While the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games is heralded as the most important event in the history of Turkmenistan, the population suffers, findings in recent report by Human Rights Watch show.

The child and human rights criteria recently included in mega-event bidding material will not be enforced retrospectively and the effects are still to be seen.

Another ‘Thrilla in Manila’ goes down on 21 September. This time, though, it is not a boxer taking severe punches. Instead, a president of a National Olympic Committee enters the ring. Will he survive?

A series of ongoing investigations in Brazil and France displays the extensity of corruption surrounding last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. IOC reaffirm its commitment to protect the integrity of sport.

With 100 abstracts submitted, 40 conference sessions in the programme and generous donations from various sides, Play the Game 2017 is taking shape.

With a €100,000 donation from the Dutch sports ministry, the Netherlands have shown great confidence and engagement in this year’s Play the Game conference. The city of Eindhoven and Danish sports organisations have also volunteered generous support for Play the Game 2017.

How does sport ride the waves of cultural, political, social and technological change? How is sport adapting to a world in change and the many calls for reform? Is sport too conservative to change? Help search for answers at Play the Game 2017.

Thanks to support from Danish journalist organisations, Play the Game is happy to announce the availability of ten conference grants for media professionals from less privileged countries.