Two of the biggest pro golf events in India -- Avantha Masters and Gujarat Kensville Challenge -- "have been discontinued and won't be held" beginning next year. European Tour COO Keith Waters said, "The European Tour was committed to staging the Avantha Masters under the tri-party agreement with the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), but the decision was taken by the tournament sponsors not to extend the existing agreement -- hence the reason why the event will not feature in The Race to Dubai next year." Left with only three int'l events in SAIL-SBI Open, Panasonic Open India and Indian Open, the PGTI "could see a drop of close to 40 percent" (from $6M in '13 to $3.5M in '14) in its prize money next year. There "is no doubt" the absence of the €1.8M ($2.4M) tri-sanctioned event (Avantha Masters), the richest event in the country, "will hit PGTI harder than the European Tour." While the promoters of €200,000 ($263,300) Kensville Golf Challenge "have also decided not to renew their three-year contract with the European Challenge Tour, there seems to be a question mark hanging over the fate of Panasonic Open India as well" (INDIA TODAY, 9/2). ... Doping and breathalyser tests "will be introduced in next year’s Malaysia Games." Both tests "will be conducted at random" by the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia during the Games (THE STAR, 9/3). ... The netball Nations Cup "will return to Singapore in December with two new participating nations." The event will include Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Ireland, Sri Lanka and tournament debutants Uganda and the U.S. (STRAITS TIMES, 9/3). ... The French Handball League will host the Hand Star Game in cooperation with Sportfive. The game will be held at Palais Omnisports, Pris-Bercy Dec. 7 (LNH).
