FIFA referees Pratap Singh, treatment CR Srikrishna and MB Santosh Kumar have signed a professional contract with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) at the Football House.

This is the first time any referee in India has been brought under a contract system.

Head of Referees, Goutam Kar, said: “It is an epoch making day for referees in India. This is a seven-month contract. They will get their monthly salaries and all other expenses except match fee will be taken care of by AIFF.”{jcomments on}

Andrew Altman today announced that he will leave the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) after the London 2012 Olympic Games this August.

Mr Altman will step down as Chief Executive as the Corporation enters a new phase focused on construction. His leadership in laying the foundations for London’s Olympic legacy means the capital is more advanced in its legacy planning and execution than any prior host city.

Mr Altman has played a key role in leading the vision to transform the 500 acre Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park into a new, international centre of economic growth that will create a thriving new community, accommodating over 7,000 new homes, creating thousands of new jobs and opening a huge swathe of London previously neglected.

Mr Altman stated that his goal in his three years as Chief Executive was to lay a solid foundation to ensure a successful post-Games legacy, and this has been accomplished.

His major accomplishments were securing over £400 million for infrastructure, programming and regeneration, securing post-Games operators for major venues, including the Aquatics Centre, Multi-Use Arena, Orbit and parklands and attracting top developers to build the first neighbourhood of the legacy master plan – Chobham Manor – which will have over 70 percent family housing.

Mr Altman said: “It has been a tremendous honour to lead this once-in-a-lifetime project that will transform the face of London and will be a spectacular example of city-building the world over.“I am proud to have been able to set the table with a clear vision, resources and commercial investment. It is now the perfect time to transition the project to one focused on construction, so there will no disruption after the Games in implementing the legacy vision we have crafted.“I especially want to thank Mayor Boris Johnson for his support and leadership without which this could not have been achieved.”

Daniel Moylan, incoming Chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation said: “Andy Altman has made a huge personal contribution to the future of the Olympic Park and we thank him for putting us in such a strong position.“We now begin the recruitment process to find a successor to lead the Corporation through its vital next phase.“While this happens, Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has agreed to make himself available part-time as interim Chief Executive, with the agreement of the ODA, to support the Corporation’s management.”

Mr Altman will step down as Chief Executive on 15 August 2012. An announcement on his successor will be made in due course.

The biggest ever change in the venue managing industry is about to be launched – and details will be announced at Wembley on February 22 – the next meeting of the UK Venue Managers Association.

Sandy Lopes has the facts about the new professional, medicine degree-level qualification covering all aspects of the profession – so book in for the meeting now atsandy@aladltd.co.uk. You do not have to be a member to attend this important meeting.

Association members and individual managers throughout the country have been calling for a dedicated qualification and academic modules to promote continuous professional development and raise the profile and status of the industry for young people. Now the UKVMA has linked with Bucks New University to create a solution.

“Venue management has always been a massive task involving much more than event management and administration: it is a combination of so many different disciplines, each vitally important,” says UKVMA Director Neil Levett.

“New Bucks University, in close co-operation with the UKVMA, is to offer modules of many different subjects, a Foundation Degree over a two-year period, and a full BSc (Hons) degree over three years. Students will be able to study separate modules or take the full courses. We are looking to help educate the future managers of Britain’s biggest and most prestigious venues, arenas and stadiums,” he added.

The new course will be explained in detail at the February 22 meeting of the UKVMA. Contact Sandy Lopes (sandy@aladltd.co.uk) or see the web site (www.ukvma.org).

ESPN have secured the broadcast rights in the US to air the 27th edition of the FISU Summer Universiade taking place in Kazan, treatment Russia between July 6-17, 2013.

For the first time, the Universiades will be telecast live in the US. ESPN will cover over 40 hours of Summer Universiade action on ESPNU and an additional 250 hours will be available live on ESPN3 from July 6 – 17, 2013. ESPN’s multiscreen sports network in the US is available to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider.  It is accessible to more than 85 million households online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV. ESPN coverage will focus on Basketball, Water Polo, Swimming, Track & Field, Beach Volleyball and Volleyball.

The Universiades, (Winter & Summer) are held every two years, gathering student-athletes aged 17-28 and are second only to the Olympic Games in terms of number of participating athletes and countries represented. In Kazan, more than 10,000 student-athletes will compete in 27 sports.

“Our agreement to deliver FISU events is a testament to our commitment of serving sports fans with quality programming, both domestically and from around the world,” said Todd Myers, director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN.  “We look forward to carrying these events to a US audience.”

“I am extremely pleased that ESPN will bring the FISU flagship event to the homes of our American student-athletes, their family and friends and the sport-loving American audience,” said FISU President, Claude-Louis Gallien. “Like FISU, which strives for excellence on campus and on the sports field, ESPN brings excellence with its quality coverage and story-telling, by relating the sport stories that matter most to US audiences. I am confident that with the help of ESPN, the International University Sport Movement will continue to grow in popularity on the American continent.”

The A-league enjoyed record opening-round attendance to a season.

A total of 93,500 fans attended the five opening matches during the weekend, smashing last season’s record of 79,850.

The derby between Melbourne Heart and Melbourne victory attracted 42,032 fans.

Recent signings Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey have helped to raise the profile of Australian soccer.{jcomments on}

ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett has announced several promotions at the ATP executive level.

