Orange Sport and TVN Turbo in Poland have acquired broadcast rights to Polish Cup football for the next two seasons in a shared package.
The deal offers live rights as well as online and mobile rights and highlights. Each channel will air 13 matches each season, sick with TVN, TVN Turbo and Orange Sport airing the final together.
In PL.2012 Chairman Marcin Herra’s first exclusive monthly column for iSportconnect, accompanying the portal’s new ‘Road to Euro 2012’ feature, Herra explained how the “most important investment projects are in an advanced stage of construction”, just a year before the tournament commences.
In his column, Marcin stressed the importance of “organisational projects and combining them with infrastructure” at the current stage of preparations. He claimed that the organisational aspects of the tournament, including the safety and security projects, medical care and rescue services, transport services and quality of visitor services, were the most “crucial elements” of the preparations at this stage.
After fears with regards to infrastructure of stadiums in the host nations of Poland and, in particular, Ukraine were allied by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino in recent weeks, Mr Herra was keen to emphasise the enormity of the work that had been implemented in Poland thus far. He stated: “Three years ago, where the newly-built stadium in Gdańsk is located and where the final acceptance procedures are under way, there were just allotments. In Wrocław, where the final works are under way on the stadium with an over 40 thousand people capacity, there was just a field. In Warsaw, where today the facility over 80 per cent completed is situated, there was Europe’s largest open air market place.”
Marcin revealed that the stadium in Gdańsk, where the acceptance procedures are under way, will be put to use by the end of this month, a year ahead of the tournament’s kick-off. He also remained confident that the works on the National Stadium in Warsaw, an iconic design for the nation, will completed by the end of November.
Herra moved on to discuss another topic of high debate and importance to the competitions success and added that “ensuring security and safety is one of the most important elements of the Championships and an organisational priority for PL.2012 and its partners.”
The issue of hooliganism in Polish soccer has been a talking point since UEFA awarded the hosting rights to the 2012 tournament. Marcin insisted that the safety and security of the fans was of paramount importance to the organisers and was being ensured through a number of initiatives.
He said: “The Committee for Safety and Security at EURO 2012 associates over 30 institutions that shall be involved in securing the Tournament. All the tasks have been carefully analysed and allocated accordingly. One of the major achievements in 2010 was to develop an Integrated Safety & Security Concept, which specifies all the areas of individual responsibilities and tasks of the involved institutions. Currently, there are over 120 projects and 3500 tasks being implemented.”
Aside from the organisational aspects of the tournament, Herra claimed that “one of the premium quality elements of UEFA EURO 2012…is the UEFA EURO 2012 Host Cities voluntary service.” The service will entail “helping and supporting visitors and providing them with essential information about the event, means of public transport, and attractions available in the city.”
Marcin revealed that the recruitment of volunteers for the programme will begin in November and be completed in the first quarter of 2012 before the trainings for volunteers will begin. In addition, PL.2012 are launching a project called the Euro Academy to provide training for over 2,500 so-called ‘fan first contact people’, for example workers of the railway system, gastronomy and shopping services, and public transport. Mr Herra claimed that the training will include “English language courses, courses in customer service, cross-cultural differences in terms of customer service and in tourist attractions in particular regions in terms of organization of mass events.”
Herra concluded on a confident note, stating: “There is still almost a year to complete all the works that are already in a very advanced stage,” confirming that in the next few months, Polish preparations will be strongly focused on realising organisational projects, which he claimed will be “the most important for the quality of the Tournament.”
To read Marcin’s complete, first monthly column for iSportconnec, please click here
Hockey India has secured a multi-year broadcast agreement with sports broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports for the telecast of the test matches to be played in the country for the next five years and the soon-to-be-launched Hockey India League (HIL).
In a multi-year deal, abortion ESPN STAR Sports has been granted global telecast rights for the professional hockey league.
The FIH approved league will see national as well as international hockey stars showcase their prowess. The first edition of the league is expected to be played in the month of January next year.
The league will comprise at least six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 matches to be played across the country.
All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by the semifinals and the final.
Hockey India further announced that ESPN STAR Sports will have the global broadcast rights to telecast at least five international hockey test matches every year under Hockey India to be played in India for the next five years.
