Digest

Soccer

Zhang elected to FIFA Council

China's Zhang Jian has been elected to the FIFA Council by acclimation, along with South Korea's Chung Mong-gyu and the Philippines' Mariano Araneta.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations held elections for the four spots allocated to Asia on the FIFA Council at the AFC Congress on Monday.

Zhang's election is regarded as a step toward China someday holding a FIFA World Cup.

The fourth seat was made available after Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, resigned on April 30. He is facing corruption allegations in the US.

Golf

Romo fails in bid to qualify for US Open

Retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's bid to play in the US Open ended in a local qualifier on Monday in Texas.

Romo shot a 3-over 75 at Split Rail Links & Golf Club near Dallas and was not one of the seven qualifiers who finished 2-under or better to advance to the sectional from a field of 115 hopefuls.

Romo was 1-over after an eagle on the par-5 14th, but dunked his tee shot on the next in the water and took a triple bogey that ended his chances.

Ice Hockey

Canada, Russia on track at worlds

Favorites Canada and Russia kept their unbeaten records intact at the world championships on Monday with wins over Belarus and Germany respectively.

In Paris, defending champion Canada crushed Belarus 6-0 in Group B for a maximum nine points from three matches, extending its winning streak at the worlds to 10 games. Team Canada earlier beat the Czech Republic 4-1 and whipped Slovenia 7-2.

Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning started and finished the scoring for Canada, while Nate MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche fired two goals to grab the tournament lead, with five.

In Cologne, Germany, Russia beat tournament co-host Germany 6-3 to top Group A with eight points.

Basketball

Lowry, Ibaka will test free agency

After another unsuccessful attempt at taking down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors face a summer of change.

After the Cavs swept Toronto from the NBA playoffs on Sunday, the Raptors announced that Kyle Lowry will opt out of the final year of his contract to test free agency.

Forwards Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker, acquired at the trade deadline to beef up Toronto's front line, are also free agents, as is forward Patrick Patterson.

Lowry on Monday confirmed he has declined a $12 million option for the final season of the four-year, $48 million contract he signed in July 2014.

Sport Climbing

Orphans benefit from Mashan event

Last Sunday's China-ASEAN mountain outdoor sports tourism congress in Mashan county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, raised 210,000 yuan in donations, to be used to pay tuition fees for 10 oprhans, from primary schools to colleges, and to purchase sports equipment for primary schools in the region's underdeveloped areas.

A total of 138 sport climbers took part in the competition, with Qu Changfeng from Hunan and Pan Xuhua from Jiangxi winning the men's and women's pro group titles, while Fang Yefei and Xie Yue finished first in the men's and women's open groups.

Agencies - China Daily