McLeish weighs up move for Boyd

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is considering a bid for Rangers striker Kris Boyd.

The Championship side are keen to bolster their forward line, with Garry O'Connor sidelined by injury and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's loan period ending.

Boyd, 25, is the top scorer in the Scottish Premier League with 18 goals.

McLeish signed Boyd from Kilmarnock during his time in charge of Rangers and also capped the forward when manager of Scotland.

Cardiff City failed with a £2.5m bid for Boyd in the summer but the player recently revealed that he had considered leaving Ibrox.

He was frustrated at being overlooked for key matches last term but his form this season has been impressive.

Rangers manager Walter Smith has made no secret of the need to prune his squad. However, it would be a major surprise if he elected to sell his leading scorer.

On Tennis: Federer going all out in January

Roger Federer is pumped.

No doubt wanting to make a statement early in 2009, he's playing the most he ever has in January, starting with a lucrative exhibition in Abu Dhabi this week that features two of his main rivals, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and Scottish talent Andy Murray.

The majestic Swiss then hits the Qatar Open, with Nadal and Murray resurfacing, before competing in the Kooyong Classic, another exhibition and his only form of Australian Open prep in recent years.

Federer was afflicted with mono last year at this time, though he didn't know it, and it predictably affected his 2008 season. He lost in the Australian Open semis to upstart Novak Djokovic, only salvaging his campaign by claiming a fifth straight U.S. Open and doubles gold at the Olympics in China.

"Never before have I started a tennis year as early as the one ahead," Federer told his Web site. "There is such a large number of challenges lying ahead. Facing them, working hard and giving my best to succeed is precisely why I love my job so much."

Wins over Nadal and Murray prior to Melbourne, regardless of whether they're in exhibitions or not, would do Federer good: He went a miserable 1-7 against the duo the past 12 months.

NO ROOF FOR SAMPRAS: It might keep the tennis going, but Pete Sampras is no fan of Wimbledon's new retractable roof.

The roof is set to be operational by the time next year's tournament begins, which means the big stars won't be affected when the inevitable rain comes. The mere mortals on the circuit, well, will have to fend for themselves.

"I don't like it," Sampras, who won half of his 14 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, told the Tennis Channel. "I understand why for television and the fans this is happening, but one of the most difficult things to deal with at Wimbledon as a player are the rain delays. I feel everyone has to be on the same playing field, and (with the roof) the top guys are at a slight advantage to get their match in versus someone that might lose his day off."

That being said, Sampras said he'd consider playing in an event to test the roof in mid-May, about a month prior to the start of Wimbledon 2009. Rumor has it that John McEnroe, Tim Henman and Boris Becker might also be asked to participate.

"Going over to London is not an easy trip, but that could be a pretty cool event, so would I consider it?" the California resident said. "Absolutely."

Early in December, Sampras made his first visit to England since 2002 -- when he exited in the second round at Wimbledon -- by competing at a seniors' event. He, however, stayed away from the All England Club.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: Ana Ivanovic is one of the world's best players and widely considered one of the most attractive, so she gets a lot of attention. The Serb is getting even more now, thanks to her relationship with another pro -- Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, no stranger to mingling with models and actresses in the past.

The two have been dating more months, and Ivanovic recently bought a house in Spain (as a base for training purposes, she insists).

How is she handling the sudden interest in her private life?

"It's something that comes with success," Ivanovic said. "It's obviously not one of the better things about being a professional tennis players, but there is no point complaining or trying to avoid it."

Ivanovic, who had a miserable second half of 2008 after winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, arrived Down Under early to ready for the Australian Open. Apart from hitting balls, she's been running up hills and along beaches.

"I'm going through the most intense training period of the season," Ivanovic said. "I have three sessions a day most days, combining both practice on the court and fitness. It's very exhausting."

SECOND SERVES: John Isner, who took his knocks in his second year on the pro circuit, earned a wild card for the Australian Open by winning a mini USTA tournament. Armed with one of the biggest serves around, the 6-foot-9 North Carolina native finished the year ranked 144th -- he was inside the top 85 in April. Christina McHale, a 16-year-old from New Jersey, won the women's event. She's never played in a top-tier match before. ... Two-time Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce, soon 34 and battling a serious knee injury, says she doesn't plan on retiring yet. The Florida-based power baseliner last played in October 2006. ....Temperamental Aussie wonder-kid Bernard Tomic, 16, will make his top-level debut at the Brisbane International in Australia next week after being handed a wild card. Tomic drew criticism for walking off the court at a third-tier tournament in Perth, Australia, in early December. His dad, upset that Tomic's opponent wasn't being called for foot faults, ordered him to quit. ....Check out the Web sites of the ATP and WTA Tours for holiday videos featuring some of their top stars. California's Sam Querrey has quite the voice.

