National Rugby League club South Sydney player MARIO FENECH has "admitted a series of heavy head knocks during his career has left him with brain damage." Fenech, however, "is confident the NRL has taken the appropriate steps now to maintain player welfare and safety" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/17). ... It was "billed as Gai Living The Dream but in the end only 87 people gambled on a racing syndicate that aimed to win the Melbourne Cup." Trainer GAI WATERHOUSE has "already distanced herself from the registered company that at its height tried to attract up to 10,000 shareholders" and generate A$35M (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/16). ... Sri Lanka cricketer KUMAR SANGAKKARA will retire from Twenty20 internationals after the "ongoing World T20 in Bangladesh" (AFP, 3/16). ... Brazilian footballer RIVALDO "has decided to retire at the age of 41." The Brazilian said on his Instagram account that he made the decision "with tears in my eyes" (MARCA, 3/15). ... Qatar's national football team appointed Algerian DJAMEL BELMADI as its head coach. Former Qatar head coach FAHAD THANI "has been given the job as the coach of the Olympic squad" (XINHUA, 3/16).
