Former NBA player HAKEEM OLAJUWON was named NBA Ambassador to Africa and will help develop the sport on the continent. Olajuwon will work with the NBA Africa office in Johannesburg. It is led by NBA VP/Development in Africa AMADOU GALLO FALL. Olajuwon will represent the NBA at events and NBA Cares activities in the region (NBA). ... Former League Championship side Leeds United Managing Dir DAVID HAIGH "has been arrested in Dubai on suspicion of financial irregularities" during the recent sale of the club. Haigh denies the allegations and "has been in custody for three days." A friend who asked not to be named said, "David has done nothing wrong or illegal. He's appalled to find himself in this position." Haigh "left Leeds in April after Bahrain-based investment fund GFH Capital sold" a 75% stake in the club to Massimo Cellino. Haigh's friend said that "GFH had filed a criminal complaint" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 5/21). ... Chinese badminton player LIN DAN on Wednesday opposed Badminton World Federation’s plans to consider a new scoring system and said that "changing the rules too frequently would not be good for the sport." Dan: "It has been changed quite a lot, from 9, 15 to 21, now changing back. I think this is not the best part of badminton to change the scores time and again" (PTI, 5/21). ... The National Rugby League “has forced” Canberra Raiders coach RICKY STUART to put A$10,000 ($9,200) in the '’swear jar,’’ admitting "language" had contributed to his latest fine “for criticising refereeing.” The NRL issued the Raiders a breach notice on Wednesday after Stuart described the officiating as ''shit,'' ''laughable," "poor" and "not at the standard of first grade" following Sunday's 26-20 loss to Penrith. Stuart has now been fined A$105,000 over the duration of his NRL coaching career, which began in ’12 (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 5/21). ... Bolivian football side Nacional de Potosí coach MARCOS FERRUFINO said of league rival Sport Boys' recent signing of Bolivian President EVO MORALES, "He should not play a single minute. This is an embarrassment and a lack of respect for all Bolivians" (CLARIN, 5/20).
