India’s Hosting Capabilities Hit Again After National Games Issues

The organising of major sporting events in India has come in for yet more scrutiny after the National Games organisers came in for criticism following a number of major problems reported over the first two days of the event in Ranchi.

According to The Times of India, medstore media facilities did not work for hours, symptoms security check points were overwhelmed by spectator numbers and there were no tables or seats for the judges at the taekwondo competition, with T Praveen Kumar, the Taekwondo Federation of India Secretary General furious with the lack of facilities at his sport’s competition.

Kumar told reporters: “Only tall claims were made by organisers. What could be worse than judges not being provided with chairs for the matches?”

The National Games finally started on Saturday after being postponed six times due to incomplete infrastructure, but the latest news will further damage India’s event-hosting image after problems engulfed the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and more recently, issues regarding the preparations of stadia for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup.

New NASL Franchise Unveiled as Jacksonville Armada FC

Florida will have a new soccer team after Jacksonville Armada FC was announced as the North American Soccer League expansion franchise.

The team name was selected following a fan competition and survey that invited soccer fans across the region to provide suggestions for the new team’s name. Of the more than 1, troche 500 responses, Armada FC was one of the most popular, closely aligning with the new soccer club’s vision of building a passionate, determined and progressive organization.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council President Bill Gulliford, Jacksonville Chamber President Daniel Davis and NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson, along with team executives, unveiled the club’s new name and logo in a press conference in front of media and fans at the Jacksonville Landing.

“We love sports in Jacksonville, and we are excited to welcome our newest professional sports team,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “Soccer is a great family-friendly game and it has a growing base of fans. We want everyone to know that Jacksonville is soccer territory.”

The fan vote also selected the soccer club’s colors – navy blue, royal blue, gold and white – which also reflect Jacksonville’s close links to the area’s U.S. Navy and other military installations. The colors form the foundation of the club’s new logo, which includes a powerful ship’s anchor and the team’s name displayed across a unique angular shield.

Club owner Mark Frisch said that fans were instrumental in providing the inspiration for the team name and that connecting with fans and the community is vital to Jacksonville Armada FC.

“From day one, we committed to make this club the fans’ team, the community’s team, Jacksonville’s team,” said Frisch. “We are honored and proud to reflect the suggestions of our fans in our team name and logo while aligning with the history and tradition of this region.”

“Naming our team Jacksonville Armada FC perfectly reflects our hard-working, passionate, determined and progressive community here on the First Coast,” said Steve Livingstone, team president. “We are greatly looking forward to kicking off play and fully engaging and growing with everyone in the First Coast community.”

“Our club motto is Ex Pertinacia Victoria, which roughly translates to victory through determination,” said Dario Sala, general manager for the team. “It is that determination that will create a winning tradition for the Armada FC and make our city and our region proud.”

Bill Peterson, commissioner for the NASL, welcomed Jacksonville Armada FC to the league family and said he looks forward to them joining competitive play in 2015.

“The NASL is the fastest-growing professional soccer league in the world and truly has a global perspective,” said Peterson. “We know there is an exceptional interest in soccer on the First Coast and Jacksonville Armada FC will provide a strong addition to our league.”

The NASL kicks off its 2014 season in April with ten teams competing including the New York Cosmos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Atlanta Silverbacks. Jacksonville Armada FC will enter the league in spring 2015 alongside Virginia Cavalry F.C. and Oklahoma City.

Cycling Federation President and Pioneer of Freerunning to Speak at SportAccord Convention 2014

SportAccord Convention announced today that International Cycling Union (UCI) President Brian Cookson and freerunning pioneer Sébastien Foucan, sickness whose acrobatic exploits thrilled global cinema audiences in the opening sequence of James Bond film Casino Royale, will be among the speakers during SportAccord Convention 2014 taking place 6-11 April 2014, in Belek/Antalya, Turkey.

