny would be on standby for Kavita Goyat in the 75kg category. In case any of the first-choice girl gets injured,we are allowed to have reserve entries, said IBF secretary Col PKM Raja.