Beckham happy to be Olympic spectator

David Beckham insisted Monday he was content to be a spectator at next year's London Olympics if there was no role for him in the controversial Great Britain football team at the Games.
"Football will be a massive part of the Olympics and it will be really exciting to see that," said the former Manchester United star, who now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy. "This is the first time I will have been to an Olympics and I'll probably be there with my children. "Football has been a part of my life for many years and to be a part of that would be incredible. "We'll see what role I'll play in the build up or at the Olympics, but I'll be there as a fan.
"I want to watch athletes like Jessica Ennis and Tom Daley, young athletes who are going to inspire so many young children around the world.
"For myself to be able to take my sons to an Olympics in our country makes me proud. Hopefully my daughter will be there as well," he added.
Victoria Beckham is due to give birth to the couple's first daughter next month.
Beckham was speaking at a sponsor's event to announce that Gabriella Roseje, an 18 year old from Bermondsey in London, is the first successful nominee for the Olympic torch relay.
The former England captain, one of the world's best known sporting celebrities, helped secure the Games for London at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Singapore in 2007. "When I was asked to be part of the Olympic bid, I was very sceptical at first because I'd never competed in the Olympics, I'm a football player," the 36 year old midfielder explained.

Smith, Poulton ease Australia to win

Australia Women eased to a six wicket win over New Zealand Women with 18.3 overs to spare in the second encounter of the reconvened Rose Bowl series in Brisbane. The eight-match limited-overs series, which was called off mid-way following the Christchurch earthquake in February, now stands at 3-2 in favour of Australia. With just one game left to play New Zealand can, at most, draw the series, meaning Australia who currently hold the trophy have retained the Rose Bowl title.
Choosing to field, Australia rocked the visitors early, with Clea Smith claiming Lucy Doolan and Suzie Bates for ducks. Debutant opener Frances Mackay was patient to the point of being overcautious in her knock of 36 from 77 balls, but turned out to be New Zealand's top scorer, as Australia knocked wickets over at regular wickets. Smith snagged two more, to finish with 4 for 32, while offspinner Lisa Sthalekar troubled the lower middle order with figures of 3 for 37.
Chasing 182, Australia lost Meg Lanning cheaply. A 106-run stand between Player-of-the-Match Shelley Nitschke (she had earlier claimed two wickets at a miserly economy rate of 2.40 in her ten) and Leah Poulton followed, almost sealing the match.
The hosts suffered a hiccup, losing three wickets on 122, but Jess Cameron counterattacked with 37 off 29, to see Australia home comfortably.
Australia captain Jodie Fields her team showed positive intent from the outset. "We wanted to play some smart, positive cricket," she said.
"The plan was to get out on the field early and to get rid of some of those nerves and cobwebs, and I think we showed our intent right from the start. "The wicket was slightly slow but the outfield was probably quicker than we thought it was going to be."The final game is on June 16 at the same venue.

Pakistan ready to host Bangladesh

Pakistani football said Tuesday it was confident next month's home World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh will go ahead, promising tight security for the match.
After the first leg of their Asian zone qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in Dhaka on June 29, the two sides were scheduled to meet in Lahore on July 3.
But arrangements ran into trouble after Bangladesh asked FIFA, the game's ruling body, to relocate the match due to security fears.
FIFA has apparently rejected the request in a move welcomed by Pakistan Football Federation  secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi.
"We hosted Palestine and Malaysia earlier this year and both the teams returned happy, so we have proper security arrangements in place and we are confident that the match will go ahead," Lodhi told.
Pakistan has not hosted any major sporting event since militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach.
"FIFA knows of our security arrangements made for the Palestine and Malaysian teams so they have no problems and we assure Bangladesh that they will be well looked after," said Lodhi.
Bangladesh Football Federation chief Kazi Salahuddin told AFP Tuesday that FIFA turned down its request to host both games against Pakistan.
"FIFA rejected our request. So our national team will go to Pakistan play the match on July 3," he said, adding that he had not been told where the game will be played.
Team coach Robert Rubcic did not want to travel to the troubled country, Salahuddin said, but the team's appeal to FIFA fell on deaf ears.
The 2009 attack on Sri Lanka's cricketers forced Pakistan to play their home cricket ties on neutral grounds in England, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Only the Afghanistan cricket team has since toured Pakistan.Efforts by the Pakistan Cricket Board to host Sri Lanka later this year were also dashed after militants attacked a naval base last month and carried out other high-profile strikes following the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Sri Lanka Cricket refused to send its team, instead offering their grounds to play the three Tests, five one day and a Twenty20 match series.

