According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, 69% Pakistanis believe Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance will improve because of Pakistan Super League.

A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked, “Please tell, to what extent is it possible that Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance will improve because of Pakistan Super League?” In response to this question, 36% said it is highly possible for Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance to improve because of Pakistan Super League, 33% said somewhat possible, 23% said somewhat not possible, while 8% said not possible at all.

The study was released by Gilani Research Foundation and carried out by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 1833 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, during March 06 – March 13, 2017. Error margin is estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level.

World Golf Awards has revealed that the five-star La Manga Club resort, an unrivalled sports and leisure paradise in south-east Spain, will host its Gala Ceremony 2017 at the end of this year.

The most prestigious awards programme in the golf tourism industry will take place at the famous venue in Murcia, from 23-26 November 2017.

Attendees will be welcomed to Spain's flagship resort for three action-packed days of networking events, dinners and exclusive golf experience activities.

The highlight of the event will be the red-carpet World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony on Saturday 25 November, where golf tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Central & South America and Australasia will gather together at La Manga Club's Hotel Principe Felipe for the 2017 winners to be announced.

“The team and I are beyond excited to be bringing the World Golf Awards to Spain for the first time,” commented Chris Frost, World Golf Awards Managing Director.

“We look forward to welcoming industry leaders and luminaries to La Manga Club, Spain's most exclusive sports and leisure resort, in November and I know it will be a weekend to remember.”

Set across an area of 1,400 acres, La Manga Club has been at the forefront of European sports and leisure destinations since its inception in 1972.

Featuring three 18-hole golf courses, a nine-hole academy course and outstanding practice facilities, La Manga Club has enjoyed a rich golfing history over the last four decades. Golfing legends Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros all figure prominently in its past, while its array of other outstanding sports and leisure amenities, bars and restaurants has helped establish La Manga Club as a firm favourite with golfers worldwide.

The official overseas training base of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the resort's unrivalled facilities as a sports and leisure destination also include a 28-court tennis centre and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. In addition, La Manga Club features the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses and more than 20 bars and restaurants.

José Asenjo, General Manager of La Manga Club, said: “It's a great honour and privilege to be chosen to host the World Golf Awards for the first time, in what is a landmark year for the resort as we celebrate our 45th birthday.

“Every year the event attracts some of the most respected figures in the golf industry, and we're very excited to have this opportunity to showcase our numerous world-class golf and leisure facilities to a key global audience and look forward to welcoming everyone here in November.”

Voting for the World Golf Awards is now open and will conclude on 1 October 2017.

A Birmingham bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 has been endorsed by the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Company – on the same day the UK Government has said it was ready to work with cities interested in hosting the Games.

At a meeting on Friday (April 21), the Birmingham bid company reviewed a feasibility study produced by consultants Origin and decided it would be in the best interests of Birmingham and the wider region to put forward a proposal to stage the event, last staged in England in 2002.

The city had initially been preparing a study for the 2026 Games, but the plans were brought forward following the news Durban would no longer be staging the 2022 Games as planned in South Africa.

Exact details of the Birmingham feasibility study have to remain confidential at this stage whilst the report is taken through the cross-party political and democratic processes of the city council.

The study will then form part of a public report to the council Cabinet in the coming weeks, at which point everyone with an interest in the proposed bid will be able to analyse its merits.

It is understood the merits of formal proposals from across the UK will be considered before the selection of a candidate bid to compete against rivals from other Commonwealth nations for the honour of staging the games.

The Commonwealth Games Federation, which administers the event on an overall basis, is expected to make a final decision on the replacement 2022 host by “mid-summer” of this year.

Cllr Ian Ward, Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Company, said: “We now have confirmation from our consultants that a Birmingham bid for the Commonwealth Games would have a very strong chance of success.

“Given today’s announcement that the Government want to hear from cities interested in hosting the 2022 Games, we are making it clear we have an interest in being considered for the privilege.