The UCI President, attending SportAccord Convention for the first time since his dramatic election last autumn, will deliver a keynote speech in a new-look Conference Programme at SportAccord Convention 2014 with the theme of “Sport’s New Frontiers.” Delegates will be able to hear top speakers and enjoy interactive sessions in new formats outside of the main auditorium as well as inside the event at Belek’s Susesi Convention Centre.

One of the founders of the urban youth discipline of Parkour, Foucan will expound his views on the importance of self-expression in sport and demonstrate his eye-popping skills in conjunction with The Youth Club, an imaginative session on the sporting tastes, habits and aspirations of young audiences.

Participants in a panel session on “Rule-Breakers and Game-Changers” will include Desmond Burke Kennedy, Chairman of Marketing & Media at the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of Badminton England,

and Brett Hasell, Marketing Coordinator of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). They will join the audience in debating the provocative question, if you could change the rules of one sport, what would you do?

Lisa Lazarus, Chief of Business Development & Strategy at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), will be among the guests for “A Woman’s World – The Journey Towards Sporting Equality,” a frank discussion of how to create better sporting equality – on the field of play and in the media, business and governing bodies. Olympic medallist Charmaine Crooks, President of NGU Consultants, will moderate the session.

These are just a few of the confirmed speakers and sessions on the programme, more details will be announced in coming weeks. As in past years, the conference moderator will be BBC World news anchor and journalist David Eades.

A discounted rate is in effect for delegates booking their places early via the website www.sportaccordconvention.com.

The 12th annual SportAccord Convention will be the first time the world sport summit is held in Turkey.

Held in a different city every year, SportAccord Convention is a unique opportunity for international sporting leaders to engage with business, and features a dynamic exhibition as well as the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.

Belek/Antalya is a developing sports hub which recently hosted the 2013 World Archery Championships. In addition, the area will welcome in May the 2014 Turkish Airlines Ladies Golf Open which is part of the Ladies European Tour.

For more conference information, visit www.sportaccordconvention.com.

Contact alex.ross@sportaccordconvention.com to learn about promotional opportunities at SportAccord Convention 2014.

Levy Restaurants Appoints New Head of Marketing

Levy Restaurants, ask the sports & leisure division of Compass Group UK & Ireland and frequent sport sponsor, pill has appointed a new head of marketing to support and sustain the company’s continued success in the stadia and leisure sector. 

Anna Fenten is joining Levy Restaurants from her previous role as marketing director at Sodexo Prestige, pills where she has worked for ten years.

Fenten is an experienced marketing director with particular expertise in the foodservice and hospitality sectors, and frequently presents at marketing forums. Her success in developing brand strategies and operating integrated campaigns has been reflected in five industry award wins.

In her new position, Fenten will be responsible for overseeing Levy Restaurants’ brand messaging, harnessing its reputation, and building and implementing the overall marketing strategy as the company continues to expand.

Anna commented: “I am very proud to be joining such a strong organisation and look forward to continuing to build Levy Restaurants’ reputation as a well recognised and admired brand in the sports & leisure market.”

Colin Bailey, managing director of sports, leisure and hospitality at Levy Restaurants, said: “We are delighted to welcome Anna to our team and she will be instrumental in driving our marketing strategy forward. The addition of Anna to the team will mean that we can reinforce our presence in the market as the number one choice for contract catering.”

Levy Restaurants works with a wide range of clients from The O2 Arena to the Cardiff City Stadium, Twickenham Stadium to Goodwood Racecourse and Chelsea Football Club.

