An umbrella group of German conservation organisations has withdrawn from a commission evaluating the Munich 2018 Winter Olympic Games bid, saying the plans are environmentally irresponsible.

The German nature conservation ring (DNR) represents 96 environmental groups and has claimed that the bid’s plans to host part of the Games in nearby Garmish-Partenkirchen would damage the environment.

DNR general secretary Helmut Roescheisen said: “We consider, after careful examination of the bid files and two long talks with leading bid representatives, that the hosting of the Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with its narrow valleys and its ecologically important areas is irresponsible.

“There is just far too much infrastructure work involved, what with the athletes village, the media village, even the expansion of the skiing slopes, that we just cannot be part of this commission and are dropping out of it.”

Head of the Munich 2018 supervisory board, Michael Vesper, has rejected DNR’s claims, saying: “The vision for an environmentally friendly Games has in no way failed. Quite the opposite.

“This is the the most ambitious environmental concept for an Olympic bid in decades. We will continue working to convince the critics.”

Munich is up against PyeongChang (South Korea) and Annecy (France) to host the 2018 Games. A decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next July.

World Archery has announced an extension to their television rights deal with Lausanne-based global niche-sports rights specialist, doctor Broadreach Media, advice for the Indian subcontinental Asia and Russian territories. 

The renewal represents the first extension of the initial deal signed between the two parties early this year.

In this region, drugs India’s growing strength in archery yielded a haul of 9 medals in World Archery major events in 2013, achieving medal-winning success in all 4 preliminary rounds and finals of this year’s World Archery Cup series.

Tom Dielen, World Archery Secretary General commented: “India is definitely a key market for archery in terms of participation across the country and strong results at the top level. Following on an extensive grass-root program for the last 10 years, they have recently launched a national series of events that gave yet another boost for archery in the country. It is a market where we see a strong potential growth for archery on television and other media outlets. We have been pleased with the expert advice of Broadreach Media since we started our partnership and together we are looking forward to reaching new heights in India and other countries in the region.”

Steven Morris, Director of Broadreach Media Europe said: “Asian broadcasters, particularly those in India, are searching actively for additional sports properties to cricket, that the Indian public finds absorbing.  A key factor of a sport’s engagement potential is its medal-winning success and hence, the emerging talent in India bodes well for World Archery’s continuing growth on the subcontinent.”

The next major World Archery event will be the World Archery Indoor Championships in Nimes, France on 25 February 2014.

Soccerex is excited to announce that the CEO of the 2013 African Cup of Nations Local Organising Committee, sale pills Mvuzo Mbebe, will be speaking on the ‘Delivering the Cup of Nations; Hosting Africa’s Premier Football Event’ conference session at the Soccerex African Forum in Durban, 23-24 October.

The African Cup of Nations is the premier football event in Africa and provides its host nation with a variety of logistical and sporting challenges to face. In this session, Mr. Mbebe, along with other industry experts, will examine the challenges faced by the organising committee, looking specifically at the preparations for next year’s tournament. With the draw of the tournament taking place on the evening of the last day of the African Forum, this session will be of huge interest and importance to all of the attendees.

Mr. Mbebe is a former senior executive within the SABC media group and has a substantial background in the business of sport, currently serving as secretary general of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA). He was the first Chef De Mission of the South African team to attend the All Africa Games in 1995, part of the management team for the first South African teams to attend the Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 1994 and a director for the 7th All Africa Games Organising Committee in 1999.

Speaking on Mr. Mbebe’s involvement, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said:

“It is fantastic that Mvuso has decided to speak at the Soccerex African Forum. As CEO of the 2013 African Cup of Nations he will be able to provide an expert analysis on South Africa’s preparations to host the tournament. With the draw taking place on the evening of the last day of the Forum, the session will bring together all of the federations and coaches from across the continent.”

Modern Times Group (MTG), order the international entertainment group, has retained its exclusive live media rights to UEFA Champions League football in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, from the start of the 2015/2016 championship until the end of the 2017/2018 championship.

