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Malaysian football is set to receive a financial lift as the Football Association of Malaysia is close to finalising major sponsorship deals for its M-League.

The Association’s head, Azzuddin Ahmad, confirmed the companies poised to sign on with football in Malaysia are major sport sponsors but he was unable to reveal their identity because contracts were yet to be signed.

Football Malaysia’s Vice President, Seri Subahan Kamal said the country’s government should help the sport by encouraging companies to aid the development of football in the country.{jcomments on}

JMI, the world’s largest motorsports marketing agency, today announced the appointment of David Webb to the new position of President, International as the company moves to a more geographic structure and adds to the strength of its senior management team.

“As the agency continues its upward trajectory, the Americas and International divisions need specific leadership to deliver the best client service,” said Zak Brown, Founder & CEO of JMI. 

“We have seen a significant increase in our International business, while the North American market remains fundamentally important to JMI and shows clear evidence of renewed activity.”

Brown continued: “Allied to the importance of our global specialist services of Marketing Communications and Strategy and Consulting, we have refocused our senior leadership to enable the company to respond effectively to its client base and growth potential.”

Reporting to Brown, Webb will be responsible for JMI’s International division, which covers JMI’s client services, business development and activities outside the Americas. Webb is currently Head of Group Brand and Marketing at the Royal Bank of Scotland and will join JMI in September, based at the agency’s London offices.

Jon Flack, as COO of JMI, continues to oversee the company’s operational consistency and manage its global services groups of Marketing Communications and Strategy and Consulting, led by Tim Bampton and Aled Rees respectively. As President, Americas, Jon will provide dedicated leadership to the operations, client services and business development of the Americas division.

Webb’s credentials include a breadth and depth of experience in global sports marketing and Formula One in particular. He was previously Head of Sponsorship at RBS, managing its title partnership with Williams F1 as well as the RBS 6 Nations and many of RBS’s golf sponsorships, such as the Majors, Luke Donald and First Tee with Jack Nicklaus. He also initiated a complete programme of sponsorships in India, including cricket and a relationship with Sachin Tendulkar.

Prior to RBS, he was Head of Marketing for Jaguar Racing and before that he worked as Private Secretary to three-time Formula One World Champion and motorsports entrepreneur, Sir Jackie Stewart.

Webb said: “I’ve enjoyed my time at RBS but the opportunity to join JMI is tremendously exciting. I’m looking forward to returning to an arena I am very familiar with and contributing to the success of JMI and its clients.”

Soccerex have announced that England under-21 boss and manager of the men’s 2012 Olympic GB football team, Stuart Pearce, and David Sheepshanks, Chairman of the FA’s new National Football Centre (NFC) – St George’s Park, are confirmed to speak on player and coach development as part of this year’s Soccerex European Forum conference programme.

Both men are heavily involved in player and coach development through their current positions. The National Football Centre (NFC) is a project designed by the FA to provide a training facility for all England teams and centre for all the FA’s coaching and player development work.  Although David has been chairman on St George’s Park since 2008, he resigned as joint-chairman of the FA in the summer of 2011 to focus on the project full-time and ensure its fruition by 2012.

Stuart Pearce is currently manager of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team, the first football team from Great Britain at the Olympics since the Rome games in 1960.  Stuart is also Manager of the U-21 National side.  He is a well-known advocate of youth development and a firm supporter of the NFC.  Pearce, who tasted semi-final defeat as a player at Italia ’90 and Euro ’96, thinks St George’s Park could make a huge difference in the country’s push for success on the international stage and help deliver more home-grown players to domestic leagues.

The work at St George’s Park will coincide with the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), a joint initiative Premier League and Football League initiative overseen by the FA.  The EPPP is a long-term strategy designed to take Premier League Youth Development to the next level by increasing the number and quality of home-grown players gaining professional contracts in the clubs and playing first-team football at top level. The EPPP is not without contention with many arguing that it is only the top clubs that stand to benefit from the new system.

