After Hong Kong and Singapore withdrew their candidacy as potential destinations to stage the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Japan has been confirmed as the sole host country of the event.

Hong Kong and Singapore informed Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) president Yoshiro Mori of their decision following an inspection tour of Japan by International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset.

Mori told Kyodo News: “Hong Kong and Singapore have told us they are withdrawing. Japan will host the tournament on its own.”

The IRB chief expressed his confidence in the country’s safety measures which have been put in place since the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in March, and Mori added: “Some countries were saying the 2019 tournament should be held elsewhere, but I think we’ve managed to further our understanding with the IRB.”

Despite positive reviews for the event in 8 years time, the IRB has decided to move five of the six matches from the Pacific Nations Cup this summer out of Japan to Fiji with the original host nation only staging the opening match against Samoa at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.

Road America announced today that RaceAmerica would serve as its Official Circuit Safety Light Provider.

As part of a collaborative effort, Road America will utilize RaceAmerica’s unique LED Track Safety Light System at several locations around the four-mile, 14-turn race circuit to help keep racers aware of cautions and changing track conditions during events.

RaceAmerica’s Track Safety Light System provides far more than just caution lights for racers. Built into the customized system is proprietary software, mobile monitoring and wireless functionality that will enable Road America to more efficiently utilize their safety and race control resources with the objective of keeping the racing environment safe and drivers informed in a real-time format. The gains in efficiency correlates with Road America’s constant focus on improving technology, reducing costs and providing a better and safer experience for racers and fans.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be associated with Road America, a race circuit with a storied history that is revered by racers the world over. Road America’s winning attitude and dedication to excellence is in line with RaceAmerica’s approach to our clients and business,” said RaceAmerica’s President, Dennis Laczny.

RaceAmerica’s Track Safety Light System provides an extra edge of safety for corner workers and cost savings to venues. Using standard flag colors, RaceAmerica’s safety lights combine ultra-bright four-color LEDs, multi-segment displays, flag animation and automatic switching between flags to deliver unattended flags a driver will see without being distracted. Using an overhead picture of the racecourse, the RaceAmerica Track Safety Software positions each safety light on-screen as they are located on the track. Wireless and mobile functionality allows race control officials to activate the system in real-time over the entire racecourse.

“Drivers and teams invest quite a bit of time and money to come to Road America and race, so we want to make sure we have the best and safest race environment for everyone to enjoy,” said George Bruggenthies, president and general manager of Road America. “RaceAmerica’s Track Safety Light System gives us another tool to help keep racers safe, reduce caution periods and improve the overall on-track experience for everyone. This partnership also provides a test bed for RaceAmerica to improve and adapt its technology in a real world setting. We are proud and excited to have them as a partner.”

International Boxing Association (AIBA) has appointed Calacus to provide local public relations support during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

This is an historic Olympic Games for AIBA, clinic with 36 Women Boxers competing for the very first time and 50 WSB Boxers qualified out of 250 Men competitors.

Calacus will provide strategic counsel and media relations support for AIBA during the Games, asthma using its wide range of sports and international contacts to promote AIBA’s vision and support communications around the boxing competition.

The account will be led by Calacus Managing Director David Alexander, ailment a former sports journalist at the Sunday Telegraph and The Guardian among others, and Laura Peek, a former news journalist at The Times and Daily Mail.

AIBA Communications Director Sébastien Gillot commented: “Doing good for your sport is one thing but letting the people know about it is another. With the London 2012 Olympic Games being a watershed moment for AIBA, we are pleased to welcome Calacus as a partner. We are convinced that their support will greatly contribute to the promotion of the sport of boxing as well as all of AIBA’s activities.”

Managing Director David Alexander said: “Calacus is looking forward to being part of the AIBA team during London2012. Boxing has gone through some controversial times of late but under the leadership of President Wu AIBA is leading by example and I’m sure London 2012 is going to be very exciting.”

The London 2012 Olympic Games boxing competition will take place at the ExCeL in Docklands.

The Ladbrokes World Darts Championship will remain at London’s Alexandra Palace for the next three years after the PDC’s contract with the prestigious venue was extended. 

Alexandra Palace has hosted darts’ biggest tournament since the World Championship moved to north London in 2008, with the venue’s West Hall staging the £1 million event in December and January.

The Great Hall at Alexandra Palace is turned into the Fans Village for the duration of the tournament, hosting a specially-created Ladbrokes shop, merchandise stalls and food and drink outlets.

Adrian Lewis retained the World Championship title this January in the fifth staging of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace, with over 40,000 fans attending the 15-day event over the Christmas and New Year period.

“We are delighted to have signed a three-year contract to keep the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“The tournament has continued to grow significantly in the past five years and Alexandra Palace has become a great home for the event, providing world-class facilities for players, fans and our media partners.

