Haroon Lorgat – CEO, ICC – Exclusive Interview with iSc

Haroon Lorgat, medstore CEO of The International Cricket Council (ICC), has taken part in an exclusive Featured Profile interview with iSportconnect.

Lorgat stated that his experience of first-class cricket provided him with “some credibility but more importantly with the insight needed to deal with cricketing issues and the viewpoints from a player’s perspective.”

The ICC has been faced with a multitude of issues in recent months, including the impact of The Decision Review System (DRS) and the rules that run alongside it. Lorgat sticks by the system and its purpose by saying, “simply look at the statistics” adding, “it is widely acknowledged that DRS has improved the number of correct umpiring decisions and avoided any major blunders, which is what it was designed to do.” Lorgat also considers the system to be highlighting the “outstanding ability of our match officials on many, many occasions.”

Lorgat was also confident that recent spot-fixing issues were something the Council had under control. He explained, “we have always been cautioning Members against complacency. I am also convinced that we have avoided many similar scenarios through the education and prevention systems we have in place.” The CEO of The ICC also added that he had “faith” in the appeal process and that cricket would “absolutely not” be tarnished if the charged trio of Pakistani cricketers were successful with their appeal.

Questions have been posed to the ICC regarding the recent success of Twenty20 cricket over the more traditional test and 50 over matches. Lorgat however, contested this opinion by saying “I did not hear a single viewpoint during the ICC Cricket World Cup that 50 over cricket was dead as the interest was significant with a large number of exciting matches.” He also said that the ICC were looking to “enhance the format” of the longer version and to come up with some “new innovations” to make it more exciting. Lorgat also believes the longer form of the game has already improved since the introduction of Twenty20, saying “the standards of fielding” and “run rates” were improving, as seen in The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup which had the highest runs per over rate of any World Cup.

The ICC’s decision to reformat the next two World Cups to 10 teams has been met with anger from associate members. Since then, the decision has been reviewed with Lorgat stating, “The President, in consultation with the executive and some Board colleagues, has decided that this decision should be reviewed at the Board meeting in June.”

Following security issues and ticket problems in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup, Lorgat believes that, “there is no stadium on the planet that could have catered for the demand for tickets that existed in this event.” He went on to say that, “there were no security incidents around the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and that is hopefully a reflection of the ICC.” There will also be no change in the process in staging the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand according to Lorgat. “We will work just as hard with the authorities in Australia and New Zealand because the security of the players, officials, staff and spectators will always be paramount in our thinking and planning.”

Before joining The ICC, Lorgat was a qualified chartered accountant but his “passion” for the game sparked his switch into the sport business world. “I grew up playing the sport every day and it was perhaps a case of trying to fit in my professional career while remaining involved in the sport.” In reference to his role of CEO he added that, “it is enjoyable to work with so many passionate and talented individuals in a stimulating environment.”

Lorgat had the final word on his association with iSportconnect and the incentives it brings, stating: “It brings together people in the fast moving sports business world and offers a platform for the exchange of views, opinions and new ideas.”

Read the full article here – http://isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7376&catid=52&Itemid=164

MP & Silva Gets Distribution Rights to German Handball-Bundesliga Until 2017

MP & Silva, abortion a leading international media rights company, order has secured a deal for the exclusive rights to distribute four seasons of DKB Handball-Bundesliga, from 2013/14 until 2016/17, which was marketed by SPORT1 in cooperation with German Handball-Bundesliga GmbH.

MP & Silva has worldwide exclusive distribution rights (excluding Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg and Alto Adige) for television rights across cable, satellite and terrestrial platforms, and for internet, mobile and betting rights. The package includes 2 live matches per round during the regular season (34 weeks), plus a Super Cup (20th of August), the All Star Game, the German Cup-Final Lufthansa Final Four and weekly highlight programmes.

Andrea Radrizzani, MP & Silva Group CEO, said: “We are extremely excited with this partnership with Handball-Bundesliga. They are the strongest handball league of the world, equivalent to the Premier League in football. We want to support them in advancing the popularity of handball internationally and build on the current positive momentum that the sport has gained in Europe. We look forward to working with our network of broadcasters and partners worldwide to take viewership of this great league to a greater height”

Frank Bohmann, General Manger DKB Handball-Bundesliga, said: “The 4 Season Corporation with MP & Silva is a great move for us on the international market. We are extremely excited with this new partnership and we look forward to participate from the worldwide network of MP & Silva in order to export our big and popular first class German handball to even more countries and viewers.”

