Blatter to check Cup facilities

Berne: Fifa president Sepp Blatter will carry out a personal inspection of South Africa’s 2010 World Cup facilities later this month, world soccer’s governing body announced on Thursday.

Fifa said Blatter would spend four days in the country from Sept. 14-17 “to get a first-hand impression of the progress of the preparations for next year’s Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup”.

Pele’s son acquitted

Sao Paulo: A Brazilian court dismissed drug-related charges against Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, the son of football great Pele, because he was not allowed to present his defence in writing as allowed by law, according to the local media.

ITF meet

New Delhi: Prajnesh Gunneswaran continued his giant-killing spree as he knocked out second seed Yuichi Sugita of Japan in straight sets to storm into the semi-finals of the $15,000 ITF men’s tournament here Thursday.

Wie bid

Los Angeles: Michelle Wie will next week bid to earn playing privileges on the LPGA Tour in the first round of qualifying school. The LPGA has confirmed reports that Wie would open her bid to qualify at the sectional qualifying tournament at Mission Hills Country Club in California.

Series drawn

Hyderabad: The second and final three-day match between India A and Australia A was abandoned Thursday after overnight rains washed out the third day’s play, resulting in a drawn series.

PCB denial

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dismissed reports that coach Geoff Lawson is not interested in completing his term and asserted that the Australian would be back soon once his vacation is over.

TV rights

Calcutta: ESPN STAR Sports on Thursday secured the ten-year commercial rights for the Champions League Twenty20, according to press release. The deal gives ESPN STAR Sports the exclusive global commercial rights for all the matches, says A Staff Reporter.

Gough’s wish

Leeds: Darren Gough is considering postponing his retirement to play for Yorkshire in next season’s domestic Twenty20 cup. “Yorkshire are keen for me to play for them next year in Twenty20 and I’ve had a couple of offers from other counties,” Gough said on Wednesday.