"Tainted" Indian sports administrator SURESH KALMADI "has been made Life President of the Asian Athletics Association for his 'work in the development of athletics in the continent'" during his 13-year tenure as the head of organization from '00. Kalmadi, who was "jailed and later released on bail in connection with the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam, was nominated for the honorary post" at the 80th Council Meeting of the AAA in Jakarta on March 12 (PTI, 3/16). ... Premiership rugby club London Irish announced FRANK MCCARTNEY has joined the club's board of directors. McCartney is an int'l businessman with many years' experience in the hospitality, food and beverage industries. McCartney was chairman and managing director of FMC Catering, and chairman of the Sports & Leisure Division of Compass Group (London Irish).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Premier League side Sunderland has "sacked" Manager GUS POYET after a "run of just one victory in 12" games. The Black Cats "are one point above the relegation zone." Sunderland Chair ELLIS SHORT said, "Sadly, we have not made the progress that any of us had hoped for this season" (BBC, 3/16). Sunderland Sporting Dir LEE CONGERTON "has begun the hunt for a successor to coach the team until the end of the season," when a long-term replacement -- "ideally" Derby County Manager STEVE MCCLAREN -- "will be sought." Negotiations "are under way" to potentially bring in 67-year-old former Rangers Manager DICK ADVOCAAT. It is "possible that Sunderland could look inside their youth academy" and place senior development coaches KEVIN BALL and PAUL BRACEWELL in "immediate charge" (London GUARDIAN, 3/16). ... La Liga side Córdoba announced that it sacked coach MIROSLAV DJUKIC after a meeting between President CARLOS GONZÁLEZ and the club's execs. Córdoba's loss to Málaga on Sunday was its eighth straight. JOSÉ ANTONIO ROMERO will take over as interim coach (MARCA, 3/16). ... Brasileiro side Atlético Paranaense coach CLAUDINEI OLIVEIRA was “sacked after coaching the club for six months.” Atlético-PR announced that “the decision was taken after a meeting” between Oliveira and its management. Oliveira had a “43% approval rate during the 24 games he coached, nine of those victories, four ties and 11 losses” (GLOBO ESPORTE, 3/15).
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