Buddhi Pradhan selected

KATHMANDU: National umpire Buddhi Bahadur Pradhan was nominated in the Associate and Affiliates Umpires Panel by the International Cricket Council. Gurung, who had participated at the February 18-28 ICC Global Associate and Affiliates Umpiring Course held in Mayalsia, has been nominated for one year (April 1-March 31, 2006). Pradhan will now umpire at the ICC Intercontinental Cup, ICC Trophy 2005 in Ireland and ICC U-19 World Cup, 2006. — HNS

SAF medallists honoured

KATHMANDU: Nepal Taekwondo Association felicitated the Ninth SAF Games medal winners — Sangina Baidya, Deepak Bista, Dev Narayan Mahato and Ramji Prasad Dahal — here today. Baidya and Bista won gold medals, while Mahato and Dahal finished third at the Games held in Islamabad last year. Also, Sangina Baidya was honoured with a letter of felicitation and Rs 15,000 for acheiving the heights in taekwondo and representing Nepal at the Olympics. — HNS

Bomb threats delay game

AUBURN HILLS: The bomb threat that delayed the NBA matchup between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers for 85 minutes was one of four received that night regarding the game, police said. The game was delayed after a caller told officials there was a bomb in the visiting Pacers’ locker room. After the news of the first threat became public, a second threat was called in to the Auburn Hills Police centre. The Palace switchboard also received two more bomb threats at the end of the game. — AP

Thanou wants to return

ATHENS: Greek sprinter Ekaterini Thanou wants to return to competition after her recent acquittal of violating anti-doping rules on the eve of the Athens 2004 Olympics, a Greek newspaper reported. “I want to run again... if I am given the green light... I am ready for any battle I might have to give,” Thanou, a 100m silver medallist at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, said. — AFP