Alexandre Gaydamak ready to sell Portsmouth

Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak has put the club up for sale.

The 32-year-old Franco-Russian businessman cited growing business commitments for his decision.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "I have come to realise over a period of time that I can no longer invest the time required to oversee the running of the club."

However, Gaydamak said he will not sell to anyone without a guarantee they will commit to funding a new stadium and training ground for the club.

Gaydamak became co-owner of Portsmouth, alongside then-chairman Milan Mandaric, in January 2006.

He bought out Mandaric at a cost of about £32m to solely take the helm at Fratton Park in July that same year, and set out his strategy to find a new stadium and training facilities for the club.

Gaydamak insists he will now seek assurances that any potential buyer will ensure those ambitions become reality.

He said: "As regards the new stadium and training ground it is sensible to re-evaluate things in the current market, but I stress that it is imperative that they go ahead.

"And until I find a buyer who will give me cast iron assurances that this will be the case, I will remain at the club.

"I have already rejected two offers for the club because I didn't feel the buyers' motives were in the best interests of the club's long-term future.

"Making money from the sale of the club does not interest me. Finding the right buyer is far more important."

FIFA satisfied with meeting of the sports ministers of the European Union

Following the meeting of the European sports ministers that took place in Biarritz, France on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November, to which the Olympic and sporting movement was also invited, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said: "I am satisfied with the coming together of viewpoints and the strong support for the notions of specificity, autonomy and self-regulation of sport that was demonstrated by the 27 European ministers during the meeting in Biarritz. The unanimous support of the ministers and their desire for dialogue point towards a bright future for the Olympic and sporting movement."

The unity and desire for structured dialogue with the European authorities shown by the Olympic and sporting movement, led by Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, who made an impressive speech at the meeting, coupled with the backing given among others by the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, the International Ice Hockey Federation, the International Basketball Federation, the International Rugby Board and UEFA, give cause for great satisfaction at the progress of the discussions.

A private meeting between the FIFA President and the European Commissioner Jan Figel allowed both parties to allay certain doubts regarding the application of the specificity and autonomy of sport.

Blatter is equally delighted by the unanimous agreement voiced by the 27 European sports ministers on the need for dialogue and discussion of the "6+5" rule while respecting its compatibility with EU law.

The 27 European sports ministers issued the following joint statement with regard to the "6+5" rule: "... the ministers express their interest in and want to encourage further discussions on the initiatives of international federations to encourage the teams of professional clubs in each country to develop the presence of athletes capable of qualifying for national teams, in compliance with EU law, to strengthen the regional and national rules of professional clubs."

The FIFA President also spoke about the measures being taken by FIFA to protect minors and training clubs. These met with the appreciation of the European ministers.

Forum mulls enhanced EU sports role

The first European Sports Forum, held last week in the French town of Biarritz, kicked off a renewed EU-level stakeholder dialogue between the sector and the European Commission in view of a future EU competence on sport.

Around 200 representatives of European sports organisations, national sport confederations, National Olympic Committees and international sports stakeholders took stock of the implementation of the 2007 White Paper on Sport and discussed grassroots sports financing.

The Commission noted declining solidarity in sports funding as a result of increased internationalisation and competitiveness of professional sport, launching an independent study into the financing of grassroots sport in the EU 27 in early 2009.

The study will examine the sources of sports financing, covering national regulatory aspects that have an impact on funding streams related to the application of EU law, such as national monopolies on gambling.

A significant part of the forum was dedicated to the specific nature of sport. Here, the discussions mainly focused on football's disputed '6 5 rule' , proposed by FIFA to limit the number of foreign players in club competitions. The EU executive and the European Parliament argue that such a rule would constitute discrimination based on nationality and break Community law, which guarantees freedom of movement for workers.

EU sports ministers, an an informal meeting connected with the forum, asked the Commission to consider the matter of 6+5 and come up with a solution. Ministers also echoed a previous call from the European Parliament and the sports movement for EU executive to provide sports organisations clearer legal guidelines on the application of EU law.

Positions:
Several sports stakeholders told EurActiv that it was "a pity" that the forum's programme was dominated by long presentations and speeches, leaving no time for real discussion or dialogue between stakeholders.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter welcomed EU sports ministers' support for "the need for dialogue and discussion of the '6+5 rule' while respecting its compatibility with EU law".

"Sport does not aspire to put itself above the law," UEFA President Michel Platini told the ministers, "but it is specific. Sport is not an economic activity like any other. Football is a game rather than just a product or a market. It is a spectacle rather than just a business".

