The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has revealed plans to establish partnerships with broadcasters in the region to help enhance television coverage for major Paralympic events in Asia.

Through collaboration with the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), ailment the APC hopes to attract more public broadcasters and Free-to-Air (FTA) stations to be involved in Paralympic activities and sporting events in the region. 

APC recently initiated engagement efforts with Asian broadcasters by participating in the 52nd Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Sports Conference held in Bali, capsule Indonesia last week. 

Delegates representing more than 25 public and private broadcasting organisations as well as sports marketing agencies attended the conference which was organised by the Kuala Lumpur-based ABU. 

APC’s delegation was headed by the IPC its president and IPC Governing Board Member Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin, pills IPC Commercial and Marketing Director Alexis Schafer Secretary General, Malini, APC Para-Games chairman Jia Yong, APC Sports and Development Committee Chairman Billy Lee, APC Media and Communications head, Naseruddin Wahab. 

Prominent broadcasters which attended the four-day Conference include CCTV of China, Korea’s KBS, NHK of Japan, IRIB of Iran, Media Corp (Singapore), Astro, TV3 and RTM of Malaysia, TVRI (Indonesia) and other Asian public broadcasters. 

Zarin was convinced that the partnership would be fruitful in enhancing and sustaining more awareness and interests on the Paralympic sports and Games in the region. 

“Last year’s London Paralympic Games has proven that para-events are not to be left out … receiving great TV coverage and airtime and recording huge number of global audience,” he said. “We believe that the same scenario can happen here in this region with the collaboration with ABU and Asian broadcasters. 

The Asian Para-Games are held every four years, back-to-back with the Asian Games. Guangzhou, China, hosted the first Asian Para Games in 2010 while Incheon will host the next edition next year in Korea.

Wordlink Sport Limited, ed the sports and gaming division of Wordlink Group Plc, apoplectic has signed on to become Fulham FC’s Official Betting and Gaming Partner.

The three-year deal, which commenced at Fulham’s opening day 5-0 defeat of Norwich City on Saturday, will see Worldlink provide dedicated desktop and mobile applications together with its licensed bookmaking partner, BetButler.

BetButler, powered by Worldlink Sport, will offer Fulham fans exclusive matchday betting provision, both at Craven Cottage and online via the Club’s official website, sourcing the best odds across 60+ bookmakers to enhance supporters’ betting experience

Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham FC CEO said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Worldlink as one of our key partners. They impressed us not only with their product but their commitment to a long term partnership and we are looking forward to building a successful relationship with them over the next three years.”

Neil Riches, Managing Director of Worldlink added: “I am thrilled to be announcing the partnership with Fulham FC . We are looking forward to providing the Fulham fans with an enhanced betting experience, and developing a long term relationship with a club of such international prestige and one that has got off to such a fantastic start to the season.”

About Worldlink:

Worldlink Sport is the sports and gaming division of Worldlink Group PLC which is one of the UK’s leading real-time mobile applications companies with patented technology that allows information held on the mobile device to be updated automatically without the need for a manual refresh. Information is delivered via a mobile telecommunications network in real time, whilst intelligently minimising the bandwidth required to transmit the data. The technology is patent protected in the US and UK and is patent pending in Europe. Worldlink has already licensed its patents to leading institutions in the financial and technology sectors and is furthering this process in the UK, US and Europe.

 

Commonwealth Games squash gold medallist, Sue Wright, has been appointed an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers.

The only Ambassador who has established her sporting reputation in squash, Wright believes that her appointment is a significant coup for the sport which is currently preparing its bid to become part of the programme for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020.

Phil Smith, director of sport at Sport England, commented: “We’re delighted to have Sue as one of our ambassadors. Everyone who chooses to become a Sport Maker is invited to an informal event that aims to inspire them to make sport happen in their communities.

“Sue has shown she has the knowledge, passion and the experience to motivate others and to increase participation in sport.”

Wright is establishing a new career in sports media and was a commentator on the live coverage of the World Series Squash Finals at The Queen’s Club in London last month on Sky TV, and also appears regularly on BBC Radio Oxford.

“For me personally, it is not only exciting having the Olympics just around the corner and being part of its legacy but, as a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, it thrills me even more to think that squash could potentially become part of the Olympic Games in 2020, and what an amazing impact that would have on the sport,” added Wright.

“It would be, without question, the pinnacle of the game and I am looking forward to our bid achieving success and squash gaining Olympic status.”

Sport Makers describes itself as being about making sport happen by giving people the skills to get others playing or competing either through a specific event or a local club.

The programme aims to capitalise on the interest in sport in Britain in 2012 by creating 40,000 Sport Makers, all encouraging others to participate in sport.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to be an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers,” said Wright. 

“It is a fantastic programme, encouraging and inspiring people to get involved in sport at local level in a very informal way.

“Maybe organising a jog around the park with friends, a kick about with colleagues or throwing a frisbee with family on a regular basis is all it takes to become a Sport Maker and become part of the Olympic Legacy.”

