China

Free-to-air Chinese broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) has signed a multi-year rights deal for coverage of Formula One including the inaugural Grand Prix in the country in 2004.

Headed up by the soccer governing body's president Sepp Blatter, a series of FIFA committee meetings kicks off next week with a status report on preparations for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the potential for a FIFA Club World Championship in 2005 among the issues on the agenda.

Leading Chinese sporting goods company, Beijing-based Li-Ning, has signed a major marketing agreement with English Premier League star Li Tie - worth an estimated $1m and believed to be the biggest such endorsement deal in Chinese history.

Following ongoing financial difficulties, the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens tournaments in Chile and Malaysia have been cancelled.

Europe's future as the main host of Formula One Grand Prix is set to come under threat, Max Mosley, the president of the FIA has warned.

Mobile phone giant Siemens is the latest firm to target China after signing a lucrative sponsorship deal with the national soccer team.

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will meet next week where the issue of scaling back the number of sporting disciplines at the Games is one of a number of items on the agenda.

Italian soccer team Inter Milan has agreed a three-year deal with Japanese communications company Dentsu for the development of the club’s business in the Far Eastern country.

FIFA has unveiled yet another sponsor for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Asian soccer promoter and marketing consultancy ProEvents Management has been appointed the exclusive regional marketing partner to Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan.

The Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg has become the latest victim of a government decision to bring forward tobacco sponsorship bans, with Bernie Ecclestone confirming the 2003 race would be its last.

IEC has signed deals to distribute two major soccer events in China.

Foreign investment in China has increased by 70 percent ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, according to local reports.

The IOC has signed a major supplier deal with a leading freight firm.

The ATP has switched two of its Asian events to different cities for 2003.

The IOC will begin a major marketing push into China later this year as it looks to firm-up local commercial support for the 2008 Beijing Games.

The ATP is in talks to establish an annual major tournament in China, sportbusiness.com can confirm.

Executives from across the globe will be making their way to New York this week as the sport industry's longest running business forum stages its 25th annual event.