TAIPEI, December 15 – Kenyan runners outshone their global competitors in both the men’s and women’s categories of the Taipei marathon Sunday.

Josphat Kamzee Jepkopol, who won the men’s race last year, defended the title after crossing the line in two hours, 14 minutes and 10 seconds.

He was followed by Yemane Tsegay Adhane of Ethiopia in 2:14:17 and Julius Ndiritu Karinga of Kenya in 2:15:19.

The women’s race was controlled by the Kenyan runners, with Rebecca Kangogo Chesire winning in 2:33:20, while Racheal Jemutai Mutgaa came in second with 2:34:38 and Helena Loshanyang Kirop ranked third with 2:37:07.

Both Jepkopol and Chesire walked home with a cash prize of Tw$1.2 million ($40,430).

More than 70,000 runners participated in the event, with about 7,000 competing in the full 42-kilometre (26.2-mile) marathon and others running shorter distances, compared with 120,000 who took part a year ago.

Cold wind and drizzle had kept tens of thousands of amateur runners away from this year’s event, Taiwan’s biggest annual marathon, sponsor Fubon Financial Holdings said.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 16 – Peter Kiboko and Britney Anyango took the honours at the Kenya @50 Tennis Championships held in Kisumu over the weekend.

The boy’s singles Under 12 and Under 14 categories were dominated by Kiboko who beat David Kituko 6-4 and David Amata 6-2 in the latter to lift the title.

In the girls singles Under 12 Anyango defeated Maxmillah Nicole 4-0 to be crowned champion.

Enock Omongo won the boy’s Under 10, after edging out Newton Ochieng’ 6-4 in a hotly contested finals.

In the girls Under 14, Verian Akinyi of Kondele Primary defeated Maria Michell 4-1 to lift the trophy.

Meanwhile, Ezra Gumbe Primary School and Shady Garden Academy have partnered with Shining Hope to establish and promote the game of tennis in there institutions.

Kisumu based Victoria Tennis Academy and Shining Hope organised the tournament.

LONDON England 16th December – Andre Villas-Boas sacked as Spurs manager the club has announced. This follows Spurs’ heaviest home defeat in 16 years and left them five points below the Champions League positions in seventh place in the Premier League.

Under fire Villas-Boas admitted responsibility for his side’s 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Sunday but said he did not need to convince his employers of his ability.

Villas-Boas has already seen his side beaten 3-0 at home by West Ham United and humiliated 6-0 at Manchester City this season, but he said he was not concerned about his position at White Hart Lane.

“I assume the responsibility of the failure,” he told Sky Sports.

“We have to bounce back again like we did (after the defeat) against City. In the Premier League things are not going as we expected and we wanted, so it’s normal that frustration is there for everyone.

“Regarding my position, it’s not me that decides. I can only work to make things better.”

Spurs had improved after losing at City, winning twice and drawing with Manchester United, and Villas-Boas also pointed to their cup form as evidence of their quality.

Spurs face West Ham in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday and have also qualified for the last 32 in the Europa League.

Asked if he could convince the club’s board, players and supporters of his ability to turn the situation around in the Premier League, he laughed and said: “I don’t need to convince anybody.

“Our run is magnificent in the other competitions but not in the Premier League. That is the reality that we face because our slip-ups at home haven’t allowed us to be in a better position.

“We are to play a quarter-final with West Ham for the League Cup and we are in the last 32 and waiting for a draw tomorrow (Monday) in the Europa League, where some big, big teams are as well.

“Our form in the Premier League is not there but our ambition to win trophies is still the same and our ambition to qualify for the Champions League is still the same.”

PARIS, December 16th December – Spanish giants Barcelona were handed the toughest possible draw Monday when they were paired with Manchester City in the plum tie of the last 16 of the Champions League.

Champions Bayern Munich were also given a hard draw as they plucked Arsenal for the second year in a row at this stage.

For the English pair, who both finished second in their groups, it was yet again a harsh lesson in the importance of winning the group.

Manchester United and Chelsea, both group winners, were given far more favourable draws against Olympiakos and Galatasaray respectively.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain pulled Bayer Leverkusen while AC Milan will face Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid will play Schalke 04 and completing the draw Borussia Dortmund are up against Zenit St Petersburg.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 18 – It has now emerged that another ten members of the Eritrean contingent, including the head coach for the 2013 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, went missing bringing to 12 the number of the country’s squad for the competition who are unaccounted for.

Two players abandoned the team before their second Group D match on November 31 with the rest taking flight after they crashed out of the tournament after losing all their games.

While revealing this to Capital Sport on Wednesday, Cecafa Secretary General, Nicholas Musonye, added that continued disappearance of Eritrean nationals during the annual regional tournament would top the agenda at their next General Assembly.

“This is now a police case and we will not allow the Eritrean national football team to use Cecafa as a way of escaping from their country.

“Two of the players vanished as the tournament was going on and nine of them together with their coach escaped after the competition came to an end. This is bad behavior and we want to put the issue that has been happening each time we have the games to a close,” the Cecafa chief told.

He added: “We will discuss the way forward when we meet next year in our General Assembly.”

When contacted on the progress of hunting down the escapees, Nairobi Police boss, Benson Kibui, detailed that investigations into the missing members of the Red Sea team was still going on.

“We have not received official report from Cecafa, but we will follow it up with department of immigration and find out where they are,” Kibui explained.

In total, 24 Eritrean nationals have disappeared on Kenyan soil during the tournament, with a dozen going missing in 2009 the last time the country hosted the event ahead of this year’s edition. Another batch fled at last year’s tournament in Kampala.

It is believed the escapees seek asylum in Europe and America to flee from mandatory military duty as well as rigours of a police state.

