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SPORTS
Friday 16 January 2015
LONDON, JaNuary 15 (aP): Lionel Messi left FIFA's awards ceremony without a personal accolade again. Collecting a copy of FIFA's weekly magazine on the way out might have been worthwhile if he really needs to convince Barcelona of his ongoing value. Flick through to Sepp Blatter's musing, and the FIFA president declares: "Barcelona would scarcely have become the gold standard in European football without Lionel Messi's 400 goals." Such an ego-boost will hardly make up for seeing Cristiano Ronaldo collect the Ballon D'Or for the second successive year. With commercial strategies now as scrutinized as the coach's tactics in football, the perception is that Real Madrid was more active lobbying for Ronaldo than Barcelona was for its fourtime Ballon D'Or winner. Messi hardly gave the perception of being a loyal Barcelona employee when he faced the cameras in Zurich. Rather than just responding to the inevitable question about his future with the usual declaration of loyalty to the club that turned him into one of the best players of all time, the Argentina captain seemed intentionally ambiguous. "I am not sure where I will be next year," said the academy graduate under contract at the Camp Nou until 2019. "Nobody knows what the future holds. Much less in the case of the football world, where so many things can change overnight." That's particularly true when Messi's relationship with the Barcelona board and coach Luis Enrique
is reputed to be far from harmonious. Occasionally even a player as gifted as Messi needs to be indulged, not just in his pay packet. "He's not as straightforward as he used to be," Esteve Calzada, former Barcelona chief marketing and commercial officer, told The Associated Press. "He would say, 'Barcelona is my own team. I will retire here.' Something went wrong ... he's older, maybe prepared to listen to other things. I find it difficult to believe he will spend his whole career at Barcelona." The all-time top scorer in the Champions League is undoubtedly coveted, but when you are the most talented player alongside Ronaldo your freedom of movement becomes limited. There are the four years remaining on his contract and a 250 millioneuro ($295-million) buyout clause. Then factor in Messi's ability to command an annual gross salary of 50 million euros ($59 million). A club could need the ability to cover 500 million euros ($590 million) over five years to fund the signing of the 27-year-old forward — a potential cost on the balance sheets of 100 million euros ($118 million) a season. In European football, that is far tougher with clubs' losses restricted under UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations. English clubs have the edge potentially over Barca's other European rivals because of the wealth generated from Premier League and Champions League television revenue. "For any club think-
The Morung Express
Messi's uncertain future, potential $600M cost ing of buying Messi, there would be some eye-watering numbers to consider," said sports lawyer Daniel Geey of London-based Fieldfisher. "There are only a few clubs that have such deep pockets. "Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain with their UEFA imposed FFP spending restrictions would be hard placed to finance such a transfer, yet it may not be beyond the realms of possibility for Chelsea, Manchester United or Bayern Munich to finance such a deal through profits made, selling existing players or finding additional revenue streams to cover such expenditure." Why, though, would Barcelona contemplate selling Messi? Particularly when the end of the season sees early presidential elections at the fan-owned team. Also factor in that any fee received in the summer transfer window could not be reinvested until 2016 due to a ban on any transfers imposed by FIFA for breaching rules on signing minors. "For the current board it would not be good for them to go to the election
with the fact they would be selling the best player in the club history," Calzada said. "And what would they do with the money?" In the absence of the usual campaign pledges to sign players, extending the Argentine's contract could become an election tool. The official word from Barcelona on Wednesday was that Messi is not for sale. "We all think that Messi will be at Barcelona for years to come, that is what all (Barcelona fans) want," Enrique said. "We don't contemplate a squad without Messi." One day, of course, that will come. Whether that is at the end of his career or when Barcelona finds an opportune moment to cash in on his brilliance might not become clear for a few more years. "Barcelona is a very demanding environment," said Calzada, chief executive of London-based Prime Time Sport, which represents players and advises clubs. "His type of play is based on speed. As he will get older, he will not always be the best player in the world."
