The R&A will "consider extending the Walker Cup from two days to three, to bring it in line with other major team trophy events." U.S. Walker Cup team captain Spider Miller has been "one of most vocal supporters of a change in format." The Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Curtis Cup are all contested over three days, but so far the R&A has "remained resistant to arguments" of the U.S. Golf Association "that the oldest match of the four should follow suit." However, Miller's proposals are "gaining traction and the R&A's resolve is weakening" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/11).
The British Horseracing Authority has "bowed to popular opinion" and will introduce 48-hour declarations for all races at next year's Cheltenham Festival. The "overdue move will provide much-needed early clarity" for racing fans as well as bettors, bookmakers and the media with regards to running plans and the shape of "some of National Hunt racing's most iconic contests" (London DAILY MAIL, 9/12).
Next year's fixtures list has been released by Horse Racing Ireland and a total of 363 meetings on the '18 program "will be an all-time record" in the country. However, the number of meetings containing both flat and National Hunt races will be reduced from 28 to 19 (IRISH TIMES, 9/11).
For the first time in "more than 30 years," thousands of fans watched a "symbolic" floodlit evening football game in Mogadishu, Somalia. The game took place on Friday at the country's oldest stadium, which was renovated as part of FIFA's Win in Africa with Africa program, "under tight security but was regarded as a historic occasion given the recent civil war and the number of terrorist atrocities inflicted on the city in recent years" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 9/12).
