S Asian Artistic Gymnastics to begin on Dec 28

The Sultana Kamal 4th Central South Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championship will be held at Mirpur Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in the city from December 28-30. A total of six countries - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Uzbekistan and hosts Bangladesh - will take part in the tournament, organised by Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation (BGF). A press conference in this connection was held at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) conference room Thursday. BGF President Sk Bashir Ahmed Mamun, General Secretary Ahmedur Rahman, BOA Director General Col (Retd) M Wali Ullah and Event Media Committee Chairman Monwar Hossain were present at the press meet. - UNB Europa Youth move to final of Federation Cup Basketball Europa Youth moved to the final of the Citycell Federation Cup Basketball Tournament beating Border Guard Bangladesh 85-59 (1st half 44-25) in the first semifinal at Dhanmondi Wooden Floor Gymnasium in the city Thursday. They will play the final against winner of the second semifinal match between BKSP and Bokshibazar today (Friday) at 4:00 pm at the same venue. Mithun caged 39 points while Soyeb scored 13 points for the winners. Darad caged 20 points and Monjil made 15 points for the losers. Meanwhile, the second semifinal between BKSP and Bokshibazar was running until the last report came in this evening. - UNB Pietersen commits to Surrey LONDON, Dec 22: England star Kevin Pietersen has committed his future to Surrey for as long as he remains an international player, it was confirmed Thursday. Pietersen is currently a centrally contracted player with England and has no fixed term for his county career at Surrey. However Surrey announced in a statement that Pietersen, 31, had pledged to remain with the county for the duration of his central contract with England, which is reviewed every 12 months. "England batsman Kevin Pietersen has extended his contract with Surrey County Cricket Club until the end of his central contract with England," Surrey said in a statement. Pietersen joined Surrey on loan in 2010 after a spell at Hampshire before agreeing a one-year deal for 2011. - AFP Wimbledon winner Kvitova named Czech Athlete of the Year PRAGUE, Dec 22: Reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the world number two in the WTA tennis rankings, won the Czech Athlete of the Year prize at a ceremony Wednesday. Kvitova beat mountain biker Jaroslav Kulhavy, the 2011 world and European champion and World Cup winner, and speed-skating world champion Martina Sablikova for the prize. The 21-year-old Kvitova also led the Czech women's tennis team to the Team of the Year prize after clinching the Fed Cup trophy following a 3-2 win over Russia in Moscow in November. - AFP Kombouare on the way out at PSG PARIS, Dec 22: Paris St Germain sports director Leonardo has informed club manager Antoine Kombouare that he has been fired, a source close to the coach told the news agency Thursday. "Antoine was informed he was being sacked today by Leonardo," the source said, adding that the manager's assistants were also being fired. An official announcement was expected to be made later in the day. -AFP Mayweather sentenced to 90 days in jail LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Dec 22: Unbeaten American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather was sentenced to three months in jail Wednesday after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges. Las Vegas judge Melissa Saragosa also ordered Mayweather to complete 100 hours of community service and gave him a $2,500 fine. - AFP