SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017 SPORTS

Rangers confirm Mali face World Cup ban Cummins called up to Caixinha as new boss after officials fired replace paceman Starc BAMAKO: Mali could be thrown out of the 2018 World Cup MELBOURNE: GLASGOW: Pat Cummins has been rushed into the Australia squad to Scottish giants Rangers confirmed the appointment of Pedro qualifying competition after the government sacked the replace injured pace spearhead Mitchell Starc for the remainder of the test Caixinha as their new manager yesterday. Caixinha arrived at Glasgow national football federation leaders. The bottom-of-the- series in India, Cricket Australia said yesterday. Cummins has not Airport on a flight from Dubai at midday yesterday and his move to table west Africans are scheduled to play Morocco twice, played a test since his debut against South Africa as a teenag- Ibrox was officially announced just hours later. The 46-year-old group leaders Ivory Coast and Gabon this year. Global foot- er in 2011 but he made a successful return to first class Portuguese coach has agreed a three-year contract and will be ball body FIFA does not permit government interference in cricket in the domestic Sheffield Shield for New South tasked with ending Celtic’s long reign as Scotland’s preeminent force. the sport, resulting in a number of African countries being Wales. “It’s unfortunate to lose Mitch out of the squad in Rangers agreed a deal with Al Gharafa on Thursday for the release of banned previously. “The ministerial decision goes against India. In selecting Pat, we were looking for a strike bowl- Caixinha, who moved to Qatar in 2015 after a successful spell with (the independence of the member associations),” a FIFA ing replacement option,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a Santos Laguna, a Mexican club with close links to Celtic. The for- statement said. “In case the decision is not cancelled on media release. “Pat has impressed in his return to cricket mer goalkeeper managed Uniao de Leiria and Nacional in Friday March 10, the case would automatically be submitted this summer with consistent performances in his ODI, his homeland after spells on the coaching staff at the likes to the FIFA Council bureau for consideration.” Despite the Twenty20 International and Big Bash matches. “He has also of Sporting Lisbon, Panathinaikos, Rapid Bucharest and threat, the Malian sports ministry remained defiant Saturday, had a very good Sheffield Shield return for New South Saudi Arabia. Graeme Murty will remain in the dugout saying they want to end “persistent crisis in football. “It is a Wales, after six years off, where he made a notable for Rangers’ derby with bitter rivals Celtic today, but government decision and it will not be reversed,” said sports Shield best 4-57 in the first innings, before bet- Caixinha will watch from the stands and take his ministry lawyer Amadou Diarra Yalcouye. “FIFA cannot oblige tering those figures in the second innings with 4- first training session on Monday. Rangers are cur- the government to reverse its decision. “The sports ministry 47 in his man-of-the-match performance.” The rently third in the Scottish Premiership table and will soon set up a committee tasked with reuniting the foot- third match of the four-test series, which is tied trail leaders Celtic by 33 points. —AFP ball family.” — AFP at 1-1, starts in Ranchi next week. — Reuters

BASKETBALL Baseball Softball Championship concludes

By Faten Omar cally and mentally,” Abdullah Marafi, been in existence since 1980 and is char- Director of Youth Sports, told Kuwait Times. tered with Little League International in KUWAIT: The Baseball Softball “We are proud and especially grateful to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The league runs Championship organized by Kuwait be officiating yet another season of the from October to April. Its knowledgeable Baseball Softball Challenger league (KBSC) great international pastime of baseball right coaches are all volunteers who are very concluded yesterday at the Hunting and here in Kuwait,” he said, adding that with dedicated to make all players’ baseball Equestrian Club’s baseball field with memo- every new season, they aim to improve the experience great, and they provide the play- rable plays and outstanding victories by the overall experience of members and repre- ers with the opportunity to participate in an teams. Trophies and certificates were given sent Kuwait outside. athletic environment structured to their to the winners. Marafi noted that many Kuwaitis do not abilities. “Eighteen teams participated in the know about the presence of baseball in Boys and girls aged 4 to 17 are welcome. baseball softball championship, with 211 Kuwait. “The first time I learnt about KBSC KBSC has regular baseball divisions, softball players from different countries. Parents was through Google, when my son started for girls and a challenger division for players cheered the children in the under-15, to show interest in baseball. I then searched with physical and/or developmental disabil- under-13 and under-10 categories. The for a place to improve my son’s passion,” he ities. KBSC (previously known as KLL) is the game seems easy, but actually it takes a lot said. Kuwait Baseball Softball Challenger first league in the Middle East and Africa to of hard work to develop the children physi- League is a non-profit organization that has have a challenger division.