Bandung to host U-18 soccer finals

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;
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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;
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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;
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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