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Missing World Cup ticket executive not “fugitive” – firm BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Missing World Cup ticket executive not “fugitive” – firm

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 05:16 PM PDT

A World Cup ticketing excutive who fled a Rio de Janeiro hotel just before police arrived to detain him is not "a fugitive," his company said Friday.

The executive, Ray Whelan, is with his laywer, the Match company, which has close links to football's governing body, FIFA, said. But it refused to say where he is.

Rio police said that Whelan was "a fugitive" after he left a back entrance of the luxury Copacabana Palace hotel on Thursday. They warned Friday of new measures if Whelan tries to return to Britain.

Police sought Whelan, a director of Match Services, after a judge ordered him and 10 other suspects to be held in detention over a World Cup ticket fraud alleged to be worth tens of millions of dollars.

His firm insisted in a statement however that Whelan and his attorney Fernando Fernandes had not fled the hotel and that he was innocent of allegations of illegal ticket sales.

The company added, however, that it had not spoken with Whelan since his disappearance.

"The CCTV images of the internal hotel surveillance system distributed to the media show that Mr Whelan did not rush from the hotel.

"Police arrived thereafter, and finding Mr Whelan was not there, simply requested that he present himself at the 18th Precinct (police station)," Match said.

Therefore "we do not believe that the term 'fugitive' is appropriate under the circumstances as he is presently with his lawyer.

Match said Whelan?s lawyers would re-submit a legal challenge to the arrest order after the authorities turned down their first request overnight.

It added that there were no legal restrictions on Whelan's movements as long as he stayed in Brazil.

"Ray Whelan has not yet been granted the due process of a fair trial. Match remains absolutely confident that any charges raised against Ray will be rebutted."

The head of Rio's civilian police, Fernando Velloso told reporters Whelan's whereabouts were unknown and "the conduct of his lawyer who has facilitated his fleeing is dubious to say the least."

Velloso dubbed Match's protestations at what the firm called an "arbitrary" and "illegal" initial detention as a "defense strategy."

Noting FIFA was helping with the investigation, Velloso warned that should Whelan look to return to Britain then "other measures would be taken." He gave no details.

Police believe the scalpers, who have been illegally selling on some 1,000 tickets a match for 1,000 each in a multimillion operation, started their activities at the 2002 World Cup.

Whelan, former agent to England legend and 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton, denies the charges.

He was initially arrested at his hotel on Monday, then released the next day, but his passport was seized by the authorities.

Police filed charges against Whelan and 11 others on Wednesday and prosecutors requested arrest warrants for all except one who was cooperating with investigators.

The suspects face charges of organized crime, illegal ticket sales, corruption, money laundering and tax fraud. -AFP

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Barcelona agree to sign Suarez from Liverpool

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 09:35 AM PDT

Barcelona announced Friday they had struck a deal to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from Liverpool, sealing the transfer despite the uproar over him biting a World Cup rival.

Suarez "will be travelling to Barcelona next week for a medical, to sign his five-year contract and to be officially presented to the media and fans as an FC Barcelona player," the club said in a statement.

Liverpool confirmed the deal on the club website.

"Liverpool FC confirms that Luis Suarez will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona," a statement read.

"The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities, which will then conclude the transfer.

"We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield.

"Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future."

No details of the fee nor how it is to be paid were disclosed and Suarez, currently serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, is set to be confirmed as a Barcelona player next week. -AFP

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Brazil look to rescue pride in game the Dutch don’t even want

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 09:09 AM PDT

BRASïLIA: Neymar has urged his Brazil team-mates to rescue some of their battered pride after their humiliating World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany by beating the Netherlands in tomorrow morning's third-place play-off in Brasilia.

It is the one game that no team ever wants to take part in, but the encounter at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium took on extra significance after the hosts' dream of lifting the trophy at the Maracana 24 hours later was ended by their record 7-1 loss against the Germans.

Neymar missed that match after fracturing a bone in his back in the quarter-final win against Colombia, but the 22-year-old superstar faced the media on Thursday as he called for Brazil to bow out on a high.

"It was unbelievable, inexplicable. We had the opportunity to write our names into history in a positive manner, and we failed," he said of the Selecao's embarrassing semi-final loss, their heaviest-ever defeat.

