The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has pledged financial and logistical support to sport in Cambodia over the next few years.

The OCA will launch two new initiatives and extend its ongoing support for the creation of a state-of-the-art Sports Science and Medicine Centre in Phnom Penh, drug which is expected to be operational by April next year. The OCA funded the construction of an Aquatics Centre in Kampot two years ago.

OCA President, health Shiekh Mohammed Al Fahad pledged the organisation’s support  during a recently meeting with National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) President, mind Thong Khon, and Secretary-General, Vath Chamroeun.

Chamroeun said: “The OCA President, who is also the Chairman of the International Olympic Solidarity Commission and President of the Association of National Olympic Committees, was very appreciative of our developmental efforts and he assured us of all possible help.

“It went very well for us and I am happy that the Asian Olympic family is standing by us. This has certainly inspired us to do more for sports development and prepare us better in achieving our goal of hosting a mega event like the SEA Games.”

OCA funding will also be made available for Cambodia to set up a centre in Siem Reap for women’s sports.{jcomments on}

Shazam, vialis 40mg the world’s leading media engagement company, today announces that it has partnered with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, in its first-ever partnership with a professional sports league to provide an interactive mobile experience to fans watching the MLB Postseason, from the new Wild Card games through the 108 World Series.

Today, 80 million people in the US with Shazam on their mobile devices can use the app anytime during MLB Postseason games to quickly access up-to-the-moment game statistics, social sharing capabilities and the latest MLB news and expert analysis.

“Shazam’s partnership with MLBAM is an exciting first for us as we enhance the Shazam for TV experience for baseball fans across the country in the lead-up to the World Series,” said Doug Garland, Chief Revenue Officer for Shazam. “We have collaborated with MLBAM to create a rich and rewarding mobile experience that will give viewers great statistics and make it easy for them to get in the discussion with their friends.”

“Our partnership with Shazam provides fans with a new platform to access live baseball content on their mobile phones and tablets,” said Kenny Gersh, SVP, Business Development, MLBAM. “Users will be able to find detailed content through its integration with our best-in-class At Bat app.”

Recently, Shazam announced that it has expanded its Shazam for TV second-screen service in the U.S. to support TV programming on any channel, anytime of day, making Shazam a “TV companion app.” The core service gives viewers in the U.S. access to cast details and photos, music in the show, celebrity gossip, trivia, celebrity tweets, and links to additional information, plus the ability to instantly share and comment on the show or episode on Facebook and Twitter. Shazam will continue to work in partnership with show creators and broadcasters to create custom second-screen interactive experiences.

The sports industry should share common information and knowledge management goals in relation to major sports events, order according to former International Olympic Committee (IOC) Director Phillipe Blanchard.

Blanchard, who was appointed to the IOC in 2003 to establish new information and knowledge management practices, believes international federations and sports property owners ought to work towards common goals to meet the objectives set by a rapidly-changing sports industry.

In his exclusive iSportconnect column, he said: “Better information and knowledge management practices answer strong demands in professionalization. Improved communication and better governance protects the historical legacy and nurtures the knowledge capital, and provides a sustainable development model.”

Blanchard also believes access to the legacy is a key element for financial development.

“Access to the legacy also increases sponsors and RHB value for money, Thus, the proper establishment of information and knowledge practices can increase financial and intangible values including legitimacy, brand value, corporate and social responsibility.”

If you want to read more go to his column click here.

Liverpool FC have been allowed another extension by Liverpool City Council as they continue to think over undecided stadium plans.

A deadline was set in July for Liverpool to announce by the end of this month whether they intend to take up the 999-year lease that would allow them to build a new ground on nearby Stanley Park, for which they have already been granted planning permission.

But Liverpool have struggled to make a decision, as revamping and expanding Anfield is also under consideration.

Council leader Joe Anderson had warned in July that the club’s delaying of an announcement was ‘very frustrating’. However talks have been on-going between the two parties and the council have been reassured that progress is being made.

Renovating Anfield was the original preferred choice of Liverpool’s American owners, Fenway Sports Group, but the cost of doing that is exorbitant.

