iSportconnect Welcomes TUI Travel Sport as Official Partner of Dubai Directors’ Club

iSportconnect, the world’s largest private network for sport business professionals, has announced a partnership with TUI Travel Sport, a Division of TUI Travel PLC, one of the world’s leading leisure travel companies, welcoming the brand as their Official Sport Travel Partner of the Dubai Directors Club on May 29th.

Supported by Dubai Sports Council and in association with INTERACT, the first ever iSportconnect Directors’ Club Dubai will gather a key group of high level sport business professionals including PGA European Tour, Turkmenistan National Olympic Committee, Falcon and Associates, Red Bull, Pepsi, Oman Sail, Dubai Expo 2020, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ADMM, Pro League Committee amongst others. Decision makers will discuss how the sports industry can help to drive business in the Middle East.

The TUI Travel Sport Division has a leading position in sports and event tour operating and B2B travel logistics. Part of the TUI Travel PLC, the division consist of sixteen global market leading brands, organising travel for over 40 years to major events for both spectators and corporate clients including; Thomson Sport, Gullivers Sports Travel, Sportsworld, Event International, ICC Travel and many more.

Nathan Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at TUI Travel Sport, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with iSportconnect and believe their events offer a unique opportunity to discuss key topics with likeminded industry leaders. TUI Travel Sport businesses all have a common goal, which is about making event experiences special”

Michael Cunnah, Chairman of iSportconnect, commented: “TUI Travel Sport is an exciting and welcome addition and will no doubt help to make the Directors’ Club a valuable event for the sports industry.”

The first ever iSportconnect Middle East Directors’ Club will take place on May 29, 2014 at the Amwaj Rotana Hotel in Dubai, UAE and includes an impressive panel of high-profile speakers participating in an interactive Question-Time debate and an exclusive networking reception.

This unique invitation-only Directors’ Club, focuses on ‘Driving Business in the Middle East Through Sport.‘ The event allows rights holders and sponsors in the Middle East a fantastic, open discussion platform. Our high profile audience can network in a closed-door environment and discuss their challenges and the latest topical debate in the sports business here in the region. 

To register your interest, please contact:  Matthias.moulin@isportconnect.com or  sally@interact-events.com

Partnership opportunities are available for a selected number of suppliers and agencies.  If you are interested, please contact  sally@interact-events.com

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Europa League Winners Sevilla Inks Technology Partnership with Arkena

La Liga club Sevilla FC has signed a six-year partnership with Arkena.

The TDF Group owned company will provide its Online Video Platform (OVP) services to the Europa League finalists. 

Sevilla FC is one of the few clubs with a fully-dedicated 24/7 TV channel, medic SFCTV, decease available both on IPTV and DTT. The live streaming of the channel is offered for free on the club’s website through the Arkena OVP. The platform will also provide on-demand content, prostate such as interviews and other exclusive footage related to the Andalusian club, which is published on the club’s website.

“The pitch is no longer the only place where football clubs need to perform. Today, we need to engage with our fans: we need a strong team as much as a strong brand. Arkena’s OVP is a powerful tool helping us to spread Sevilla FC’s values and create awareness”, says Francisco Romera, Marketing Manager of the Spanish club.

“At Arkena, we believe that video is the most efficient way to communicate. We want to help brands spread the message and engage with their audience. Today, football clubs are strong brands, with very committed audiences that need to be provided with premium content. Sevilla FC is a pioneer on the matter and we are delighted they chose us to communicate with their fans and with the football world”, said Rami Alanko, Deputy CEO of Arkena Spain.

Arkena is providing its OVP platform with a full set of features such as multiscreen players and pre-roll advertisement. The content, both live and on-demand, is available on every connected device. The Sevilla FC qualified for the UEFA Europa League final, in which they will face Benfica. The final will take place on May 14th and SFCTV will broadcast exclusive content before and after the game, live from the Juventus Stadium.

Five Countries Bid for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Including England

FIFA have revealed significant interest in hosting in eight tournaments including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019.

A total of 31 declarations of interest have been received and FIFA has submitted the bidding documents, asthma which the relevant member associations have to sign and return before the FIFA Executive Committee assigns the tournament.

