New IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala have been thrown out of the IPL by the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) for breaching its terms of conditions the new board president N Srinivasan has said after the annual general meeting in Mumbai.

“Because of the irremediable breach committed by the Kochi franchise, the BCCI has decided to encash the bank guarantee in their possession and also terminate the franchise,” Srinivasan said. When asked if the franchise had any chance of return, Srinivasan responded: “No, we have terminated the franchise because the breach is not capable of being remedied.”

The BCCI also appointed Rajiv Shukla as the new IPL chairman, succeeding Chirayu Amin, and said that the league’s governing council would take a decision on whether to have a another auction for a new franchise.

With Kochi’s termination, the ten-team competition will be reduced to nine. The consortium that owns Kochi is reported to have defaulted on an annual payment of Rs 156 crores ($32.6mn) as a bank guarantee.

In April 2010, the BCCI’s working committee had rejected demands from Kochi and the Pune Warriors for a reduction in their franchisee fees. The two new franchises, which made their debuts in 2011, had sought a 25% waiver on the grounds that the BCCI had stated in the bidding document that each team would play 18 league matches in a season. The schedule was later reduced to 14 matches per team.

The two teams already paid 75% of this year’s installment and wanted the balance waived. They argued the reduction in matches was a breach of the terms of the Invitation to Tender the board had issued before the two new teams were bought. Since they had based their bid on the number of matches to be played, a reduction in matches should therefore be accompanied by a reduction in the franchise fee. However, the BCCI voted to turn down the request at its meeting in Mumbai in April.

In March 2010, the Sahara group bid $370 million to became owners of the Pune franchise while a consortium of five companies called Rendezvous Sports World offered US$333.33 million for Kochi.

Former member of Facebook Inc’s management team, Chamath Palihapitiya, has joined the ownership group of the National Basketball Association’s Golden State Warriors

Oakland, California-based team announced Palihapitiya’s investment yesterday in a news release.

In four years at Facebook, the 34-year-old Palihapitiya worked in many roles, including vice president of user growth, mobile and international.

The Warriors were sold in July 2010 for a league-record $450 million by Christopher Cohan to a group led by Joe Lacob, managing partner at the San Francisco Bay Area-based venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Peter Guber, chairman of Mandalay Entertainment Group.

The Warriors have made the postseason once since 1994. Golden State had a poor season last year only managing 12th among the Western Conference’s 15 teams last season with a 36-46 record.

According to the Associated Press, federally mediated negotiations toward a new National Football League (NFL) labour deal lasted “about eight hours” in Washington, DC on Sunday, 20 February.

The meeting for discussions was the third consecutive day the sides met to try to find common ground before the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires on March 4.

The NFL and Players’ Union (NFLPA) have met for “a total of more than 20 hours since Friday” in front of Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Dir George Cohen.

Cohen requested that neither side comment publicly on these negotiations. A ruling that has thus far been adhered to and therefore it is not clear what, if any, progress is being made.

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has announced the appointment of Simon Johnson as a Non-Executive member of the sport’s independent Board of Directors.

Mr Johnson’s appointment was confirmed at the Rugby League Council AGM held at Langtree Park, order St Helens today. He replaces Maurice Watkins CBE, diagnosis who has stepped down from the Board after three four-year terms as an RFL director.

RFL Chairman Brian Barwick said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Simon to the Board.

“Simon’s wealth of experience in the sports and media industry, together will his widely acknowledged expertise in sports law and governance, will enable him to make a significant contribution to the ongoing welfare of the sport.”

Mr Johnson has previously held positions as Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary at the Football Association, Director of Legal and Business Affairs at the FA Premier League and Director of Rights and Business Affairs at ITV.

He was Chief Operating Office of the bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in England and is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Amateur Swimming Association.

Simon Johnson said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the RFL Board at such an important and exciting time in Rugby League’s history.

“I’m privileged to have enjoyed a wonderful career in broadcasting and sports law and am looking forward to lending my considerable experience to the RFL and adding value to the sport.

“I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into the role and doing what I can to play my part in a new structure where every minute of every match in every competition will matter.”

Allied Telesis, generic an industry leader in the deployment and provision of IP Triple Play networks, has announced its partnership with Panasonic in the creation of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure for the Arena Pantanal stadium, built for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, will be the venue for many of the 2014 World Cup soccer matches, which begins in June. The stadium’s capacity is approximately 43,000 people, and it has a flexible structure to adapt it to any future requirements. Locally, the new stadium is known as “O Verdão” (The Big Green), after the sustainable approach used for its construction and maintenance.

The international significance of the events that will take place in the venue requires very high availability of all services, as even minimal downtime during any match would not be acceptable. For this reason, Allied Telesis and Panasonic devoted significant resources to the design and engineering of the solution, and the successful integration of all parts of the system.

The completed project includes two data centers, located on either side of the stadium—each capable of independently supporting the entire traffic load of the stadium at its peak. These data centers link more than twenty operation rooms, located throughout the stadium, from which all operations can be integrated and controlled. The Allied Telesis network has been designed to be resilient and ensure full operation at all times, connecting all equipment and controls.