The number of matches that India will play against top international opposition could go up depending on the finalisation of the series schedule.
Hockey India Secretary General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra said: “We are delighted to have ESPN STAR Sports as our broadcast partners. Hockey India has a clear vision – we want to revive the glory days of hockey in India and drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN STAR Sports will play a key role in our overall plans.
“The proposed league (HIL) will be the biggest initiative that hockey has ever seen in India. We have been working out the details for months now and I am glad to announce that things are quickly falling into place. I am confident that our partners ESPN STAR Sports will help us deliver a flawless world class product.”
World soccer’s governing body FIFA is to donate US$6m in aid to the Japan Football Association (JFA) following March’s horrific earthquake and tsunami in the nation.
J-League clubs in areas affected by the natural disaster will receive $4.5m of the total fund for repairs to stadiums and training facilities.
In a visit to Japan earlier this year, FIFA president Sepp Blatter pledged to provide the aid, which will see the remaining figure used to repair existing stadiums and build new training centres in the worst hit Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures.
In partnership with global sportswear supplier Adidas, FIFA will also donate balls, boots, jerseys and other equipment worth $500,000 to children in disaster affected areas.
China Central Television (CCTV) have acquired the broadcast rights to each Olympic Games in the next four-year cycle leading to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games, according to the IOC.
The deal is worth $160 million and represents a 60 percent increase on the current four-year contract tied to the London Olympics.
China’s latest deal, covering all broadcast platforms, includes its home 2014 Summer Youth Olympics being hosted by Nanjing.
It also covers the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “The IOC is very pleased to continue its long-term partnership with CCTV. CCTV has been a great ambassador for the Olympic values in China, and we look forward to continuing our work with them to broadcast the Olympic Games to the widest possible Chinese audience. We are also very much looking forward to working with CCTV on the second Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in Nanjing, China in 2014.”
IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, said: “CCTV has an unparalleled reach within China, and has promoted the Olympic Games, sport and the Olympic values to a Chinese audience for many years. We are delighted that we will be able to count on their support into the future.”
“CCTV is a strong supporter of the Olympic Movement and believes in the Olympic values. We are delighted that we will continue to broadcast the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games in the coming years” said Hu Zhanfan, CCTV President.
Yesterday, medicine June 14, sale the volunteer program for UEFA Euro 2012 was launched with special events to mark the occasion in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and Warsaw in Poland.
The program will see tournament organisers recruit up to 6,000 volunteers and applications are now open until September 30 via UEFA.com, the official website of European soccer’s governing body.
The application form invites people to recommend up to five friends to inform about recruitment via email. As an added incentive, one volunteer from each host city will be offered a one-week internship at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Ukrainian tournament director Markiyan Lubkivskiy stated: “The volunteer programme is one of the biggest and, beyond all doubt, one of the most important Euro 2012 projects. The candidates have to be really motivated, reliable and ready to work in a big team. Volunteers will get an insight into what goes on behind the scenes and become an integral part of the largest sports event ever staged in Poland and Ukraine.”
Poland tournament director Daniel Olkowicz added: “The idea of volunteering is part of every big sporting event. We are inviting people who want to join with us to share the passion and work together on this unique occasion.” Polish volunteers manager Kamila Czerwi?ska insisted that the selectors would not pay attention to the “age or background of the candidates”.
Argentina have agreed to play two exhibition matches in India and Bangladesh at a discount rate in an attempt to expand its fan base in one of the world’s most populous regions.
Argentina will play Venezuela in Kolkata, abortion India, drugs on September 2 before moving to Bangladesh capital Dhaka to meet Nigeria four days later. The company that owns the rights to Argentina’s exhibition rights, anesthetist World Eleven SA said it promised to take the best national roster and reduced its asking price.
World Eleven President Guillermo Tofoni said: “We have made a good price for them because we are interested in opening up new markets. It’s interesting because our idea is to play with our top players including Messi because we see lots of opportunities in India.”
Tofoni and Dharamdutt Pandey, chief executive officer of Kolkata-based Celebrity Management Group, which bought the game rights, declined to say how much the deal is worth. However, in 2009, Tofoni said World Eleven charged about US$1m for an Argentina game.
