The New Zealand government approved a further NZ$22.5M ($15.6M) for America's Cup infrastructure, taking its total contribution to NZ$136.5M ($94.6M). On Tuesday, Economic Development Minister David Parker said that the additional funds were approved following "higher than forecast costs for wave breaks and dredging work." On Thursday, Auckland Council will reportedly also consider approving an additional NZ$14.5M ($10M) to complete the infrastructure needed, taking its total spend to NZ$113M ($78.3M) (STUFF, 12/4).
India's refusal to agree to a pink-ball clash in Adelaide "has impacted on ticket sales but officials are still confident of breaking the ground record for a Test against the tourists." South Australian Cricket Association CEO Keith Bradshaw said on Tuesday that pre-sold ticket sales were "lower than what had been the case" since the revamped venue began hosting day-night test cricket in '15 but "insisted this had nothing to do with" the fallout of the ball-tampering scandal (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/4).
Approximately 50,000 runners from around the world will take to the streets of Singapore when the 17th annual Singapore Marathon takes place this weekend. For the first time, the region’s only IAAF Gold Label race will be held over two days, Saturday and Sunday (Ironman).
Budapest will host the 2023 athletics world championships, the IAAF announced on Tuesday. The Hungarian capital is the "first host city to be named under a new bidding process" announced last year. The new stadium will be built on the eastern bank of the River Danube "with a capacity of 40,000 for the championships, reduced to 15,000 for future events" (REUTERS, 12/4).
