MENA

Motor racing series A1 Grand Prix unveiled a provisional calendar of 13 races for its second season, 2006-07. The season kicks off on October 1, 2006 at Circuit Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands and concludes at Brands Hatch in the UK, on April 29, 2007. A New Zealand race, although still to be confirmed, is new to the calendar, while races at the EuroSpeedway and Estoril have disappeared from the calendar.

Indonesia has pulled out of a planned Fed Cup tennis match in Israel in protest against to actions in the Gaza Strip, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Indonesia has pulled out of a planned Fed Cup tennis match in Israel in protest against to actions in the Gaza Strip, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats – BET founder Robert L Johnson - has entered into a venture with the legendary Michael Jordan to see the two jointly invest in a range of future business opportunities.

Cricket’s world governing body the ICC has appointed Tim Anderson its new development programmes manager.

Dubai airline Emirates has unveiled a three-year sponsorship deal with French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain.

Dubai Sports City has confirmed a major sponsorship deal for industry event Soccerex 2006.

European soccer magazine Kicker is looking to tap into the lucrative Middle East market after unveiling plans to launch an Arabic version of the title.

Cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, has given a guarded endorsement to a trial of the extended use of technology in the game, during a two-day meeting in Dubai.

Cricket world governing body the ICC has awarded the 2011 Cricket World Cup to the joint Asian bid of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed he will open Soccerex 2006 when it returns to Dubai in November.

Grand Prix Masters has agreed a three-year deal with Sistema Brasileiro de TelevisC#o (SBT) for free-to-air coverage of the series across Brazil.

TSE Consulting, the sports consultancy firm, is opening a new US office in Indianapolis.

Emirates Airline has signed a $195million deal to become a FIFA Partner from 2007 to 2014.

The Olympic Council of Asia and the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee have signed a partnership deal with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.of Japan, makers of sports drink Pocari Sweat.

Indian sports channel Zee Sports has acquired global media rights for all of India's matches in non-ICC member countries.