Sky Sports have continued their long relationship with the British & Irish Lions by securing a new broadcast deal of their tour to to Australia next year.
Sky Sports viewers with Sky will be able to enjoy all three Tests plus seven tour matches in June and July 2013 across TV, PC, mobile and tablet devices.
The deal extends the relationship between Sky Sports and the British & Irish Lions into its 17th year and the tour will be the fifth shown exclusively live by the broadcaster since 1997.
The British & Irish Lions will take on World Cup semi-finalists Australia in three Test matches plus tour fixtures against the likes of Australia’s Super Rugby teams. The tour begins in June with a match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
Barney Francis, managing director at Sky Sports, said: “This deal secures even more fantastic live rugby union on Sky Sports. Our viewers can enjoy a fascinating build up to the Lions tour, which itself promises to be a must see event.
“This deal provides Sky Sports with an unrivalled choice of high quality action. Together with the British & Irish Lions, we have long-term agreements in place to show the best in live sport, including Premier League and UEFA Champions League football, Test and one-day cricket, Formula One plus European, Ryder Cup 
and US tour golf. Our coverage also remains pioneering and available across multiple platforms. Taken together, Sky Sportsremains the home of sport, with the best line-up of sport in the UK and Ireland.”
John Feehan, the British & Irish Lions CEO, added: “We are absolutely delighted that Sky will be showing the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and Hong Kong live next year. Over the last number of tours we have come to expect only the best coverage and huge commitment from Sky to showcase the best of British & Irish rugby talent. This continued support fromSky is particularly welcome for next year which will mark our 125th anniversary as the British & Irish Lions.”
The CEO of the German Football League (DFL) Christian Seifert has hailed the “booming” elite league of soccer in the nation, generic the Bundesliga, doctor after the top flight generated a record collective attendance for the 2010-11 campaign.
The Bundesliga pulled in an average of 42, rx 101 spectators per match to mark a 0.7% increase on the previous season, while a total of 12.88 million fans watched 306 top-flight matches in Germany. The 18-team Bundesliga has attracted the highest average attendance of any domestic league in world soccer for several seasons.
Seifert stated: “For the ninth time in the last 10 years we have had an increase in fans going to stadia. The Bundesliga is booming without a doubt and yet again it is the strongest league in the world in terms of attendances, as reflected in the fact that almost 94% of games were sold out. An exciting competition with attractive matches, family-friendly prices and modern stadia are the key factors.”
According to a study released by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group last week, the Bundesliga was the most profitable league in Europe from the 2009-10 season. The Bundesliga also generated the second-highest revenues in Europe, second only to the English Premier League.
Sky Sports have retained the rights to air Spain’s La Liga for a further three years adding to their already bustling soccer portfolio in the UK
The new deal, which begins with the 2012-2013 season, will provide Sky Sports with more than 100 matches from Spain’s top league. That means viewers will be able to watch many of the country’s Euro 2012 winning squad on Saturday and Sunday nights plus fixtures from the Copa del Rey.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “This is even more good news for Sky Sportsviewers who enjoy the diet of Spanish football across Saturday and Sunday evenings. La Liga is one of the most exciting leagues in the world and the likes of Ronaldo, Messi and Iniesta provide fantastic entertainment each week of the season for football fans.”
Sky’s weekly Spanish football magazine show Revista de La Liga will return with news, interviews and analysis throughout the season whilst coverage will also extend to Sky Sports News HD.
Sky’s Spanish football expert and former Real Mallorca player Gerry Armstrong added: “This new deal will be music to the ears of all the followers of La Liga. The league’s popularity has grown over the last 16 years that Sky and myself have been involved and the number of people that stop me in the street to comment on how good it is has snowballed. I can’t wait to see if Jose Mourinho can do it again, or will Barcelona bounce back? Bring it on!”
Sky Sports viewers with Sky will be able to enjoy live matches across TV, PC, mobile and tablet devices, as well as a wealth of support programming.
The new deal for La Liga follows recent renewals with the Premier League (to 2016), British & Irish Lions (2013), The European Tour (to 2018), UEFA Champions League (to 2014/15), Football League (to 2014/15), England and Wales Cricket Board (to 2017), ICC Cricket (to 2015) and Rugby Football League (to 2016).