Belts distributed

KATHMANDU: Thaneshwor Rai, president of Nepal Karate Federation, distributed belts to the trainees at Nepal Kwanmukan Karate Do Association here today. The 42 trainees included 11 orange, six blue, eight yellow, six green, four brown and seven black belts. President of NKKDA Janak Subedi informed that the association is organising first All Karate Open International Championship from January 5-10, 2005 in Kathmandu. According to Subedi, some 700 players from 45 nations will take part in the event. Chief coach Hira Singh Dangol, international referee of KMKDA Saroj Bhattarai and coaches Shyam Lama, Krishna Kumar Manandhar and Dwarika Upreti were also present. — HNS

AC Milan to play in HK

HONG KONG: Italian soccer giant AC Milan will play an exhibition match in Hong Kong later this month. The Italians will take on leading Hong Kong soccer club Kitchee on May 30, Kitchee officials said. AC Milan won its 17th Italian League title earlier this month after beating AS Roma 1-0. The team includes such stars as Paolo Maldini and Andriy Shevchenko. — AP

New Zealand, India draw

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand and India drew 3-3 in the final match of their four-test women’s field hockey series on Monday. New Zealand, which won the first and second tests, took the series 2-0 after the third and fourth tests were drawn. Lisa Walton, Suzie Muirhead and Niniwa Roberts-Lang scored goals for New Zealand, which led 2-1 at halftime. Sanggai Chaunu, Mamta Kharb and Pushpa Pradhan scored for India. — AP

Malaysia postpone series

LAHORE: The Malaysian Cricket Association on Monday postponed a one-day series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for later this month after failing to secure a sponsor for the three matches. “The series has been postponed because it was unwise for the MCA to go ahead with the tournament without the confirmation of a title sponsor,” MCA president Tunku Imran said in a statement. — AP

Leeds end Gray spell

LEEDS: Relegated Leeds United ended Eddie Gray’s six-month spell in charge, leaving the ailing club looking for its fifth manager in two years. Gray was assistant to Peter Reid before taking over in November. He will remain at Elland Road in a consultancy role on a one-year contract. — AP