SPORTS FUNDING: Several projects aimed at increasing women's participation in sport will benefit from €2.052 million in funding announced yesterday by the Irish Sports Council, writes Ian O'Riordan.
The details of the "2006 Women in Sport Initiative" were outlined by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue.
It includes a €1.4 million allocation for 35 projects that emphasises innovative programmes designed to provide access to sport and remove the barriers that prevent women taking part.
One of the projects highlighted yesterday was the Athletics Ireland new mass participation running programme called fit4life. This programme is based on the successful West Waterford Athletics Club's 16-week winter league programme which has been running since 1994 with an average of 350 participants per week. The leagues will be run in 14 locations around the country.
The funding for Basketball Ireland is designed to build on their regional development officer network. There is also dedicated funding of €120,000 in 2006 to support BI's activities as part of the European Year of Women's Basketball.
There was also an investment of €250,000 to support the FAI's aim to fully develop the women's game at all levels throughout the country. The Irish Sports Council's Women in Sport website, www.womeninsport.ie showcases all these initiatives.
DOPING BAN: Irish martial arts athlete Carla Patton has been suspended for three months for failing to provide the required whereabouts information to her federation, the Irish Martial Arts Commission, writes Johnny Watterson.
The suspension, handed down by the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, falls under an anti-doping rule violation.
Contrary to Article 2.4 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, Patton violated the requirements regarding her availability for out-of-competition testing. Her sanction is subject to a right to appeal within 14 days.
According to Irish Sports Council Rules, athletes must inform their federations of their movements.
BOXING: John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin will carry Ireland's medal hopes into the ring at the World Junior Boxing Championships in Morocco today.
Both teenagers are just one fight from a podium position and face American and Russian rivals with bronze medals up for grabs in Agadier, this afternoon.
Cavan-born Nevin (48Kg), meets US puncher Luis Zanez in his quarter final, while Joyce (60Kg), from the St Michael's club in Athy, will also see last-eight action.
Ryan Lindberg from Belfast is out of the tournament after losing his last-16 bout to Claudio Guzman of the Dominican Republic (36-16). And Michael Collins of the Darndale club in Dublin also bowed out.
