Sub-Saharan Africa

Nigeria withdrew their bid to host the World Cup Finals in 2006 to help South Africa win the right to stage the tournament, Nigerian sports minister Emeka Omeruah.

South African soccer officials have reacted with delight to Nigeria's decision to withdraw their bid to host the World Cup finals in 2006 and instead support the South African bid.

English soccer Premier League champions Manchester United have signed a deal with South African first division club FC Fortune to develop African youth players.

Power consumption surged to record levels in Sri Lanka last week when millions switched on their televisions to watch the World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

South Africa's cricketers, currently favourites to win the cricket World Cup, have backed the South African bid for the soccer World Cup in 2006.

South Africa has denied suggestions in the UK press that it plans to shelve its bid for the 2006 soccer World Cup.

South Africa's Sam Ramsamy will be a member of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) reform commission meeting next week, the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa) has said.

Phil Hayes-Brown has been named the new managing director of the NBA in the UK.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it will not make a choice this weekend between the two African countries bidding to host the 2006 World Cup.

South Africa will present its bid to stage the 2006 World Cup to the African Soccer Confederation (CAF) executive in Cairo on Sunday, a South African diplomat said.

South Africa and Morocco submitted bids to the African Soccer Confederation (CAF) over the weekend to stage the 2006 World Cup, the confederation's chief executive said.

Jean-Claude Ganga, one of six International Olympic Committee members expelled from the organisation in March for taking bribes, is to resign as president of the African Olympic body, a South African Olympic official has confirmed.

FIFA head Sepp Blatter has advised Africa to endorse a single bidder to stage the 2006 World Cup finals on the continent for the first time.

A disciplinary hearing into an alleged strike threat over pay by Stormers Super 12 players in South Africa has been postponed at the request of the players' legal team.

South Africa's chances of hosting the 2006 World Cup has received a giant boost when First National Bank (FNB) bankrolled the Bid Committee with a sponsorship and threw its financial weight behind their attempt to bring the showcase event to Africa for the first time.

Soccer legend Pele has confirmed his support for South Africa's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, saying he thought Brazil could be ready to stage the finals four years later.