SportAccord Convention Official Signing Ceremony Takes Place in Thailand with Host City Bangkok

SportAccord Convention confirmed that the official signing ceremony took place today with Host City ‘Bangkok’ for the 16th edition of the Convention to be held from 15 – 20 April 2018.

The signing event was carried out at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) building with Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention, H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and H.E. Mrs Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

“Hosting the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok enables us to reach out to all the International Sport Federations and those organisations involved in the business of sport to share our sports tourism vision as well as enabling delegates to experience all that Thailand has to offer,” said Mrs Kobkarn.

Commenting on Bangkok becoming the next Host City, Nis Hatt said, “SportAccord Convention is delighted for the Convention to come to Bangkok, Thailand, and our host should be commended for their dedication and passion in bringing the Convention here, which in turn will support both the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in their future development goals”

The overarching theme for the sixteenth edition of the SportAccord Convention will focus on marketing and sponsorship with further details being revealed once registration opens in June.

The Convention will also see new initiatives including a 3-day sports festival where all International Federations along with their National Federations will be invited to take part.

In addition, the event is being promoted as a ‘family affair’, thus making Thailand the vacation destination for delegates and their families in 2018.

Bangkok was announced as the next Host City during the spectacular SAC2017 Opening Ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark, this year’s European Capital of Culture.

Vivo Becomes FIFA Official Smartphone Sponsor

Vivo was presented today as FIFA’s official smartphone sponsor under a sponsorship agreement that will run until 2022 and include the next editions of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

The announcement was made today in Beijing at the historical and iconic Imperial Ancestral Temple in the presence of Vivo Executive Vice-President Ni Xudong and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.

The Vivo logo will appear during every match on pitch advertising boards, match tickets, media releases and other key promotional platforms.

The agreement includes special marketing activations such as the right to select guests to be a Vivo phone photographer during pre-match player warm-ups. Vivo will also gradually introduce a customised FIFA World Cup phone that will offer a unique experience for football fans around the world.

Ni Xudong explained: “As a global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, Vivo hopes to strongly associate itself with the football spirit and show consumers all over the world Vivo’s creative, joyful and international brand image. In the meantime, Vivo will bring more personalised, energetic and youthful elements to the FIFA World Cup experience and the game of football.”

Speaking about the new agreement, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said:

“Football and technology are coming closer by the day, on and off the pitch, and it is a great moment to start a partnership of this nature with the leading global smartphone brand.”

Vivo’s previous involvement in sport includes the title sponsorship of the Indian Premier League cricket competition and a strategic partnership with the NBA to become NBA China’s official mobile handset sponsor.

Telstra Signs Broadcast IP Network Deal with Fox Sports

Telstra has announced that its media-focused IP network, designed to transmit simultaneous channels of uncompressed linear contribution video, will be used to help broadcast live content for Fox Sports at “the lowest possible latency”.

Under the long-term deal with Fox Sports, Telstra’s Distributed Production Network (DPN) will be used to transmit equipment control signals, audio feeds, and raw camera footage across the network back to remote production hubs in Sydney and Melbourne, sometimes from up to 3,500km away.

The DPN is aimed at being “fully operational” by March 2018 Telstra said, and will support more than 500 top tier live sporting events per year by connecting 29 stadiums across the country with these production hubs.

“Telstra’s DPN is designed to help our broadcast customers meet the rapidly growing demand for live content by offering access to our high-capacity, low-latency and multi-tenant network of scale,” head of Telstra Broadcast Services Trevor Boal said.

Telstra earlier this year similarly launched a system for broadcasters to deliver both live and file-based media content worldwide with its Global Media Network, utilising a “geographically diverse dual path ring” to ensure that data traffic is automatically diverted when there are network disruptions.

Thomas Weikert Retains ITTF Presidency After Election Victory

Thomas Weikert was elected president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) at its Annual General Meeting in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Weikert won by 118 votes to 90 after campaigning on a Manifesto focused on delivering value and growth for the whole sport in every part of the world.

Weikert is the incumbent ITTF President and he inherited the position in 2014. Today’s Presidential election is the first he contested against a challenger.

