Dakar Rally organizers Amaury Sport Organisation "are in contact with Chilean authorities to gather information and provide their support after a 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile Tuesday night." The quake "seriously affected some of the locations that will form part of the most famous raid in the world." A "press conference was scheduled for Wednesday morning to announce Dakar 2015's plans in northern Chile" (AS, 4/2). ... Dubai "is set to host the season-ending BWF World Superseries Finals in December" as part of a new four-year partnership between the Arab city and the Badminton World Federation. In bringing the Finals to the UAE and the Middle East for the first time, the Superseries rankings has also been renamed “Destination Dubai Rankings” (THE STAR, 4/2). ... The "huge cricket-loving expatriate community" in Dubai is "likely to ensure full houses" at all venues for the Indian Premier League. IPL Governing Council Chair Ranjib Biswal said they have kept ticket prices "very reasonable" hoping to ensure capacity crowds at venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Online ticket sales "will commence on Thursday" (GULF NEWS, 4/2).