Five countries have declared an interest in hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, namely England, France, Korea Republic, New Zealand and South Africa. Of these countries, England, France, Korea Republic and New Zealand also want to host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018. FIFA have suggested that these two tournaments should take place in the same country. South Africa will host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 in 2016.

For the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018, five declarations of interest have been received: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Finland, Northern Ireland and Sweden are aiming to host the competition. For the three women’s competitions, the deadline for submitting the hosting agreement together with all the signed bidding documents is 31 October 2014, with the final decision on the hosts currently scheduled to take place at the first FIFA Executive Committee meeting in 2015.

The bidding process has also been opened for four editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA’s major club competition. India and Japan have expressed a wish to host the tournament in 2015 and 2016, while Brazil, Japan and UAE want to host it in 2017 and 2018. The complete set of bidding documents has to be provided by 25 August 2014 and the Executive Committee will select the host in September 2014.

There have also been a high level of interest in hosting the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017. A total of 12 countries are aiming to host the tournament: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE and USA.

These member associations will have to submit their definitive bids including all signed bidding and hosting documents by 1 October 2014. The host will be appointed by the Executive Committee at its meeting in December 2014.

Doha to Host 2015 IPC World Athletics Championships

Doha in Qatar has been announced as the host of the 2015 IPC World Athletics Championships.

The capital of Qatar was chosen for the high-profile tournament, which will run from 19-28 November, after impressing the International Paralympic Committee during a three-day visit there last week.

Qatar Sports Club’s 15,000-seater Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, which boasts an eight-lane Mondo track and hosts the first IAAF Diamond League meeting of each year, will host the event.

An eight-lane Mondo warm-up track lies adjacent to the stadium, with teams able to use the track facilities at Al Saad Club and Al Arabi Club for training.

“We were extremely impressed with all the facilities we saw during our three-day visit to Doha and were quite frankly spoilt for choice,” said IPC Athletics senior manager Ryan Montgomery.

“Doha as a city has a superb track record for staging major international sporting events and the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium is no stranger to hosting major athletics meetings.

“The 2015 World Championships will be the last major global gathering of athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“There can be few venues in the world with a more spectacular backdrop with the Doha skyline overlooking the track.

“All the facilities athletes will use during the Championships are world class and in close proximity to hotel accommodation.

“I am confident that as a result of the conditions created for athletes we will see many record-breaking performances.”

Pakistan Given to December by IOC to Demonstrate No Olympic Committee Government Interference

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set December 1 deadline for Pakistan to show that its Olympic committee and sports federations are being run without interference from the national government.

Pakistan has been facing possible suspension from the Olympic movement under IOC rules, order which guarantee the independence of elected sports officials.

A meeting at IOC headquarters was called to address “allegations that parallel bodies have been established” to rival officially recognised sports federations.

The IOC says government authorities pledged that they “will cooperate and refrain from any undue intervention”.

The IOC says it “hopes that mutual understanding and a productive relationship can now be established”.

Anfeld Redevelopment Plans ‘making really good progress’ says Ayre

Plans to redevelop Liverpool’s home, Anfield are still well on track according to managing director Ian Ayre.

Last October, the club announced that they would no longer be going ahead with plans to build a new stadium at neighbouring Stanley Park. 

Principal owner John W Henry has made it a priority to keep Liverpool at Anfield, saying last year he felt it was a “myth” that the club needed to move to a new ground to improve their financial prospects. 

Ayre told Sports Illustrated that an announcement on the next stage of the redevelopment could come as soon as May. 

“In order to extend Anfield, we need to acquire a bunch of privately-owned property around the stadium,” he said. “We’re making really good progress with that. 

“We have a meeting coming up in the next few weeks with the city council and ourselves and stakeholders. We said some months back it would take several months to improve that property acquisition situation. We’re definitely on target so far. 

“The No. 1 priority is to stay at Anfield, but there are two or three hoops to go through. The first is property acquisition, the second will be planning and the third will be to build the thing. I would guess our next announcement on it will come sometime in May or June.” 