Platini urged Europe to change its stance, arguing "sporting equity and competition balance cannot be submitted to arbitrary market laws". Europe must "take inspiration from sport, instead of imposing on sport unsound ideological models which have been pre-manufactured elsewhere," he said, calling on the European Commission to provide more legal certainty and adopt guidelines allowing professional football to remain within European law without compromising its autonomy.

Mogens Kirkeby, president of the International Sport and Culture Association, warned that general economic stagnation would lead to a decrease in the overall financial resources available for sport. "A strong international and national focus on the elite sport after the Olympic Games, will create a competition on the available resources within the sport sector and it will put grassroots sport under economic pressure," he said.

Kirkeby thinks that more sectors must be inspired and encouraged to contribute financial resources to grassroots sport. "The starting point for such involvement of other public and private financial partners is the instrumental abilities [such as contribution to health or social integration] of grassroots sport," he added.

Echoing Kirkeby's concerns about the imbalance in attention and funding given to elite and grassroot sport, Enrique Sanchez-Guijo Acevedo, president of the European Paralympic Committee, said there was no doubt that competitive sport was "a very complex reality and that it merits profound analysis".

However, he underlined that elite sport is nourished by grassroot sports. "We cannot take the risk of over-talking about elite sports while losing sight of its essential backbone: base sports," he said.

Superb Spain take World Cup lead

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal gave Spain a four-shot lead after day two of the World Cup.

Hitting alternate shots in the foursomes in China, the duo carded a superb nine-under round of 63 to haul themselves above Germany and Australia.

Sweden are five off the lead in fourth ahead of the United States and Ireland pair Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell.

Scotland's title defence faltered after a 73 that leaves them 17th. England are tied for 19th and Wales in last place.

Jimenez and Larrazabal, the 2008 European Tour Rookie of the Year, got off to a strong start, picking up seven strokes on the front nine with five birdies and an eagle.

They continued their impressive form on the back nine, dropping their only shot of the day at the par-five 15th.

"We complemented very well today on the golf course," said Jimenez.

"Foursomes, you know - it's the kind of thing that is very sensitive. You need to be nice and not competitive with you partner."

Germany's Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka, who were the overnight leaders after Thursday's fourballs, carded a 68 to share second with Australia.

Scotland were 14 shots off the pace after Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth signed for a one-over-par 73.

England's Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher combined for a 74, while Bradley Dredge and Richard Johnson stuttered to a five-over 77 to leave Wales propping up the leaderboard.

Inter Milan meets Napoli in Serie A after midweek loss in Europe

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has publicly accepted the blame for his team's home loss to Panathinaikos. Now, he must motivate his players for Sunday's Serie A match against Napoli or risk increasing his culpability.

"I accept the blame for this defeat and now we have to look forward," Mourinho said Wednesday after his team lost 1-0 to Panathinaikos in the Champions League group stage.

After a slow start, Inter has opened a three-point lead over city rival AC Milan in the Serie A, but the team has won only its first of five games in the Champions League. Despite Wednesday's loss, Inter qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mourinho will be looking to make sure his team's lackluster Champions League performances aren't transferred to the Serie A.

Napoli, four points behind Inter to be tied for third, has been one of the biggest surprises after finishing eighth last season, 35 points back from Inter. Napoli has seen several games slip away this year in the last minutes otherwise it could be even higher.

Last week, Cagliari scored in the final minute of injury time to draw a game that Napoli had controlled almost from the start. Coach Edoardo Reja berated his players, saying their youth was also partly to blame for a similar result against AC Milan earlier.

Mourinho, for his part, is likely to continue experimenting until he finds a winning combination. He has had a different starting lineup in each of Inter's 13 league games this year. On Wednesday, he started with two wingers and then later fielded three strikers.

Also Sunday, AS Roma hosts Fiorentina. Roma started slowly, dropping to just one point clear of relegation, but the team has played well lately including a 3-1 Champions League win at CFR Cluj and a 3-0 victory at Lecce last weekend in the Serie A.

Captain Francesco Totti scored in both games and appears to be finding form after injuries hampered his start to the season.

"I said this was a quality team and I have been proven correct," Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said. "The crisis is over. In the game against Cluj, I saw some things in the team that give me reason to hope. We can still improve very much."

Roma is 16 points behind Inter with a game in hand, but Totti and teammates are expected to find a demoralized Fiorentina after it was eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday.

AC Milan, which travels to Palermo, plays Portsmouth later Thursday in the UEFA Cup.

Juventus hosts Reggina on Saturday looking to rebound from last week's loss to Inter and an uninspired 0-0 draw with Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League. Juventus had already qualified for the last 16 with two games to spare.

Also, it's: Atalanta vs. Lazio; Cagliari vs. Sampdoria; Genoa vs. Bologna; Siena vs. Torino; Udinese vs. Chievo Verona; and Lecce vs. Catania.

