FRIDAY, 10.00AM:
WORLD soccer governing body Fifa turned down the SA Department of Sports’ bid to financially assist Zaire. Zaire requested help from the South African Football Association earlier this week, asking for R1,1-million to help the team finish their World Cup qualification programme. Safa submitted a proposal to Fifa, but were told it would not be allowed.
Fifa said in their statement, “We welcome cooperation between associations, but even though we too are interested in ensuring participation, it is impossible that South Africa help them financially, They are in the same group and it would not be fair.”
SPORT BRIEFS
JOHANNESBURG BIG WALK THE Johannesburg Big Walk has been scheduled for Sunday, beginning at the Johannesburg Zoo and ending at three different points, depending on the difficulty level. The race begins at 6am, and consists of a 5km Fun Walk, a 21,1km Half-Marathon and a 42,2 km Marathon.
SA CRICKETERS TO OZ SOUTH AFRICA’S cricket side is to face the Australians on their home turf for a test series in November. United Cricket Board MD Ali Bacher said on Thursday, “To win a test series in Australia remains the ultimate challenge, but we will go there confidently even though the Australians have an outstanding team and will be on their home territory.”
FUNDS FOR DISABLED SPORTTHE University of the Free State’s Mangaung University Community Partnerships received a donation of R27 290 from the Australian High Commission, to develop sports for the physically disabled.
GERMAN OPEN SA’s Amanda Coetzer beat Austrian Judith Wiesner 6-1 6-1, in the German Open in Berlin on Thursday. Coetzer will play Steffi Graf, in the quarterfinals on Friday.
PEACE RACE CYCLE TOUR RUDOLPH WENTZEL of Western Province is in third position in the U-23 division after the seventh stage of the Peace Race cycle tour of the Czech Republic on Thursday. Wentzel is the only South African in the top 30 so far – the race finishes on Sunday.
ANDREWS TAKES IT EASYINJURED Springbok lock Mark Andrews has withdrawn from the Natal side to face either Auckland or ACT in the Super 12 semifinal next weekend. This was the first time Andrews was selected for a game since his shoulder injury a month ago – but he turned it down to rest, before the national test against Tonga on June 10.