Gaila coverings

PETALING JAYA: Independent mixed pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have received a timely boost ahead of the final stretch of the Olympics qualifiers, starting next month. Both pairs can heave a huge sigh of relief after securing a one-year sponsorship deal with sporting equipment manufacturer Victor last week. The major deal could not have come at a better time as Soon Huat-Shevon and Kian Meng-Pei Jing are still scrambling for funds to keep their Tokyo Olympics bids afloat after they were surprisingly axed from the national team two months ago. The quartet can now look forward to salvaging their slim qualifying hopes in remaining three events – Indian Open (May 11-16), Malaysian Open (May 25-30) and Singapore Open (June 1-6). Soon Huat-Shevon and Kian Meng-Pei Jing are ranked 11th and 13th respectively in the Road to Tokyo standings behind Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (seventh). A country can have two pairs if both of them are ranked in the ... » Learn More about Indie pairs sign major deal ahead of Tokyo qualifiers

Queen Elizabeth arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle on Saturday. (Pool Photo via Reuters) WINDSOR, England: Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday led Britain in one minute’s silence in memory of her late husband, Prince Philip, as she bade him a final farewell at a funeral restricted by coronavirus rules but reflecting his long life of military and public service. The 94-year-old monarch, dressed in mourning black and a black face mask, sat inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, as the coffin bearing the Duke of Edinburgh arrived on a bespoke Land Rover that he had designed himself. A military gun was fired to signal the start of the solemn tribute, which was observed in shops, railway stations and at sporting events across the country. The ceremony with just 30 mourners took place entirely behind the castle’s stately walls, with the public urged to stay away because of the pandemic. But small crowds still gathered in Windsor town centre, and on the ... » Learn More about Britain bids Prince Philip farewell

Journalist Surasak Marktavee, left, and former Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang pose during a match at Anfield. As the Premier League enters the home stretch of the season, runaway leaders Manchester City look set to win the title. City, who have played 32 matches, are on 74 points, 11 ahead of second-placed Manchester United (63) who have a game in hand. United are likely to finish second with a seven-point advantage over third-ranked Leicester City. However, the race for the other two top-four spots for Champions League berths remain close. Leicester (56) and West Ham (55) currently hold the positions, followed by Chelsea (54), Liverpool (52) and Tottenham (49). "Man City will surely win the title," Surasak Marktavee, the London-based chief correspondent for Siam Sport daily, said in a telephone interview. "Man U will finish second but the race for the other two places is still very close." Leicester suffered a blow last week when they lost 3-2 at West Ham. ... » Learn More about Don’t write off Reds, says guru