Meanwhile, despite various challenges that affected the latest edition won by the hosts, Musonye, said the tournament was a success singling out Kenya who reclaimed the title for the first time in 11 years.

“All went well during the 37th event and I want to thank Harambee Stars for making the competition colourful. I urge Football Kenya Federation to prepare the boys adequately as we head to African Cup of Nations and Olympics qualifiers.

“About the Zanzibar coach Salum Nassor, who threatened that they will boycott if the event is held in Kenya once again, I want to say let them stay away. We have experienced many difficulties when the tournament was hosted in other countries,” he continued.

The event was dogged by a number of teams, including losing finalists Sudan, being detained at their hotels over unpaid dues as well as other logistical problems such as the unavailability of the Kisumu Stadium that was not completed in time to host the semis.

Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos that was also refurbished for the tournament saw its pitch fail to hold forcing the semi final between Kenya and Tanzania to be switched to Nairobi at the last minute.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 19 – Suspended Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and clean up domestic football.

Former Vice Chairman, Sammy Shollei, also urged the State to set up a commission to oversee reconciliation of suspended officials and FKF boss Sam Nyamweya.

Addressing media briefing in Nairobi on Thursday, Shollei who was sent packing alongside Nairobi branch boss, Dan Shikanda and his counterpart from Coast Hussein Terry, called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to speed up investigations into allegations of financial impropriety they levelled against sitting FKF officials.

“Mr President, you have a chance to woo millions of football supporters who are passionate about this sport and in tandem with your manifesto of creating employment through sports.

“This might not happen if you are working with a team that misinforms you on your face about bidding for the 2019 African Nations Cup when the (bidding) process is already time barred,” Shollei, who was flanked by Terry, stressed.

On his suspension, he added; “I consulted FIFA on how I should approach the issue, and they told me to draft a letter to FKF boss and copy it to them.

“I’m the bona fide vice president of FKF because I was elected by football lovers two years ago. I call upon the president who promised to support football in our country to hear our plea and put the federation in order.”

The pair urged the anti-graft body to expedite the probe into the Sh 21,544,982.04 (USD 250,000) they claimed was misappropriated from Fifa grants related to 2011 whilst providing copies of the said allocations to the press.

“Every one is complaining about mismanagement of public funds, after the Annual General Meeting where my suspension was being discussed, we realized that the financial statement that was released was not tallying with the amount that the federation received from FIFA.

“I was joined by Terry, Shikanda, Lordvick Aduda who was the then Secretary General and Nyanza NEC member Tom Alila and presented the case to the Anti Corruption whom we believe will take action after their investigations.”

Reports in local media on Wednesday alleged that the Head of State had threatened to jail Nyamweya and FKF officials if they did not end mismanagement of the sport.

It came after President Uhuru held a private session with Harambee Stars players at State House, Nairobi after hosting them for winning this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

However, the story has not been independently collaborated and when contacted, FKF officials including Nyamweya were said to be in a meeting.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 20 – Inspectors from the International Rugby Board (IRB) will be in the country in March to start evaluation of Kenya’s ability to host one of the legs in HSBC Sevens World Series during the 2015/16 season.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee, said the inspectors will then return for the 2014 Safaricom 7s in September, which will be used as a test event to demonstrate the country that is bidding to host the top Sevens competition has required facilities.

“Key to the success of our bid is that we have all facilities and four other prescribed conditions in place at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani by September, when the IRB inspection team will attend our Safaricom 7s, treating it as the last dress rehearsal,” the KRU boss who hailed the proposed upgrading of  Kasarani Sports Complex by Safaricom, said on Friday in a press statement.

“The decision whether the Safaricom Sevens will be in the World Series will be made shortly thereafter and then we see if we shall be on the 2015/2016 calendar,” he added.

For the first time, KRU staged the annual event at Kasarani last September and Muthee says the Union will be looking to complete the necessary requirements at the facility for Kenya to be included in the Series.

According to the chairman, they will improve on the stadium natural grass playing surface, putting up a warm-up pitch, up-to- scratch changing rooms for 16 nations both women and referees among others.

Muthee added the rugby fraternity was upbeat because proposed Government plans to build five world class stadiums in the country would soon become a reality.

“The Jubilee Government manifesto to build five state-of-the-art stadiums will be implemented. We express gratitude to the State, and especially the President, who have assured us that one of these projects will be a world class built rugby stadium in Nairobi as soon as possible.

“But we are making an early move and by the time this facility is up, we shall already be in the IRB Series.”

Mobile provider Safaricom, will refurbish the Kasarani Stadium after Sports Stadia Management Board awarded them a two year branding and naming rights worth Sh55m (USD 641,026.10).

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 22 – The taxman has been let loose on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) after KRA earned promotion to the top flight at the expense of the seasoned Posta Rangers whose own dream of a swift return were buried in a marathon penalty shoot-out on Saturday.

A 6-4 tense victory on post-match penalties at Nyayo National Stadium against the side that went down from the KPL the season before last was the culmination of many years bubbling on the surface of promotion in the past few years for the taxmen who are coached by former AFC Leopards and Stars keeper, Ken Kenyatta.

In mirroring their recent flirtation with the top-flight, KRA had to come from 2-0 down, dead and buried, to force a 2-2 draw in regulation time to force the lottery of spot-kicks. And unlike last season when Bandari beat them to the punch at the very end, this time, lady luck was on their side.

“I’m very happy for the win since I have been looking for this promotion to the Premier League for a long time. Last year I missed it in the last minute, but I thank God my boys listened to my instructions in the second half where I told them to keep the ball and that enabled us emerge victorious.

“I will retain my players because to come up with a new team needs a lot of coaching, even though we will drop some as we look to bring in experienced players ahead of the new season where our intention is to win it because we are the best,” Kenyatta said after the pulsating encounter.