FFA Offers Pay Rise to A-League Clubs

Football Federation Australia has offered a pay rise to A-League clubs for next season.

The FFA has reportedly offered the league’s ten clubs a dividend of (Au)$1.9M each for the 2012-13 season, a substantial increase from the (Au)$450,000 from the 2011-12 season and reasonably close to the (Au) $2.8M salary cap.

The increase would be part-funded by by a new government-backed sponsorship.{jcomments on}

Prince Albert of Monaco Becomes a Patron of World Olympians Association

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is to become a patron of the World Olympians Association (WOA), patient a unique worldwide organization uniting all 100,000 athletes to have competed in an Olympic event.

Following his election last month as President of WOA, Joël Bouzou asked Prince Albert to join in which immediately accepted. His role was unanimously approved by the WOA Board Members and by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Jacques Rogge.

The Sovereign succeeds Juan Antonio Samaranch who founded the WOA in 1994 and was Patron until his death in 2010.

Himself a fine athlete, H.S.H. Prince Albert II is the only Head of State to have participated in five Olympic Games in bobsleigh (Calgary 1988, Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994, Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002), He has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985.

A passionate champion of the cause of peace and social progress through sport for many years, H.S.H. Prince Albert II will full-heartedly support and promote the WOA’s new ambition and mission: serving Olympians during and after their careers, and serving society.

WOA President Joël Bouzou said: “It is a tremendous honour for the World Olympians Association to have H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco as the new Patron of our organization. He is an Olympian and a true humanist who has always believed that the values of sport can change lives and can change society for the better. His involvement and advocacy will greatly increase our influence and will make a huge difference to convince new stakeholders that Olympians across the globe can and should contribute to improve the world in which we live. I can’t thank him enough for his support.”

On Joël Bouzou’s recommendation, Swedish Alpine ski Champion and former IOC Member Pernilla Wiberg was also appointed Member of the WOA Executive Board

Pernilla Wiberg is one of the few skiers to have won medals in all five Alpine Ski disciplines (combined, slalom, giant slalom, downhill and Super G). Her achievements are exceptional: two gold medals in the Albertville and Lillehammer Games, four World Championship titles between 1991 and 1999, a victory in the 1997 World Cup, 24 racing medals (14 slalom, 3 Super G, 3 combined, 2 downhill, 2 giant slalom) and no less than 61 appearances on the winners’ podium.

Pernilla was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2002 to 2010 and she participated in many of its commissions: the Athletes’ commission, Sport and Environment, Ethics, and Coordination of the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Youth Olympic Games… She also serves as President of the Athletes’ commission for the International Ski Federation.