"We haven't had a good campaign. We were consistent, which is why we reached the semi-finals, but we didn't play the kind of enchanting football associated with Brazil.

"Now we need to approach Saturday's game as if it were the final and finish the World Cup smiling, with a victory. It is not going to lessen the pain, but it is important."

The match could prove to be Luiz Felipe Scolari's last in charge, and the coach is likely to make changes to a team whose confidence has been so badly damaged.

Captain Thiago Silva will return after suspension, while his Paris Saint-Germain colleague Maxwell, the only outfield player yet to feature, may play a part.

Despite Neymar's rallying cry, almost all of those involved in Brasilia would rather be elsewhere, with Daniel Alves having made clear his lack of appetite for the bronze-medal clash.

"The important thing is first place. Nothing else matters," said the right-back.

"We represent millions of people, so we have to digest this defeat and go out onto the field on Saturday.

"But, for me, every game is about being first."

The mood in the Dutch camp is the same.

The Oranje have a day less to prepare for the match after their agonising defeat on penalties to Argentina in Wednesday's second semi-final in Sao Paulo.

However, in contrast to Brazil, Holland will be able to look back on a campaign which started with a 5-1 thumping of Spain as a success.

"We have had a fantastic tournament. Nobody expected us to get beyond the group stage," said coach Louis van Gaal, who must motivate himself for his final match at the helm before he takes over at Manchester United.

"We have a day's less rest, which is not very fair. The third-place play-off is pointless. I was saying that 15 years ago, because you can have a fantastic tournament and then finish with two defeats," he added.

Nevertheless, the way in which Van Gaal's superbly-organised side have performed throughout the competition suggests they are quite capable of inflicting more pain on Brazil.

"We were so close to reaching the final and I also had confidence that we could beat Germany," said stalwart Dirk Kuyt.

"Now we have to focus on another game, but we have done so well and come so far that it would be a shame to go home with two defeats."

With the sole exception of third-choice goalkeeper Michel Vorm, every member of the Dutch squad has played some part at the tournament, but Van Gaal may choose to give younger players such as Jordy Clasie and Memphis Depay a run-out from the start here.

Meanwhile, Nigel de Jong could miss out after surprisingly featuring for an hour against Argentina, just 10 days after tearing a groin muscle in the last-16 win over Mexico.

The match will be the fifth meeting of the countries at the World Cup, with both sides having recorded two victories so far. The Netherlands emerged 2-1 winners in the last eight in South Africa four years ago. — AFP

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Ching Leong to defend Samarahan Open title

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 09:08 AM PDT

by Ting Tieng Hee, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on July 12, 2014, Saturday

KUCHING: Lau Ching Leong will return to defend his title at the 4th Samarahan Open at the Samarahan Country Club (SCC) from Sept 12-14.

The Sibu Golf Club ace's biggest threat will be club mate Lee Kah Tung who is looking to cap a hattrick after winning in 2011 and 2012.

Lee, who finished fourth, was denied by the narrowest of margins last year when he lost to Ching Leong by one stroke.

The final day had seen three golfers James Wong Kee Ting, Oliver Ting Ing Liong and Kah Tung carding similar scores of 227 and the second to fourth positions were decided on count back (OCB).

This tournament was inaugurated in 2011 and the champion was decided over 36 holes.

In 2012, it was increased to 54 holes and in 2013 it received the approval of the Malaysian Golf Association to be included into the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) that is monitored by R & A Ltd, the governing body of golf.

To date, this is the second tournament in Sarawak to be accorded with the WAGR status besides the Sarawak Amateur Open. This year, with an intention to enhance the level of play, the organising committee has set the handicap limit to 14 with no cut off to decide the champion over 54 holes.

The champion will walk home with the Brian Chien Chai Ung Challenge Trophy plus merchandise vouchers worth RM3,500 while the nett champion will also be decided over 54 holes.

A two-man team event over 36 Holes for gross play has also been introduced with no restrictions on the combination.

"With some of the top amateurs from every golf club in the state participating, this tournament will see the crème de la crème of golf in Sarawak vying for the champion's title," said donor and sponsor of the championship Brian Chien, who is also SCC president.

