WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 SPORTS Football makes strides in baseball-mad Nicaragua MANAGUA: Despite having no famous streets or on empty lots. players, no high-profile league and inad- Hundreds of youths aged 15-25 are equate stadiums, football in Nicaragua is joining local football teams in districts starting to awaken, grabbing more and which have two tournaments a year. more attention in a nation traditionally Some of the country’s second- and first- crazy about baseball. division players have emerged from Analysts say the growth is spurred by them, including several chosen for the several factors, chiefly TV, which is more national team. frequently showing games from the One of the aims of the federation is Spanish league and big events like the to lift football’s profile, to show private World Cup. There is also the improve- companies that “football is profitable,” ment of the national squad, which last said Idelfonso Agurcia, secretary of year surged 56 notches to 96th spot in FENIFUT. Attracting sponsors is crucial the latest FIFA rankings. Certainly there for clubs in the national league, which is passion and interest building among are struggling to keep going. Fields are younger sections of the public in the in poor condition and there is no mon- Central American country. “It’s like some- ey to pay players’ salaries. one has football in the blood,” said The national team, however, is doing Michael Pena, a 20-year-old playing for a relatively well. It put in greatly local side in the San Jose Oriental district improved performances in 2015 after of the capital Managua. “Though work taking on a Costa Rican coach, Henry doesn’t let me do it more often, every Duarte, managing to get as far as the time I get a chance I play.” third round of regional qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. FOCUS ON FOREIGN CLUBS “From a tactical point of view the But thus far attention goes more team has grown a lot,” Duarte said. “I’d towards foreign clubs than domestic say it’s one of the teams that grew the ones. Nicaraguan fans follow more most in 2015, not only in Central closely Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo America, but around the world.” and Barcelona and Real Madrid than Agurcia said the team’s rise was “not they do local teams. the result of magic, not the efforts of “I like football but only when the one person,” but a decade’s worth of national team is playing other countries,” gradual improvement. said Bosco Garcia, a high-school student Part of it was a generational MANAGUA: Managua’s neighbourhood Villa Reconciliacion play football against another team at the Don Bosco Youth who is a Barcelona fan. change underscored by the fact that Centre in Managua, on January 17, 2016. Football is gaining enthusiasts in Nicaragua where baseball has been historical- Former professional footballer Jose younger players today had access to ly dominant but is now giving way to the new sport, analysts said. — AFP Maria Bermudez, who played for 19 training schools, 11 of them Nicaragua and used to be a member of Nicaragua adopted baseball in the of fans from baseball to football,” despite SPONSORS LACKING financed by FIFA, the scandal-mired the country’s FENIFUT football federa- early 20th century with US military inter- the former being more heavily promot- Geographically, the passion for foot- world football body. tion, said more could be done to get the vention and occupation. American ed, said Bermudez. “Stadiums were filled ball is strongest in two northern cities, “I think football has already taken public behind domestic teams. Marines built baseball fields and taught for the national team’s games in the last Esteli and Somoto, and one in the hold and now the hard part is to nur- “They should organize club support- locals how to play, starting what went on international meets-up to 18,000 people. southeast, Diriamba. It is also catching ture it and keep it growing,” said ers so there is better identification with to become a national sport. Now, around No other sport has managed that,” said on in Managua neighborhoods, where Bermudez. “If the support keeps flowing the people,” he said. a century later, “I think there is a big shift the former player. children and youths play games in like it is now, we’ll manage that.” — AFP New head for scandal-hit South America federation

ASUNCION: South American soccer confedera- tion CONMEBOL yesterday chose Paraguay foot- ball association chief Alejandro Dominguez as its new president, as three former heads face US indictments in the FIFA corruption scandal. The South American Football Confederation is looking to clean its image after a scandal that saw its headquarters in Paraguay searched this month by investigators probing alleged bribes. Football chiefs from CONMEBOL’s 10 member countries, gathered at its headquarters near Asuncion, voted unanimously to choose Dominguez, 44, as its new leader until 2019. “We are turning over one of CONMBEBOL’s saddest pages,” Dominguez said after being elected. “This is the biggest crisis CONMEBOL has ever suffered, due to managerial irregularities. There must be no more bad practices in the handling of commercial rights.” Dominguez and Luis Segura of Argentina were chosen as CONMEBOL’s new representatives to FIFA, world football’s governing body. CONMEBOL’s last This combination of file photos