National governing body USA Triathlon (USAT) has confirmed the hiring of Jonathan Hall, viagra a highly regarded multisport coach and mentor, symptoms to the newly created Performance Leader position within the organisation.

Hall joins USAT from the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne, drugs Australia, where he served as the Triathlon Head Coach. He previously worked as an Assistant Coach and Specialist Coach with Triathlon Australia’s national program, mentoring athletes to a number of world championship titles and an Olympic Games appearance.

Hall’s duties at USA Triathlon will include managing the relationships among the High Performance staff and elite athletes’ individual coaches, developing team camps and training modules and implementing race-day strategy. Additionally, Hall will direct the resident athlete program at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and lead USA Triathlon’s coaching excellence program.

His debut event with USA Triathlon will be the Clermont, Florida, International Triathlon Union Pan American Cup on 3 March 2012.

“USA Triathlon is thrilled to welcome Jonathan Hall to our High Performance staff,” said USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach. “His addition will complement the talented team already in place led by High Performance General Manager Andy Schmitz.

“Our aim is to regularly place US elite athletes on the podium at world championship events and the Olympic Games, and Jonathan will help us reach that goal.”

“I look forward to joining USA Triathlon’s strong team of elite athletes, coaches and staff,” added Hall. “My aim is to bring an outside perspective to the High Performance team and create a collaborative platform for future performances so that USA Triathlon reaches its full potential and consistently posts medal-winning performances at the sport’s biggest events.”

Hall’s expertise is focused on all areas of athlete and coach development – both systematic and strategic – in pursuit of podium finishes at world championship events and the Olympic Games. He possesses a wealth of experience mentoring coaches and has led extensive triathlon programs in Australia and Europe.

After earning Level I and Level II coaching certification from Cycling Australia in the 1990s, Hall worked his way through Levels I, II and III coaching certification from Triathlon Australia upon retiring as a competitive athlete.

With Hall’s addition, Andy Schmitz will direct the operations and administrative side of the High Performance staff. Schmitz will continue to guide strategic planning, including race-related resourcing and staffing, and will develop and manage the department’s annual budget.

He will direct USA Triathlon’s talent identification and athlete development programs, serve in an advisory capacity to the Elite Triathlon Academy and manage relationships with the US Olympic Committee, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the US Anti-Doping Agency.

by Ismail Uddin

cheap helvetica, discount sans-serif;”>Soccerex have announced that Tom Bender, ed Executive Board Member on the Bundesliga, Umberto Gandini, Organising Director at AC Milan and French World Cup Legend Marcel Desailly will be joining top referee Howard Webb for the ‘Great Football Debate’ at this year’s Soccerex Global Convention, 26-30 November 2011, held in the fabulous city of Rio de Janeiro.

Part of the Soccerex Global Convention conference programme, ‘The Great Football Debate’ is a session where a mix of leading industry stakeholders will give their opinions on the latest issues affecting the football world.

With all four panel representatives bringing individual expertise from different areas of football, the aim of the session is to get a rounded perspective on the key issues dominating the industry at present. With no formal agenda, this session will be shaped by questions asked by Soccerex delegates.  Soccerex will be inviting delegates to submit the questions they want answering via their LinkedIn group.

The debate is just one session that makes up an impressive conference line-up at this year’s Soccerex Global Convention.  Other topics that will be discussed include the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, Stadia, Sustainability, Performance, Social Media, Commercial Success, plus exclusive sessions with some of the footballs biggest stars past and present.

As well as an in-depth conference schedule, the Soccerex Global Convention will consist of a packed exhibition and a number of networking events taking place in the Forte de Copacabana plus a two day Football Festival taking place on the iconic Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro.

For further information about this event please call  +44 (0)208742 7100 or visitwww.soccerex.com/global.

DIRECTV Sports Networks and the Mountain West Conference have entered into a multi-year agreement, herbal making DIRECTV Sports, here and its ROOT SPORTS-branded regional sports network, ambulance the regional TV home of Mountain West football and men’s basketball.

ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain will annually produce and televise approximately 10 football games featuring Mountain West teams, and a minimum of 25 MW intra-conference and non-conference men’s basketball games, beginning with the 2013-2014 season. All events will be produced and distributed in high definition.

“We are pleased to partner with the Mountain West Conference to bring these games to fans throughout the region,” said Patrick Crumb, President of DIRECTV Sports Networks. “The Mountain West offers competitive, compelling match-ups, and we look forward to providing a platform to showcase the conference and its teams.”

“Our entire ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain team is excited to be the regional home of the Mountain West Conference,” said David Woodman, General Manager of ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain. “With many member institutions located within our network’s footprint, these games will be a great addition to our collegiate sports programming for years to come.”

“This unique partnership will provide enhanced coverage and promotion for the entire MW membership,” said Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson. “ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain is an important component in an innovative, multi-platform exposure plan for the future of the league.”

Diego Maradona attended a Beijing court hearing on Friday about his $3.2M image rights claim against two Chinese Internet companies.

Maradona has reportedly accused the companies of using his name and picture for an online gaming site without asking his permission.

