Uzbekistan

Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov has let slip one part of his long-awaited plan to tackle Russia's economic crisis, saying his government would help the national soccer team improve their image and performance.

Several countries have withdrawn from events in December's Asian Games, officials of host country Thailand have reported.

At least 11 foreign teams will take part in a soccer tournament beginning in Dhaka on August 27, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced.

The Thailand Football Association has written to FIFA to request a change of venue for their Asian World Cup qualifying match scheduled for Baghdad on Friday, a Thai official said on Tuesday.

About 100 Olympic family members who overstayed their visas and remained illegally in Australia following the Sydney Games have ignored Immigration Department warnings to get out, a spokesman has said.

India will host a 16-nation soccer tournament from January 10 to 25 next year, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has said.

Olympic leaders have asked Australian Prime Minister John Howard why two accredited officials for the Sydney Games had been refused entry to the country.

India has made a bid to stage the 15th Asian Games in 2006.

Russia's individual Olympic gold medal-winners at the Sydney Games in September can expect a $100,000 bonus, the country's leading sports official have said.

The English Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have put the finishing touches to a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will lead to long-term technical co-operation between the two governing bodies.

The Thailand Football Association has written to FIFA to request a change of venue for their Asian World Cup qualifying match scheduled for Baghdad on Friday, a Thai official said on Tuesday.