Barcelona head coach TITO VILANOVA will be back coaching the team at the training ground on Friday (LIBERTAD DIGITAL, 3/28). ... Ending his "desperate search" for a financial backer, South Korean Olympian PARK TAE-HWAN will now receive an annual salary paid by the Incheon city government, although the size of his pay was not disclosed (KOREA TIMES, 3/28). ... New Zealand batsman JESSE RYDER is in a critical condition "with a fractured skull after being savagely bashed in a late-night assault." Ryder is "understood to be in a coma with a fractured skull, a punctured lung, internal bleeding and is in intensive care at a Christchurch hospital." The attack came just days before the talented Ryder "was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League contract" (AAP, 3/28). ... South African sprinter OSCAR PISTORIUS, charged with murdering his girlfriend, "will be allowed to travel after challenging his bail terms." A judge said Pistorius would be allowed to leave South Africa to compete as long "as he complies with certain conditions." He will also be allowed to return to his home in Pretoria, where REEVA STEENKAMP was shot and killed (BBC, 3/28). ... IOC VP and Moroccan 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist NAWAL EL MOUTAWAKEL was named MENA Sport Business Personality at the inaugural Sports Industry Awards (SPORT 360, 3/28). ... Melbourne Rebels KURTLEY BEALE has been suspended indefinitely and fined for his behavior in South Africa that led to him being sent home after striking two teammates (THE AGE, 3/29).
