heraldsun.com.au Herald Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 2008 83 SPORT + Another drug cheat could walk free over IPL farce Dropped chance WORLD cricket could Ben Dorries ‘‘It is the responsibility of the in detention. He later claimed again be left red-faced BCCI to deal with the process that since he had passed two in a timely and fair manner,’’ an doping tests during the IPL, it which oversaw the IPL, has with the latest player to ICC spokesman said. proved he had not taken the test positive to a banned not signed up to the World Anti-Doping Agency regula- ‘‘The ICC retains a right of drug. substance set to escape tions, so it was unclear what appeal if any penalty that may Asif, along with fellow Paki- harsh punishment be- penalties could be imposed. be imposed is inconsistent stan paceman Shoaib Akhtar, cause of India’s lack of The issue could prove a with the WADA code.’’ was banned from the Cham- attention to the sensitive major embarrassment be- Cricket websites have pions Trophy in 2006 after they had tested positive for nandro- issue of drugs in sport. cause the IPL may only be able quoted unnamed officials as Super scorer: Ebi Ere to suspend the player from its saying a pace bowler from the lone. Akhtar had also been in As it was confirmed an Indi- own tournament, leaving him sub-continent was the player the news during the IPL for an Premier League player had free to continue playing Tests to fail an IPL random drug test. allegedly carrying syringes in tested positive for a banned and one-dayers. Pakistani quick Mohammad his baggage on his way to India. substance this year, there However the International Asif was detained at the Dubai It may be a while before the Potent were growing fears authorities Cricket Council, which con- Airport in June for allegedly player’s identity is known be- would have little power to firmed the initial positive test, carrying an illegal drug but cause authorities have to check enforce sanctions. The Board has promised to monitor the charges against him were if medical exemptions were Dragons of Control for Cricket in India, matter closely. dropped after he spent 19 days sought for the drug. Detained: Mohammad Asif usher in Ebi era Jon Pierik SOUTH Dragons are primed to become one of the most potent offensive forces in the National Basketball League next season after signing marksman Ebi Ere to a two- FB123 year deal. Ere, the league’s leading scorer last season with 27.1 points a game, had been expected to return to Brisbane Bullets before that franchise folded. The 194cm forward will now reunite with new Dragons coach Brian Goorjian, with whom he won a championship with Sydney Kings in 2004. C ‘‘I feel good. This will be a good situation,’’ Ere said M yesterday from Las Vegas, where he is playing in an NBA summer league with Memphis Y Grizzlies. ‘‘The Dragons are a good K franchise and hopefully we can bring some wins to the court and make a playoff run. If we get on it early, we have a chance at making the top four.’’ DHS 15-JUL-2008 PAGE Ere, 26, also won a champion- ship with the Bullets. The revamped Dragons have also secured Australian Boomer Mark Worthington, Mika Vukona and Adam Gibson in recent months. Jason Smith, who had a three-year deal with the Dragons fall over last week, Fighting to compete alongside men: Narelle Keem works out at the Brizzi brothers gym at Kingsbury. Pictures: PETER WARD has signed with the renamed Sydney Spirit. West Sydney Razorbacks yesterday announced they had changed their name in a bid to Women shape up for equal rights unify basketball in a city that has just lost the Kings. 83 ‘‘We feel it is vital that we VICTORIA’S female boxers Mischa Merz division and has her sites represent the entire commun- are shaping up for a chance to and Daryl Timms firmly set on the Olympics. ity of Sydney,’’ Spirit chief compete at the Olympic ‘‘I think if I could go to the executive Steve Aquilina said. Games. Olympics that would be the FIRST own national championships ‘‘By evolving into the Sydney Amateur boxing officials are best thing that ever happened this month because this Spirit, we believe we are offer- expecting the International to me. My dream has always year’s Australian titles will be ing all basketball fans in this Olympic Committee to allow been to go but I didn’t think it staged in New South Wales, city a team to call their own.’’ women to box in the 2012 could be a reality,’’ said Ng, where female boxing is illegal. Aquilina said the decision to London Games. Tiger in the who has a 3-0 record. move on from the Razorbacks The decision, due next year, NSW boxers will compete at ring: hairdress- Her trainer Sam Visiglio name was not taken lightly, will breach the last bastion of the tournament in Brunswick er Michaela Ng said she had a good chance of and the signing of Smith male exclusivity in Olympic on July 26 and 27, where par- hopes to success at the national titles ticipants will vie for the chance would help entice former sports. represent and beyond after recently Kings fans to support the new Boxing is the only discipline to represent Australia at the beating an experienced club. in the summer Games in world amateur titles in Ningbo Australia at the German boxer, the Soliman- ‘‘Jason Smith is a legitimate which women are not City, China, in November. Olympics. trained Rebekka Atz. superstar and was the face of represented. It will be the fifth world ‘‘She came in as the under- the Sydney Kings for years,’’ ‘‘All the advice I’m getting is championships for women dog after only two fights and Aquilina said. that it will be included in and while Australia has been just impressed us so much Smith, who is recovering London,’’ Ted Tanner, chair- represented before, only one with her determination,’’ Visi- from shoulder surgery and is man of Boxing Australia, said. boxer, South Australian Desi Among her admirers is Sam one fight but stopped because glio said. ‘‘It’s a great incentive likely to miss the first month He said the international Kontos in 2002, has won a Soliman. there weren’t any opponents in to think that she might be able of the season, has urged disen- standard of female boxers is medal. ‘‘Sam said he has seen plenty her flyweight division. to represent her country now.’’ franchised Kings supporters now very high and hoped the Victorian team members of women fight, but none have Revuelta resumed in Octo- An estimated 30,000 women to get behind the Spirit. IOC decision would attract have been sparring with each the got the punches like she ber and has had one fight for from 120 countries box com- petitively. Last year’s world ‘‘I’m extremely excited more Australian women to other and professional boxer has,’’ Ramadan’s trainer Con one win under trainer Ben the sport from other martial Susie Ramadan, who on Fri- Brizzi said. ‘‘He said she would Chua. ‘‘After I had a break I titles in Russia attracted 152 about furthering my career in boxers from 28 countries. Sydney and unifying a team arts and combat sports. day night won the national be great in America.’’ realised I had a passion for it that’s really going to represent Tanner said the inclusion of super bantamweight title at Boxer Candy Revuelta, 24, and I had always loved it. It’s Sydney well,’’ Smith said. women would help improve Knox Basketball Centre. says she hopes the impending an exciting time for women’s Vladimir Klitschko ‘‘We had a (Kings) grieving funding for the sport. Ramadan, who scored a decision about the Olympics boxing. There’s no way I THE nationality of world period over the last month, but ‘‘I think it was old values unanimous points decision will improve the level of wom- would give it up now,’’ she heavyweight boxing cham- to sign with this team is a real that held women’s boxing over Edith Smith, is en’s participation in boxing. said. pion Vladimir Klitschko is positive step in my career.’’ back,’’ he said. undefeated in four She boxed for a year when Hairdresser Michaela Ng, Ukrainian, not Russian as The new season begins on Women have to hold their professional fights. she was a junior at 17 and had 30, will be fighting in the 67kg reported yesterday. September 13. with AAP +.