World Sport

Philippoussis hits back at critics

MELBOURNE: Mark Philippoussis has hit back a this teammates and critics who condemned him for withdrawing from last month’s Davis Cup semi-final against Brazil.

Philippoussis cited a long Wimbledon campaign and a knee injury for pulling out of the Australian team the weekend before the Aussies swept Brazil 5-0 in Brisbane. “Even I was surprised by the lack of support I received from some of my teammates, captain and National Association as a result of my being unable to participate in Brisbane,” he said in the statement released on Friday.

Streak to lead Zimbabwe

LONDON: Strike bowler Heath Streak has been named as the new Zimbabwe captain in succession to wicket-keeper Andy Flower, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union announced on Friday. The former Hampshire all-rounder will lead his country in the home Test series with New Zealand next month.

FIFA backs World Cup rotation system

ZURICH: Some kind of rotation system for hosting World Cups between the six continental federations was backed by football’s governing body FIFA here on Thursday.

During their first meeting since the furore following the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany, FIFA’s executive committee unanimously supported the sharing of the finals between the confederations from 2010, in line with the views of president Sepp Blatter.

Pele don’t want Pele Law to bear his name

RIO dE JANEIRO: Football legend Pele no longer wants his name to be associated with a sports law which he helped initiate, the press here reported on Thursday.

The Pele Law was formulated by the Brazilian World Cup winner and many experts during his time as his country’s Sports Minister between 1994 and 1997. The new law aimed to modernize legislation concerning the existence of clubs and the running of National championships. Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso ratified the proposal two weeks ago but Pele does not want his name associated with it because it has been changed so much from his original idea.

Fundraiser girl dies

FORT WORTH (TEXAS): A 12-year-old girl who was a staunch fund-raiser for Lance Armstrong’s cancer research foundation has lost her fight against the disease. Kelly Davidson died on Tuesday at her parents home in Fort Worth, according to officials. She suffered from neuroblastoma, a cancer in children.