RORY MCILROY opened Sun and Sand Sport’s new Nike Golf store at Dubai Mall on Tuesday. Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, McIlroy "showed off his short-game skills by putting across the shop’s threshold" (GULF NEWS, 1/28). ... Female footballer JI SO-YUN "has signed a two-year contract with the Chelsea Ladies, becoming the first Korean to play in the Women’s Super League in England." Ji, who made her debut at the age of 15, has made 55 int'l appearances and scored 26 goals. She joins the club from the Japanese league and cup holders INAC Kobe Leonessa (KOREA TIMES, 1/28). ... The Badminton World Federation said on Tuesday that South Korea's Olympic badminton Gold Medalist LEE YONG-DAE "has been hit with a one-year ban for missing doping tests." Another Korean player, KIM KI-JUNG, "was also banned for one year." The federation said that the ban was effective until Jan. 23, "meaning the players would miss the Asian Games in Incheon" (REUTERS, 1/28). ... Chinese tennis player LI NA added to her winnings by another 800,000 yuan ($132,270) "awarded by her home province during a welcome ceremony on Monday" (CHINA DAILY, 1/28).