The KPL newbies will bring one of the best oiled side in the top flight, with an annual budget said to be anything between Sh15 to Sh30m per year and with addition to the monies accruing from the broadcast deal with SuperSport, KRA look equipped to cement their place in the KPL after a number of close shaves.

They will seek to employ the model of Bandari, who after being demoted in 2011, bounced back last year and went on to secure a sixth finish, their highest in their history, on the back of sound financial footing, shrewd purchases and cohesion among management and the playing unit.

The taxmen will be joined by another debutant, Top Fry All Stars FC who stunned another side seeking a swift return to the KPL, former champions Oserian, who were seen off by Wilson Andati’s lone goal in the 28th minute.

Top Fry bring the X-factor to the competition since their rapid rise through the divisions mirror that of Kakamega Homeboyz who sadly, found the top-flight a step too far for their meteoric progression and swiftly made the return back to Division 1 with lack of financial might for the individual-sponsored outfit being one of their biggest undoing.

“This year the journey has been tough, we struggled financially, but team work and good preparation which we made during pre-season is what has paid us.

“My team has given me morale by winning the Western Region Division 1 title, and being my first time to play in KPL, I’m telling the senior coaches in the league that we are not going to participate but we are coming to compete,” All Stars coach Peter Okidi stated after the match.

In the second match, Rangers who had a better experienced side, with the likes of  former Kenyan international Pascal Ochieng, former Mathare United and Sofapaka midfielder, Joseph Nyaga and former AFC Leopards custodian Lawrence Webo, dominated the first half.

With three minutes of play, Edwin Mwaura brought in a cross in the box that found no one to slot home. KRA responded quickly when Evans Kiwanuka headed a corner wide.

Rangers who are coached by former Harambee Stars assistant tactician, Leonard Saleh, continued to terrify KRA’s defense, where  Nyaga combined well with former AFC Leopards forward Victor Ochieng.

The efforts paid in the 20th, when Oscar Olwith looped the ball over keeper Philip Odhiambo to score the opener for Rangers.

The taxmen’s back four failed to hold on the Rangers strikers, forcing Collins Omondi to foul the scorer in the 31st. Referee Davis Omweno waved for free-kick and with KRA’s defense still at sea, Mwaura set-up Fredrick Ajwang who unleashed a cracker that beat Odhiambo all ends up to double for Rangers.

Three minutes later, Ochieng had a chance to extend the lead but Odhiambo denied him, punching the ball for a fruitless corner, as Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 lead into the breather.

KRA emerged for the second period a rejuvenated side with Ahmed Mohammed winning a 20 yard free-kick, but he blasted his shot wide.

Seven minutes later, Hassan Mohammed, could have pulled one back with a well taken strike that went straight into Webo’s arms.

Former Nairobi City Stars forward, Collins Tiego, came off the bench to tap home for KRA in the 61st, after receiving a pass from Ahmed to halve the deficit.

With wind in their sails, KRA poured forward and ten minutes later Hassan equalized after his intended cross from the left fooled Webo and rested on the net forcing the tie head to spot-kicks.

Odhiambo saved Olwith and Jacob Opere’s penalties as Hassan, Geoffrey Kataka, Richard Mmboyi, Roy Otieno and Michael Macharia converted theirs for KRA.

Pascal, Ajwang, Mbugi Joseph and Ian Otieno scored for Rangers.

In first game, Top Fry All Stars dominated the entire match, with Bikhayi Kizito missing a chance as he blasted his free-kick wide.

Wilson Andati could have separated the sides in the in the 15th with his shot that keeper George Ochieng denied him.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 22- The sporting fraternity in East Africa is still reeling in shock and disbelief as condolences for rally driver Ben Muchemi alias ‘Baba Chiru’ continue to pour in.

Muchemi died at MP Shah Hospital on Saturday afternoon following a prolonged battle with cancer.

Despite the pain he went through since being diagnosed with stomach cancer, Muchemi could still muster the courage to push racing its limits and still made time for healthy discussions on motor sport governance and promotion of talent.

But the cruel hand of fate reached out with its infallible talons barley a week after he had returned from New Delhi in India where he regularly visited for specialized treatment.

Until his demise, Muchemi served as one of the 11 directors on the Board of Kenya Motor Sports Federation and could still squeeze in time to execute his duties as chairman of Rallye Sports Club.

Earlier in the year, the Jubilee government appointed Muchemi as chairman of the Sports Stadia Management Board and sadly enough, he was unable to preside over the recent lucrative deal which saw Moi International Sports Centre being renamed Safaricom Stadium when Kenya’s leading mobile service provider acquired the naming rights for the ultra-modern facility.

As a businessman, Muchemi was level headed, innovative and above all very successful, considering his status as the chairman of Safaricom dealers in Kenya.

As if to prove his hands were full, the 2009 Kenya Motor Sports personality of the year played a leading role in organization of motor sports events after serving as Event Director for the 61st KCB Safari Rally 2013.
Those who knew him in motor sports and business circles could certainly attest to his philanthropic connection.

He owned 28 rally cars and could on occasion allow less privileged drivers use them free of charge.

Julius Ngigi, the Chairman of Motor Sport Safety Commission of KMSF said, “Fair thee well my friend, you are an inspiration to many in the motor sport fraternity and beyond, your legacy will live on, your story has just began!”

The reigning Two Wheel Drive Turbo Autocross Champion Amit Pandya offered: “I’m extremely saddened to hear the loss of a great man, who inspired each and every one of us in the motor sport industry. You are always going to be with us in sprit. You fought a hard battle and may your soul rest in peace.”

Muchemi was diagnosed with stomach cancer on February 26, 2008 and came out publicly to reveal that he is a cancer patient and has since defied all odds by racing in the Kenya National Rally championship, the National Autocross and the demanding Rally Raid in his new Dakar Rally Buggy.

