India’s protest over Dow Chemical’s sponsorship of the Olympics is being diluted by the country’s Government following claims they are working closely with the London 2012 sponsor.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has accused the Government of double standards and warned that if the Sport Ministry’s plan of a partial boycott of London 2012 is carried out it could mean “serious repercussions”.

The IOA have protested to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about Dow being a worldwide partner and to London 2012 over the American company’s sponsorship of the wrap around the Olympic Stadium. 

They are angry at Dow’s links to the Bhopal disaster in 1984, which has allegedly caused the deaths of 25,000 people.

India’s Sports Minister Ajay Maken yesterday claimed that the athletes will play a vital role in deciding whether to boycott London and that if they did take any action then they would receive the support of the Government, who have also protested to the IOC.

But IOA acting President Vijay Kumar Malhotra has again hit out at their stance towards Dow, who currently employs more than 900 people and boasts sales in excess of $500 million (£316 million) in India.

“The Government’s double speak has created more problems and weakened our case further,” said Malhotra, who has written a letter to the Government about the situation.

“While it wants that [Olympic] organisers should drop Dow Chemical’s as sponsor of the Games, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) which is under the Agriculture Ministry, held a seminar last month which was sponsored by Dow.”

Malhotra also claimed that the Sports Ministry were fanning the flames of talk of a boycott without understanding what the consequences could be.

“I am surprised at Sports Ministry’s attitude,” he said. “While IOA want to cooperate with it on this issue they are playing politics. Why they have not replied to our letters is also open to interpretation. 

“The selective leaks in the media by the Sports Ministry are creating more problems. The IOC Charter is very clear and strict on such issue. The talk of selective boycott will have very serious repercussions and will ultimately boomerang.”

by Ismail Uddin

 

The 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) has seen unprecedented viewing figures with a record New Zealand television audience that watched New Zealand defeat Australia in the semi-final.

The tournament also received the biggest Australian television audience since RWC 2003, 73 per cent audience share in France as Les Bleus booked their final place and highest audience of RWC 2011 in UK that saw France beat Wales in the other semi-final.

In New Zealand a record 1.97 million cumulative television audience tuned in to the host nation’s 20-6 semi-final victory over Australia via TV One, SKY, TV3 and Maori Television, not including the significant number who would have watched the compelling action in public venues across the country or online on demand.

Australians also tuned into the match in record numbers. A massive nationwide television audience of 3.23 million people watched the match – smashing the all-time Pay TV viewership record for Fox Sports and topping the free-to-air ratings on Channel Nine.

No Rugby match since the Rugby World Cup Final in 2003 has delivered an audience of the same magnitude in Australia. The tournament decider in Sydney eight years ago was watched by more than 4 million Australians. Channel Nine’s free-to-air broadcast attracted 2.5 million viewers.

It was a similar picture in France where TF1 attracted an audience of 9.5 million for the semi-final between France and Wales despite the 10:00 kick-off time. The average audience for the match, which saw France secure their first place in a Final since 1999 was equal to a viewing share of 73 per cent. 

In the United Kingdom, ITV registered its highest audience of RWC 2011 with an average of 5.9 million viewers watching France’s 9-8 victory over Wales. The last 15 minutes of the match netted a peak audience of 6.6 million – a 58 per cent share.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup 2011 has been an exceptional event on and off the field and what we are seeing with the strong viewing figures is a reflection of the highly competitive and compelling matches and the tournament’s position as a truly major international event.”

“The audience figures in New Zealand highlight the massive level of interest in what is the biggest event ever to be hosted in the country. Rugby World Cup 2011 has captured the hearts and minds of a nation who have been exceptionally welcoming hosts. The scene is now set for a thrilling climax to the tournament.”

GlaxoSmithKline has begun advertising its role as a partner of London 2012 by unveiling its new sign at its headquarters in the capital.

Featuring the official London 2012 logos and the strapline “Bringing Science to the Games,” the sign that was launched by Olympic cycling champion Rebecca Romero plays up Glaxo’s commitment to keeping the events drug free.

Glaxo, a Tier Three sponsor, is the first sponsor in the history of the Games to be given the category as “official laboratory services”.

