Briefs

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A new league

EGYPT's national soccer league competition starts on Friday. It will count on the participation of 14 teams. In its 57th year, this time things will be different in that the league is based on a soccer federation with a new board and new ideas. LE100 million were spent on new coaches, transfers and fields. Four matches will be held on Friday evening: Ismaili vs the Army, Arab Contractors vs Suez Cement, Ghazl Al-Mehalla vs Aluminium and Assiout Cement vs Enppi. On Saturday, Ahli will play Koroum, Zamalek meet Ittihad and Coast Guards encounter Masri of Port Said.

Handball Pharaohs

THE EGYPTIAN Junior handball team defeated Tunisia 33-26 at the World Junior Championship in Qatar. Egypt now has four points following two wins and one defeat to Croatia to keep its hope of qualifying to the semifinal round. After its loss to Egypt, Tunisia paid farewell to the championship. Egypt's group also includes Iran, Croatia, Denmark, and Tunisia while Group B includes Qatar, Korea, Argentina, Morocco and Serbia.

Farewell Wolf

EGYPT mourned last week the loss of its long- serving football administrator, General Mohamed El-Deeb, who died aged 85. Nicknamed the Wolf, El-Deeb was never a football star but on 5 October 1968, Said Zayed, Cairo Governor and head of the football federation at the time, decided to appoint El-Deeb as the Egyptian Football Federation general manager. El-Deeb spent 37 years in the Egyptian Football federation and helped a number of teams through times of crisis. He was also appointed secretary-general of the Armed Forces Sports Federation and deputy-general of the International Military Sports Federation.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has expressed sadness over the Wolf's demise. "General El-Deeb made a huge contribution to the development of Egyptian football during his 37 years in service. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him." In 2002, the CAF nominated El-Deeb for the FIFA Order of Merit Award for his tremendous achievements. FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter personally handed him the award in Cairo at the inauguration of the CAF headquarters.

Roddick back on top

ANDY Roddick lived up to his reputation as he beat fellow American James Blake and claimed the Tennis Legg Mason Classic title in Washington. Roddick came through 7-5 6-3 for his fourth title of 2005, following wins in San Jose, Houston and Queen's. He let a 4-1 lead slip in the first set but took advantage of Blake's two major errors at 6-5 up, and grabbed the decisive break in game eight of the second set.

"He put a lot of pressure on and made me earn my points," said Roddick. "That's an area he has improved on. He forced me to put a lot more (precision) in my shots and that showed."

He added: "It feels good. I always try to get ready to play my best at this time of the year. Hopefully this will help me do that. I didn't feel my back was against the wall. It was more about momentum than proving anything."

Blake's fourth career final was his first since 2003 at Long Island, and also his first since recovering from Zoster, an illness that affected his hearing and vision last year as well as causing temporary facial paralysis. "It's a great feeling," said Blake. "I appreciate being in a final. I never knew if I would be back in a final. I never knew if I would be back on the court. I'm going to enjoy this moment even in the loss."

Gronholm racing to the top

DOUBLE world champion Marcus Gronholm stormed to a decisive victory in Finland, bringing an end Sebastien Loeb's run of six consecutive wins. Gronholm's victory was his fifth in six years in his home event.

The Peugeot driver took the lead ahead of Frenchman Loeb early on Friday and remorselessly extended it throughout the competition. Citroen's Loeb was second to retain his huge series lead, with Gronholm's Peugeot team-mate Markko Martin finishing third. Former world champion Petter Solberg of Norway was fourth in his Subaru, coming ahead of Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Toni Gardemeister.

Gronholm, who had not won since the same event last year, survived a fright on the final morning when his car developed an oil leak in its power steering. But the Peugeot team managed to change it on time and allow their driver to continue. His winning margin was of just one minute and 6.7 seconds. His victory moves him into second place in the world championship. Things will not be easy, however, as he is a full 28 points behind Loeb.

Meanwhile Peugeot have a one-point lead over sister company Citroen in the manufacturers' championship. "It's wide open for the constructors," Gronholm said, "but for the drivers there's nothing that can be done against Seb unless he stays at home for at least two rallies."

Victory for Junlaphan

DEN Junlaphan achieved a total victory over Katsunari Takayama to win back the WBC crown. The Thai, also known as Eagle Kyowa, won by 116- 112, 117-113 and 119-111.

It was Takayama's first defence match ever since he won the title from Isaac Bustos in April. His record is now 15 wins -- seven by knockout -- and two defeats.

Junlaphan took the crown from Jose Antonio Aguirre in January 2004, but lost to Bustos after breaking his shoulder during their bout in December. He stretched his record to 14 wins, including five KOs, against one defeat.

Winston out

JOCKEY's championship leader Robert Winston is set to be out for at least two months after falling and breaking his jaw at Ayr. This means the Irishman's dream of a first title is -- at least for now -- almost certainly over. His mount Pearl's A Singer fell on the home bend, bringing down other horses, and Winston went through the rails. "I think you are looking at anywhere between two and three months at the quickest to get back," said his agent Richard Hale.

Winston, who led the title race with 98 winners, just ahead of Jamie Spencer, will undergo an operation at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock. He sustained two fractures on his lower jaw and possible fractures on the upper jaw in the accident which led to the remainder of the meeting being abandoned due to unsafe ground.

"Robert is taking the view that he will take the rest of the year off a try and come back at the turn of the year," said Hale. "Whether he rides in Dubai or on the all-weather over here, he's not going to rush back. He's got a lot of damage to his teeth and all that will need to be sorted out."

"I think he's just relieved he's still talking to us because it was a hell of a fall. It could have been a lot worse. He got a real bash in the face but he could have been left unconscious. You have got to look on the bright side -- he will be back for next season and have a go."