He was until his demise a Safaricom dealer who started selling mobile phone handsets in 1992.

Muchemi was one man who has experienced and seen mobile technology morph through different guises and recalls how a handset would go for about Sh1.2 million, a SIM card costing close to Sh400,000, a battery Sh100,000, an antennae Sh75,000 and we even had anti-radiation vests that would retail for Sh25,000.

He is however, credited today not for his entrepreneurial antics but for his participation in motor sports and a heart of gold.

MUCHEMI’S RALLY JOURNEY

2004:
Introduced into rally by the late John Ngunjiri
-2006:
Winner of Tanveer Alam Memorial Trophy for the most improved Kenyan rally driver
-2007:…
-Took over the running of the KRT Media Rally following the death of his mentor, the late John Ngunjiri
-2008:
-Diagnosed with stomach cancer on February 26, 2008
-2009:
- Kenya Motor Sports Personality of the Year
-2010:
-Did a full season of KNRC
2011:
-Sponsored MEDIA RALLY winners- Pauline Mwanzia Shegu (KBC) and Johnston Langat (KTN) -during the 2011 edition of KCB Safari Rally
-2012:
-Led the 2012 Kenya National Autocross Championship series after the first two rounds
- Bestowed with MBS (MORAN OF THE BURNING SPEAR) honors by former President Mwai Kibaki
-2013:
- Event Director of 61st KCB Safari Rally 2013
-Elected Chairman Rallye Sports Club
-Participated in four Rallies this year
-Finished in the first two rallies staged in Kajiado and Nyeri
-Finished 15th overall in 2013 KNRC Division 3 Standings
-Retired in Nakuru and Voi rallies navigated by Evans Mwenda
- Appointed Chairman of Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB) for a duration of three years effective January 2013.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 23- Kenya has moved to secure the service of Belgian coach Adel Amrouche, barely a week after he led Harambee Stars to clinch the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya announced Amrouche has agreed an improved five-year contract with Kenya, which will see him guide Stars through the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualification and possibly help in the 2018 World Cup qualification.

The Government will foot the new deal after President Uhuru Kenyatta had agreed to help FKF to shoulder the coach’s salary burden.

Amrouche, who replaced Frenchman Henri Michel in February, was earning US Dollar 15,000 in the previous deal.

“It is great to have his service. He has agreed to grow with us and we are happy with his performance. Winning the regional tournament was his first assignment and he has delivered. Now we focus on the bigger things and the Africa Nations Cup and the World Cup will feature prominently,” Nyamweya told Xinhua in Nairobi.

Amrouche who holds a UEFA professional diploma and a Masters in Scientific Sports Research from France University noted his desire is to see a country playing attractive football and winning results.

Nyamweya said the new contract has been made possible because the government decided to come on board to assist Harambee Stars realise its potential.

“The Government has pledged to settle Amrouche’s salary for the next five years of the contract,” he said.

“We had a chat with President Uhuru, when the team went to State House to present him with the Cecafa Senior Challenge trophy, which we last won in 2009. He agreed to chip in and support football in the most possible way. The federation is grateful for this kind gesture which will definitely improve services within the national team.”

The contract will take effect from January 1, 2014. He however, didn’t disclose how much the new contract is worth.

Already Kenya has made a bid to host the 2019 Africa Nations Cup finals and Nyamweya said they are optimistic Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) will allow them to have the rights.

“We submitted our bid over four months back now and CAF has already acknowledged the receipt of the bid. We are hoping that we can get the chance to host the tournament in 2019. Our success with Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup is a bonus,” said Nyamweya.

LONDON, December 23- Arsenal missed their chance to return to the top of the Premier League after being held to a bruising 0-0 draw by title rivals Chelsea in a spiteful London derby on Monday.

This was the final English top-flight fixture before Christmas, but there was little festive cheer on display at the Emirates Stadium as Chelsea battered Arsenal with a series of bruising challenges.

John Obi Mikel was fortunate to avoid a red card after the Chelsea midfielder crunched into Mikel Arteta, while Arsenal also complained they should have had a penalty for Willian’s challenge on Theo Walcott.

It was a frustrating night for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who failed to secure his first win over Jose Mourinho at the 10th attempt and as a result saw his side waste an opportunity to climb back above leaders Liverpool.

Instead, second placed Arsenal go into the Christmas programme level on points with Liverpool but behind the Anfield outfit on goal difference.

Chelsea, who moved up to fourth and are two points behind Liverpool, finished the more satisfied side after stifling Arsenal with ease and creating the better of the few chances on offer.

“We controlled the game defensively. It was a tactical match, a match where neither side wanted to lose,” Mourinho said.

“We want creative players who use the ball and kill opponents. But there are some matches where we have to take one step backwards and play with a different philosophy.”

Wenger had admitted Arsenal had a point to prove after last weekend’s 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City prompted many pundits to question his team’s chances of lasting the pace in the title race, but this spluttering performance will hardly silence the doubters.

Mourinho sent Chelsea out in a 4-5-1 formation, with Fernando Torres as the lone striker, and that cautious approach worked impressively as Arsenal struggled to find any rhythm.

It didn’t help that torrential rain and gale-force winds lashed the Emirates throughout the match, making passing something of a lottery.

Frank Lampard made a typically intelligent run to meet Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross in the early stages, but for once the Chelsea midfielder’s clinical finishing deserted him and he scuffed a mistimed effort well wide.

Mourinho’s men finally cast off their defensive shackles just before the break and almost took the lead when Lampard met Eden Hazard’s pass with volley against the crossbar.

The ball rebounded to safety, but Arsenal were under the cosh again moments later when Torres tested Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a snap-shot on the turn.

