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 Friday, 8 November, 2002, 17:52 GMT
Pitched battle
BBC Sport Online picks out some of the quirky, offbeat or plain daft stories doing the rounds.


Pitched battle

Teams from across the globe are taking part in the World Tent Pitching Championships this weekend.

The inaugural event, which is being held at London's Earl's Court Arena, was launched by model Nell McAndrew.

Countries represented include the UK, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - with the winners earning a camping trip to the Canadian Rockies.

Nell McAndrew
Nell camps it up

The aim of the game is simple - put up four different sized tents in simulated conditions - such as heavy winds and snow - in the fastest time possible.

Expect teams to try and rope in extra volunteers if they get pegged back early on.

And while some contestants will no doubt get in a flap, everyone will surely be in-tent on winning.


Ice scream

A Canadian man is suing an ice hockey association for �120,000 - because his teenage son did not win the Most Valuable Player award.

Michael Croteau is claiming psychological and punitive damages from the New Brunswick association.

He also wants the MVP trophy taking off the boy who won it and given to his son, Steven.

Croteau told a local newspaper Steven was so upset at losing that he had "fallen out of love" with ice hockey and given up on the Canada Games try-outs as a result.

The word diddums springs to mind.


You're under a vest

A footballer is in hot water with league bosses because of his devout religious beliefs.

Austria Vienna defender Eric Akoto ripped off his shirt to reveal a vest bearing the words "Thank you Jesus" after scoring a spectacular goal against Strum Graz.

Kazuyuki Toda
Slogans do not go down well in Austria

Vienna went on to win 4-0, but the 22-year-old Ghanaian was reported by referee Wojciech Gorgon, because the use of slogans is banned in the Austrian league.

Gorgon said: "FIFA rules are quite clear on the matter. The regulations say players shall avoid political propaganda on football strips."

It is not clear which political party he thought Jesus belonged to.

See also:

01 Nov 02 | Funny Old Game
31 Oct 02 | Funny Old Game
28 Oct 02 | Funny Old Game
25 Oct 02 | Funny Old Game
22 Oct 02 | Funny Old Game
19 Oct 02 | Funny Old Game
Links to more Funny Old Game stories are at the foot of the page.


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