Track and field seminar in Jakarta

Track and field seminar in Jakarta

JAKARTA: Twenty-one participants from 15 Asian countries are
taking part in the five-day IAAF (International Amateur Athletics
Federation) Basic Competition Organization seminar, which began
here on Monday.

Organized by the Regional Development Center (RDC) Jakarta,
the seminar aims at giving assistance and guidance, and
encouraging athletics federations in the Asian region to hold
more competitions in the future.

"The IAAF wants to have many competitions across the world.
Only through competition can athletes improve their chances,"
said secretary-general of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA)
Maurice R. Nicholas, from Singapore, one of the two speakers in
the seminar. The other speaker was C.K. Valson of India.

Countries participating are Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, the Maldives,
Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and
Thailand.--JP

;AFP;
ANPAs..r..
Putbriefs-Soccer-ManUtd
Beckham move to Madrid back in the news
JP/9/Brief

Beckham move to Madrid back in the news

LONDON: Manchester United secured the English Premiership
title on Sunday but media reports persisted Monday in saying it
had lost England captain David Beckham to Real Madrid.

The nine-times European Champion issued an official statement
last week to say it had never approached United about Beckham but
British papers insist he made his last appearance at Old Trafford
in Saturday's 4-1 win over Charlton.

Beckham, 28, was said to have struggled to keep his emotions
in check on Saturday as he made what is expected to be his last
home appearance for United.

And he seemed on the verge of tears as he left the pitch.
--AFP

;AFP;
ANPAs..r..
Putbriefs-Golf-APGA
Chung holds off Johl to win first Asian PGA title
JP/9/Brief

Chung holds off Johl to win title

SEOUL: Korea's Chung Joon won his first Asian PGA Tour title
by one shot Sunday by holding off Indian Amandeep Johl to take
out the US$400,000 US Maekyung Open at Nam Seoul Country Club.

Chung led by three strokes heading into the final round, but
Johl put up a tough fight.

Johl closed with a superb 67 and tied for the lead twice on
the 12th and 16th holes. But at the 18th hole, his approach hit a
camera tripod and ricocheted off to the front of the green which
led to a costly bogey.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, Asia's number one in 2001, carded
a 67 to finish third on his own on 278, three shots behind the
winner. He had six birdies on the card against a lone bogey for
his fourth top-10 of the season. --AFP