After last weeks ticketing controversy at the kiosks of the Chinnswamy Stadium in which queuing, frenzied fans were beaten by police, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Saturday that a ballot process will be used for the public sale of tickets for the semi-finals and the final.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said that there will be a public ballot system similar to that which is used in the majority of global sporting events, which will open today, 28 February.

The website was overloaded when the tickets were initially programmed to go on sale on 21 February due to the demand being so great, however Lorgat gave Kyazoonga.com, the official online ticketing partner a clean slate.

Lorgat said: “It was most unfortunate and no blame should be directed at Kyazoonga, the ICC’s official ticketing partner, as no one could have anticipated that tens of millions people would be trying to access the site an hour before it went live. In truth Kyazoonga have been an innocent third party in all the issues we have had with ticketing.

“In conjunction with the hosts, we have now agreed that a ballot system is the best means of releasing any available tickets for the semis and final. The high demand clearly proves the massive attraction of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and format of 50 overs cricket.”

Lorgat continued to downplay the issue regarding the rueful scenes at the Chinnswamy Stadium last Thursday, dismissing media perceptions about a letter addressed to ICC President Sharad Pawar.

Lorgat added: “To help resolve our ticketing challenges we have also engaged the offices of the ICC President Mr Pawar to assist us as he has done with several other issues related to World Cup planning.”

The two semi-finals will be held in Colombo and Mohali on 29 and 30 March respectively, while the final will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April with the ballot process beginning today.

Fans need to apply for the ICC CWC 2011 Ticket Public Ballot from 28 February 2011 to 6 March 2011 at cwc2011ballot.kyazoonga.com. A ticket limit of two tickets per applicant applies. Only one application per person. Please do not submit more than one form: Kyazoonga will void your applications. On submission of ballot form fans will receive a Ballot Confirmation Number once you complete and submit your application. No up-front payment is required at this stage.

The draw will be made by computer on 10 March 2011 and successful applicants will be informed by email on 11 March 2011. Successful applicants will be able to pay for their tickets through Kyazoonga’s secure payment processing website where they will be shown the transaction amount and asked to pay online using credit card/debit card/net-banking. If transaction is not successful, place in the draw will be offered to the next polled applicant from the draw.

Upon successful payment completion, fans will receive a confirmation page and email, tickets will be made available from the third week of March 2011.

The Arena Football League (AFL) have announced today that Jerry B. Kurz has been appointed the AFL’s first-ever League President.

Kurz, doctor who just completed his fifth year as Commissioner and his 28th year with the AFL, is credited with the rebirth of the League following its bankruptcy filing in 2009. Under his leadership, the League has expanded to Los Angeles, Portland and Las Vegas. He also brought in David Siegel of Westgate Resorts as new ownership for the Orlando Predators.

During his tenure as Commissioner, the AFL enjoyed three national broadcast partnerships with CBS Sports Network, ESPN, and NFL Network. In 2014, the League had two national broadcast partners in the same season – CBS Sports Network and ESPN – for the first time in its history. Kurz also secured an agreement to show all non-nationally televised AFL games on ESPN3.

With the growth of the AFL, the Board of Directors agreed at League meetings during ArenaBowl XXVII week that this newly created leadership position should be filled by Kurz. He will continue dedicating his life to furthering the sport by providing his unmatched football knowledge and strong business ethic. Kurz will continue his efforts to bring the highest quality product to the ever-growing population of Arena Football fans.

“I’m pleased that our Board of Directors has asked me to continue doing what I love to do,” Kurz said. “It’s such an honor that I get to continue helping the AFL move towards its bright future.” 

The AFL and Kurz have agreed to a three-year contract. His areas of emphasis will include football operations, game rules, player personnel and development, coaches, game officials, compliance, relationships and negotiations with the AFLPU and AFLOA, international development of the game and continued oversight of the Arena Football Hall of Fame.

The tropical destination of Kenting, cialis Taiwan, ampoule has been selected to host the third Ironman triathlon in Asia.

The inaugural Ironman Taiwan triathlon will take place on 12 April 2015.

Ironman Taiwan will be hosted throughout the stunning Kenting region. Kenting has not only become a major triathlon destination in Taiwan but also provides a vacation paradise for families and couples alike. Kenting will welcome athletes for its first Ironman race with full support from the government and the local community.

The Ironman Taiwan event will complement Ironman 70.3 Taiwan, which was first established in 2010. With the growing popularity of Ironman 70.3 Taiwan, local and international triathletes will now enjoy the additional option of a full distance Ironman branded race.

“Ironman 70.3 Taiwan has been very successful and we are thrilled to expand the Ironman brand in Asia by adding another long distance race to the region,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman. “As we continue to grow globally, we want to find destination locations where there is a strong triathlete base – and Kenting is the perfect addition to our race calendar.”

Renny Ling, the CEO of Taiwan Triathlon Co Ltd, said he was honoured and delighted to bring the Ironman series into Taiwan: “Taiwanese triathletes have yearned for an Ironman race for years. It’s a historic moment for us to launch Ironman Taiwan. We would like to welcome triathlon-lovers from all around the world and will show you the beauty and strength of this island.”

