Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko acknowledged on Tuesday Western countries "might boycott the 2014 world ice hockey championships, which are due to be hosted in his country, telling organisers to insure themselves against possible cancellation or postponement." The European Parliament "has already urged" the Int'l Ice Hockey Federation to "consider moving the games because of Belarus's poor human rights record and its treatment of the opposition, many of whose leaders have been jailed" (REUTERS, 9/17). ... FIA's status has been upgraded to full recognition in accordance with the sporting and governance standards of the Olympic Charter. The IOC decision confirms that the statuses, practice and activities of the FIA are in full conformity with the Olympic Charter, including the adoption and implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code (FIA). ... The J.League's board of directors Tuesday formally approved a new two-stage format that will be implemented from '15. The format has "not been warmly received by fans" (KYODO NEWS, 9/17). ... Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat "is optimistic that India will tour South Africa as scheduled" in November-December after his meeting with Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Sanjay Patel. Lorgat: "I am happy to say that we had a constructive meeting and I would like to thank Sanjay [Patel] for his friendliness and support in trying to find a way forward" (GULF NEWS, 9/17).