Jamaica top group, Guatemala advance

Jamaica finished the first round of the Gold Cup on top of Group B after a 1-0 victory over Honduras on Monday, with both teams advancing to the quarter-finals along with Guatemala.
Guatemala booked their berth with a 4-0 victory over Grenada, which was enough to put them through as one of the best two third-placed teams in group play.
Ryan Johnson got the goal for Jamaica with some help from Honduran keeper Noel Valladares.
Johnson's powerful shot hit the crossbar and then Valladares' back before landing in the net.
"It's one of the strangest goals, but it's a goal," said Johnson, who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. "The best thing was getting the clean sheet. We haven't been scored on so far and I'm really happy about that."
"I dove for the ball and I could not get it," Valladares said. "It hit me in the back and went in." Johnson had a chance to double the score from the penalty spot in the 71st, but Valladares saved his attempt.
The victory gave Jamaica the maximum nine points from their three group matches.
In the quarter-finals of the regional championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean they'll face the second-place team from Group C, which will be decided when the group stage concludes on Tuesday.
Honduras finished second in Group B-ahead of Guatemala on goal difference-and will face Costa Rica, runners-up to Mexico in Group A.
Guatemala needed to win by three goals to be assured of advancing.
In the end they had one to spare after goals from Jose Del Aguila, Marco Pappa, Carlos Ruiz and Carlos Gallardo."More than anything, this was a psychological and mental game," Guatemala manager Ever Hugo Almeida said. "We had to score a specific number of goals. We needed three goals, but we had to take it goal by goal. We were able to manage the game and get the result we wanted."
Del Aguila opened the scoring in the 15th with a shot that bounced off the inside of the right post and past keeper Shemel Louison.
Pappa doubled the lead in the 21st minute with a hard-struck shot that Louison couldn't deflect.
In the 53rd minute, Ruiz volleyed in a rebound of Jairo Arreola's attempt off the crossbar and Gallardo completed the scoring five minutes later.

Queen's champ Murray in mood for Wimbledon glory

Andy Murray has set his sights on Wimbledon glory after winning his second Queen's title with a 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 victory over Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Murray became the first Briton for 97 years to win the Wimbledon warm up event twice thanks to a gutsy comeback against Tsonga and the world number four will be among the favourites when the All England Club tournament gets underway next week.

The 24 year old has endured three painful defeats in Grand Slam finals, including the Australian Open this year, but he believes he is in the perfect form to finally end his long wait to win a major. "I'm going to Wimbledon with the feeling I'm going to win the tournament. I don't think you can go in with any other attitude," Murray said. "I feel like I am playing good tennis but I will need to improve in the next week because I have to play my best throughout the tournament to win it."I will be switched on from my first match. I'll really look forward to the challenge because Wimbledon is one of the most important tournaments of the year, if not the most important." Murray underlined his sky high confidence in the third set of the final against Tsonga when he hit a remarkable between the legs forehand winner from an acute angle near the net. The British number one admitted it was the kind of spectacular shot he loves to play and he refused to apologise for a piece of show-boating some saw as a sign of arrogance. "I enjoyed hitting them, it was good fun," Murray said. "You don't get a chance to do that very often and it just came off.

Usmanov slams Arsenal board

Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has slammed the Arsenal board for the Premier League club's failure to win a major trophy in any of the past six seasons. Usmanov, 57, who is not a Gunners director despite owning 30 percent of the club's parent company, said too many board members were blinded by their own self interest and said he did not wish to serve on such a board. "If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay inflation busting ticket price increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board," Usmanov told the News of the World. "If instead it is to try to deliver sustained success, to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute. "In terms of doing things differently, let me give you a very clear example. Arsenal has all of its major commercial contracts coming up for renewal in the next couple of years. "It's no secret that to maximise the value of those you want to have success on the field and be winning trophies. To do that you need to invest now in building a winning team. This is simple commercial logic. Whether it comes to pass, we shall see." Arsenal suffered a dramatic slump following their English League Cup semi final defeat by Birmingham in February, with their bids for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all declining after that defeat. Usmanov urged Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger be given the funds to bring in experienced players in key positions to bolser the Gunners' crop of promising young talents. "There is a widely held view among most commentators  and one that I agree with that the club needs to stiffen the defensive spine of the team, with a dominant keeper, strong centre halves and a powerful defensive midfielder in the mould of Claude Makelele," he said.