Wenger was growing increasingly vexed on the touchline and he was furious when referee Mike Dean refused to even book Mikel for his aggressive lunge on Arteta.

Mikel’s eyes were on the ball when he went into the tackle and Arteta slid in with equal intent, but it was the Chelsea midfielder whose follow-through contained more menace and could easily have left the Spaniard nursing a serious injury.

Arsenal’s anger increased when they appealed in vain for a penalty after Willian’s challenge caught Walcott on the foot without making contact with the ball.

Willian squandered a golden opportunity to add to Arsenal’s angst when he shot straight at Szczesny after a rapid break caught the hosts out-numbered.

Arteta was the victim of another crunching tackle from Ramires, but the Brazilian escaped with just a booking.

By now Walcott, usually so mild mannered, had had enough and the winger responded by chopping down Azpilicueta, earning a yellow card of his own.

The tone of an already fiery match became ever more combustible after Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic caught Mesut Ozil and then started a bout of shoving with an incensed Kieran Gibbs.

Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky sought retribution and went into the book for a crude foul on Ivanovic.

It was Arsenal who finished the stronger, with Giroud firing into the side-netting and then forcing Cech to block at his near post.

Bacary Sagna’s header was cleared off the line by Azpilicueta, but neither side deserved to take the points on an ugly night.

CAIRO, December 25 – Egypt’s football league resumed on Tuesday following its suspension for almost two years after a deadly stadium riot and political unrest in the country.

The league kicked off with a match between Petrojet and Talae al-Geish, with both teams scoring a goal for a draw in a mostly empty stadium.

The matches will take place without an audience until the security situation is deemed stable.

The league was suspended after a February 2012 stadium riot in Port Said in which more than 70 people were killed.

The riot erupted when fans of Al-Masry Club of Port Said clashed with Al-Ahly supporters.

Egypt is still reeling from three years of unrest following the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and protests and militant attacks after his successor Mohamed Morsi’s ouster by the military in July.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 26- It was a mixed year for Kenyan marathoners in 2013 as three male athletes breast the tape under the 2:04 threshold considered to be the benchmark for the ultimate distance race.

After disappointing at the 2012 London Olympics where he went in as the overwhelming bet for the gold medal, Wilson Kipsang closed 2013 as the AIMS Male Marathoner of the Year at the back of his astonishing 2:03:23 world record set in Berlin on September 29.

The nominee for the IAAF World Athlete of the Year, 31, had an inconspicuous start to the year with a fifth finish at the London Marathon in April where he clocked 2:07:47.

“The pacemakers messed that race and I considered dropping out at some stage but decided against it. They went out too fast and spoilt for some of us and it is one of the most disappointing things that can happen since we put in a lot of work to prepare for such a big race,” he later explained.

His London experience informed his decision to pick his own pacemaker for Berlin and despite falling a massive minute and a half off the world record pace, a storming last ten kilometre blistering performance brought curtains to compatriot Patrick Makau Musyoki’s previous 2:03:38 standard.

Kipsang therefore, completed the most impressive athletics world record of the year, earning the AIMS top award despite missing out on the final-three nomination for the IAAF World Athlete of the Year.

His Volare Sport team mate, Dennis Kimetto, 29, took the honours of the emerging male marathoner of the year with accomplished victories at the Tokyo (2:06:50) and Chicago World Marathon Majors (WMM) races.

In the second, Kimetto ran the scarcely believable 2:03:45, a new Chicago course record that shed over ten seconds off the previous mark to announce his arrival as a potential owner of the world record.

During the same race, compatriot Emmanuel Mutai made history by becoming the fastest ever loser at a world record permissible course when he followed Kimetto home in 2:03:52 but he became the third Kenyan to go under 2:04.

Another Volare Sport runner, Geoffrey Mutai, won the storm swept New York Marathon in 2:08:24 to defend the title he won in 2011 with Super Storm Sandy accounting for its cancellation in 2012.

Therefore, Kenyan male athletes won four of the seven WMM ran in 2013 with Ethiopians Tsegay Kebede (London) and Lelisa Desisa (Boston) as well as Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich who won the World Championships in Moscow, sharing the rest.

The year also saw the Kenyan males surrender the WMM USD500,000 jackpot for the first time in the two-year cycle competition’s history when Tsegay became the first Ethiopian to bag that crown.

Robert ‘Mwafrika’ Cheruiyot, Martin Lel, Samuel Wanjiru, Emmanuel Mutai and Geoffrey Mutai had kept the WMM trophy in Kenya’s custody since the inception of the circuit competition that now includes Tokyo in 2006.

London, Boston, World Championships/Olympics in the year they occur, Berlin, Chicago and New York are other WMM races.

LONDON, England, December 27- As 2013 draws to a close and the Premier League approaches its halfway point, ESPN FC picks out each team’s most disappointing player so far.

Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen

Dropping a player apparently wanted by Barcelona isn’t the obvious path to improvement, especially when he is the captain, but the seeds of Arsenal’s revival lay in Arsene Wenger’s decision to pair Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the centre of defence.

Thomas Vermaelen was the odd man out and the Belgian’s few first-team starts have been unhappy. He deputised for Mertesacker in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United and came on for Koscielny in the 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City, when four goals were scored during his time on the pitch as Arsenal descended into disarray.

While that was not purely Vermaelen’s fault, he has an uphill task to ensure he stays in the team when the Frenchman is fit again.

Aston Villa: Christian Benteke

The first month of the campaign rather resembled last season. Then Christian Benteke went from flood to drought with no warning. The man who couldn’t stop scoring now can’t start again.

He has gone three months, 10 games and 719 minutes of first-team football without finding the net. The Belgian battering ram is no longer the destroyer of defences and isn’t playing with the same sense of bullishness and bravado.

