The man who negotiated the deal for the rebranding of Hampshire Cricket’s Rose Bowl is set to step down his position as Group Commercial Director of RB Leisure Holdings from 7 December this year.

Zac Toumazi elected to move on after nearly two highly successful years in which he was responsible for negotiating and activating the partnership deal with Ageas UK resulting in the re-naming of the ground from the Rose Bowl to its current name. He also oversaw the Commercial team’s implementation of the first ever Test Match at the ground in 2011.

Zac said; “My time with Hampshire Cricket at The Ageas Bowl has been most enjoyable. As well as being part of the team that delivered the first ever Test Match when England took on Sri Lanka in 2011, I am particularly proud of the relationship we have built with all of our sponsors but especially Ageas. Apart from the obvious commercial benefits to both sides, the spirit of the partnership and the way we go about conducting business has been quite unique and, dare I say it, rare in commerce nowadays.

“I still hope to have an association with the club by assisting with commercial matters or attending games and enjoying being a spectator from time to time. I now plan to take some time out with my family and decide what my next challenge will be in due course.

“I leave behind an amazingly talented commercial team, who have been a privilege to work with. I have no doubt that they will take the business forward positively.

“Finally, I would like to thank Rod Bransgrove and my fellow Directors as well as the playing and coaching staff for their support during my time at The Ageas Bowl and to wish them every success on and off the pitch.”

Having started at The Ageas Bowl in 2011, Zac assumed responsibility for the venue’s commercial activities, including Marketing and Communications, Sponsorship, Ticketing and Membership. He also took on the role of Director of the Hampshire Cricket Board and Managing Director of the Joint Venture between The Ageas Bowl and Compass Group which provides Conferences and Events, Match Day Catering and Hospitality. Finally, he was also a member of the Solent Indian Business Network. There is no intention of replacing Zac’s role as Commercial Director at The Ageas Bowl at the present time.

Ageas Bowl Chairman, Rod Bransgrove said; “Zac has made a significant impact during his period at The Ageas Bowl. Most notably, he was responsible for the conclusion of the Naming Rights Agreement between Rose Bowl plc and Ageas UK and has been instrumental in developing a genuine partnership culture between the companies.

“Although he intends to spend more of his time with his family, it is anticipated that he will be a frequent visitor to the venue both as a visitor and consultant. I have no doubt that all staff and management join me in wishing Zac every success and happiness in his future activities.”

Future Sponsorship have announced the partnership of Turkish sports consultancy, case Euroasia Sports. 

Taking place on 27-29^th November at Ulker Arena in Istanbul, price ed and supported by Turkish Airlines and Euroleague Basketball, capsule Future Sponsorship 2012 will bring together senior level executives in the sponsorship industry across the world.  Future Sponsorship provides a perfect fit for Euroasia Sports who are established in the local market and work on many sports events including the Extreme Sailing Series Istanbul, Bank Asya Division 1, Soccer Prince Turkey and more.

“As Euroasia Sports, with the widest service network in Turkey’s sports industry, we are glad to be a part of this important organisation.” commented Engin Kehale, Events and Communication Director for Euroasia Sports  “Turkey’s claim in the sports world is now in the highest level with the candidacy of 2020 Summer Olympics.  To host such important events like the Olympics shows the determination of Turkey. It is a great achievement for both our country and sector.  We are very pleased that Euroasia Sports, having lots of experience on practicing important events, is involved in Future Sponsorship.” 

“It is a pleasure to have Euroasia Sports as our local partner for Future Sponsorship this year.  Their involvement will help us position our brand in Turkey and expand our reach within the local market.” Commented Sally Nastys, Conference Director for Future Sponsorship. 

Euroasia sports will join high level sponsorship executives at Future Sponsorship from organisations including Beko, BMW, Lloyds TSB, Galatasaray, AEG, Turkish Airlines, Sponsorship Intelligence, Grundig and many more.

FOX International Channels (FIC), sample viagra a 21st Century Fox company, impotent has revealed today that it is close to acquiring Setanta Africa Services Ltd., anesthetist a sports channel bouquet distributed throughout all of sub-Saharan Africa in over one million homes. 

The acquisition is complete subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority.

Setanta Africa business broadcasts three sports channels: Setanta Africa which is available in English and French, Zuku Sports in HD in East Africa and the recently launched Setanta Action. The channels cover football leagues from around the world, rugby, mixed martial arts and many other attractive sporting events.

“The incorporation of Setanta Africa into our FIC Africa operation, which already includes leading entertainment, factual, lifestyle and children’s channels further reinforces our overall desire to invest and grow our presence in this rapidly expanding region. Our commitment to deliver high quality content across all of our channels naturally extends to this new addition to our family”, says Alessandro Tucci, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Fox International Channels Africa.

Michael O’Rourke, Setanta Africa’s Chairman is very excited about this opportunity and for what lies ahead saying “The channels will have a very exciting future in the hands of such an experienced and passionate sports operator.”

He added: “being opportunistic and disciplined in our expansion efforts over the past two years, we have taken Fox Sports internationally from 17 million to over 71 million homes. By that measure, and when you include our company’s US sports portfolio, Fox has become the most widely distributed sports brand in the world today”, says Frank Carrere, SVP Business Development of Fox International Channels..

International Korfball Federation (IKF) President Jan Fransoo has informed the membership of the Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF) that he will not run for a third term as President when his current term will expire next May.

In his letter Fransoo cited that he needs to focus his spare volunteer time on the IKF: “The International Korfball Federation has grown so much in the past decade that we feel it is now the right moment to make next steps towards eventual inclusion in the Olympic Program. For this purpose, click my Federation needs my full and undivided attention, at least for the next few years until my current term as IKF President expires in 2015.”

