Ferguson sings for Mandela

London: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson sang Happy Birthday to former South African leader Nelson Mandela, who turned 94 on Wednesday. Ferguson is on a pre-season tour of South Africa with United. He said: “I have met him a few times now, and I think, every time you meet him, you’re in awe of him... His presence, his personality exudes all around you.”

Wim advice

Calcutta: India’s newly appointed Dutch coach Wim Koevermans on Wed-nesday demonstrated various match related situati-ons in a coaching seminar in Navi Mumbai. “All practice sessions need to be organised keeping the opposition in mind. The players need to be taught and encouraged to express match-related behaviour while in practice.”

Zlatan deal

Paris: Big-spending Paris St Germain aim to dominate Ligue 1 this season and showed their intent by signing Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan on a three-year deal on Wednesday. “I want to thank PSG because they made something impossible possible. It’s a big step in my career,” Ibrahimovic said.

New chapter

Athens: Panathinaikos began a new chapter under fan ownership after the transfer of the Vardinoyiannis family’s majority shareholding to the new ‘Panathinaikos Alliance’ was completed on Wednesday. “From now on Panathinaikos belongs to its people,” said fans’ coalition group leader Yiannis Alafouzos, who also owns the Skai media group. “I thank all supporters and stakeholders who have made this possible. The alliance represents the fans.”

Super Cup

Madrid: The second leg of the Spanish Super Cup between Real Madrid and Barcelona has been brought forward a day as 11 of the potential participants are up for Europe’s Player of the Year Award on Aug. 30. The first leg of the traditional curtain-raiser to the La Liga season, between the King’s Cup winners Barca and league champions Real, will take place on Aug. 23 at the Nou Camp and at the Bernabeu the following week.

Saraiya no more

Mumbai: Veteran radio cricket commentator Suresh Saraiya passed away here on Wednesday following a heart attack. Saraiya, 76, is survived by a daughter who lives in Paris. Saraiya commentated in the 1960s and 1970s before the advent of television.

McLaren hope

London: McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is expecting Lewis Hamilton to sign a new long-term contract this year. Hamilton dropped a broad hint earlier this week he might finally resolve his future with McLaren during next month’s summer break .
Staff Reporter & Agencies