National volleyball

HETAUDA: Mahendra Police Club (MPC) and Western Region entered the women’s final here at the National Volleball Tournament on Tuesday. MPC defeated Mid-western Region 25-18, 25-17, 25-8 while Western Region registered an easy 25-11, 25-18, 25-12 win over Far-western Region. Armed Police Force Team outplayed Eastern Region 25-20, 25-17, 25-16 in the third-place decider in men’s section. MPC and Tribhuvan Army Club have already advanced into the men’s section final and will play for the championship on Wednesday. — HNS

City takeover bid

LONDON: Former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has emerged as the frontrunner in an anticipated takeover bid after being given access to Manchester City’s accounts on Monday. City have recently been targeted by former player Ray Ranson, however the club were not happy with some of the terms of Ranson’s initial proposal before he submitted an updated version. Thaksin, who failed to buy Liverpool three years ago, has been linked with a $200 million bid for City. — AFP

Sri Lankans stranded

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s cricket team is making new travel plans after the airline that was supposed to fly them home cancelled all flights to the country’s capital because of Tamil Tiger rebel air raids, an official said on Tuesday. The team, runners-up in the cricket World Cup, is currently in London and efforts are under way to ensure that they return to Colombo by Thursday, Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman Samantha Algama said. They earlier planned to fly on Emirates airlines. — AP

Sheva denies reports

LONDON: Andriy Shevchenko and Chelsea denied on Tuesday that he refused to travel to Liverpool for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in a dispute over his playing status. “He suffered an injury during training on Sunday and it was decided that he was not fit to play and therefore did not travel,” Chelsea said in a statement. Shevchenko said he aggravated a groin injury in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday. British newspapers reported that Shevchenko refused to join the team when he learned he wouldn’t start Tuesday night’s game. — AP

Ronaldo not to get call

SAO PAULO: Brazil coach Dunga will not summon Ronaldo for the Copa America in June and July in Venezuela. “I will observe other during the competition,” Dunga said. Ronaldo has yet to play for Brazil since Dunga took over the squad after its World Cup elimination last year. The striker has regained form since moving from Spain’s Real Madrid to AC Milan in February, scoring seven goals in 12 matches. — AP

Sanath joins Lashings

LONDON: Fresh from the World Cup, three Sri Lankan players — Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya — have committed their immediate futures to Lashings World XI, the Kent-based Harlem Globetrotters of cricket. Alongside the players who have become the backbone of the club are team manager Alvin Kallicharran, captain Richie Richardson, vice-captain Chris Harris and Rashid Latif. Also new to the squad is South Africa’s Hashim Amla. — HNS