Bangkok: Europe?s elite players will take on the best of Asia in a Ryder Cup-style competition in Thailand in January, organisers said on Wednesday. Five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros has been named as Europe?s non-playing captain for the inaugural Royal Trophy event at Bangkok?s Amata Spring Country Club from January 5-8.

The competition, which will be an annual event comprising eight players on each team, has been sanctioned by the European, Asian and Japanese tours. The teams will compete in 16 matches involving foursomes, four-ball and singles.

The first five years of the competition are expected to be played in Bangkok with the event after that alternating between Europe and Asia.

Ghei hopes to make amends

Taipei: Gaurav Ghei, in contention till the closing stages of the Taiwan Open last year, returns to the $300,000 event with greater hope on Thursday along and Arjun Singh, Amandeep Johl, Harmeet Kahlon and Shiv Kapur. There is a lot at stake as they all make a bid for good finishes to ensure a full card for 2006.

Last year here, Ghei had shared the lead after three rounds. On the final day, he finished with a two-over card and ended tied third, as Charlie Wi rocketed to the top with a four-under 68. This year Wi is missing as he is playing on the US Tour, but Terry Pilkadaris, who was second, is back. The field is led by Thaworn Wiratchant.

Singh completes elite field of four

New York: World No. 2 Vijai Singh will complete the elite four-man field for the Grand Slam of Golf, the US PGA Tour announced on Tuesday.

Singh, the winner of four events this season but not one of the majors, joins British Open and US Masters champion Tiger Woods, US Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand and PGA champion Phil Mickelson in the 36-hole event.

The Grand Slam is scheduled for November 22-23 at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Kauai, Hawaii. The meet features a total purse of $1 million with $400,000 going to the winner.

Williams to lose sponsor

London: US computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) will stop sponsoring the Williams Formula One team at the end of the season, the company announced on Wednesday.

HP have been the former champions? principal backer since 2000 and the decision, while expected, is a significant loss for a team who are also splitting with engine partners BMW and switching from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres. The season ends in China next month.

Angry Diego slams Boca fans

Buenos Aires: An angry Diego Maradona slammed Boca Juniors supporters on Tuesday after they had jeered coach Alfio Basile during Sunday?s 1-0 win over Argentinos Juniors.

?I was very angry when I went home,? said former Argentina Maradona, who has taken on a role as Boca?s football vice-president. ?I?m sure the people who insulted Basile are not supporters of our team.?

However, Maradona conceded that Boca?s performance against Argentinos Juniors left much to be desired.

Riquelme injured

Madrid: Villarreal?s Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme will miss his side?s Champions League group D clash against Manchester United due to injury, the club said on Wednesday.

Riquelme had to be substituted after 25 minutes of his side?s 1-1 home draw with Sevilla in the Primera Liga on Sunday, and has failed to recover from an ankle strain despite intensive treatment.