Sports

(Reuters) – The San Antonio Spurs were fined $250,000 yesterday for sending top players home before a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat, the National Basketball Association said.

There is more confusion as to which schools are participating in the Under 13 Kashif and Shanghai football tournament.

PERTH,  (Reuters) – Australia dismissed South Africa for 225 despite another dogged rearguard action from Faf du Plessis before moving shakily to 33-2 at the close of play on a thrilling first day of the third test at the WACA yesterday.

RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – International sports federations need to set up an independent organisation along the lines the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to combat match-fixing, former FIFA security chief Chris Eaton has said.

SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – FIFA fired off a warning to the Brazilian city of Manaus yesterday, telling the Amazonian capital it must speed up construction work on its stadium or risk being cut from the 2014 World Cup.

-with GFF endorsement By Emmerson Campbell Golden Jaguars assistant coach Wayne Dover said he is committed to leading the national football team, with the blessings of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

(Reuters) – The Golden State Warriors had to survive a video review after the final buzzer on Thursday but prevailed 106-105 in a thriller against the Denver Nuggets in Oakland.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has said clubs should be docked points or kicked out of European competitions if their fans or players are found guilty of racism.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel committed no infringement during the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, Formula One’s governing body the FIA said on Friday, meaning the German keeps his world title.

(Reuters) – Former Court of Appeal judge Philip Otton will chair the three-member commission set up to investigate allegations made against the International Cycling Union (UCI) over the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, the UCI said yesterday.

-until Bill approved, elections held   By Iva Wharton In an attempt to reach an agreement with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), government has suggested that the Board appoint an agent to address cricket matters in Guyana since it continues to ignore the interim body which had been set up.

The Ministry of Sport yesterday released $54M; the balance of $100 million that had been allocated for the rehabilitation of grounds and community centres countrywide.

KHULNA, Bangladesh,  CMC – Boosted by a convincing Test series win, captain Darren Sammy now ambitiously wants to whitewash Bangladesh in the five-match One-Day International starting today.

…in Diamond Mineral Water hockey The Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey tournament started yesterday at the National Gymnasium and GCC Veterans, YMCA men, GCC Ladies and the Renegades men were the first four winners in the tournament.

-proper procedures weren’t followed By Yonalla Dalrymple Second place finisher at the just-concluded Pee Wee children’s football competition Tucville Primary School will not be participating in the Kashif and Shanghai Under-13 tournament as the required procedure  was not followed to secure permission from the ministry.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Former West Indies opener Bryan Davis does not believe West Indies’ Test series victories over minnows Bangladesh and New Zealand should be taken lightly.

PERTH, (Reuters) – Australia’s Ricky Ponting announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, telling a stunned news conference he would be calling time on his glittering 17-year career after this week’s third test against South Africa.

By Iva Wharton National Coach Wencel Thomas said he has the highest confidence that the four amateur boxers scheduled to represent Guyana on the Pro-Am Card will put in a good showing at the bout set for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall today.

(Reuters) – Brooklyn beat Boston 95-83 in an Eastern Conference clash that turned nasty in the second quarter when three players were ejected after a skirmish on Wednesday.

LONDON, (Reuters) – American Serena Williams has been named WTA Player of the Year after one of the most successful seasons in her career.