Liberec, Czech Republic - Lindsey Van's name doesn't only almost sound the same as Lindsey Vonn, she now also shares bragging rights as a ski sport world champion with the fellow American.

Van, 24, made history as the first women's ski-jump champion on Friday, two weeks after Vonn won downhill and super-g gold at the alpine worlds in Val d'Isere, France.

"We are good friends and it is great to share world championship status," said Van.

Vonn has not yet congratulated Van, but Van said in the past that the two are confused by people.

Potchefstroom (South Africa), Feb. 20 : Young New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes has put his hand up to face South African fast bowler Dale Steyn and company first in the Johannesburg Test next week.

The 20-year-old has told his opening partner Simon Katich he wants to put his nerves to the test by taking strike for the first delivery against South Africa''s pace ace Dale Steyn.

"The young bloke put his hand up for it so he''s definitely got it," Katich said on Thursday in Potchefstroom.

Sydney, Feb. 20 : Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has backed incumbent Ricky Ponting's decision to pull out of the Indian Premier League 2009, describing it as "a smart move and a good decision".

Ponting, who is currently leading the Australian team in South Africa, opted for a two-week break with his wife and daughter rather than press ahead with the two-week stint for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ponting said his country came first and there was no way he could give his all for Australia if he played in India.

Los Angeles (US), Feb. 20 : Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles Galaxy have rubbished A C Milan's claims of them being close to securing England midfielder David Beckham's signature on a contract.

Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of Galaxy''s owners AEG, told the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday that claims from Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani the previous day that the two sides were close to a deal were ''nonsense''.

"Two weeks ago Milan made a ridiculous offer that took me just a few seconds to reject," he said of the reported three million dollar bid.

London - Didier Drogba hit out at former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and pledged his future to the club in newspaper interview on Friday.

The Ivory Coast forward has been much criticised for his poor form this season, and Scolari questioned his commitment shortly before his dismissal last week.

He has also been linked with a move to Italy to rejoin his former manager Jose Mourinho at Internazionale, but he insisted he wants to stay.

"I am happy with everyone here and want to be a Chelsea player," Drogba told the Sun.