Archery team departs

KATHMANDU: A five-member archery team left for Bangladesh on Monday to participate in the first South Asian Archery Championship to be organised by Bangladesh Archery Association from February 7-12 in Dhaka. The team includes four archers — Dipak Raj Gurung, Yogendra Sherchan, KK Gurung and Prem Chochange — and manager Dutuk Gurung. Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka are the other participant countries. Nepal’s last international participation was in the 14th Asian Archery Championshipon held in New Delhi from November 5-10, last year. Member secretary of the National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh bade farewell to the team. — HNS

Torch relay diverted

TURIN: The Olympic flame relay diverted its route in a northern valley due to demonstrations opposed to a high-speed rail link. “The police advised us not to go on,” said Stefano Coscia, media director for the torch relay. He said protesters had kicked a police vehicle and had unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the Olympic flame with a protest banner. The route was changed from the town of Susa to Bordonecchia — the scheduled stop for Sunday evening. — AP

Acasuso beats Massu

VINA DEL MAR: Third-seeded Jose Acasuso defeated Chile’s Nicolas Massu 6-4, 6-3 to win the Movistar Open. It was a double victory for Acasuso, who won the doubles competition with countryman Sebastian Prieto on Saturday, beaing Frantisek Cermak and Leos Friedl of the Czech Republic 7-6 (2), 6-4. “I am satisfied because I know I needed to improve my game to beat Nicolas, and I did it,” Acasuso said. “I congratulate Nicolas and I know that someday he will win this tournament in his hometown.” Massu was gracious in defeat. — AP

No plan yet: Lara

BARBADOS: Brian Lara said on Sunday he has no plans of retiring, dismissing speculation that he would leave the game following Trinidad’s Carib Beer Series title-winning victory over Barbados. “People are always asking me when? when?” Lara said. “I say to them ‘You tell me.”’ Lara’s comments came after Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados to win the regional title.The West Indies team were due to leave for New Zealand on Tuesday, without Lara. He said he had opted out of the one-day matches, but would fly in early next month for the three Tests. — AP

SL to tour B’desh

DHAKA: Sri Lanka’s national cricket team is set to tour Bangladesh from February 17 for two Tests and a three-match limited-overs series. The first two day-night one-day internationals are on February 19 and 20, while the third is scheduled for February 24. The first Test will be played in Chittagong from February 27, while the second is in Bogra on March 6. Meanwhile, Australian national team is scheduled to arrive here on April 6 for its maiden tour of Bangladesh, involving two Tests and three ODIs. — AP