Charlesworth critical of IHF

In a veiled criticism of the IHF’s handling of the Premier Hockey League, Australian legend Ric Charlesworth said the fixture of the next edition of the tournament should have been out by now, reports PTI from New Delhi.

Charlesworth, who has been appointed Technical Advisor/ Expert Coach for the Indian Hockey Confederation, said the teams and coaches should be given ample time to prepare. “The fixture is still not ready. Since the tournament is starting next month, as a coach I need more time to prepare my team,” he said.

Charlesworth, however, hailed the concept as it provides enough opportunity for players to participate in more number of matches involving younger and experienced players.

Fennell elected president again

Jamaican Mike Fennell has been re-elected to lead the Commonwealth Games Federation for another four years, reports PTI from Colombo.

Tax factor made Hamilton shift

Formula One runner-up Lewis Hamilton has admitted that tax considerations played a part in his recent decision to move from Britain to Switzerland, reports Reuters from London. 

The McLaren driver was criticised after he announced last month that he was leaving Britain to protect his privacy. However, in a television interview on Friday, he conceded he had also been advised to move for tax reasons. "Also, that definitely adds to it," he said.

Gunners feel the heat

Three season ticket holders at English Premier League side Arsenal claim the club could be in breach of contract for allegedly allowing racist chanting at their stadium, reports AFP from London. The Independent newspaper said the trio — a Christian, a Muslim and a Jew — had written to the club chairman, claiming that the use of the words “Yid” and “Yiddos” to refer to fans of Tottenham Hotspur broke human rights laws.

Ashutosh loses in final

National hard-court champion Ashutosh Singh went down fighting in the final of the $10,000 ITF grasscourt event in Lahore on Saturday, reports PTI from New Delhi.

The second-seeded Indian lost to top-seed Czech Adam Vejmelka 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6). Ashutosh rallied after conceding the first set but his higher ranked opponent, 334 in the world, took the tie-breaker of the deciding set to win. This is for the second consecutive week that an Indian has lost in the final. Last week Divij Sharan had lost to local Aqeel Khan in the final.

Thailand to clash with Taiwan

Hosts Thailand beat South Korea 2-1 to set a tough final clash Sunday against Taiwan, who defeated Japan 2-1 in the Asian Hopman Cup, reports AFP from Bangkok.

Warne plays his own parents!

This has got to be one of Shane Warne’s whackiest best. The Australian legend plays his own mom and dad in a TV commercial.

The retired leg-spinner dressed up as his father Keith and mother Brigitte for an advertising campaign of VB beer and said he “absolutely loved” the experience. “It was fantastic. I had a great time dressing up as my old man and my mother,” said Warne.