Football Association Chair DAVID BERNSTEIN has confirmed he
would like to remain in the job beyond next year. Bernstein celebrates
his 70th birthday next May, after which he is due to stand down in line
with FA statutes. However, there is a "widespread feeling he should be
allowed to continue, having brought much-needed stability to the
organisation and restored its credibility." Bernstein: "I am enjoying it
very much, and the honest answer is yes (I would like to stay on)" (DAILY MAIL, 6/17).
Britain's "biggest boyband" One Direction will close for the 2012 London Olympics. The "X Factor five-piece" have been asked to kick-start the closing ceremony by performing their biggest hit What Makes You Beautiful. HARRY STYLES, LIAM PAYNE, NIALL HORAN, all 18, ZAYN MALIK, 19, and LOUIS TOMLINSON, 20, will be joined in the Olympic Stadium by "a thousand flash mob dancers who will perform a spectacular routine (DAILY STAR, 6/17). ... Al Wasl FC Manager DIEGO MARADONA's future with the club "will be up for discussion in the coming days when the club's new board meets to take stock of the team's disappointing season." The BOD of both the club and Al Wasl Football Company tendered their resignation to Al Wasl Chair SHEIKH AHMED BIN RASHID. Maradona, who has a two-year contract, said that in his parting news conference after the GCC Final that he would be back to lead the team next season. He said that now the board "will decide whether to continue with the Argentine legend or look elsewhere" (THE NATIONAL, 6/16).
CRICKET: Ivorian footballer DIDIER DROGBA said that he followed last year's cricket World Cup in India and feels that Indian cricket captain MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI is a "good leader." Drogba was in Delhi promoting the Pepsi T20 football grand finale at Thyagaraj Stadium (PTI, 6/17). ... Pakistan pacer RANA NAVED UL HASAN has launched a cricket academy in Sheikhupura to promote homegrown talent suffering from financial constraints (PAKISTAN TODAY, 6/17). ... The Nepal Cricket Association has appointed MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI as their brand ambassador (ANI, 6/17).
