22 WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, 2007 SPORTSCHINA DAILY Billiards player Controversial diver apologizes back in the spotlight BILLIARDS

By Zhao Rui “Tian is fit but he has not NPC proposal seeks Tian Liang’s trained recently,” Liu told The First. Women’s billiards player Zhou recall to national team for 2008 “It’s been months since he Mengmeng ended months of last trained. I do not think acrimony yesterday by apolo- By Chen Xiangfeng His refusal to apologize and he is in good enough form to gizing for her behavior at the the subsequent standoff with compete. He has made the Asian Games in December. authorities appeared to spell decision not to take part in the The 19-year-old from Shang- Olympic diving champion Tian a premature end to his hugely national diving championships hai said she regretted her Liang has found himself the successful career. in April.” actions following her confl ict center of national attention But team manager Zhou with male snooker player Tian once again, after a proposal at Jihong revealed last week Selection policy Pengfei in Doha. the ongoing National People’s that Tian still has a chance to The Swimming Administra- “I am really sorry for my Congress (NPC) called for his compete at the 2008 tive Center moved quickly to behavior,” said Zhou in a state- return to the national team. Olympics. defend their selection policy. ment to China’s Multi-ball The proposal to the Fifth “The national team door is “Everyone who wants to get Administrative Center and Session of the Tenth NPC was open to all good athletes. Fu on the national team has to go Shanghai Billiards Association. made by lawyer Han Deyun Mingxia (formerly the coun- through the qualifying proc- “I was too worked up to control and 20 representatives from try’s leading women’s diver) ess,” Li Hua, director of the myself after a quarrel with Tian Tian’s native Chongqing Mu- also had the experience of center, was quoted as saying on in Doha. Now I realize how will- nicipality. coming back to the national Sina.com. “There is no problem ful I was and I fully accept the Titled “National interest over team and winning Olympic with the selection system. We authority’s punishment. everything: Tian Liang should gold again after retirement. have rules and regulations to “I am still young and there be allowed to be a national team It is possible for Tian to be a ensure fair selection.” are a lot of competitions ahead member and win glory for the member of the national team “Tian was sent back to the lo- of me. I want to concentrate on country,” it outlined problems again. But he has to prove cal team after violating national billiards and win more games in the selection system for na- himself at the upcoming team rules. for my country.” tional teams. Olympic qualifying competi- “What he has done after Zhou caused a media storm “The country has spent a tions,” Zhou told Shanghai leaving the national team is in Doha when she claimed she big sum of money developing Morning Post. clear to everyone. He did not had been sexually abused and Olympic champions like Tian. There are five Olympic even take part in last year’s beaten by Tian. No one has the authority to drop qualifying events for Chinese national championships. I do Authorities elected to punish a good athlete,” said Han in the divers. As well as the world not know why. It is impossible both athletes by banning them proposal. championships, they have to for us to select an athlete who from domestic competition for a “The Olympics are ap- win as many points as possible has been out of action for a year: Tian for his transgressions, proaching and China needs a at two national championships whole year.” and Zhou for approaching the great number of outstanding (2007 and 2008), one stage of Li said they will take a look at press without due authorization. athletes. But according to the the FINA Grand Prix, and next the proposal, but will not bend Unhappy with the punish- recent Olympic selection sys- year’s . the rules just because Tian is ment, her father Zhou Ruixin tem, Tian’s chances are getting Tian is only eligible to com- a star. fi led a lawsuit in Shanghai on slimmer.” pete in domestic competitions “Winning a chance to com- January 16 seeking 1 yuan ($13 The double Olympic 10m plat- as a representative of his local pete at international competi- cent) as spiritual compensation form champion was dropped team, but he will not compete at tions including the Olympics and a