DOMANTAS SABONIS, whose father, ARVYDAS, played for the NBA Portland Trail Blazers, became the youngest player in the history of Spanish Basketball League (ACB) side Unicaja Malaga when he debuted for the club Sunday at the age of 17 (EL MUNDO, 10/14). ... Real Madrid coach CARLO ANCELOTTI "could be in his final stage as Real Madrid's coach." Ancelotti said, "All I can say in respect to what I will do after my contract with Real Madrid is that I will think about my future. I can't rule out deciding to retire from the bench after this experience" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 10/14). ... The Mexican Olympic Committee on Monday announced the death of Mexican Softball Federation President ANDRÉS MONTES (LA AFICION, 10/13). ... Australian TERRY WALSH is set to be appointed as head coach of the Indian men's field hockey team "after the Sports Authority of India recommended his name to the Sports Ministry." SAI Dir General JIJI THOMSON said that Walsh's name "has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry and his appointment will be cleared in a week's time" (PTI, 10/14). ... National Rugby League referees coach DANIEL ANDERSON "has given an undertaking he will fulfil his commitments at the coming World Cup before joining Parramatta in the newly created role of general manager of football." Anderson's departure "was a major talking point at last Saturday's Col Pearce Medal presentation for match officials," and there is some discontent among the ranks of the game's whistle-blowers as he is on the three-man panel with DAVID WAITE and STUART CUMMINGS to appoint referees at the World Cup (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/15). ... GRAHAM FORD will leave his position as Sri Lanka coach in January "to take charge of English county side Surrey." Ford informed Sri Lanka Cricket last month that "he would be rejecting a new deal to stay with the national team for family reasons." Ford "will start his new role as head coach of Surrey in February" (AP, 10/14). ... Sky Sports News presenter RACHEL WYSE and BILLY TWELVETREES, the Gloucester rugby player and part of this summer's British Lions team, "have been selected as Ambassadors for Cheltenham Racecourse this season." This "is the first time that Cheltenham will have two Ambassadors" (SKY SPORTS, 10/14). ... Olympic 100m hurdles champion SALLY PEARSON has turned to former assistant coach ANTONY DRINKWATER-NEWMAN "to take her back to the top" after dumping long-time mentor SHARON HANNAN last week (REUTERS, 10/14). ... Belgian judoka CHARLINE VAN SNICK, a Bronze Medal winner from the 2012 London Olympics, revealed on Monday that "she returned a positive test for cocaine during the world championships in Rio last August," where she also won Bronze. Van Snick: "The news stunned me, because I am very careful with this, and I really have a perfect lifestyle. I have never taken any substance that can improve my performance. Not intentionally anyway" (AFP, 10/14). ... Indian cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR's wish to play his 200th and final Test on his home ground "is all set to be granted" when the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Programmes and Fixtures committee meets on Tuesday to chalk out the detailed schedule of next month's West Indies tour (PTI, 10/14). ... Egyptian football coach HOSSAM AL-BADRI "was shot at in Libya on Saturday, hours after his team Al Ahly Tripoli had drawn a league match." The club said, "Our coach was shot at, at his home after a match in the league against Al Sowaihili that ended 1-1. He is safe but upset after what happened. Three men in a car shot at him. The police have launched a full-scale investigation" (PA, 10/13). ... A street "in the shadow of Old Trafford has been renamed" Sir ALEX FERGUSON Way. The official unveiling was carried out by Ferguson himself. The ceremony happened two hours after Ferguson "was made a Freeman of Trafford." It is "the highest honour the borough can bestow" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 10/14).
