World soccer’s governing body FIFA have attempted to cool talk of an early decision to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter months.

President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini are both keen supporters of the rescheduling proposal but the idea has not gone unopposed.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed bin Hammam has criticised ‘unnecessary’ talks to alter the plans of the bid at such an early stage and feels that Qatar can still host the event in the usual summer slot. US FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer is also against the plans.

In an emailed statement released on 20 January, FIFA revealed there were “no concrete plans” to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the summer to winter. This comes despite Blatter stating that a move to January was ‘likely’ earlier in the month.

Any potential move “would have to be initiated by the football association of Qatar and would have to be presented to the FIFA Executive Committee,” the governing body said.

Sports apparel maker Under Armour has agreed a multi-year partnership with NFHS Network, the nation’s leading high school sports media company, designating Under Armour the first Anchor Partner of the Network. 

The NFHS Network is the single online destination for watching boys and girls high school sporting events live and on demand from across the country so fans never have to miss a game.

As part of this multi-year partnership, Under Armour will receive a full slate of traditional sponsorship and digital media elements including in-game promotions and featured content, pre-roll video ads and integrated site takeovers.  Both Under Armour and the NFHS Network will work collaboratively to develop integrated and unique original programming and content opportunities.

“Under Armour is the brand of the next generation of great athletes. We are dedicated to partnering with the most innovative and authentic game-changers in team sports,” said Brian Cummings, VP of Team Sports, Under Armour. “Our partnership with the NFHS Network provides our brand with a unique and engaging opportunity to reinforce our commitment to the future of high school sports.”

By bringing together the NFHS, member state athletic associations, and high schools, the NFHS Network is a groundbreaking partnership that has generated significant results.  During the inaugural 2013-14 school year, the NFHS Network attracted more than 3 million unique viewers to watch live broadcasts of more than 28,000 events.  With coverage of 27 different boys and girls sports and activities, the NFHS Network is the largest destination for high school sports broadcasts in the country.

“For the first time ever, the NFHS Network is giving students, communities and extended families the opportunity to connect to high school sports through live digital video. Nearly 50 million Americans identify themselves as high school sports fans and nearly 8 million students participate in high school sports and activities. The NFHS Network strives to serve and support both the athletes and their fans,” said Andrew Saltzman, Chief Revenue Officer, NFHS Network. “There’s no better partner for us than Under Armour as their brand and products resonate so deeply with our audience.”

Assem Allam, owner of Hull City, has reiterated his stance to rename the club, despite holding talks with supporters who oppose his plans.

The Premier League newcomers are hoping to eventually change the team’s name from Hull City AFC to Hull Tigers, having previously described ‘City’ as a “lousy” and “common” word.

He believes this new identity will give Hull a better chance of generating revenue, particularly as the council own their ground, but many supporters are against the switch.

The ‘City Til We Die Group’ claimed they held “essentially positive” talks with Allam 10 days ago, but he has shown no signs of changing his stance.

A final decision is expected to be made early in 2014 and a club statement read: “Having been deprived of opportunities to acquire the stadium freehold, which would have enabled us to create the infrastructure in the surrounding area, we will now need to focus on generating commercial income from elsewhere.

“A shorter club name will hopefully enable us to do so, with a stronger, quicker marketing impact all over the world.”

The statement added that while Allam’s preference remains ‘Hull Tigers’, he will firstly find out whether there are financial benefits from making such a switch.

Allam also suggested that fans understood the need to generate new income, saying: “I believe the representatives at the meeting accepted that there is a wider issue at hand, in that we need to ensure the club can sustain itself through commercial income.”

Despite Tokyo entering the next stage for the bid for the 2020 Olympics there are reports that public support has dimmed.

Officials were taken aback by an IOC survey that showed public support was far below Japan’s own figures.

Japanese Olympic Committee Vice President Tomiaki Fukuda told a press conference Thursday, “support is not so favourable. The sports world must unite and lead the way to raise awareness”.

Tokyo included a survey in its application to the IOC showing that 65 per cent of respondents living in the city supported the bid, but a poll by the IOC found only 47 per cent supported it, 30 per cent had “no opinion”, and 23 per cent were opposed.

The other two Candidate cities, Madrid and Istanbul, had approval ratings of 78 and 73 per cent.

Ryuta Matsunaga, director of the 2020 bid promotion section said, “we don’t know how the IOC survey was carried out, so I can’t really comment about the difference (between the survey). What stands out are the 30 per cent with ‘no opinion’. We will focus our efforts on turning them into supporters”.

Meanwhile IOC President Jacques Rogge said Thursday that Japan’s wavering power supply is a concern for hosting the 2020 Games.