made on November 12, 2015 shows (from top L) president, Miguel Angel Napout, also a UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Paraguayan, was one of 16 Latin American offi- Al Khalifa, Former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne, FIFA vice pres- cials indicted by US authorities last month. ident for Asia Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan and chairman of the FIFA monitor- Among the others were another Paraguayan for- ing committee for Israel and Palestine Tokyo Sexwale. FIFA yesterday confirmed the mer CONMEBOL head, Nicolas Leoz, 87, and its LUGUE: New Conmebol president, Paraguayan Alejandro Dominguez, speaks during a press final five candidates to take over from the banned Sepp Blatter as head of the world Uruguayan ex-president Eugenio Figueredo, 83. conference after being elected until 2019 by consensus yesterday in Luque, Paraguay. — AFP body one month from the vote. — AFP Leoz is under house arrest in Paraguay and ers on Tuesday were expected to back Swiss- MEBOL. The confederation is the umbrella group Figueredo is in jail in Uruguay. Both face Italian Gianno Infantino to succeed Blatter. for 10 South American football associations. Its FIFA five hunt for votes as requests for extradition over bribery allegations headquarters had diplomatic immunity from by US authorities which are investigating the ‘TRANSPARENCY’ IN FOOTBALL 1992 but that privilege was withdrawn last year campaign enters final month scandal. Napout was released on bail in New CONMEBOL’s outgoing interim head, Wilmar after the scandal erupted. Investigators took York in December. The suspects are accused of Valdez of Uruguay, said in an address that away thousands of documents when they accepting millions of dollars in bribes in return Dominguez “could take up the post of president searched the offices this month. A CONMEBOL ZURICH: The five candidates to take over baller or athlete had been abused. for awarding broadcasting and commercial con- in an atmosphere of unity.” Valdez said there was source told AFP the body would back Infantino the FIFA presidency from the banned tracts for football tournaments. a consensus to elect Dominguez as president “to when FIFA chooses a new president in Zurich on Sepp Blatter stepped up the frantic hunt JET-SET CAMPAIGN From now on in commercial dealings, “we work to get through this difficult situation.” February 26. The acting head of European feder- for votes yesterday as the campaign The Sheikh, like most of the other can- must do away with intermediaries and negotiate “We have to restore to South American foot- ation UEFA, Infantino also has the support of entered the final month. FIFA sent a for- didates, withdrew from a proposed FIFA directly with the final buyers,” Dominguez said ball the credibility it deserves.” Valdez himself UEFA’s executive committee. mal notice to the 209 member associa- debate before the European parliament ahead of Tuesday’s vote. stepped out of the running at the last minute, He faces competition in his run for the FIFA tions yesterday confirming that Prince Ali today in a sign of the growing intensity “The associations and clubs must receive saying a consensus was needed to launch a presidency from Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, who bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin of the campaign. more money.” The broader scandal in world foot- cleaner new era for CONMEBOL. On Monday, he has the likely backing of African countries for his Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Infantino and Prince Ali, a former FIFA ball’s governing body FIFA has led to the suspen- called for “the implementation of transparency bid. Another FIFA candidate is Prince Ali of Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne vice president from Jordan, were at a sion of numerous top officials including its long- and oversight measures that guarantee the effi- Jordan, who like Infantino was due to attend the would take part in the February 26 vote South American confederation, CON- time president Joseph Blatter. CONMEBOL lead- cient and rigorous administration” of CON- CONMEBOL congress yesterday. — AFP in Zurich. MEBOL, congress in Asuncion yesterday “The Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has seeking support. CONMEBOL are expect- formally admitted and declared the can- ed to back Infantino, a Swiss national didates eligible for the election of the who has been right hand man to UEFA Barcelona to face Athletic office of FIFA president at the extraordi- boss Michel Platini, who was banned nary FIFA Congress,” said the letter. with Blatter last month. The world body has faced major pres- The European confederation, UEFA, Bilbao in Copa del Rey sure since US and Swiss authorities says most of its 53 members will also launched major investigations into FIFA back Infantino. But the vote is secret BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is by former coach Pep Guardiola, who kept the SQUEAKY CLEAN and Blatter, 79, was banned for eight which has encouraged some of the out- concerned that today’s Copa del Rey match team undefeated for 28 consecutive games in A draw with goals would suffice for years for misconduct. siders to step up their bid. Prince Ali, the against Athletic Bilbao could wear down his the 2010-11 season. Celta to eliminate Atletico, but Diego While Sheikh Salman, head of the only challenger against Blatter in an elec- team ahead of its critical Spanish league game After a stellar debut season that ended Simeone’s team is expert at keeping a Asian Football Confederation, and tion in May last year, has toured the against Atletico Madrid. with the team matching Guardiola’s rare tre- clean sheet. Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, are world seeking support. Barcelona holds a 2-1 advantage when it ble of Champions League, Spanish league and Atletico hasn’t conceded a goal in five seen as the frontrunners, all five are lob- The Jordanian royal has made a com- hosts Bilbao in the second leg of the quarterfi- Copa del Rey titles, Luis Enrique has guided straight matches and has only allowed bying hard for votes in a races in which plaint to the electoral committee about nals. On the same night in the capital, Atletico his team to 24 games without a loss. one in its last nine games. many observers say a surprise is still pos- a cooperation accord made by the will also seek its spot in the semifinals when it Barcelona will look to make good on first- While Jan Oblak has emerged as the sible. All have concentrated on the need Asian and African confederations this plays Celta Vigo after their scoreless first leg. leg goals by Neymar and Munir El Haddadi, league’s top goalkeeper, Miguel Moya has Three days later, Atletico will travel to Camp to clean up football, while making rival month which he indicated was a bid by who scored before Aritz Aduriz gave the been Simeone’s pick for the Copa del Rey, proposals to increase the World Cup and Sheikh Salman to secure African sup- Nou trailing Barcelona on goal difference at the top of the Spanish league standings. “The only Basque club a lifeline. where he has let two goals past him in give more of FIFA’s riches to national port. The sheikh has strongly denied game key to reaching the Copa semifinals is Lionel Messi missed the opening leg five outings. associations. the allegation. tomorrow’s, who knows what will happen with because of muscle pain, but returned to score NEVILLE’S HOPE Sheikh Salman, who should get a African candidate Sexwale, a former the rest,” Luis Enrique said. “I am worried about the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Gary Neville’s coaching career has got- majority of the AFC’s 46 votes as well as Robben Island prisoner with Nelson the physical wear and tear taking into account Malaga in the league. ten off to a rocky start. Since the former many of Africa’s 54, said Monday that he Mandela turned business tycoon and that Atletico is coming on Saturday. My team is Manchester United defender took over in could invite Infantino, or English Premier politician, has faced criticism in his native fine, but these are both very intense matches.” FIFTEEN YEARS December, Valencia has been eliminated League chief executive Richard South Africa over his lacklustre cam- Neymar returned to team training on Tuesday Only Barcelona, with 27 cups, can boast from the Champions League and has yet Scudamore to be FIFA secretary general paign. He has called for a ban on spon- after muscle pain forced him to miss Barcelona’s more success in the competition than Bilbao, to win in seven Spanish league if he wins. sors’ names appearing on national team last game. But fever may sideline midfielders which has won the tournament 23 times. matches.But the Copa del Rey has been “So far there’s no agreement and no shirts. But Sexwale has travelled much Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan But Bilbao faces a daunting challenge at another story, where it won three straight deal but let’s see what happens in the less than his rivals. Champagne, a former after all sat out of training.Thursday’s quarterfi- a stadium where it hasn’t won since until last week’s slip at home against Las next few days,” Sheikh Salman told Sky FIFA official and French diplomat, said nals will feature Valencia needing to turn around November 2001. Barcelona is unbeaten in Palmas. Sport television of his contacts with the election would be “complicated” and a 1-1 draw when it visits Las Palmas in the all 17 home games this season and routed In 11th place and 16 points from the Infantino. would “only be decided in the final Canary Islands, while Sevilla takes a 2-0 advan- Bilbao 6-0 at Camp Nou in the league less Champions League positions, Valencia’s The Bahraini official has been under moments.” tage to second-division club Mirandes. than two weeks ago. Ernesto Valverde’s only shot at salvaging the season is in pressure however over accusations of Calling for greater commitment to Here are some things to know about this team can cling to its upset of Barcelona in the cup. “The wins will come,” Neville involvement in a crackdown on pro- reforms, he told French radio yesterday week’s Copa del Rey matches: the Spanish Super Cup to start the season, said after a 1-1 draw at Deportivo La democracy demonstrators in the Gulf that “some candidates are making totally when it secured a 1-1 away draw after Coruna on Sunday. “The fans want victo- CHASING PEP state. The sheikh said he could guaran- demagogic proposals, especially financial stunning the European champions 4-0 at ries and I am desperate to give them to Barcelona is closing in on a club record set tee “one million percent” that no foot- and playing a 40 team World Cup.” — AFP San Mames. them.” — AP