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SCMP Reporter

Watch out for Ronaldo . . . or, to be exact, his right ear.

 The Brazilian superstar receives more than 100 letters (he personally opens and reads them) from his army of fans everyday.

 Just the other day, he was seen on TV opening a letter and to his surprise he found an ear-ring.

 What was more surprising was the World Footballer of the Year immediately wore the ear-ring.

 What will his fans send him next? And will he wear it? Saudi Arabia's World Cup 'keeper Mohammed Al Deayea is happy to wear a jersey that he wore in a FIFA All-Star match played in Hong Kong as part of the handover celebrations last year.

 While the rest of his teammates wear their country's sponsors jersey, Al Deayea sports a different look: a jersey made by adidas which he wore during the game at the Hong Kong Stadium.

 'He was so proud [to be an All-Star] that he has worn this sweater ever since,' FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said. 'It seems to have gone even beyond the contractual obligations of his team. That's refreshing in this day of what some would say was over-commercialisation.' A Parisian travelling on the train last week was the victim of abuse, hurled by his fellow commuters after a good Samaritan act backfired.

 He phoned his office to find out the score of the opening game between Brazil and Scotland on his mobile telephone. He was told it was 2-1 and thinking he was doing a good deed, he told his fellow commuters the score.

 But instead of getting a nod of thanks, he was verbally abused. The reason: a lot of Parisians recorded the game at home and didn't want to know the score.

 Hong Kong MTR travellers need not worry. Local commuters hardly look at each other, let alone speak.

It is good that our dear old chief executive Tung Chee-hwa is a self-professed football fan.

 For when it comes to other sports, Tung shows a glaring lack of knowledge. As seen in Sydney earlier this week.

 Tung was put on the spot at a New South Wales' Chamber of Commerce luncheon when during the Q & A session, one person wanted to know if the Hong Kong Sevens would continue.

 'Whoever is the gentleman asking this question, I would like to ask you to come and be a sponsor next year,' Tung said.

 We thought rugby had signed up Credit Suisse First Boston until 2000. Or maybe Tung got confused, what with all that Peregrine hullabaloo.

Those wanting to see Hong Kong's Mr Sport in action will just have to wander down to the Sports Institute at Sha Tin on Sunday.

 Timothy Fok will be the guest of honour at the Olympic Day Run. We wonder whether he will get into the spirit of things and actually participate rather than just be an observer.

 We wait with bated breath.



Ronaldo plays it by ear with his fan club