Blatter Allays Celtic Nation Fears Over British Olympic Side

President of soccer’s world governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter has reassured the Football Associations (FA) of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, by ensuring that the team’s international status would not be affected by their player’s potentially appearing for a Great Britain Olympic team. 

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is still hoping to include Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England in a Team GB side for the London 2012 Games. 

However, some of the nations have expressed fears of harming their independence in the sport were they to join forces in a Great Britain side, but Blatter has reassured the countries that no sanction would be put in place, should the countries merge for the Games. 

Blatter said: “The team will run under the denomination ‘British Olympic team’. The composition of this team, the FIFA has said, is absolutely free to the Olympic committee of GB and to the four British associations”. 

“It’s very clear. If they play, there is no sanction from the Fifa part.”

Future of Olympic Stadium Decision in March 2011

The battle continues between London soccer clubs West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur over who will be given the right to move into the Olympic Stadium post-2012. Sir Keith Mills, non-executive director of Tottenham believes that the clubs should know of the decision as early as March 2011.

The two teams must convince the Olympic Park Legacy Committee (OPLC) that they have not only the club’s, but the legacy of athletics in their interests.

Speaking to insidethegames, Mills stated: “By the end of March they should say which of us is the preferred bidder and which of us they will work with exclusively for, say, six months to try and execute a deal. And if not, they’ll go back to the other bidder.”

Whilst the majority of West Ham fans have welcomed the proposal, Tottenham Hotspur chairman David Levy faced a barrage of upset shareholders who feel the club should not be moved.

A vast majority of fans are backing an alternative plan to redevelop White Hart Lane and turn it from 36,000 into a state-of-the-art 56,000-capacity stadium that preserves the same atmosphere as now.

The concept, however, is highly unlikely at a cost of around US$625m as it is restricted by a number of issues, not least the prospect of the club being saddled with debt. Add to this the fact that horrendous public transport problems in and around Tottenham already reach breaking point on match days, let alone coping with another 20,000 spectators.This has seen the club gain an interest alongside fellow Londoners West Ham, in a much cheaper option of relocation.

Work Resumes at World Cup Stadium Following Worker Death

Work can begin again at 2014 World Cup Stadium Arena Amazones in Manaus where a worker fell to his death, media reports said.

Construction at the site partially resumed on Monday, although not at the roof where the 22-year-old worker fell 35 meters on Saturday after his protective cable snapped.

However, the public prosecutor’s office, which approved the resumption of construction, also ruled that there should be no further night work.

The victim – the second fatality at the Arena Amazonia this year – died as he prepared to finish a night shift.

An investigation into health and safety conditions at the site determined that main contractor Andrade Gutierrez had undertaken measures to improve safety, such as increased supervision of safety equipment and the stability of scaffolding.

Workers had threatened a strike after Saturday’s tragedy, the fourth to hit World Cup stadiums.

On November 27, two construction workers died at the stadium in Sao Paulo, which will host the June 12 opening match between Brazil and Croatia after a crane fell onto part of the stadium at it lifted a final piece of roofing into position.

Manaus suffered a first death last March when a 49-year-old man plunged to his death and there was also a fatality last year at the new stadium in Brasilia.

Euroleague Players Give Up Their Names in Support of One Team & Special Olympics

Spanoulis. Navarro. Diamantidis. Bogdanovic. Fernandez. Hines. Ajinca. Mirotic. 

Theirs are among the most-recognized names in basketball.

But you won’t see any of those names on court next Thursday or Friday in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

In the place where their names should be, the jerseys of all Turkish Airlines Euroleague players this week will read the same – One Team – to show their solidarity with Euroleague Basketball’s corporate social responsibility programme and the many needy communities it serves across Europe.

Rounds 6 and 7 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season will be dedicated to One Team’s support of long-time strategic partner Special Olympics and its global leadership role in using sport to promote social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.

Between November 21 and 29, in addition to the call to action by Euroleague players, arenas across Europe will welcome male and female Special Olympics athletes to center court, where One Team Ambassadors or team captains will read messages before each tipoff to increase awareness of the fight against exclusion that’s at the heart of both One Team and Special Olympics.

