Germany's only remaining stage cycling race, the Bavarian Tour, "is about to fold." Race organizers on Monday announced a €300,000 ($325,000) shortage in the event budget. Organizers "set a deadline of Dec. 20 to either come up with the money or cancel the race" (SID, 12/7). ... In a coup for Adelaide, the Socceroos will play Tajikistan at Adelaide Oval in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game next March. Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the event would be one of the most important games on the Socceroos’ int'l calendar. He said, "This game -- like the world’s first international Day-Night Test last week -- will place Adelaide firmly on center stage, attracting attention from all over the globe" (Football Australia). ... The Confederation of African Football said that Sierra Leone "has been cleared" to host int'l football matches again after being declared free of the Ebola virus. A ban stretching back some 18 months "is now lifted" but comes too late for Sierra Leone's World Cup hopes after it was eliminated from the '18 qualifiers in October (REUTERS, 12/7). ... The Confederation of Indian Industry appointed Libero Sports to plan and execute its flagship sports property, CII Soccerfest. The '15 edition of CII Soccerfest, set to take place on Dec. 19-20, will be hosted inside JLN Stadium in New Delhi and include small-sided competitions for 64-plus teams participating in corporate, women and youth divisions (Libero Sports).
