The Madrid City Council, through municipal organization Destination Madrid, filed complaints to Spain's Anti-Corruption Prosecutor regarding the contracts that the government of Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón signed with the organizer of the Madrid Open. Destination Madrid believes the deals constituted "embezzlement." The complaint was signed by three former Destination Madrid execs, including Carlos Sánchez Mayo and Celia Mayer (AS, 5/4).
Ireland will host South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in November’s Guinness Series at Aviva Stadium, the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed. Ireland will face the Springboks in the opening fixture on Nov. 12. The host defeated South Africa 29-15 in Nov. '14. Fiji will face Ireland on Nov. 18 and the final game of the series "will see Argentina return to Ireland for the first time" since '12 (REUTERS, 5/4).
Thailand will host the top int'l event in pylon air racing in '17. The Sports Authority of Thailand will host the Air Race 1 World Cup at the U-Tapao Naval Air Base from Nov. 17-19. This year's World Cup is anticipated to have more teams competing than any other int'l air racing event (Air Race 1 World Cup).
Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Eger, Hungary, will stage the 2019 and 2021 senior and junior World Para Powerlifting Championships, respectively. The Almaty 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championships will be held at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace. The junior competition will take place on July 27 before the seniors take to the stage from July 28-Aug. 3 (Int'l Paralympic Committee).
Pakistan Cricket Board Chair Shaharyar Khan on Thursday said that the body wishes to hold eight Pakistan Super League 2018 matches in the country. Khan reportedly said that the board will try to hold four matches of the PSL third edition in Karachi and four in Lahore (DAWN, 5/4).
Lord’s Taverners, the U.K. charity that provides young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities the chance to enjoy sport, is launching its first ever Rugby 7s tournament and family day, in partnership with London-based media agency John Ayling and Associates. The tournament is open to corporate teams. Olympic rugby Silver Medalists Phil Burgess, Dan Norton and James Rodwell and former England internationals Ugo Monye, John Taylor and Tom May will attend the game (THE DRUM, 5/4).
