20 - 26 December 2001
Issue No.565
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 20 - 26 December 2001 Issue No.565 |
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Captain Goolagong
AUSTRALIAN tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley has been appointed captain of the nation's Federation Cup team, Tennis Australia has announced.
Goolagong, a two-time Wimbledon winner, succeeds Lesley Bowrey, who ended her eight-year tenure in the post after the team reached the finals this year in Spain. "Representing my country was always a high for me," Goolagong Cawley said. "I am, therefore, both humbled and delighted to be offered the position and will do my best to fill the shoes of my predecessor."
The seven-time Grand Slam-winner faces a testing first challenge when Australia visit Federation Cup holders Belgium in the opening round in April.
Rafter not confirmed
PATRICK RAFTER rubber-stamped his proposed hiatus from tennis when he was the only man in the top 100 selected by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) not confirmed for January's Australian Open.
The two-time US Open-winner has been dogged by a troublesome right shoulder for over two years and his indefinite sabbatical from the tour comes as no surprise.
Rafter was forced to miss the deciding singles rubber in Australia's Davis Cup defeat to France earlier this month after the injury flared up. He watched on as replacement Wayne Arthurs lost to Nicolas Escude in four sets.
Fellow Australians Mark Philippoussis, returning from a knee injury, and newly crowned number one Lleyton Hewitt head the home assault in the first Grand Slam of the year.
Where Zidane began
FRANCE playmaker Zinedine Zidane will top the bill as he returns to his footballing roots to play in a post-Christmas gala match. Cannes, where the Real Madrid midfield star began his professional career, will take on Paris St Germain on 30 December to celebrate their centenary. Fellow French internationals Patrick Viera of Arsenal and Johan Micoud of Parma are set to join the party. As a lower league club, Cannes have helped produce a number of top-flight stars including Peter Luccin of Celta Vigo and Parma's Sebastien Frey.
Vogts tipped for Scotland
FORMER German coach Bertie Vogts is still the top favourite to take over the Scotland national soccer team. Vogts, who was a World Cup winner as a player and Germany's manager when they won Euro 96, is presently in charge of Kuwait. Scottish officials are sure Vogts is willing to move to Scotland, and are ready to make the deal after the Gulf Cup in January.
Vogts rejected recent rumours over his negotiations with the Scottish Football Association (SFA), but according to BBC, discussions have been held, not only with Vogts but with three other candidates: Italian coach Nevio Scala, Frenchman Philippe Troussier and former Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch.
Ronaldo invited
BRAZILIAN national soccer team head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari informed Ronaldo that he will be invited for the first friendly against Poland to be held on 13 February. Ronaldo's agent Rodrigo Paiva made the announcement, saying Scolari's decision was taken immediately after Inter FC played Brescia during which Ronaldo scored his first goal after being out for two years because of injury.
Sources say Scolari also intends to call on AS Roma's Aldair, but has no inclination to invite another Roma player, Lima.
Stam facing ban
LAZIO'S Dutch international defender Jaap Stam is facing a possible 10- month drug ban from football following a recommendation by Italy's National Olympic Committee (NOC).
The former Manchester United defender faced a two-hour hearing with the NOC before they announced the suggested punishment. The 29-year- old tested positive for anabolic steroid Nandrolone after an Italian league home match against Atalanta on 13 October.
Compatriots Edgar Davids of Juventus and Barcelona's Frank de Boer have also tested positive for the drug in recent months.
More 2006 money urged
GERMAN Football Federation (DFB) President Gerhard Mayer- Vorfelder has urged FIFA to provide an additional $200 million for the 2006 World Cup.
"The World Cup in Germany will not be profitable unless FIFA provides us with additional funds," Mayer-Vorfelder said.
(Compiled from wire services)
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