ICC awards in Sydney

DUBAI: The ICC today announced that the second annual ICC Awards presented by Hyundai Motor in association with FICA, will take place in Sydney on October 11. Following the success

of last year’s inaugural event in London, the cream of the world’s cricketers will convene in Australia for the gala ceremony. The awards are Cricketer of the Year, Test Player of the Year, ODI Player of the Year, Emerging Player of the Year, Test Team of the Year, ODI Team of the Year; and Spirit of Cricket Award. — Agencies

Clijsters to quit

BRUSSELS: US Open favourite Kim Clijsters plans to quit tennis in about two years time because of the toll the sport takes on her body. “I think I will quit at the end of 2007,” the 22-year-old Belgian told Het Laatste Nieuws. “My body already has a lot of problems now.” Competing in the Beijing Olympics is already beyond her, she said. After missing most of the 2004 season to a wrist injury which needed surgery, Clijsters has come back strongly and has already won a tour-leading six WTA titles so far this season. — AP

Real present Robinho

MADRID: Robinho is finally a Real Madrid player, pulling on the jersey on Friday for the first time to prove it. The 21-year-old Brazilian striker was given the No 10 shirt by legendary Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stefano — now honorary president of the club — on a temporary stage built in Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Robinho, who is expected to lead Madrid’s attack alongside Ronaldo, moved to the club from Brazilian team Santos on a long, drawn-out summer transfer that cost the Spanish team $30 million. — AP

Liverpool interested

LIVERPOOL: Michael Owen could be going back to Liverpool after all. Although rival Newcastle negotiated a transfer fee with Real Madrid for the England striker, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said that his club might make a move before next Wednesday’s transfer deadline. Owen has said he would prefer to move to Anfield. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has made little comment on speculation and consistently told reporters he prefers to hire a right winger and a central defender. That prompted speculation that he and Parry had disagreed over whether to bring Owen back to the club. — HNS

Referee arrested

HANOI: Vietnamese police have arrested a soccer referee and launched a probe against his three assistants for allegedly receiving bribes to fix the result of a soccer match in the country’s first division. Luong Trung Viet was taken into police custody on Thursday, said Trinh Van Phan, director of Tra Vinh’s Sports Department. The initial investigation alleges that Viet and his three assistants received $1,260 from the Ho Chi Minh City-based East Asia-Povina Steel team to infuence an April match against Huda Hue in its favour. East Asia-Povina Steel won the match 2-1. — AP