Singapore to Host Inaugural Asia Pacific Sports Conference

The Sports Industry has been growing significantly in the fast-developing economies of the Asia-
Pacific region, and sports events have been a driving force in shaping the sporting landscape in the
region. This September, Singapore will play host to an international audience from the industry as the
role of sports events takes centre stage at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Sports Conference.
The conference has attracted some of the most influential and respected individuals in the world of
sports administration and business from the global sports community. Almost 200 high-level decision
makers will meet at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Singapore, from 27th to 28th September 2011.
The wide-ranging event programme, which is complemented by a day of pre-conference workshops,
draws on expert presentations, panel discussions and case studies to highlight key trends in world
sport. Moreover, the conference will also identify opportunities for the Asian-Pacific region and
explore strategies which will enable its governments and industry leaders to make the most of the
economic and social opportunities presented by sport.
Confirmed speakers include Captain Husain Al-Musallam, Director-General, Olympic Council of Asia,
Pang Chung, Hon. Secretary General, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Dong-
Hoo Moon, Vice President, Secretary General, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Daegu 2011,
Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of FINA and Eric Lynge, Director for TV and Broadcast, ASIAN
Tour.
They will be joined by Priscilla Ho, MD of Prescient Sports and Entertainment, China, Jim O’Toole,
CEO, World Match Racing Tour, Thomas Lund, Chief Operating Officer, BWF, Badminton World
Federation, David Voth, Senior Director, Sports Marketing Group, Singapore Sports Council as well
as Toh Sen Nee, Secretary General, AFF, Asean Football Federation.
“Sports events are playing an increasingly important role in creating a social and commercial impact
in the Asia Pacific region. This conference provides a timely focus on the vast opportunities and some
of the challenges faced by event organisers in Asia,” said Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of
the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). “As we are holding the FINA Championships in
Shanghai this year, this conference is extremely timely for us and I am delighted to be a part of it, to
help promote the sports industry further in Asia.”
On Day One, sessions will deliver expert insight on the elements required to become a leading sports
city and a new understanding of planning and working with stakeholders to deliver international
sporting events. They will also identify strategies for building profitable and sustainable sports venues
and examine the increasingly important relationship between sport and other forms of entertainment.
In addition to case studies on the World Athletics Championships in Daegu and Suzuki Cup football
tournament, the opening day will feature a keynote address from Captain Husain Al-Musallam,
Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, who will examine Sport and Olympism as the
building blocks of 21st Century Asia.
Day Two sessions will focus on the critical relationship between events and sponsors and practical
ways of planning and delivering social and economic event legacies.
The rise of Social Media will also be put under the microscope as the session looks at ways to
engage consumers and the changing role of media in sport.
Day Two is enhanced by case studies focusing on Singapore’s transformation as a world-class
Formula One venue as well as the upcoming 14th FINA World Championships, Shanghai 2011 in
China, with sessions also covering the importance of sponsorship strategies in sport and the media.
The event, which is supported by the Singapore Sports Council, is organised by Informa Sports
Group, the specialist division of one of the world’s leading conference companies.
The Sports Industry has been growing significantly in the fast-developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region, and sports events have been a driving force in shaping the sporting landscape in the region. This September, Singapore will play host to an international audience from the industry as the role of sports events takes centre stage at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Sports Conference.

The conference has attracted some of the most influential and respected individuals in the world of sports administration and business from the global sports community. Almost 200 high-level decision makers will meet at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Singapore, from 27th to 28th September 2011.

The wide-ranging event programme, which is complemented by a day of pre-conference workshops, draws on expert presentations, panel discussions and case studies to highlight key trends in world sport. Moreover, the conference will also identify opportunities for the Asian-Pacific region and explore strategies which will enable its governments and industry leaders to make the most of the economic and social opportunities presented by sport.

Confirmed speakers include Captain Husain Al-Musallam, Director-General, Olympic Council of Asia, Pang Chung, Hon. Secretary General, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Dong- Hoo Moon, Vice President, Secretary General, IAAF World Athletics Championships, Daegu 2011, Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of FINA and Eric Lynge, Director for TV and Broadcast, ASIAN Tour.

They will be joined by Priscilla Ho, MD of Prescient Sports and Entertainment, China, Jim O’Toole, CEO, World Match Racing Tour, Thomas Lund, Chief Operating Officer, BWF, Badminton World Federation, David Voth, Senior Director, Sports Marketing Group, Singapore Sports Council as well as Toh Sen Nee, Secretary General, AFF, Asean Football Federation.

“Sports events are playing an increasingly important role in creating a social and commercial impact in the Asia Pacific region. This conference provides a timely focus on the vast opportunities and some of the challenges faced by event organisers in Asia,” said Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). “As we are holding the FINA Championships in Shanghai this year, this conference is extremely timely for us and I am delighted to be a part of it, to help promote the sports industry further in Asia.”

On Day One, sessions will deliver expert insight on the elements required to become a leading sports city and a new understanding of planning and working with stakeholders to deliver international sporting events. They will also identify strategies for building profitable and sustainable sports venues and examine the increasingly important relationship between sport and other forms of entertainment.

In addition to case studies on the World Athletics Championships in Daegu and Suzuki Cup football tournament, the opening day will feature a keynote address from Captain Husain Al-Musallam, Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, who will examine Sport and Olympism as the building blocks of 21st Century Asia.