Liverpool had been pursuing a new stadium at Stanley Park since 2000, but estimates suggested that building it would have cost around twice as much as redeveloping their current home. 

In addition, Henry and chairman Tom Werner were attracted to Anfield’s atmosphere and history because it reminded them of the 1912-built Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, which they also own. 

Ayre said: “We’ve always said the preference was to stay at Anfield. It’s the heart of the football club. 

“I remember the first time John and Tom came to look at Liverpool before they bought it. I was the person showing them around. When we went into Anfield, John said to me: ‘This is like Fenway. It’s the same feeling. Why would we want to build a new stadium?'”

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Finca Cortesin Golf Club Joins IMG Prestige

IMG Prestige, site part of IMGWorldwide, remedy the global sports, fashion and media company, has announced that Finca Cortesin Golf Club has joined its exclusive network of clubs offering high-end reciprocal services to some of the finest golfing facilities in the world.

Finca Cortesin Golf Club is one of Spain’s finest golfing destinations. The Club, which is close to the city of Casares, in the province of Málaga, has a Cabell Robinson designed championship course in pristine condition throughout the year and renowned high-levels of hospitality and service.

IMG Prestige’s global reciprocal programme brings together a collection of the finest golfing facilities in the world in recognition of the exceptional experience they provide members and guests both on and off the course.

Finca Cortesin Golf Club members now also have access to preferred rates, discounts, benefits and privileges at an array of stunning locations and joins an illustrious portfolio of venues, including Kingsbarns, Scotland; Carton House, Ireland; The Dutch, Holland; Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand; Legend Golf & Safari Resort, South Africa; and Yas Links in Abu Dhabi amongst many others.

Andreas Döring, Director of Operations, IMG Golf Course Services, London, said: “Since its inauguration, IMG Prestige has gained significant momentum as a reciprocal marketing platform for clubs and resorts from around the world. The addition of Finca Cortesin to this network of premium clubs further reinforces IMG’s commitment to delivering first class services to its partners. We are therefore delighted to welcome Carlos Beautell and his team at Finca Cortesin Golf Club to this select group.”

Carlos Beautell, General Manager, Finca Cortesin Golf Club: said, “It’s an honour to be invited to join such an elite group of golfing destinations and we are delighted that our course conditioning and first-class customer service continues to be recognised within the highest echelons. We strive to align ourselves with exclusive partners and look forward to both welcoming guests and building relationships with partner venues as well as providing our members with exciting offers and benefits to supplement their membership value.”

Finca Cortesin has the unique characteristic that every hole is completely different to the others making the game more enjoyable and it has a great variety of natural vegetation which includes olive trees and corks. The course is all Bermuda419 with agrostis L93 greens and is in immaculate condition all year long with very fast and fair greens.

Designed by world famous golf course architect Mr. Cabell Robinson, it has a proven record of hosting professional golf tournaments. It has hosted The Volvo World Matchplay Championship on three occasions (2009-Ross Fisher, 2011-Ian Poulter & 2012-Nicolas Colsaerts) and provides an exhilarating test for golfers of all abilities.

The Finca Cortesin Golf Academy has the Jack Nicklaus master-franchise for the teaching system designed by the best player of all time. It has a coaching studio with the latest technology and reserved for monitored swing analysis.

The resort includes a world-class 5 star hotel with a 22,000 m² built area and 23,000 m² garden area for just 67 suites. This together with 2,200 m² wellness for mind and body and exclusive beach club for hotel and resort residents ensure an excellent stay to all its guests. The resort also includes a commercial area, restaurants, and the residential area options include luxury villas, with hotel services available and made-to-measure villas.

DFL-Chef Seifert warnt vor zu viel Werbung in den Stadien

Der Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung der Deutschen Fußball Liga (DFL) Christian Seifert hat sich gegen übermäßige Werbung in der Bundesliga ausgesprochen. Und das nur einen Tag, abortion nachdem die Liga einen neuen Sponsor präsentiert hat.