IMG Worldwide has announced a landmark partnership with the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) to develop and grow Nigerian basketball, cough including on a professional level, ampoule for up to 20 years.

The NBBF, an affiliated member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), is the official governing body for the sport of basketball in Nigeria, Africa’s largest country by population, and one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

NBBF President Tijjani Umar said: “Nigeria has always had the potential to be a dominant power in basketball, one of the two great global games. But we can only reap what we sow. Today we begin investing in our long term success as a basketball power, with this step in partnership with IMG, a pioneer in world sport, bringing to bear its industry-leading expertise and strategic planning to help unlock Nigeria’s true long-term potential.”

Nigerian Sports Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi echoed President Umar’s remarks. “We could not be happier to have IMG, one of the most admired and respected companies in the world, invest its time and resources in Nigeria. We share a common vision for the sport of basketball in this country, and for the country itself, primarily based on the greatest strength Nigeria has – its people.”

Mike Dolan, IMG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the largest and fastest growing economic regions in the world today, led by Nigeria and its 170 million population, the largest and youngest on the continent. Nigeria is one of the great sporting nations in the world and has already produced some of the greatest athletes across a variety of sports. We believe there is an enormous appetite for basketball on the continent, and led by the economic and cultural force of Nigeria, we have only begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible.”

World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) have revealed they have hit their ambitious mark of breaking its record TV audience and exceeding 500 million viewers worldwide.

This goal was achieved, doctor according to the final report issued by IFM, story the Germany-based sports research firm.

In 2012, therapy  144 TV channels aired at least one of the WTCC events and this amounted to 1081 hours of broadcasting hours.

A total of 512 million viewers watched WTCC on TV, which represented a 12% increase compared to 2011 figures.

Ulrich Lacher, Managing Director of IFM, explained: “Despite the Olympics and Euro 2012, WTCC – unlike many other series – increased in audiences and overall impact again. It showed a healthy increase, continuing the trend from previous years. We reckon that the growing popularity is a result of the good TV distribution of the series, whichexpanded beyond pan-continental broadcasters like Eurosport and Star Sports.”

Antonios Argyropoulos, Head of Media Rights Distribution, Eurosport Events, commented: “WTCC achieved another record and exceeded the mark of half-billion viewers. The championship’s TV coverage included regular programming in Europe, the Americas, Japan and the Asia-Pacific regions through 144 broadcasters and reached 180 countries around the world. This proved that WTCC it is not only an entertaining sporting show, but also a powerful communication platform, thanks to quality programmes and extensive television coverage.”

The PGA of America has promoted Keith Reese, the longtime PGA head professional at historic Valhalla Golf Club, in Louisville, Ky., to the role of General Manager.

Reese will oversee the facility’s operations, memberships and staff, as Valhalla prepares to host the 96th PGA Championship in 2014.

Reese, the 2008 Kentucky PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year and the Section’s PGA Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities in 1999, 2000 and 2001, has served Valhalla for nearly 25 years as PGA head professional and originally as PGA first assistant professional. He will manage all aspects of the club, including its activities and relations with its members, guests, employees, community, government and industry.

Regularly ranked as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” by Golf Digest, Valhalla Golf Club is owned and operated by The PGA of America. Valhalla has hosted the 1996 and 2000 PGA Championship, 2008 Ryder Cup, 2004 and 2011 Senior PGA Championship and the 2002 PGA Professional National Championship. The 96th PGA Championship will be held at Valhalla Golf Club, Aug. 4-10, 2014.

“Keith Reese is a highly respected PGA Professional at Valhalla Golf Club,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “He has served The PGA of America and Valhalla members for nearly a quarter-century, while leading the golf staff in staging some of the most compelling events in PGA history. We are thrilled that Keith will oversee the management of Valhalla, in order to provide the highest quality golf experience for its members and guests, while furthering the Club’s standing as one of the world’s premier private facilities.”

A 1987 graduate of Augusta (Ga.) College, Reese was elected to PGA membership in 1992. He has obtained advanced education in the PGA Certified Professional Program, with certifications in Executive Management, General Management and Golf Operations.

Bernie Ecclestone has casted serious doubt over the Grand Prix of America in New Jersey after suggesting the race no longer has a valid contract.

The New Jersey race is scheduled to join the F1 calendar next year and construction of a pit and paddock complex on the banks of the Hudson River is already quite advanced. But Ecclestone has now told the Guardian that the organisers of the race “have not complied with the terms and conditions of the contract which is now gone anyway. They don’t have a contract.”

A draft 2013 calendar emerged in the paddock over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, with the Grand Prix of America marked as “subject to confirmation”. Ecclestone says the New Jersey organisers don’t have long to meet the terms of the deal with the calender expected to be approved at Friday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting.

“We are pretty close to the final deadline,” he added. “We have got a world council meeting coming up. I think if somebody got behind them it could happen in 2013 because they have come a long way with the circuit.”

Ecclestone reached a similar impasse with the separate US Grand Prix in Austin last year before a deal was finally struck in December 2011. The Austin race is set to go ahead on November 18 this year.