Day Two sessions will focus on the critical relationship between events and sponsors and practical ways of planning and delivering social and economic event legacies.

The rise of Social Media will also be put under the microscope as the session looks at ways to engage consumers and the changing role of media in sport.

Day Two is enhanced by case studies focusing on Singapore’s transformation as a world-class Formula One venue as well as the upcoming 14th FINA World Championships, Shanghai 2011 in China, with sessions also covering the importance of sponsorship strategies in sport and the media.

The event, which is supported by the Singapore Sports Council, is organised by Informa Sports Group, the specialist division of one of the world’s leading conference companies.

About the Event

Asia Pacific Sports Conference will take place from 27-28 September in Singapore and will address the challenges and opportunities arising from hosting sports events in the Asian-Pacific region.

iSportconnect has become an official social media partner to the event to be staged later this year as it continues to build relationships with the world’s leading sports conferences.

Over the last decade the sports industry and major events have played an ever-increasing role in the Asian-Pacific region’s economic growth, as well as influencing culture and lifestyle. Governments in the region recognise the power of events to create a number of economic, political, social and cultural benefits and thus Asian countries have become major bidders for hosting and staging major sports events.

This significant shift of sports events and series to the East means there is ultimately a growing opportunity in the region for the sports industry. In recent years, for example, some of the biggest sponsorship deals have come out of Asia.

The Asia-Pacific Sports Conference 2011 will take place over two days and will give insights to the critical business challenges in hosting sports events in Asia.  Informa Sports Group is working closely with the Singapore Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Asia to develop the conference programme and ensure its importance, practicality and relevance to the industry.

The Asia Pacific Sports Conference will attract up to 200 high-level decision makers from sports federations, local organising committees, government, host cities and suppliers to sports events across the region. 

Ten Sports Secures Tour de France Rights in Indian Subcontinent

Ten Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for Tour de France till 2016 in the Indian subcontinent.

The channel has acquired the rights for all forms of free to air and pay television, ed DTH and IPTV transmission, pay per view and VOD from Amaury Sport Organisation.

Ten Sports will be the exclusive rights holder for the Indian subcontinent with the exception of rights being shared with the pan regional broadcaster Eurosport in Sri Lanka.

Ten Sports CEO Atul Pande said: “We are proud to be associated with anevent as esteemed as Tour de France, especially at a time when it ishaving its 100th edition in 2013. This long term relationship withTour de France will bring in much delight to our viewers who crave high adrenaline bicycle racing.”

The 2013 Tour de France will be the 100th edition. It is scheduled to start on 29 June in Corsica, in the city of Porto-Vecchio.

Everton Pull-Out of Indonesian Pre-Season Tournament

Everton FC have confirmed they have pulled out of the Java Cup in Indonesia later this week.

The Blues were due to play a Malaysia XI and then a Galatasaray side, ed but when the Turkish side pulled out only to be replaced by the Indonesia Under 21?s, no rx many people suspected something was afoot.

Some sources indicated that a lack of funds from the organisers might be to blame, cialis but a club spokesman explained, ”Club officials here in the UK and our forward planning/security team deployed to Jakarta at the weekend have repeatedly asked for clarity and assurances from the organisers on the issues but unfortunately have not received the answers we required in the timeframe necessary to ensure our participation.

“We are grateful for the support today of the Indonesian government in this matter, however the unresolved issues mean that the risk of travelling was too great.

“This decision was not taken lightly and we apologise for the obvious inconvenience caused to our supporters who have made, or were planning to make the trip and to our Indonesian fans who were looking forward to seeing Everton in action.

“The first team squad will now stay in the UK and continue their pre-season preparations.”

Indianapolis Colts Hire Former Eagles Director Ryan Grigson as GM

The Indianapolis Colts have hired Ryan Grigson, former Philadelphia Eagles director of player personnel, to be their next general manager.

Grigson, who has been with the Eagles in a number of capacities for almost eight years after being hired by the team as a scout in 2004, will replace former Colts general manager Bill Polian, who was fired on January 2.