MTG is the first broadcaster in Europe to secure the UEFA Champions League media rights for this period. The rights are platform neutral and include, but are not limited to, coverage on Free-TV, Pay-TV, mobile devices and the Internet.

The rights include the annual UEFA Super Cup match in August between the winners of the previous year’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, from 2015 to 2018.

MTG operates four free-TV channels in Sweden, two in Norway (a third free-TV channel – TV6 – will be launched on 21 November), and three in Denmark. In total, the Group offers nine premium pay-TV sports channels in Scandinavia, all of which can also be viewed in high definition. Sports content is also offered on the Viaplay online pay-TV service, which is available on internet connected devices such as personal computers, tablets, smart phones and smart TVs.

MTG already holds the exclusive broadcasting rights to the UEFA Champions League until the end of the 2014/2015 season and is the only broadcaster anywhere to have had all rights through the complete history of the tournament, since the start in 1992.

The rights have been acquired via TEAM Marketing, which is UEFA’s worldwide agent for the exploitation of commercial rights to the UEFA Champions League.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, President and CEO of MTG, commented: “The UEFA Champions League is simply the world’s number one international club football championship, and is massively popular with football fans in Scandinavia and around the world.

“It is therefore a great moment for us to continue to be able to bring our viewers and customers the very best in international football for what will be 26 straight years! We have built a highly successful partnership with UEFA and TEAM and look forward to building this brand and tournament further for three more years.”

Sporting Park will host the U.S. Men’s National Team on Oct. 11 in the team’s final home qualifying match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday. 

The United States returns to Sporting Park to play Jamaica, live on the ESPN family, WatchESPN and UniMas. Kickoff time and ticket information will be released at a later date. 

“Sporting Park has become a great venue for all fans and the U.S. National Team,” Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said. “The energy and noise here is unrivaled and the atmosphere for the World Cup Qualifier on October 11th will be incredible. We are honored to be a destination site for U.S. Soccer in their quest for the 2014 World Cup.” 

“From an energy point of view, it’s one of the best venues in the United States,” U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “The stadium itself is a piece of art. It’s thrilling just to be in that facility.”

Sporting Park, home to Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City, will host the U.S. Men’s National Team for the third time since opening in June 2011. The state-of-the-art, $200+ million venue will also host the 2013 MLS All-Star Game on July 31.

England Rugby 2015 has appointed Neil Snowball into the new position of rugby operations director in a restructure of the organisation.

Snowball worked as head of sport for the London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) and he will head up the division responsible for staging the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Chief Executive Debbie Jevans, who took up her own post on October 29 after she too was recruited from LOCOG, has split the organisation into two departments – rugby operations and business operations.

The restructure means there is no place at ER2015 for Ross Young, the chief operating officer who has worked on the delivery of the last three Rugby World Cups.

Young has left ER2015 with immediate effect along with marketing and communications general manager, Jon Duckworth. The recruitment of a director-level replacement for Duckworth has begun.

Jevans said: “The Rugby World Cup draw on December 3 marked a step-change for ER2015, from a planning to an operational phase.

“ER2015 needs a structure that reflects that change and ensures more direct focus on the delivery of the tournament, clearer reporting lines and accountability, and better defined business operations that reflect our changing priorities.”

Snowball’s arrival continues the overhaul of ER2015 leadership, which began when Andrew Coslett replaced Martyn Thomas as chairman, initially on an interim basis, last December.

Since then Jevans has been brought in from LOCOG to replace Paul Vaughan as chief executive and she has acted quickly to restructure the business and recruit Snowball.

Soccerex is delighted to announce that Nic Coward, the English Premier League General Secretary, will be speaking on the ‘League Governance and Development’ session at the inaugural Soccerex African Forum in Durban, 23-24 October.

The domestic game across Africa has grown and developed in recent years but still has far to go. As General Secretary, Mr. Coward will be able to give an expert insight into how one of the most successful leagues in the world of sport is run. Along with senior representatives from other major leagues, the session will provide a detailed analysis of how the Premier League and others like the PSL, address the governance challenges common to all, and provide insights into what routes African federations might adopt in order to develop their professional football leagues.

