Birmingham deal

LONDON: Birmingham’s new Hong Kong owner has agreed a club-record sponsorship deal with Chinese sportswear manufacturer Xtep that will also mean the club’s matches are broadcast in China. Xtep will pay $11.6 million to Carson Yeung’s Premier League club in a five-year contract from the start of next season. Xtep, which is replacing Umbro, will also supply Birmingham with 10 million Hong Kong dollars worth of training gear bearing the joint “Xtep-BCFC” logo in the deal. As part of the deal announced on Monday, China Central Television will show at least eight Birmingham matches.

ssien sidelined

LUANDA: Ghana’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations were dealt a blow when midfielder Michael Essien was ruled out of his team’s last group game on Monday. Essien sustained an injury at training and underwent tests but results have yet to be announced. “We don’t know the extent of the injury, but he won’t be available for the team’s next game,” Ghana spokesman Randy Abbey said. Abbey added that Essien hadn’t been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.