Grigson is an Indiana native and played college football for Purdue in the early 1990s; he missed a full season after his stomach was hit by a defender’s helmet, causing a kidney ailment, but would return to serve as one of Purdue’s captains. After being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995 and bouncing to the Detroit Lions and then the Canadian Football League, Grigson retired after suffering a career-ending back injury in 1997. His first post-playing job in the NFL was a scouting position with the St. Louis Ramsin 1999.

Grigson has agreed a four-year deal and includes a team option for a fifth year.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Ambassador of Seeing is Believing at ’11 Standard Chartered Great City Race

(Left to right: Visually impaired Paralympic legend Noel Thatcher, ed Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, and Standard Chartered CEO Europe Richard Holmes)

Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE has signed up to be an ambassador for Seeing is Believing, a global initiative that tackles avoidable blindness. Sir Ranulph’s first engagement as the new ambassador was at this morning’s launch for The Standard Chartered Great City Race, which takes place on Thursday 14 July. Seeing is Believing is the official beneficiary of this unique 5km corporate team running challenge.

This year’s race will see 6,500 City workers from over 350 firms taking to the streets of the square mile. The 5k challenge aims to improve the lives of 6,500 children in developing markets around the world through the provision of eye care. Five kilometres is a relatively short distance, however the impact is significant with £5 from every runners’ entry fee going directly to Seeing is Believing, which will be matched by Standard Chartered Bank.

Teams are also being encouraged to help raise further funds for the initiative and Standard Chartered has pledged to match all donations pound for pound. With 90% of people with avoidable blindness living in low income countries all donations can have a major impact – £20 is enough to provide a sight-saving cataract operation.

Speaking at today’s launch Sir Ranulph said, “The statistics around avoidable blindness are quite shocking. Of the 285 million people living with blindness and visual impairment in the world, 80% of cases could have been prevented, treated or cured. Tragically one child goes blind every minute and 60% of these will go on to die within a year.

“If a father goes blind then it’s not just him who suffers, if he loses his job then the whole family will suffer. The heartening thing is that small measures can have a really significant impact and the funds raised through this year’s race will help thousands of children.”

Joining Sir Ranulph at the launch of the race was British Visually Impaired and Paralympic running legend Noel Thatcher MBE who has won 5 Paralympic gold medals and David Bedford, former 10,000m world record holder and Race Director of the Virgin London Marathon. Pictures and video content of Sir Ranulph with Noel, along with advice on how you can support Seeing is Believing can be found on the race’s Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/standardcharteredgreatcityrace

Also taking part in today’s launch was Standard Chartered CEO Europe Richard Holmes who said, “We’re very proud of the work we do with Seeing is Believing and since we launched the initiative in 2003 we have helped raise over USD32 million for tackling avoidable blindness. However there is still a long way to go and we hope that everyone who is taking part in the race can use their participation to help raise awareness and funds for the cause.”

AMA Pro Racing Seals CBS Sports Broadcast Deal

CBS Sports Network and AMA Pro Racing, in conjunction with Chet Burks Productions, announced today a television agreement to showcase GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing as part of the Network’s CBS Sports Spectacular series.

CBS Sports Network will broadcast the premier National Guard SuperBike and GoPro Daytona SportBike classes through the 2014 season. Programming begins Saturday, June 1 with a 30-minute preview show before live coverage of the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing telecasts are produced by Chet Burks Productions, long-time partner of AMA Pro Racing programs. The initial telecasts will be presented in afternoon weekend time slots, with several events airing live. In addition, encore broadcasts and an all-new 30-minute weekend preview show will air on CBS Sports Network. 

“We’re excited to add AMA Pro to our CBS Sports Spectacular lineup,” said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network. “GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing is a high octane, action-packed sport featuring some of the world’s best motorcycle racers and is a great addition to our live programming this summer.” 

“We are incredibly proud of this television package and excited to begin our new relationship with CBS Sports Network,” said David Atlas, Managing Board Member of AMA Pro Racing. “Through the live action and in-depth features, we will present fans with the most intense immersion into our unique and exciting racing that the sport has ever seen.” 

“This agreement is the result of a tremendous amount of time and commitment from AMA Pro and is a significant step for motorcycle racing in America,” said Chet Burks, President of Chet Burks Productions. “We look forward to producing an exciting television experience for CBS Sports Network viewers.”