Bandung to host U-18 soccer finals
JAKARTA: Bandung-based Persib has been chosen as the host for the four-way final of the Bogasari Under-18 Soccer League, which will run from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18.
The other three teams -- PSIS of Semarang, Persijap of Jepara and Persijatim of East Jakarta -- had initially competed to host the matches. A total of Rp 65 million will be on offer.
Ronny Pattinasarani said that the choice of Bandung was based on commercial considerations with advice coming from the sponsors and the national soccer governing body, the PSSI.
The four teams qualified for the final after winning their respective group matches, which involved 12 teams. Persijatim had previously threatened to boycott the event if it was not named the host. There has been no confirmation yet on whether it has backed down on this threat.
"We urge Persijatim to accept the decision and participate in the finals. Anyway, we will proceed with the event as scheduled, with or without Persijatim," Ronny said here on Friday. --JP
;REUTERS; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Cycling-Mahathir-Award UCI honors Malaysia's PM JP/9/Brief
UCI honors Malaysia's PM
HAMILTON, Ontario: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was given the International Cycling Union merit award on Thursday for outstanding contributions to the sport.
Mohamad, who is set retire at the end of the month, will be presented with the honor next week by the president of the Asian Cycling Federation and member of the UCI management board Darshan Singh.
The UCI said that during 22-years as prime minister, Mohamad, the current chairman of the Organization of Islamic Countries, had supported the development of cycling and was instrumental in the founding of the Tour de Langkawi, one of Asia's most important races. --Reuters
;AFP; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Golf-USLPGA Rain keeps Annika on hold for Hall JP/9/Brief
Rain keeps Annika on hold for Hall
HOUSTON, Texas: Annika Sorenstam's plans to celebrate her 33rd birthday on Thursday by earning her place in the Hall of Fame were put on hold by Mother Nature.
The Swedish superstar, the most dominant woman golfer of her era, will complete the requirements for entry for the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame when she completes the first round of the Samsung World Championship.
But rain forced organizers to suspend play for the day before Sorenstam teed off at the TPC at The Woodlands. --AFP
;REUTERS; ANPAs..r.. Putbriefs-Golf-Korea-Open Davies struggling to make cut JP/9/Brief
Davies struggling to make cut
SEOUL: Britain's Laura Davies carded a six-over-par 78 in the opening round of the South Korean Open on Thursday, leaving her with an uphill struggle to become the first woman to make the halfway cut in a men's tour event.
Davies's score left her in joint 78th place at the US$400,000 Woo Jung Hills Country Club event, won last year by Spain's Sergio Garcia.
South Koreans dominated the opening round, with Ted Oh leading the way after a five-under-par 67 featuring six birdies. --Reuters