Collin Abranches joins I-League’s Mumbai FC
Mumbai: I-League team Mumbai FC have strengthened their ranks by adding defender Collin Abranches to the squad.”Collin has been added to our Mumbai FC squad. He is someone who has the hunger to win matches and hence he’ll play an important role in the upcoming season,” Deputy vice president of Mumbai FC, Atul Badgamia said.The 22-year-old, who plied his trade previously for Air India, Salgaocar and Mohammedan, said: “I am very happy on signing for Mumbai FC. I have a lot of trust in the team and in coach Khalid and Henry.””My aim is to help my team win trophies. I’m excited to play for the Mumbaikars and I’m sure I’ll have a great time playing at this club.”Abranches comes with a good amount of experience having already played over 50 I-League games.(ians)
Hamburg sack coach Slomka
BERLIN:Hamburg SV have sacked coach Mirko Slomka after the former European champions’ bad start to the Bundesliga season that has seen them drop to last place, the club said today.The 47-year-old Slomka, who took over at Hamburg in February, was informed of the decision yesterday, club officials told reporters.Slomka was tasked with lifting them away from relegation last season but they still needed a playoff to stay up and protect their perfect record of having played in the top division every season since its creation in 1963.The northern German club then got off to a bad start in the league this season, losing two of their three games and drawing the other to stay in last place on one point, despite spending big on the transfer market.Newcomers Lewis Holtby, US international Julian Green and winger Nicolai Mueller have so far failed to deliver with Hamburg having failed to score yet while Swiss international Valon Behrami and centre back Cleber have failed to plug the defence, letting in five goals in three games.(Reuters)
Brazil striker Jo falls out of favour
Rio de Janeiro: Atletico Mineiro coach Levir Culpi has admitted concern at the form of Brazil international striker Jo. The former Manchester City forward, a member of the Selecao’s World Cup squad earlier this year, has not scored for 19 matches in Brazil’s Serie A championship, reports Xinhua. The goal drought prompted Culpi to leave the 27-year-old out of his squad that drew 0-0 at home to Gremio Sunday. “He isn’t playing well,” Culpi said. “Ronaldinho went through the same thing and so did Fred.” “I decided to leave him out so that he could reflect over it. I consider him important because of his quality.” Jo, capped 20 times for Brazil, was omitted from Dunga’s national squad for friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador earlier this month. (IANS)
Ghana appoints 2017 African Nations Cup bidding committee
Accra:Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports Mahama Ayariga appointed an 11-member committee to work towards securing the right to host the 2017 African Cup of Nations. Additionally, six former ‘Black Stars’ players and a former world boxing champion have been appointed to serve as ambassadors during the bidding process, reports Xinhua.The committee members include Ernest Thompson (chairman), Abedi Ayew Pele, (vice-chairman), Fred Crentsil, Randy Abbey, Herbert Mensah (administrator and businessman), Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Lepowura Nuru Deen Jawula, and Nana Sam Brew Butler (All former GFA chairmen).The rest are Alex Mould (CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, GNPC), Rex Danquah, a sports expert who will serve as the secretary and consultant to the committee, and Abdulai Yakubu, chief director of the ministry of Youth and Sports. (ians)
Apply for IOA membership: AIBA tells Boxing India
New Delhi: After granting provisional recognition to Boxing India and ensuring Indian pugilists’ participation in the Asian Games under the tricolor, the International Boxing Association (AIBA), has now asked the newly-elected body to apply for IOA membership. The AIBA also made it clear that it would no longer deal with the ad-hoc committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). “As of Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee established by the Indian Olympic Association will no longer be representing boxing in India and all boxing related matters including managing all level of competitions will be managed by Boxing India in full cooperation with AIBA,” the world body said in a statement. “AIBA also wishes that Boxing India applies for a membership of IOA and receive its recognition following the IOC Charter in the very near future,” it added. The six-member ad-hoc panel had been handling some affairs of Indian boxing after the federation was terminated earlier this year. (Agencies)