"We have also sent out special invitations to international affiliates and will likely see for the first time, the participation of more international golfers.

"With this arrangement we envisage golf will be one of the main tourism attractions in Sarawak in the near future," he added.

According to Chien, the Samarahan Open is one of 12 SGA-sanctioned tournaments in Sarawak.

It is also sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association beginning from 2014.

Chien hoped local golfers would take the opportunity to play at the SCC, the only 18-hole golf course located in the Samarahan Division.

"The overall standard of golf courses here has improved by leaps and bounds," Chien noted.

"Golfers who have not played at the Samarahan Country Club must take the opportunity to enjoy golf there."

The championship is open to all male golfers with an NHS Index of 12.9 (14 handicap & below).

The entry fee is RM300 per golfer which is inclusive of one practice round (excluding buggy fees), breakfast, lunch, buggy fees (for three days) and goodies.

Cars and cash are at stake for hole-in-one achievers.

Other off-course activities during the tournament include golf equipment demos, golf clinics for beginners and a lucky draw with prizes worth RM15,000.

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Sibu New Hope Table Tennis Championship calling for entries

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 09:07 AM PDT

SIBU: Entries are called for the 2014 Sibu New Hope Table Tennis Championship which will be held on July 26-27 at the Ping Pong Hall in Merdeka Road.

Sibu Ping Pong Association secretary Desmond Ling said it was aimed at upgrading the standard of the players and at the same time popularising the game.

"Besides, we also aim to unearth talented players as we believe there are lots of young players out there who have the skills to become good paddlers," he added.

Ling said the championship was divided into two categories – Boys and Girls Under-13 and Under-10.

He appealed to the young table tennis enthusiasts to join the game to make it more competitive.

"Hopefully, we can get at least eight entries for each category. If we receive less than eight entries, we may have to cancel that particular category," he said.

The closing date is July 18 and the entry fee is RM5 per person.

Ling said the prizes structure would have to depend on the number of participants and if there were more than 15 participants for the category, than the top eight winners would receive the prize.

Those interested to take part may call Ling on 016-8852518 or email to him at leh2288@yahoo.com.

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80 confirm participation in Sarawak Senior Amateur Masters

Posted: 11 Jul 2014 09:07 AM PDT

KUCHING: Eighty golfers have confirmed their participation in the 1st Sarawak Senior Amateur Masters Golf Championship vying for the Datuk Mohd Amin Satem Trophy on August 2 and 3 at the Sarawak Golf Club.

Senior Golfers' Society of Sarawak (SGSS) vice president Dato Dr Hsiung Kwo Yeun said yesterday the entries are from Sarawak Golf Club (KGS) Samarahan Country Club, Sibu Golf Club, Bintulu Golf Club, Sarawak Junior Golf First Association, Sabah Golf and Country Club, Kinabalu Golf Club.

Other clubs from Semenanjung Malaysia also sending representatives to the inaugural championship are Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club, Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Awana Golf and Country Club and Kelab Golf Putra Malaysia.

"We are expecting more senior golfers to sign up for the competition as the maximum limit of competitors is 120 for this event," Hsiung told reporters in a press conference at KGS.

The closing date is July 19.

Sanctioned by the Sarawak Golf Association, the championship is open to all senior golfers aged 55 years and above on August 2, 2014 with a current USGA/NHS handicap of 24 and below.

According to him, SGSS has now over 200 members and he hoped that more members will come forward to support the championship by signing up as participants.

"The championship is aimed at promoting and upgrading the standard of senior golfers as well as strengthen the ties and camaraderie among the golfers," said Hsiung.

There will be 10 prizes each for the gross and nett categories as well as hole-in-one prize of RM5,000 sponsored by Gaya Resources Sdn Bhd.

"We would like to thank our new president Datuk Mohd Amin Satem for sponsoring the championship," said Hsiung.

In a simple ceremony, Mohd Amin's son Paul handed over the trophy to Hsiung in the presence
of SGSS captain Hoan Kee Hock
who is also SGA president, secretary Joseph Ling and committee member Jackson Lim.

Those interested to participate can contact Shirleyna Kim Dapo at 082-440966 and 013-8166906 for further details.

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