He said, “we know that the disaster of Fukushima has had an effect on the power supply, because nuclear power has been shut down and so in times of peak consumption there might be a shortage of power. The IOC will follow the evolution and we trust the Japanese will find a solution for that. They’re one of the most important economies of the world, so we believe they can handle that.”

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has announced they have secured a record-breaking amount of rights holding broadcasters to screen the Paralympic Games across the globe this summer culminating in a £10 million influx.

The broadcast deals will provide the Paralympic Games and Paralympic sport with the strongest worldwide broadcast coverage ever received, ensuring the widest possible audience can enjoy the Games. 

Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said: ‘On the back of record-breaking ticket sales, it is fantastic news that these deals will ensure that more people see the Paralympic Games then ever before. 

‘This is testament to the performances of the athletes who will come to London and put on something pretty special.’

Combined with an unprecedented level of exposure in the UK through Channel 4 and China’s largest national broadcasting network CCTV, the total worldwide broadcast deals will see a record £10 million in revenue generated from the sale of broadcast rights to the Paralympic Games – greater than for any previous Games.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: ‘As the world’s second biggest multi-sport event, all eyes will be focused on the Paralympic Games in London in 2012. 

‘The fantastic broadcast coverage we have agreed will help us take advantage of this opportunity to inspire disabled people of all ages to take up sport and be a catalyst for continued change in public attitudes towards disability.’

by Ismail Uddin

BV Sports, clinic the rights holder of the Indonesian Super League, drugs have hired sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media to distribute the global media rights to the country’s top-tier football league, outside of Indonesia.

The partnership starts with immediate effect and covers five seasons up until 2018. The current season launches into the play-off stages from 4 October 2014 and finishes with the final in November.

Infront will contribute its experience and network in marketing the sport on a global scale, acting as exclusive international media rights holder for the Indonesian Super League. The league features 22 clubs, including current champion Persipura Jayapura and runner-up Arema Indonesia, who both represented Indonesia in this year’s AFC Cup, with Persipura reaching the semi-finals. The league’s current format will deliver 250 matches per season, each of which will be produced and available for international distribution across all platforms.

Joko Driyono, CEO of Liga Indonesia, said: “The Infront Group has a unique heritage in football through its involvement across all levels of the sport, including partnerships with the world’s most successful federations and popular leagues. In addition, the company has an in-depth understanding of the Asian market and a sound, wide-reaching network. It is therefore the ideal partner for us to spread the awareness of Indonesian football, outside the territory and signal the rise of Indonesia as a football nation.”

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media, commented: “We thank the Indonesian Super League for trusting Infront’s expertise and capabilities to extend its presence and popularity outside its domestic market. Representing this promising football property, we will help to develop and leverage its growth potential both in Asia and beyond.

“Adding this major rights-in agreement, our Group is now raising operations in Asia to the next level of success. As we offer proven services and experience to all sports stakeholders in the market, we broaden our footprint toward the ultimate aim of connecting sport and fans on a global level.”

A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club have announced a strategic partnership with the Australian Turf Club that will see both organisations help to promote the other on game day and race day events.

Western Sydney Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman and Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Darren Pearce made the announcement at Rosehill Gardens in the heart of Western Sydney today.

Under the partnership both clubs’ purpose is to be among the business leaders of the region and grow spectator and sponsorship synergies.

Both clubs also aim to increase the profile of the sporting stars that make football and horse racing two of the most popular and highest participation spectator sports in the market week in and week out.

The Western Sydney Wanderers will also hold major events for the Sydney sporting and business communities at Rosehill Gardens, including a 500-plus guest Business Luncheon in early 2014.

Mr Gorman said this partnership is another example of the Wanderers connecting with the Western Sydney community.

“We’re pleased to link up with the Australian Turf Club; a great organisation with a strong base in Western Sydney,” Mr Gorman said.

“The Wanderers are always looking for opportunities that will either grow the club or provide benefits to our Members and our partnership with the Australia Turf Club ticks both of these boxes.

“This partnership is a great step forward for both the Wanderers and the Australian Turf Club and we look forward to working with them closely now and in the future.”

Mr Pearce said Rosehill Gardens in the heart of Sydney’s west was crucial to the success of The Australian Turf Club and there was ample opportunity for both clubs to help each other.

The ATC’s membership base, like the Western Sydney Wanderers, is continuing to grow.

“The business networking opportunities between each other’s corporate partners alone is good reason for us to join forces,’’ Mr Pearce said.

“Western Sydney is very passionate about not only sport in general, but also horse racing, and remember it is home to the richest and most sought after two year old races in the world.

“We are delighted to partner with an organisation of the calibre of the Western Sydney Wanderers and look forward to many years of enjoying each other’s entertainment and events.’’

