The proposed Manly-Canberra National Rugby League clash in China next year "faces the scrap heap unless it is given the green light by early next week." An agreement between all parties "must be reached by Wednesday, and if it doesn't proceed there is no scope for it to be revived in future" (CANBERRA TIMES, 12/13). ... The UAE "could become a regional hub for cycling, according to Irish former professional cyclist Sean Kelly, who is competing in Friday’s Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge."
After this week’s unveiling of the inaugural Dubai Tour from Feb. 5-8, and following on from the already existing races in Qatar and Oman, cycling "is enjoying unprecedented growth in the region, with cycle tracks being built locally in Nad Al Sheba and Al Qudra" (GULF NEWS, 12/12). ... The AmBank-SportExcel Malaysian Junior Golf Grand Finals from Wdnesday through Friday received a RM75,000 ($23,200) "shot in the arm, courtesy of AmBank’s sponsorship." This is a significant increase from last year, when AmBank, which has been sponsoring the event since '06, poured in RM26,800.
This year’s event "will be held at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club in Shah Alam" (THE STAR, 12/12). ... Spain "will return to play at San Mamés" stadium in Bilbao. UEFA "will make this official" on Sept. 25, when it confirms the 13 host cities for Euro 2020. The Spanish national team's return to Bilbao "was an objective of Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Ángel María Villar's" (AS, 12/12).
