Austrian top flight hockey club Graz 99ers has appointed TODD BJORKSTRAND as its new head coach. The 51-year-old American will receive a two-year contract to become the club's head coach and sports director (Graz 99ers). ... Retired cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR "has been given honorary life membership" of The Els Club in Dubai Sports City "as he sets out to improve his golfing skills." Tendulkar received the award during his stay in the UAE as part of the backroom staff of the Indian Premier League Mumbai Indians (GULF NEWS, 5/6). ... In "another jolt" to DANISH KANERIA’s chances of returning to professional cricket, the London High Court "dismissed the Pakistan leg-spinner’s appeals against his life ban from the sport on Tuesday." Kaneria, "who is charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board for encouraging a teammate to under perform during his county stint with Essex, is fighting a hard legal battle to prove what he calls 'his innocence'" (PTI, 5/6). ... Senior sports administrator TAN ENG LIANG, who is also VP of the Singapore National Olympic Council, will be joined by NICHOLAS FANG, a nominated MP and former president of the fencing association, to lead Singapore at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games (STRAITS TIMES, 5/6). ... Australian F1 driver DANIEL RICCIARDO believes it is the responsibility of F1 drivers "to respect and obey team orders, whether they like it or not."
Ricciardo's Red Bull teammate SEBASTIAN VETTEL "sparked debate at last month's Chinese Grand Prix after he replied 'tough luck' when told to let a faster Ricciardo pass him." Ricciardo said, "It is our responsibility to obey it, unless it's completely out of order and then we can obviously try and put up a fight and give our reasons" (AAP, 5/6).
