Names In The News

With PEP GUARDIOLA now ready to coach Bayern Munich next season, the club could be interested in joining a number of other top European clubs looking to sign Santos striker NEYMAR (AS, 1/17). ... AC Milan and Real Madrid "have officially opened negotiations" to bring KAKA back to Milan (L'EQUIPE, 1/17). ... The Badminton Association of Malaysia "has agreed to appoint a new doubles coach but not a national coaching director." The BAM exec committee announced Indonesian PAULUS FIRMAN into its coaching setup. Doubles head coach TAN KIM HER "will decide on the role for Paulus," who will begin work on Feb. 1 (THE STAR, 1/17). ... Former Handball Federation of India Senior VP MD YASIN USTAD has died "after a prolonged illness at his Dhatkidih residence." The 105-year-old "had been inactive due to illness" since '96. Ustad "was the brain behind promoting handball in undivided Bihar for decades and guided the state team to the national championship title on various occasions (PTI, 1/17).