ICC Propose New Test Cricket World Title

June 2013 is being lined up by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the inaugural Test World Championship. The governing bodies CEO Haroon Lorgat has revealed that the current rankings will be used to decide the four play-off spots.

There is currently no tournament in Test cricket to determine the top test nation and the form of the game has struggled to keep up with the ever popular Twenty20 version of the sport. In light of this the ICC has proposed a tournament in which the four best performing nations will contest in semi-finals before the winners meet in a fight for the world title.

Lorgat released a statement explaining the new proposal, saying: “I think the first possible opportunity for us to have a play-off is in 2013 which means that the current rankings table would need to be used

“For example, right now Australia would be struggling to qualify for the play-offs. But there may be another scenario with somebody else would also be in the frame depending on this result they might slip in.

“Going forward we’re looking at a league table that would be worked on points and for match winnings, Lorgat said, but details on how to treat draws, which occur regularly in test cricket, were yet to be decided.

“One option is whichever is the highest ranked team would progress through. There’s the possibility of the timeless test, you’ve got to get to a result”

Lorgat also confirmed the 2015 one-day international World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand will be stripped from 14 teams to 10, while the biennial Twenty20 World Cup tournament to be hosted by Sri Lanka in 2012, would be expanded from 12 to 16.

E.ON to continue FA Cup sponsorship

Energy company E.ON has announced it is extending its deal to sponsor the FA Cup for another year, despite previously announcing an end to its support.

E.ON has sponsored the company for the past four years, and the extended deal will see the company continue its involvement and commitment to investing in all levels of the game.

The one-year extension will see E.ON sponsor the FA Cup, the FA Women’s Cup, the FA Youth Cup, as well as continuing to be an FA Schools Partner.

Sponsorship Promotions Executive at E.ON, Alex Howells, said: “Following four very successful season as FA Cup sponsor, we can today announce that we have agreed a one-year extension to our sponsorship of the FA Cup.

“It’s also a deal that works for both parties. Our sponsoring of the FA Cup has played a key part in establishing the E.ON business within the UK and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the FA from the very first kick next season.”

Aleck Skhosana Becomes Athletics South Africa President

Athletics South Africa have announced Aleck Skhosana as their new president at a special general meeting in Johannesburg.

The meeting also concluded with the election of a new board who will stand until 2016.

Elections were held for positions on the ASA executive board: president, vice-president, chairpersons of the cross-country commission, the road running commission, the track and field commission and the athletes’ commission, and four additional members.

Saturday’s elections brought an end to a year-long power struggle and sees Skhosana, a former KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) president take the reins after the position was left vacant when the previous president James Evans stepped down in February.

On his visit to South Africa in February, IAAF representative Cheikh Thiare met with the ASA council, represented by 15 of 17 provinces and an ASA general assembly, which include Evans’ depleted board and one mandated provincial member.

The recognised ASA executive, led by Evans, and the federation’s interim board, led by chairman Sello Mokoena, subsequently stepped down with both groups — each previously claiming to have control of the federation –agreeing to the appointment of an interim committee.

Skhosana beat off a challenge by Mokoena, Evans and Steve Mkasi, while Harold Adams was elected as vice-president after he withdraw his candidature for president.

NHL Signs New Counterfeit Merchandise Security Deal with OpSec

The National Hockey League (NHL) have signed a new multi-year contract with OpSec Security, physician Inc., cheap with the brand protection company enhancing efforts to fight against counterfeit merchandise.

OpSec’s highly secure authentication labels – customized and enhanced specifically for the NHL– will be used by the league to track and authenticate merchandise, protecting licensees and fans from getting scammed by counterfeit and subpar merchandise.

“Our efforts to curb unauthorized merchandise utilizing OpSec’s solutions help protect the NHL from counterfeits, which provides a great service for our fans as well as our licensees,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Marketing Officer. “Our licensees are at the core of all merchandising efforts, so it’s paramount we continue to evolve our partnership with OpSec to protect their efforts as we reach not just the milestones this season, but also in the seasons leading up to our centennial.”

The 2013-2014 NHL season has several high-profile events where counterfeiters will look to prey on unsuspecting consumers and the NHL is determined to stop the counterfeiters in their tracks. OpSec security labels have been used by the NHL for nearly 20 years and are applied on all NHL authorized merchandise. They are also featured in marquee events such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL Winter Classic, the NHL Heritage Classic™ and the debut of the NHL Stadium Series.

“With such a stellar lineup of major events planned, now more than ever it’s important we protect the iconic NHL brand, as well as all parties affected by the sale of legitimate merchandise, from the licensees to the league’s worldwide audience of ardent fans,” said Bill Patterson, vice president, Global Licensing, OpSec Security. “Counterfeiters are out there to capitalize on this enthusiasm, so we’ve committed every resource we have available to help stop them in their tracks to protect the integrity of the NHL and the good faith of the fans.”

