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