The player and coach development panel will discuss the pros and cons of these new initiatives in context with their European counterparts training programmes to see if there is a correct formula for international success.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie commented: ‘Both Stuart and David are driving forward a much needed change in the way England currently approaches player and coach development, both at club and international level.  Their knowledge on this matter is first-class and it is a great privilege to have them speak at this year’s European Forum.’

Player and coach development is just one in a number of topics being discussed at this year’s event; other subjects include match fixing and betting, UEFA, football and the media, football’s new frontiers, ownership and sponsorship.  In addition, there will be a number of workshops running alongside the main studio dedicated to emerging markets, stadia, leagues and rights holders.

Beside its conference programme, the European Forum will also comprise of a packed exhibition displaying all the latest products and services within the industry and a number of networking opportunities, formal and informal, throughout the two days.

Motorcycle competition Enduro X, salve which will feature at the 2013 Global X Games events in Munich, cure Germany will be broadcast on ABC.

The Enduro X event will take place on Saturday. The same show is scheduled to include Freestyle Moto X.

“The X Games has helped expose the world to the exciting sport of Enduro X and live ABC coverage for the Germany event will be awesome” said Eric Peronnard, doctor the creator of EnduroCross and ESPN Enduro X sport organizer. “We have another great venue inside the Olympic Stadium and it should be another exciting course to challenge the riders”. 

FMF KTM’s Mike Brown is on a hot streak heading into Germany. He won the opening round of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series in Las Vegas, followed that up with an X Games Enduro X win in Barcelona and then won round two of the AMA series in Sacramento, California.  

Following the event in Germany, the riders will be back to Los Angeles for the final X Games event in 2013. That event will take place on Sunday, August 4th to conclude four days of X Games action.

Kevin Spencer, the former Bristol Rovers director has been banned from the Memorial Stadium due to “persistent criticism” of the club.

Spencer left the club six years ago following a boardroom split, which also saw the departure of ex-managing director Mike Turl and fellow directors Colin Williams and Kim Stuckey.

Spencer is believed to have been asked to leave the ground during Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Northampton and was also informed he was banned from attending in future.

In an official statement the club said: “The board of Bristol Rovers Football Club has excluded Mr Kevin Spencer from attendance at all future Bristol Rovers events following his persistent unfounded criticism of the Club and its Board.

“Mr Spencer resigned from the Board in June 2006 and has been consistent in his criticism which is unbecoming of an ex-director since that period, and the board feels that the only way to move on is to exclude him from future events.”

Dennis Lauscha, apoplectic recently named president of the Saints, will hold the same title with the New Orleans Hornets Hornets, following the removal of Hugh Weber as President.

Weber, the man who helped hold the Hornets’ franchise together during the 17 months it was owned by the NBA, is leaving the team, owner Tom Benson said Monday.

And though Weber will no longer be part of the team’s front office, Benson made it clear that Weber’s guidance during that turbulent time of league receivership was critical in the Hornets’ long-term future..

“Today we did make a change with Hugh,” Benson said, “and it is important to note that if it were not for his leadership in running the Hornets during a very difficult time, this sale would have not happened. He made the transition very smooth, and he should be commended.

“In most ownership changes like this, there is normally a change at the top, and although Hugh provided great leadership, we have decided it best to transfer our top management in Dennis to that role.”

Benson also reaffirmed that Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis will oversee the Hornets’ basketball operations as well as the Saints’ football operations, and that Hornets General Manager Dell Demps and Coach Monty Williams — who a source acknowledged were both greatly valued by Benson and his management team — will keep their jobs.

“We are in very good hands with Dell and Monty,” Loomis said.

A sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking said the franchise’s rebranding is already under way, but that a name change has not been formally requested to the NBA. A new team name could be in place by the 2013-14 season.

When Benson signed an agreement to purchase the Hornets for $338 million on April 13, he immediately said he wanted the team’s name to be more identifiable with New Orleans.

