Islamabad, Jan. 31: The Pakistan government has no objection over its cricket players taking part in the Indian Twenty20 cricket extravanza, the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pakistan sports minister Aftab Jilani said it (Pak Sports Ministry) has no objection to its cricketers competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"We feel it's a private league in which Pakistan players compete in an individual capacity," The Daily Times quoted Jilani, as saying.

Melbourne, Jan. 31 : Australian tennis coach Tony Roche is of the view that Swiss great Roger Federer is on a mission to reclaim the prized No. 1 ranking, as well as his 14th Grand Slam title.

Roche, who steered a chastened Ivan Lendl back to the top when the Czech-born American won his first Australian Open in 1989, has also coached Federer for three years, and is looking forward to Sunday to see whether history can be repeated 20 years later at the same venue.

London, Jan. 31: England footballer David Beckham is vital for Italian football club A C Milan's bid for silverware, says mid-fielder Rino Gattuso.

Giving his views on the England star's stunning start to a three-month loan spell from L A Galaxy, Gattuso was quoted by the Sun as saying: "He is a great professional.

"He's always there, he scores and makes himself available. We hope he stays for Milan to reach its objectives," he added.

London, Jan. 31: Golf champion Tiger Woods will will come back fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever, his close pal Mark O'Meara has warned warned the golfing world.

Woods, 33, has not played a competitive round since he underwent a knee reconstruction after winning his 14th Major at the US Open in June, and former Open and Masters champion O'Meara said: "I played a few rounds with him two weeks ago and I can tell you this - he's good to go."

Perth, Jan. 31: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and other senior players will seek to boost the confidence of the younger players following Australia''s 4-1 one-day series loss to South Africa.

Ponting said it is important that the team starts afresh for their five-game series against New Zealand, which begins in Perth on Sunday.

London, Jan. 31: The England Cricket Board (ECB) has extended Mushtaq Ahmad's tenure as England's spin-bowling coach upto the forthcoming Test series in the West Indies.

The ECB said that the players in the national team are really happy with Ahmad and his coaching abilities, as he has helped in tremendously improving players like Monty Panesar grow on the international arena.