British Judo has let go performance director Margaret Hicks as they look to capitalize on their home advantage and reach their medal target at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Hicks will vacate the role of performance director, with Jane Bridge leaving the senior women’s coach post as well.

It follows the decision last week to appoint German Daniel Lascau as the new performance director of British Judo.

British Judo have targeted two medals next year, and wanted a performance director who will strengthen the leadership of the organisation, unifying those involved in the programme to support British athletes ahead of the Games, it is claimed.

On their website, British Judo paid tribute to Hicks for building performance structures and for having a positive impact, whilst they also credited Bridge for her work with the women’s team.

Densign White, British Judo chairman, said: “British Judo can deliver the target of two Olympic medals in London next summer, but we need to strengthen our technical expertise and move more players into the seeded zone of the world ranking list.”

Japan’s preparations to host Rugby World Cup 2019 have been given a further boost after the International Rugby Board announced that the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) will host the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011.

The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament, denture now an established event on the annual Rugby calendar with its exciting brand of local rivalry and competitive action, will have an extra dimension as Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga look to gain advantage ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Samoa will defend the title they won for the first time on home soil last year as the single-host format continues. All six IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 matches will be played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo between July 2-13, providing fans with three double-header match days and the ability to see some of the world’s most exciting players in action before they head to New Zealand.

“Rugby in Asia is continuing to go from strength to strength and the IRB is delighted to award this major international tournament to Japan and a Union that has been at the very heart of this growth,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Japan staged an exceptional IRB Junior World Championship and is preparing to host the first ever Rugby World Cup in Asia. The single-hosting format of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup has proved extremely popular, allowing a greater platform for broadcast and media coverage, attendances, training and legacy programmes. I have no doubt that the 2011 tournament will be a resounding success.”

Tonga will play Fiji on the opening day while hosts Japan take on champions Samoa. Both corresponding fixtures in last year’s tournament produced thrilling matches as Fiji defeated Tonga by just three points – one of half the tournament matches to be decided by a margin of three points or less – and the Brave Blossoms secured a 31-23 victory over the eventual winners.

For the JRFU, the announcement adds to the expanding portfolio of international Rugby tournaments awarded to Japan after they played host to a record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship in 2009.

Hosting the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 will give a further boost to the exposure of the Game across Asia as Japan looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2019 and a tournament aimed at bringing together the Asian Rugby family for a unique celebration of world-class Rugby across the continent.

“It is an honour to solo host the very important and prestigious IRB Pacific Nations Cup and we are grateful to the IRB for deciding to hold it next July in Tokyo. We look forward to welcoming the other participating Unions, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and we would also love to see Rugby fans from all the corners of the globe,” said Vice President and Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union Nobby Mashimo.

“We are very confident that it will be a great success and that the players, teams, management and spectators will thoroughly enjoy their stay in Tokyo where tradition and modernism so vividly co-exist.”

“The sixth IRB Pacific Nations Cup is an ideal occasion to showcase the potential of the Rugby market in Japan, the enthusiasm of Japanese rugby fans and the ability of the Brave Blossoms. The Tournament will give the world Rugby family a glimpse of what lies ahead for Rugby World Cup 2019. See you next July here in Tokyo!” added Mashimo.

IRB Regional General Manager for Oceania Will Glenwright added: “The IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2011 is set to be the most exciting and competitive to date, with the tournament providing vital international matches for the Pacific Islands and Japan as they prepare for Rugby World Cup 2011 and also for their longer term development towards Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019.”

“The tournament has become of vital importance to both the Oceania and Asia region and offers a wonderful opportunity to develop players, match officials and structures for all the Unions involved. It was hugely encouraging to see the much-improved performance of these nations during the recent November Test window.”

The tournament will also throw up two tasters for Rugby World Cup 2011 where Tonga will meet Pool A rivals Japan on Wednesday, September 21 in Whangarei before Fiji take on Samoa in their Pool D clash on September 25 in Auckland.

Russian business tycoon Anton Zingarevich will finally take the reins at Reading following the successful completion of his takeover of the newly promoted Premier League club.

Zingarevich agreed to buy 51% of the Royals from Sir John Madejski in January through Thames Sport Investment, viagra owned by Zingarevich.

The deal had hoped to have been completed in March but delays meant approval has at last been cleared on Tuesday, patient exactly six weeks after manager Brian McDermott guided the Berkshire outfit to promotion from the Championship.

A statement released by Reading read: “Reading Football Club are pleased to announce that a 51% acquisition by Thames Sports Investment (owned by Anton Zingarevich) has now been completed, ed complying with all Premier League and Football League requirements.

“Four additional directors have been added to the Reading Football Club board chaired by Sir John Madejski, namely Anton Zingarevich, Christopher Samuelson, Andrew Obolensky and chief executive Nigel Howe. Ian Wood-Smith also remains a director.

