Briefs

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Olympic tests

THE FIRST two sports events that will be used to test the organisation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics are being held this month in China.

The 2006 Qingdao International Regatta is currently under way in Qingdao, where the sailing events will be held in 2008. And on 27 August, the International Softball Federation (ISF)'s XI Women's World Championship began at the Fengtai Softball Field in Beijing. The events will allow the Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) to test their operations ahead of the Olympics in August 2008. Around 40 sports events are expected to be held before the Games begin.

The regatta started on 21 August and ends today. Welcoming around 500 sailors from 40 countries and regions, this is the first official sports event where BOCOG is involved in testing ahead of the Olympic Games. The regatta features 11 events of nine different classes of boat and is the second time that this new venue has been used for competitions since its opening earlier this year.

From 27 August to 5 September, the Fengtai Softball Field will be the site of the first sports event used by BOCOG for testing in Beijing. The ISF XI Women's World Championship will be a good test for BOCOG as the competition comprises the 16 best women's teams on the globe competing for the world title. The basic logistics for the competition will require local organisers to deal with 272 athletes, 96 coaches, 40 technical officials, 39 ISF officials and guests, 95 observers and a crowd that could reach a potential size of 13,000, which is the capacity of the new Fengtai stadium. This level of complexity will allow BOCOG to test to a good level its venue operation plans.

Beijing 2008 will take place from 8 August to 24 August. They will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the Games with around 20,000 accredited media bringing the Games to the world.

Seven European-based players recalled

DEFENDING champions Egypt hosts Burundi on Saturday in the first game in Group B of the qualifiers for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. The group also comprises Mauritania and Botswana.

Coach Hassan Shehata named seven European-based players for the game, including AS Roma striker Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam who will be playing for the first time since his famed sideline bust-up with Shehata in the ACN championship in Cairo in February won by Egypt.

Mohamed Zidan, of Werder Bremen, was also recalled after being dropped more than once for refusing previous call-ups. Zidan missed the friendly against Uruguay two weeks ago because of injury.

Under new rules, the defending ACN champion must now play qualifying games, as in the World Cup.

Ismaili first

ISMAILI top the Egyptian football league, now in its fourth week, after defeating Petrojet 2-1 on Saturday.

The coastal team has 10 points, two ahead of second place Ittihad of Alexandria and the Arab Contractors.

Defending champions Ahli are in fourth with seven points but with a game in hand because of African commitments.

Al-Gaish, or Army, upset Zamalek after beating last year's runner-up 2- 0. Zamalek plummeted to seventh after losing their second game of the young season. Petroleum Assiout snatched their first point in the league following a 1-1 draw with Misri. League games will resume on 8 September.