Francesco Stramezzi, general manager – EMEA and CSA, Allied Telesis, said, “The World Cup will be an important event for the region because the eyes of the world will be upon it. This is not only an exciting and important project for Allied Telesis, but it will also be a global opportunity for us to showcase the flexibility, reliability, and environmental sustainability of our solutions. We have been given an opportunity to collaborate with partners who are world leaders in their fields, as a result of the reputation and quality of our staff and products, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of our network solutions.”

Masahiro Shinada, vice president, Panasonic do Brasil Ltda., commented, “The partnership between Panasonic and Allied Telesis is founded on our common experiences in this field. Allied Telesis solutions have high quality and are capable of successfully handling large volumes of multimedia traffic; and Panasonic contributes with paramount solutions for surveillance and voice solutions.”

Sheffield in England have been selected to host the European Karate Championships, which take place between 16 and 20 October.

The English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield will hold more than 1,400 people from 20 countries across Europe will compete in five different categories during the five-day championships, held for the first time at the sports hall in Sheffield. 

As well as an official opening ceremony before the championships, organisers the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF), will also host a referee and coach’s seminar as well as a WUKF presidents meeting.

Peter Allen, WUKF European president, said: “The opening ceremony is a combination of British music, football memorabilia, and world-famous Sheffield superstars such as Sheffield’s golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill. Sheffield is waiting.”

There will also be a technical Kumite seminar by world champion Christophe Pinna at EIS Sheffield, while the event’s farewell party will be held at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria hotel.

Dom Stokes, general manager for Sheffield International Venues Events, said: “This is a huge event with a major competition programme, as well as additional event activity including an opening ceremony, seminars and meetings.

“The WUKF chose EIS Sheffield because of our track record in hosting major sports events and state-of-the-art facilities, but also because of the additional space and provision for accommodation for their seminars and meetings.”

The EIS Sheffield has staged a number of sporting events this year including the Sainsbury’s UK School Games 2013, British Athletics European Trials and Indoor Championships and ETTA National Table Tennis Championships.

Former F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen has revealed he has left his management company IMG and will conduct his own affairs about securing a place back in F1 for the 2014 season.

“I’m not with IMG anymore, generic ” said Kovalainen when asked about his future plans by SPEED. “I can confirm that, medic but I’ve agreed not to talk about it any further than that. 

“I’m working on my own now but right now, there are no discussions with anybody else. I’m just focusing on working with Caterham and trying to help the team to move forward this year.”

Kovalainen has completed two FP1 sessions with Caterham this year, which has at least ensured that he has knowledge of 2013 tires, and is thus in effect able to step in should any team need a driver at short notice.

Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – the largest domestic owner-operator of golf courses, country clubs and resorts – will take the lead in management of Ocala Golf Club in Ocala, FL effective October 1, 2012.

In July, the Ocala City Council unanimously approved a five-year management contract with BCG.

BCG will provide turnkey management of Ocala’s operations, golf course and property maintenance, sales, marketing and public relations, staffing and training, merchandising, restaurant and banquet activities, special events and financial management.

“Billy Casper Golf has an unmatched reputation of making municipally-owned golf courses shine,” says Matthew Brower, Ocala City Manager. “The company’s proven track-record of boosting performances of similar courses resonated with our selection committee.”

BCG’s transition team has worked closely with City staff the past couple months to ensure a smooth handoff.

“We’ve been impressed with Billy Casper Golf’s commitment to consistency in terms of pricing and operating policies,” says Kathy Crile, Recreation and Parks Director for the City of Ocala. “At the same time, we’ve found the company’s approach to customer service and marketing is a refreshing change.

“BCG will be the difference that’s been needed in turning this program around. I’m excited about the potential of Ocala Golf Club under its leadership,”

As to personnel, Crile says, “The customer will see many familiar faces they’ve come to know and appreciate, in addition to some new faces who will provide much needed balance to the operation.”

“With an excellent, traditional layout and sense of community, Ocala is poised for growth,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “The city and golfers who play the course will realize the Billy Casper Golf difference in the short and long term.”

BCG will enact its proprietary “BCGreen” initiative at Ocala to conserve, protect and enhance the environment and enroll the course in the Audubon International “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” program. This designation increases efficiencies in maintenance, energy, water, pesticides, fertilizer, equipment wear and labor.

Ocala Golf Club is lined with towering oak and pine trees, providing golfers with a beautiful backdrop as they navigate the 18-hole, 6,552-yard, par-72 golf course. Architect Mike Beebe recently renovated the course, maintaining its historic charm and adding modern elements to enhance playability. Five sets of tees make for fun and challenging experiences for golfers of all abilities. Emerald Dwarf Bermuda greens ensure tight putting surfaces with very little grain while short-grass collection areas and white sand bunkers offer a variety of shot options around the greens.

A driving range and practice putting green, as well as private and semi-private lessons adds to the Ocala Golf Club experience. The course is the site of The First Tee of Greater Ocala chapter.

The expansive clubhouse includes a fully-stocked pro shop, grill room dining and banquet area, making Ocala a natural setting for corporate outings, meetings and other social events.