As Panasonic Corp. "restructures due to financial problems," the Japan Basketball League team Panasonic Trians, which has been "considered one of the pillars of the sport" in Japan for decades, will dissolve after the '12-13 season (JAPAN TIMES, 9/19). ... German Hockey League (DEL) club EHC Red Bull Munich partnered with Italian fashion label Stone Island. It is the third time that Stone Islands provides players and staff members with sportswear from its current winter collection (EHC Red Bull Munich). ... Seven members of the Thai women's volleyball team, who won the AVC Cup, "will sign lucrative contracts" with an Azerbaijan club this week. Coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai said that the players "would ink contracts" with Igtisadchi University in Azerbaijan. The seven players consist of Nootsara Tomkom, Pleumjit Thinkaow, Amporn Hyapha, Malika Kanthong, Onuma Sittirak, Wilavan Apinyapong and Wanna Buakaew. Kiattipong said, "They will get handsome wages" (BANGKOK POST, 9/19).
PAR THREE: Pakistan's leading cellular company Ufone has signed the country's top three golfers: Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal, Matloob Ahmad and Muhammad Munir, "along with five other prominent players" (PAKISTAN TODAY, 9/19). ... U.S. food company Dole and the Royal Trophy have jointly announced the launch of a partnership between Asia’s premier professional golf championship. Dole is designated as the official supplier of fresh fruit for the historic sixth edition of the Royal Trophy – Europe vs. Asia Golf Championship to be held on Dec. 14-16 at the Empire Hotel & Country Club in the Sultanate of Brunei (Royal Trophy).