By Gary AndersonNew Zealand retained their International Rugby Board (IRB) Women's Sevens World Series title with a thrilling win over Australia in the final of the Amsterdam Sevens to finish the season just four points clear of their big rivals.

into Amsterdam, looked impressive in the group stages yesterday as they recorded wins over France, South

Africa and Russia while New Zealand overcame the United States, Ireland and a very competitive Spain

while hosts the Netherland's delighted the home crowd by claiming the Bowl following a 29-7 win over South

By Nick ButlerNew Zealand's football fraternity is bidding to convince the Government the merits of bidding for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, with final confirmation of the bid required in October.

to officially express interest in hosting the event last Friday (May 9), along with England, France, South

Korea and South Africa.Following on from other major events, such as London 2012 and the England 2015

event in 2010.But while the tournament, held every four years since 1991, has never taken place in Africa

20 Women's World Cup 2018, with South Africa the only exception due to the fact they are hosting the

Africa to bid for 2019 FIFA Women's World CupMarch 2014: FIFA opens bidding process for eight tournamentsDecember

By Nick ButlerA special general meeting to elect the new Board of Athletics South Africa (ASA) has been

was scheduled for May 24, but was postponed to avoid a clash with the inauguration ceremony for the South

following a long-running dispute among the ASA leadership.In June 2013, the ASA Board was suspended by the South

Africa PresidencyApril 2014: New Athletics South Africa Board to be elected after mass sackingsDecember

2013: Meeting to dissolve Athletics South Africa Board invalid, claims PresidentJune 2013: Suspension

could rule top South African athletes out of Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016April 2013: Athletics South Africa

By Gary AndersonInternational media rights agency IEC in Sports has signed two separate deals with the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) which will see it distribute rights for the Asian 5 Nations and for upcoming Japan test matches with Samoa and Italy.

and they are two-from-two so far in 2014 with victories over Philippines and Sri Lanka.Hong Kong and South

Nations," said Karl Samuelsson, managing director of IEC in Sports in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa

ARFU Asian 5 Nations will prove to be as exciting as ever with to reigning champions Japan taking on South

By Paul OsborneNew Zealand has won the 2014 London Sevens title after coming from behind to beat trans-Tasman neighbours Australia at Twickenham.

Africa ensured they finished the Series in second as they claimed the Plate at the London Sevens in

Martin Seras Lima/IRBSeabelo Senatla scored his 11th, 12th and 13th tries of the London Sevens to help South

Africa win the Plate by beating Kenya 38-7 in the final.By doing so, Senatla is only the third player

first since the 2005 Paris Sevens.The result ensures a second place finish in the World Series for South

Africa as they ended the campaign 28 points behind New Zealand.Canada continued their impressive run

By Gary AndersonFijian flyer Samisoni Viriviri has been chosen as the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Player of the Year at a special function following the conclusion of the ninth and final round of this season's Sevens World Series at Twickenham in London.

Mikkelson of New Zealand.Mikkelson won the award last year and was nominated again along with Kyle Brown of South

Africa and England's Tom Mitchell.The shortlist was chosen by the management teams of the 15 core sides

at Twickenham and end the season third on the overall standings behind the Kiwis and second-placed South

Africa."

while Samoans Uale Mai and Mikaele Pesamino picked up the award in 2006 and 2010 respectively with South

By Paul OsborneNew Zealand have sealed the HSBC World Sevens Series title after securing progression to the Cup quarter-finals at the Marriott London Sevens in Twickenham.

The All-Blacks came into the final leg of the Series 18 points clear of second placed South Africa

hoping to claim a first home title since 2009, while New Zealand will have to overcome Pool D winners South

By Paul OsborneA sell-out crowd will welcome teams to the final HSBC Sevens World Series leg of the season as fans make their way to Twickenham for the much anticipated Series climax.

New Zealand goes into the tournament with the title all but secure as they lead second place South Africa

UCI) President Brian Cookson has announced plans to set up a World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Central or South

A new World Cycling Centre in Central or South America could help develop future cycling stars to follow

and mechanics.Along with the main centre in Aigle, there are currently three WCC satellite centres in South

Africa, Japan and South Korea.The COPACI Congress is being attended by around 20 national cycling federations

The eyes of the world will become even more focussed on South America with the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic

By Nick ButlerEngland, France, South Korea, New Zealand and South Africa are the five countries to have

The bids from South Africa, France and South Korea had already been publicly expressed, while the ones

Africa the only exception due to the fact they are hosting the event in 2016.Under FIFA guidelines,

the same country, although they do "reserve the right to award the hosting of the events separately".South

Africa, hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are attempting to bring the female version to Africa for the

Contact the writer of this [email protected]@insidethegames.bizRelated storiesMarch 2013: South Africa

By Gary AndersonThe Copper Box Arena at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been announced as the host venue for next year's inaugural World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.

and reigning world champions the United States will take part in the competition, along with Canada, South

Africa, Japan, France, and New Zealand."

By Gary AndersonThe Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) has named its squad for the netball competition at Glasgow 2014 as they go in search of their first Commonwealth Games gold medal in 12 years.

against Wales before taking on fellow Group B opponents England, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and South

Africa."

By Duncan MackayThe Moses Mabhida Stadium, which would be the centrepiece if Durban wins its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been selected to host the Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits on May 17, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announced. 

extra-time.The 85,000-capacity Stadium is named after Moses Mabhida, a former general secretary of the South

$450 million (£267 million/€325 million) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.It hosted seven matches during South

Africa 2010, including the semi-final when Spain beat Germany 1-0. 

PSL chief executive Brand de Villiers claimed that there had been a lot of competition among South Africa's

Africa bid for 2022 Commonwealth Games

By Gary AndersonGlasgow 2014 today announced the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will provide

Africa and provided free-to-air coverage of the past three Commonwealth Games as well as the London

Olympic Games.SABC's acting chief operations officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng claimed the deal will allow South

Viewers in South Africa are expected to be among a total anticipated global television audience of more

Africa at Delhi 2010 ©AFP/Getty ImagesLast year, South African based subscription broadcaster SuperSport

Africa," said Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)."

By Gary AndersonSwaziland has been named as the host for next year's Southern Africa Judo Championships

The Championships will see seven countries taking part alongside the hosts, including South Africa, Malawi