“The feasibility study, if endorsed by the city council as hoped, puts us in prime position to do just that.”

Ahead of the London Marathon this weekend, Asia touring specialist Wendy Wu Tours has pulled together other marathons taking place around Asia that keen runners can take part in.

The Great Wall Marathon, China (20 May 2017)

Celebrating its 18th year, this is recognised as the most challenging marathon in Asia. Nearly 3,000 runners attempt to conquer the Great Wall's 5,164 steps, reaching elevations of over 500m from the start line. The route travels along both restored and more traditional sections of the wall, as well as going through local villages and the picturesque surrounding hills, making it one of most unique marathons in the world.

The Angkor Empire Marathon, Cambodia (6 August, 2017)

Taking place in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this picturesque marathon takes in several UNESCO Heritage Sites, including Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and Pre Rup. The race begins and ends in front of the majestic Angkor Wat, with the race beginning at 4.30am so that participants can experience the famous sunrise and avoid the heat of the day.

Whizbee the Bee and Hero the Hedgehog have today been revealed as the official mascots for the World Para Athletics Championships and IAAF World Championships respectively following a nationwide search in partnership with iconic BBC children’s television show Blue Peter.

Whizbee and Hero were created by talented Elinor, aged nine from the West Midlands and stood out from an overwhelming response of more than 4,000 entries to the official mascot competition run by organisers and Blue Peter in February.

Elinor impressed a stellar judging panel including representatives from the Organising Committee, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the IAAF and Blue Peter as well as Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and double Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead MBE, who both helped launch the search.

From the entries received, 29 of the top 30 were submitted by children outside of London with the key to Elinor’s winning entry being her important message about the need to protect bees and hedgehogs with numbers in decline across the UK.

Elinor is now set to receive four tickets to a session at both Championships, a VIP tour of the London Stadium, a framed photo of the finished mascots and a Blue Peter orange competition badge having already enjoyed a VIP visit to see her designs come to life.

In line with Elinor’s wishes for her Whizbee, organisers conducted a successful search for an actor with a below knee leg prosthetic to perform as the mascot in the build-up and throughout the World Para Athletics Championships – something that has never been done before.

Whizbee the Bee is the official mascot of the World Para Athletics Championships, which takes place at the London Stadium from 14-23 July, and Hero the Hedgehog is the official mascot of the IAAF World Championships, which takes place at the same venue from 4-13 August.

Elinor said: “It is so exciting that my designs were chosen as the winner. I was so happy when I was told. When I saw the competition, I was really inspired but I didn’t think I would win. I chose Whizbee and Hero because they are endangered species and are survivors. Bees are really important because they make the world go around and hedgehogs are determined and brave. Whizbee has a blade like the Paralympians which is really important. It’s really cool getting them made into proper mascots. I can’t wait to see them in the summer.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “I really enjoyed being part of the judging panel for the London 2017 mascot design competition. Having stepped away from the track it was nice to be asked to be involved in this year’s World Championships in a different way.

“As a mum I love the idea of London 2017 and Blue Peter encouraging youngsters to get involved with the Championships by designing the mascots. There were so many good, creative designs it was pretty hard to choose a winner.

“I think Elinor’s reason for choosing a bee and hedgehog, and the fact that they are creatures in our everyday lives in Britain, made the designs stand out. Hopefully the mascots will bring a lot of fun and energy to the Championships.”

Tune into the Esports Industry Awards Twitch Channel at 9pm (GMT) this Thursday 20^th April as nominations for the 2017 awards are unveiled.

Join TV and Radio star, and MC for the awards, OJ Borg, alongside esports luminaries Paul “ReDeYe” Chaloner and Alan "Bricey" Brice together with NOWTV’s  Dave Turner as they discuss the 2017 Esports Industry Awards.

This special Twitch broadcast will include a recap on the outstanding success of the 2016 debut show and also reveal plans to make this year’s event even bigger and better.