Instead, there are some Aston Villa supporters who prefer to see Libor Kozak in the side as Paul Lambert’s team, like their star striker, are finding goals a rarity.

Cardiff: Peter Odemwingie

On the plus side, Peter Odemwingie completed a transfer without turning up in the car park of a club he wanted to sign before a deal had been agreed.

On the negative, a man who delivered 15 Premier League goals in a season for West Bromwich Albion has mustered just one so far for his new employers.

Odemwingie has not been threatening enough and, while he has mainly operated on the flanks, Cardiff are likely to need more goals from their wingers if they are to survive.

Chelsea: Ashley Cole

A byword for consistency for many a year, Ashley Cole has had an in-and-out season. Unusually, he has spent some of it out of the Chelsea team.

The left-back was dropped after the defeat at Newcastle and has not been seen in the Premier League since, with the right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta playing out of position in his stead.

It followed some indifferent performances from Cole and, while the Chelsea strikers have come in for more criticism this season, it was telling that the ever-analytical Jose Mourinho axed a man he bought during his first spell in charge.

LONDON, December 28 – Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has warned his team-mates they can’t afford to rest on their laurels as the Premier League title race heats up.

City kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal with a 2-1 win over title rivals Liverpool on Thursday, but there is no time to savour that crucial conquest as the hectic Christmas schedule means Manuel Pellegrini’s team are back in action on Saturday.

Given City’s 100 percent winning record in the league at Eastlands this season, a visit from lowly Crystal Palace will be seen as a certain home victory in many quarters.

A win would take City top of the table ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle on Sunday, but Argentine right-back Zabaleta knows Pellegrini’s men could be punished if they underestimate a Palace side that has improved under new boss Tony Pulis.

“We have to push even more now. We know December and January is one of the key points for the big teams to make a difference because we play many games and you need to try to keep winning,” Zabaleta said.

“We are very comfortable and we feel good and have huge confidence.

“At the moment we are doing well, are one point behind the leaders and that is why Crystal Palace is also a key game.”

City’s bitter rivals Manchester United travel to Norwich looking to build on a winning run that extended to five matches on Thursday with a 3-2 success at Hull.

United, eight points behind Arsenal in seventh place, fought back from two goals down to beat Hull and boss David Moyes believes that kind of spirited display proves the defending champions shouldn’t be written off despite their spluttering start to the season.

“I never doubted us,” Moyes said. “I think that tells you what Manchester United have got and hopefully it tells you a bit about David Moyes as well.

“Hopefully my teams have always been committed to trying to win games of football.

“All we can do is keep knocking away and hopefully be in there fighting come the end of the season.”

The weekend’s marquee match-up comes on Sunday when Chelsea host Liverpool in a battle between two sides hoping to overhaul Arsenal and City in the title race.

Third placed Chelsea are one point ahead of Liverpool and two behind Arsenal, prompting Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic to admit the fixture will have a significant impact on the Blues’ title prospects.

“It’s going to be a very important game for us, one of the deciding games this season,” Ivanovic said.

“We must be ready for the big fight. Our team likes to play big games and big challenges.

“I hope we’re going to be ready for Liverpool, because it’s a massive, massive game for us.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident his players will recover from their setback at City and deliver a dynamic display in another major test of their title credentials.

“We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe. We take great confidence from that,” Rodgers said of the match against City.

“That was a big statement from us. Now we are just focusing on the next game and that is all we have done during the course of this calendar year.

“That has served us well. Let’s see where it takes us.”

Arsenal remain the team to catch and German defender Per Mertesacker believes Thursday’s 3-1 win at West Ham, which saw the Gunners hit back from a goal down to end a run of four matches without a win, is ample evidence that they are capable of lasting the pace in the title race.

A 6-3 loss against City and a frustrating 0-0 draw against Chelsea had raised questions about Arsenal, but Mertesacker said: “During the game we always believed in our strengths.

“We want to go on another good run so at the minute we are really proud we are really proud that we came back against West Ham and it shows our character.”

Arsenal travel to improving Newcastle on Sunday.

Fixtures (1500GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Aston Villa v Swansea, Cardiff v Sunderland (1730GMT), Hull v Fulham, Manchester City v Crystal Palace, Norwich v Manchester United, West Ham v West Brom (1245GMT)

Sunday

Chelsea v Liverpool (1600GMT), Everton v Southampton (1330GMT), Newcastle v Arsenal (1330GMT), Tottenham v Stoke (1600GMT)

MANCHESTER, December 28 – Edin Dzeko’s second-half strike sent Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table as his side earned a narrow 1-0 victory over strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini decided to make six changes from his side’s victory over Liverpool on Thursday and their 100 percent home record looked in danger until Dzeko’s strike with 24 minutes to go.

Nonetheless, the 2012 champions are now top of the league for the first time since the opening weekend of the season, with previous leaders Arsenal not in action until Sunday.

With City unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the league this year, visiting their ground is a daunting task for even Europe’s top sides, let alone relegation candidates Palace.

Tony Pulis’s side may have won four of their last seven games, but City’s ruthlessness on their own turf meant that most Palace fans travelled north expecting a damage limitation exercise.

But City lacked something in the opening half, with the absence of midfielder Yaya Toure notable as he was rested by Pellegrini and looked on from the bench.

David Silva did create an early chance for Dzeko and he flashed a shot wide in the best of the first-half openings.

City probed for the opening 45 minutes with the majority of the possession, but they did not have the same zip to their play that has seen them put six goals past Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on home turf this season.

They were limited to long-distance efforts, with Silva, James Milner and even centre-back Vincent Kompany having a go from range, only to be either off target or have their shots easily saved by Julian Speroni in the Palace goal.

Palace rarely ventured out of their own half, but when they did it ended badly for forward Cameron Jerome, who had to be taken off after colliding with City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

England international Hart received a nasty cut under his eye for his troubles.