The promotions are across a variety of departments and regions, abortion and see existing staff members Mark Young, Laurent Delanney and Andre Silva assume significant additional responsibilities within the company. Alison Lee also expands her role within the International Group region.

Mark Young (CEO ATP Americas and Chief Legal and Media Officer) continues as CEO ATP Americas and Chief Legal Officer, and also becomes the ATP’s Chief Media Officer, overseeing the ATP’s interests in the area of broadcast media rights, including television, live streaming, data, live scoring, and other associated rights. Young, who has been with the Tour since its formation in 1990, will work closely with relevant internal departments, as well as ATP Media CEO Steve Plasto, to oversee the ATP’s strategic direction in this area. 

Laurent Delanney (CEO ATP Europe & ATP Commercial Director) assumes the role of ATP Commercial Director, in addition to his existing role as CEO ATP Europe. Delanney, who runs the ATP’s Monte-Carlo office, has played an integral role in the ATP’s commercial efforts over the last decade, and now will lead the ATP sales, sponsorship and licensing team in managing all of the ATP’s commercial activities. 

Andre Silva (Chief Player Officer & Tournament Director, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals) takes over from Drewett as Tournament Director of the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Silva, who has been with the Tour for more than 12 years, continues in his role as Chief Player Officer and will work closely with Chris Kermode, Managing Director of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, on all aspects of the tournament.

Alison Lee (Vice President, International Group) takes the interim position as head of the International Group region, which includes the Middle East, Asia and Pacific regions. Lee is based in the ATP’s Sydney office, and has worked across the region in the ATP’s tournament relations, communications and commercial divisions over the last decade.

Sports Management Worldwide is to host Sports Business Career Conference during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, drugs Indiana on February 24th and 25th, viagra 2012.

Participants will gain insight into careers in sports through presentations by successful sports executives, allergist including GM’s, front office executives, Scouts, Sports Agents, player personnel, and well known media currently working in football. This event includes networking, information on breaking into the sports industry and advice on advancing your sports business career. College credit available for attending.

The conference, taking place Friday from 1pm. to 6 p.m, and Saturday from 9am-5pm at the Indianapolis Hyatt Regency, will offer panel discussions and question-answer sessions regarding career specifics, career planning strategies, challenges in the economy, new media communications, with the “who’s who of the NFL.”

Confirmed speakers include: 
Raymond Berry, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts – 1955-67 with Johnny Unitas. Former Coach of the Cowboys, Patriots, Lions, Broncos 
Dawn Aponte – Miami Dolphins Sr. VP of Football Operations 
Adam Schefter – ESPN 
John Wooten – NFL Legend, now fondly called the “Godfather” of the NFL 
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President and Founder, Sports Management Worldwide 
Russ Lande – NFL Draft Expert for GM Jr Scouting & The Sporting News  
Mike Stanfield, New Orleans Saints VP of Ticket & Suite Sales 
Mike Stoeber, Jacksonville Jaguars Video Assistant (XOS) 
Derron Harris, Philadelphia Eagles Manager of Football Administration 
George Karras, Oakland Raiders Scout, longtime friend and associate of Al Davis 
Dave Razzano, NFL scout for more than 22 yrs,49ers, Rams, Cardinals.  
Matt Littlefield former NFL pro & college scout; current scout for GM Jr Scouting Services 
Josh Liskiewitz, College Scout with GM Jr Scouting Contributor for RoarReport 
Kristen Kuliga, NFL Agent (female agent representing the most NFL players) 
Jack Mills, NFL Agent 
Jim Solano, NFL Agent 
Steve Nash, Integrity Sports Broadcasting Network 
Rick Horrow, Host of Sportfolio on Bloomberg 
and many more to be announced

The cost of the conference is $250 on or before February 10th, students $160. Capacity is limited and spots are selling quickly, immediate action is required to ensure a place in the conference. Registration can be completed at Sports Management Worldwide or by calling: 1-877-SMWW-NOW.

Sydney FC is enjoying the financial benefits of the signing of Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero.

The club has sold more memberships than ever before and has had a great deal of interest from sponsors.

“In terms of memberships we’ve beaten the record, which was 7500, and I’m confident we’ll go on to beat 8000,” CEO, Tony Pignata, said. “I’m happy with that in terms of the market in Sydney and there’s still 10 days until our first home game. If we get some good performances straight away we might see another surge hopefully.”

“We do have 10,000 junior members who are eligible to come, of course, but we don’t count those in the overall numbers. Our corporate hospitality has already reached its budget for the year and we haven’t played a game yet, and we sold out the business lunch.

“I’ve had sponsors calling me – there are a few properties left, like a community partner and a coaches sponsor.

“But we have a sponsor for the W-League, front and back of shirt, and at the youth league, and the signage is pretty much all gone.”

Pignata said the next objective for the club is to improve on the poor attendances that it has experienced in recent seasons.

“The key thing is to drive our attendances now for our home games,” Pignata said. “So far, certainly in terms of that first home game against Newcastle on October 13, it’s looking very positive.

“We’ve pre-sold more than 8000, which is one of the highest figures for a game we’ve played outside the finals, and our target is to beat the record non-finals crowd of 33,000 against Melbourne Victory in 2008.”{jcomments on}