public apology from Tian. by the national team after the April’s national diving champi- is not a result of popularity The Zhous claimed that the Games for engaging in onships, according to his agent or reputation. It is about your sport’s governing body had re- too many commercial activities. . ability.” Tian Liang Hu Weiming sponded by blocking the player from international matches, and had embezzled training funds ahead of the Doha Asian Games. However, Zhou Ruixin dropped the lawsuit last month Homesick Sun struggling with challenge of the English life and visited the Center. “It was my love and respon- SOCCER speak very good English. My sparked a huge surge of interest be some good players. Certainly sibility for billiards that made two daughters go to the nursery in his native country and also some can come and play in the up my mind,” Zhou Ruixin was MANCHESTER, : and school and we don’t know provided Sun with some much Premiership like I did.” quoted as saying by Sina.com. Sun Jihai admits he is still the culture. needed company. For Sun, there is at least a “I’ve been in the billiards busi- struggling to adapt to life in “We are scared, we do things “Dong and I played for the glimmer of light at the end of a ness for 15 years, so there is a lot England, fi ve years after arriv- wrong because the culture is dif- same club and we speak the long, dark season. His knee in- of emotion. I know my lawsuit ing from China. ferent. For example, you need to same dialect,” Sun said. “We jury - which has resulted in him will have some negative effects The Manchester City de- bring a birthday cake when the have the same friend who owns making just two Premiership on the sport, that’s something I fender has endured a miserable children are in the nursery but a restaurant and does the same appearances all season - has do not want to see.” season thanks to a succession of we don’t do that in China. food for us. healed and he is in contention The withdrawal of the lawsuit injuries, but his downbeat mood “The other parents think you “Dong rents a property close to feature in Sunday’s FA cup and the apology were welcomed is not just connected to fi tness are rude but that’s the culture to my home so I talk to him all quarterfinal with Blackburn by the Center. concerns. - a different culture. It would be the time and have meals with Rovers. “The purpose of the pun- Sun, who signed for City the same if an English person him. He is on his own at the “I’m definitely delighted ishment is to warn her and from Wanda in 2002, went to China: he might do moment and doesn’t have a wife to be back,” he said. “I never make her a better player,” said has revealed that he has failed things that people find rude or relatives here so sometimes I thought I would not get back vice-director Liu Rongyao in a to bridge the cultural divide but he thinks it is normal.” look after him. fi t. I’m quite a positive person statement. “She is a good kid separating his native and Sun is short on company in “It’s diffi cult to say whether and the club doctor said I would and also a good player. The adopted countries and still the Premiership. Just three oth- there will be more Chinese come back with my knee. national team door is always pines for a return to China. er Chinese players, Charlton’s players coming over to England. “Now the main thing for me open to her.” “I have been here for fi ve , Sheffi eld United’s Everybody knows the Premier- is to get 100 percent fi t and take Zhou has already received years and I don’t feel at all and Manchester United’s ship is one of the best in the the chance I have to play. I’m the Center’s permission to com- integrated into English life and Dong Fangzhuo, currently ply world and the Chinese league happy even if I’m on the bench pete at the World Pool-billiard culture,” he said. “The only rea- their trade in England’s top is quite low in comparison. because the gaffer needs me Association in the United States son I am here is football. fl ight, although none are regu- “But a lot of Chinese boys and the team needs me.” this season and is likely to leave “My family and I, we don’t lar starters with their clubs. want to play football and with at the end of the month. Sun Jihai like the life here and we don’t Dong’s arrival at Old Trafford 1.3 billion people there should AFP SCOREBOARD

