Ireland Contemplating 2023 Rugby World Cup Bid

Irish Minister for Transport, viagra 40mg Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar will meet soon with the IRFU to decide if Ireland will make a bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Varadkar’s very public declaration of support for the project is likely to give significant impetus to the Union’s ambitions. Government support would be essential to a bid given that Japan had to guarantee the 2019 World Cup to the tune of €115million ($152m) and that is likely to increase by 10% for the 2023 staging. One senior source has said: ”The Minister wants to see it happen but would first need to see if it is feasible.”

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has confirmed that the project has been considered: ”Coming back from New Zealand and seeing what they were able to do there, we (the IRFU) said it would be worth looking into. If the Government don’t get involved though, then it won’t happen.”

The IRFU have until February 2013 to formalise a bid for 2023 with the 2015 global rugby event being held in England and 2019 in Japan. Though top political support would be invaluable, a source close to Minister Varadkar said that ”any initiative would have to be led by the IRFU.” Importantly, Mr. Varadkar’s relations with the IRFU are far warmer than those that existed during the rein of his predecessor, Eamon Ryan. The Minister has in the past admitted to being ”a closet Leinster fan” who also played ”very bad rugby as a child but continued to keep an interest.”

Top level sources have stated that, unlike Gay Mitchell’s famous suggestion that the Olympics could be held in Dublin, the current situation is completely different in that Ireland already has the stadia and infrastructure required to host such a huge event. The IRFU spokesperson also added that the success of the recent New Zealand World Cup ”proves small countries can hold such an event.” They noted that when it comes to grounds we ”already have the Aviva Stadium and the RDS, Croke Park has been used for rugby in the past, Ravenhill is currently being refurbished and there are a number of other historic grounds around the country including Limerick’s Thomond Park.” If the GAA got on board, with stadia like Semple Stadium Thurles and Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork due to be refurbished; Ireland wouldn’t need other Celtic nations (or England) to host some games.

A World Cup attracts hundreds of thousands of visiting fans, 2,500 international media and up to 5,000 corporate and VIP guests throughout the competition. It is believed that the 2007 Rugby World Cup brought in over 450,000 additional visitors to France and delivered a total economic impact of over €4billion ($5.3bn).

by Ismail Uddin

Bin Hammam questions Sunday Times reports

Asian Football Confederation president and Fifa executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam has condemned an undercover investigation into World Cup bidding as “unethical”.

Two Fifa executive committee members, Nigeria’s Amos Adamu and Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii, have been suspended pending a Fifa ethics committee hearing after allegations in the Sunday Times that they asked for money for projects in return for World Cup votes.

The ethics committee are also investigating separate allegations that Qatar’s 2022 bid has colluded with the Spain/Portugal 2018 bid, which is forbidden by bidding regulations.

Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Qatari president of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of the executive committee which will vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts, questioned the fairness of the newspaper’s investigation.

His remarks will increase concerns that England’s 2018 bid may suffer from a backlash by Fifa members unhappy at the scrutiny from the British media, with the BBC’s Panorama also planning a report on the process.

Bin Hammam said on his website: “Forging identity, fabricating evidence and setting traps are unethical behaviours in my point of view.

“One thing about Middle East media, these are rare happenings there. Is it ethical to use unethical measures to protect the ethic?

“How can we serve justice and look for fairness by not acting justly and fairly? How will we clean dirty laundry by using dirty water?”

The collusion allegations are likely to be dismissed later this month, though Adamu and Temarii could face sanctions, and Bin Hammam echoed Fifa president Sepp Blatter in conceding it was a mistake to have the 2018 and 2022 votes on the same day, 2 December.

Bin Hammam said: “We all underestimated the passion for the game around the world; we miscalculated how much football has influence over the feelings of people.

“By admitting that mistake, Fifa executive committee members realised how much it is impossible to demand from their member associations not to talk to each other about their bid.

“President Blatter said in the meeting: ‘out of the nine bidding nations, eight of them have representatives in the Fifa ex co and all of them are friends. How can I ask them not to talk or discuss issues about the World Cup bid?”

Bin Hammam added: “The World Cup is the largest business of Fifa. Collusion will always have a chance to happen as far as two bids will be decided together, but we all pray that no corrupted collusion will find its way to the bids.”

Bin Hammam also revealed it was Uefa president Michel Platini who made the decisive intervention to prevent the 2022 vote being postponed until next year when he told last Friday’s meeting “we cannot change the rule of the game during the game”.

BBC Northern Ireland Inks New Deal to Air Ulster Matches in PRO12

BBC Northern Ireland have announced today that they have secured a new four-season deal to provide live coverage of Ulster’s matches in rugby’s Guinness PRO12.

Sky Sports are new partner broadcasters, along with BBC Wales, S4C, BBC Alba, BBC Scotland, TG4, with discussions for an Italian broadcaster ongoing.

