Rato Bangala win

KATHMANDU: Neharika Panta netted 22 points as Rato Bangala humiliated Wilson Academy 48-0 on the opening day match of the Franklin Cup second Inter-school Girls Basketball Tournament, organised by Mahendra Bhawan Higher Secondary School, here on Thursday. Mahendra Bhawan also registered a 25-17 victory over Loyalty Academy with Seema Karki contributing 17 points for the winners. Likewise, Penwood downed Sri Diwa 19-13 and Gillette downed Banubhakta Memorial School 22-13. Also Gyan Niketan edged past Malpi 14-10. — HNS

Cesar joins Dynamo

BUCHAREST: Brazilian defender Julio Cesar has joined Dynamo Bucharest on a two-year contract after being out of contract at Olympiakos. The 29-year-old, who has won the last two Greek league titles, will earn 450,000 euros a season at Dynamo, sports daily Gazeta Sporturilor reported. — AFP

Rovers reject City’s bid

BLACKBURN: Blackburn rejected Manchester City’s 15 million euros offer for Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz on Thursday. City boss Mark Hughes is keen to be reunited with Santa Cruz after signing the forward for Rovers last season, but his former club is determined to hold onto the star. Blackburn had already told Hughes to forget about signing Santa Cruz before this latest bid, so his offer drew a scathing response from Ewood Park. —AFP