“When we talk about community, We Are One Team. Two-time Euroleague champion Kyle Hines of CSKA Moscow, a One Team Global Ambassador, said. We fight for one trophy, but no matter the colours on our uniforms we get together for our communities.”

Since 2009, Euroleague Basketball has been working to support the efforts of Special Olympics to change lives through the power of sport by empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. That collaboration was strengthened a year ago when Special Olympics became a Proud Partner of One Team, the programme through which 17 Euroleague Basketball clubs are reaching into their local communities to make a positive impact on social issues such as substance abuse, gender inequality, physical or intellectual disability and economic disadvantage.

“It goes without saying how proud Euroleague Basketball is to have a partner like Special Olympics that shares our goals and aspirations for One Team, namely to promote respect, acceptance and inclusion for excluded groups in our society,” Jordi Bertomeu, President and CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said. “Our relationship with Special Olympics has grown into a year-round collaboration, but these 24 games over two weeks are key to making our fans and international audience aware of these shared values and projects to help make a positive impact in local communities. I especially want to thank our teams and players, who once again are showing their strength and solidarity toward their communities by following this initiative of giving their names to One Team.” 

The two-week dedication of Turkish Airlines Euroleague games to the cause of inclusion will lead up to the celebration of the 10th annual Special Olympics European Basketball Week, which starts on November 30, and the International Day of People with Disability on December 3.

“Basketball Week is possible through the generosity and vision of Euroleague Basketball. It is a hugely important week in the Special Olympics calendar, with basketball being one of the most popular sports among our athletes at 58,000 players and growing,” Mary Davis, MD Special Olympics of Europe/Eurasia, said. “Because of its mass appeal, basketball brings those with and without intellectual disabilities together, breaking down barriers, changing attitudes and opening minds to the gifts and talents of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. Basketball has the power to change lives. Our goal is to reach 60,000 players by 2013 so that more players, families, coaches and spectators can enjoy the wonderful game of basketball and experience the benefits that this magnetic game brings.”

Philadelphia 76ers Hire Dan Hauser as SVP of Corporate Partnership

Sports industry executive Dan Hauser has been named Philadelphia 76ers new Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships.

In this role, site Hauser will oversee all sponsorship initiatives, viagra 100mg including strategy and new business, adiposity as well as the team’s television and radio partnerships. He will report to Chief Revenue Officer Chris Heck.

“Dan brings more than 30 years of experience to the table, and we’re thrilled to have an executive of his caliber on our team moving forward,” said Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil. “As a leader for Palace Sports & Entertainment, their many properties and the Detroit Pistons, Dan has proven himself to be insightful and progressive in driving new business for sponsors while providing outstanding customer service and value for current partners. He will be a dynamic leader in and around Philadelphia, helping to lead the charge of further integrating our team into the fabric of the business community.”

Hauser most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Palace Sports & Entertainment, where he was primarily responsible for wide-ranging sponsorship and advertising sales for the Detroit Pistons, Palace of Auburn Hills, DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival, Oakland University and several other properties and events. Under his leadership, the Pistons were consistently ranked among the top NBA teams in corporate sponsorship. 

Hauser worked his way through the ranks for Palace Sports & Entertainment, rising to Executive Vice President after serving as Vice president of Marketing, Director of Marketing and Sales, and Director of Sales and Promotion. He spent time in group sales after starting his career with the Pistons as a sales associate.

Guadalajara 2018 Youth Olympic Games Bid in Jeopardy after Debt Crisis

Guadalajara’s bid for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games is in doubt following reports that their debt from hosting the 2011 Pan American Games still remains.

The Head of the Guadalajara Pan American Games, abortion Carlos Andrade Garin, abortion admitted that 399 million pesos is owed to 12 vendors including 315 million to one venue builder.  However, pharmacy cheap the President of the the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), Mario Vazquez Rana, argued that the debt is much greater.

As a result of the debt issue, the Governor-elect of Jalisco Province Aristotle Jorge Sandoval declared that he would not provide the necessary government support for the Youth Olympic Games bid.

Currently, a team is assembled to prepare a bid book that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires in October from all cities interested in hosting the 2018 Games – and the Governor would be required to endorse the plans and their costs at that time.  Without his support, Guadalajara would be forced to drop out of the race.

