Sport Digest, October 17, 2012

Cyclist Lee sets sights on World Cup hat-trick

Lee Wai-sze is aiming to win all three sprint races in track cycling's World Cup series after taking her first gold in the opening leg in Cali, Colombia, over the weekend. "I want to make it three in a row so I can keep the white jersey as the series champion," said Lee, who returned to Hong Kong yesterday. "Although some of the top riders are still resting after the London Olympics and did not come to Cali, I did beat two strong opponents from Britain there, which has given me a big boost as they are poised to be one of my major obstacles at the 2016 Olympic Games." Lee's only setback in Cali was in the keirin final, when she collided with another rider and could not finish the race. "I would have been in the top three had it not been for the accident," she said. The next World Cup event will be held next month in Glasgow, where Lee will also attempt to the win the 500-metre time trial. The non-Olympic race will be held only at the Scottish event. The series closes in January in Mexico, before February's world championships in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. Chan Kin-wa
 

AFC apologises over 'Sand Monkeys' slur

The AFC has apologised for referring to the United Arab Emirates national side as the "Sand Monkeys" in an article on their official website. The AFC said the nickname, which the UAE labelled racist and "evidence of disrespect", was fixed as soon as the mistake was realised. "The error, which was mainly because of referral to a popular web-based encyclopaedia by the concerned editor, was corrected immediately after it was noticed," the AFC said. AFP
 

Hammam makes new appeal to CAS

Mohamed bin Hammam, the ex-Asian soccer chief suspended by Fifa, has lodged a fresh appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "My lawyers and myself are appealing to CAS," the Qatari, 63, said. He has been suspended from football activities for more than a year after Fifa's ethics committee found him guilty of bribery during his campaign to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa boss. AFP
 

Lippi denies he wants Drogba at Guangzhou

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is not a transfer target for Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande, coach Marcello Lippi insisted. Drogba plays for Shanghai Shenhua but his future is in doubt in a row over unpaid wages. "I know nothing about Didier Drogba's move," Lippi said. "I have never contacted him myself or via anybody since I took charge. I don't know how [the rumours] come. I am satisfied with my forwards." Reuters