Kailash Bodhi in semis

KATHMANDU: Kailash Bodhi School entered the semi-finals of the Valley wide Inter-school Under-11 Mini Football Tournament here today. In the day’s league-round matches, Kailash Bodhi School beat Joseph School 6-1; Loyalty Academy thrashed hosts Tri-Jyoti ‘A’ 6-0; and Mohan Mala School earned walk over from Bouddha Secondary School. On Wednesday, it’s Vidya Sadan vs Wits Academy; Tri-Jyoti ‘B’ vs Joseph School; Amar School vs Tri-Jyoti ‘A’. — HNS

Pakistan recall Mahmood

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recalled all-rounder Azhar Mahmood and three other players for this month’s triangular one-day series in Australia while fast bowler Mohammad Sami has been ruled out by injury. The 29-year-old Mahmood will join the team in Australia, along with opening batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar, and seamer Rao Iftikhar. The three-nation one-day tournament, which also features the West Indies, begins on January 14. Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq have recovered and will be fit for the one-day series, PCB chief selector Wasim Bari said. — AP

Blatter appoints Henry

PARIS: Arsenal and France star Thierry Henry is to be one of FIFA’s ambassadors against racism, revealed FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Blatter told weekly magazine ‘France Football’ that while he was delighted World Cup and Euro 2000 winning striker Henry was willing to perform the role he was saddened that it was necessary. The Spanish football federation were hit last month with a 65,000 euro fine by FIFA for the racist abuse suffered by England’s black players in two recent friendly matches. — AFP

Olympic champion killed

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russia’s 1988 Olympic cycling champion Dmitry Nelyubin has died after being stabbed during the New Year celebrations. Russian cycling federation press officer Konstantin Boitsov told AFP that Nelyubin, 33, who won gold at the Seoul Olympics with the Soviet pursuit team, was attacked by a group of men on January 1 in the yard of a friend’s house. Nelyubin and two friends were rushed to hospital after they all were stabbed. — AFP

Savage requests transfer

BIRMINGHAM: Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage handed in a transfer request on Monday amid reports he is keen to move closer to his ill parents in Wales. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has already rejected a Blackburn bid worth $3.83 million with payments spread over three years. Savage, 30, handed in a transfer request at training, two days before he was due to meet with Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan over his contract. — AP

Redknapp joins S’ampton

SOUTHAMPTON: Tottenham captain Jamie Redknapp signed with Southampton on Tuesday, becoming his father’s first major recruit as manager of the Premier League club. Jamie Redknapp turned down a coaching job with Spurs to join father Harry on a free transfer after two-and-a-half years at White Hart Lane. The 31-year-old midfielder signed a six-month contract with an extension option at the end of the season. — AP