The concluding morning of the SETE 2012 Conference began with four workshops facilitated by a variety of prominent international and local experts in the sports events and tourism sectors. These workshops were highly interactive between delegates and presenters and acted as think tank for sports tourism in South Africa. The conference then culminated in the highly anticipated National Sports Tourism Bidding and Hosting Strategy before being formally closed and praised by Chairperson of Trade and Investment KZN, herbal Obed Mlaba.

Chris Foy, denture Head of the 2012 Games unit for Visit Britain Tourism, pills facilitated the workshop which explored the marketing and strategy plan of London 2012. Through this discussion, it was clear that Visit Britain Tourism “Levered the Olympic brand to benefit Brand Britain” and intends to utilise this strategy long after the conclusion of the games. Another two outputs in hosting an event of this magnitude were unpacked during this workshop, namely Brand Protection and Restrictions as well as the vital importance Partnerships. Both outputs were tackled in a very practical manner: concrete Brand Restriction guidelines were drawn up and distributed, and strong and valuable partnerships were formed to create tactical relationships between organising committees as well as entities such as global broadcasters which would help to tell the London 2012 story to the world.

Another workshop was headed by Norman Mphake who is the Sport Recreation and Fitness Chamber Coordinator for SETE 2012 partner, CATHSSETA. This workshop explored the projection of CATHSETTA’s values and objections, based on the National Framework for National Skills and Development Strategy, on the sporting sector. The workshop acknowledged that this sector has great potential for skills development and training to lend itself to the development of sustainable employment. Linked to this, the workshop explored the relationship between employers, learners and sectors in creating a contractual obligation in which employees need to develop working skills amongst their employees, plan and create comprehensive reports to monitor the success of projects.

Kamilla Swart, Head of Centre for Tourism Research in Africa, hosted the Major Events and The Environment workshop which emphasised the need to consider the environmental implications of hosting a mega event. This workshop explored how events can have a direct impact on the environment and how they can also be used as an awareness building platform for the conception and implementation of greening initiatives. The outcomes of this workshop suggested that future event planning should emulate success stories such as initiatives that The City of Cape Town has already adopted. The workshop also advocated the notion that greening criteria, which must be an integral part of the event hosting process, ought to become a contractual function of event hosting and funding applications.  It was also acknowledged that resources need to be allocated to the greening initiatives and that they need to be brought down to a local level.

The Online Media Marketing and Communications Strategies for Sports Events workshop was facilitated by Thomas Abraham who is the Editorial Director of Sportz Power India. The core discussion in the workshop explored the relationship between sports owners trying to develop their sport and the media. This workshop looked at mainstream sports which are already in the public mind-space. Thus, the role of media in this sector is to constantly engage the fan base and stay ahead of the curve in upgrading the fans’ experience. The notion that new technology is more important when looking at sports that are aiming to expand was also raised. It was concluded that there are currently tools on hand to gain recognition with technology which has never been accessible before. The workshop identified two major tactics in harnessing this technology to grow out of a purely grant based existence to an economically sustainable sport. These are social networks as well as the use of community outlets where there are few financial restrictions and a huge base.

The pinnacle of the SETE conference was the construction and presentation of the National Sports Tourism Bidding and Hosting Strategy. This document, presented by the SETE Conference Director and Director for Business Development at TEPG, Sugen Pillay, was adopted by the Conference and is a part of a 17 year strategy to be implemented from next year. The objectives of this Strategy, are to prioritise key mega international events that South Africa should bid and host as well as key domestic events that government should support, define the type of support government will offer and lastly, to define the institutional arrangements necessary to implement this Strategy.

The Strategy consists of two phases: Phase one deals with the research and analysis of global trends and best international practices as well as a review on the current strategies and legislation that is in place. During this phase, a number of case studies, legislation, policies and strategies were researched to create a better understanding of what works and what does not.  Phase two deals with using this research to analyse stakeholders and apply these strategies and practises to best suit South Africa’s specific context and develop this into a comprehensive 17 year plan which direction on how to choose feasible future events to consider.

