World Sailing announced that Auckland, New Zealand has been "confirmed as the host venue for the 2016 Youth Sailing World Championships." The '16 selection process was opened in March "after the Oman Sailing Committee exercised the right to withdraw their hosting of the event as a final contract had not been concluded." Following the publication of the World Sailing statement on Discrimination on Jan. 12, "it is believed that Oman was unable to guarantee full and equal participation by all, in accordance with World Sailing’s Regulations." The event "is expected to attract around 400 young sailors from up to 70 nations" (SAILING SCUTTLEBUTT, 5/4). ... Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman said that the government is investing up to NZ$500,000 ($344,103). Joyce said, "This is a world-class sailing event which New Zealand has a proud heritage in. It’s great that we have been able to secure this opportunity to continue our fine record of hosting international sailing regattas" (VOXY, 5/4).
FIELD HOCKEY BOOST: The Pakistan Hockey Federation has "decided to organise the Pakistan Hockey League in October-November this year." PHF President Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary Ahmed Senior said that the federation will organize the league "on the pattern of Pakistan Super League." They said that the PHF "will make its utmost efforts to stage the league in Pakistan instead of a neutral venue." Khokhar said, "We have also been given a go ahead by the security agencies for holding this mega event in Pakistan" (DAWN, 5/4).
EVENT BRIEFS ...
Qatar will "host the Futsal Intercontinental Cup Qatar for five years" beginning with the '16 edition from June 24 to 29. The tournament "brings together eight of the world’s best futsal teams" at two venues in Qatar -- the Aspire Ladies Sports Hall and the Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena. The last edition of the tournament took place in '13 and was won by Russian club Dynamo Moscow (GULF TIMES, 5/3).
IMG announced it will now operate and market The Color Run in Germany, which will be presented by German paint manufacturer Brillux. IMG confirmed that three events will take place in Munich, Hamburg and Berlin in '16, with more expected in '17. The 5k event series, which features participants being showered with different colored powder at each kilometer of the run, will be operated by IMG's Munich office with support from IMG's The Color Run team in London (IMG).