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Bonds retains desire to continue playing career
NEW YORK: Controversial home-run king Barry Bonds said he has no intention of retiring and still hopes to sign with a team despite steroid allegations and perjury charges hanging over his head.
"I'm not going to retire. I don't think that's going to happen," Bonds, 43, said in an interview on mlb.com on Wednesday. "I'm working out, I'm training. If my phone rings, it rings, if it don't, it don't.
"I have a cell phone. I have a Blackberry. They work. If something comes up, I'm sure they'll let me know. I'll come back in July if I have to. It depends on the circumstances."
Despite setting baseball's all-time home run record last season, pushing his career total to 762, there has been little interest in signing the free agent slugger, who faces perjury and obstruction of justice charges stemming from an investigation into the BALCO steroid scandal.
O'Sullivan resigns as Ireland rugby coach
DUBLIN: Eddie O'Sullivan has resigned as Ireland coach following a disappointing Six Nations campaign and the side's early exit from last year's World Cup, Irish media reported on Wednesday.
"At the conclusion of the Six Nations championship and having given my role as national team head coach much consideration, I have come to the decision to step down," broadcaster RTE quoted O'Sullivan as saying in a statement.
Ireland finished fourth in the Six Nations, winning two matches out of five having been knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages.
The poor performances generated much disappointment and criticism in Ireland where O'Sullivan was felt to have one of the best squads in decades at his disposal after Munster won the 2006 European Cup.
O'Sullivan, in the job since November 2001, has, however, been one of Ireland's most successful coaches having led the side to three Triple Crowns and come close to winning last year's Six Nations.
Van Nistelrooy out for six weeks after surgery
MADRID: Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will be out of action for around six weeks after having arthroscopic surgery for a problem with his right ankle, the Spanish champions said on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old should be back in time to face Barcelona at the Bernabeu on May 7, the club said in a statement on its website (www.realmadrid.com).
The Dutch international has missed Real's last four matches in all competitions with a persistent swelling around the ankle joint.
Van Nistelrooy, who has scored 12 league goals for Real this term, will miss up to seven of the side's remaining 10 matches as it closes in on a second consecutive Primera Liga title.
It leads second-placed Barcelona by seven points.
His absence will give little-used reserves Gonzalo Higuain, Roberto Soldado and Javier Saviola the chance to shine alongside the team's other first-choice striker Raul, for much of the title run in.
Beckham humbled to present achievement award to Pele
NEW YORK: David Beckham said he was humbled to present a lifetime achievement award to Pele at a charity event in Manhattan on Wednesday.
"For me to be here to present this to the greatest sportsmen of all time, I feel particularly honored," the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder told reporters.
"This absolutely is a highlight moment for me."
The black-tie event, a $1,250-a-plate fundraiser at Gotham Hall, was a benefit for Harlem Youth Soccer.
Pele, 67, widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever, blazed a trail for soccer in North America, one that Beckham now follows.
After helping Brazil win three World Cups, Pele joined the North American Soccer League's New York Cosmos in 1975.
Beckham's first year with the Galaxy was blighted by injury, the former England captain scoring just one goal in eight matches for the MLS team before a knee injury ended his season.
However, he insisted he had no regrets over his decision to leave Real Madrid for Los Angeles.
(China Daily 03/21/2008 page22)