Maradona’s agent in China, Tang Qinghui, said she could not comment on the case.

However, the 51-year-old is reportedly seeking 20M yuan ( us $3.2M) in compensation. Tang said is in China to “discuss with football officials how the game can be developed” in the country at  grassroots level. {jcomments on}

Doubts have emerged over Rio 2016 after resignations of it security director, Luiz Fernando Corrêa, and chief commercial officer, Flavio Pestana.

Corrêa has resigned amid accusations of corruption during his time as National Secretary for Public Security in 2007.

Corrêa, was appointed as the Rio Games security chief last May, but is facing legal action amid accusations of overcharging of up to 18 millon real ($10.5 million) for contracts for the purchase of computer equipment during the 2007 Pan-American Games which were signed without going to tender.

A statement from Rio 2016 claimed that Corrêa, 53, was resigning from his post because he did not want the legal dispute to interfere with preparations for the Games.

But he was “confident of a decision in his favour”, they said.

The statement added: “After presenting his defence case, prepared by the Federal Attorney General’s Office, and confident on a favourable ruling, Corrêa aims to seek compensation for image, moral and monetary damages from those directly and indirectly responsible.”

In addition to the security of the competition and non-competition venues, Corrêa was also handling the liaison for the Olympcis and Paralympics with all the Government security agencies.

Corrêa had headed the SENASP – the national public security department – between 2003 and 2007, when he oversaw security for the Pan and Parapan American Games Rio 2007 before being appointed Federal Police General Director, a post he left in January 2011.

The decision of Pestana to resign due to “personal problems” comes only a month after he had been appointed to replace Maggie Sanchez, who had sacked in October after, what was described, “incompatibility of philosophies”.

“Hiring a professional of the highest caliber such as Flavio Pestana…ensures the confidence and reliability we need to conduct such a record-breaking sponsorship programme and develop new revenue generating programmes for staging memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016,” said Carlos Nuzman, the President of Rio 2016, at the time of his appointment.

Leonardo Gryner, the chief executive of Rio 2016, will act as the chief commercial officer in an interim capacity, supported by the commercial department structure, which includes the sponsorship sales director, Rodrigo Frazão; the partner Sservices director, Henrique Leal; and the head of licensing, retail and concessions Sylmara Multini.

by Ismail Uddin

Bei einem Treffen in der Zentrale des Deutschen Fußball-Bundes haben sich die Präsidenten von Fortuna Düsseldorf und Benfica Lissabon über die offenen Fragen nach dem abgebrochenen Testspiel beider Vereine am 11. August 2012 verständigt. Das Gespräch war auf Initiative und im Beisein des portugiesischen Verbandspräsidenten Fernando Gomes und des DFB-Präsidenten Wolfgang Niersbach im Sinne der freundschaftlichen Beziehungen zwischen beiden Verbänden und den Vereinen zustande gekommen.

In dem Gespräch brachte die Vereinsspitze von Benfica Lissabon ausdrücklich ihr Bedauern über den Spielabbruch zum Ausdruck. Einig waren sich beide Vereine, click dass das Verhalten eines Spielers die Beziehungen beider Klubs nicht belasten darf.

Benfica-Präsident Luis Filipe Vieira sagte: “Wir bedauern den Vorfall sehr und freuen uns, denture dass wir die Irritationen ausräumen und so schnell eine Lösung finden konnten. Uns war es sehr wichtig, discount dass die freundschaftlichen Beziehungen zu Fortuna Düsseldorf auch in Zukunft bestehen bleiben.”

Fortunas Vorstandsvorsitzender Peter Frymuth sagte: “Das Treffen hat uns geholfen, die offenen Fragen in einer freundschaftlichen Atmosphäre persönlich anzusprechen und auf eine unbürokratische Art zu regeln. Mit der gefundenen Lösung können wir als Verein sehr zufrieden sein.” 

Former Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn has decided to leave the Premier League club after six years to spend more time with his family and concentrate on business interests outside of football.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who as chairman put together the Drumaville consortium which backed Sunderland’s return to the Premier League, and then persuaded American tycoon Ellis Short to take over, today announced he is to end his involvement as director of international development.

Quinn stepped aside as Sunderland chairman last year to focus on increasing the club’s international profile but is now decided to quit the club with immediate effect.

“I’ve had the most amazing six years and it gives me a huge sense of pride to see where Sunderland is today,” Quinn said.

“Sunderland is in an incredibly fortunate position to have a hugely talented team of people leading the football club right now.

“There is a tremendous amount of energy about the place and the board and the executive management team are a dynamic and committed group, who hold the best interests of the club at the core of all they do.

“Everything is in place for Sunderland to really make a statement, which was always my aim.
Quinn cited bringing in manager Martin O’Neill earlier in the season as “an absolute highlight” and is confident that the Northern Irishman “will harness the immense passion that exists here and take us to new heights”.

The former Sunderland striker said he will still get that same “knot” in his stomach before every game but will always get a feeling of pure elation if results continue to go well on the pitch.