The sign, which is 41 metres wide, sits on the side of Glaxo’s building next to the M4 and A4 in Brentford, and will welcome millions of people to London as they travel into the capital from Heathrow and the West of England.

More than 78,000 people will see the sign every day from their cars as they drive in and out of London and up to 26 million in the year leading up to the Games, Glaxo claim.

Andrew Witty, Glaxo’s chief executive said: “We are immensely proud to be a partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and want to celebrate the role we will play in bringing science to the Games. The sign is the perfect way of doing this as millions of people will see it in the lead up to the Games and during Games time itself. 

“As the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, we will bring our expertise to running a world class laboratory that will carry out more anti-doping tests than ever before at an Olympics, making London 2012 the cleanest possible Games.”

Glaxo and King’s College London will operate a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited lab during the Olympics and Paralympics

Over the course of the Games, the lab will oversee 6,250 drug tests – the most ever at an Olympic and Paralympic Games, Glaxo claim.

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: “Science will play a crucial part in the London 2012 Games, from the training and nutrition programmes which keep the athletes at peak performance to the anti-doping tests which will help to make the Games as clean as possible.

“It is great to have GlaxoSmithKline on board to deliver the anti-doping test laboratory and the sign launched today is a celebration of their commitment to help make London 2012 the cleanest Games possible.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday awarded the next two World Twenty20 tournaments in 2012 and 2014 to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively, sale pills while England was awarded the 2013 Champions Trophy.

As well as this, ailment the 2015 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the first time the tournament will be held in the antipodes since 1992.

England last hosted the Champions Trophy in 2004, when they were beaten by the West Indies in the final.

Chief executive of the ICC, Haroon Lorgat, also said that the formats of the World Cup and World Twenty20 would be looked at. He said: “There is clearly an appetite from all corners to examine the make-up of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 and seek the best balance between excellence and development.

“In terms of the number of participating teams, it is possible that the World Cup could be reduced and the World Twenty20 expanded.”

The decisions were announced after a meeting of the ICC board in Singapore this week.

Former Middlesex and England Captain, Andrew Strauss has joined the county club’s Executive Board. 

Following Paul Downton’s resignation from the Middlesex CCC Executive Board, to understandably focus on his new role with the ECB as Managing Director of England Cricket, the club were keen to find a replacement who could offer as much to the club as Paul has done over the years. 

As England’s most successful modern day captain, who learned his trade at Lord’s within Middlesex’s playing ranks, Strauss brings with him not only a wealth of knowledge of the challenges facing Middlesex as a club, but also of the game as a whole at both domestic and international levels. 

Middlesex County Cricket Club Chairman, Ian Lovett, said of Strauss’s appointment. 

“We are absolutely thrilled that Andrew has accepted our invitation to join the Middlesex Executive Board. He is a Middlesex man through and through, with an outstanding reputation within the game. Finding the right man to replace Paul Downton was always going to prove a challenge; however in Andrew Strauss we’ve found the perfect solution. 

“My thanks on behalf of all at Middlesex County Cricket Club go to Andrew for offering his services to the Executive Board, which we have no doubt will prove invaluable as the club moves forward with his continued involvement.”

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced Pontevedra, Spain has been named as the host city for the 2014 ITU Duathlon World Championships. 

It will mark the second time ITU’s premier Duathlon race, which consists of a 10km run, 40km bike and 5km run, will be held in Spain.  The northern city of Gijon hosted the championships in 2011. The announcement comes on the heels of Pontevedra’s seamless organization of the 2011 ETU European Triathlon Championships. 

“ITU is thrilled about the return of the Duathlon World Championships to Spain. The local organising committee in Pontevedra has proven successful with their experience hosting past events. We look forward to another exciting event in the Galician city,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. 

In further preparation for the coveted championships, the western coastal city will host the 2013 Spanish National Duathlon Championships, which will include Under23, age-group, and Paraduathlon races. In 2014, the Under23, junior, mixed relay, and Paraduathlon will take place as part of the ITU Duathlon World Championships. Additionally, thousands of age-group athletes from around the world will contest sprint and standard distance world championship races in Pontevedra. 

Event organizers have proposed a 4-lap 10km run, followed by a 6-lap 40km bike, and ending with a 2-lap 5km course for the elite and Under23 races at the 2014 World Championships. 

