TIU eyes suspicious exhibition ties

LONDON: The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) has raised concerns over 24 suspicious matches at exhibitions organized while the men’s and women’s tours are shut down amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The TIU, which investigates match-fixing cases in the sport, said late on Friday it received reports of the matches at private tournaments staged between April and June.

The reports are filed by gambling companies who track unusual betting patterns around matches. Suspicious betting patterns don’t necessarily mean a match was fixed. A similar effect can also happen if insider information about a player’s injury leaks.

Suspicious betting on tennis during the lockdown is seen as a firm indicator that corruptors remain active, and are likely to increase their focus on the sport when professional tennis resumes in August,” the TIU said in a statement.

Private tennis exhibitions have proliferated after the ATP and WTA tours closed down in March. Some have little or no oversight. Besides a smattering of events with big-name players, there are many smaller events around the world with low-ranked players.—AP

BWF seeking further advice on Chinese events

BEIJING: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) are seeking more information from China about its decision to cancel all international sport in the country this year before they make a decision on the season-ending World Tour Finals.

The World Tour Finals, scheduled to take place in Guangzhou from Dec 16 to 20, have already had their dates moved once due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

China’s General Administration of Sport issued a policy document on Friday where the only international sports events allowed in the country this year would be trials for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“BWF is in close contact with its relevant partners including the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) to get more clarity on the situation and how this affects the BWF Tournament Calendar 2020,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

The China Masters tournament in Lingshui in August has already been cancelled.

The China Open in Changzhou from Sept 15 to 20 and a tournament in Fuzhou from Nov 3 to 8 are still listed on the BWF’s current calendar.—Reuters

2020 Asian Beach Games put off

LAHORE: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has changed the dates of the Asian Beach Games, which were scheduled to be held in China from Nov 28 to Dec 6 this year, have been postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on behalf of OCA, the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games were due to be held in Sanya city, Hainan province, China from Nov 28 to Dec 6, 2020.

“The Olympic Council of Asia and the Chinese Olympic Committee are in discussion to reschedule the dates of the Sanya Asian Beach Games due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” read the POA press release.

“The three parties have been in constant contact all year regarding the Asian Beach Games in Sanya and are closely monitoring the situation on a daily basis and working together closely to adjust the dates, if required.

“Once a decision is made, the OCA jointly with Chinese Olympic Committee and the Sanya Asian Beach Games Organising Committee will announce the new dates regarding the 6th Asian Beach Games,” added the POA press release.—Sports Reporter

First virus case since Serie A restart

MILAN: A member of the first team staff at Parma has tested positive for Covid-19, the Serie A club said on Saturday, adding that all squad staff and players have returned negative results.

It was the first case of the new coronavirus at any of the 20 clubs since Serie A restarted on June 19.

“The person is completely asymptomatic and was promptly isolated according to federal and ministerial directives,” the club said in a statement, without giving the person’s identity or area of work.

Parma said that, under the Italian government’s health guidelines, the players would be isolated at the club’s training ground but would be able to continue normal activities under constant monitoring.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020