Middle East

Demand for the Viagra anti-impotency drug is dropping in Israel as World Cup action heats up, an Israeli doctor said on Monday.

Security operations for the Sydney 2000 Olympics have been "sharpened" in response to the bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the Sydney Olympic security commander has said.

The National Basketball Association, which imposed a lockout on its players in July, has cancelled training camps and 24 preseason games through October 16.

The league cited a lack of progress in negotiations as the reason for the cancellations.

UEFA have thrown down the gauntlet to their own clubs, the European Commission and upstart rivals Media Partners and have announced far-reaching plans for the reorganisation of European club soccer.

This season's European Cup Final - likely to be the last under the current format - will be played at the Nou Camp Stadium, home of Barcelona.

Twelve of Europe's top clubs have asked UEFA for closer co-operation in the organisation of the European Champions' League and insisted on having more input in financial matters.

Only 6,745 athletes from 42 nations have registered to take part in next month's Asian Games by the deadline this week, compared with the anticipated total of more than 8,700, the Games organising committee said.

German media group Kirch has agreed to buy Swiss sports rights marketing company CWL Telesport & Marketing AG in a move to expand its international soccer business.

Octagon CSI, the television division of the Octagon Group, will unveil a number of new football programming opportunities at this year?s Sportel in Monaco.

Israel?s soccer league kicks off this weekend, and for many clubs the main goal will be avoiding relegation or surviving a season already overshadowed by cash problems.

KSS Sports and Leisure Design Ltd, the London-based Sports Entertainment design group, have been selected by the Haifa Economic Corporation Ltd, to masterplan and design the new Haifa Sports Complex in Israel.

Israel's government has reached a $4 million settlement to compensate an Australian athlete injured in a 1997 sporting event near Tel Aviv, an Israeli source said on Tuesday. Sasha Elterman of Australia was seriously injured when a pedestrian bridge rigged for athletes competing in the Maccabiah "Jewish Olympics" collapsed and swept them into the polluted Yarkon River.

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

The NBA has reached a television agreement with Digiturk (Turkey) to launch a 24-hour basketball channel and has renewed its agreement with NHK (Japan) to include a 60-minute programme on NHK?s terrestrial channel.

FIBA, forced to revamp its new flagship SuproLeague basketball tournament after a mass breakaway by clubs, has made the draw for next season.

Extreme International has signed an agreement with Yes Satellite TV to distribute its Extreme Sports Channel in Israel.