Sport-in brief

Radcliffe to defend title

World record-holder Paula Radcliffe will defend her title at the New York City Marathon.

The 34-year-old British runner, who set the world mark of 2 hours, 15 minutes, 25 seconds in 2003, won last year in 2:23:09. Radcliffe is unbeaten in New York, also winning the title in 2004. She said in a statement Wednesday that "New York has always been very special to me and every time I return it becomes more special." In the marathon race at the Beijing Olympics, Radcliffe rushed to recover from injuries but finished a disappointing 23rd.

This year's New York City Marathon is set for Nov. 2.

NEW YORK, AP

Belgium probes top anti-doping doctor

The head of Belgian Olympic Committee wants his top anti-doping official to resign after a retiring athlete said the doctor had advised him to take illegal products a decade ago.

Dr. Renno Roelandt, who also holds a post at the World Anti-Doping Agency, however, refused to step down as deputy chairman of the Belgian Olympic committee despite the urging from chairman Pierre-Olivier Beckers.

Instead, the Belgian Olympic committee decided Monday to open an investigation into the allegations from sprinter Erik Wijmeersch that Roelandt advised him in 1998 to take illegal growth hormones.

BRUSSELS, Wednesday, AP

Thurstan softball sixes

The annual six-a-side softball cricket tournament organized by the Junior Old Boys Association of Thurstan College Colombo will take place at the College ground at Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha on October 5 from 8.30a.m.

This will be a fun and a colourful event which is expected to be a gathering of Old Thurstanites of various age groups. For further details contact Chamara H. Lokugamage, 0785378272, 0714785357.

Impressive 3-0 win for Kandy York SC

Kandy Sports Corr.

Kandy York Sports Club scored an impressive 3-0 win over Maligawatte Youth Sports Club in their KIT Premier League Football Tournament organised by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka and played at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy.

At half time Kandy York led 1-0.

P. Markalanda refereed.

Baduraliya stays in Premier League

Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee yesterday decided to stick to their earlier decision by including Baduraliya Cricket Club in the Premier League tournament Tier 'A' for the upcoming 2008/09 inter club domestic season.

Baduraliya CC were relegated into the Premier League Tier 'B' after they finished at the bottom of the points table during last year's competition. But they were granted permission to remain in the Premier League Tier 'A' tournament for another season following a special request from the club which prompted tournament committee chairman Ajith Jayasekera to resign from his post in protest.

The Interim Committee is expected to meet next week to find a replacement for Ajith Jayasekera and the Premier League tournament will commence in the second week of October. CD