Scottish club, Glasgow Rangers have posted a loss of £7 million ($10.5m) for the last seven months of 2012.

Interim results to December 31 show revenue of £9.5m ($14.3m), with operating expenses of £16.6m ($25m). Cash in the bank at the turn of the year sat at £21.2m ($31.9m). In December, Rangers raised £22.2m ($33.4m) from its listing on the London Stock Exchange. 

In a statement, after the financial figures were published on Monday morning, Ibrox chief executive Charles Green said: “This has been a significant period in the club’s history, in which vital steps were taken to ensure the survival and rebuilding of one of the UK’s most venerable football institutions.”

He continued: “The priority for the company to date has been to stabilise the business and put in place solid financial foundations for the future. To this end, revenue streams have been enhanced, and costs cut. In addition, important strategic steps have been taken, such as the agreements now in place with Sports Direct, Puma and Blackthorn Cider.

“These achievements have been made whilst retaining the important fabric and structure of the club. We will continue to execute our growth plan, and investors and supporters can have confidence in the development of operations as the club progresses. Undoubtedly, challenges lie ahead but the club is now well equipped to meet them successfully.

“Above all, the club and its supporters are resolute in the belief that, both on and off the pitch, Rangers can look to the future with confidence and pride.”

Green’s consortium purchased the business and assets of Rangers last summer after the oldco was consigned to liquidation.

A further drop in overall operational costs is expected as part of further cost-saving initiatives. Rangers expect to report an operating loss at year end in accordance with the business plan and broader growth strategy.

Chairman Malcolm Murray reflected on “a period of extraordinary progress for the club.” He added in a statement: “These interim results cover the seven-month period to December 31 2012 and reflect the fact that the club is successfully rebuilding one of the UK’s most renowned football institutions.

“In my 30 years’ investment experience, I have never seen a business move from the liquidation of one company to another’s successful flotation in such a short space of time. This could only have been achieved by the outstanding efforts of management, staff, advisers and fans. This unity and sense of purpose has, rightly, been admired internationally.”

English Premier League team, Aston Villa have announced a reduced loss of £17.7million for the year ending May 31, 2012.

This compares with a deficit of £53.9m for the previous 12 months despite a fall in turnover of £11.6m.

Villa have attributed this reduction in turnover to a 16th-placed finish in the Premier League, fewer live TV matches, lower crowds – the average league attendance fell from 37,220 in 2010-11 to 33,873 – and early exits from both domestic cup competitions.

Operating expenses were reduced by £20.3m to £138.4m and player trading resulted in increased profit by £8.1m from £18.8m to £26.9m, with Ashley Young and Stewart Downing both sold during this period for a combined figure of around £35m.

Villa’s chief financial officer Robin Russell said: “By managing costs effectively, the club managed to cut losses by more than half during a period which continued to be challenging economically both globally and especially in the west midlands.

“In this respect, despite a disappointingly low performance level on the pitch in the 2011-12 season, these financial results represent a further step towards the club’s objective of long-term sustainability.”

Russell continued: “Having appointed Paul Lambert as manager in June 2012, he is building a youthful, progressive first-team squad and we continue to offer our season ticket holders and supporters in general some of the cheapest ticket prices in the Premier League.

“Our objectives remain to compete strongly on the pitch and to achieve sustainability as well as compliance with both UEFA’s and the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play requirements.”

International Canoe Federation (ICF) President Jose Perurena Lopez has been re-elected after he was the sole candidate for the position. 

“Thank you for your support, therapy ” said Perurena Lopez. “It’s an honour that you have entrusted me to continue to develop the sport for the next 4 years.

“We now need to focus and develop the sport further because we are now in competition with other sports. After the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the Sport Programme will change and we need to be ready.”

While the Treasurer Luciano Buonfiglio (ITA), shop Chairs, viagra order Frank Garner (Canoe Sprint), Jean-Michel Prono (Canoe Slalom), Jorn Cronberg (Canoe Marathon) and John Edwards (Sport for All) all went unchallenged and retained their positions.