GOLF 4. (4) (Australia) 6.89 2. Retief Goosen (South Africa) 756,553 MIAMI 88 Atlanta 81 Eastern Conference 3. (3) Andy Roddick (USA) 2830 Honda Classic 5. (5) Henrik Stenson () 6.65 3. Yong-Eun Yang (South Korea) 686,332 Golden State 111 DETROIT 93 Atlantic Division 4. (4) Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 2825 PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida: Results 6. (6) (South Africa) 6.61 4. Paul Casey (Britain) 606,884 UTAH 120 Charlotte 95 W L Otl Gf Ga Pts 5. (5) Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) 2685 here Monday after completion of a dark- 7. (7) Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 5.77 5. Ernie Els (South Africa) 575,554 San Antonio 88 LA CLIPPERS 74 New Jersey 40 19 7 175 157 87 6. (6) James Blake (USA) 2585 ness-halted playoff at the $5.5 million US 8. (8) Retief Goosen (South Africa) 5.69 6. Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 552,695 Standings: Pittsburgh 35 21 9 221 203 79 7. (7) Tommy Robredo (Spain) 2555 PGA Tour Honda Classic (Four players 9. (9) Vijay Singh (Fiji) 5.38 7. Nick O’Hern (Australia) 458,457 Eastern Conference NY Islanders 33 23 10 198 186 76 8. (8) Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia) 2395 tied after one playoff hole when darkness 10. (10) Luke Donald (Britain) 5.25 8. (South Africa) 380,989 Atlantic Division NY Rangers 32 27 7 192 185 71 9. (9) Tommy Haas (Germany) 2115 W L PCT GB stopped play, Wilson won with birdie on 11. (11) Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 5.20 9. Justin Rose (Britain) 368,267 Philadelphia 17 37 11 173 248 45 10. (10) David Nalbandian (Argentina) 1995 Toronto 32 28 .533 - third playoff hole, USA unless noted): 12. (12) Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 10. Michael Campbell (New Zealand) Northeast Division 11. (11) Mario Ancic (Croatia) 1975 New Jersey 28 32 .467 4 275 - Camilo Villegas (COL) 70-68-71-66, 4.94 315,031 Buffalo 44 16 5 251 189 93 12. (12) Tomas Berdych (Czech Rep) 1785 NY Knicks 28 33 .459 4 1/2 Jose Coceres (ARG) 69-71-69-66, Mark Wil- 13. (13) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 4.50 11. Jose Manuel Lara (Spain) 277,870 Ottawa 38 23 5 226 181 81 13. (14) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 1715 Philadelphia 22 38 .367 10 son 72-66-66-71, Boo Weekley 71-68-66-70 14. (14) Paul Casey (Britain) 4.43 12. Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 268,085 Montreal 33 29 6 197 211 72 14. (13) Andy Murray (Britain) 1700 Boston 17 42 .288 14 1/2 276 - Tripp Isenhour 71-70-68-67, Robert 15. (15) Charles Howell III 3.70 13. (Britain) 250,845 Toronto 31 26 9 208 217 71 15. (15) David Ferrer (Spain) 1645 Central Division Allenby (AUS) 67-68-73-68, Steve Stricker 16. (16) Nick O’Hern (Australia) 3.57 14. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 241,965 Boston 32 28 5 190 230 69 16. (16) Richard Gasquet (France) 1590 Detroit 37 21 .638 - 68-69-70-69 17. (17) Davis Love III 3.50 15. Niclas Fasth (Sweden) 238,138 Southeast Division 17. (18) Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 1515 Cleveland 35 25 .583 3 277 - Brett Wetterich 68-71-71-67, Daniel 18. (18) David Howell (Britain) 3.41 16. (Sweden) 222,981 Tampa Bay 37 26 4 214 208 78 18. (17) Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 1465 Chicago 35 27 .565 4 Chopra (SWE) 70-68-68-71 19. (19) David Toms 3.26 17. Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 220,392 Atlanta 34 23 10 203 209 78 19. (19) Jarkko Nieminen (Finland) 1300 Indiana 29 29 .500 8 279 - (GER) 66-75-70-68, 20. (20) Colin Montgomerie (Britain) 3.19 18. Jeev Milkha Singh (India) 218,816 Carolina 33 28 7 199 209 73 20. (20) Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) 1285 Milwaukee 22 39 .361 16 1/2 PGA Tour money list 19. Richard Sterne (South Africa) 216,043 Florida 27 26 13 194 210 67 J.P. Hayes 71-73-67-68, Arron Oberholser Southeast Division Women’s world rankings NEW YORK: Leading money winners on 20. Richard Green (Australia) 213,676 Washington 24 30 12 199 236 60 68-73-69-69 Washington 33 25 .569 - MIAMI: Women’s tennis singles world the 2007 PGA Tour on Monday: (US unless PGA Tour FedExCup points table Western Conference 280 - Doug LaBelle 72-70-72-66, Bill Haas Miami 30 29 .508 3 1/2 rankings on Monday: stated) NEW YORK: PGA Tour FedExCup points Central Division 76-67-69-68, Davis Love 68-74-70-68, Orlando 29 33 .468 6 1 (1) Maria Sharapova (Russia) 3824 1. Charles Howell III $2,143,650 table issued on Monday: (US unless stated) Nashville 44 18 5 231 173 93 Frank Lickliter 73-69-68-70, Padraig Har- Charlotte 22 39 .361 12 1/2 2 (2) Justine Henin (Belgium) 3791 1. Charles Howell III 10,239 Detroit 41 16 9 208 162 91 rington (IRL) 68-71-70-71, Jason Dufner 2. Phil Mickelson 1,669,642 Atlanta 22 39 .361 12 1/2 3 (3) Amelie Mauresmo (France) 2933 2. Phil Mickelson 7,599 St. Louis 28 27 10 169 196 66 71-70-68-71, Charlie Wi (KOR) 65-70-72-73 3. Vijay Singh (Fiji) 1,589,825 Western Conference 4 (5) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 2710 ... 