The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) is "planning to launch an international Air Games Tour" in the second half of '18. Touching down in "up to five host cities around the world," each event will showcase action from across the world of air sports over four days of competition. Designed to "bridge the gap between the FAI World Air Games, which are held every five years, the Air Games Tour will build on the success" of the FAI World Air Games 2015 in Dubai (GENERAL AVIATION NEWS, 2/7).
Wales is "preparing to play under a closed roof against England at the Millennium Stadium" in its Six Nations match on Saturday after England head coach Eddie Jones said that "he was not bothered whether it was open or shut." But the home side is "frustrated the decision is out of their hands." If Wales wants the roof shut, the "visiting team has to agree" and if England has "not said yes by Thursday afternoon, it will remain open on Saturday when the forecast for the Welsh capital is for a cold day with the chance of a shower" (IRISH TIMES, 2/8).
Organizers of the World Baseball Classic said Tuesday that "the designated pitcher rule will be adopted for the first time at the upcoming tournament." According to the new rule, each national team is "allowed to have a designated pool of 10 pitchers who are eligible to participate in one or more consecutive rounds as an addendum to the team's 28-man active roster." As the rules for play were announced, organizers also said that "in case the game goes into extra innings, the 11th inning will begin with runners placed on first and second base for the team at bat" (KYODO, 2/8).
Riot "announced that it will hold the 2017 League of Legends World Championships in China, while the Mid Season Invitational will take place in Brazil." The Mid Season Invitational will take place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro between April 28 and May 21. The tournament "will be expanded to 13 teams, with the winner of the spring split or split 1 from each region heading to Brazil." Worlds will be "taking place in China for the first time." Between Sept. 23 and Nov. 4, 24 teams will head to China, "with a new play in stage giving fringe regions a chance of playing more matches." The Worlds final will take place on Nov. 4 "at the Beijing National Stadium" (ESPORTS-PRO, 2/8).
The Forth and Clyde Canal will host the return of Red Bull Neptune Steps next month, "as the open-water adventure race lands back in Glasgow for its third consecutive year." Among the athletes taking part "will be Olympian Gordon Benson." Last year the event "sold out in just eight minutes" (SCOTSMAN, 2/8).
Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery on Tuesday "took issue" with the U.S. for withdrawing its team from the IAAF World U18 Championships in Nairobi "over terrorism fears." Nkaissery "assured countries that are coming for the July 12-16 championship of safety," adding that the U.S. "should have consulted Kenya first before pulling out" (DAILY NATION, 2/8).
The Sierra Leone Athletics Association "pulled-out from hosting" both the Economic Community of West African State senior and U20 Athletics championship. According to the SLAA president, the decision to pull out "was due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the country's National Stadium which was the planned venue for the competition" (CONCORD TIMES, 2/8).
WWE added two new dates, in Glasgow and Cardiff, to its May '17 tour of the U.K. and Ireland. WWE's Superstars "will head" to Glasgow's SSE Hydro on May 4 and to Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena on May 5, with tickets available from 9am on Friday (SKY SPORTS, 2/8).
