Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah believes the Asian Winter Games beginning next week in Sapporo could mark the start of "unprecedented growth" in snow and ice sport across the continent.

people to winter sports during this period, so the next few years are pivotal in establishing a vast, new

bronze.Kazakhstan also enjoyed a solitary third place finish.For the first time, athletes from Australia and New

Zealand are also due to participate at the Sapporo Games.They will not be eligible to win medals, however

The OCA and Sapporo organisers are delighted to welcome the guest athletes from Australia and New Zealand

Chinese and South Korean athletes will not stay in the APA Hotel during next week’s Asian Winter Games in Sapporo after a controversial book was placed in rooms.

Games, which are due to take place from Sunday (February 19) to February 26.Athletes from Australia and New

Zealand are due to compete alongside Asian countries for the first time, although they will not be eligible

The first New Zealand community ambassadors of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup have received their uniforms

Zealand is co-hosting the tournament, due to run from October 27 to December 2, with Australia, while

three matches will also be staged in Papua New Guinea."

Zealand."

Zealand, Scotland, Samoa and Tonga were drawn in Group B.Papua New Guinea, Wales and Ireland are the

Zealand are also due to stage matches.

Olympic bronze medallist Mark McMorris wrapped up the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard Big Air World Cup title by winning on home snow in Quebec City.

 Julian Marino of the United States was second on 162.50 as Zoi Sadowski Synnott of New Zealand

A seven-strong North Korean team is expected to participate at the Asian Winter Games beginning in Sapporo next week after special permission was given by the Japanese Government.

which are due to continue to take place from Sunday (February 19) to 26.Athletes from Australia and New

Zealand are due to compete alongside Asian countries for the first time, although they will not be eligible

Athletes and National Olympic Committees have been marking one-year to go until Pyeongchang 2018 by attending events and setting targets for next year’s Games.

events.Their athletes also appeared on the NBC’s "TODAY" programme, as well as visiting students in New

Australia's main medal hopes as she looks to compete at a fifth Games ©Getty ImagesBoth Australia and New

Zealand will be seeking to step-up their preparations for Pyeongchang 2018 in the coming weeks, with

Zealand are eyeing a final team size of around 15 to 20 athletes, which they expect to be made up predominantly

Zealand at the Games.

Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst ensured there was a Dutch double on the opening day of competition at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Gangneung today.

seconds respectively in the standings.History would be made Peter Michael became the first athlete from New

Zealand to win a medal at the Championships, after he ended in 6:11.67.

Usain Bolt’s All-Stars team will go into Saturday’s sell-out final of the Coles Nitro Athletics Melbourne as leaders - after protests saw the host nation, originally winners on the second night of this innovative event, incur a penalty for their disqualification in the mixed 4x100 metre relay.

his team to victory in the sprint relay before underlining the seriousness with which he takes this new

just short of the All-Stars who finished on 930.Team China was third on 855 ahead of England, 850, New

Zealand, 845, and Team Japan, 820.Looking towards Saturday night’s final, Bolt revealed that he may

Patrick Tuipulotu has said he is “pleased” after the New Zealand rugby player was cleared of anti-doping

forward to getting back into training and an exciting year of rugby.”Rob Nichol, chief executive of the New

Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, said it was “unclear” why there was a discrepancy between the two

samples.Patrick Tuipulotu has played 12 times for New Zealand ©Getty Images“This is a matter that SMRTL

playing for Racing 92.However, last month it was revealed the duo and Argentinian Juan Imhoff face a new

United States Track and Field (USATF) has withdrawn from this year’s International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi due to security concerns.

the security summary from the State Department.The US have followed Australia, Britain, Switzerland, New

Zealand and Canada in withdrawing from the event.

India started their International Cricket Council (ICC) 2017 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign with a 114 run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo today.

9 before limiting Pakistan to 195-6.Group B’s other match saw Bangladesh win by 118 runs over Papua New

year’s World Cup is being held in England between June 24 and July 23.Alongside the hosts, Australia, New

Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified.

Stuart McConnell has replaced Bill Harrigan as chairman of the International Tag Federation (ITF).

ITF run the sport.They also looked at how plans are going for the 2018 Tag World Cup being held in New

Zealand.Representatives from five executive member nations, South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, New

Zealand and Ireland, were present at the conference.Tag Rugby Ireland’s Simon Bewley said the event

A whistlestop Torch Relay has taken place in Sapporo with less than two weeks to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Winter Games.

be contested at the Games, which are due to continue until February 26.Athletes from Australia and New

Zealand are due to compete alongside Asian countries for the first time, although they will not be eligible

Ten teams will be in action at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World Cup Qualifier which begins in Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Ireland, Zimbabwe and Thailand in Group A, with South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New

Africa will begin on day one against Pakistan at Nondescripts, with Bangladesh colliding with Papua New

Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies have already qualified for the World Cup, scheduled

South Africa have claimed their third tournament win of the men's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series after beating England 29-14 in today’s final at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. 

the top of the overall standings.Their three wins from four is the best Series start for a side since New

Zealand in 2008, when the Kiwis won five tournaments in a row."

It's bittersweet, we play here with family so it is a pity to be leaving the family but it’s a new challenge

the day, England and South Africa reached the final courtesy of 12-5 and 26-12 semi-final wins over New

Zealand and Australia respectively.Australia were then stunned on home soil once again as New Zealand