Norde boost for Bagan
Kolkata: Ending speculation over his availability, Mohun Bagan’s star Haitian forward Sony Norde arrived here on Monday morning to bolster the defending champions ahead of the derby match against East Bengal in the I-league football tournament. “In Calcutta now,” Norde posted on his social networking page even as Mohun Bagan remained tight-lipped about his official signing. It is learnt that the Haitian would sign on the dotted lines for the 2015-16 season on Tuesday. The table toppers face foes East Bengal in first derby here on Saturday. There was uncertainty over Norde’s availability for ongoing season after he posted on social media that he’s playing in Mexico.
Indian boxers shine in AIBA Tourney
New Delhi: Indian women boxers packed quite a punch at the 5th AIBA Nations Cup in Ruma, Serbia, notching up a rich haul of 4 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals at the tournament. Seema Punia (+81kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (57kg) fetched gold medals in the senior category. On the other hand, Soniya
(48kg) and Manisha (60kg) clinched the yellow metal in the youth and junior competitions respectively. While Seema out-punched Ukraine’s Elizaveta Sayushkina 3:0, Basumatary thrashed Algeria’s Manel Meharzi 3:0.
Hoeness in early release
MUNICH: A German court says former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has been approved for early release from prison and will be freed on Feb. 29. Hoeness was convicted of tax evasion and began serving a 3 ½-year sentence on June 2, 2014. For about a year Hoeness has benefited from a work release program under which he has been working in Bayern’s youth department during day before returning to prison in Augsburg for the night. He has been spending weekends at home. The former Germany and Bayern star was found guilty of evading taxes on $31.04 million. Hoeness will be placed under probation for three years after his release.
Bordeaux fans banned
BORDEAUX: Bordeaux fans have been banned from attending this weekend’s French league game at Nantes because of the risk of violence between hooligans. The top government official in Nantes issued the stadium ban because of the “important risks” surrounding the match scheduled for Saturday at the Stade de la Beaujoire. In a statement, prefect Henri-Michel Comet also cites the “terror threat” that is mobilizing security forces across France following deadly attacks in Paris last November and does not allow police agents to be put off from their “primary mission.” In March 2014, police forces intervened in downtown Nantes to prevent Nantes and Bordeaux supporters from fighting, just months before violence erupted between fans from both teams at another game between the rivals.
SA’s Cele dies in accident
Johannesburg: South African Premier league footballer Mondli Cele, 27, died after the car he was a passenger in plunged into a river near eastern city Pietermaritzburg.The tragedy occurred a few hours after he scored for Maritzburg United in a 3-3 Premiership thriller against famed Soweto club Orlando Pirates on Sunday. Cele and another passenger died when the driver lost control of the car, a provincial transport department spokesman said. A third passenger survived.”His character on and off the field was impeccable,” said Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia.