Malaysia

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.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said the disqualification of Ferrari from Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix was "nonsense" and Eddie Irvine should be reinstated as championship leader.

The appeal by Ferrari against disqualification from last Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, potentially decisive for the destiny of this season's Formula One world title, has opened.

The BBC has paid #6m ($10m) for the broadcasting rights to FIFA's World Team Championship in Brazil. That is half the price once suggested - probably because other broadcasters showed little interest.

England's Premier League has became the first domestic competition in world soccer to authorise an on-line betting system.

Malaysia will replace Argentina as the venue for a world motorcycling championship race on April 2 next year, officials have said.

Formula One needs an African Grand Prix but the calendar must not be enlarged beyond 17 races, team owner Eddie Jordan said.

Malaysia have rejected claims that the Commonwealth Games may be taken from Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia's Sports Ministry will market the main stadium, indoor stadium and other facilities built for the Commonwealth Games to those wishing to use them after September, the New Stratits Times reported.

FIFA presidential candidate Lennart Johansson has indicated that Malaysia's Datuk Peter Velappan could be in the running for Fifa's coveted general secretary's post.

There is a rumour that will not go away - this year's Commonwealth Games will have to be shifted from Malaysia to Australia because of smog.

Rapidly shedding its image as a grey, northern industrial city, Manchester will project a youthful, vibrant image at the first Commonwealth Games of the new millennium.

Vandals have damaged equipment at a new indoor gymnastics stadium being built for September's Commonwealth Games, delaying the transfer of the complex to Malaysian authorities by at least a month.

The medical adviser to the Commonwealth Games has said he favoured setting a smog threshold to protect athletes from being endangered by heavy pollution during September's competition.

A promotional drive has been launched by Malaysian Youth and Sports MinisterTan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to create awareness and enthusiasm for the KualaLumpur Commonwealth Games.

Sukom Ninety Eight Bhd, the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, have admitted their merchandising programme for the Games had failed and they are unlikely to reap the projected income from it, the New Straits Times has reported.