/ 1 December 2009

Sports quotes of the week

Bafana aim for the second round at the World Cup and Tiger Woods keeps his silence on his nocturnal activities. Roll up for the quotes of the week.

”I’ve got a message for those people — I’m not going anywhere,” — West Indies captain Chris Gayle shoots down suggestions that he should abandon the position.

”I’m not a bully. I’ve never fought or hit anyone for no reason,” — Boxer, and alleged hit man, Mikey Schultz speaks out against his detractors ahead of his return to the ring.

”I’m in the game to win matches and trophies — that’s what every player wants. Sundowns also have thousands of supporters so there is a new pressure for me to handle, but this will bring the best out of me,” — Wayne Sandilands on his big-money move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

”That’s part of his strength, his make-up — what makes him a different and very powerful player for us. He will score heavy runs on this tour, and maybe Friday is the day. It could be his day.” — England coach Andy Flower sings the praises of Kevin Pietersen.

”It’s important for me to keep progressing, so we’re looking at options here in Europe. I need to play top-flight, so I must move from Hammarby.” — Former Ajax Cape Town striker Nathan Paulse assesses his options after a frustrating spell in Norway.

”This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.” — Tiger Woods tries to play down the events surrounding his car accident.

”The thing that Tiger needs to look at is, whatever happened, just tell the truth,” — golfer John Daly calls on Woods to come clean.

”It was a bad day for us. After the second line-out, we discovered that Gert [Smal] had to have given the Irish some Afrikaans lessons, because they could read the calls. — Victor Matfield is baffled that the Irish knew Afrikaans line-out calls during the Test in Dublin.

”A lot of us who were in the team that won the 2007 World Cup said we would make decisions after the Lions tour and take it from there. But the success we have had this year makes 2011 the next goal. If the year didn’t go so well, then my international career would be over right now.” — Fourie du Preez lets slip that he considered quitting South African rugby earlier this year.

”Our target is the last 16, but the sky is the limit for us. Every team, not just ourselves, should be thinking of the group stages,” — Carlos Alberto Parreira sets out Bafana’s plans for the World Cup.

”It’s possible we will make additional officials for the World Cup but we have to see if it is feasible or realistic. Something has to be done in terms of match control.” — Fifa president Sepp Blatter responds to calls for changes in the way matches are officiated.