FC Bayern sorgt für Umsatzschub der BBL

Die deutschen Profisportligen verzeichneten in der Spielzeit 2011/12 den höchsten kumulierten Umsatz innerhalb der letzten fünf Jahre: 353, sickness 6 Millionen Euro (+3, erectile 2%). Dies geht aus der Deloitte-Studie “Finanzreport deutscher Profisportligen” hervor, die in Kooperation mit SPONSORs erstellt wurde. Wesentlicher Treiber dieses Wachstums war die Beko Basketball-Bundesliga (BBL) mit einer Erlössteigerung von 26,3 Prozent, die vom sportlichen Aufstieg des FC Bayern Basketball profitierte. Im Mittelpunkt der Analyse stehen neben der BBL, die Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), die kürzlich umbenannte DKB Handball-Bundesliga (HBL) und die dritthöchste Liga im deutschen Profifußball (3. Liga). Erstmals weitet sich der Report auf die DACH-Region aus. In Sonderkapiteln werden die wirtschaftlichen Entwicklungen der österreichischen Fußball-Bundesliga und der Schweizer Raiffeisen Super League analysiert.

“Der Wettbewerb um Zuschauer, TV-Präsenz und Sponsoren zwischen den Ligen ist größer denn je”, so Stefanie Vogel, Senior Consultant der Sport Business Gruppe von Deloitte. “Spannend bleibt, ob die kürzlich abgeschlossene Einigung zwischen den öffentlich-rechtlichen Sendern ARD und ZDF und dem Trio DEL, HBL und BBL über die Ausweitung der Berichterstattung den Ligen neue Wachstumsimpulse geben kann.”

Die 18 Clubs der BBL steigerten ihre durchschnittlichen Umsatzerlöse in der Saison 2011/12 um mehr als ein Viertel und verzeichneten einen Rekordumsatz von 76,9 Millionen Euro. Damit verkürzt sich der Abstand zur HBL und DEL auf weniger als 10 Millionen Euro. Auch bei den Zuschauerzahlen stellte die BBL den Anschluss an die übrigen Profisportligen her. Der Besucherschnitt wurde auf durchschnittlich 4.422 Zuschauer pro Spiel gesteigert. Ligaverantwortliche setzen sich zum Ziel, bis 2020 die sportlich und wirtschaftlich stärkste Basketball-Liga in Europa zu werden.

Neben der BBL konnten auch die DEL (+8,8%) und HBL (+2,0%) ihre Gesamterlöse steigern. Der deutsche Profihandball erreichte sein bestes Ergebnis mit einem Gesamtumsatz von 86,1 Millionen Euro. Allerdings konnte die HBL ihre durchschnittliche jährliche Wachstumsrate der vergangenen fünf Spielzeiten in Höhe von 9,5% Prozent nicht bestätigen. Damit musste die HBL ihre Position als umsatzstärkste Hallensportliga wieder an die DEL abgeben. Die Eishockeyliga verzeichnete einen Gesamterlös von 86,2 Millionen Euro. Die DEL-Clubs steigerten in allen relevanten Erlöskategorien ihre Umsätze, am deutlichsten im Bereich Spieltag und Sonstige Erlöse. Der hohe Zuschauerschnitt mit 6.392 Besuchern pro Spiel war ein wesentlicher Umsatztreiber.

Die 3. Liga erzielte mit einem Ist-/Plan-Umsatz von 104,4 Millionen Euro das beste Ergebnis aller betrachteten Profisportligen. Gleichzeitig verzeichnete sie aber als einzige Liga einen Rückgang der Gesamterlöse (-11,5%). Damit rücken die Sportarten im Bereich der Gesamterlöse näher zusammen. Grund dafür ist unter anderem ein Rückgang bei den Zuschauerzahlen von 18,2 Prozent. Wirtschaftlich betrachtet besteht zwischen 3. und 2. Liga eine große Distanz. Die kumulierten Umsatzerlöse der 18 Clubs entsprechen weniger als einem Drittel des von Deloitte prognostizierten Gesamtumsatzes der Zweitligisten von ca. 350 Millionen Euro.

