Sport Briefs

Maltese re-confirmed as head of Commonwealth organisation

Julian Pace Bonello, president of the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association, was re-confirmed as president of the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation for another two years at the VI Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation’s forum in Auckland, New Zealand. The forum was attended by all Commonwealth countries that were present in New Zealand for the VI Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships: Australia, England, Gibraltar, India, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Singapore and Wales. Mr Pace Bonello has held this post since the CTBF was created in 2002, and was previously the chairperson for the Commonwealth Affairs Committee of the World Tenpin Bowling Association. The main aim of the CTBF is to get tenpin bowling re-introduced as a sport in the official programme of the Commonwealth Games. In 2010, it was re-classified in the official list of sports as a category two sport of the Commonwealth Games Federation, which means that tenpin bowling can be included in any future edition of the Commonwealth Games (after 2018).

Burns changes promoters, facing possible lawsuit

WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns is facing a possible civil lawsuit after switching promoters to force the cancellation of the unification bout against IBF holder Miguel Vazquez next month. Burns was presented Monday as the newest fighter for promoter Matchroom, causing Frank Warren to claim a breach of contract and announce his intention to sue the 29-year-old Scot for "substantial damages." Warren says "Burns is under binding promotional and management contracts." Burns (35-2, 10 knockouts) hasn't fought since retaining his belt against Kevin Mitchell in September but had been due to fight Vazquez at Wembley Arena on April 20 in a postponed contest. Burns says "I just felt over the last year or so things hadn't been working out" as "there were a few issues that needed working out."

SKorean basketball coach arrested for match-fixing

A basketball coach has been arrested in the latest matchfixing scandal in South Korean sport. Prosecutors say they arrested Kang Dong-hee on suspicion of trying to fix four games in return for $43,000 from two gamblers in 2011. They say Kang, the Dongu Promy coach, benched his best players in an attempt to lose. South Korea's basketball governing body vowed Tuesday to banish Kang permanently if he is found guilty. Kang is reportedly denying charges.