In einem Interview mit der „Bild“ sagte Seifert: „Die Fans kommen wegen des Fußballs ins Stadion, viagra 60mg nicht wegen der Werbung. Deshalb sollten es Clubs, try aber auch Sponsoren nicht übertreiben.“ Bestätigt wird diese Aussage durch eine SPONSORs-Analyse, die belegt, dass in der laufenden Spielzeit 341 Sponsoren auf TV-relevanten Werbeflächen bei den 18 Bundesligisten werben. Zusammen mit dem TV-Off-Bereich treten sogar noch deutlich mehr Unternehmen in den Stadien werblich in Erscheinung.

Dennoch überraschen die Worte von Seifert zu diesem Zeitpunkt. Denn genau einen Tag zuvor hatte die DFL selbst mit einem Sponsoring-Abschluss den Grundstein für mehr Werbung in den Bundesligastadien gelegt. Das Logistik-Unternehmen Hermes wird ab 1. Januar 2013 Premium-Partner der Liga und soll für das bis Ende der Saison 2016/17 gültige Engagement sieben bis acht Millionen Euro pro Jahr bezahlen.

Als werbliche Flächen belegt das Hamburger Unternehmen unter anderem den linken Trikotärmel der Bundesligaspieler, die Ball-Stele für den offiziellen Spielball und die Schiedsrichtertafel (bislang Grundig). Darüber hinaus wird Hermes unter anderem als Transporteur der Meisterschale auftreten und deren Überbringung zur Ehrung des Titelträgers am letzten Spieltag verantworten.

German MotoGP to Remain at Sachsenring Until 2016

The German MotoGP will continue to be staged at the Sachsenring following a new five-year deal.

The circuit’s place on the 2012 MotoGP calendar had initially been in doubt, but the event was later confirmed as round eight of this year’s championship and the new long-term deal was announced on Friday at Assen.

ADAC in Munich and motorcycle world championship promoter Dorna Sports signed a contract stating that the Sachsenring Management GmbH (Ltd.) will be the organiser whilst, in 2012, the ADAC Saxonia will be responsible for the sporting issues.

“Over the past 10 years, the Sachsenring has become Germany’s mecca of motorbike racing, and the circuit will maintain this reputation in the future, thanks to our new contract,” said ADAC Sport President Hermann Tomczyk. “The Sachsenring Management GmbH will be a reliable and committed partner.”

Saxony’s Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich added: “It was the explicit aim of Saxony’s administration that the motorcycle grand prix remained at the Sachsenring, and this will be our target also in the future.”

On average, more than 210,000 spectators have attended the Sachsenring motorcycle grand prix races over the past 10 years, making it one of the most popular sport events in Germany.

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, commeted on the deal: “MotoGP is extremely happy with the new agreement reached with ADAC. We think that Sachsering is the best-equipped circuit to host the German GP in the future.

“We also welcome the opportunities the parties involved have given us to reach so many fans of two-wheel racing. This deal is very much in the interest of motorcycling. 

“And this year, Germany’s passionate racing fans can see current Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl race in the MotoGP category, where he is currently achieving great results despite it being his first season in the premier-class category.”

This year’s German MotoGP will be held from July 6-8.

Caterham F1 to Move Operations to Old Arrows Factory

Malaysian-owned Caterham F1 have initiated plans to move across England in August to take over the old Arrows and Super Aguri factory near Oxford, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

The team had sought the move to Leafield to be closer to others in central England’s ‘Motorsport Valley’, making it easier to recruit and retain staff as well as being within easy reach of Silverstone.

“We propose moving the F1 and GP2 teams to the new site in or around August 2012, giving us ample time to build up the infrastructure required to house all the critical elements of both teams,” owner Tony Fernandes said in a statement.

The Malaysian aviation entrepreneur and Queens Park Rangers owner said the plan was also to move Caterham Cars into a new development and production facility on the same site, while retaining the Hingham factory in Norfolk for composites, technology and innovation.

Caterham competed as Team Lotus last year and Lotus Racing in their debut 2010 season. They announced plans to change their name late last year. They have yet to score a point in Formula One.

“This will be the next chapter in the development of both our motor racing teams and our road car company and gives us the best chance to keep progressing on track and, in future, on the road with Caterham Cars,” Fernandes said.