Arsenal beat Kiev to reach last 16

Arsenal edged into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a game to spare after an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev at the Emirates.

Substitute Nicklas Bendtner struck three minutes from time to keep Arsenal top of Group G and eliminate Kiev who ended with 10 men after midfielder Olexandr Aliyev lost his cool in the final minutes and pushed referee Alain Hamer.

Kiev, needing a win, should have taken advantage of an injury-hit Arsenal whose season has been coming off the rails in recent weeks with consecutive league defeats and the sacking of William Gallas as club captain.

Until Bendtner's 87th-minute goal, the visitors had enjoyed the best chances of a disappointing game with Ismael Bangoura denied by the woodwork in the first half and Artem Milevskiy shooting straight at Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia late on.

Victory lifted Arsenal to 11 points with one game to play at second-placed Porto on December 10 when a draw will guarantee them top spot of the group.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recalled Gallas, who was dropped at the weekend following comments he made about the team, and the Frenchman was at the centre of the night's key moments.

After receiving a good reception from the home fans he almost became the villain after 38 minutes when he gifted the ball to Kiev dangerman Bangoura who curled a shot against the near post when a pass to a team mate would have been the better option.

Rory McIlroy in line for Masters debut

Rory McIlroy is now in line for a Masters debut next April despite just missing out a maiden European Tour win at the Hong Kong Open.

The 19-year-old lost out in a dramatic play-off to Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei but he has moved up to 50th in the world rankings.

Should McIlory remain in the top 50 at the end of next month he would earn himself a debut at Augusta.

"It puts me in a great position going into the new year," said McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman insisted the defeat in Hong Kong is already behind him as he focuses on making a solid start to 2009.

"As long as I can keep putting myself in these positions and feeling the nerves and the adrenaline, I'll know I'm doing things right," said McIlroy.

"I have two events left in South Africa. If I don't win there, I'll hopefully win sometime next year.

"As long as I keep putting myself in these positions, I'll be able to pull through sooner or later."

McIlroy climbed the leaderboard with a five-under-par 65 to enter a three-way play-off with Lin and Italy's Francesco Molinari.

Molinari could only par the first play-off hole on the par-four 18th while Lin and McIlroy both birdied meaning the two would face off again.

McIlroy scrambled a par on his second play-off hole after finding trees off the tee but Lin hit his approach to a foot to secure his first European Tour victory.

"I thought I probably did enough to make three at the first play-off hole and I had an incredible shot for my second shot, but it just wasn't meant to be," added McIlroy.

"Obviously it's still been a great week for me. I'll look back on it, and I've played really well. I couldn't have done much more."

Scottish referees lead the line

Life as a referee is a lonely existence. Every decision is analysed to infinity and rarely is everyone happy.

Not a week goes by in Scottish football without a refereeing controversy dominating the back pages and phone-ins.

At times like these having your friends around you is essential and, if the experiment going on here in Cyprus proves successful, the football authorities might be about to offer our poor refs some respite.

A crack team of Scottish whistlers led by Iain Brines, under the watchful eye of Hugh Dallas, took charge of the U-19 European Championship qualifier between Georgia and Cyprus with the sixth official looking on from between the dug-outs.

Yes, that's right, the sixth official!

Here's the idea. Two extra assistants patrol the goal-line with all officials wired up to offer immediate advice to the referee.

Some might think it will only complicate things but, having seen this in action and listened in on the officials' chit-chat during the game, in my view it really seems to work.

Uefa president Michel Platini is the driving force behind this experiment, looking to minimise incorrect decisions, which increasingly are the most important and most talked about aspect of the game.

And Platini's general secretary, David Taylor, shares the Frenchman's enthusiasm.

"I think there's something in it," he told BBC Sport.

"It looks as if it's helpful to referees in terms of improving control of certain aspects of the game.

"It's control of the penalty area, holding, pulling, pushing that sort of thing. It's useful in terms of penalty-kick incidents.

"These are pretty critical and crucial decisions in games. And to have another pair of eyes seeing it from a different angle cannot do any harm."

William Gaillard, the special advisor to Platini, explained to me that often referees are caught up behind play with difficult angles which means on occasion they might think contact has been made between players.

With this system, the goal-line patroller can immediately confirm or pre-empt an incorrect decision by offering advice from a much better and closer angle.

If adopted, it's expected that this system would only be used at the top end of the game.

For those who believe technology should be used in football it seems this is another nail in the coffin, at least for the foreseeable future.

The authorities believe it is a game for the people, managed by people and going down the route of television replays will lead to the interruption of what's meant to be a free-flowing spectacle.

The results of this experiment will be discussed by Fifa and their international board in February.