Barca can't even contemplate selling Messi, says Enrique MaDriD, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has said that the thought of having a team without Lionel Messi is "not even something we contemplate". The future of the Argentina forward has been the subject of much speculation recently, following reports that he had fallen out with Enrique, reported Xinhua. Messi has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City and leaders Chelsea, but Enrique does not want to see the fourtime FIFA Ballon d'Or winner leave Camp Nou. "I don't know what the future holds for us," the 44-year-old told Spanish media Wednesday. "We all think that Messi will be at Barca in the next few years and that is what all the fans want. The thought of having a team without Messi is not even something we contemplate." Messi, who is Barcelona's all-time top scorer in all official club competitions, is under contract with the Catalan giants until June 2018. He has been instrumental in helping Barcelona win 21 trophies, including six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions Leagues.
Lionel Messi of Argentina, one of the nominees for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2014 award, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, January 12. (AP Photo)
Warriors beat short-handed Heat
OaKLaND, JaNuary 15 (aP): Stephen Curry made seven 3-pointers and finished with 32 points, and the Golden State Warriors overwhelmed the undermanned Miami Heat 10489 on Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory. With a strained left hamstring sidelining Heat star Dwyane Wade, the NBA-leading Warriors (315) mowed down Miami the way they have most opponents recently. Golden State has won by an average of 19.8 points during its current streak. The Warriors built a 19-point lead in the second quarter and responded every time Miami moved close. Chris Bosh had 26 points and seven rebounds but couldn't carry the Heat alone. Luol Deng added 19 points, and Hassan Whiteside had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Miami. Wade left with the hamstring injury in the first half of the Heat's win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday
Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, foreground, is fouled by Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, January 14. (AP Photo)
night. The team said he is "day to day." Miami's victories at the Lakers and Clippers in a three-day span
marked the first time since Nov. 23 the Heat had won two straight — a stunning span of 24 games for the
four-time defending Eastern Conference champions, who are still adjusting to life without LeBron James. A
night later in Northern California, the Warriors wore down the depleted Heat (17-22) behind a familiar formula: smothering defense, pushing the pace in transition and finishing on the other end — often from long range. Curry and Klay Thompson got Golden State off to a strong start behind their potent 3-point shooting, and the second unit helped stretch the lead to 19 points in the second quarter. The Warriors led 55-38 at the half. Miami moved within single digits in the third and fourth quarters, but in routine fashion, the Warriors quickly pulled away each time behind a big burst. Curry shot 11 for 19 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. Thompson finished with 19 points, and reserves Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa each scored nine points for Golden State. The Warriors have won 15 straight and 17 of 18 games at home this season.
SyDNEy, JaNuary 15 (aFP): Australian pace bowler Brett Lee on Thursday announced he is to retire from all forms of cricket after a 20-year career, saying he was both emotional and excited. The 38-year-old called time on his international commitments in July 2012, but continued to play Twenty20 in both the Australian Big Bash League and the Indian Premier League. His Sydney Sixers have one Big Bash regularseason match remaining, against cross-town rivals verse pageant on Jan. 25 the Sydney Thunder next in Florida. Arum said the fight would be held at the MGM, where Mayweather has fought exclusively for years. The 15,000-seat Our Correspondent arena would be scaled for Tsiese Basa | January 15 a $40 million live gate. He said with pay-per-view rev- The 24th NASA-C Games enues, the bout could gen- & Sports Meet comerate $200 million. menced here this mornWith a 60-40 split, that ing at Tsiese Basa. would mean a potential Gracing the inaugural $120 million payday for function, Roko Angami, Mayweather and his team PS to MLA Dr. Neiphrezo and $80 million for Pac- Keditsu exhorted them to quiao and his promoter. give their best in the seBoth would be record purs- lected field so as to achieve es for fighters. Mayweather greater heights. has resisted a Pacquiao fight Roko said that there use for five years, first claiming Pacquiao would not agree to drug testing and later saying he wasn't worth facing Our Correspondent him in the ring. But Arum said Pacquiao has long Botsa | January 15 since agreed to the testing, and the pressure has built The 22nd Northern Angami on Mayweather to come to Sports Association (NASA) Group-D Games & sports terms on the bout. Oddsmakers quickly Meet got underway here toput out lines Wednesday in day with Col Manoj, comthis gambling city favoring mandant 11th Assam Rifles Mayweather in the bout. as the chief guest. Addressing the gatherBoth the Westgate LV Superbook and William Hill ing, Col Manoj said music made him about a 2 1/2- and sports brings people to-1 favorite in man-to- together, while expressing that these two things man betting.