The 2012 ITU Duathlon World Championships will be decided in Nancy, France from 22-23 September, with the World Games in Cali, Colombia doubling as the ITU Duathlon World Championships in July 2013 for elites.  The 2013 ITU Age-Group Duathlon World Championships will be held in Ottawa, Canada in August 2013.

Die deutsche Sportbranche setzt ihren Aufwärtstrends fort – das zeigt der “Deutsche Sportmarketing Index” (DSMI), sale der jährlich von Deloitte und dem ISS Institut für Sportmanagement erhoben wird. Trotz der Euro-Krise hat sich das Geschäftsklima im deutschen Sportbusiness erneut verbessert, sale auf 102,53 Punkte (2011: 101,08). Die 110 befragten Branchenexperten haben vor allem eine positive Erwartungshaltung gegenüber der Erlösentwicklung in den Bereichen Sponsoring, Medienrechte und Merchandising. Der DSMI reflektiert die allgemeine Stimmungslage und Trends analog zum ifo Geschäftsklimaindex in der deutschen Sportbranche.

“Diese Entwicklung spiegelt die positiven Erfahrungen aus der jüngsten Vergangenheit wider”, erklärt Stefan Ludwig, Director der Sport Business Gruppe bei Deloitte. “Die deutsche Sportbranche hat sich schließlich über einen langen Zeitraum als krisenresistent erwiesen und ist für die Zukunft gut gerüstet.”

Die DSMI-Studie zeigt, dass die Sportbranche das Vertrauen in das Sponsoring beibehält. Die Attraktivität des deutschen Profisports als Werbe-Plattform ist ungebrochen. Das zeigt auch der Ansturm von neuen Sponsoren aus der Solar- und Glücksspielbranche. Eine deutliche Mehrheit geht für die kommenden drei Spielzeiten (2012/13, 2013/14 und 2014/15) von steigenden Sponsoring-Investitionen aus. Abschlüsse von neuen Medienrechten in der Fußball-Bundesliga, Beko Basketball Bundesliga und Deutschen Eishockey Liga wirken sich auch positiv auf die Prognosen im Medienbereich aus. Mit Blick auf die Merchandising-Erlöse erwarten mehr als die Hälfte der Befragten für die Spielzeit 2012/13 eine positive Geschäftsentwicklung (2011 waren es noch 40 Prozent). Im Bereich Ticketing rechnet zwar über die Hälfte mit stagnierenden Preisen in den kommenden drei Spielzeiten – dieser wird aber auch zukünftig eine verlässliche Erlösquelle des deutschen Profisports sein.

Gebremst wird der Aufwärtstrend durch die verhaltenen Umsatzprognosen für Hospitality. Bis zu 20 Prozent der Befragten rechnen in den kommenden drei Spielzeiten mit signifikanten Erlösrückgängen. Im Vergleich zu 2011 hat sich die Anzahl der Skeptiker etwa verdoppelt. “Die andauernde Rechtsunsicherheit im Zusammenhang mit der Einladung von Geschäftspartnern zu Sport-Events sorgt für eine gewisse Zurückhaltung bei den Beteiligten. Da Hospitality einerseits eine wichtige Erlösquelle für die Veranstalter und andererseits ein bedeutendes Kommunikationsinstrument aus Sicht der einladenden Unternehmen ist, sind die Interessenverbände bemüht, juristische Klarheit in der Compliance-Diskussion zu schaffen”, erklärt Prof. Dr. Dirk Mazurkiewicz vom ISS Institut für Sportmanagement der FH Koblenz/Remagen.

Die Umsatzprognosen für die einzelnen Profisportligen zeigen: Für die kommende Spielzeit erwarten Brancheninsider für die 1. und 2. Fußballbundesliga das stärkste Wachstum. Vor allem in den Bereichen Sponsoring, Medienrechte und Merchandising werden Umsatzsteigerungen erwartet. Das gilt – in abgeschwächter Form – auch für die Beko Basketball Bundesliga besonders mit dem FC Bayern München Basketball. Bei der Deutschen Eishockey Liga und der DKB Handball-Bundesliga sehen die Experten das größte Wachstumspotenzial bei den Erlösen aus neuen Medien im Vergleich zu anderen Erlösquellen: Internet und Mobiltelefon stellen für diese Ligen eine Alternative zu klassischen, stark vom Fußball dominierten TV-Plattformen dar.