If it gets the go-ahead, players, managers, fans and referees might, for once, all be in agreement. Then again, probably not.

Ian Stewart Appointed UKA Endurance Head

UK Athletics (UKA) today announced two significant moves to address the immediate and long term future of elite level endurance running in Britain.

Head Coach Charles van Commenee has appointed Ian Stewart to lead UKA's endurance strategy, whilst some of the biggest names in distance running will support him with the formation of an endurance advisory group.

Stewart was one of the most successful British distance runners of the 1970s. On track he won Olympic bronze, European gold and Commonwealth gold over 5000m and in 1975 he was the last British man to win gold at the World Cross Country Championships.

During the early 1990s, he worked as coach for the GB & NI junior men's team at the World Cross Country Championships. As a personal coach he worked from Wolverhampton & Bilston AC, where he coached British internationals Karl Keska - Britain's most recent 10,000m Olympic top eight athlete - and Darius Burrows, amongst others.

Stewart reports directly to van Commenee and – in conjunction with Charles - will oversee the programmes of those key athletes who have been identified as potential medalists or finalists in London 2012.

He will also retain his position as Meeting Director for UKA televised meetings, in which he will utilise his outstanding world-wide athletics contacts to ensure no stone is left unturned in ensuring British athletes have the best competition opportunities on the international stage.

In addition to Stewart's appointment, Charles van Commenee has also asked Lord Sebastian Coe to form a new endurance advisory group consisting of UK's distance running luminaries to assist and advise on policy making decisions in the discipline.

Lord Coe has agreed to chair the group and has recruited Paula Radcliffe, Dave Bedford, Steve Cram, Brendan Foster, Liz McColgan along with Stewart. The group will meet on a regular basis, the first being on Sunday at this weekend's IAAF World Athletics Gala in Monaco. Amongst them, the group have earned the following honours from the sport:



* 8 Olympic medals

* 21 world records

* 18 World Championship medals

* 16 European Championship medals

* 12 Commonwealth Games medals


Ian Stewart said: "I have been a world class distance runner and I come from a generation that was used to Britain being amongst the world's leading endurance nations. The situation as it stands is far from perfect, but I think there are things we can do that will certainly improve our standing between now and 2012.

"Rome wasn't built in a day - this is a huge challenge. But I have strong views, I am very passionate and I am optimistic British athletes can return to prominence in middle and long distance running."

Charles van Commenee said: “I am delighted that Ian will be joining us at UK Athletics. He brings a breadth and depth of experience, knowledge and expertise of elite athletics than few can match. Britain has a tremendous heritage for endurance running, of which Ian has played a significant part.

“I am also excited that the group of seven of Britain’s endurance running luminaries have made themselves available to support the future of the discipline as part of the advisory group. They know more than me on my own about this area and I am sure their contribution will be invaluable. I look forward to working with Ian and the wider group to help Britain’s talented distance runners fulfill their potential.

Seb Coe said: "What is important is that this group unites behind Charles, Ian and the wider endurance community in a positive and ambitious manner to do all we can to turn round our middle and long distance fortunes between now and 2012.


"When Charles asked me to chair to the group, I didn’t hesitate. We have a great endurance heritage in this country and with that comes expertise, new ideas and a common desire to see our distance athletes achieve success. This is a sure sign that the new team of Niels de Vos and Charles van Commenee are willing to embrace that expertise and use it to re-ignite our country's passion for endurance."

Great Britain and Northern Ireland finish seventh at International Chiba Ekiden Relay

Charlotte Purdue (AFD) helped the AVIVA GB&NI team to seventh place in the team standings at this year’s International Chiba Ekiden Relay in Japan, clocking 15.32 for her 5k leg of the race.



On her senior GB&NI debut Purdue, who currently sits in tenth place on the McCain Power of Ten UK Rankings for 5k, showed great form ahead of the European Cross Country Championships to be held in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday 14 December.



Her time is faster than the U20 5k record of 15.42 held by Sian Edwards however due to the downhill gradient it may not be ratified.



Purdue's coach Mick Woods said: "Charlie had an outstanding run. Training has been going well which was a good indication that she was in great shape.



"Although the downhill course makes it hard to know how good it actually was, it was the third fastest run of the day so I'm over the moon.



"I told her to run as she normally does in relay's and run positively. Despite being young she shows alot of maturity, especially being able to cope with a senior debut."



The AVIVA GB&NI team finished with an overall time of 2:10:12, helped particularly by Scott Overall (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC) who clocked the fastest lap of the team with 13.44.