4. (Australia) 1,425,990 3. Vijay Singh (Fiji) 6,517 Columbus 26 33 7 165 205 59 Northwest Division Chicago 24 33 9 162 205 57 5 (4) Kim Clijsters (Belgium) 2630 282 - Mathias Gronberg (SWE) 72-66-75- 5. John Rollins 1,413,429 4. John Rollins 6,295 Utah 41 19 .683 - 6 (6) Martina Hingis (Switzerland) 2361 69, (SWE) 68-72-73-69, 6. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 1,350,000 5. Aaron Baddeley (Australia) 6,027 Northwest Division Denver 28 29 .491 11 1/2 Vancouver 38 22 5 173 165 81 7 (7) Nadia Petrova (Russia) 2071 Carl Pettersson (SWE) 73-71-69-69 7. Mark Wilson 1,095,422 6. Tiger Woods 5,087 Minnesota 26 33 .441 14 1/2 8 (8) Elena Dementieva (Russia) 1869 284 - Jarrod Lyle (AUS) 70-70-75- 69, John 8. Tiger Woods 1,066,000 7. Mark Wilson 4,991 Calgary 35 21 9 211 174 79 Portland 25 35 .417 16 Minnesota 36 23 7 190 167 79 9 (10) Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 1807 Senden (AUS) 74-69-71-70, Steve Allan 9. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 1,039,647 8. Paul Goydos 4,801 Seattle 24 35 .407 16 1/2 10 (9) Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Rep) 1742 (AUS) 75-69-70-70 10. Paul Goydos 1,022,133 9. 4,748 Colorado 32 29 5 218 211 69 Pacifi c Division Edmonton 30 30 6 174 194 66 11 (11) Anna Chakvetadze (Russia) 1650 285 - Luke Donald (GBR) 77-67-72-69, Ian 11. Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 10. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 4,725 Phoenix 46 14 .767 - 12 (12) Dinara Safi na (Russia) 1569 Poulter (GBR) 70-73-72-70, Brian Davis 1,020,107 11. 4,359 Pacifi c Division LA Lakers 33 27 .550 13 Anaheim 39 17 11 213 174 89 13 (13) Patty Schnyder (Switzerland) 1552 (GBR) 68-73-73-71, (SWE) 12. Jeff Quinney 953,015 12. Robert Allenby (Australia) 3,438 LA Clippers 29 31 .483 17 14 (14) Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 1463 13. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 3,969 Dallas 38 22 5 170 156 81 70-69-71-75 13. Charley Hoffman 952,319 Sacramento 27 32 .458 18 1/2 15 (15) Serena Williams (USA) 1269 286 - Gavin Coles (AUS) 70-72-78-66 14. Robert Allenby (Australia) 932,150 14. Jim Furyk 3,898 San Jose 39 25 2 197 169 80 Golden State 27 35 .435 20 Phoenix 27 35 3 174 222 57 16 (16) Shahar Peer (Israel) 1214 287 - Mathew Goggin (AUS) 70-72-77-68 15. Jim Furyk 859,925 15. Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 3,649 Southwest Division Los Angeles 22 33 10 185 228 54 17 (17) (China) 1117 288 - Peter Lonard (AUS) 71-69-74-74 16. Jose Coceres (Argentina) 805,295 16. Luke Donald (Britain) 3,366 Dallas 50 9 .847 - Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one 18 (19) Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 1107 291 - Richard S. Johnson (SWE) 73-70-78- 17. Luke Donald (Britain) 755,309 17. Jose Coceres (Argentina) 3,292 San Antonio 42 18 .700 8 1/2 point in thestandings and are not included 19 (18) Tatiana Golovin (France) 1032 70 18. Fred Funk 717,000 18. Kevin Sutherland 3,270 Houston 36 24 .600 14 1/2 in the loss column 20 (20) Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 942 World rankings 19. Kevin Sutherland 712,128 19. David Toms 2,886 N.O./ Oklahoma City 28 32 .467 22 1/2 LONDON: Latest leading world rankings 20. Adam Scott (Australia) 680,296 20. Bart Bryant 2,858 Memphis 15 46 .246 36 TENNIS issued on Monday: (US unless stated, last European Tour money list NBA NHL Men’s world rankings week’s positions in brackets) LONDON: Leading money winners on the NEW YORK: Results from Monday’s games NEW YORK: Result of Monday’s NHL PARIS: Men’s tennis singles world rank- 1. (1) Tiger Woods 19.19 points average 2007 European Tour on Monday: (home team in CAPS) match (home team in CAPS) ings on Monday: To comment or alert us to a story, 2. (2) Jim Furyk 8.53 1. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 1,473,950 ORLANDO 99 Milwaukee 81 NY RANGERS 2 NY Islanders 1 (SO) 1. (1) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 8210 e-mail [email protected] 3. (3) Phil Mickelson 7.63 euros CLEVELAND 91 Houston 85 Standings 2. (2) Rafael Nadal (Spain) 4480