Chairman Ellis Short said: “Niall Quinn is and always will be a Sunderland legend. His vision brought me into the club and that vision still inspires what we do.

“His hard work laid down the foundations that we are now building on and the vision and drive he showed both in those early days and indeed in recent times as he focused on our international development, particularly in Africa, should never be underestimated.

“We fully understand his desire to take a back seat now and to concentrate on his own life and interests away from football and he deserves that opportunity.”

by Ismail Uddin

Leading sports equipment manufacturer and supplier Mark Harrod Ltd have dived back in as a partner for the 2012 brmb Grass Roots Football Show.

Mark Harrod Ltd , who manufacture a number of their products from their Stafford base in the UK, have been named as a partner to the biggest event of its kind in Europe and will once again supply the goals used throughout the show.

Suppliers of high quality sports equipment direct to schools, colleges, local authorities and sports clubs, Mark Harrod Ltd, had a stand out event as a partner in 2011 and have been quick to re sign for next year’s event at the NEC.

Joanna Burns, Director of the brmb Grass Roots Football Show, said; “We are delighted to have signed a partnership with Mark Harrod for the 2012 show. Safety of our visitors and quality of equipment for our coaches and players are two of the major priorities when putting together this kind of show.

“With over 30 year experience in the sports equipment industry they are the industry leaders and a perfect fit for the ever expanding brmb Grass Roots Football Show.”

Mark Harrod, Managing Director of Mark Harrod Ltd, said; “Last year’s show was by far our best and we are very excited about the 2012 brmb Grass Roots Football Show. We have seen a definite shift change since the introduction of the new organisers in 2011.  They delivered a superb event for all of the grass roots football family and that is reflected in our decision to partner the show again in 2012.

“We have no doubt that the Grass Roots Football Show will continue to grow and grow and we are very excited about having the opportunity to play a part in that.”

Following a highly successful staging in 2011, Britain’s premier football show will be held at the NEC from Friday May 25 – Sunday May 27 2012.

The Show will be the prelude to a busy summer of football in 2012 with the European Championships due to kick off in June.

Indian broadcaster, buy Ten Sports have secured a ground-breaking deal with Olympic Council of Asia to show the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, ampoule South Korea and four other Asian Olympic Competitions.

The deal was brokered by MP & Silva, health the international sports media company and media advisor of OCA.  The rights package includes:  2013 Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games, Incheon S. KOREA; 2013 Asian Youth Games, Nanjing CHINA; 2013 Asian Games Centennial Festival, Boracay PHILIPPINES; 2014 Asian Beach Games, Phuket THAILAND and 2014 Asian Games, Incheon S. Korea.

Ten Sports is a premier sports channel reaching over 55 million homes across the Indian subcontinent. The deal with TEN Sports will include access to all programmed transmission hours to all the OCA events listed above.

This is the second time that TEN Sports will broadcast the Asian Games, the world’s second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games, after the successful broadcast of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.  

Andrea Radrizzani, Group CEO, MP &Silva, said: “In our capacity as media advisors of OCA we are working to guarantee not only the highest level of production guidelines for the sporting events but also guarantee the success of the Olympic Asian sports movement and improve its reach to other regions of the world. We believe this deal with TEN Sports improve the penetration of the Asian Games and the other competitions in the South Asian region.”

Husain Al-Musallam, OCA General Director, said: “We are extremely happy with the results of this broadcasting deal. Through this partnership with MP & Silva and TEN Sports, we will be able to give more visibility not only to the Asian Games but all the Asian Olympic competitions in the Indian sub-continent.”

Mr. Atul Pande , CEO Ten Sports added: “We  are extremely delighted to partner with the Olympic Council of Asia for telecast of Asian Games 2014. This agreement is a testament to our commitment of reaching out to a wide audience base across South Asia with the most interesting and compelling programming not limited to cricket.  We are committed to promote the spirit of the Asian Games and are delighted that our viewers can now be part of the excitement as they watch, share and celebrate the 2014 Asian Games and additional OCA tournaments on our platforms.”

The Premier League has announced a clamp down on websites hosting illegal streams of matches.

Top-flight officials recently confirmed that 30,000 offending sites were put to an end during the last season, stamping out around 75 streams per match played.

Barclays Premier League officials enlisted the help of a company called NetResult, which scans the web for illegitimate streaming activity and blocks sites at the source, BBC News reports.

“If you want top quality football, it costs money,” said a Premier League spokesperson. “It’s not just about star performers getting paid well, it’s about investment in facilities and youth development.”

NetResult’s Tim Cooper says that the firm aims to shut down around 80% of illegal streams, as eliminating them entirely has proved problematic.

“It is a case of ‘whack-a-mole’. One disappears and another one comes back online,” he said. “I’m sure people who’ve tried to view Premier League content have found that it’s not the best experience.

“Streams can lag, they can be shut down, you have to find another one.”

Critics of the Premier League’s crackdown have pointed out that the governing body fails to provide a cost-effective means of watching all of their team’s matches without subscribing to a service such as Sky.

The Premier League agreed a £760 million a year deal with Sky, and another with BT for the 2013-2014 season earlier this year.