PMB Memorial TT

KATHMANDU: Salina Interprises, under the auspices of All Nepal Table Tennis Association, is organising the fifth Purna Man Bajracharya Memorial Table Tennis (TT) Tournment from February 19-22 at the National TT Training Centre in Lainchaur, the organisers said in a release. The tournament is divided into three categories — Inter-secondary school and Inter-higher secondary school; Inter-college and Veteran’s singles; and Men’s Inter-media championships. The best school that wins maximun number of gold medals in the tournament will be awarded with a TT board worth Rs 18,000, the release said. —HNS

Powar to join squad

MUMBAI: All-rounder Ramesh Powar will join the Indian squad for the ongoing one-day series in Pakistan as cover for the injured Harbhajan Singh. Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah said the team management had asked for Powar as off-spinner Harbhajan was recovering from a finger injury. Powar, an off-spinner and a useful lower-order batsman, has played just two one-day internationals, both on India’s last tour of Pakistan in 2004. Harbhajan was forced to miss the opening one-dayer on Monday due to the injury sustained during a practice session before the match. — AFP

Thome quits Wigan

LONDON: Brazilian defender Emerson Thome has parted company with Wigan Athletic after failing to re-establish himself at the surprisingly successful Premier League club after injuring a cheekbone in November. Thome, who will be 34 next month, joined Wigan from Bolton Wanderers in August 2004 and made 20 appearances for the club who are fifth in their first season in the Premier League. They also face Manchester United in the League Cup final later this month. Thome sustained the injury in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United on November 30 and has not played since. — Agencies

Australia call Lewis

SYDNEY: Victorian fast bowler Mick Lewis was named in place of Glenn McGrath in a 14-man Australian cricket squad for the finals of the limited overs tri-series. McGrath will miss the best-of-three finals, which begin in Adelaide on Friday, to be with his wife Jane who has suffered a recurrence of cancer. Lewis debuted for Australia during its three-match Chappell-Hadlee one-day series in New Zealand in December. Australia will play Sri Lanka in finals. — AP

Zimbabwe pull out

CAIRO: Zimbabwe will not enter a team in the African Confederation Cup this year, handing a bye into the second round for Moro United of Tanzania. The Confederation of African Football said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe, who had not designated a team to compete in the tournament, had pulled out but did not give any reasons. Moro United now advance to the second round of the competition where they will meet TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo in March. The first round of the competition will be played this month. — Agencies