The conclusions drawn from of these phases and a notion that has been discussed throughout the conference is that a collaboration of existing stakeholders in sports and tourism needs to be created to co-ordinate, drive and manage sport tourism development in South Africa. From this, the conception of Steerco arose. SASCOC, through legislated mandate, has the responsibility to manage the bidding process of hosting events and was therefore chosen to chair this collaboration. Other proposed members of Steerco include SRSA (Sports and Recreation South Africa) who will provide legislative and policy direction for the bidding and hosting of events, SAT (South African Tourism) who will provide the marketing support to bid for events, promote domestic events and utilise brand leverage of sporting events towards the national brand image, and lastly, the NDT (National Department of Tourism) who will provide legislative policy support to events that promote tourism in South Africa. Although these are to be the only formal members of Steerco, it is important to note that Sports Federations, the Tourism sector and cities and provinces are also vital to the entire process and should also be on board in the implementation and development of Steerco.

The next step after the Strategy has been approved is for SRSA to incorporate it into its own National Sports Tourism Strategy. Thereafter SASCOC and SRSA are to submit The Strategy for Cabinet approval after which SASCOC is to compile a comprehensive business plan to get the process started.

This paper and the implementation thereof can be seen as a monumental step forward for the development of South African Sports Tourism and can be viewed as a testimony of the success of the SETE 2012 Conference.

Please direct all media queries on the Strategy document to Tubby Reddy, CEO of SASCOC, Cell: 082 990 4149. A copy of the presentation of the National Sports Tourism Bidding and Hosting Strategy can be found on www.sportsandevents.co.za

Smith, the current Lloyds international chief executive and a former director of Bank of Scotland Treasury, has an engineering background and previously spent time with Deutsche Bank and UBS.

Lloyds Banking Group released a statement yesterday announcing Smith had resigned to “pursue other opportunities”.

As part of that statement, the bank said he would remain with the company for a few months to help with the transition.

His appointment ends the long search for a replacement for David Gallop, who was sacked in June.Gallop is now the head of Football Federation Australia.

ARLC chairman John Grant today made no apology for the time it took to replace Gallop.

“This is a person who knows business, who knows how to lead, who loves sport, who is culturally suited to our game and who has a very strong sense of community,” Grant said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time talking with Dave and I can tell you that we are certain he will do a fantastic job for our game.”

The Welshman moved to Australia nine years ago and will leave his role as a senior banking figure with Lloyds International to take up his new job on February 1.

A former soldier with the British Army, Smith said he was very excited about taking on the role.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of the rugby league family,” Smith said.

“I feel a real sense of excitement and duty in taking on the chief executive role at such an exciting point for the game and the NRL.

“It’s a chance to make a real difference at a time when rugby league is looking to grow to a new level.

“The role has everything I could want and I am really looking forward to getting started.

“I think I have got the best job in Australia.

“This is a wonderful opportunity. It is an honour and a privilege.”

Shane Mattiske will continue as the interim ARLC chief executive until Smith moves into his new role.

IOC member Randhir Singh has pulled out of the running for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) presidency clearing the path for Abhay Singh Chautala to take the role.

The withdrawal of Randhir, anesthetist Secretary-General of the IOA, followed by that of Raj Chopra, former treasurer of the IOA, left Abhay Singh Chautala, former president of the Indian Boxing Federation, as the lone candidate in the field for president in the December 5 elections. 

Randhir said that being a member of the IOC, and Secretary-General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), it was improper for him to continue to be in the fray since these organisations had issued a warning to the IOA that it faced suspension in case it did not stick to its constitution and the Olympic Charter in the elections. 

He warned of the IOC taking action in case the elections were held under the sports code, suggesting that the IOC had not issued a hollow threat. 

The IOC has sought a reply from the IOA by November 30, providing written guarantees that the elections would be held as per its directive, failing which it said it would be taking up the IOA’s suspension at its Executive Board meeting in Lausanne on December 4 and 5. 

Randhir said that there could have been a dialogue among the representatives of the IOC, government and the IOA as suggested by the Union Sports Ministry to resolve the issues before holding the elections. 