Joao da Costa Alegre of Sao Tome Principe has also been elected 2nd vice-president of ICF after defeating Australian Richard Fox, by 52 votes to 40.

The election which was carried out during the 34th International Canoe Federation (ICF) Ordinary Congress was the most decisive of the positions up for election.

Elected to the position 4 years previously, Fox was seen by many as progressive on the evolution of the Olympic program and on improving the ICF’s position on gender equity. 

Da Costa Alegre may have benefitted from votes from the African, Asian and American continents, who are eager to have stronger continental representation on the ICF Executive Committee.

As soon as the results were announced Fox congratulated his opponent saying, “The ICF has significant challenges ahead, including improving opportunities for developing nations, and I wish Joao well in his new role on the Executive Committee.

“I would like to thank the President and my ICF colleagues for the opportunity of serving the ICF and I now look forward to supporting the development of canoeing in other ways and to promoting our sport”. 

One area Fox will be watching closely will be how the ICF develops a strategic approach to the future shape of canoeing in the Olympic program.

“Canoeing did exceptionally well at the London Olympics thanks to LOCOG’s organization and presentation, the sport now has a chance to modernize its approach to become even more attractive building on its successes by diversifying the events and opportunities”.

On his part da Costa Allegre said that he hoped to build on the good working relationship he has already with the Board saying, “I believe the ICF is changing and I hope that I can count on all of your support to bring about the developments necessary to transform the sport.

“The only thing I can promise is that I will keep working hard and after 4 years you can judge for yourselves the efforts that I have made,” concluded da Costa Alegre who is also the Vice President of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ANOCA).

With the course of South Africa’s sports and tourism industry’s set to be permanently altered at next week’s Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) conference (12-13 September), excitement is mounting ahead of this ground-breaking event.

A number of high profile international and local speakers will be taking full advantage of the international spotlight, whilst the National Sports Tourism Steering committee’s presentation of its 17 year strategy will also garner much interest as it promises to make an indelible impression upon the genesis of South Africa’s growth as popular mega-events destination. A limited number of spots are still available, details can be found online at www.sportsandevents.co.za.

Sponsored by CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports Sector Education and Training Authority), the SETE conference will be looking to providing a platform that will enhance the sport, tourism, and event industries in South Africa and shape and advance the country’s development as a sports tourism destination. Running alongside the conference is the SETE exhibition. As the only trade show of its kind in South and Southern Africa, the exhibition will feature in excess of 100 exhibitors, as well as a well-supported International Hosted Buyer’s (IHB) programme, exposing major local and international role-players to the excellent sporting facilities that exist in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

As one of 21 SETA’s (sector education and training authority) in South Africa, conference sponsors CATHSSETA are key partners in that they have a responsibility to facilitate skills development within South Africa by creating strategic partnerships to ensure a meaningful contribution to economic growth across sports tourism and other sectors. Mike Tsotetsi, CATHSSETA CEO, said that “the SETE conference platform attracts important decision makers and key industry stakeholders, and our involvement therefore ensures that we have the opportunity to promote our objectives by engaging with the relevant audience at a proven successful annual event”.

CATHSSETA’s primary aim is to create an environment that allows the youth better employment opportunities through skills development and training within the sports tourism industry, whilst also addressing the shortage of skills in critical areas. The ‘Tourism and Travel’ and ‘Sport, Recreation and Fitness’ sectors are respectively the 2nd and 4th largest within CATHSSETA’s scope, both benefitting from the facilitation of skills development of people (particularly those who were previously disadvantaged and living in rural areas) through the creation of strategic partnerships that will ensure a meaningful contribution to economic growth within these and other economic sectors.

