SOCCER Arsenal Confident Of RVP Stay

Article info Author:Ben Somerford Sport:Football Genre:Feature Published:July 5, 2012 Arsenal remain hopeful star striker Robin van Persie will remain with the club despite contract talks collapsing on Wednesday. The Dutch talisman confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that talks to extend his current deal, with expires at the end of the 2012-13 season, had failed with the two parties sharing different views on the clubs future direction. This is an update for the fans about my current situation, Van Persie said in a statement. As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss and Mr. Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the clubs future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all. I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I dont want

to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward. Ive thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions. However, Arsenal have responded by stating they are confident Van Persie will see out his contract. We have to respect Robins decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the club, the statement read. We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenals best interests in mind. The Gunners have already signed attacking duo Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud this off-season. Ghana are bad losers -Zambia Sports journalist GHANAIAN players disgraced themselves last week when they attacked match officials after failing to stomach a 1-0 defeat to Zambia at the brand new Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Some enraged players and officials claim to have been assaulted by Zambian police officers after the game as they accosted referees. They have threatened not only to report the incident to FIFA but sort out Zambian players in the return match next year. The players, among them, Jordan Ayew, claim to have been batoned by police. I sat at some vantage point and had a clear view of what happened. It is important for Ghana players, as professionals, to understand that football has three results victory, draw and defeat and that all these must be accepted. I have a few questions for Ghanaian players: Why did they attack the referees? Did they intend to shake hands with the referees or harm them? Where on earth do police officers beat up football players? So, what did they expect police officers to do when referees lives were in danger? Did they want the officers to fold their arms and watch some blood-thirsty Ghanaian players feast on innocent refs? As they take things to FIFA, they should strive to tell the world football governing body a modicum of truth, and the truth is that no police officer beat up any Ghanaian player! The police were restraining the players from attacking the refs and I did see a few objects flying in the direction of the hapless Tunisian whistlemen. These objects came from Ghanaian players, coaches and

other officials. It is, therefore, surprising for Ghana to claim that their players were beaten up. If there was any beating, it was the 1-0 beating which they should just accept because they played second fiddle on the day. Have Ghana forgotten so easily that Zambia are African champions? Are they not the same Ghana, Zambia beat four months in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations? What do they think has changed? Let them just be good losers. Free points? And who is spreading false word that Zambia have been awarded three points following Sudans use of an ineligible player? I received quite a number of calls from friends who wanted to confirm the good news. According to the callers, some website reported that Zambia had been given three points following a complaint FAZ lodged with FIFA that Sudan had used Saif Ali, who was red-carded during the Africa Cup in February. The truth of the matter is that no three points have been withdrawn from Sudan and awarded to Zambia. This matter is before the FIFA disciplinary committee, which is yet to make a decision. The decision will be made this week. Suffice to say though that Zambia have a good case. But for me, I would rather we do not rely on the fate of Sudan. We should qualify on the field of play. All we need to do is win the remaining games, which is possible. We have the quality to win the games. Yes we do VOLLEYBALL

Eagles annual volleyball camp makes a killing

June 21, 2012|By MARIO RENTERIA | Sports Editor

The Southwest High volleyball program has proven to be a competitive program the past few years and the community is taking notice. Sixty-five campers, both boys and girls, attended the 14th annual camp this past week at Southwest, making it one of, if not the one, most successful camps for volleyball at the school.

Last year I think we had 43 to 45, so our numbers went up a little bit, which is really good, Southwest volleyball coach Lisa Hinshaw said. Its a good teacher-to-camper ratio. The varsity and junior varsity players at Southwest worked hands-on with the campers, providing instruction in the basics of the sport. We had them teaching everything, basics, Hinshaw said. The camp started Monday and concluded Thursday. The Eagles will have a girls basketball camp start Monday.

Local Scores: Central wins in volleyball

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The Central Union High volleyball team beat Coachella Valley High in straight games in a nonleague match in El Centro on Thursday 25-6, 25-22, 25-20. For the Spartans, Nina Montao had five service points, three aces and eight kills. Tess Magin had 14 service points, nine aces and eight digs. Kim Bentley had 13 service points, five aces and seven digs. April Flores had six service points. Taylor Monson had five service points and 17 assists. Central will open Imperial Valley League play at Imperial High at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Holtville 3, Vincent Memorial 0 HOLTVILLE The Holtville High volleyball team beat Vincent Memorial High, 3-0, in a nonleague match here Friday. For the Vikings, Brianna Soto had 13 kills and nine service receptions. Aslyn Rubin had seven kills, 10 service receptions and nine service points. Stephanie Stuhr had seven kills. Samantha Alvarado had 16 service points and four aces.