Team members Ian Boneham (Notts AC), who completed his 10k in 29.44, Freya Murray (Chester le Street & District), who finished the fourth leg with 16.08, Ian Hudspith (Morpeth Harriers), clocking 30.29 as he crossed the line and anchor leg Caroline Hoyte (Arena 80 AC) who finished the 7.195k distance in 24.55, returning to the international fold after last representing GB & NI at this event in 2001 made the trip a successful individual and team affair.



For the second year running Ethiopian men’s and women’s teams took both victories, once again confirming their international dominance of endurance running.



Team results were:


1st - ETH 2:05.27
2nd - JPN 2:06:39
3rd - RUS 2:08:04
4th - JUT 2:08:47
5th - AUS 2:09:6
6th - CHIBA 2:10:00
7th - GBR 2:10:12
8th - USA 2:11:54
9th - CAN 2:11:56
10th - CHN 2:12:11
11th - SWE 2:12:16
12th - BRA 2:14:15
13th - ROU 2:15:37

Top Volunteers Line up For Awards - UK Athletics Annual Awards

Volunteers are set to take pride of place at the UK Athletics Annual Awards Dinner supported by Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne with the Volunteer of the Year to be announced at the event on Saturday 29 November.

With the panel agreeing that this shortlist was one of the hardest to decide, the runners and riders vying for the national award are:


Alex Donald – Wales

Alex Donald joined Cardiff AAC in the early nineties at the age of 11 and since then has built up an impressive range of duties within the club to include coaching the middle distance group, officiating, and his work on the Welsh Athletics Road Running Committee

Andrea Heslip – Northern Ireland

Andrea Heslip coaches at Dromore AC, but her role in many other parts of the sport alongside Athletics Northern Ireland made her nomination all the more impressive. Her work with local schools has helped recruit new youngsters to the club, and her assistance in running schemes as well as her boundless enthusiasm has made an impact in her area.


Ted Toft – East Midlands

Ted was nominated in recognition of more than 40 years service during which he has spent time volunteering as a coach for hurdles and endurance, organising track and cross country leagues, road races and as working as a founder member of Leicester Coritainians. An official at County, Midland and National level, he also organised the Leicester Marathon and the Leicester Road Running League.


Steve Winfield – East Midlands

The Belper Harriers Secretary is recognised for his significant contributions to the club, during the last decade he has clocked an immense level of club related duties from competition organising, kit and logo design, developing mentoring schemes, hosting events, running the website and membership, funding applications and general work that benefits his club.


Jim Young – Scotland

Jim Young has been an active member of Kilmarnock Harriers for more than 50 years as an athlete, coach and committee member. He has been instrumental in the club’s development using his skills from his career as a manager in a global company to ensure the club has a clear structure for athletes, coaches and all other members.

Fans celebrate Diego Maradona's return

Argentina beat Scotland one-nil in soccer friendly as Diego Maradona takes charge for first the time.

Scottish fans treat Maradona as a hero after his famous 'Hand of God' goal knocked fierce rivals England out of the 1986 World Cup

Argentina deserved win - Maradona

Argentina boss Diego Maradona felt his side were worthy of their victory after Maxi Rodriguez's goal consigned Scotland to defeat at Hampden.

"It was a great experience and I was relaxed throughout," said Maradona. "It was a clear victory for us.

"We were brilliant for the first 25 minutes and scored a goal but we couldn't convert our half chances.

"We gave the ball away too easily but even then Scotland couldn't capitalise so we deserved our victory."

Scotland assistant Terry Butcher had said before the match that he would never forgive Maradona for the infamous "Hand of God" goal which helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup.

And when asked if he had shaken hands with the former England captain at the end of the friendly in Glasgow, Maradona responded: "Who is he? Who is Butcher?

"I greeted the Scotland manager after the game. Who is Butcher?"

Scotland face a battle to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals and Maradona said George Burley's side have some improving to do if they are to reach South Africa.

"Scotland are a fine side, they have good players, but we had a different level of skill," said Maradona.

"They have a chance but if they want to do that, then they will have to raise their game. It will be difficult."

The new Argentina coach was considerably more upbeat about his team's chances.

They currently lie third in the South American qualifying standings, seven points behind leaders Paraguay and one behind Brazil, with the top four teams guaranteed to qualify.

"I have dedicated myself 100% this week to lifting the morale of the players," said Maradona.

"We needed to get out of a bad run. We reached a low point with the defeat against Chile but it wasn't a case of blaming other people but working out why.

"The national association didn't sit back, they appointed a new coach and I have succeeded in removing the fear of defeat from the players.

"It has been a long time since we won and expressed ourselves on the pitch like that. Tonight we played for the blue and white and for the people of Argentina."

Maradona's daughter had suffered a pregnancy scare before the match which resulted in her fiancé and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero missing the game to return home to Spain.

