The man who coached Colin Jackson and Dai Greene to world titles said that British Athletics is in danger of becoming a “showbusiness company” that overlooks the development of athletes and coaches. Malcolm Arnold, 76, who has helped athletes to more than 70 major medals over a 46-year coaching career, "has accused the governing body of skewed priorities, saying it was more concerned with basking in the glamour of a few star athletes than developing a deep talent pool in the next generation." He said, "We were doing better when we were skint. I wonder where the next superstars are coming from. If you look at the neglect of development of athletes, the neglect of development of coaches -- which is a subject really close to my heart -- people are asking if it’s a showbusiness company or something that develops athletes" (LONDON TIMES, 12/30).
Changes to rugby’s controversial “residency rule” are in the pipeline, with World Rugby "keen to tighten up the current legislation, which critics claim makes a mockery of the international game." Under current regulations, players who have yet to make an int'l appearance "can play for a country after having lived there for three years." World Rugby wants to "increase the period of qualification to five years." Australia is on board with reform plans and England, too, is "believed to be shifting position to support change." Scotland, which has recruited the likes of W.P Nel via the residency rule, is "backing the status quo" (SCOTSMAN, 1/1).
Pakistan Cricket Board Chair Shaharyar Khan inaugurated a high-performance center in Karachi on Thursday, named after cricketer Hanif Mohammad. It is the "first facility of its sort in Karachi that will cater to cricketers and trainers, not only from the metropolis but also the surrounding areas." Previously, there were "only two such facilities in Pakistan," one in Multan and the other in Lahore (DAWN, 12/29).
Khan on Monday "decided to relieve Basit Ali of his position as head coach" of the national women's cricket team. The PCB chair's decision followed separate meetings with Ali and former cricketer Mahmood Hamid in Karachi "following reports of an alleged brawl between the two." Hamid on Friday alleged that Ali "verbally abused him and then slapped him for criticising him on a local TV channel" (DAWN, 1/2).
