JOHN MADEJSKI accepted a new title as vice-chair of League Championship side Reading. Madejski, who became chair in Dec. '90, "helped the club move from its former Elm Park home to the stadium which bears his name" in '98. As vice-chair, the 76-year-old will "step away from the football side of business, but remain a club ambassador" (BBC, 8/8). ... Journalist NAJAM SETHI was elected chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board for a three-year term on Wednesday. Sethi, 69, will replace SHAHARYAR KHAN, who "quit because of health and personal reasons after completing his tenure." Sethi was unopposed and was unanimously elected by a 10-member PCB board of governors (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 8/9). ... Nike Golf President DARIC ASHFORD shifted roles with the brand, becoming VP/global marketplace for Jordan Brand (Max Miceli, Staff Writer). ... Investment firm Bitkraft ESport Ventures named MINARD HAMILTON U.S. partner and GREG ESSIG head of business & product strategy. Both will work out of the firm's Santa Monica, Calif., office. Hamilton had a previous stint as ESPN Int'l SVP (ESPORT OBSERVER, 8/8).
COACHES/MANAGERS: South African Premier Soccer League side AmaZulu "sprung a surprise" on the eve of the new season by axing Zimbabwean coach JOEY ANTIPAS and replacing him with CAVIN JOHNSON. Antipas led the club through preseason, but the "more experienced" Johnson will lead its "return season in the South African top-flight" (ESPN.com, 8/8).