Randhir’s withdrawal had been widely forecast by the opposing camp even before the IOC letter, signed by its president, Jacques Rogge, had arrived. Once the IOC position became stiffer, it was certain that he would find it difficult to continue.

Soccerex is delighted to announce a new media partnership between Soccerex and Goal.com, ambulance the world’s largest football website. The partnership will establish Goal.com as media partners in 2012 for the inaugural Soccerex African Forum in Durban, impotent 23-24 October and the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, 27-28 September, rising to full event partners in 2013 & 2014.

Owned and powered by digital sports media business PERFORM, Goal.com is the world’s largest football website. They are based in over 50 countries around the world and produce an average of 1,000 news stories per day in 18 languages across 34 editions, attracting over 36 million unique users in May 2012 from more than 220 countries.

In Africa, Goal.com is the leading source of local and global football news and video with specific editions for the Egyptian, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan and South African markets; in August alone the Nigerian site received 3.4m unique visitors.

Commenting on the announcement, Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said:

“We’re delighted to announce this new partnership with Goal.com. As the world’s leading football website they’re a perfect match for Soccerex. More importantly their presence in Africa and especially Nigeria will be key to the development of our events.”

Stewart Walker, Head of Corporate Development – Africa, PERFORM added:

“Goal.com has a loyal and passionate football fan base in Africa. The Soccerex African Forum and Soccerex Seminar Lagos are the ideal platforms to further our reach and to deliver the latest football news across the African continent.”

The former ticketing and hospitality manager for the London 2012 Olympics, Paul Lemon has been named the head of business development at Prestige Ticketing, the official Olympics in-venue hospitality provider.

Lemon has more than 15 years experience in the sports ticketing and hospitality industry, having worked on a range of major events including five Olympic Games. 

Paul’s most recent role was ticketing and hospitality manager for Locog, where he oversaw the successful implementation of all official travel and hospitality products, including the ground-breaking Prestige Ticketing programme.

Lemon was previously general manager of Sportsworld Group in Beijing where he worked with sponsors and National Olympic Committees on a range of complex hospitality programmes. He has also worked with rights holders and sponsors at FIFA World Cups and IRB Rugby World Cups.

He said: “Having worked with Prestige Ticketing over the last few years, I’ve been really impressed by their long term view and their desire to constantly improve the quality of major sports event hospitality. On the back of a very successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, it is important we continue to set new standards in hospitality for all event stakeholders so that real value is delivered against their investment. Prestige Ticketing clearly share this vision so I’m excited about joining the team and the opportunities that lie ahead to create word class hospitality programmes at some of the world’s most prestigious events.”

Alan Gilpin, CEO, Prestige Ticketing, added: “As Prestige Ticketing embarks on the next step of its journey following the success of London 2012, we are delighted to have Paul in our talented team. He brings with him a wealth of commercial and operational hospitality experience and I have no doubt that he will make a significant and positive contribution to our business.”

Sports marketing legend Michael Payne, former Marketing Director of the International Olympic Committee will present at Future Sponsorship this November in Istanbul.  Michael Payne has been at the forefront of the sports marketing industry for over thirty years.  He led the global marketing effort for the Olympic Movement for more than two decades as the IOC’s first ever Marketing and Broadcast Rights Director.

Following the recent close of London’s iconic Olympic Games, Michael will open day two of the Future Sponsorship conference with a keynote presentation reflecting on the key lessons learnt, how the Games have raised the bar for future and what the Olympic legacy means for London.

Supported by host partners, Turkish Airlines and Euroleague Basketball, Future Sponsorship will address the major challenges in the sponsorship world and will gather high level brands, rights holders and agencies to shape the future of the sponsorship industry.  Forward thinking and motivational speakers will keep the audience engaged for two content-packed conference days.

Top speakers signed up to the anticipated event include Jordi Bertemou, CEO, Euroleague Basketball, Temel Kotil, CEO, Turkish Airlines, Sally Hancock, Director of Olympic Marketing and Sponsorship, Lloyds TSB, Ragip Balciogu, MD, Beko UK, Hakan Aydinol, General Manager, Galatasaray, Paul Samuels, Senior Vice President of AEG Global Partnerships, Europe and Christian Struck, Director of International Brand Management, Grundig AG.

