Former Lahore City Cricket Association President Khawaja Nadeem Ahmed has said that Pakistan PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's concerns "are valid about foreign teams not visiting Pakistan owing to security threats" and there is a dire need to restore int'l sports activities in Pakistan to enhance the country's image. Ahmed said that the PM's concerns "were authentic on sports arenas which give a deserted look in the absence of international teams." Ahmed: "All regional cricket bodies stand united to support the Prime Minister for brining back international cricket to Pakistan and we are ready to extend all out cooperation to the Pakistan Cricket Board in this regard" (PAKISTAN TODAY, 8/21). ... New Zealand Rugby's previous payment fund of NZ$1.6M has more than doubled to NZ$3.5M as part of its "big push for double gold at the Rio Olympics, with sevens the financial winner in the new collective employment agreement." The agreement, signed by New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, governs professional rugby from '13-15 "and includes a big windfall for the abbreviated version of the game" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 8/21). ... Despite an Anthony Milford boycott threat, Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant does not believe the National Rugby League "will have to step in and settle a contract wrangle looming for the Canberra rookie sensation." Milford's manager "has threatened his charge will sit out next season if not granted a release by the Raiders on compassionate grounds." Milford "hopes to return to his sick father in Brisbane" (AAP, 8/22). ... NRL side Canberra CEO Don Furner "will renew a call for the NRL to provide a discount under the salary cap for clubs that develop their own junior players" (AAP, 8/22). ... A Delhi court on Wednesday issued "open" non-bailable warrants against three close aides of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in connection with the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal after the police said that "they had played a key role in the entire conspiracy" (PTI, 8/21). ... China's anti-doping authorities said Wednesday that "doping violations have increased in China ahead of this year's National Games with eight athletes testing positive in the second quarter of the year." A total of 12 positive cases "have been registered this year," already matching the number of violations in '12 (REUTERS, 8/21). ... Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq urged his country's cricket chiefs on Wednesday "to revive plans for an IPL-style Twenty20 league to get his players sharp" for int'l competition (AFP, 8/21).
