Drug Free Sport New Zealand "backed the decision" by the U.K. Anti-Doping agency to "prevent the Kiwis using a synthetic steroid on injured utility Thomas Leuluai." It is "entirely academic now, with Leuluai ruled out for the rest of the tournament, but the New Zealand camp had hoped to circumnavigate the UKAD decision to prohibit the use of prednisone by getting approval from Drug Free Sport NZ" (NZ HERALD, 11/12). ... The Delhi high court "will now hear on March 3 the matter concerning lifetime ban on ace shuttler Jwala Gutta by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) for alleged indiscipline." A bench of justice V.K. Jain "posted the matter for March 3 while granting more time to BAI to file its counter to Jwala's plea against its decision to not allow her to participate in any international tournament in or outside India in view of the disciplinary committee's recommendation for life ban on her for alleged indiscipline" (PTI, 11/12). ... The Singapore Sports Council launched the Sports Excellence (Spex) Education Scheme and Sports Excellence Career Scheme on Tuesday, "putting in place a formalised system of support for athletes to cope with the demands of competing and working or studying at the same time" (STRAITS TIMES, 11/12). ... World sports leaders will meet in Johannesburg on Tuesday "to decide the future of the anti-doping battle." The doping police "will consider stricter punishments for transgressors, as the repercussions of the disgraced Tour de France hero's confession to using banned substances are still felt in the sports world" (AFP, 11/12).