Troon Golf, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing has announced the appointment of Kris Strauss as vice president, sales & marketing, based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Scottsdale Ariz.

In his new role, Strauss will have sales and marketing oversight of resort and daily-fee properties and will be charged with continuing to develop new strategic partnerships that create rounds and revenues for Troon Golf-managed facilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kris back to Troon and believe he is the perfect fit for our team,” said Ryan Walls, senior vice president, operations, sales & marketing. “Kris is very well respected in the golf industry and we are confident that his experience, creativity and leadership will play a pivotal role in helping to achieve our sales and marketing goals.”

Strauss was previously the vice president of sales and marketing for OB Sports Golf Management. Prior to that, he served in various sales & marketing leadership positions for Troon as a corporate sales and marketing manager. 

Gerardo Werthein, ailment Argentine National Olympic Committee (ANOC) President, clinic has suggested the Buenos Aires bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games will help accelerate a grass-roots revolution of sport and culture across the nation.

“If you build based on the kids, you have a foundation,” Werthein said while attending the SportAccord Convention here in Quebec City this week.

Werthein, an Equestrian athlete, took charge of Argentina’s NOC in 2009 after having a successful business career in finance and telecommunication – and he brought a vision to the organization that had been caught in a downward spiral.

His long-term view was to invest heavily in sport “to build a better society.”

To do this he knew he had to involve the government and sell them on the idea. It worked – in 2009 his NOC had a total budget of $300,000 (USD), now, through public funding he has access to $40 million (USD).

Werthein has invested in several initiatives designed to include young people in sport development and to build a new generation of leaders who can add management skills, governance and transparency from the athletes’ point-of-view.

He has helped integrate sports education and Olympism in schools as part of the curriculum and has set up scholarships for young athletes; one recipient has been an 8-year-old gymnast.

Buenos Aires staged a failed bid for the 2004 Olympic Games, but in order to get more involved in the Olympic movement the city won a bid to host a high-profile International Olympic Committee (IOC) session to be held in September 2013.  Argentina is also preparing to bid for the 2019 Pan Am Games with San Luis and Rosario seeking election in a domestic campaign.

But winning the Youth Olympic Games is an important goal for Werthein.

“The Youth Olympic Games fits the process going on in Argentina.”

He said that Buenos Aires 2018 would be cost effective because many of the venues are already built, and there are plans to construct a privately funded Olympic Village.  And he believes that the city is an appropriate venue to host the youth of the world.

“It will be a cultural experience.  [Buenos Aires] is a city that is able to take the kids and send them back safe.”

He hopes that Argentina can win the Games to “shape a generation.”

Birmingham Airport, a expected hotspot for the 2012 games, has become the first airport to to receive London 2012 Olympic rings.

The two sets of Rings placed on either side of the Airport’s new Air Traffic Control Tower will not only be observed by visitors flying in but at 28 metres high also overlook the airfield and can be seen from the main road between Coventry and Birmingham. The white Rings are internally lit so can be seen at night. Each individual ring is 2.13m in diameter and each set of the five rings is 3.15m by 6.82m in size. 

The Rings, which have been privately funded by Birmingham Airport, was launched at a special event hosted by radio presenter Joanne Malin. Olympic and Paralympic Gold medallists Edwin Moses and Lee Pearson were also in attendance. Entertainment performances will come from a string quartet from London 2012 Festival participant, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, as well as London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project Dance Sansaar, a local Punjabi folk arts group.

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair said: “The Olympic Rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport. To visitors travelling to the UK they will excite and inspire them about the Olympic Games taking place in London, and demonstrate that we are ready to welcome the world in 2012.”

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport CEO added: “The Olympic Games are for the entire country, not just London. Every visitor, passengers and passerby will see our welcome spectacular and we’re really proud to be part of such a historic occasion.

“Both the Jamaican and US Olympic Track and Field teams are training in Birmingham prior to the Games and the neighbouring city of Coventry will host several football matches. 

“The Midlands region will have a big role to play during the Olympic and Paralympic Games so we want everyone flying into Birmingham for the occasion – whether they’re athletes, spectators, officials or member of the world’s media – to have a special welcome.”

Edwin Moses, Olympic gold medallist commented: “Seeing the Games celebrated in such an iconic way will be a great inspiration to the athletes training in the region. Knowing that people from across the UK are excited about the summer of sport ahead is great. I’m looking forward to seeing the whole country celebrating the athletes’ success in their own ways later this year.”

Birmingham Airport have also unveiled London 2012 branding in and around the airport including displays of pictograms representing the Olympic and Paralympic sports, and the London 2012 Games motto ‘Inspire a Generation’.

by Ismail Uddin