"I've been thinking of my daughter and her baby and the lads made things easy for me during a difficult time," added Maradona.

"She was happy for me to be here leading the Argentina side. The players wore the shirt with pride and made me proud."

Wednesday's 'game of God': Will Diego Maradona recreate

Diego Maradona has sorted out his friends and enemies before he enters the Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow on Wednesday night to create history yet again.

The Argentina-Scotland match is expected to eclipse even the England-Germany face-off the same night because of the presence of the man with the "hand of God" who wants to win his first match as the Argentine coach on the same ground he scored his first international goal against the same team in 1979.

He told The Guardian on Tuesday: "It's something that was very special to me. It was nice to start my international career and get my first goal here. What I want to do in terms of repaying them is hopefully put on a good spectacle tomorrow night."

Enemies first. There's actually only one and he has hated Maradona for the last 22 years. Terry Butcher, the Scots' assistant manager, was part of the English team which was knocked out of the 1986 World Cup because of Maradona's infamous 'hand of God' goal.

And Butcher has refused to shake hands with the new Argentine coach before the kick- off because he has never "forgiven" him for that loss to a disputed goal by Maradona that he attributed to the "hand of God".

Maradona brushed it aside: "I'm not going to seek him out. I don't know why Butcher would take this attitude. Let him get on with his life, and I'll get on with mine. I won't lose any sleep over it."

He is otherwise loved in Scotland and popular among even diehard Scots fans. "I'm very much aware of how popular I am in Scotland. I'm glad I somehow made the people of this country happy and if I get the chance I will do so again... to repay the fans in Scotland for their support I want to offer up a spectacle tomorrow night."

Diego Maradona poised for first game as Argentina coach

Diego Maradona's extraordinary career comes full circle when Argentina face Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Wednesday (8 p.m. British time).

There have been plentiful highs and lows, including a brush with death in 2004, since Maradona gave a scintillating performance as an 18-year-old in Argentina's 3-1 friendly win over the Scots in February 1979.

Whether Maradona, who lifted the World Cup in 1986, can have a positive impact as coach is the question being debated in Buenos Aires and around the world.

"Of course this is a new start. But I'm not looking at it as if I have to show things. I'm here to give my support, my experience to the national team," he said.

Wednesday's game will be closely monitored by the family of football and he will want it to go better than his World Cup debut as a player, a shock defeat for the-then holders against Belgium in the opening game of the 1982 finals in Spain.

For the moment, and in the absence of key players Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, Maradona just wants some of his aura to rub off on this generation, having been an inspiration behind the scenes for their Olympic gold medal three months ago.

"As long as we've got the ball and we get some respect for the jersey I'll go away very calm," Maradona told reporters upon arrival in Glasgow.

"I'm not asking the lads for more, they've taken some knocks."

Diego Maradona shrugs off Butcher snub

New Argentina boss Diego Maradona will not lose any sleep if Terry Butcher refuses to shake his hand at Hampden.

Scotland assistant Butcher said he will never forgive Maradona for the infamous "Hand of God" goal which helped knock England out of the 1986 World Cup.

"I don't understand why Butcher has this attitude," said Maradona, who then queried England's 1966 World Cup win.

"England won a World Cup with a goal that never crossed the line, so it's not fair that people should judge me."

He was, of course, referring to Geoff Hurst's extra-time goal in the final against West Germany at Wembley that may not have crossed the goal-line after thundering off the underside of the crossbar.

Hurst's hat-trick goal to make it 4-2 was also controversial, since several spectators had run on to the pitch before he scored.

Maradona has received a warm welcome in Scotland as he prepares for his first game in charge of the national team.

However, former England captain Butcher was not in the mood to join in with the adulation for one of the game's greatest players.

"If people are fine with me, I'll greet them," added Maradona.

"Let Butcher get on with his life and I'll get on with my life.

"I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. If Butcher doesn't shake my hand, I'll still be alive tomorrow."

Maradona scored his first international goal at Hampden in a 3-1 win in 1979 and the Argentine legend has fond memories of Glasgow.

His virtuoso performance won him many fans in Scotland, while his role in eliminating England from the World Cup in Mexico may have added to his list of admirers north of the border.

"I am very much aware of how popular I am and it's great to think I've made them very happy," said Maradona when asked about his relationship with Scottish supporters.

"If I get the chance to make them happy again, that would be marvellous.

"It's something that was very special to me. It was nice to start my international career and get my first goal here.

"What I want to do in terms of repaying them is hopefully put on a good spectacle.

"I feel great. I feel very good. I'm very happy to be back in Scotland after so long away.

"It's a very, very proud moment for me to be heading up the Argentina national side."

When Hansen came up against Diego Maradona

Just under 30 years ago, I played against current Argentina coach Diego Maradona when he scored his first goal for his country against Scotland at Hampden Park on 2 June, 1979.

