Briefs-Malaysia rules out Olympic boycott over Tibet

SINGAPORE, March 27 (Reuters) - Sports news in brief from around the world:

• Malaysia will not boycott the Beijing Olympic Games amid political unrest in Tibet, the country's Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has told local media.

"I don't see the Tibet issue affecting our participation in the Beijing Olympics. As of now, we will compete in the Olympics in August," Ismail was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times on Thursday.

"However, we will seek advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but, nevertheless, our preparation for the Olympics will go on."

• Substitute Cuthbert Malajila scored a 48th minute goal to ensure Zimbabwe beat Botswana 1-0 away in a friendly international on Wednesday.

The hastily arranged friendly produced a first win for Zimbabwe's new Brazilian coach Jose Valinhos, who named a strong squad that included Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

• Heavy rain caused the abandonment of a planned soccer international between Tanzania and Mozambique in Dar-es-Salaam on Wednesday.

Tanzania had been hoping to rearrange the game for Thursday but Mozambique, who have players from clubs in Portugal and South Africa, refused, citing club commitments.

(Editing by Ossian Shine)