The men’s 2017 Handball world championship in France “has already sold over 100,000 tickets.” French Handball Federation President Joël Delplanque said, “We hope to sell a minimum of 500,000.” The tournament will run from Jan. 11-29 in eight cities: Albertville, Brest, Lille, Metz, Monpellier, Nantes, Paris and Rouen (L’ÉQUIPE, 1/5). ... The NBA and Odeon Cinemas announced "NBA Live @Odeon," an initiative that will see NBA Global Games London 2016 screened live in 31 cinemas across the U.K. The Orlando Magic will play the Toronto Raptors at The O2 on Jan. 14. It "will mark the NBA's sixth consecutive sold-out, regular-season game in London" (HOOPS FIX, 1/2). ... England cricket’s security adviser Reg Dickason will travel to Bangladesh before the U19 World Cup after Australia withdrew its team from the tournament "amid safety concerns." Cricket Australia, which pulled its senior side out of a Test tour to the country last October, said on Tuesday that it would "not be taking part in the 50-over competition" that starts on Jan. 27 following advice from its government. The England and Wales Cricket Board has since contacted players and staff in its U19 set-up "to reassure them" that, according to security information from Dickason and the Int'l Cricket Council, "it remains safe to tour the country" (London GUARDIAN, 1/5).