In the league section of the PRO12, BBC NI will have live coverage on BBC Two NI of all Ulster’s home and away matches not selected for broadcast by Sky. Those matches that Sky do select will be live on BBC Radio Ulster. BBC NI has also secured live TV coverage of any play-off match, including the final, involving Ulster.

Peter Johnston, Director BBC NI said: “I am delighted that we have secured these rugby rights. Live Friday night Ulster rugby has proven to be very popular with a wider viewing audience at home, with the games regularly being amongst the most watched programmes on BBC Two in Northern Ireland.”

John Feehan, CEO, Guinness PRO12, commented: “I am delighted to be renewing our on-going and very successful relationship with BBC NI. They have significantly contributed to a huge increase in the popularity of rugby in Northern Ireland with first class coverage of the Ulster games over the last number of seasons. We very much look forward to building on this successful relationship and showcasing the Guinness PRO12 week in, week out, on both radio and TV in Northern Ireland.”

Shane Logan, Chief Executive, Ulster Rugby, says: “There is now more interest in rugby in Ulster than ever before and that is thanks in many ways to the excellent coverage that BBC Sport NI has given the sport in recent years. The large viewing figures reflect the excitement that PRO12 rugby generates but are also testament to the comprehensive and insightful coverage that the BBC Sport NI team provide. I am extremely pleased that BBC Sport NI has extended its successful partnership with PRO12 rugby and I look forward to many more Ulster Rugby matches on both television and radio in the coming seasons.”

International Basketball Expo Confirmed for Geneva 2014 International Sports Convention

The International Basketball Expo has been confirmed as one of Eighteen events at the Geneva 2014 International Sports Convention. 

The International Basketball Expo is the world’s platform for Basketball to develop as a business and as a sport. Staged at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva on the 10th and 11th of December 2014. Geneva 2014 is world’s largest sports convention. 

The conference program features world-class speakers, leaders and panel discussions.  With a confirmed FIBA Exhibition Zone, the International Basketball Expo will provide opportunities to network with the big names of International Basketball. All exhibitors have access to all delegates and visitors from all 18 events, giving even more business synergies and business development opportunities. 

The International Basketball Expo is of interest to the entire industry. Federations, clubs, agents, players and facilities and equipment suppliers will all be involved; making the International Basketball Expo THE stage for Business Growth, Networking and Development. 

200 Speakers, 4000 delegates and 10’000m2 of exhibition space are the key numbers. 

The organisers, Sports Development Marketing, have expertise from staging world leading sports conferences and exhibitions. Based in the International Olympic capital, Lausanne, Sports Development Marketing focus on ensuring business, networking and learning is achieved. 

To Contact the organisers, find out more, and Get Involved, visit the official website, or connect via telephone or e-mail. 

Event Webiste : www.internationalbasketballexpo.com
www.geneva2014.com, www.internationalsportsconvention.com 

Telephone:  00 41 216 016 754

Email: info@sdmworld.com

Nike Reveals Two New Vice President Appointments

NIKE, doctor Inc. have announced today two new Vice President appointments. 

Craig Cheek, 51, has become the new Vice President of Men’s Training overseeing the company’s training, baseball and football businesses, including managing Nike’s important relationship with the NFL.

Cheek, a veteran of the company for more than 20 years, held several key roles during his career, including VP & GM of Nike’s Young Athletes business and VP & GM of the Greater China and North America geographies.

While Reenie Benziger will assume the role of Vice President of Young Athletes, overseeing strategy and driving growth to support the company’s key categories around the world. Benziger, 49, has been with the company for four years, first as Senior Vice President of Retail at Hurley, then as Director of Global Merchandising for Nike’s Direct to Consumer business, and most recently, as Vice President of Sport Apparel. Prior to working for Nike, Benziger was the lead merchant at PacSun, and also held various leadership roles in product creation during her 17 years at Gap Inc.

Both Cheek and Benziger will report to Jayme Martin, the VP & GM of Global Categories for NIKE, Inc.

Rotterdam To Bid For 2018 Summer Youth Olympics

Dutch city Rotterdam are prepared to battle it out with Buenos Aires in Argentina, denture Glasgow in Britain, viagra 100mg Medellín in Colombia and Guadalajara in Mexico for the rights to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games

The bid is expected to arrive before tomorrow’s deadline, although the capital, The Hague, rather than Rotterdam been assumed to be preparing a campaign. Andre Bolhuis, the President of the Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) said: “We are pleased to have such an enthusiastic partner for this beautiful event as Rotterdam.”

If successful, it would be the first time the Netherlands have hosted the event since Amsterdam in 1928. Antoinette Avenue, the Rotterdam Councillor with responsibility for sports, recreation, arts and culture added:

The Netherlands has only ever hosted the Olympics once before, at Amsterdam in 1928, despite having competed in every Summer Games since London 1908.

“By bidding for this event we hope to motive and inspire people, both abroad and in the Netherlands

“It is a chance to discover and come into contact with other cultures and have fun together.

