India's field hockey chiefs sacked national coach MICHAEL NOBBS "due to the team's poor performances," making the Australian the fourth foreign mentor to be axed in the past decade. Hockey India Secretary General NARINDER BATRA said, "Nobbs will not be working with the national team." Hockey India High Performance Dir Dutchman ROELANT OLTMANS "would step in as a temporary replacement for Nobbs before the next coach was appointed" (THE AGE, 7/10). ... Former boxer ENOCH NHLAPO "has died." The former South African "non-white lightweight, junior-welterweight and welterweight champion passed away on Sunday night after a short illness." He was 80 years old (SOWETAN LIVE, 7/9). ... Bookmaker William Hill has signed England cricketer ANDREW FLINTOFF "as its newest sporting ambassador as the betting brand seeks to capitalise on two Ashes series in a year." Flintoff "will help punters with cricket tips via William Hill's podcast service and promote the betting firm through a range of in-store and other brand activity" (MARKETING MAGAZINE, 7/8). ... UEFA has announced the shortlist of 10 players who will run in the second round of voting for the '12-13 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. Click here to view the list (UEFA). ... MLB Chicago White Sox scout JOHN TUMMINIA emailed Monday afternoon to report that "he and his group have raised enough money to support their trip to bring baseball to 500 children in Kenya" (CBS, 7/8). ... Wasserman Media Group has signed ManU's RYAN GIGGS. Giggs, who has won 13 EPL titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League titles, will be represented by RHODRI BURGESS (Wasserman Media Group).
