Gatlin hopeful of comeback
American Justin Gatlin, the Olympic and world 100M champion suspended for doping, is continuing to work out in the hope of competing again, his agent has said.

Renaldo Nehemiah said ahead of the US championships that while he did not know what kind of times Gatlin had been running, based on his conditioning, he seem-ed to be running well.

Indian spikers down Sri Lanka
India beat Sri Lanka in their second match of the Asian Central Zone men’s volleyball championship in Islamabad on Thursday, reports PTI from New Delhi.

The Indians, who lost to Iran in their opening encounter, defeated the Lankans 25-16, 25-17, 25-19, in a 65-minute contest.

Indian eves held to 1-1 draw
Japan’s Morimoto converted a last-minute penalty stroke as India were held to a 1-1 draw in the second tie of the four-match Friendship Hockey Series in Tenri on Thursday, reports PTI from New Delhi.

Jasjeet Kaur Handa converted a penalty corner to give India the lead in the 20th minute. The next match of the series, which the hosts are leading 1-0, will be played on Saturday.

India not to bid for Asian Cup
India have withdrawn from the race to stage the 2011 Asian Cup soccer tournament because they would not be able to meet the huge infrastructure requirements, All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Albert Colaco said on Thursday, reports Reuters from New Delhi.

SA to play Test  in Karachi
South Africa have agreed to play a Test match in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi which was once avoided by touring sides for security reasons, reports Reuters from Karachi.

The itinerary announced on Thursday for the South Africa tour from September 26 to October 29 includes Tests in Karachi and Lahore. They also play five one-dayers in Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad.

Champions Challenge on TEN
The six-nation Champions Challenge men’s hockey tournament, also involving India, will be telecast live from Boom, Belgium by TEN Sports from June 23-July 1, reports PTI from Mumbai.

The telecast will begin with India’s tie against New Zealand on June 23 at 5.15 pm (IST), a release said. The winners of the tournament winners gain entry into the Champions Trophy.

Telecast schedule (all times IST): June 23: India vs New Zealand (5.15 pm), England vs Argentina (10.00 pm); June 24: India vs England (10.15 pm); June 26: India vs Belgium (10.30 pm); June 28: India vs Argentina (8.15 pm). July 1: Third vs fourth (6.30 pm), Final (9.00 pm).

Shukla, Rufus named managers
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla and Rocky Rufus of the Baroda Cricket Association have been appointed administrative managers of the Indian team for next month’s one-day and Test series respectively against England, reports PTI.

No action against Atapattu
Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu will not be subjected to a disciplinary inquiry despite his self-imposed absence from the home series against Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday, reports AFP from Colombo.