Ballantine's Championship organizers "have given assurances" that this week's golf tournament in South Korea "will go ahead" after two of its biggest stars withdrew over fears of conflict with North Korea. America's Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, and Dustin Johnson, the world No. 19, pulled out over "perceived unrest on the Korean peninsula" (AFP, 4/23). ... Local tennis officials said that Myanmar has canceled a series of Davis Cup matches in Yangon "after security fears were raised following a recent outbreak of religious violence" (AFP, 4/23). ... The Dubai Cricket Council’s richest tournament -- the SuperStars T20 -- "will begin on Thursday, with 31 matches scheduled to be held in the month-long event at the Fairground Oval" (GULF NEWS, 4/23). ... Security "has been beefed up and vehicular parking banned around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the Indian Premier League 6 tie between hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India on Tuesday evening." With about 1,500 police personnel, including central and state reserve forces, "deployed in and around the venue ahead of the match, the stadium has turned into a fortress" (IANS, 4/23). ... The Rally of Prince of Asturias will not be held this September due to the economic crisis in Spain, canceling what would have been the 50th edition of the race. The Prince of Asturias Automobile Club said "the lack of sufficient support, combined with the cutbacks, and the present conditions, make it impossible" to organize the event (AS, 4/23).