Speaking after the result was announced, ITTF President Thomas Weikert, said:

“It has been a great privilege to serve Table Tennis as ITTF President since 2014 and my plan is to work in true partnership with the National and Continental Federations so together we can fuel the development of our sport.

“With the plans and proposals I have recommended, I believe Table Tennis will enter an exciting new phase of global growth that sees the creation of more players and fans.”

Würenbacher Announced Beer Partner of Borussia Dortmund in China

Würenbacher announced a two-year partnership with Borussia Dortmund as the club’s official beer partner in China.

The partnership was announced upon BVB winning the DFB-Pokal on Saturday, 27th June 2017.

The official partnership launch event will be held in Shanghai on 1st June with BVB legends Kalle Riedle and Lars Ricken in attendance.

Würenbacher beer originated in Germany and is still brewed there. It also launched six different types of beers according to Chinese consumers’ preference to match their need.

Zhao Yuning, Vice President of Würenbacher said: “It’s a hugely exciting time to partner with one of the most famous clubs in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund. We believe that our sponsorship will deliver a great result for the brand and I’m certain Borussia Dortmund provides Wurenbacher with the platform to move to new heights.”

Benedikt Scholz, Head of International and New Business of Borussia Dortmund said: “Our great fanbase in China is one of the reasons why Wurenbacher identified us as the ‘perfect fit’. Our IP and social media channels will give Würenbacher an ideal platform upon which to continue its growth in their desired regions.”

Former Liverpool Chief Executive Ian Ayre resigns from 1860 Munich after one month

Former Liverpool FC Chief Executive Ian Ayre has resigned from his post as general manager of 1860 Munich just four weeks after joining the German club.

1860 Munich were relegated to the third tier of German football after a match marred by crowd trouble.

Ayre told reporters: “I can confirm that with regret this morning, Tuesday 30th May 2017, ahead of the play-off fixture, I resigned from my position as managing director as a result of off-field issues at 1860 Munich.

“Unfortunately, during my short eight-week tenure I have found an organisation in which the shareholders are not aligned with a common interest, nor have a shared vision for the future of the club. Consequently, although an approved budget for next season was established, there remains significant disagreement between various shareholders, at a crucial time making it impossible for me to continue in the role.

“I have said in the past that Hasan Ismaik is hugely passionate about this club and has invested heavily in making it a success. However, this investment will not bear fruit unless all shareholders align behind shared objectives for the future with respect for each other. Currently this is not the case.

“I feel extremely disappointed to have to step away from this great opportunity and the staff I had the pleasure to work with and I truly hope that the shareholders of this club find a solution that allows its fans the opportunity to see this club back where it belongs at the top of German football.”

Juventus Signs Deal for Home Ground Naming Rights With Allianz

Allianz Stadium is the new name of Juventus’ home ground after the club signed a naming rights agreement with Allianz and Lagardère Sports, holders of the facility’s naming rights.

Starting on 1 July 2017, the stadium will be known as the Allianz Stadium of Turin for six seasons until 30 June 2023, joining the Allianz Family of Stadiums first created in 2005, which features Munich’s Allianz Arena, Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Allianz Park in London, Nice’s Allianz Riviera, Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo and Allianz Stadion in Vienna.

“It’s with great pleasure that we welcome Allianz into our family of partners for a deal as special as this one – the naming of our home,” declared Giorgio Ricci, Co-Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Global Partnerships and Corporate Revenues at Juventus.

“The arrival of a global giant in the insurance sector such as Allianz is further testament to how Juventus has established itself as a first-class international institution, whilst enriching a stadium that has played a significant role, since its inauguration in 2011, to creating history with six legendary Scudetto titles celebrated within its walls.”

Intel Partners with MLB to Deliver VR Experience to Fans

Intel Corporation announced a three-year partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring virtual reality experiences to baseball fans with Intel True VR, starting 6th June 2017.

Intel will live stream one weekly out-of-market game every Tuesday via the Intel True VR app, in addition to featuring post-game highlights and on-demand replays of each game.

The live “Intel True VR Game of the Week” experience uses an array of 4K-resolution cameras to bring fans closer to the action with the ability for users to control their vantage point by selecting from up to four camera angles per game.