“The football club and TSI would like to thank both the Premier League and Football League for their assistance, and we now enter another bright new era for our historic club, back in the Barclays Premier League.”

Former Welsh Premier side Neath FC have been wound up.

They had been under threat for months, seeing off winding up moves brought by the taxman in March — only to come under attack from Barclays Bank.

Neath FC president Peter Hain said he hoped the soccer club would now emerge phoenix-like from the ashes.

“It’s a very sad day,” said the Neath MP. “For Neath FC to have scaled such heights and then come crashing down is a savage blow.”

Neath FC came into being in 2005, when Welsh League clubs Skewen Athletic and Neath decided to merge. But latterly fans became increasingly worried about the club’s future following the financial issues, legal proceedings and chairman Geraint Hawkes’s import business going into administration. In October, the payment of players’ wages was delayed by what the club referred to as “issues”.

Last month, Neath were kicked out of the Welsh Premier League, meaning they could not compete in Europe next season after failing to gain either a domestic or Uefa licence.

The Eagles, who had former Swansea City star Lee Trundle on their books, saw applications for both licences rejected by the Football Association of Wales earlier that month.

Yesterday they were wound up in London’s High Court, two weeks after escaping such action when Registrar Barber ruled that the paperwork in front of her was not satisfactory.

Yesterday, though, lawyers for the bank told her the papers were in order, and she granted a “usual compulsory order” winding the club up.

The court heard in March that Neath had paid its £65,000 debt to HM Revenue and Customs. However, the bank won an order for “substitution”, allowing it to take over the winding-up petition in respect of its undisclosed debt.

The club’s affairs will now be handed over to an Official Receiver.

His job will be to do his best to ensure debts are paid off by selling any assets available and then bringing business to a close.

Mr Hain said: “For the efforts of everyone involved with the club to go up in smoke is desperately sad.

“Let us hope that it can rise phoenix-like in the future.”

Double Olympic judo champion David Douillet begins a new role as the French Sports Minister, it was announced.

The 42-year-old, who won the +95 kilogram at Atlanta in 1996 and +100kg Sydney in 2000, is to replace Chantal Jouanno, who resigned following her election to the French Senate on Sunday.

Douillet had also won a bronze medal in the +95kg at Barcelona in 1992 as well as four world and one European titles.

Douillet, who carried the French flag at the Opening Ceremony in Sydney, was elected deputy to the French National Assembly in October 2009 for the ruling UMP Party of President Nicolas Sarkozy. Douillet moves from his role as Secretary of State for French nationals abroad.

A statement from the President’s office, said: “On the proposal of Prime Minister, the President terminated at his request, the functions of Chantal Jouanno, Minister for Sport. He appointed Mr. David Douillet Sports Minister.”

Douillet’s main responsibility will be overseeing France’s preparations for the 2016 European Football Championships.

Jouanno served less than a year in the role but she did make an impact on the failed bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, helping give it some creditability when several officials wanted to scrap it. She also brought some success when Paris gained the 2018 Ryder Cup.

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Georgia will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011 from May 24 to June 5.

It is the first time that the hosting rights to a major IRB tournament have been awarded to the Georgian Rugby Union and the selection underlines the outstanding progress that the Union has made in driving the development of the Game throughout the country since Rugby World Cup 2007.

The tournament format will follow the model that successfully delivered a compelling Trophy in 2010. The eight participating teams will be split into two pools of four with two match venues in the capital Tbilisi hosting double-headers on May 24, ambulance May 28, order June 1 and June 5.

Canada, Japan, Russia, Samoa, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe and hosts Georgia will all be looking to lift the coveted Trophy and secure promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship in 2012.

“The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy has grown to become a major fixture on the annual Rugby calendar, providing the participating Unions with an invaluable competition and development platform. Yet the tournament is not all about exposure for the teams, it is also about taking a major international Rugby tournament to new territories, to leave an administration legacy with the hosting Union and to deliver a golden opportunity to grow the Game,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“I am delighted that the Junior World Rugby Trophy 2011 will be hosted in Georgia and would like to thank the Georgian Rugby Union and the Georgian Government for their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to hosting a tournament that will not just be successful on the pitch, but will leave a lasting legacy for growth and participation off it.”

For Georgia, the awarding of the international tournament is a ground-breaking move and will deliver the platform for the sport to continue to grow – a trend that began with the senior national team’s performances during Rugby World Cup 2007 in France which captured the hearts of the nation.

Last month Lapasset was in Georgia to open the IRB funded state-of-the-art National Academy, a centre that will oversee the development of future international stars, while the Georgian Government has committed £6 million in funding for the growth of Rugby across the country.

