Former Israeli Army Sgt. Major GILAD SHALIT was bound for Oklahoma City on his first assignment covering the NBA finals for the Jewish state's leading newspaper. The former soldier who was held hostage by Muslim extremists for more than five years is launching a new career as an NBA columnist. He missed Game 1 but is expected in Oklahoma City for Game 2 (MIAMI HERALD, 6/13). ... ICC CEO HAROON LORGAT presented the ICC ODI shield to Cricket Australia CEO JAMES SUTHERLAND in recognition of the team having the number one ranking in the 50-over World Cup. Sutherland also received a check of $175,000 from Reliance Globalcom Managing Dir Australia NZ TIM SULLIVAN (PTI, 6/13). ... Man City Owner SHEIKH MANSOUR is not only spending money on players. He presented an enclosed rooftop soccer field at Public School 72 in East Harlem on behalf of Man City and the embassy of the UAE. The field will be available to both Lexington Academy students and 600 other local kids (NESN, 6/13).... FIFA President SEPP BLATTER has written to the Syrian Football Association to express his sadness at the passing of the organization's former president, MARAWAN ARAFAT. The 67-year-old was killed on Tuesday in an attack in which his wife was also critically hurt (FIFA).