Wright, originally from Kent, spent most of her playing career based in Thame in Oxfordshire before moving to nearby Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire. 

In a distinguished squash career, she celebrated a career-high world No3 ranking in 1998 and later in the year partnered Cassie Jackman to gold in the Commonwealth Games women’s doubles in Kuala Lumpur.

She also finished runner-up in the world-renowned British Open in 1991 and 2000. 

With more than 80 junior and senior caps to her name, she represented England as a senior international from 1989 to 2001, leading the country to six European titles and to the World championship final in 1998.

by Ismail Uddin

Former Barcelona Vice-Chairman and CEO Ferran Soriano has been appointed the new Chief Executive officer at Manchester City beginning his role from September 1st.

Ferran has worked for several multinational companies across Europe and America and has more than 20 years of strategic consultancy and executive experience in football, telecommunications, consumer goods and aviation. 

Speaking of the appointment, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “The process of finding a Chief Executive Officer has been deliberate, far reaching and exhaustive. In Ferran we have our preferred candidate. His experience in football and in the wider commercial world make him exceptionally well equipped to lead Manchester City through its continued evolution.

It is important to recognise and thank the Board, the Executive Leadership Team and in particular, Interim Chief Executive, John MacBeath, for their hard work during the search period.”

Ferran Soriano said: “I am delighted to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City Football Club. The vision of the owner together with his commitment, and that of the Chairman and Board, make this opportunity absolutely compelling.

“The Club has incredible potential to be fulfilled both on and off the field. I very much look forward to playing my part to ensure that happens.”

During his time at Barcelona, Ferran led and managed the Club’s turnaround from revenues of €123 million ($152m) and losses of €73million ($90m) to €308 million ($380m) revenue and €88 million ($107m) cumulated profit within five years. He also oversaw some of the biggest commercial and media deals in the industry and devised fan acquisition and relationship models and concepts for real estate development.

The announcement follows the appointment of TomGlick in the newly created role of Chief Commercial and Operating Officer. Tom takes up his position from August 20th. Ferran and Tom have been working closely together with senior figures at the football club in order to ensure the smoothest of transitions.

International Olympic Committee Vice President Mario Pescante resigned on Tuesday from his role following the Italian government’s refusal to back a Rome 2020 Olympic bid.

“We can confirm that Mario Pescante has resigned as IOC Vice-President,” an IOC official told Reuters.

Pescante, one of Italy’s most influential sports power brokers, told reporters he was unable to remain after the government last week dashed Rome’s 2020 Games hopes by refusing to back the bid due to the country’s belt-tightening measures.

Pescante, 73, who will remain as IOC member for Italy, had led the Rome bid until its sudden demise last week.

“I feel a bit embarrassed to be representing a country which has thrown in the towel early,” Pescante told reporters, adding that Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s snub had come far too late, only hours before the application deadline.

“Monti’s decision was accepted with due respect but …I must say my position in the IOC Executive is no longer compatible with my role.”

Madrid, Tokyo, Istanbul, Qatar’s Doha and Azerbaijan’s Baku are in the running for the 2020 summer Games with the IOC due to choose the winning candidacy in September next year.

Read Mario Pescante’s interview with iSportconnect here

Property website and principal sponsor of West Bromwich Albion FC, sale Zoopla.co.uk, has announced it will become the main sponsor of the Albion Foundation, which delivers sports and education opportunities in the local community.

Over the next two years, the website has committed to fundraising and has pledged £50,000 to the Albion Foundation.

As part of its wider goal of supporting the local community, Zoopla has also launched ‘Golden Goals’ to help to raise additional funds for the Albion Foundation and a number of other local charities.

Every time West Bromwich Albion FC scores a goal in a Premier League match this season, Zoopla will donate £1,000 to charity. £500 will go to the Albion Foundation and £500 will be shared amongst other West Midlands based charities including Ideal for All, Krunch, Compton Hospice, CLIC Sargent (West Midlands Region) and Macmillan (West Midlands Region).

With this in mind, Albion’s 3-0 win over Liverpool on the opening day of the season raised £3000 for local charities.

Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Albion Foundation and a host of other local charities. The Albion Foundation do outstanding work in the local community as do the other charities we have chosen to support and we recognise that these charities rely heavily on donations from businesses like ours.

“We are keen to do what we can to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and with the launch of our Golden Goals, the more Albion score this season, the more we will donate – go Baggies!”

Rob Lake, Director of the Albion Foundation added: “It is fantastic to have the support of Zoopla. This funding will make such a difference to the Foundation and enable us to further develop the crucial work we are doing to “Inspire to Achieve” and make a real difference.

“We think the innovative “Golden Goals” initiative is great and we are delighted to be working with Zoopla to support some of our partner local charities.

“I am sure the fans will be interested to see where the funding is going every time we score a goal in the Premier League.”

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.”