The programme will address a host of critical topics including market projections and trends, tapping into growth markets and effective growth strategies for marketing overseas.  We will see brands and rights holders share expertise from China, Brazil, Europe and the Middle East, as well as insights from Turkey on their plans and ambitions to grow it’s sports culture.

Other sessions will include presentations, case studies and panel debates on dealing with problem messages in CSR, looking at successful and not so successful sponsorships from the UEFA Euros and the Olympics, discussing the true value of sponsorship to brands on a panel.  Discussions will also take place around music festival and entertainment sponsorship and the future of the industry – sports, media and entertainment.

More speakers for 2012 will be announced in the coming weeks.

To register interest in Future Sponsorship 2012 go to www.future-sponsorship.com

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has named Aïcha Garad Ali as the governing body’s newest Council member. 

The appointment, viagra which took place at today’s WTF Council meeting in Santa Cruz, Aruba, is indicative of the Federation’s commitment to gender equality. The WTF now has six female National Federation presidents and 23 female secretary generals. The WTF aims to encourage and support its MNAs around the world to promote the role of women and young people in sport. 

WTF President, Chungwon Choue: “It is a great honour for me to make this announcement – the World Taekwondo Federation is delighted to have Aïcha on board. She will be an instrumental member of the Council, offering knowledge from her extensive experience in sporting commissions and the Olympic Movement. Aïcha’s passion for youth and education was one of the fundamental reasons for her appointment – we are thrilled to have another member so enthusiastic about this area of development. It is also always important for the council to reflect the universal nature of taekwondo – which appeals equally to men and women in all five Olympic continents.” 

Aïcha Garad Ali, President of the Comité National Olympique et Sportif Djiboutien, commented: “It is a great pleasure to be appointed a World Taekwondo Federation Council Member. I am very excited to be part of the taekwondo family and to be able to contribute my experience in the Olympic Movement, particularly as an African woman. 

“I have already been working towards the set-up of the official national taekwondo association in Djibouti. Taekwondo activities have been going on for years in East Africa and I want to expand further and develop the sport in this important part of the world. Taekwondo is now the second most popular sport in Africa, after football; it is a powerful vehicle for social development.”

The 2nd annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) exhibition and conference (12 – 14 September), denture which kicked off yesterday at the ICC Durban, has attracted the interest of forty-six high profile International Hosted Buyers (IHB) from Jamaica, Brazil, India, France, America, as well as a number of other countries. As part of SETE’s dynamic and progressive IHB programme, the international buyers who will be attending the event will be introduced to the world class infrastructure that South Africa has to offer, in terms of stadia, venues and the well established services and supply chains of the sports and tourism industries.

Both the SETE exhibition and conference are tasked with promoting South Africa as a popular sports and events destination, with the eighty-six exhibitors who are showcasing their products and services at the event also looking to maximise their opportunity to access the influential international visitors as a means of gaining a footing in the sports tourism industry. Don Leffler (Director of Community Development Initiatives International), who was instrumental in attracting the Jamaican IHB’s to the event, said “as one of a number of South African tourism specialists who visited Jamaica in February to share learnings on Community Based Tourism, we were received by the South African High Commissioner to the Caribbean, Her Excellency Mathu Joyini, and also met with the Ministers of Tourism and of Trade and Commerce. During our discussions it became clear that there was a real interest and desire to introduce Sport and Culture Exchange Tours and Study Programmes between our countries”.

Through the tireless work of Joyini, who has worked hard at building closer relationships between Jamaica and South Africa, five Jamaican sports specialists accepted invitations to attended this year’s SETE exhibition and conference as international hosted buyers. According to Leffler, “their visit will add impetus to the work being done by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and our High Commissioner in Jamaica, aimed at building closer tourism, sport, cultural and business/trade relationships for mutual benefit, using sport and tourism as a catalyst for sustainable social and economic benefits”.