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NHL’s Alex Ovechkin Named First Russian Torchbearer for Sochi 2014

National Hockey League star Alex Ovechkin will be the first Russian Torchbearer for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, viagra order Russia, clinic the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee announced today.

Ovechkin will be the first Russian to carry the Olympic Torch once it’s ignited in a ceremony at Olympia, Greece, on Sunday, Sept. 29. 

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be the first Russian to carry the Olympic Torch,” said Ovechkin who captains Washington Capitals. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget. I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season.” 

The Torch will travel through all 83 Russian regions, visiting 2,900 towns and settlements. 

“This is a huge honor and we are so proud, and excited for Alex and his family,” said Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis. “This is a very special event and we are thrilled that he was recognized for his past achievements and his dedication to his craft and his country.” 

Ovechkin is scheduled to travel to Olympia, Greece, following the Capitals home game against Philadelphia on Friday, Sept. 27. He will take part in the Torch lighting ceremony and return to Washington on Sunday, Sept. 29. 

NCAA Look to Figure Out Attendance Decrease

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and lacrosse coaches are in the midst of trying to find a way to increase dwindling attendances for the sport’s flagship event.

Attendances have decreased from 48,970 in 2008 to 28,224, or 42 percent, in August initiating an NCAA committee that oversees championships to discuss the matter further. The Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association has appointed a committee to research the issue and report its findings to the NCAA.

The decline comes as the sport is setting records for participation. The number of high school boys’ and girls’ lacrosse programs increased 30 percent between 2007-08 and 2011-12, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations participation report. The number of men’s and women’s teams in the NCAA’s top division rose 16 percent since 2007-2008, according to the NCAA.

“We want to see if we can get back to some of the numbers we had in the past,” said Anthony Holman, the NCAA’s associate director of championships and alliances. “But we don’t want to be too quick to react, thinking something is broken.”

Attendance at the women’s championship, which draws about a third of the men’s, has risen for two years.

Among the potential reasons for the decline that will be explored are more television exposure, higher ticket prices and the tradition of holding the event Memorial Day weekend, Holman said.

“Five to 10 years ago, if you wanted to see top level lacrosse you were going to come to our championship,” Holman said. “But the things that used to be unique to our championship aren’t necessarily unique anymore.”

Broadcast Viewers Increase

Holman says fans used to look forward to one opportunity to see the best players in the nation gather on championship weekend. Now, they watch them all year at home. ESPN broadcast 35 regular-season games this past season, averaging 51,000 viewers per telecast across three ESPN channels.

The TV audience for the championship game was 496,000 U.S. households this May, up 27 percent from last year, according to the network.

“We’re not burying our heads in the sand,” Holman said in an interview. “There is an uninttended consequence to growth, broadcasts and exposure.”

BT Sport Launch Logo for Sports Channel

BT today revealed its new BT Sport logo ahead of the company’s launch of new sports channels in the summer of 2013. 

The logo, which was developed by Red Bee Media, mixes the BT Connected World brand imagery with a new font developed specifically for the new brand. 

The new identity for the channels, which is also in development with Red Bee Media, will feature in all the company’s BT Sport marketing materials, on air and across social media. 

Grant Best, senior channel executive producer, BT Sport, said: “We are delighted with the logo Red Bee Media has produced for BT Sport. We wanted to build on the familiarity of the BT brand, and also appeal to customers who have not considered BT before as a sports broadcaster. 

“We have used the BT connected world globe, with a twist. The globe colour palette allows us flexibility to introduce elements of creativity throughout our new sports channels, giving us a unique look and feel.” 

BT Sport has the rights to show 38 live games a season from the Barclays Premier League, including 18 of the top clashes, for three years from August 2013. The channels will also show up to 69 live rugby union games a season from the Aviva Premiership. 

BT has also signed a deal with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to show up to 800 hours of live tennis, including the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships. 

The BT Sport channels will be based at the iCITY development at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

Architects Bid to Redesign Tokyo 2020’s Potential Olympic Stadium

Architects across the globe have submitted plans for a redesign of the Kasumigaoka National Stadium with ambitious designs developed of what will become the centrepiece of the 2020 Games if Tokyo’s bid is successful next year. 

The Japan Sport Council has selected a total of 11 out of the 46 entries for the international design competition to update and remodel the venue in preparation for Tokyo’s Olympic and Paralympic bid along with the 2019 Rugby World Cup, when it is due to host the final. 

Japan was the first Asian country to host the Games in 1964 and the stadium featured then. But it has since been targeted for redevelopment and if the 2020 Olympic Games bid is successful it could be transformed into a contemporary masterpiece. 

Among the competing firms are Zaha Hadid and Populous from the UK who both had parts to play in the construction of the Olympic village in Stratford, London. They will be competing with companies from Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey to redesign a Stadium that will become famous around the world if Tokyo beat rivals Istanbul and Madrid in the race to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. 

Tadao Ando, the chairman of the jury who drew up the shortlist, said: “As it has come time for the National Stadium to be rebuilt after half a century from its creation, we have called for ideas from near and afar with the hope of realising an architecture of the finest quality that embodies the technology and intellect of our present age. 