Maradona was 18 at the time, and if ever one player was destined to be the greatest player in the world it was him.

You talk about the young players in this country, and we have one who is destined to win all the biggest awards in the coming weeks in Cristiano Ronaldo, but Maradona eclipsed him.

This is in no way meant as any criticism of Ronaldo, but he would not be in the same stratosphere as Maradona. It was June and the hottest day in Glasgow for 30 years and we could hardly get near him. He was just magnificent. Unbelievable, and just a kid as well.

You look at his achievements in winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and inspiring them to the final and you see how good he was, but there are other stories as well.

He captained a Rest of the World team in one match, playing alongside Michel Platini, who was one of the best passers of the ball the game had ever seen, but even he was standing open-mouthed at some of the stuff Maradona was doing.

I can remember when I played against him that the ball was almost stuck to his feet. He had the most amazingly quick feet - again people talk about the quickness of Ronaldo's feet, and there is no doubt he is exceptional, but Maradona was just something else.

He was massively strong, scored goals, ran the game and was just the most fantastic talent.

When we played against him, Argentina were the reigning world champions from the previous summer and had people like Mario Kempes and Leopoldo Luque playing for them, the big stars of that World Cup. Maradona was actually 10 times better than them.

And he was so tough. I remember my old Liverpool team-mate Phil Neal telling me he put in a hard tackle on in him early on when England played Argentina a year later, as defenders did in those days, and he said Maradona didn't even flinch. He didn't even go down. He just had everything.

Sometimes you see these young players who have a lot of hype surrounding them, but we all knew that day that this was a player who was going to be the best in the world and he proved us all right.

Autumn Tests 2008 - Rugby Union

Scotland came close to beating the world champions but were made to pay for missed penalties in a hard-fought encounter at Murrayfield.

Nathan Hines scored the Scots' first home try in 14 months just before the break, adding to Phil Godman's earlier penalty after two Dan Parks misses.

The Springboks hit back with a sweeping move finished off by Jaque Fourie.

Ruan Pienaar added nine points with the boot, but Scotland spurned a scoring opportunity in the final two minutes.

Camped deep inside South Africa's 22m, the Scots continued to recycle the ball, but the visitors' resolute defence held firm against the onslaught.

Godman had just spurned a glorious opportunity to cut the deficit to one point - his second penalty miss of the game - as Scotland pushed for the all-important score.

The defeat means Scotland, ranked ninth, cannot now climb back into the top eight of the International Rugby Board's world rankings before the 2011 World Cup draw is made on 1 December, meaning they will be in a group with two top-eight teams.

But despite the result, Scotland coach Frank Hadden can take heart from the way his side matched the Springboks for long periods.

He was forced to make an early change however when goal-kicker Chris Paterson was taken off with an injury, Hugo Southwell coming on at full-back, while Godman needed treatment for a blood wound.

On came Parks at fly-half, but the replacement scuffed two penalty opportunities within the first 15 minutes as referee Dave Pearson penalised South African indiscipline at the breakdown.

The feisty north-westerly breeze hampered Pienaar's kicking rhythm as the fly-half pushed South Africa's first kick at the posts wide on 19 minutes.

The Springboks back row of Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies were lacking their usual verve and bite around the breakdown as they made basic errors inside their own half.

And Scotland finally converted a penalty into three points on 27 minutes when Godman - bandaged up and back on for Parks - split the posts for the first score of the match.

But as South Africa attempted to pound Scotland's tryline, the hosts broke their Murrayfield try famine courtesy of a brilliant break from scrum-half Mike Blair just before half-time.

The captain weaved his way through a gap before finding half-back partner Godman, who was held up just inches short of the tryline.

But the ball was eventually recycled to Hines and the big second row bundled over right by the posts, handing Godman a simple conversion for a 10-0 interval lead.

South Africa came within a whisker of their first try of the afternoon minutes after the restart when Jean de Villiers handed off Ali Hogg, but the centre was taken into touch by a fine try-saving tackle from Southwell.

With momentum swinging their way, the visitors earned their first points of the afternoon when Pienaar added two penalties in the 45th and 55th minutes.

And with Scotland retreating deeper into their 22m, the tourists took the lead courtesy of a wonderful sweeping move through the backs as Fourie - on for the indifferent Bryan Habana - beat Southwell to the corner.

Although Pienaar missed the conversion, he nailed another penalty to give South Africa a four-point cushion with 14 minutes remaining.

But the score only strengthened Scotland's resolve as they darted, heaved, and burrowed to within inches of the South Africa line, but referee David Pearson's whistle came to their rescue when he blew up for a penalty with just 90 seconds remaining.