Australian racing industry grappling with drug and alcohol abuse among apprentice jockeys

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has been practiced over the centuries. One of the principal forms of horse racing, which is popular in many parts of the world, is Thoroughbred racing. Harness racing for Standardbred horses is also popular in Australia, New Zealand, the eastern United States and more popular than Thoroughbred racing in Canada and parts of Europe.

The Australian horse racing industry is in panic mode as it grapples with a drug and alcohol abuse epidemic among apprentice jockeys. Australian racing industry grappling with drug and alcohol abuse among apprentice jockeys. Josh Adams top apprentice is serving a seven month ban due to drugs. Source: News Limited. The Australian horse racing industry is in panic mode as it grapples with a drug and alcohol abuse epidemic among apprentice jockeys. Melbourne Cup Marvels: Best winners of the past 15 years.  A growing number of young riders have spiralled out of control, with one leading Sydney trainer claiming four out of 10 apprentices use recreational drugs. The issue is said to be at "panic stations" following the latest suspension of Sydney star apprentice Josh Adams for seven months because of drugs And he isn't alone. Recently, drugs shattered the career of Jamie Quinnell, while the promising Mitch Beadman  and Daniel Ganderton walked away from riding to sort out drinking issues. Beadman and Ganderton never tested positive, but regularly drew stewards' ire for well chronicled wayward behaviour. Ganderton, who quit riding, said he never took drugs but "wasted thousands on alcohol." Racing New South Wales boss Peter V'landys said drug use among some apprentices was a major concern. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. He said the governing body was educating young jockeys about the dangers of using drugs. Top apprentices can earn up to $500,000 a year and some are prone to reckless spending on alcohol, luxury cars, holidays and pokies.

Shock semi finalist Ward living dream at Queen's

British wildcard James Ward admits he is living the dream at Queen's after the world number 216 continued his remarkable run by reaching the semi finals with two dramatic wins on Friday.
Ward started the day with a prolonged wait to finish his third round match at the Wimbledon warm-up event and ended it looking forward to a semi-final against fifth seed Jo Wilfried Tsonga after beating defending champion Sam Querrey and then France's Adrian Mannarino.
The 24 year old son of a London taxi driver has spent most of his career playing at unglamourous venues in low-key Futures and Challenger tournaments.
But Ward has been finally been able to savour a moment in the spotlight this week and he hopes the fairytale isn't over yet.
"It's the best week of my career so far. Hopefully it doesn't stop here," he said. "I'm delighted at how it's gone so far. I'm looking forward to playing the next match against Tsonga.
"I've been playing futures tournaments and some challengers as well where there are not big crowds.
"This is why you're working, you're trying hard to get to these tournaments and get to these opportunities. This week I made the most of it.
"It does come into your mind what an opportunity this is. I'm not going to lie. It's always in your mind.
"But you have to try to put it to one side and concentrate on the tennis and do what I've been doing, and that gave me the chance to get to the semis."
After a 90 minute rain delay, he resumed his match with Querrey at one-set all following a suspension for bad light the previous evening.
Ward had been on top when play was called off, but he refused to surrender the momentum and broke late in the first set to clinch a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
There was no time to celebrate that success as Ward, who beat fourth seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round, returned to court just hours later to face Mannarino. He looked set for an easy win as he took the first set and served for the match in the second. But his nerve briefly cracked as Mannarino broke back to force a tie break.
Ward had an incredible seven match points in the breaker but wasted them all as Mannarino set up a final set decider.