Also attending SETE 2012 as international hosted buyers will be a delegation from Brazil, represented by upper echelon  administrators from Brazil’s top soccer team, Palmeiras FC, an important connection in light of the global events that Brazil will be hosting in the years to come, namely the FIFA World Cup in 2014, and the 2016 Olympic Games. Jair Jussio, Director at Palmeiras FC, will be one of many high-profile guests at tonight’s SETE 2012 Gala Dinner, which will also see the like of Olympic gold and silver medallist Chad le Clos, multiple-SAMA winner Lira and Miss SA Melinda Bam celebrating the inspirational performances of the South African Olympic Team at London 2012. As a token of goodwill between the Brazilian delegation and their South African hosts, a Palmeiras FC jersey with the name “Fikile” printed on it was accepted by SASCOC President Gideon Sam on behalf of South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, at last night’s star-studded Gala Dinner.

James Seymour, CEO of Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal Convention Bureau, said that “attracting international buyers to SETE 2012 is the key component to achieving our goal of promoting South Africa as a destination for international mega events, as well as further entrenching the country as the preferred location for sports and tourism activities for both local and international travellers. As a country we are able to offer top class facilities and services, making South Africa a prime location for all top-level international sports events and concerts”.

For more information, visit www.sportsandevents.co.za, like ‘SETE.ZA’ on Facebook, and follow @SETE_ZA on Twitter. SETE supports 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 KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, partnered by CATHSSETA, SASCOC and Tourism KZN, and supported by Springbok Atlas, SAA and SABC.

MSG Networks have agreed a broadcasting agreement with ESPN Deportes Nueva York 1050AM that will make 1050AM the Spanish radio broadcast home of the New York Knicks during the 2013-14 NBA season.

The agreement features a 60-game schedule and a continuation of a multi-tiered cross-promotional effort between The Madison Square Garden Company, including the Knicks and MSG Networks, and ESPN Radio.

“We are committed to providing our passionate Knicks fans with the best options to consume content on their favorite team across every media platform,” said Dave Howard, president, MSG Sports. “We have had a great, longstanding relationship with ESPN New York 98.7FM and are excited to expand our relationship with ESPN Deportes Nueva York 1050AM to bring our Spanish-speaking New York area fans the opportunity to listen to games on the radio.”

“We are very excited to expand our basketball programming with complete coverage of the New York Knicks,” said David Roberts, general manager, ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York 1050 AM and ESPN Radio New York 98.7 FM. “It has been great working with MSG Sports and we look forward to continue this alliance to better serve the Hispanic sports fans in New York.”

“We’re happy to continue our great partnership with ESPN New York and ESPN Deportes Nueva York 1050AM,” said Ryan O’Hara, president of content, distribution and sales, The Madison Square Garden Company. “New York’s Spanish-speaking community is enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about Knicks basketball, and we’re proud to be able to bring these fans a dedicated, high-quality radio broadcast.”

The team failed to win an individual gold medal despite high expectation for the likes of world 100m freestyle champion James Magnussen. That disappointment came after Australia won six swimming gold medals in Beijing 2008 and seven in Athens 2004.

Neil has accepted full responsibility. “At the end of the day, I’m the CEO of the organisation and that’s where the buck stops,” he said recently.

Last night Neil was at farewell drinks with his staff.

“In the end I’d just had enough,” he said.

“When you stop enjoying the job, it’s time to go. I have witnessed great changes and I am proud to have played a role in this development and the enhancement of the sport’s revenue base.

“Following the below-expected results in London, swimming is now undertaking various reviews to set the new course for the future and it is therefore appropriate to step aside to allow the sport to progress to its next exciting phase.”

SA president Nettlefold said Neil’s exit was a “mutually agreed departure” but it’s understood he was told a week ago his job was in danger.

Despite his decision to quit Neil is expected to tender evidence to the review into the team performance.

Despite the drama engulfing the sport, Nettlefold was full of praise for Neil’s impact on SA.

“Under Kevin’s leadership, Swimming Australia increased its revenue by 40 per cent and instigated several new developments,” he said.

“Kevin was also instrumental in negotiating a new broadcast deal with Network Ten, the implementation of a range of important initiatives targeted at growing the sport at a community level, and the development of an aquatic facilities strategy.”