Fransoo (46) conducts his activities as a sport administrator next to a full-time job. Upon his retirement as ARISF President, he will have served on the ARISF Council for 12 years, including 8 years as its President. His decision will also end his membership of the Council of SportAccord, since this is tied to the ARISF Presidency.

Soccerex have announced that the most distinguished coach in African football history, salve Claude Le Roy, buy cialis will be attending the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, order 27-28 September.

Le Roy will take part in an exclusive one-to-one session discussing his past coaching roles and what the future holds for African football.

Le Roy has a vast amount of experience in African football having coached Cameroon on two separate occasions, Senegal, Ghana and DR Congo. Whilst managing Cameroon he achieved his greatest success by guiding ‘The Indomitable Lions’ to runners-up in the 1986 African Cup of Nations before winning the tournament in 1988. He took over Ghana in 2006 and led the ‘Black Stars’ to 14^th in the FIFA World Rankings, their highest ever position. Away from African football management Le Roy has held senior positions in top European clubs including football adviser at AC Milan in 1996 and Director of Football at Paris Saint-Germain 1997-98.

Speaking about his one to one session, Claude Le Roy said: “African football has been extremely pivotal in my life. My career has taken me all over Africa and shown me the passion that African fans have for the game. I am looking forward to attending the Soccerex Seminar Lagos and speaking on the successes and challenges I faced.”

Commenting on the announcement, Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “We are thrilled that Claude will be attending the Soccerex Seminar Lagos, his involvement and success within African football management is second to none. He will be able to provide an incisive and detailed view on African football during his exclusive one to one session, which will be a huge attraction at the Seminar and provide a learning curve for future managers.”

For more information on the Soccerex Seminar Lagos please go to www.soccerex.com/lagos

Verizon are set to bring FiOS TV subscribers Olympic, endurance and adventure sports programming after agreeing a multi-year deal with Universal Sports Network

In the coming months, customers will be able to watch Universal Sports Network on a variety of portable devices outside the home.

Universal Sports HD is available to all customers as part of Sports Pass, and available in all FiOS TV markets, including metro New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. 

“Verizon FiOS provides another alternative to watch Universal Sports to our fans whose providers have not yet added our network to their channel lineups,” said Scott Brown, President of Universal Sports. “We wish to welcome Verizon FiOS customers to our family, and look forward to delivering the content they have been craving.”

Ryan Gillette, director, content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said: “We’re pleased that Verizon FiOS customers are now able to enjoy the world class events Universal Sports Network brings to our sports offering. We look forward to offering the content beyond the TV to a variety of portable devices used by our customers in the near future.”

The upcoming Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) Gala Dinner (12September), malady which is to kick off the SETE exhibition (12–14 September) andconference (12-13 September), healing has also been chosen by SASCOC (South AfricanSports Confederation and Olympic Committee) to celebrate the hugelysuccessful South African Olympic Team.

A night of glitz and glamour isguaranteed, with multiple-SAMAwinner Lira set to entertain a star-studdedcrowd that will include Durban-born Olympic gold and silver medalist Chad leClos. The Gala Dinner will take place at the ICC Durban, and is hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism (KZNDEDT),EThekwini Municipality and Durban Tourism.With ticket sales to
the event set to go live on Wednesday 22 August 2012,members of the public will be able to join sponsors, dignitaries, and theirOlympic heroes in expressing their gratitude to our Olympic athletes whoflew the South African flag high at the London Olympics.

An evening dedicated to promoting South African Culture will see welcomes
from KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development Tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu and Mayor of Durban James Nxumalo, as well as from a selection of athletes andsports celebrities. Autograph and photo opportunities for guests withathletes and personalities will also take place, allowing local, nationaland international businesses, sports fanatics, sponsors and supporters achance to rub shoulders and share in the athletes’ experiences in London.

James Seymour (CEO of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, which was responsible for bidding for SETE 2012 – 2014 and acting as the KZN DEDTimplementing agency for this event) said that “we are looking forward toshowcasing and congratulating the achievements of our London 2012 Olympic athletes at the SETE 2012 Gala Dinner. By sponsoring the SETE event, KZNDEDT hopes to raise the level of awareness amongst sport and eventorganisers of the wide range of sporting facilities that exist in Durban,and the rest of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as of the successful track recordthat this region has in terms of hosting significantevents.SETE is able tosuccessfully expose major sport and event buyers and organisers to thesporting facilities and sport sponsoring and support agencies in SouthAfrica.”

Sugen Pillay, Director forBusiness Development at TEPG and SETE ConferenceDirector, said: “we are looking forward to welcoming home our Olympic athletes, especially gold medalist Chad Le Clos, to the SETE Opening Dinner.

“These athletes have become brand ambassadors for South Africa and will definitely contribute positively to promoting our country as a sports tourism destination – something that SETE is striving to achieve. The evening promises to be a memorable one that will showcase South African culture through world class entertainment, also providing an opportunity to network with industry leaders.”

Both the SETE conference and exhibition (12-14 September) are intended topromote the country as a popular sports and events destination by facilitating relationships between South Africa’s tourism, sport and event industries. To this end, the SETE exhibition will feature an estimated 100 exhibitors as well as over 50 international hosted buyers (IHB’s), whilst the conference programme will include presentations and panel discussionsanchored by keynote speakers who are all specialists within their respectivefields.

A feature of the SETE conference thatis sure to generatesignificant interest will be the National Sports Tourism Steering committee’s presentation of its 17 year strategy.

Shaping and advancing South Africa’sdevelopment as a sports tourism destination, this plan will identify the keyinternational events that South Africa should bid for, as well as thedomestic events that need governmental support, in order to grow the country’s sports tourism industry.To book your SETE 2012 Gala Dinner ticket, or for more information, visitwww.sportsandevents.co.za