Nigeria National Sports Commission Minister & Chair Dr. Tamuno Danagogo has "revealed that he has a presidential mandate to ensure an end to the incessant crisis that has been rocking Nigerian football in recent years." He said that "given the huge passion which the people of Nigeria have developed in football, the federal government has no option to ensure that the template for the smooth running and administration of the game in line with FIFA Statutes were put in place" (ALL AFRICA, 7/22). ... India's Sports Ministry on Wednesday expressed "shock and outrage" over the "incident of two Sikh players being asked to remove their turbans" at the recently-concluded FIBA Asia Cup in China and sought details from the Basketball Federation of India, which has "already taken up the matter with the international body." Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the ministry has "asked the IOC to issue necessary instructions to international sports federations, so that such incidents are not repeated." Sonowal: "We are shocked and outraged. Wearing a turban does not affect fair play and has not been objected to in international sports championships" (PTI, 7/23). ... The Int'l Paralympic Committee's development arm, the Agitos Foundation, announced that 28 IPC Member organizations from around the world will receive €650,000 ($875,000) of funding through the second edition of its grant support program. The program aims to support the development of both summer and winter para-sports through funding projects from national Paralympic committees, regional organizations, int'l federations and int'l organizations of sports for the disabled (IPC). ... A horse feed specialist "has launched an investigation after five racehorses, including the Queen's mare Estimate, tested positive for morphine." The failed post-race samples, revealed last week by the British Horseracing Authority, "are thought to be the result of consuming contaminated food" (BBC, 7/23). ... The Pakistan Cricket Board "is set next week to adopt a new constitution intended to make the appointment of its chairman more democratic and weaken political influence." The changes come as the board "prepares to hold a fresh election to end a long-running power struggle for the top job" (AFP, 7/23).