“We have since received numerous ambitious proposals in response to our call.” 

There are several structural challenges to overcome such as the narrow space available to build upon. Zahid Hadid’s plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium has the same wave like roof that she designed for the London 2012 Aquatics Centre and looks particularly impressive among the other bids.

RFL Verify Bradford Bulls Takeover

Bradford Bulls takeover by businessman Omar Khan has been given a seal of approval by the Rugby Football League (RFL).

The RFL’s board of directors took a decision via a conference call to transfer membership to OK Bulls Ltd, the new company established to take the Super League club out of administration.

Bradford’s membership was suspended when they went into administration on June 26, but the club were re-admitted after Khan and MP Gerry Sutcliffe provided the information required to complete due diligence.

Blake Solly, the RFL’s director of standards and licensing, said: “The board’s decision finally closes the door on much of the uncertainty that has surrounded Bradford Bulls in recent months.

“The club’s new owners have co-operated fully with the RFL throughout this necessarily extensive process and we look forward to working with Mr Khan and Mr Sutcliffe in the months and years ahead.

“The decision to grant membership is an important step that will help the board to determine which competition Bradford Bulls will compete in from 2013.”

Sutcliffe welcomed Tuesday’s announcement but called on the RFL to make a quick decision on the club’s Super League status.

“We’re very pleased, it’s a step in the right direction, but it’s still frustrating not knowing about our Super League status,” he said.

“We’re making progress and talking to sponsors and people who have the club at heart but we’re not able to sell season tickets or put our business plan forward until we know that.

“We believe we have proved we’re a Super League club but until we get that tick we can’t move forward.”

Nascar & Twitter Partnership Launched in Time for Pocono 400

NASCAR’s new partnership with Twitter created to enhance fans’ experience and interaction with the sport has officially got going.

The initiative began in preparation for Sunday’s Pocono 400 Presented by #NASCAR. The first of its kind with any sports league or organization, this new product will create an enhanced live event experience on Twitter atTwitter.com/#NASCAR.

Twitter.com/#NASCAR showcases the best Tweets and photos from NASCAR insiders in an effort to bring the behind-the-scenes story to life for fans during NASCAR race weekends. The page includes Tweets from drivers, pit crew members, families, media, NASCAR representatives and other industry constituencies like race tracks and sponsors. Fans also have an opportunity to see their Tweets featured.

Using a combination of sophisticated algorithmic signals and Twitter’s editorial curation, Twitter.com/#NASCAR features the highest quality, most engaging content about the race and NASCAR. Behind-the-scenes photos, exclusive content and innovative and original Tweets will likely have the best chance of being featured on this new live event page.

Jack Dorsey, co-founder and executive chairman at Twitter, said:“Twitter brings fans closer to the sports and moments they’re most passionate about,” said . “The innovation of the NASCAR organization, the spirit of the fans, and the personalities of the drivers all shine on Twitter, making NASCAR a natural partner for us. Twitter.com/#NASCAR will offer fans an all-access pass to the race weekend action as it unfolds on the track, in the pit, in the garage and in the stands.”

While currently up-and-running, Twitter.com/#NASCAR will be most active on race day before, after and in conjunction with the Pocono 400 Presented by #NASCAR from Pocono Raceway.

In support of this new NASCAR event page, NASCAR’s broadcast television partner will be engaging with audiences via Twitter as an integral part of TNT’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage throughout the summer. As part of an evolving relationship between Twitter and Turner Sports, Twitter.com/#NASCAR will be thoroughly integrated into the race broadcast via innovative graphics and with TNT’s on-air team displaying some of the most relevant and engaging Tweets on a touch-screen TV.

“Throughout Turner’s 30-year partnership with NASCAR, we have consistently striven to be innovative,” said Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports senior vice president and executive producer. “This new relationship with Twitter is going to allow Turner Sports to engage the viewers in several new and creative ways, therefore making social media a key component of our six-race series this summer.”

Built to support the live race broadcast, this new experience gives fans a complementary insider’s view of the action as it unfolds on the track and on Twitter. During a race, when fans click on #NASCAR, search for #NASCAR on Twitter.com or visit Twitter.com/#NASCAR, they’ll reach a new Twitter experience where they will see the most relevant Tweets from their favorite NASCAR drivers, NASCAR families, teams, commentators, celebrities and other racing fans and personalities.

“This is an exciting weekend for the NASCAR industry,” said Marc Jenkins, NASCAR vice president of digital media. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Twitter and bring a great cutting-edge digital experience to our fans. This is a great extension of our strategy of innovation in the digital space to enhance the fan experience with our sport. Reflective of the strength of NASCAR’s fan base and the sport’s cutting-edge use of social media and Twitter in particular, the sanctioning body is pleased that Twitter partnered with NASCAR to launch this product and we look forward to a long and healthy relationship coming out of this weekend’s launch in Pocono.”