Die Sky Deutschland AG setzte im zweiten Quartal 2012 ihren positiven Wachstumstrend fort und verzeichnete einen Kundenzuwachs von 14 Prozent zum Vorjahresquartal. Dadurch ist die Anzahl der Abonnenten auf über drei Millionen gewachsen. Analog zur Unternehmensentwicklung geht ein Großteil der Befragten in den kommenden drei Spielzeiten von einer weiteren Steigerung aus. Ein anderes Bild zeigt sich für die zukünftige Zuschauerentwicklung der ARD Sportschau. Mit signifikanten Steigerungen der Zuschauerzahlen für das traditionelle Format rechnet nur ein geringer Teil der Experten.

“Mit dem Zugpferd Fußball-Bundesliga an der Spitze, den anderen gut aufgestellten Profisportligen und einem ausgewogenen Mix aus attraktiven Sport-Events blickt die Branche optimistisch in die Zukunft. Trotz der andauernden Compliance-Diskussion bieten sämtliche Erlöskategorien Wachstumspotenziale”, resümiert Stefan Ludwig von Deloitte.

English Football League Two team Barnet have announced plans to remain at Underhill for one last season.

The club has contacted the Football League confirming their plans to stay at their home of 105 years whilst preparing for a permanent relocation.

Chairman Tony Kleanthous told the Barnet Times: “As always, our supporters will be first to know once the club is able to announce any future plans.

“I have made it clear several times that we have no long-term ambitions to stay at Underhill.

“Since we announced our intention to relocate we have had much positive communication from those who really value us as a community asset.

“It’s so nice to talk constructively with people who have a positive attitude about what can be done in partnership with our club.”

The Bees will also move staff to new offices in Edgware.

Staff will be housed at the club’s Hive site, with the removal of temporary offices at Underhill allowing further access to the southern turnstiles.

The club are looking for a permanent home with short-term ground-sharing options and a potential new stadium being considered.

by Ismail Uddin

FIFA’s secretary-general Jerome Valcke has apologised to Brazil, after he was denounced for saying that preparations for the 2014 World Cup were behind schedule, according to the country’s government.

“I would like to present my apologies to everyone who was offended by my comments,” Valcke said in a letter sent to the sports minister Aldo Rebelo, his department said.

Valcke said last week that Brazil needed “a kick up the backside” to catch up on vital infrastructure work, with just over two years to go to the start of football’s showpiece global event and the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950.

The senior governing body official added that he “profoundly regretted that an incorrect interpretation” of his comments had triggered such an angry response from the host country.

He clarified that in French the phrase “se donner un coup de pied aux fesses” (to give someone a kick up the backside) only meant “to pick up the pace”. The translation into Portuguese used a stronger expression, he added.

The Brazilian government on Saturday denounced Valcke as a “loudmouth” and said they no longer considered him a go-between between FIFA and the World Cup organisers.

On Monday, Rebelo made the government’s position official, sending a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in which he said that they were “horrified” by his comments, Brazilian newspapers reported.

The row erupted a week before a new inspection by Valcke to evaluate how work was progressing in the four cities already designated for the Confederations Cup next year: Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza.

The Confederations Cup, which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, is scheduled to be held from June 15 to 30, 2013. Two other cities — Recife and Salvador — are still awaiting final approval from FIFA and Brazilian organisers.

Held every four years, the Confederations Cup brings together the title winners from each of the world’s six confederations, in addition to reigning world champions Spain and hosts Brazil.

In his letter, Valcke said there were concerns at FIFA about delays in organisation for the World Cup.

But he said he was satisfied “that there is no problem that cannot be overcome by the efforts of FIFA, the local organising committee and the Brazilian authorities”.

“I would like to reiterate, as I have done on a number of occasions, that Brazil is and will always be the only option to host the (World) Cup,” he added.

FIFA, including Blatter himself, has for several months been critical of delays in work on stadia and infrastructure like hotels and airports, plus the fact that deadlines kept being put back.

A FIFA inspection team is due to arrive in Brazil on Tuesday to check the progress of work at venues in Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Cuiaba, Manaus and Natal, which will also host matches in 2014.

by Ismail Uddin