“These Olympics provide a great opportunity for our city.”

Tokyo to Improve 2020 Bid after Lessons Learned form Failed 2016 Bid

Tokyo are using the lessons learned form their failed 2016 bid to improve their bid for the 2020 Olympics.

“We have worked hard to improve the plans we presented in 2016, abortion and to make sure that they are fully integrated with the city and its people, buy ” Tokyo 2020 president and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said Thursday.

Tokyo submitted its bid to host the 2020 Olympics on Monday, bronchi delivering the file to the International Olympic Committee’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, two days before a Feb. 15 deadline.

A major improvement of the 2020 bid is that the main Olympic stadium will be in the center of the city as opposed to the 2016 plan for a pier on the Tokyo waterfront, which the IOC deemed as too inaccessible.

Tokyo, which hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, is up against Doha, Qatar; Istanbul, Turkey; Madrid; and Baku, Azerbaijan.

In a move that could benefit Tokyo, Rome scrapped its bid on Tuesday with the Italian government saying it can’t supply the required financial backing at a time of economic crisis.

“That Rome has withdrawn was a surprise and I can sympathize with how difficult that was,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Masato Mizuno said. “Luckily, Tokyo has been given the support of the national government.”

The proposed new 80,000-seat main stadium would be built on the same site as the main stadium for the 1964 Olympics.

As with its 2016 campaign, Tokyo is promising a compact bid for 2020 with 28 of the proposed 31 competition venues within an 5-mile radius of the Olympic and Paralympic Village.

Tokyo is promoting its 2020 bid as a symbol of Japan’s recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that left over 15,000 people dead or missing on Japan’s northeast coast.

The IOC will study the bids and decide in May whether to retain all the candidates or pare the list. The IOC will select the 2020 host city at a meeting in Buenos Aires in September 2013.

by Ismail Uddin

Jordaan confirms FIFA committee interest

South Africa’s World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan has put himself forward for a seat on FIFA’s executive committee.

Jordaan confirmed he will stand in an election for a place on football’s highest body at the African Football Confederation conference in Sudan in February.

The former LOC chief executive pointed out key organisers from recent World Cups have been voted onto the commitee, but maintained he is not overconfident despite the success of Africa’s first tournament.

“Elections are a strange thing … we shall see,” Jordaan told AP.

“The World Cup profile is a big help,” he said. “It is important for me that Africa feels I can make a contribution.”

Two of the four African places on the executive committee, including the one held by suspended Nigerian official Amos Adamu, are up for re-election next year.

Nominations for the posts close on November 23 – three months before the election at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) congress in Khartoum, Sudan.

Jordaan, who is targeting a place on the Fifa executive committee as well as the CAF executive, is the first to make his candidacy public.

Digi Sport Acquire Premier League Rights in Czech Republic

Broadcaster Digi Sport has secured English Premier League broadcast rights in Czech Republic.

Digi Sport has reached an agreement to cover the Premier League and in the Czech Republic. Its two channels Digi Sport 1 and Digi Sport 2 will be distributed by O2 TV, tadalafil which holds the exclusive cable, IPTV and DTT rights.

Last season, coverage of the Premier League was offered by the channels Slovak Sport 1 and Slovak Sport 2.

The Premier League will also be available on Digi Sport via DTH, on the Digi TV platform in the Czech Republic and Magio Sat, which is operated by Slovak Telekom, in Slovakia.

Former ICC Chief Haroon Lorgat Joins Cricket South Africa as CEO

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled Haroon Lorgat as its new CEO with the former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief set to take up the position from 1 August 2013.

The decision was made on Saturday when the Board of Directors interviewed the short-list candidates and made their final choice. 

“The process may have taken longer than we originally anticipated, order sale | ” said CSA President Chris Nenzani. “But we are delighted both with the final outcome and the quality of the candidates. I am particularly pleased with the rigorous process that was followed to produce an outstanding candidate.

“Haroon’s CV is almost unique in that he has played as a first-class cricketer, is a world-class administrator and is a highly experienced businessman. CSA can consider itself fortunate to have found a person with so many all-round strengths to lead the organisation forward. 

Lorgat used to be the CEO of the ICC. His role spanning from 2008 – 2012. Since then he was working with Sri Lanka Cricket as a consultant.

“During his tenure as the ICC CEO he did a sterling job to ensure the viability of all three formats of the game at a time when the longer forms were under threat. He can also be proud of having delivered what many claim to be the best ever ICC Cricket World Cup on the sub-continent in 2011 despite challenging logistical issues.” 

Mr. Lorgat commented: “I am very happy to be back home where I started my professional and administrative career in cricket. I hope I can use my experiences from my time as CEO of the ICC to the benefit of South African cricket. 

“I am grateful to the CSA Board for having expressed confidence in me and I now look forward to working with the Board to make the South African cricket product amongst the best in the world.”

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