APF, NPC on top

KATHMANDU: Armed Police Force (APF) Club climb atop the standings to share the lead with Nepal Police Club (NPC) with two wins here at the third Gongabu Deep Jyoti Binamay Cup Men’s Volleyball Championship on Thursday. APF defeated Ghiring Sundhara Tanahu 25-13, 25-21, 25-20 before seeing off Rukum Club 25-7, 25-10, 25-14. NPC, meanwhile, beat Samakhushi English Boarding (SEB) School 25-20, 25-12, 25-14. Both the departmental teams have 12 points from four games. In another match, Naya Bazaar defeated Rukum 25-9, 23-25, 25-20, 25-13. — HNS

Nepal win nine gold

KATHMANDU: Nepal Shotokan Karate Association (SKIF) team claimed 10 gold medals at the Karate Tournament held in Hariyana on January 9-12. The SKIF team bagged eight individual gold medals and team kata gold medals in both the men and women’s section. Among the individual winners were Sachin Pandit, Amar Gacha, Sunil Kapali, Jimmi Dangol, Prakash Maharjan, Suman Awal, Jasmina Khadka and Deepa Thapa. A 25-member SKIF team participated in the tournament organised by International Shotokan Karate Federation of India. — HNS

Wigan reject offer

LONDON: Wigan have rejected a £10 million bid from Tottenham for Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios but left the door open to a deal at a higher price. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said the bid had been rejected because the offer did not meet the club’s valuation of the 24-year-old. Palacios, who followed Wigan boss Steve Bruce from Birmingham to Lancashire in January of last year, signed an extended contract in August although the details were not revealed by the club at the time. He has since enhanced his reputation with Wigan establishing themselves firmly in the top half of the table. — AFP

Rooney sidelined

MANCHESTER: Wayne Rooney will be out of action for around three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Wigan on Wednesday. Rooney scored in the first minute to send United to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool but limped off shortly afterwards. Rooney’s replacement, Carlos Tevez, and young defender Jonny Evans both suffered heavy knocks and are doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Bolton, where victory will see United go to the top of the table. — AFP

Clarke gains fitness

SYDNEY: Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke, who has been nursing an injury on his right thumb, has been declared fit to play against South Africa in Friday’s first one-day international match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Clarke passed a fitness test on Thursday, which included a couple of net sessions, after missing the two Twenty20 matches. Clarke’s inclusion means rookie David Warner has been released from the Australian squad. Australia are yet to finalise their palying XI and will decide on Friday whether to include specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz or play an all-rounder. Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin will also return after a rest. — HNS