All major pro sports in Australia have committed to combating homophobia in sport. Cricket Australia, the Australian Football League, Australian Rugby Union, National Rugby League and Football Federation Australia will collaborate in Sydney on Tuesday on creating inclusive sporting cultures and eliminating homophobia in sport (CA). ... National Rugby League club Canterbury will appeal a A$20,000 ($18,600) fine imposed "for flouting the NRL's new concussion laws, claiming their physiotherapist was unaware of Josh Jackson's condition because he was busy attending to fellow forward Aiden Tolmen" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/8). ... Pakistan "might be keen to revive" the bilateral field hockey series against India this year, but Hockey India is "not too optimistic about a 2014 date and feels 2015 would be ideal to renew the event between the two neighbouring nations." Top officials of Pakistan Hockey Federation had recently "announced separate schedules for hosting the bilateral series" from June through July. However, a HI source said that they "were yet to approach the government for clearance." The source said that HI "will seek clearance for the tour only after a new government is in place" (PTI, 4/8). ... Interim Board of Control for Cricket in India and Indian Premier League President Sunil Gavaskar said that "he was evaluating the request" of Bihar Cricket Association Secretary Aditya Verma, who wants IPL COO Sundar Raman removed from his post for alleged involvement in corrupt practices. Verma: "I am seized of the matter and evaluating all the information that I am getting" (PTI, 4/8). ... Former BCCI President N. Srinivasan is all set to attend the Int'l Cricket Council exec board meeting in Dubai on Wednesday and Thursday as the BCCI's "representative" despite "being sidelined from the Cricket Board's affairs following a Supreme Court directive." A senior BCCI official confirmed that Srinivasan "will attend the ICC Board meeting" (PTI, 4/8).
