Golfer MARTIN KAYMER's "historic victory" at the U.S. Open "has been largely met by indifference in his homeland." Kaymer "became the first champion from Germany with an eight-shot victory on Sunday," but at home "attention is firmly focused on football" (AP, 6/16). ... The Cricket Australia board has endorsed New South Wales Blues and Sydney Sixers coach TREVOR BAYLISS to step in as acting Australian team coach for the KFC T20 Internationals against South Africa (CA). ... Former Indian cricket player SACHIN TENDULKAR "will play 'some sort of a role' in promoting the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year." Tournament CEO JOHN HARNDEN said, "It is too early to say anything about his involvement but I am sure he will play some sort of a role in lead-up to the tournament. We will have to wait and see" (PTI, 6/16). ... Bollywood actor AMITABH BACHCHAN "has sponsored training and coaching of two women athletes for the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games."
The 71-year-old "has sponsored the training and coaching of two female athletes," AYONIKA PAUL and POOJA GHATKAR (both shooters), "for the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in July" and Asian Games. Both the athletes are supported by Bachchan "as a part of the Medals4India campaign" initiated by NGO Olympic Gold Quest (PTI, 6/16). ... Hundreds of dignitaries "were on hand in the port city of Santos to toast" the 73-year-old PELE at the official opening of the Pele Museum -- a 4,000 square meter complex inside the city's old town that cost about $22M and "houses more than 2,500 items related to his career, including trophies, jerseys and images of him with world leaders and celebrities."
Considered by many "to be the greatest footballer ever, Pele rose to stardom at Santos FC, where he played between 1956 and 1974." During that period "he also led Brazil to three World Cup titles."
Pele "rode into the ceremony on a tram and was greeted by wild applause" (AP, 6/15). ... Korea Baseball Organization side Lotte Giants second baseman CHO SUNG-HWAN "has declared his retirement" on Monday. The 38-year-old told the club that "he will wrap up his 16-year career." Cho "will soon start working as a player analyst for the club" (KOREA JOONGANG DAILY, 6/17). ... Medicare investigators and Victoria Police detectives "have interviewed witnesses and obtained documentary evidence" that allegedly show former Essendon and Cronulla sports scientist STEPHEN DANK "forged and photocopied the signatures of doctors to refer patients to pathology clinics in Sydney and Melbourne." Players for Essendon "are among those whose blood tests may have been ordered as part of the alleged Medicare racket, which may have involved the rorting of tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/17). ... Serie A side Sampdoria coach SINISA MIHAJLOVIC "announced that he will stay on as coach of the Blucerchiati." The "former Samp and Lazio player had signed a new contract in May but doubts were raised about his future" after club President EDOARDO GARRONE sold the club to film producer MASSIMO FERRERO for a reported €15M ($20.4M). The two "have met in a Roman restaurant and it would appear Ferrero has convinced Mihajlovic to stay" (FORZA ITALIAN FOOTBALL, 6/15).
