IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Cricket

India celebrates surprise Twenty20 World Cup win

MUMBAI: India was celebrating a surprise victory in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup yesterday, six months after the team's ignominious first-round exit in the 50-over version of the tournament.

The tense five-run win over sub-continent rivals Pakistan in the final in Johannesburg on Monday ended a 24-year wait for a World Cup triumph and promoted rapturous celebrations in the cricket-crazy country.

"I am absolutely delighted, what a great performance," Kapil Dev, India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain, told Reuters on Tuesday.

The victory achieved by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side drew parallels with the 1983 win when Kapil's equally unsung team pulled off an upset victory against mighty West Indies at Lord's.

Doping

Tennis player Melo handed two-month drugs ban

LONDON: Brazilian doubles specialist Marcelo Melo has been banned for two months after failing a drugs test, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Monday.

The 24-year-old, who reached the men's semifinals at Wimbledon with compatriot Andre Sa, tested positive for the banned stimulant isometheptene at Queen's Club in June.

"The ITF found that there had been no intent on the part of Mr Melo to enhance his sporting performance by the taking of isometheptene and therefore... determined that Mr Melo should be suspended for a period of two months," the ruling body said in a statement.

The suspension was backdated to September 10 and will end on November 9.

NBA

Warriors sign guard Hudson

MIAMI: The Golden State Warriors have signed former Minnesota guard Troy Hudson, the NBA team said on Monday.

The 31-year-old Hudson became a free agent after ending his five-year spell with Minnesota at the end of last season.

"We're excited to add a player of Troy's caliber to our team," said Warriors executive vice-president of operations Chris Mullin.

"He's had a productive NBA career and most importantly will provide us with additional depth in the backcourt.

"He has the ability to run a team and some of his other strengths - such as three-point shooting - will fit in well with our style of play."

In his 10-year NBA career Hudson has also played for Utah, the LA Clippers and Orlando.

Soccer

Romanian boss banned for 'inciting violence'

LONDON: Poli Stiinta Timisoara president Marian Iancu has been handed a 16-match domestic ban for "inciting violence", the Romanian Soccer Federation (FRF) said.

He was punished for backing Ionel Ganea after the striker hit a linesman during a league match last month.

Iancu was also fined 60,000 lei ($25,030) and will not be able to represent the club in any official team activities until he has served out his ban.

Casillas: Goal the best ever

Real Madrid and Spanish international goalkeeper Iker Casillas has admitted that defender Pedro Lopez's 35-yard strike in Real's 1-1 draw at Valladolid on Sunday was one of the best ever scored against him.

"With a goal like that all I can do is congratulate him because it was a great goal, one of the three best I have conceded in my career", Casillas told reporters at a press conference at Real's Valdebebas training ground.

(China Daily 09/26/2007 page24)