SPORTS BRIEFS

 Under-16s brush aside Birmingham

KINGSTON (CMC):

Jamaica's Under-16 side made light work of a touring Birmingham side, routing them 43-10 on Sunday to complete a sweep of the two-match series.

Playing at the Leila Robinson Courts, Jamaica jumped to an early 12-4 lead in the first quarter before posting a comfortable 21-6 advantage at the half-time whistle.

There would be no revival for the tourists as Jamaica finished the third quarter 32-9, before also dominating the final stanza.

"Our team is a bit more athletic. I think our girls play a little more netball so they have a little more experience than the Birmingham (team). I am impressed with what we have here," coach Marvette Anderson said.

Goal shoot Shanice Beckford scored 12 goals from 15 attempts to inspire the Jamaicas' triumph and was supported by Thristina Harwood (11/19) and Khadijah Williams (11/20)

On Saturday, Birmingham lost the opening game of the series 41-17.

World Cups may be moved from Japan

GENEVA (AP):

Japan's nuclear crisis may force volleyball's governing body to move two Olympic-qualifying World Cup events out of the country.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) says it could choose new hosts for the tournaments in November for men and women when it meets next month.

FIVB president Wei Jizhong tells The Associated Press "the key problem is the nuclear radiation".

The FIVB wants to reassure players about Japanese air quality after nuclear power plants were rocked by the devastating earthquake.

Wei says if Japan is replaced, two new hosts would need "at least five months" to prepare.