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Riddhi Panta retires

KATHMANDU:

Riddhi Bhakta Panta, the official scorer of Cricket Association of Nepal, announced his retirement after the Birendra Memorial National League Cricket Tournament final between Biratnagar and Kathmandu here today. Popularly known as ‘Baabe dai’ in sporting circles, Panta entered the field 30 years ago. Panta, who also stood in local tournaments, was best known for his neat and clean scoring. — HNS

Chabahil in quarters

LALITPUR:

United Chabahil beat Gairidhara Youth Cricket Club by seven wickets and entered the quarter-finals of the Winter Trophy Cricket Tournament. Batting first, Gairidhara were bowled out for 101 runs in 21.3 overs. Diwakar Gyawali top-scored with 16 runs. For United Chabahil, Dipesh Khatri took four wickets conceding 22 runs in 5.3 overs. In reply, Suman Karki scored an unbeaten 46 as United Chabahil overcame the target losing three wickets in 21.2 overs. Arjun Rawal remained unbeaten on 16 and Kanishka Chaugain scored 13. — HNS

Siddhi Ganesh win opener

BHAKTAPUR:

Siddhi Ganesh Sports Committee (Red) defeated Khwopa Engineering College 5-2 in the inaugural match of the Bhaktapur district-wide Open Siddhi Ganesh Cup Football Tournament, which has been organised by Siddhi Ganesh Sports Committee, here today. In other match, Nava Durga Youth Group thrashed Nyatapole Corner Team junior 8-2. On Sunday, Bhaktapur Municipality team will take on Bhaktapur Multiple College and Siddi Ganesh Sports Committee will play against Unique Group of Sanga. — HNS

Grimes banned for 2-yrs

COLORADO SPRINGS:

United States sprinter Mickey Grimes was suspended for two years after testing positive for steroids, the US Anti-Doping Agency said. Grimes, 28, tested positive for the anabolic steroid norandrosterone from a sample collected in May. Grimes earned credit for a provisional suspension he accepted after testing positive for ephedrine at the 2003 Pan American Games. He was stripped of the 100m gold, and the US 400m relay gold also was taken away because of Grimes’ test. — AP

FA hits back at Ferguson

LONDON:

The English FA launched a defence of their disciplinary system after they had come under fire from Man United boss Alex Ferguson. The United boss had described the procedures as “flawed, immoral and unfair” after Wayne Rooney was given a three-match ban for violent conduct for shoving his hand into the face of Bolton’s Tal Ben Haim. Under the FA’s ‘fast-track’ system for incidents not seen by the referee, players cannot have personal hearings — something that Ferguson claimed was unfair. — AFP

Chelsea beat Liverpool

LONDON:

Chelsea substitute Joe Cole scored with 10 minutes left to give the Premier League leader a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. Arjen Robben’s corner was headed down by Cardoso Tiago to Cole, who sent a powerful volley from the edge of the box. Liverpool, without injured strikers Milan Baros and Harry Kewell, lost Xabi Alonso to injury midway through the first half after a challenge by Frank Lampard. X-rays showed the Spaniard broke his right ankle. — AP