“With Sky Sports’ coverage shown worldwide throughout the event, this deal will continue to develop Alexandra Palace’s global reputation as a leading venue.”

“There is no better arena in the sport of darts as Alexandra Palace during the Ladbrokes World Championship. The atmosphere that is created is incredible, and it’s a special stage which brings the best out of our players.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace, said: “The team at Alexandra Palace is both delighted and proud to ‘step up to the oche’ once again to work with Barry Hearn and the prestigious Professional Darts Corporation to host the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

“Last year over 40,000 people visited the event and contributed to the tremendous festival atmosphere of the specially created ‘Fans Village’.

“This three-year partnership deal is a testament to the character and quality of Ally Pally as an events venue. 

“We have a great tradition of hosting live sporting events and the Palace really comes alive when we host the darts, one of the highlights of our year.

“We look forward to welcoming international darts stars and supporters alike to enjoy all that Alexandra Palace has to offer.”

The redevelopment of Casement Park which was expected to be continued has been put off until the end of 2013, a year later than anticipated.

The work on the west Belfast Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium is expected to last for 21 months and a new 40,000 all-seater stadium is expected to be completed by September 2015.

The total budget for the project is in the region of £76.4m.

The GAA will provide around £15m of the funding and the exchequer £64.1m.

The extent of the contribution from Croke Park has still to be finalised as the Ulster Council is still in discussions with Central GAA.

An invitation for tenders reveals the timeline for the design, planning application and construction of a stadium which will replace St Tiernach’s Park Clones as the new headquarters of Ulster GAA.

by Ismail Uddin

The Football Association and Premier League are in talks to prevent the FA Cup final clashing with league games.

FA general secretary, Alex Horne, stated that negotiations are on-going to avoid a repetition of the fixture pile-up in 2011.

Manchester United secured the Premiership title and three other top-flight fixtures were played on the day Manchester City won the FA Cup.

Horne explained, “We’re talking to the Premier League about whether there’s a way to create a Saturday when the FA Cup can stand on its own.

“We have a situation with international player release, and particularly, in 2013 when the UEFA Champions League final is to be played at Wembley, where we know it can’t be the last game of the season.

“It won’t be the last Saturday of the season but I think we can achieve a situation where it’s on its own on a Saturday and I think it’s important it’s given that space”.

The 2012 FA Cup final is currently scheduled to occur on Saturday, May 5th.

A full calendar of Premier League games is planned for that date as well as for the following weekend; finding space to identify a stand-alone the day for the final may prove challenging.

The Premier League also has a contractual obligation to provide its broadcast partner Sky with a live game at 12.45 BST on Saturday, May 5th, and the Europa League final is scheduled to take place in Bucharest that Wednesday.

Horne also announced that the traditional 1500 BST kick-off time is likely is to change.

“We’re talking about moving [the final] to an early evening slot and I think what that does is enable all of the football that’s played across the country at 3pm on a Saturday not to be affected by the FA Cup final so that the supporters watching and playing in their local games can get back and enjoy the FA Cup or stay in their club houses”.

Horne added, “The FA Cup is a big brand globally, there are half a billion people who watch the FA Cup final played all around the world.

“What’s interesting is that we’re seeing very strong numbers from our overseas TV deals and we need to follow that up with interest and affection for the competition.”

Horne’s comments coincided with a new report from the FA undertaken by Deloitte, which highlighted the potential financial gain to participating clubs.

A total of almost £650m was generated in prize money, TV payments and gate receipts for sides in the 10 years between 2001/02 and 2010/11.

Horne emphasised the boon the tournament can be for lower-league and non-league sides.

“What this report reveals is the huge financial incentives for teams participating in the FA Cup. You only have to look at Crawley Town last season, who earned £1m from a single game against Manchester United, a truly phenomenal amount of money for a then non-league football club.”

“They’re big numbers and they’re not budgeted by clubs as they don’t expect to progress in the competition. It’s a windfall”.

Global sports marketing agency, Octagon, has been selected as the official marketing partner of the China LPGA Tour (CLPGA) as part of a new major deal.

Octagon official statement released expressed, under terms of the agreement, ‘Octagon will be responsible for developing corporate partnerships for the CLPGA and also will be involved in strategy development and planning.’

CLPGA Tour chief executive, said: “We are extremely pleased to have Octagon join our marketing team. We are extremely pleased to have Octagon join our marketing team. Their philosophy and approach is highly compatible with ours and we are excited to have this alliance, particularly at this important moment in our organisation’s development.”

Octagon’s Chris Higgs added, “We are very excited to be working closely with the CLPGA. With golf set to be in the Olympics for the 2016 Games, the CLPGA Tour is an important component in ensuring China’s women professionals have a platform to prepare them for international competition.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not released.