Digest

SOCCER

Klinsmann quits as Hertha Berlin coach

Jurgen Klinsmann shocked Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin on Tuesday by stepping down as coach just 10 weeks after taking the reins at the ambitious capital club.

The 1990 World Cup winner announced his surprise decision in a post on his Facebook page, three days after Hertha slumped to a 3-1 home defeat to fellow struggler Mainz, which left the Berlin side just six points above the drop zone.

"After long consideration, I have decided to give up my position as head coach and return to my original, long-term role on the club board," wrote the 55-year-old.

"I am convinced that Hertha will stay up," he added in a message addressed to the team's fans, before suggesting that he felt a lack of trust from the club's hierarchy.

"In a relegation fight, unity, solidarity and concentration on the essentials are the most important things. If they are not guaranteed, I can't reach my potential and live up to my responsibility as coach."

Klinsmann's decision is a hammer blow to 14th-place Hertha, which had looked to the former Germany international to guide it away from a relegation battle.

Italian referee banned for headbutting player

An Italian referee has been banned for a year after he lost his cool and headbutted a goalkeeper he had sent off during a minor-league game earlier this month, ANSA news agency reported on Tuesday.

In a match between Borgo Mogliano and Montottone in Macerata on Feb 1, referee Antonio Martiniello had given Borgo Mogliano's goalkeeper, Matteo Ciccioli, his marching orders as the host won 3-1.

But Martiniello was not done meting out punishment and when the pair faced off outside a dressing room after the game as the goalkeeper sought an explanation, the referee headbutted Ciccioli, who was taken to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

Martiniello's ban will not only prevent him from officiating games for the next year but also from entering the facilities of teams in the top three tiers of Italian soccer, minor and amateur leagues, and matches involving the Italy national team.

TABLE TENNIS

China thanks Qatar for training support

China's table tennis federation thanked its Qatari counterpart on Tuesday for providing training facilities and equipment, including 2,000 balls, to its national team, which is training in Doha to avoid the coronavirus outbreak at home.

Almost 30 members of the Chinese squad have been training at Doha's Aspire Academy Arena since the conclusion of the German Open in Magdeburg earlier this month.

With several countries imposing travel bans due to the outbreak, the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) sought an overseas training facility for its players.

The CTTA received invitations from Germany, Austria and Japan among others but chose Doha as several of China's elite players are set to participate in the Qatar Open from March 3-8.

BOXING

Namibia's Ndafoluma raring for title fight

One of Namibia's most exciting middleweight boxers, Lukas Ndafoluma, has said that it is important for him to start the year with a win as he prepares to face the challenge of Tanzanian Meshack Mwankemwa.

They will square up at the MTC Salute Boxing Academy's first event of the year on April 11 in Namibia's capital Windhoek for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) African Middleweight title.

Ndafoluma believes the fight will be crucial to determining his future career path.

"I am very much excited to get this opportunity to fight. I am ready for the fight as always. I have been working very hard in the gym and will continue to do so. When you get such an opportunity you need to grasp it and not let it go," Ndafoluma said.

"My aim is always to be the best and I am aiming for that. It will be war come April 11.

"It will not be an easy fight but I want to tell him that he should come prepared very well."

BASKETBALL

Knicks retain top spot in Forbes valuation list

The New York Knicks have not tasted success on the hardwood in nearly 50 years but are unbeatable when it comes to their worth as they were named the most valuable NBA team for a fifth straight year by Forbes magazine.

In its annual rankings, Forbes said the Knicks, who last won an NBA title in 1973, are worth $4.6 billion, up 15 percent from a year ago, due to a renovation of their arena, a blockbuster local TV deal and playing in the richest North American sports market.

The list comes one week after owner James Dolan said amid a shakeup to the Knicks' front office that he remains committed to finding the right leader to lift the once-proud franchise back to prominence.

"I am not selling, but I am determined to find the right leader for the Knicks who will ensure the long-term success of the team," said Dolan, whose Knicks have not made the playoffs since 2013.

Forbes said the Los Angeles Lakers ($4.4 billion), Golden State Warriors ($4.3 billion), Chicago Bulls ($3.2 billion), and Boston Celtics ($3.1 billion) rounded out the top five.

GOLF

Woods mulling details of proposed new tour

Tiger Woods said on Tuesday he had been approached by the Premier Golf League (PGL) and was gathering more information about a concept that could be a more lucrative alternative to the PGA Tour.

The British-based World Golf Group last month unveiled plans for a new global tour it hopes to launch in 2022 that would consist of 18 yearly tournaments－each with prize money of $10 million－and featuring 48 of the game's top players.

Woods, speaking to reporters at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, where he is tournament host for this week's Genesis Invitational, said he had been briefed on details of the PGL.

"Have I been personally approached? Yes, and my team's been aware of it and we've delved into the details of it and trying to figure it all out, just like everyone else," said Woods.

Xinhua - Agencies