Mr. Coward’s first involvement with football was as a lawyer for the Football Association, brought in to modernise its governance. He subsequently spent eight years at the FA in charge of its corporate and legal affairs, events and football administration, and including two periods as acting Chief Executive in 1999 and 2002. He was also a director at the old and new Wembley. Before joining the Premier League, he spent four years as the first Chief Executive of a new governing and regulatory body for horse racing, overseeing major changes in the second biggest spectator sport in Britain as it successfully responded to Government criticism.

Commenting on his involvement Nic Coward said:

“It is great to be involved in the Soccerex African Forum. We are looking forward to the opportunity to share experiences at such an exciting time for football across Africa.  Every country is different, but the issues we face are largely the same. Hopefully, the Premier League story will have something in it to help all leagues and federations, and Governments and commercial partners, as they continue to grow. ” 

Speaking on the announcement,  Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: 

“We are delighted that Nic will be speaking at the Soccerex African Forum. It is great to have the support from the Premier League. Nic’s expertise and experience will be key to the session and offer the attendees a great insight into league governance and development.”

A-League’s Central Coast Mariners’ financial struggles have been eased following a major cash injection from current investor Mike Charlesworth.

Discussions involving Charlesworth, club chairman Peter Turnbull and Lyall Gorman, a major shareholder in the Mariners and also executive chairman of Western Sydney Wanderers, concluded late today with agreement in principal reached, with papers set to be signed on Friday.

The agreement will see Charlesworth, an existing major investor, make a substantial fresh investment into the Mariners.

The injection of funds will allow the immediate payment of players, coaches and staff. In addition, the funds will allow the Mariners to implement business plans to continue the growth of the club.

Mariners Chairman Peter Turnbull has welcomed today’s agreement and thanked his fellow investors for working towards a sustainable future.

“Mike, Lyall and I have always placed top priority on the good of the Mariners and Central Coast football,” said Turnbull.

“The club is an integral part of the Central Coast region and we are determined to build a strong and stable club.

“In particular, I pay tribute to Lyall for his achievements in establishing the club. This agreement will see Lyall sever his formal ties with the Mariners, but he’ll always have a special place in the club.”

Turnbull has hailed the new investment by Mike Charlesworth as a turning point.

“Mike is a football man, like the rest of us, and he has a great passion for the game and the Mariners. Today’s agreement means the Mariners legacy will only get stronger.”

After a successful three-year stint as Perth Glory chief executive Paul Kelly has resigned from his position.

Kelly, appointed in January 2010, will officially end his time at the A-League club on January 2, 2013.

The football administrator said it was a fitting time to allow another individual to steer the club into a new direction.

“It’s three years to the day that I gave (Glory owner) Tony Sage a commitment to assist the game I love,” Kelly said.

“I feel now is the right time to hand the reins over.

“The club was on its knees three years ago but Perth Glory can now look to future with real positivity.

“I’m also satisfied with the exceptional community and development program we developed.”

Chairman and owner Sage said Kelly would still remain involved with Perth in an advisory role.

The Perth chief endured a difficult beginning to his tenure in the role, presiding over a disastrous 2010-11 season that finished with the club doing a major review of all their operations both on and off the field.

During this period, the club unceremoniously sacked former coach Dave Mitchell from a director of football role, while former marquee man Robbie Fowler walked away from a handshake agreement to play the 2011-12 season with the team.

But from that period onwards, Kelly and owner Tony Sage have turned the Glory’s fortunes around, seeing the team make the Hyundai A-League Grand Final last season, where they controversially lost to Brisbane Roar.

The club is also believed to be one of the frontrunners for David Beckham’s signature after his contract finished at LA Galaxy last weekend.

It is has been reported Glory deputy chairman Lui Giuliani will take over from Kelly, with Giuliani having previously performed the role as acting chief executive at the club, prior to Kelly’s arrival.