This wouldn’t be the first time that the Mexican city has abandoned its pursuit of the Youth Olympics.  Two years ago the city bowed out of the race for the 2014 Games just days before the final election due to concerns that the effort to organize the Youth Olympics would be too great alongside preparations for the 2011 Pan Am Games.  Nanjing in China won the 2014 Youth Olympic Games bid.

Guadalajara is competing against Buenos Aires, Argentina; Medellin, Colombia; Glasgow, Scotland; Rotterdam, Netherlands and Poznan, Poland to host the Games.  Bid books are due October 15 and the election will be held July 2013.

London 2012 Media Center Future Not Certain

According to the Financial Times, advisers to London Mayor Boris Johnson are “examining the costs” of tearing down the Olympic international broadcast center after the games, threatening British PM David Cameron’s dreams of an east London “Tech City.”

The broadcast center cost £295M ($463M). The move comes amid a “tender competition between consortiums bidding to take over the whole media complex on a 99-year lease.”

A London Assembly report warned in ’10 that the complex “would have to be adapted” for use after the Games, and “a public contribution may be required.” At least one bidder has indicated it is “willing to absorb the conversion costs privately.” However, that may “affect the amount bidders are willing to pay” to lease the building

FIFA Reveal USD631m Profits Since ’07 and Places for Rio ’14

The world’s soccer governing body FIFA have announced a profit of US$631m over the last four years. FIFA’s financial report released yesterday, March 3, also revealed that 87 per cent of its $4.19bn turnover was generated by the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The report also confirmed that expenditure over the four-year period was $3.56bn, $105m over budget due to additional investments in soccer development and a $31m overspend on the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA’s annual profits have grown steadily from $49m in 2007 to $202m in 2010, while the ruling body’s reserves have reached $1.28bn.

Director of finance Markus Kattner stated: “FIFA is financially strong and dependent on the World Cup. This illustrates the necessity for FIFA to build up and have sufficient reserves to decrease its dependency on the World Cup.”

Additionally, FIFA announced that the places assured to each soccer region for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will remain the same as in 2010. Under that format, Europe is guaranteed 13 spots, Africa will have five, Asia will have four and Central and North America will have three.

South America – in addition to Brazil qualifying automatically as host – will have four spots. South America, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania were also given a half-berth, meaning one country from each region will qualify for a two-legged playoff series for an opportunity to advance as one of the final two qualifiers. The play-off series will be decided by an open draw in future, rather than pre-arranged pairings.

The FIFA Executive Committee also confirmed the host nations for a number of major youth international tournaments. The 2015 Women’s World Cup and 2014 Under-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged by Canada, the 2013 Under-20 World Cup will be hosted by Turkey and the 2015 Under-20 World Cup will take place in New Zealand.

It was also decided that the 2013 Under-17 World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates, the 2015 Under-17 World Cup will take place in Chile, the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup will be staged in Uzbekistan and the 2014 Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Costa Rica.

Venky’s Look to Strengthen Soccer Ties with Indian Academy

The group that have taken over at English Premier League soccer club Blackburn Rovers and quickly sacked manager Sam Alladyce, buy are looking to strengthen their involvement with soccer in their native India.

The Venkateshwara Hatcheries (VH) Group, is planning to set up a state-of-the-art football academy in Pune, the city where it is headqurtered. According to reports, the academy is likely to come up in a year’s time with former India skipper, Baichung Bhutia, at the helm of affairs in the academy with the support of foreign coaches who will run the academy.

“We will have the best football academy in the country and it will be in Pune for sure,” VH Group chairperson Anuradha Desai told the English daily, DNA on Tuesday. 

“We are likely to rope in Baichung Bhutia as chief selector and some assistance will be taken from an Englishman to run the academy.”

UCI launches iPhone app

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has launched an iPhone application, abortion becoming one of the first global sports federations to do so.

The application provides fans with all the latest results, health as well as news and press releases for all cycling disciplines.

In addition to this, herbal videos of UCI events containing highlights and interviews will be made available shortly after the end of events.

The application is free of charge and is available for download from the iTunes store.

The UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada from 31 August to 5 September will be the first event to benefit from the new application.