Jamaica advance in Gold Cup

Demar Phillips scored twice in the second half to lift Jamaica to a 2-0 victory over 10-man Guatemala on Friday, a victory that secured Jamaica's spot in the Gold Cup quarter-finals. In the night's second Group B match, Carlos Costly scored three times and Jerry Bengston twice as Honduras rallied from an early deficit to thump Grenada 7-1 and boost their chances of advancing.
Honduras now have four points and are second to Jamaica in the group. A point would be enough for them to reach the knockout stage, but Honduras could win the group with a victory over leaders Jamaica on Monday.
In a game featuring little in the way of offensive fireworks, Phillips broke through for Jamaica in the 65th minute, collecting a ball from Keammar Daley and dribbling toward the left side of the penalty area.
He beat defender Jonathan Lopez then slotted a shot past Guatemalan keeper Ricard Jerez.
Phillips added the insurance goal in the 78th minute. By then, Guatemala had been reduced to 10 men when Cristian Noriega received a second yellow card for a foul on Dane Richards in the 70th minute.
The victory gave Jamaica a maximum six points from their first two matches in the North and Central America and Caribbean regional championship.
The winners of the tournament earn a spot in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The second match of the night was, in contrast, a goal festival. Clive Murray gave Grenada their first ever Gold Cup goal as he put the Spice Boys ahead in the 19th minute. Honduras soon took control, however, as Costly and Bengston combined for three goals in 10 minutes to put them 3-1 up.
Bengston equalised in the 26th minute and Costly put Honduras ahead a minute later. Bengston's second goal made it 3-1 in the 36th.
Costly struck again in the 66th and 71st, Walter Martinez scored with three minutes remaining and Alfredo Mejia scored Honduras' final goal in the 90th minute.
For Honduras, it was a welcome show of attacking power after a 0-0 draw with Guatemala.
The tournament continues on Saturday with Group C action in Tampa, Florida.
The United States will take on Panama, both going into the contest with three points, and Canada will face Guadeloupe.
While Mexico have booked their quarter-final berth in Group A with two convincing wins, the team remained in turmoil on Friday, a day after Mexican football authorities provisionally suspended five players who tested positive for banned drug clenbuterol in a May 21 test during a pre-tournament training camp.
CONCACAF have said Mexico's opening 5-0 victory over El Salvador would stand even though news of the positive tests had not yet come through, but the governing body for the region had yet to decide whether Mexico could call up players to replace those it had pulled out of the tournament.
Mexican officials sent the five players involved to Los Angeles for further tests. Federation officials say they believe the players inadvertently ingested the banned drug in contaminated meat.

Tennis: Murray faces Tsonga in final

Britain’s Andy Murray will face Jo Wilfried Tsonga in the final at Queen’s after an imperious 6-3, 6-1 victory over four-time champion Andy Roddick in the semi finals on Saturday. He'll play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's final. The Frenchman ended unseeded Briton James Ward's run with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) victory in the other semifinal.Murray, seeded second, was in sublime form as he demolished one of the top grass-court players of the last decade and French fifth seed Tsonga joined him in the final with a 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) win against British wildcard James Ward. This was arguably the most complete performance of Murray’s career and the victory was especially sweet for the world number four as it went some way to avenging his 2009 Wimbledon semi-final defeat against Roddick. Murray had won six of his nine meetings with Roddick but the loss at Wimbledon still rankles with the Scot. The 24-year-old will have taken extra delight from the way he totally overwhelmed third seed Roddick here and he will now be heavy favourite to win this Wimbledon warm-up event for the second time.
As ever, Murray was looking to use the drop shot at every opportunity and he caught Roddick with two exquisite efforts to move 4-1 ahead. Murray’s serve was in good working order and, with his sliced backhand causing the American no end of problems, Roddick began to wear an increasingly exasperated expression as the first set ended with another Murray ace.Roddick’s formidable record on grass, he had won 32 of his previous 37 matches at Queen’s, as well as reaching three Wimbledon finals underlined Murray’s achievement in dominating so completely. The American was going for a record fifth Queen’s title, but there was no let up from Murray at the start of the second set and he broke again in the first game. A Roddick double fault gifted the break point and Murray was quick to seize the opportunity with a superb return that his opponent could only volley into the net. Murray was toying with Roddick now, drawing him in with low slices and then passing at will, and his place in the final was secured when he broke for a 4-1 lead and then converted his third match point.

Ronaldo plays last game for Brazil

Sao Paulo: Former world footballer of the year Ronaldo ended his international career here on Tuesday with a 15-minute appearance as a substitute in Brazil's 1-0 win over Romania in a friendly match.Watched by a 30,000 crowd, the 34-year-old striker came on for the last 15 minutes of the match with the home side already ahead through a goal from Fred after 21 minutes and he had several goal chances in that time."I had three goal opportunities but did not manage to score which would have been a nice present to give back to those who gave me so much," he said afterwards to fans in a chilly Pacaembu stadium.Fred's match winning goal was set up by the latest Brazilian golden boy Neymar, who has been linked to a move into the English Premier League. Ronaldo announced his retirement in February citing recurring injury and health problems.During a glittering 14-year spell in Europe, Ronaldo scored goals at a prolific rate for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, before returning to Brazil in 2009.He won the World Cup with Brazil as a youngster in 1994 and then in 2002 and became the leading scorer in World Cup finals tournaments when he scored his 15th goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany.He was twice named European Footballer of the Year, in 1997 and 2002, FIFA world footballer of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002 and finished his international career with 62 goals in 97 appearances.

