Kyrgios eyes more time off next year
SYDNEY - Troubled Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has indicated he will play fewer tournaments in 2017 after his meltdown at the Shanghai Masters saw him slapped with an eight-week ban. The world number 14, who gave away points and swore and argued with fans before being booed off court after his second-round defeat in China last week, blamed his body giving up physically and mentally. It led to the ATP ordering a $25,000 fine and the ban, which can be reduced to three weeks if the 21-year-old sees a psychologist, which Tennis Australia said he had agreed to do. In a question-and-answer session on Twitter Wednesday, the suspended star was asked what his goals were for next year. "More time off," he replied. He was also questioned on whether he enjoyed playing tennis, to which he answered: "lol".–AFP
Garza gets six-month corruption ban
LONDON - Mexican tennis player Daniel Garza has been suspended for six months and fined $5,000 after being found guilty of match-fixing, the Tennis Integrity Unit said on Tuesday. The 31-year-old had attempted to influence the outcome of a match at an ITF Futures tournament at Calabasas in March 2015, the sport's corruption watchdog said. The case, based on a TIU investigation, was heard in Miami last month. Garza was banned with immediate effect, the TIU said in a statement. World tennis was rocked in January by allegations that the game's authorities had failed to deal with widespread match-fixing in the sport. The authorities rejected media reports that 16 players who have been ranked in the top 50 had been repeatedly flagged to the TIU over suspicions they had thrown matches in the past decade.–AFP
Ali bats Bhutto Academy to victory
ISLAMABAD – All-rounder Ali Imran batted Bhutto Cricket Academy to 32-run victory over Hassan Memorial in 40-over-aside cricket match played here at the Bhutto Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Bhutto Academy, batting first, scored 236-5 in 40 overs. Ali Imran failed to complete his ton as he scored 93, hitting 14 fours and two sixes while Khizar Shah slammed 59. Haris took 3-48 and Awais 2-29. In reply, Hassan Memorial were bowled out for 204 in 38 overs. Shoaib Khaliq made 39, Suleman 38 and Hammad 31. Naseer Ullah grabbed 4-43, Rizwan 3-31 and Ali Imran 2-12. CDA Assistant Director Sports and Culture Chaudhry Shahzad was the chief guest, while OGDCL Sports Board vice president Ch Ajmal Sabir and CDA grounds in-charge Wasif Chaudhry were guests of honour. Ali was named player of the match.–Staff Reporter
Two matches decided in school hockey
LAHORE - Federal Colony School and Model High School notched up victories after beating their opponents on the opening day of the School Hockey Championship here at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday. In the first match, Federal Colony High School routed Unique High School 3-0. Waleed hit 2 goals and Shahzaib added one. In the second match, Model High School beat Govt Khawaja Model School, Shahdara Town 1-0. Abdul Rahman scored the only goal of the match. In an effort to reinvigorate hockey in Lahore's schools, Dar Hockey Academy in collaboration with SNGPL, is holding this event. SBP DG Zulfiqar Ahmad Ghumman inaugurated the event while Dar Academy president Olympian Tauqeer Ahmed Dar, secretary Urfan Zia, head coach Danish Kaleem, coach Ijaz Ahmed and others were also present there.–Staff Reporter
Ibrahim of Jordan army wins race
LAHORE - Ibrahim Hikmat Khalil of Jordan Army exhibited better technique and stamina to win the 3.2 kilometer race in the 1st International PACES Competition 2016 here on Wednesday. The winner covered the distance in 9 minutes and 38 seconds to win the race, which started at the point of Askari-10 near the Allama Iqbal International Airport and ended at Ayub Stadium Cantt. Pakistan Army's Sepoy M Naveed got second position by clocking the distance in 9 minutes 43 seconds while Chinese Army's Zhu Kang Xiang consumed 9 minutes 46 seconds to reach the destination for the third place. A total of 326 athletes belonging to the participating Army teams took part in the race and a number of school children standing alongside the road greeted them with claps and welcome banners.–Staff Reporter