Fans will also have access to up-to-the-moment player and team statistics throughout the game.

“As a VR partner of MLB, Intel is delivering a truly immersive virtual reality live stream where fans can experience the excitement of being at the ballpark every week,” said James Carwana, general manager, Intel Sports Group.

“We are excited to bring the Intel True VR experience to fans around the country every week,” said Kenny Gersh, EVP, Business, MLBAM. “Our partnership with Intel will keep MLB at the forefront of technological innovation for our fans, bringing them closer to the action.”

The “Intel True VR Game of the Week” experience will be available free of charge through the Intel True VR app using a Samsung Gear VR headset.

Fans will able to access the Intel True VR experience for the following games in June:

Cleveland Indians vs. Colorado Rockies on June 6 at 8:40 p.m. ET / 5:40 p.m. PT
Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants on June 13 at 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT
Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners on June 20 at 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks on June 27 at 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT

UCI President Brian Cookson Launches Manifesto For Re-Election

Brian Cookson, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has launched his manifesto for the coming four years and re-election at the UCI Congress in Bergen in September.

“I am seeking the continued trust and support of the cycling community, so we can build on the progress that we have made together over the last four years”, Mr Cookson said.

Brian Cookson has been widely credited as a highly effective UCI President, with the UCI emerging cleaner, stronger and more transparent during his first four-year term.

The UCI’s work under Brian Cookson’s Presidency on anti-doping, on ethics, on the constitution, on governance structures, and on further globalising the sport has placed the UCI in a strong position, ready to make further great progress.

Launching his six point plan, Brian Cookson said:

“I stood for the Presidency of the UCI in 2013 as I felt strongly that the UCI needed to embrace a new way of doing things and address, head on, the critical challenges facing our sport. I believe the record shows I have kept my promises and made real progress during my first term.

“I have been honoured by the trust that has been placed in me to lead the UCI, and I am proud of the work we have done together. One of my most important commitments was to review and improve, where needed, our governance and transparency. That’s why we revised our Constitution, introducing a number of improvements in line with best practice, including term limits for the UCI President.

“We are now proud to be a well-respected international federation, seen by WADA and other anti-doping organisations as being the reference point in our work for clean sport.

“We have made a great start but there is much more that needs to be done.  That’s why I’m standing for a second and final term as UCI President.

“This strategic plan will drive growth across all cycling’s disciplines, accelerate our international development, champion cycling for transport and leisure, ensure equal opportunity for men and women to participate and compete, build on our restored credibility and ensure the UCI continues to  drive excellence in our operations.

“Over the next four years I want to build on the strong foundation we now have in place, but of course I cannot deliver this alone. I need your help and support to implement this plan, so that, together, we can continue the job and achieve a strong and truly global cycling community.”

ITTF Establish Ethics Commission and Confirm Future Events

The ITTF Board of Directors met 2nd June 2017 in Dusseldorf, Germany for the first time since the ITTF Elections, which was held on 31 May 2017.

The Board of Directors is made up of continental representatives, who are tasked to manage the ITTF, together with the Executive Committee between the AGMs.

The main decisions made and discussions had by the Board of Directors were:

The Future Events Working Group discussing the future of the World Championships and overall events structure presented their findings so far to the Board of Directors.

The Working Group will continue at full speed to prepare some proposals for 2018 for the Board of Directors to decide.

The ITTF Ethics Commission was fully established and approved, and the ITTF Code of Ethics will come into effect on 1 July 2017.

Future editions of the ITTF World Junior Championships were awarded: 2018 – Bendigo, Australia, 2019 – Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand, after both countries put forward very impressive bids. The successful Bendigo bid was driven by ITTF-Oceania, empowered by the new Strategic Investment Agreement with the ITTF.

The next three editions of the ITTF World Cadet Challenge were allocated to 2018 – Tottori, Japan, 2019 – Cetniewo, Poland and 2020 – Bangkok, Thailand.

Commenting on the first Board of Directors meeting after being elected the ITTF President, Thomas Weikert stated: “After a hard-fought election campaign, I was very happy to see the ITTF Board of Directors very united and motivated to work with me and the newly elected Executive Committee to achieve ITTF’s goals and drive the sport forward.”