NRT’s new signing:

KATHMANDU: New Road Team (NRT) unveiled 12 new signing at a programme on Saturday. Six of them — defenders Sagar Thapa and Umesh Upreti, midfielders Basanta Gauchan, Khum Gurung and Nabin Neupane and striker Anil Gurung — belonged to Manang Marsyangdi Club. Also joining NRT were Biraj Maharjan and Ranjit Shrestha (Sankata), Nirajan Rayamajhi and Binod Dangol (Three Star), Bal Gopal Sahukhala (Machhindra), and Tulsi Baju. NRT also announced the budget of Rs 5m for the 2007/08 season. — HNS

HIMS basketball:

KATHMANDU: Valley Public, Shuvatara (Lamatar), Baba Boarding School and Rhododendron International Boarding School (RIBS) won their respective matches in the third HIMS Inter-school Basketball Tournament, which has been organised by Himalayan International Model School (HIMS) here on Saturday. Nishan KC scored 19 points as Valley Public overwhelmed St Xavier’s 36-13 in the first game while Shuvatara (Lamatar) edged past Greenland 28-26. Likewise, Baba Boarding annihilated Paragon 50-17 and RIBS defeated Wilson Academy 48-42. — HNS

Universal win:

KATHMANDU: Universal beat New Millennium 55-20 while Valley Public defeated Prithivi School 21-15 in the boys’ section matches at the first Inter-school Basketball Tournament organised by the National Sports Council Employee Committee on Saturday. In the only girls’ section match, Shrine crushed Mahendra Bhawan 48-10. In all, 24 teams — 16 in boys and eight in girls’ sections — are participating in the tournament. — HNS

Fr Watrin basketball:

KATHMANDU: Himalayan While House College and Bishalnagar Youth Club advanced to the final of the fourth Fr Watrin Basketball Championship here on Saturday. White House defeated Public Youth Campus 49-38 in the first semi-final of the day. White House captain Bipen Maharjan top scored with 16 points. Bishalnagar Youth Club edged out K&K college 73-54 riding on a valuable 19 points from Rupak Gurung. The final is slated for Wednesday. — HNS

Match fees to charity:

LONDON: England’s soccer team will donate its match fees to charity until the next three years, effectively playing international matches for free until the 2010 World Cup. The team set up a trust called Team England Footballers Charity with the aim of contributing at least $1.97 million to bodies including Britain’s Association of Children’s Hospices.— AP

England take control:

Manchester: Alastair Cook neared his century to help guide England to 228/3 at tea on the third day three of the third Test against West Indies, increasing their lead to 369 runs. Cook was 89 not out, as England pushed for a victory that would secure the series. Kevin Pietersen made 68 before a bouncer from Dwayne Bravo hit his helmet, which flew off his head and crashed into the stumps. Cook and Pietersen added 122 runs for the third wicket, building England’s second innings from 136-2 at lunch. Paul Collingwood was not out on 3 at the break. — AP