Coach Hai appeals match ban

Coach Le Thuy Hai and his Lam Son Thanh Hoa team managers have sent a letter to appeal the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF)'s Discipline Department's decision to ban Hai from participating in two V-League matches.

According to the club's chair Nguyen Van De, the Discipline Department's decision to ban Hai for using improper language with a referee was not a convincing enough argument that explained why he was suspended.

De asked why the VFF waited 20 days before making their decision.

Hai was banned and fined VND5 million (US$230) after engaging in a verbal altercation with the referee Ngo Quoc Hung during a match between his team and Hoa Phat Ha Noi three weeks ago.

Hectic competition for tennis teen

Vietnamese teenager Nguyen Hoang Thien will compete in three international tournaments that will be held in Southeast Asia during the next two months.

He will compete at the International Tennis Federation's Malacca G4 tourney that will be held in Malaysia from February 28-March 4.

The ITF will be held in Thailand from March 7-12 where Thien will compete in the qualifying round.

He will compete at the Mitsubishi-Lancer from March 22-27 in Manila, the Philippines

Thien, who was the first Vietnamese player to compete at the Australian Juniors Open, will compete in France later this year.

Indonesia cuts events from Games

Indonesia will host the 26th Southeast Asian Games later this year. The country has decided to reduce the number of events at the event, including pencak silat. Vietnamese athletes have performed well in pencak silat events in the past.

Indonesia has also decided to eliminate six combat events, of which Viet Nam might have been able to win five.

2011 int’l windsurfing competition closes

The 12th Fun Cup international windsurfing competition wrapped up at Mui Ne beach in the central coastal province of Binh Thuan on February 19.

After two-day competition, Csiga Somoggrati from Hungary won first prize at men’s category. Guillot Christophe and Vila Remi from France took the second and third place, respectively.

Meanwhile, at women’s division, Manianne Kaplas from Finland ranked first and she was followed by Lucy Adillo Maher from Australia and Deborah Khoo from Singapore.

The competition attracted 31 windsurfers, including six female, from 11 countries.

The Fun Cup is an annual slalom windsurfing race that has been organised by Jibe's Beach Club since 2001.

President of the Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA) Jimmy Diaz said he believed that with ideal climate and the development of sport in Vietnam, the 2011 Vietnam PWA Grand Slam to be held in Phan Thiet from February 25-March 3 will be successful.