Weber, who joined the Hornets in 2005, said Monday he understands why he was not invited to remain with the team, and he harbors no ill will over the decision.

“They have a very specific business plan and model that has proven to be successful,” Weber said. “I didn’t quite fit into the model and plan. Instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, they decided to look at other options. That’s the nature of this business. It was very amicable and very good.

“I have the utmost respect for Mr. Benson and Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis; nothing but good will and strong feelings for them, and feel very confident that Dell and Monty are in good hands as is the balance of our staff, and that they’ll not skip a beat and continue to do amazing things in New Orleans.”

The first ever Asian Football Awards supported by The FA and Kick It Out, troche with Sporting Equals as its legacy partner saw leading figures come out to support the glitzy event at the home of football, Wembley Stadium.

Guests for this event included David Bernstein (FA Chairman), Paul Elliot, Graham Le Saux, Piara Powar, Mihir Bose, Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) and award winners Michael Chopra and Manish Bhasin.

 The AFA managed to engage with key representatives of those individuals working hard to engage with their communities and develop Asians within the game.  The event brought together representatives of clubs and organisations such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs, Aston Villa, QPR, Wolves, Charlton, Liverpool, The PFA and many leading Asian organisations.

Imran Hassan Co-Founder Asian Football Awards “It was really pleasing seeing so many key figures supporting and enjoying the awards, but the hard work begins now in our legacy programme.”

“A very big congratulations to all the nominees and winners, it really was truly inspirational to see so many role models, in particular nominees like Rikin Shah and Lifetime Achievement recipient Jarnail Singh”

Baljit Rihal Co-Founder Asian Football Awards “The first ever Asian Football Awards was a celebration of the success of Asians in all aspects of UK football. We are proud to have created the awards which we are confident will be an annual high profile event.”

Arun Kang CEO Sporting Equals “Sporting Equals was delighted to be a partner at the first ever Asian Football Awards. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the significant contribution that British Asians are making in the game at all levels, congratulations to all the nominees. I believe the strength of the awards is that they not only showcase elite players like Michael Chopra the Player of the Year, but also the considerable impact that Asians are making in coaching, sports medicine and administration, creating new role models and inspiring the next generation. We are now looking forward to finding talent, engaging and empowering communities through SE Talent id the legacy programme of the Asian Football Awards 2012.”

Russell Atkinson, Managing Director Lebara Mobile added “We are proud to be a part of the first ever Asian Football Awards, recognising excellence and inspiring future generations of Asians into the sport.  At Lebara, we are passionate about supporting activities, such as football, that are important to our customers. We are honoured to be associated with Michael Chopra, a highly deserving winner of the Player of the Year

The winners of the inaugural Asian Football Awards:

The Player of the Year Award (Sponsored by Lebara Mobile) – Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town)

The Young Player of the Year (Sponsored by Inventive Sports) – Danny Batth (Wolves/Sheff Wed)

Lifetime Achievement Award – Jarnail Singh (referee)

Football Media Award (Sponsored by Sony Entertainment Network) – Manish Bhasin (BBC)

Investors in Football – Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal (QPR)

Coach of the Year (Sponsored by Action Images) – Nas Bashir (Hayes and Yeading)

Asian Woman in Football – Rimla Akhtar

Foundation of the Year – Osmani Trust

Behind the Scenes – Administration – Raj Athwal (Watford FC) 

Behind the Scenes – Medical (Sponsored by SportsRecruit.co.uk) – Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool FC)

Grass Roots Hero (Sponsored by AsiansInFootball.com)– Bal Singh (The KFA) 

Asian Community Club of the Year – London Tigers

Inspiration Award – Permi Jhooti

Football Development Project of the Year (Sponsored by Sporting Equals) – Diversity Academy

The Asian Football Awards will be aired on Sony Entertainment Network on Friday 10th February 2012.

Sky Channel 782 Virgin – TV Channel 806

For press or legacy information please contact Initiate Sports on afa@initiatesports.com

Click here to see photos of the night

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.