Siddhi Ganesh Cup

BHAKTAPUR: Sujit KC scored a hat-trick as Jagaran Youth Group of Duwakot beat Nagadesh Tole Sudhar Samiti 7-0 in the Siddhi Ganesh Cup Football Tournament, which has been organised by Siddhi Ganesh Sports Committee, here today. Pravin Thapa netted two goals and Supratham Shrestha and Pravin Neupane scored one each for the winners. In other match, Jivan Sinkeman scored a hat-trick in Buddhist Youth Club’s 6-2 win over Balkot Naba Yuva Club. — HNS

Under-11 mini football

KATHMANDU: Amar School beat Wits Academy 5-2 in the Valley wide Inter-school Under-11 Mini Football Tournament, which has been organised by Tri-Jyoti Higher Secondary School to mark the 34th birthday of Crown Prince Paras and 10th anniversary of the school. In other matches, Kailash Bodhi School defeated Mohan Mala 5-1, and Tri-Jyoti outplayed Bouddha School 6-1. — HNS

NSJF names councillors

KATHMANDU: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) today selected nine councillors for the upcoming 21st general convention of Federation of Nepalese Journalists to be held in Kathmandu. The selected central councillors are Mukunda Dahal, Mukunda Bogati, Rajendra Gyawali, Himesh Bajracharya, Ajay Phuyal, Chetan Pandey, Roshan Raut, Narayan Upadhayay and Santosh Ojha. In all, 11 members from NSJF, including president Niranjan Rajbansi and general secretary Hemanta Kafle, will cast their votes in the FNJ’s convention. — HNS

Fourth Media Cup

KATHMANDU: Sports Nepal Olympic Museum is organising the fourth Media Cup Football Tournament from February 7-15 here at Dasharath Stadium on the occasion of the 34th birthday of Crown Prince Paras. The tournament which had been postponed, was originally scheduled for September 8-16 last year. — HNS

Real clinch Robinho

MADRID: Real Madrid were reported on Monday to have beaten Chelsea in the race to sign Brazil’s latest superstar footballer Robinho. Sports daily AS said the 20-year-old, under contract with Brazilian first division side Santos, the club who discovered Pele, until 2008, would join the Spanish giants next July. Real’s appointment as coach of Wanderley Luxemburgo, who had just steered Santos to the Brazilian crown, was said to have been decisive in Robinho chosing Madrid rather than London. — AFP

Bangladesh recall Haque

DHAKA: Bangladesh have recalled teenage left-arm spinner Enamul Haque for the opening Test against Zimbabwe starting in Chittagong on Thursday. The 18-year-old, who missed Bangladesh’s recent home series against India, last played in a Test match against New Zealand last year, his third Test for the national side. Bangladesh will also play five one-dayers against the tourists. The selectors have retained Habibul Bashar as captain of the 13-member squad. — AFP

Beattie to join Everton

LIVERPOOL: Southampton striker James Beattie is set to join Everton as the club’s record signing. Everton will play $11.5 million for Beattie when the deal is concluded this week. “James Beattie is poised to become Everton’s record signing after agreeing personal terms,” Everton said. Beattie joined Saints from Blackburn in 1998, scoring 76 goals in 233 appearances and earning four England caps. — AP