THURSDAY, 1.00PM:
THE SA Professional Golf Association has called for clarity over broadcast sponsorship rights to the 1998 SA Open golf championship, after rival cellphone networks Vodacom and MTN both claimed exclusive rights. The PGA board has called for copies of the contracts between the SA Open and the two rival sponsors.
The PGA’s executive board met over the weekend to discuss the broadcasting rights and sponsorship of the event in response to last week’s developments. MTN — the event’s main sponsor — acused the PGA of “ambush tactics” for accepting a R100-million sponsorship from the company’s largest rival, Vodacom.
PGA tour commissioner Arnold Mentz said there will be a clampdown on media releases about the issue until the situation is resolved.
SPORT BRIEFS
WARRIORS PREPARE FOR BRAZIL UNITED WARRIORS, South Africa’s under-20 soccer team, will face the intimidating Brazilians in their next Group B world Youth Soccer Championship match, in Kuvching, Malaysia on Thursday. The team drew 0-0 against Poland on Tuesday. Coach Shakes Mashaba said he thinks the team has a good chance as none of the players is injured and morale is high.
BARLOW FOR GRIQUAS CRICKETER Eddie Barlow, who once played for South African, is to take up the position of coach at Griqualand West this season. He signed a two year contract with the team, and is replacing Fred Swarbrook.
NEW GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP The inaugural National Mid-Amateur Championship has been planned for August 12-15 at the Royal’s East Course in Johannesburg. The event, sponsored by the Compleat Golfer magazine, will be open to older amateur golfers with a handicap of six or less.
POLE VAULT CHAMP SOUTH AFRICAN Riaan Botha won the pole vault event at the Grand Prix athletics meeting in Helsinki yesterday, clearing 5,90m.
TEST TEAM NAMED SOON BRITISH Lions manager Fran Cotton said on Wednesday he will reveal the names of the players in his Test team at least 48 hours before the game, at Newlands on Saturday. Cotton said the players in the side will be notified by personal letters whether they made it.
ANTHEM ALLOWED GOING against a pre-tour contract, the British Lions agreed on Wednesday to a request by the Springboks that the South African national anthem be sung before the first Test on Saturday. SA manager Arthob Peterse said the singing of the anthem “will foster unity in support for the team by all South Africans”.
BOOST FOR WOMEN’S SPORT THE National Sports Council received a R72 000 donation from the Australian government on Wednesday, to boost women’s sport in South Africa. Australan high commissioner Ian Porter said: “The women, particularly South Africans, were disadvantaged through apartheid and sexism. We felt they needed a boost.”
CURTAIN RAISER THE British Rugby League has invited the Super League South Africa to send a predominantly black development side to London to play in a curtain raiser at Wembley Stadium on November 1, before the kick-off of the Test series between Great Britain and Australia.