Shuttlers depart

KATHMANDU: A seven-member team on Monday left for Malaysia to take part in the Asian U-19 Badminton Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur from July 12-19. Four players Sajan Krishna Tamrakar, Ratna Jeet Tamang, Bhugol Gurung and Bibek Shrestha will take part in the singles and doubles events, said Nepal Badminton Association. Kiran Thapa is the team coach, while Gyanendra Sypai and Deepak Shrestha are the officials. The four players along with coach Thapa will also take part in the Junior Coach Training slated for June 24 to July 11. Players from 40 Asian countries will take part in the championships. National Sports Council Member Laxman Shrestha and NBA President Prakash Bahadur Shahi bade farewell to the team. — HNS

Obama to attend WC

JOHANNESBURG: US President Barack Obama has accepted a FIFA invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup, the football governing body’s president Sepp Blatter said on Monday. “The president of the United States has been invited to the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup. He has accepted our invitation,” Blatter told reporters. “But you know that heads of state are extremely busy and hopefully his schedule will allow him to attend,” he added. The opening ceremony would be performed at the new 100,000-seat Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of Soweto. — AFP

Anderson in A-League

SYDNEY: Former Brazilian youth international Anderson Alves da Silva has joined A-League side Gold Coast United on a short-term contract to cover for injured compatriot Jefferson, the club said on Monday. Jefferson tore his knee cartilage in training last week which is likely to keep the midfielder out for three to four months. Anderson, a Brazilian under 17 and under 20 international, who spent four years with Flamengo, is set to join his new team-mates in Singapore during United’s tour of Asia next week, officials said. Anderson, 26, is the older brother of another of United’s Brazilians, Robson, who has signed for next season. — AFP

Marko to join Inter

VIENNA: Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic has agreed terms on a five-year deal with Inter Milan, the FC Twente player’s agent Robert Groener said. However Groener admitted the serious ankle injury recently suffered by the 20-year-old could still compromise the deal. Arnautovic scored 14 goals and assited seven others for Dutch first division side Twente last season, prompting Premier League giants Chelsea’s interest. Chelsea last month were reported to have offered 12 million euros for the player to Twente, who are holding out for a 15m euro fee. — AFP

No changes: Lippi

PRETORIA: Italy coach Marcello Lippi insists he won’t be ringing the changes despite the world champions crashing out of the Confederations Cup. The Italians had a tournament to forget, beating the US 3-1 but then being shocked by Egypt 1-0 before Brazil hammered the final nail in their coffin with a 3-0 thrashing on Sunday. “We must stay calm, and keep in mind that it is important to have experience in these types of matches. We have youngsters but they need to mature,” Lippi said. — AFP

Hooker fit again

SYDNEY: Australia’s Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker says he is confident of being competitive at the world track and field championships in August after recovering from knee and shoulder injuries. Hooker, 26, began the year with a run of seven straight victories in the US, Europe and Australia, bettering a height of six metres three times. Hooker, who is leaving this week for four warm up European meets, said he is now ready to jump high again ahead of the world championships in Berlin from August 15-23. — AFP