The All India Football Federation "heaved a sigh of relief as the sports
ministry Tuesday cleared India's men and women's football teams" for
the Incheon Asian Games Sept. 19-Oct. 4. The teams, "which are currently
in China, have been cleared at all-cost-to-the-government basis." The
men's squad "will comprise 20 members and women's 18" (IANS, 9/9). ... Saudi Arabia "failed to include a single female athlete in its
199-strong team for the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea," saying
that "its women are not sufficiently competitive." The Saudi stance
sparked criticism from Human Rights Watch, "which condemned its all-male
line-up," saying that "the ultra-conservative state was shutting the
door on female athletes, having previously shown signs of wanting to
break down barriers" (THE AGE, 9/9). ... Steffon Armitage’s bid to play int'l rugby
for France will be blocked if the Int'l Rugby Board cannot be convinced that he is exploring a nationality
switch for "bona fide sevens reasons." The IRB "has created a window of opportunity for capped players to switch countries to bring its regulations into line with those of the Olympic Games, which stipulate all participants must hold a passport for the country they represent." Armitage "is looking into a future with Les Blues" because England, for whom he won the last of his five caps in '10, refuses to select players who are based abroad (LONDON TIMES, 9/9).
