Bolt takes break from Mariners for overseas commitment

Sat, Sep 8, 2018 | By publisher


Sports Briefs

Olympic sprint champion, Usain Bolt will put his efforts to carve out a football career on hold for a week to fulfil a “previously planned” overseas commitment, the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners said on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Jamaican has been trialling with the Mariners for the last three weeks in the hope of securing a professional contract for the 2018-19 A-League campaign.

The break, from September 9-16, had been agreed before he joined Mike Mulvey’s team for training, the club said in a statement.

Bolt made his debut for the Mariners on August 31, coming off the bench for 18 minutes against a local amateur side.

The Mariners won the game 6-1 but Bolt looked well short of match fitness and lacked the touch on the ball of many of his teammates.

Bolt himself said he would need at least four months to get up to speed.

Bolt’s attempt to transform himself from the face of global athletics to professional football player has generated huge publicity for the Mariners, who finished bottom of the 10-team A-League last season.

It has also drawn scepticism, with Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz questioning Bolt’s open-ended trial, saying the A-League should focus on recruiting proven talents and improving Australian youngsters. (Reuters/NAN)

– Sept. 8, 2018 @ 12:05 GMT

Tags:


Former Sheff Utd defender Baldock dies aged 31

FORMER Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31. The England-born Greece international was found dead...

Read More
Effective facilities management key to sports excellence- Minister

THE Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, emphasised the crucial role of intentional facilities management in ensuring the safety of...

Read More
Clark breaks WNBA’s single-season assist record

CAITLIN Clark broke the WNBA’s single-season assist record as the Indiana Fever lost 78-74 at home to the Las Vegas...

Read More