League Notes: New WADA President Wants To Test Hair To Identify Drug Cheats

World Anti-Doping Agency President Craig Reedie said that "athletes may soon have their hair tested to determine if they are drugs cheats." Reedie said that a new $10M fund set up by the IOC "should open up new testing techniques to catch cheats." Until now, tests have relied on blood and urine samples "but traces of some drugs last much longer in hair, and that is likely to be part of Wada's new thrust" (PA, 12/31). ... Fans of the Spanish Basketball League (ACB) raised €42,850 ($58,525) at the league's second edition of its "Solidary Matchday," which was organized by league sponsor Endesa, the ACB and the Spanish Red Cross. The money "will help people suffering as a result of Spain's economic crisis." With this money, the "Spanish Red Cross guarantees that it can provide food for 343 people over the course of a month" (AS, 1/2). ... The Badminton Association of Malaysia will invest RM1,000 ($300) a month "on every potential player earmarked by them at state level." The BAM "decided to take the step in an attempt to find new talents, especially in the men’s singles department" (THE STAR, 12/31). ... Days before the announcement of the result of Rajasthan Cricket Association elections held last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India moved the Supreme Court challenging participation of Lalit Modi in the poll, "a move aimed at restraining him from holding the President's post if he wins." The BCCI challenged the Rajasthan Sports Act 2005 allowing the former Indian Premier League Commissioner to contest the RCA presidential elections on Dec. 19 "despite being banned for life by the Board" (PTI, 1/2).