Ebden earns shot at Nadal, Roddick seals tough win

Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden earned a shot at world number one Rafael Nadal thanks to his 7-5, 6-3 win over India's Somdev Devvarman at Queen's, while four time champion Andy Roddick defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 on Tuesday.Ebden, who was born in South Africa, has spent most of his short career playing on the unglamourous Futures Tour and is currently ranked 168th in the world.But the 23 year old will be mixing with tennis royalty in west London on Wednesday when he takes on Nadal in the Spaniard's first singles match since winning his sixth French Open crown in Paris on Sunday. Nadal arrived in London late on Monday just 24 hours after his final victory over Roger Federer to begin preparations for the defence of his Wimbledon title.And his first opponent will be the unheralded Ebden, who secured an impressive victory over Devvarman even though the Indian is 101 places above his opponent in the ATP rankings.Perth based Ebden has been in good form of late, reaching the latter stages at Nottingham and Cremona, and he edged a tight first set before pressing home his advantage with a break late in the second set to clinch the win.Elsewhere at the Wimbledon warm up event, Roddick started his bid for a record fifth title with a hard fought win against Spain's Lopez in the second round.

Kohli embraces new-found discipline

Virat Kohli became the latest member of India’s young brigade to acquit themselves well on the tour of the Caribbean on Wednesday.The 22 year old stroked an impressive 81 in the second One day International against West Indies to lead India to a seven-wicket victory, and earn the man of the match award.He too, kept up the constant theme that has rung through this series once it was clear that the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh would have been sidelined, it’s a chance for him and other less than established player like him to cut out a place for themselves in the national team.‘The young Indians players want to handle pressure, utilise every opportunity,’ he said. ‘We want to take up as much responsibility as we can and improve in each game.‘Some of us here in this series have been around for a while time. We want to perform, so that those with less experience than us on this tour can bat with more freedom.’Kohli’s past had been dogged by the ravages of a young man striving to come to terms with early fame and fortune.He was thrilled to speak of his missteps as a thing of the past, and felt he had done everything required of him on the disciplinary side over the last two years to change course.‘I was determined to transform myself,’ he said. ‘I was getting carried away off the field - which was not good.

US starts Gold Cup with 2-0 win over Canada

Jozy Altidore scored in the first half and set up Clint Dempsey's goal in the second as the United States opened its Gold Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada on Tuesday.The 21-year-old Altidore put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute and Dempsey scored in the 62nd from a good Altidore cross. The U.S., which was coming off a 4-0 loss to World Cup champion Spain on Saturday, has never lost a group stage game at the Gold Cup. "Coming off the game against Spain, obviously, you got down a little bit," Altidore said. "Now, we've just got to build on it, because it's only going to get harder from here."The U.S. pressured Canada from the start. Altidore scored after running onto a long pass from Landon Donovan. Although Kevin McKenna was back to defend, Altidore was able to turn and take a low shot which slipped under goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld and into the net. There was little Hirschfeld could do about the second goal. Altidore sent a low cross from to the right of the net, and Dempsey stretched to knock the ball in at the far post. "For confidence, it was a good thing," coach Bob Bradley said. "The movement that led to the first goal and the cross to Dempsey for the second both were great plays."U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was impressive, reacting marvelously to deflect Ali Gerba's powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area with his right hand in the 70th minute. About 15 minutes later, Howard smothered a shot near the edge of the 6-yard box, then made another terrific stop on a volley by Gerba. "Howard was absolute magic," Canadian coach Stephen Hart said. "I almost clapped."Oguchi Onyewu was left out of the starting lineup for the Americans. Coach Bob Bradley went with Tim Ream and Clarence Goodson in central defense.

Chris Gayle wins big at WIPA awards

Chris Gayle has been named international cricketer and Test player of the year at the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) awards. Allrounder Stafanie Taylor picked up the international women's player of the year award.Gayle's recognition was chiefly inspired by his triple-hundred against Sri Lanka in November 2010, in Galle. The innings of 333 was Gayle's top Test score and the second time he went past 300 in Tests, making him only the fourth batsman ever to do so. He is at present out of the West Indies side, following a stand off with the board over his exclusion for the Pakistan series, and his participation in the IPL.Taylor was in rich form in 2010, scoring heavily in the ICC Women's Challenge in South Africa where she averaged 97.00. She is currently ranked No. 2 in the ICC women's ODI batting and allrounder ratings.Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy were named the best ODI and Twenty20 players, while Keiron Joseph was named Under-19 player of the year. Jamaica, who won the Regional Four Day Competition for the 2010-'11 season, were adjudged the first class team of the year.