Some of South Africa’s biggest travel and tourism companies directly benefit from CATHSSETA’s influences on the industry. Sharon Mason-Gordan of BCD Travel commented that “”as a country we are always looking for ways to find opportunities for the youth, and our partnership with CATHSSETA allows for implantation of projects that speak to this mandate”. According to Lynne Phipson of Thompsons, “we find that the combination of working with a training organisation at the same time as practically applying their training actually gives the student a better learning experience and is therefore employable”. Thembisile Dladla (Rennies) said that “learnerships and apprentices are the way to go because it is what we need. As employers we need workers who have the skills, the knowledge and experience to do the work, so it is beneficial to the both the learner and the employer”.

A feature of the conference will be the National Sports Tourism Steering committee’s presentation of its 17 year strategy, identifying the key international events that South Africa should bid for, as well as the domestic events that need governmental support, in order to grow the country’s sports tourism industry. According to Director for Business Development at TEPG and SETE Conference Director Sugen Pillay, “the conference is expected to have positive implications for the growth of the sports tourism industry in South Africa. The work undertaken by SASCOC and its partners over the past year in formulating a proactive plan that will identify the key international and domestic events that should be supported by government over the next 17 years will be a first for South Africa, and this bodes very well for the growth of the sector”.

In what may turn out to be one of the events of the year, the SETE Gala Dinner that will kick off the SETE conference and exhibition has been chosen by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) to celebrate the South African Olympic Teams successful London 2012 campaign. With a limited number of tickets still available (www.ucit.co.za), there is still an opportunity for Durban and KwaZulu Natal sports fanatics to share in a night of glitz and glamour with Durban-born Olympic gold and silver medalist Chad le Clos, multiple-SAMA winner Lira, Miss SA Melinda Bam, as well as a host of other sports celebrities. Autograph and photo opportunities for guests with athletes and personalities will also take place, allowing local, national and international businesses, sports fanatics, sponsors and supporters a chance to rub shoulders and share in the athletes’ experiences in London.

on Facebook, follow @SETE_ZA on Twitter. SETE support the inaugural South African Travel and Tourism Industry Conference (SATTIC, 2 – 4 September), a combined initiative of member associations of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).

The Sports and Events Tourism Exchange is hosted by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism KZN, and partnered by CATHSSETA, SASCOC and Tourism KZN.

Exhibition Details:

For those companies wishing to book a stand for this exciting event, please contact Trish on trish@tepg.co.za. Stands are limited!

Sports and Events Tourism Exchange 2012

12 – 14 September

ICC Durban

Entrance: FREE

Times: Wed 12 September & Thurs 13 September 09h00 – 17h00, Fri 14 September 09h00 – 14h00

Conference Details:

The two day SETE conference (12-13 September) which runs alongside the exhibition has attracted a line-up of high profile international and local speakers.

12 – 13 September 2012

Registration: Open on www.sportsandevents.co.za

Fee: R3500.00 excl VAT full package

R2000.00 excl VAT Day 1 Only

R1500.00 excl VAT Day 2 Only

Contact: Rene Staack on rene@tepg.co.za or Jenna Harper on jenna@tepg.co.za

PPTV have secured the broadcast rights to air the Scottish Premiership in China for the first time in a deal announced with MP & Silva and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

PPTV gets exclusive broadcast rights for more than 55 SPFL matches across all media platforms and devices, including television, mobile and Internet media platforms. Football fans in China can look forward to catching the Scottish Premiership.

Currently PPTV’s sports programs include Barclays Premier League, Liga BBVA and Chinese Super League football as well as basketball, tennis, golf and motor sports. 

Dr, Vincent Tao, CEO of PPTV said: “We’re pleased to be the first to showcase the Scottish Professional Football League in China, and is a great addition to our growing line-up of premium sports content. Football is one of the most watched sports on television, considering the rise of youth interest in the sport. We are excited about this new partnership and we look forward to working closely with SPFL and MP & Silva to contribute to the growing football fan base inChina.”

SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster added: “We are delighted to partner with PPTV to broadcast the new Scottish Premiership into China for the first time. They are the ideal partner to generate local interest in our League. China is a huge market for sports content. We are very pleased to now have a significant presence and to be doing business there. The move by MP & Silva to showcase SPFL football to a broadcaster reaching more than 60 million people is significant. We hope that this will open the door to further opportunities for the League and our Clubs.”

Golf Australia has announced the election of two new directors to the Board of Golf Australia.

The new directors are Robert Crosby and Dr Jill Spargo.

Robert spent more than 30 years at National Australia Bank in a variety of senior management positions.

He is a former Board member of Golf South Australia and has been actively involved in handicapping, prostate course rating, medic rules and amateur status committees at state and national level.

Jill is a medical practitioner based in Melbourne and has been a board member of Women’s Golf Victoria and Golf Victoria and served on a range of governance committees.

She is also a course design consultant for women’s golf for Ogilvy Clayton Golf Design.

Golf Australia Chairman John Hopkins said he was pleased to welcome the new directors.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome Robert and Jill to the Board,” Hopkins said.

“Robert and Jill have extensive grassroots experience in Australian golf, having worked at both club and state level in addition to their professional experience. Their knowledge will be a valuable asset to Golf Australia as we continue our work to increase participation and further grow the game.”

Golf Australia would like to thank outgoing Board members Anne Lenagan and Bruce Langford-Jones for their dedication and passion in their roles over several years.

With just a few days left to register, viagra sale the final agenda has been set for the ninth edition of the KPMG Golf Business Forum in Italy, ed 17-19 September, order 2012.

More than 200 investors, developers, golf course operators and tourism professionals from 30 countries will gather at the Renaissance Il Ciocco Tuscany Resort & Spa, Barga, for three days of networking, seminars and social gatherings.

Joining Sir Nick Faldo, hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and Jack Nicklaus II, plus Rio 2016 Olympic golf course designer Gil Hanse, are four prominent business and sport visionaries.

HSBC’s Group Head of Sponsorship, Giles Morgan, will present the findings of the ‘Golf’s 2020 Vision’ report, analyzing global trends shaping the future of golf, including the rise of Asia and the influence of women.

Also looking into the future will be KPMG’s Global Head of Innovation, Adam Bates, focusing on the opportunities businesses need to plan and prepare for, while mitigating emerging risks.

Sports marketing consultant Stuart Robertson, creator of Twenty20 Cricket, a format that transformed a staid, traditional sport into fast-paced, captivating entertainment watched by huge global TV audiences, will talk about how to engage people with sport.

Meanwhile Dana Garmany, founder and CEO of Troon Golf, will speak to CNN’s Don Riddell about the five-star hospitality and customer service ethics underpinning his golf course operations business’ global expansion.

Following on, Muriel Muirden from master planner WATG will lead a debate on ‘Back to the Blueprint’ and how golf courses and developments need to rethink their design and operations for the 21st century customer.

The three-day Golf Business Forum, with a special focus on opportunities in Italy and the Mediterranean, will also hear from leading European golf developers, including Zenon Eliades, creator of the acclaimed Elea Estate, Cyprus, featuring a Sir Nick Faldo designed golf course, and Ignacio Perez of La Zagaleta, near Marbella, one of the most exclusive gated residential communities in Europe. They will be joined by Ivan Jakov?i?, President of the Istria Region, looking at the potential for golf tourism in Croatia as part of the wider review on the Mediterranean region.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice in EMA, said: “At a time when the wider economic situation remains challenging and golf participation is under pressure, it will be the businesses that innovate and take advantage of evolving demand-side factors, driven by global social trends, that will prove successful.

“That’s why I’m pleased to welcome such influential thought leaders and speakers to this year’s Golf Business Forum, which I believe will be the most informed, insightful and forward looking to date, offering essential market intelligence for investors, developers and all golf businesses.”

For more information about the Golf Business Forum, and for final registration opportunities, visit: www.golfbusinessforum.com