That led to a lengthy delay and in the first-half stoppage time that resulted, Fernandinho forced Speroni into a decent stop with a powerful header.

After the restart, it was Hart who was tested first when Jason Puncheon fizzed an effort towards the bottom corner that the City goalkeeper pushed away.

That prompted Pellegrini into a double change as Fernandinho and right-back Dedryck Boyata were sacrificed for the more attacking Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo.

Pellegrini’s decision to rest some of his big names in the busy festive period, having complained about fixture congestion recently, looked set to backfire.

Frustration was creeping in among the home fans, who had been treated to so much better in their side’s previous home games.

And the hosts even started to look vulnerable on the counter-attack, with Puncheon curling just wide and Mile Jedinak forcing Hart into a good save with a dangerous swerving effort.

But the tension that was filtering around the Etihad was released in the 66th minute when Palace failed to clear and Jesus Navas crossed for Dzeko, who lifted a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Soon after, Joel Ward forced Hart into another save before the Palace defender headed wide from close range from Barry Bannan’s cross.

Dzeko went close in second-half stoppage time as he headed just over, but a second goal was not needed in the end for City, who can look down on their title rivals for a few hours at least.

LONDON, England, December 29- Racing driver Michael Schumacher has been seriously injured in a skiing accident after hitting his head on a rock.

The 44-year-old was off-piste with his son in the luxury resort of Meribel, in the French Alps, when he fell.
It is claimed he was wearing a helmet and remained conscious.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion was immediately airlifted to hospital where he is being treated for a ‘serious but not life-threatening’ head injury.

A spokesman for the emergency services said: ‘He was wearing a helmet but his head apparently hit a rock. He suffered a serious head injury.

“The alarm was raised, and when help arrived he was conscious but very shocked. A helicopter immediately airlifted him to hospital in Moutiers.”

Speaking to Radio Monte Carlo, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, the ski resort’s director, said: “He was shocked, a little shaken, but conscious.

“I do not know the severity of the injury. The police are currently conducting their investigation into the origins of the fall.”

It is understood Schumacher was staying in a luxury villa at the resort which is a favourite among Europe’s wealthy elite.

He is passionate skier who has a run named after him in the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio.

It is believed the 44-year-old has been transported to hospital near the resort in the province of Savoie in France

The former Benetton and Ferrari driver was skiing near the Dent de Burgin (Tooth of Burgin) chairlift, between two marked pistes, when he fell at 11.07am local time.

Minutes later, at 11.15am, he was airlifted to an emergency ward in Moutiers, nine miles away, before being transferred to Grenoble, 80 miles west.

Police are now investigating the circumstances of the accident.

Schumacher, who is due to celebrate his 45th birthday in five days, is a motor racing legend, having won the most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions and races in a single season.

He has one son, and a daughter, Gina-Marie, with his wife, Corinna.

They live in a lakeside mansion in Switzerland worth £50million. He has an extensive classic car collection and a special trophy room for the awards he has collected during his racing career.

-By Daily Mail Online

GRENOBLE, France 30 December – Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula One champion, was in a critical condition on Monday after suffering severe brain trauma in a skiing accident in the French Alps, doctors said.

The German racing legend, who turns 45 on Friday, had been skiing off-piste with his 14-year-old son in the upmarket Meribel resort when he fell and hit his head on a rock.

He was “suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival, which required an immediate neurosurgical operation”, according to the hospital in the southeastern French city of Grenoble where he is being treated.

“He remains in a critical condition.”

Shortly after the accident Meribel resort director Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte said Schumacher, who had been wearing a helmet, was

But when Schumacher fell into coma, doctors realised the damage was worse than initially feared.

Two mountain police officers who gave first aid to Schumacher said he was suffering “severe cranial trauma” when they got to him and a helicopter was brought in to evacuate him within 10 minutes.

A renowned Parisian neurologist, doctor Gerard Saillant, arrived at the Grenoble hospital in a police car to help take charge of the famous patient.

Schumacher’s wife Corinna was at his side with his two children, the hospital said.

The hospital statement was signed by the facility’s neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital’s deputy director.

Schumacher a ‘crazy daredevil’

News of Schumacher’s accident stunned the Formula One community and his former teammates joined thousands on Twitter in wishing him a speedy recovery.

“My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time.. Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this,” tweeted British F1 driver Jenson Button.

Schumacher’s former teammate at Benetton Martin Brundle wrote on Twitter: “Come on Michael, give us one of those race stints at pure qualifying pace to win through, like you used to. You can do it.”

He added that the German was “a crazy brave skydiving/bike racing daredevil”.

Brazilian Formula One racing driver Felipe Massa said he was “praying for God to protect you my brother!! I wish you a speedy recovery Michael”, the former Ferrari driver wrote.

The next update on Schumacher’s condition would be given at 1000 GMT on Monday, a hospital spokesman said.

Police kept guard at the hospital’s entrances as journalists and fans, some wearing the colours of the Formula One legend’s former stable Ferrari, gathered outside awaiting news of his health.

Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident, the ski resort said.

Schumacher, who won the last of his world titles in 2004, definitively retired in 2012 in the Brazilian Grand Prix, in which he finished seventh, after an abandoned attempt to quit six years earlier.

Since his debut in 1991, the German towered over the sport, winning more Formula One world titles and races than any other. He had a record 91 wins and is one of only two men to reach 300 grands prix.

Schumacher’s duels in his heyday with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, fired by an unquenchable competitive spirit, have gone down in Formula One lore.

Schumacher was born in January 1969 near Cologne, Germany, the son of a bricklayer who also ran the local go-kart track, where his mother worked in the canteen.