“These are certainly exciting times for Rugby in Georgia, which is enjoying unprecedented interest off the back of a tremendous Rugby World Cup 2007 and a successful Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying campaign. Hosting the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy next year will further accelerate development, administration and legacy programmes,” added Lapasset.

Georgian Rugby Union President George Nijaradze said: “This is a very exciting time for Rugby in Georgia with Rugby World Cup qualification secured for a third successive tournament creating huge interest in the country’s number one team sport. Government and IRB funding have provided two Rugby Academies in Tbilisi and Kutaisi where age grade players can get advice on conditioning, nutrition and professional sport as part of our Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD).”

“We are very pleased to host a major tournament as part of our ongoing development and look forward to welcoming the eight teams here next summer for a wonderful festival of age grade Rugby.”

IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias, in Tbilisi for the official launch, added: “Georgia is a wonderful setting for this key tournament which is essential for the development of players, coaches and match officials. With just 160 days to go until the tournament starts, it is shaping up to be the most competitive IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy to date and has the added incentive of being a little under four months before Rugby World Cup 2011.”

“I am sure the Georgian Rugby Union will deliver a unique festival of Rugby that will help spread awareness and interest in the Game throughout the country, attracting new players, coaches, referees and fans to the Rugby family.”

The venues, pools and match schedule will be confirmed in January 2011.

Italy won the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2010 and were promoted to the IRB Junior World Championship 2011 which they will host in the Veneto Region. The Azzurri have already given full international caps to players who won the title, including the exciting outside centre and captain Tommaso Benvenuti who made his full Test debut against Argentina in November. Benvenuti joins an illustrious list of players and match officials who have graduated from both the IRB Junior World Championship and IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy to full international test status.

Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds announced today a new multi-year partnership with Skyview Networks to serve as official radio network provider.

Skyview, impotent an integrated professional sports broadcasting company, will provide distribution services and next generation smart receivers across the Cincinnati Reds radio network. The franchise will utilize Skyview’s system to regionalize advertiser messaging for its network of 93 affiliates.

“We are excited to partner with Skyview to provide additional value to our Reds on Radio affiliates along with our sponsors and advertisers,” said Bill Reinberger, Reds VP corporate sales. “We believe Skyview is the best in class in sports broadcasts and their technology is cutting-edge.”

With a network of affiliates spanning nine states, the Cincinnati Reds were interested in finding a distribution partner that could provide the latest technology in copy split-spot insertion (the ability to run different versions of an advertiser message simultaneously). With Skyview, the franchise now has the flexibility to carve its network into regions at the request of advertisers that are looking to tailor campaigns by market.

“With a radio network this large, the Reds are in a great position to utilize our receiver technology for ad regionalization across their network. I am confident the Reds and their advertisers will enjoy the options this dynamic system provides,” said Ken Thiele, president of Skyview Networks. “We are proud to partner with this esteemed franchise and we look forward to the season ahead.”

Also included in the partnership is Skyview’s F.A.S.T. Web Automation offered to affiliates. Skyview’s affiliate automation is completely web-based, eliminating the need to install bulky hardware and software. Schedules and audio are automatically updated to the satellite receiver through the station’s web portal, easing workload and widening the window for schedule updates. For stations, going web-based provides immediate real-time access to logs and as-played reporting.

Leeds United FC have confirmed they are in talks with an unnamed group of potential investors over a possible takeover.

Speculation has been mounting since the weekend that the Elland Road club could be the subject of a possible takeover, while it is understood discussions took place in Leeds last week.

A club statement read: “Further to media reports on Tuesday morning, the club can confirm that talks are taking place regarding investment for the long-term future.

“The club has always publicly stated that it would welcome potential investment, but has maintained a belief whereby the quality of the investor is the most important factor in terms of the long-term development of Leeds United.

“No further comment will be made at this stage.”

Canada-based Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), owners of NHL ice hockey franchise Toronto Maple Leafs, have been mentioned on internet fans’ forums, but it has been reported the company denied any involvement in last week’s meetings.

Leeds United Supporters Trust also commented on the talks, releasing a statement which read: “We are aware of firm interest from a number of parties looking to buy Leeds United… We understand that Leeds United are in talks with at least two separate groups. We also understand there is one firm bid on the table at present.”In February we responded to [chairman] Ken Bates’ suggestion that we ‘put our money where our mouth is’ by asking any potential investors, who shared the aims and ambitions of our members and of our Vision Statement, to contact the Trust with a view to working together to take Mr Bates up on his offer.

“We developed a presentation so interested parties could see how working with LUST could help them and have been in contact with a number of people to explore ways of bringing about change for the better at Elland Road.

“As part of this ongoing work we have spoken to two groups who are interested in buying Leeds United. At this stage it is not possible for us to go into details about our conversations with these groups, as with a firm offer on the table we would not want to jeopardise any current negotiations.”