Mina enters final

LALITPUR: Mina Gurung entered the girls’ U-19 final beating Sriya Dhital 9-4 in the Birthday Cup Junior Open Tennis Tournament. Kencho Palden, Pabitra Gurung and Sriya Karki secured the semi-final berths in girls’ U-12 event. Diwakar Ojha, Lopsang Lama, Angel Bhattarai, Ashish Rokka, Karmagya Gyapsu, Sidhartha Moktan and Gaurav Shah entered the U-14 quarters. In U-10 section, Bibek Thapa, Milan Rokka, Abhisek Gurung, Niraj Wagle, Kishor Limbu, Sandesh Singh Rathor, Anish Joshi and Tanu Agrawal entered the last eight. — HNS

Arsenal sign Poom

LONDON: Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom signed a long-term contract with Arsenal. Poom, 33, had signed a five-month loan contract with Arsenal in August, moving from Sunderland. “I’m delighted to have signed a permanent deal with Arsenal and am really pleased that Arsene Wenger and the coaches at the club have shown faith in me,” Poom said. — AP

Henry in squad

LONDON: Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has been named in the squad for League Cup semi-final against Wigan even though manager Arsene Wenger normally fields fringe and up and coming players in the tournament. But with the Gunners 25 points behind Chelsea, Cup competitons represent Arsenal’s best chance of domestic silverware this season. His fellow striker Robin van Persie is also in the squad. — AFP