By 1987, Schumacher was the German and European go-kart champion and was soon racing professionally. In 1991 he burst into Formula One by qualifying seventh in his debut race in Belgium and a year later he was racing for Benetton, where he won his first Formula One grand prix in 1992.

After joining Ferrari in 1996, Schumacher achieved infamy by trying to ram Villeneuve off the road at Jerez in the last race of 1997, and was disqualified from the championship as punishment.

Over the next decade, he went from strength to strength, dominating the podium, before trying to retire the first time aged 37.

During his retirement he survived an accident that knocked him out when racing a motorbike in Spain.

That time he was released from hospital after just five hours.

But the father of two could not resist the lure of the track and in 2010 he signed a three-year deal with Mercedes.

But slower reflexes and a less competitive car meant Schumacher could not reproduce his former glory and he quit for good in 2012. His helmet had a message for fans: “Life is about passions — Thank you for sharing mine.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 30 – The national 7s team will pitch camp in South Africa for one week, to prepare for the fourth round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, Las Vegas 7s, scheduled to run on the weekend of January 24 to 26 in United States of America.

According to Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, Mwangi Muthee, the squad will depart on Friday and will participate in the George Sevens Premier League on January 11 to 12.

“The team is preparing well ahead of the Las Vegas 7s and the boys  have resumed training after two days break of Christmas.

“The team will sharpen their skills in South Africa for one week, before returning back to Nairobi for three days and then head to USA,” the KRU boss told Capital Sport on Monday.

Muthee lauded head coach Paul Treu, for guiding the boys to three consecutive HSBC Sevens World Series Main Cup quarters, since he took charge of the team.

“I’m very ambitious that one day we will win the Cup for our Kenyan fans who have been very supportive, since it has been long over due.

“When Treu was appointed the head coach, his first task was to bring in consistency and understand the team, which i can confirm to the people that he has done. Kenya has never been to the Sevens World Series Cup quarters back to back three times, so its a big achievement for the country and Treu,” he continued.

Treu, charges who are conducting their training behind closed doors in Nairobi, was on Monday boosted by the arrival of United Kingdom based Humphry Kayange , Strathmore Leos Billy Odhiambo and Nakuru RFC’s Oscar Ouma.

since the former South African tactician took over the team in November from Englishman Mike Friday, he has not gone past the World Series Cup quarters, with the team reaching the Plate semifinals in the last two Series.

He will once again meet his former charges, the Springboks in the Las Vegas 7s, after failing to register a win over the team that he managed for nine years.

Kenya who are placed seventh on the standings with 32 points, will take on Canada, Wales and Nelson Mandela Bay 7s champions, South Africa in pool A.

GRENOBLE France 31st December – Formula One legend Michael Schumacher Tuesday showed a slight improvement after a second operation following his life-threatening ski accident but was “not out of danger,” doctors treating him said.

Surgeons said they had “gained some time” by performing a successful second procedure on the seven times world champion on Monday night but he still remained critical.

His wife and two children are at the hospital in the French Alpine city of Grenoble where the former racing driver remains in a coma after he fell and slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste on Sunday.

News of the accident stunned the world and racing stars joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel and legions of fans in expressing their hopes for his recovery.

Schumacher underwent an operation soon after being helicoptered to the hospital on Sunday, and surgeons performed the second nearly two-hour-long procedure to remove a blood clot on the right side of the brain.

Jean-Francois Payen, head of the intensive care unit, warned reporters during a press conference on Tuesday morning that Schumacher was not out of the woods.

“We cannot speculate on the future,” he said. “We cannot say he is out of danger but we have gained some time.”

He said scans showed that the removal of the clot had been done in a “satisfactory manner”, but ruled out Schumacher’s transfer from the hospital as it could be “dangerous.”

Emmanuel Gay, head of the neurosurgery department, said he was “surprised” by the improvement in Schumacher’s condition.

Doctors have said that Schumacher, who is due to turn 45 on January 3, has age and physical fitness on his side.

He had been put in a medically induced coma to spur recovery. His temperature has also been reduced to around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) to reduce swelling.

By being unconscious, the brain is also switched off to sounds, light and other triggers that cause the organ to use up oxygen as it processes the stimuli.

A source close to the investigation into the off-piste accident at the upmarket ski resort of Meribel told AFP that Schumacher’s helmet, which medics say saved his life, was smashed “in two” by the impact.

The German newspaper Bild also quoted a rescuer as saying the split helmet was “full of blood”.

Schumacher’s family in a statement expressed their thanks to the doctors who they said were doing “everything possible to help Michael” and to well-wishers around the world.

News of the accident stunned the world and racing stars joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel and legions of fans in expressing their hopes for his recovery.

Damon Hill, who fought several memorable on-track battles with Schumacher, said he was “praying” for his former rival.

Merkel was “extremely shocked” by the incident, her spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters.

Formula One quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, 26, who has said Schumacher was his childhood idol, said: “I am shocked and I hope that he’ll be feeling better as soon as possible.

Schumacher, who won the last of his world titles in 2004, towered over the sport since his debut in 1991, winning more Formula One world titles and races than any other. He had a record 91 wins and is one of only two men to reach 300 grands prix.

His duels in his heyday with Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, fired by an unquenchable competitive spirit, have gone down in Formula One lore.

Schumacher was born in January 1969 near Cologne, Germany, the son of a bricklayer who also ran the local go-kart track, where his mother worked in the canteen.

By 1987, Schumacher was the German and European go-kart champion and was soon racing professionally. In 1991 he burst into Formula One by qualifying seventh in his debut race in Belgium and a year later, he won his first Formula One grand prix.

He joined Ferrari in 1996 and went from strength to strength over the next decade, dominating the podium, before retiring aged 37.

But the father of two could not resist the lure of the track and in 2010 he came out of retirement, signing a deal with Mercedes before quitting for good in 2012.