The Commonwealth Games boxing competition was in danger turning into a farce today after officials revealed cyberspace cheating involving mobile phones, walkie talkies and secret signals to fighters. After complaints by some teams, officials discovered the cheats were bending the rules by watching television.

The boxers and their helpers are not supposed to have any idea of what the score is, but the running totals are displayed on TV screens for the watching audience.

So, watching TV inside or outside the area, the cheats pass on the scoring information to the boxer's corner by mobile phone or walkie talkie, the officials said. The men in the corner then signal the fighter whether to step up the pace or stay out of danger, they said.

"It has been happening," one member of the judging jury, who asked not to be named, said. "We are looking into it." Ghana and England are two teams who have complained about the practice.

Prisoner fights forright

England light flyweight boxer Gary Jones is fighting to clear the stigma of being classified as a `prisoner' and is demanding to be recognised as a Commonwealth Games medallist. Jones had his unemployment benefit cut and was threatened with eviction from his council house because he had no money to pay the rent during his Games build-up. "I was going to lose my house when the council cut off my job seekers allowance because I wasn't looking for a job," Jones said.

His local council in Manchester, eventually compromised by calling Jones a `prisoner'. They categorised me as a prisoner because they keep their houses when they go away. But I should be treated for what I am a C'wealth Games boxer."

Fear of failure

Australian weightlifter Duncan Van Rooyen has claimed he was so devastated at missing out on a Games spot that he went on a drink and drugs binge and failed a dope test. Van Rooyen tested positive at the National meet last month and faces a two year ban if his second sampleconfirms the result.

"I was so devastated at coming so close, yet missing out..While at a gathering during this period I was offered some recreational drugs, which I foolishly accepted. This is the only explanation for my positive result," he said.

When will they leave?

At least one person can't wait for the Commonwealth Games to end. Malaysian businessman Tan Chean Chye bought a condominium in the complex where some 6,000 athletes and officials are staying, and is eager to move in once they leave.

Tan, 57, plans to retire once he moves into what has been dubbed the Athletes' "village'' and thinks he might benefit from the temporary tenants in his apartment. "I'm very happy that someone else is testing out my house,'' he told The Star newspaper.

Need a lift?

Drug tests are posing new hazards for some athletes at the Games. Australian competitors have been left stranded at venues at night after random drug tests caused them to miss their shuttle buses home, team officials saidWednesday.

"We've got stranded a couple of times,'' said Don Stockins, an Australian team director. "But that's just a minor thing and the venue managers will be reminded of the responsibility to get the people concerned back to base.''