The Melbourne Cricket Ground security fence -- installed for Big Bash League and int'l cricket matches last summer -- "is not returning this season." Cyclone fencing -- erected 20-25 meters away from the ground's perimeter -- was trialed last summer "in the wake of the deadly Paris terror attacks" in Nov. '15, "particularly the explosion outside the Stade de France in Paris" during a friendly between France and Germany. Authorities assessed the trial with a view to "possibly keeping the fence" for Australian Football League matches at the venue in '16, "ultimately deciding against maintaining the measure for football." During the recent AFL season, bag checks and wanding at the MCG occurred at tables stationed just outside the entry gates, "rather than being set back from the stadium." The Melbourne Cricket Club confirmed that those same arrangements "will be kept for BBL and international matches this summer, rather than a reversion to the cyclone fencing used last season" (THE AGE, 11/29).
Tennis Cambodia will use an Int'l Tennis Federation facility grant to build an int'l-standard tennis court in Siem Reap. The financial assistance to augment infrastructure development "stems from the world governing body’s recognition of Tennis Cambodia as the most improved federation in the Southeast Asia region." Tennis Cambodia Secretary General Tep Rithvit said, "The facility grant will definitely go to our northwestern frontier. We have 3,500 children and 30 elite juniors there. It is by far our biggest program in the nation." Tennis Cambodia used the first tranche of ITF’s facility grant "nearly six years ago to build the three-court National Training Center" (PHNOMPENH POST, 11/29).