Pacquiao agrees to terms for Mayweather fight
LaS VEGaS, JaNuary 15 (aP): Manny Pacquiao flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday, preparing for a meeting with contestants of the Miss Universe pageant. Whether he has an even bigger date on May 2 seems entirely up to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao has agreed to all terms for what would be boxing's richest fight ever, a bout with Mayweather that fans have been demanding for five years. The question now is whether the long-reluctant Mayweather will finally sign on the dotted line for what could be an astonishing $120 million payday for the fighter who flaunts his money better than anyone. "Your guess is as good as mine," Arum told The Associated Press. "I don't want to be antagonistic and say he's not on board and not going to sign. The representation is that he is on board with this." Arum said negotiations with Mayweather's representatives over the past few weeks resulted in agreements on everything from the date and site of the fight (MGM Grand in Las
Brett Lee retires from all forms of cricket
Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of a possible finals clash. "When that last ball's bowled I'll walk off happy and content," Lee said. "I'm excited, I'm emotional, I'm happy, but I'm certainly not worried because I know that I've made the right call." Lee played 76 Tests for Australia, taking 310 wickets, and 221 onedayers with 380 dismissals. His fastest delivery cracked the 161 kilometres per hour mark (100 miles per hour), with the blond speedster consistently bowling at 150kph over 20
years, making him a fearsome opponent through his sheer pace and toe-crushing inswinging yorkers. "He has been an exceptional cricketer who gained fans around the world not only for his electrifying pace and performances with the ball, but the way that he played the game," said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland. "Sir Donald Bradman often said that it is a player's responsibility to leave the game in a better state than when they first became involved. Brett Lee has certainly done that."
24th NASA-C games & sports at Tsiese Basa
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Vegas) to purse split (reportedly 60-40 in Mayweather's favor) to the type of gloves the boxers will wear. But Mayweather has yet to personally agree to the fight, and the possibility remained that Arum was publicly discussing Pacquiao agreeing to terms to try to up the pressure on the unbeaten boxer to sign. "We're waiting for Mayweather to sign a document saying, 'Yeah,'" Arum said. Just what Mayweather
is thinking remains unclear. Though he declared on Showtime last month that he wanted the fight, he rarely speaks to the media between fights and his manager, Al Haymon, almost never speaks publicly. Mayweather put out pictures of himself in front of a private jet and his new cars this week along with a picture of his Las Vegas mansion, but said nothing about the Pacquiao fight on social media. Arum said the ne-
Manny Pacquiao
gotiations have been at the highest levels, and Pacquiao agreed to all the demands by the Mayweather team. "We took our stands on certain issues, but essentially we acquiesced on most things," Arum said. Arum said he planned to meet with Pacquiao on Thursday in Los Angeles to formally get his fighter's signature on the terms of the bout. Pacquiao flew from the Philippines on his way to judge the Miss Uni-
to be a time when someone use to approach the players of any event to play but in the present generation one has to display his/her extra ordinary skill top get selected. Expressing that sports has become a very lucrative profession for living, he challenged the sportspersons to be disciplined, dedicated and give their best with hard world to excel. NASA-C general sec-
retary Visielie Sanchu chaired the programme. Pastor of Tsiese Basa Baptist Church Lhoukuolie said invocation. Tsiese Basa Village Council Chairman Kruzo Mere delivered the welcome address and secretary games Medongulie Keditsu administered oath. The closing function will be graced by President Chakhro Angami Kuda Union, Luolao Üsuo as the guest of honour.
22nd NASA- D games & sports meet underway are abundantly available among the Naga youths. He therefore hoped that the Naga people will shine in higher levels of competition. He also asserted that the Assam Rifles will continue to the support the villagers in every possible manner. Chaired by NASA Group D general secretary Thepfükhrietu Rüpreo the inaugural session commenced with 22 gun shots
while Pastor of Baptist Church Botsa Rev. Rüdilhou Rio said the invocation. NASA Group-D President Kechangulie Kense delivered presidential address while secretary games Methavilie Pielie administered oath to the participants. Folk tune was presented by Botsa Women Organisation and special number by Vilakhonuo Keditsu.