The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Pakistan-born leg spinner becomes Australian citizen Posted: 10 Jul 2013 12:30 AM PDT Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed officially became an Australian citizen today, the same day the first Ashes Test against England was to start. The former refugee, 31, had his bid for citizenship accepted last week, making him eligible to play in the Ashes, and today attended the final protocol - a citizenship ceremony in Melbourne. "It is a great day for me and it has been a dream of mine to become a citizen of Australia ever since I arrived here at the beginning of 2010," he said. Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland called it "a proud day for Australian cricket". "Fawad Ahmed is a talented cricketer, but most of all he is a wonderful human being," he said. "He has confronted many challenges along the way, so today is a day for celebration. We are incredibly happy for him." Ahmed returned from England in June where he was playing for Australia A after the Australian government moved amendments to the Citizenship Act through the upper house of parliament to help fast-track his application. The legislation allows the immigration minister to apply shorter residential requirements on some citizenship applicants, such as elite athletes with the potential to represent Australia, as in Ahmed's case. Ahmed has been named in the Australia A squad for a tour of Africa this month, despite also being in contention for the Ashes. The opening Test of the five-match Ashes series starts in Nottingham todaywith Nathan Lyon the only spin bowler in Australia's 16-man squad. - AFP, July 10, 2013. |
| Shakhtar sign Argentine striker Ferreyra from Velez Posted: 09 Jul 2013 11:36 PM PDT Shakhtar Donetsk have signed Argentine striker Facundo Ferreyra from Velez Sarsfield after the clubs agreed on a $9 million deal for the 22-year-old, the Ukraine champions confirmed on their official website yesterday. The five-year contract for Ferreyra was announced on the same day Shakhtar's Armenian international attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was officially unveiled as a Borussia Dortmund player. "Velez Sarsfield play in a similar style to Shakhtar, so it will not be a problem to adjust here," Ferreyra was quoted as saying on shakhtar.com. Ferreyra, who scored 31 goals in 80 Argentine first division games for Velez and previous club Banfield, admitted he was delighted to have an opportunity to compete in Europe's premier club competition. "I have been dreaming of testing myself in the Champions League since I started playing soccer," he said. "That dream will soon become a reality." - Reuters, July 10, 2013. |
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