In der diesjährigen Studie wurde die Analyse erstmals auf die DACH-Region ausgeweitet. Analysiert wurden die Schweizer Raiffeisen Super League und die österreichische tipp3-Bundesliga. Mit einem Gesamtumsatz von 171,3 Millionen Euro (Schweiz) beziehungsweise 155,1 Millionen Euro (Österreich) lagen die beiden Alpennachbarn in der Saison 2011/12 deutlich über dem Erlösniveau der 3. Liga, jedoch signifikant unter der 2. Bundesliga aus Deutschland. Vor dem Hintergrund, dass die Fußball-Top-Ligen in der Schweiz und Österreich grundsätzlich nur aus zehn Clubs bestehen, verringert sich der durchschnittliche Abstand zu Clubs der 2. Bundesliga. Mannschaften der 2. Bundesliga erlösten durchschnittlich 19,5 Millionen Euro, die der Schweizer Liga 17,1 Millionen Euro und die der österreichischen Liga 15,5 Millionen Euro.

“Auch in der Saison 2012/13 müssen sich die Clubs der 3. Liga wieder einer Vielzahl von wirtschaftlichen Herausforderungen stellen. Der Fokus liegt bei vielen Clubs weiterhin auf einem effizienten Kostenmanagement”, prognostiziert Stefanie Vogel. “Vielversprechend sind die zunehmenden Engagements diverser Vermarktungsagenturen bei Clubs in der 3. Liga.”

Die Ergebnisse der Studie wurden exklusiv beim 8. SPONSORs Clubmanager Summit am 05.11.2012 im RheinEnergieStadion Köln präsentiert.

LOCOG Withdraws Half a Million Olympic Football Tickets

500,000 Olympic football match tickets have been withdrawn and stadium capacities reduced due to a lack of interest, Games organisers said on Tuesday.

Organisers will reduce capacities across venues by closing tiers of stadiums or whole sections of a ground.

Even after the reduction, 250,000 football tickets are still available with a further 200,000 set to be put up for sale before the Games begin on July 27.

Games chief Seb Coe defended the move and said football ticket sales compared favourably with previous Olympics.

“They are in reduced size venues of course, we’ve had to scale down the size of those venues,” Coe told reporters.

“We’ve sold more football tickets than we’ve sold anything else, we’ve got 37-38,000 tickets we’ve sold for Britain ladies v New Zealand which I think benchmarks pretty well for instance with the women’s FA Cup final this year which was an all-London affair at the Emirates (Stadium) and they had about 5,000.

“We are not in bad shape on tickets but football tickets at a Games are always the challenge. I think we’ll do pretty well.”

The football competition is set to take place in six venues across Britain including the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, City of Coventry Stadium, Old Trafford in Manchester, St James’ Park in Newcastle, Hampden Park in Glasgow and London’s Wembley Stadium which will host both the men’s and women’s finals.

Organisers will also make 150,000 football tickets available for school children through their Ticketshare scheme.

FIFA Reveal 11 Interested Parties in Goal-Line Tech Testing

World soccer’s governing body FIFA has revealed that 11 companies have submitted their initial interest in the next phase of goal-line technology tests after the issue was discussed at the first meeting of the new FIFA Task Force Football 2014 last month.

Out of the 11 companies who expressed interest in taking part in the new trials, FIFA said nine are from Europe, one from North America, and one from Africa. 

One company from Britain which has continually registered its interest in delivering goal-line technology is Hawkeye, a firm which has already proved its credentials with its successful implementation of video technology for tennis and cricket. 

Paul Hawkins told BBC Sport recently: “Our system for football is easier than for cricket, technically. Technology is not here to hurt anyone, it can only make things better.”

FIFA remains split on the issue of technology, with UEFA president Michel Platini airing his concerns about it just last week despite worldwide calls for the system to be introduced.

Platini told the Sunday Times: “Why should we? (introduce such technology). So we can eliminate doubt whether a ball has crossed the line? But I eliminate doubt with the use of additional referees in the Champions League and the Europa League.

“The day we have goal-line technology, five minutes after you will ask for offside technology. We will have that for ten years and then you will ask for penalty area technology.”

