Hong Kong

Nike is to open 10 new flagship stores in Asia-Pacific amid growing optimism about the economic recovery in the region, according to Financial Times registered sources.

Argentina are to host the 2001 World Cup Sevens, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced.

Police have arrested 40 people for illegal soccer bookmaking after extensive raids across Hong Kong in the run up to the Champions League final this week.

China urged International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegates arriving on Monday to assess Beijing's bid for the 2008 Games to focus on its credentials as a "sports superpower of 1.2 billion people", not its human rights record.

The 2003 world badminton championships will be staged in Birmingham, English officials said after outbidding China, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

EPSN Star Sports has appointed Mike Kerr to the newly created position of senior manager, integrated sales.

London-based sports public relations company, Vision Sports PR, has consolidated its team of sports consultants selected for their sports media and participation experience.

The Hong Kong governing has announced it is to mount a bid to host the 2006 Asian Games.

The Organising Committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments, Sydney 2000, has reaffirmed their ruling on age limits, and announced that the Men's Olympic final will be played in Sydney's new Olympic Stadium.

The World Wrestling Federation has secured new television agreements in Europe, Asia and Australia, increasing the number of countries broadcasting WWF programming to 150.

The International Cricket Council has approved South Africa?s proposals for the format of the 2003 World Cup.

London and Hong Kong-based international sports marketing group World Sports Group has won the sponsorship and broadcasting rights for cricket matches in Sri Lanka for three years, the local cricket board said.

Video-on-demand (VOD) firm Yes Television ? which hopes to become one of the leaders in on-demand sport ? has formed a joint venture with Sky Vision Corporation.

Legislators are poised to approve next week a total loss to taxpayers of $945 million for hosting the 2006 Asian Games in Hong Kong along with an event for disabled athletes.

Sportshows International have been recommissioned to film the Asian Windsurfacing Tour from this month through to February 2000.

Asian Games officials have turned a blind eye to a reported call by Thai police for alcohol to be banned at sports venues after fans threw bottles onto the pitch during a preliminary soccer match.