A new build on Stanley Park would require Liverpool to find a partner to facilitate a lucrative naming rights deal.

A new directive by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has meant Athletes will face an increased volume of blood-tests leading up to to London 2012.

Meeting at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, the WADA Executive Committee accepted a recommendation that all anti-doping organisations ensure that not less than 10 per cent of samples collected are blood specimens.

Only four percent of all doping control samples collected in 2010 were for blood, mostly for passport programmes.

WADA said this had been a “key concern”, since “an anti-doping organisation ought to collect blood as it cannot claim to have an effective programme in place if there is a loophole in its testing programme leaving for possible abuse of substances and methods that cannot be detected in urine analysis such as human growth hormone and blood transfusions”.

It said the new 10 per cent directive would have a “significant deterrence benefit, regardless of the particular risks associated with the anti-doping organisations’ sports”.

Blood samples were collected from every accredited athlete at the recent World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in an exercise hailed as a “fantastic milestone” by Lamine Diack, the International Association of Athletics Federations President.

The samples are to be used to help build Athlete Biological Passports, allowing experts to register and chart physiological markers over time. WADA also approved the list of prohibited substances and methods for the Summer Olympic year of 2012.

One of the most significant changes was said to be the removal of asthma drug formoterol from ‘Section 3 Beta-2 Agonists’ of the list when taken by inhalation at therapeutic doses.

Inhaled formoterol at therapeutic doses is no longer prohibited. The list prohibits the administration of all beta-2 agonists except salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours), salmeterol when taken by inhalation, and now formoterol (maximum 36 micrograms taken over 24 hours).

The new list will be made official and published by October 1 and will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Corning MobileAccess, part of Corning Incorporated’s Telecommunications segment, today announced its distributed antenna system (DAS) has been installed at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Baltimore Ravens.

The DAS provides fans “always-on” wireless coverage throughout the facility, including reliable voice service and fast, 4G LTE-capable data speeds.

Powering the stadium’s cellular services is the MobileAccess2000, a multi-service, multi-operator DAS that provides wireless coverage over a single, broadband infrastructure.

Also utilized at the stadium is the MobileAccessHX, a two-watt amplifier which provides coverage over a large area using fewer antennas. The entire solution brings cellular coverage into the stadium and distributes it even in areas where there is typically no service.

“The Corning MobileAccess solution at M&T Bank Stadium exemplifies how we are continuing to support the ongoing efforts of wireless carriers to improve coverage and capacity in stadiums and other large public venues,” said Mike Genovese, senior vice president, Wireless Networks and New Business Development, Corning Cable Systems. “The stadium now has a state-of-the-art, scalable DAS that supports all major carriers and technologies, including 4G LTE networks.”

“We want M&T Bank Stadium to offer a premier fan experience, and part of that involves providing patrons with exceptional wireless coverage. The new DAS helps us achieve that,” said Jeffrey Provenzano, director of Football Operations, Maryland Stadium Authority. “It allows us to enhance our fans’ experience with unique mobile services and benefits that can only be found at the game.”

The DAS was installed by Mid-Atlantic Contracting. TESSCO purchased the equipment and also managed overall logistics for the project, including product cycle time, specialized bundling and staging.

Corning MobileAccess will participate in the TESSCO Innovation Showcase 2012, at the stadium Oct. 2-3. Focusing on “The Future of Wireless,” the Innovation Showcase will feature discussions and presentations focusing on today’s hottest wireless industry topics. Corning MobileAccess, TESSCO and Mid-Atlantic Contracting will host tours throughout the event, providing a “behind-the-scenes” look at the DAS installation.

“The recently commissioned DAS at M&T Bank Stadium is just one example of transformational technology that is raising the bar for wireless coverage,” said Jerry Garland, TESSCO’s senior vice president of Product Management and Solutions Development. “TESSCO’s 2012 Innovation Showcase, titled ‘The Future of Wireless,’ promises to be the ideal forum for TESSCO’s partners and customers to share knowledge and insights about where our industry is headed. We are looking forward to an exciting event.”