Franz Beckenbauer, head of the FIFA Task Force Football 2014 which is looking at ways to improve the game in different areas, told the FIFA Congress last week that he thought the additional referees system was highly effective, saying that he believed goal-line technology may be “superfluous”.

Despite these statements, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) decided at its March 5 meeting to extend testing of goal-line technology by one year, while FIFA president Sepp Blatter said at the time that none of the 10 companies involved in the February trials had been successful in meeting the criteria set out by IFAB at its meeting last October. 

The further testing phases will be split in two, with the first trials of goal-line technology scheduled between September and December. Following this phase, the test institute in consultation with the IFAB will establish a shortlist of companies who will proceed to the second testing phase that is scheduled for March to June next year. 

FIFA said each individual system will be scrutinised using stringent pass/fail criteria, both during daylight and at night under floodlights before results of the testing are announced at a special IFAB meeting in July 2012.

Criteria include: a goal indication to referee’s watch (automatically displayed by vibration and visual signal); signal range (full coverage of the pitch and technical areas); free shots on goal (100% recognition); static accuracy test (minimum 90% correct recognition in this first phase); and dynamic accuracy test (minimum 90% correct recognition in this first phase).

USA Gymnastics to Partner with AEG for Post Games Tour

A new partnership between USA Gymnastics with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) Facilities will see the organisation showcase its Olympic stars after the 2012 and 2016 Games.

The Tour of Gymnastics Champions will feature Team USA’s top gymnasts, as well as former champions, and take place directly after the London and Rio Games, visiting 40 cities over a ten week period between September and November in 2012 and 2016.

Although details of the venues are still to be announced, AEG Facilities owns and operates over 100 sports venues around the world including the Staples Center in Los Angles, American Airlines Arena in Miami and Sprint Center in Kansas City.

It also runs venues outside the USA including the O2 Arena in London, Berlin’s O2 World and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.

Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, stated: “AEG is a global force in the entertainment industry and this partnership enables USA Gymnastics to take the tour to an unprecedented level. Our combined experience and resources allow us to reach a broad audience and create a dynamic showcase for our athletes and sport at the highest degree possible. This is partnership is designed to capitalise on our mutual strengths and co-promotional abilities.”

Bob Newman, AEG Facilities’ chief operating officer, added: “Last year, AEG Facilities and USA Gymnastics hosted the most successful Visa Championships to date. We are thrilled to partner with USA Gymnastics once again and look forward to combining efforts and resources to produce this prestigious post-Olympic event.”

Southampton Receive New Training Facility Planning Permission

Planning Permission has just been granted for the new training facility for English nPower League One soccer team Southampton Football Club.

The state of the art venue has been designed by AFL Architects and the company released a statement on their webiste today, February 14 to confirm the approval.

The statement from the architectural company read: “The design for the new building represents a contemporary but contextual approach. By using natural timber cladding to the walls and roof of the new building, the contemporary architectural style and massing will sit comfortably within it’s rural setting at the edge of the New Forest.”

Cardiff to Host 2014 UEFA Super Cup

The 2014 UEFA Super Cup will be staged in Cardiff at Cardiff City Stadium.

The traditional clash between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League will be staged at the venue on Tuesday, August 12, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Jonathan Ford, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, said: “The Football Association of Wales is delighted Cardiff will be hosting this year’s UEFA Super Cup.

“Cardiff has hosted several high profile sporting events. This, however, is a first.

“This will be the first match staged on behalf of UEFA in the Welsh capital. We are sure it will not be the last.”

John Griffiths, Minister for Culture and Sport on behalf of the Welsh Government, added: “The UEFA Super Cup coming to Cardiff and Wales is another fantastic opportunity to showcase the capital city and our country.

“We are used to hosting major sporting events in this country. Rugby union and rugby league, football, cricket and speedway to name just a few. A UEFA Super Cup is another huge event.”