Racing Victoria "resisted making changes to its drug-free policy, despite calls for a relaxation in the rule over positive swabs for the anti-inflammatory substance ibuprofen."
Racing Victoria announced after its monthly board meeting that it sympathizes with owners of horses, however, Racing Victoria Chair of Stewards Terry Bailey said, "Racing Victoria committed to enforcing the rules of racing by governing a sport that sees all horses race free of the effects of drugs" (THE AGE, 2/11). ... Gold Coast rugby union clubs "have been assured competitions will go ahead this year despite their governing body being in financial strife."
Board members and managers of Gold Coast District Rugby Union left the organization "suddenly late last year after company records showed it had been losing money for several years" and was about A$190,000 in debt, including A$105,000 to the Australian Taxation Office (GOLD COAST BULLETIN, 2/11). ... The Board of Control for Cricket in India "has given the green signal for the Feroz Shah Kotla to host matches, including one semifinal, during the upcoming World T20." The Indian board’s decision "belies fears that the nation’s capital could miss out on the mega-event and Delhi now see 10 matches, both men and women, next month." Even BCCI President Shashank Manohar "has reportedly agreed in principle to keep the scheduled matches at Kotla."
A BCCI official said, "Delhi will remain as a host venue for the World T20. As per the program, they will see four league matches and one semi-final in the men’s tournament."
This decision "comes only a day after the city’s municipal authority had granted an occupancy certificate" to the Delhi District Cricket Association and given them a 20-day deadline to fulfill the necessary norms, which include the stadium’s maintenance (INDIAN EXPRESS, 2/11). ... UK Anti-Doping will provide "targeted and intelligence-led testing" on Russian athletes after signing a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
WADA said that UKAD will take control of drug-testing in Russia as long as the Russian Anti-Doping Agency "remains non-compliant" with WADA's code (BBC, 2/10). ... The German FA (DFB) and the Bundesliga will "officially bid to be among the first countries to test video replay technology if the sports lawmakers approve a trial period next month." The Int'l Football Association Board, which governs the rules of the sport, "is to vote on the issue of trials on March 5." In a statement, the IFAB said, "This was unanimously decided by the DFL at its meeting today." FIFA will be "responsible for giving the green light to federations after the ruling from IFAB" (REUTERS, 2/11).
