SPORTS in brief

Injury forces out Dhoni

KINGSTON (CMC):

India's campaign in the Celkon Mobile Cup suffered a major blow yesterday after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was forced to withdraw from the team due to a hamstring injury.

Dhoni has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing tri-nation ODI series a day after his team lost to the West Indies by one wicket in their opening match at Sabina Park. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said batsman Ambati Rayudu is being flown in as Dhoni's replacement.

Virat Kohli will lead India in the remainder of the tri-series, which continues today with India playing Sri Lanka at Sabina Park.

Yallahs capture Insports St Thomas netball title

KINGSTON:

Despite a partisan crowd cheering against them, Yallahs were crowned 2013 champions of the INSPORTS St Thomas Primary Schools netball league last Friday, when they defeated home team Duckenfield 11-8 in an exciting final.

Lyssons took third spot as they outclassed Easington 10-2 in the third-place play-offs. In the semi-finals, Yallahs beat Lyssons 9-4, while Duckenfield swamped Easington 13-3.

Yallah's Roxene Sterling copped the Most Valuable Player and leading Goalshooter award, while Prospect netted the Best Dressed and Most Disciplined team awards.

Ocho Rios regatta

The inaugural Ocho Rios International Regatta is set to take place on Emancipation Day August 1 at Pearly Beach in Ocho Rios. Fishermen from all across St Ann will match skills in boat races, kayak and surf races, lion fish competition, deep sea fishing competition and cross harbour swimming.

There will also be water sports competition among hotels as well as jet ski races.

Day-time activities are expected to feature the largest kiddies village ever on the island featuring slides, rides, computer and virtual reality games.

For further details you may contact event organiser Hansley Berry at 370-5033 or tournament director Mark Anderson at 374-3866.

Arsenal sign young French striker Sanogo

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal have signed French youth international Yaya Sanogo on a long-term contract after the striker's release by Auxerre.

Sanogo scored 11 goals in 24 appearances for Auxerre and has represented France in the Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 age groups.

He is currently playing for France in the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, where he has scored in two of his team's three matches.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says "Sanogo is a good young signing for us. ... We are looking forward to Yaya joining us and continuing his promising development."