Training begins

KATHMANDU: A five-day Micro Cycle Training Planning programme, organised jointly by Nepal German Athletics Development Project and Training and Coaching Department, began in Kathmandu on Sunday. In all, 22 coaches from athletics, volleyball, swimming, judo, wushu, lawn tennis, shooting, cricket, martial arts, weigthlifting, kabbadi, table tennis, gymnastic and handball are taking part in the training. Member secretary of the National Sports Council Kishor Bahadur Singh, chief of the Training and Coaching Department Partha Sarathi Sen Gupta and director of Nepal German Athletics Development Project Gunter Lange spoke on the occasion. —HNS

Glenn McGrath out

SYDNEY: Veteran Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath has ruled himself out of the triangular series limited overs finals, choosing to spend time with his family instead. Cricket Australia said McGrath had told selectors he did not want to be considered. McGrath has not played in Australia’s last two matches after learning his wife had a recurrence of cancer. Jane McGrath has previously been treated for breast and bone cancer and will begin a new round of radiotherapy this week. — AFP

Amateur wins Masters

GOLD COAST: High school student Amy Yang birdied the first extra hole of a playoff with American Catherine Cartwright to win the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters and became the first amateur to win a major women’s pro tournament in Australia. The South Korean bogeyed the final hole in regulation to force a tie with Cartwright at 13-under 275. Yang carded 70 in the final round while Cartwright shot 68. Two other amateurs, Taiwan’s Tseng Ya-ni and Tiffany Joh of the US were tied for third on 12-under with Swede Louise Stahle. — AP