UEFA has insisted it has taken into account the spending ability of fans in Ukraine and Poland in confirming the prices of tickets for Euro 2012 which will go on sale for the entirety of next month.

Ticket prices have been aimed at the general public, with the lowest priced tickets costing half of the equivalent tickets in Austria and Switzerland’s Euro 2008 with wide ranging prices are in place from Eur30 (US$40.60/£25.25) to Eur600 ($811.33/£505).

UEFA released a statement, saying that its aim was to “put in place a transparent and fair ticketing policy with the aim of offering affordable prices for all 31 matches”, adding: “The purchasing power of local citizens has been taken into account when deciding on prices and the cheapest tickets will cost 50% less.”

The statement continued: “Residents of Poland and Ukraine will also be able to pay in their local currency, either via credit card or by domestic bank transfer, whereas international applicants will need to pay via credit card and in euros.”

The lowest price tickets in the ‘category three’ price range for the final of European international soccer’s showpiece event are at a highly affordable Eur50 ($67.60/£42).

In other news, European soccer’s governing body have appointed Contact Center as an official ticketing customer services provider for the event, responsible for first line general public support for next summer’s European Championship.

Contact Center, the biggest call centre firm in Poland, will provide customer services to all general public customers who may have questions concerning the ticketing process. The service will be available on working days from 08.00 to 20.00 in six different languages; English, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, German and French.

Uefa’s agreement with Contact Center does not include the sale of match tickets, which will be carried out exclusively through the official ticket portal in the Euro 2012 ticketing section of UEFA.com.

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Related Dicussion: UEFA financial fair play rules by Michael Cunnah

Annecy 2018 Winter Olympics Bid committee and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Guy Drut their efforts to be awarded the rights to stage the event are gaining momentum just at the right time, with the bidding race with Munich and PyeongChang ending at the IOC Session in Durban on July 6.

The French city’s bid has been regarded as the underdog of the three competitor’s for some time and was rocked further when former chief Edgar Grospiron resigned due to an apparent lack of funding.

However, since businessman Charles Beigbeder took over the bid has made decent strides in asserting itself as a contender once again having gained remewed support and financial backing, most significantly from the French government.

The first challenge for the ‘new campaign’ is the current visit of the IOC’s evaluation commission which is making a first stop in Annecy before going on to PyeongChang next week and then Munich at the end of the month.

On assessing Annecy’s prospects after its mini French revolution, Drut said: “We will need a bit of luck and team spirit to show the IOC members both that we can do it – and that we want to do it.

“With the new chairman and a new atmosphere the bid has becomes more solid and we have put in place the structures to sell it as well as possible – above all to the IOC members and the Olympic family and to the other National Olympic Committees.

“The first test after the evaluation commission visit will be SportAccord in London when we will be in front of the whole Olympic family.”

Drut confirmed that the bid planned only essential construction to minimise environmental disruption. He said: “There will ne no new roads, we don’t need any. We will use what is already in place. Our goal is to stage a ‘natural’ Games which is why we are trying not to build anything new unless we really need it, such as the Village.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) giants the New York Yankees have lowered the luxury tax placed upon them by more than US$7m. It was announced on 21 December that the tax placed on the side stood at $18m this year, the sides lowest since 2003 and significantly less than last year’s total of $25.7m when the Yankees won the World Series.

The Yankees also lowered their expenditure on players this year by $12m, slashing the payroll by $5m in the process.

Looking ahead to his 2011 payroll, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said: “Atta baby. And right now we’re in the $170s”.

The season-ending payroll information and tax was obtained by The Associated Press. The Boston Red Sox are the only other MLB side to have to pay the luxury tax this year, oweing $1.5m, having exceeded the payroll threshold for the first time since 2007. Cheque’s must be paid to the league’s commissioner’s office by January 31.

American Express have teamed up with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to become a key marketing partner in a new multi-year deal.

The credit card company will also support USA Basketball, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League under the terms of the new agreement.

The deal is not the first of its kind between the two parties after the NBA did previously have a long-standing marketing partnership from 1995 to 2005. A multi-year contract has been confirmed though the exact duration and financial details behind the deal were not disclosed.

As the league’s official credit card partner, American Express will offer card members special deals and access to games and other events.

Courtney Kelso, vice-president of global sponsorships and marketing at American Express stated: “From the array of spectacular young talent, to the growing international market, enthusiasm and excitement with the NBA is at an all-time high

“We’re proud to be the official credit card partner of the NBA to provide our card members with access to tickets and unique experiences with the NBA, USA Basketball, Women’s NBA and NBA Development League to enhance their passion for the game,” Kelso added.

IMG Worldwide has announced the arrival of Italian soccer personality Alessio Secco who will join the company in a consultancy role in the IMG Football Division in Italy.

Secco spent 13 years with the famed Serie A giant Juventus. In 1997 he took up the role as a press attaché before being named team manager in 2000 before being promoted to sports director in 2006. The Tourin born Secco resigned his position in June of this year.

“I am very pleased and proud to be an IMG consultant on the Italian Football market. It was not easy to decide about my professional future after 13 years working for Juventus Football Club, but the high professional level of people working for IMG and the great opportunity of exchanging experiences with them, led me to the choice to join IMG. I am sure that this collaboration will satisfy both parts,” said Secco.

Fernando Soler, Senior Vice President of IMG added: “We are very pleased to have a sports executive of Alessio Secco’s experience and professionalism working with us. Over his years with Juventus, Alessio has developed outstanding contacts within the football industry which we expect to be very helpful as we expand our business in Italy.”

Vice-President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Akhmed Bilaliv has revealed plans to build a new multi-billion dollar ski resort in an attempt to capitalise on the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.

‘Peak 5642’ is being planned to be constructed in Russia’s Northern Caucasus and is estimated to cost a massive US$15bn. Despite the huge expenditure, the project is already gaining significant interest from foreign investors with the likes of Credit Suisse and Invest AD of the United Arab Emirates, accredited with an interest.

The plans for the new resort incorporates five resorts with an estimated completion time of up to 10 years. Building is due to begin in 2012 following the hiring of an Austrian firm to begin the plans developments.

Resorts are set to be located in Dagestan, North Ossetia, Karachay-Cherkess, Adygea and Kabardino-Balkaria after Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev ordered the project to be developed earlier this year.

The Government is expected to provide funding of up to US£2bn for infrastructure costs in hope of an increase of 10 million tourist visiting per year. Bilalov is hoping the Games will give a massive boost to Russia’s winter sports tourism industry.

“Without Sochi it would have been impossible to have come up with a project like this,” said Bilalov. “The success of the building project in Sochi means that people now trust we can do a major like this to an international level.

“It is very different to change stereotypes in people’s minds but with Sochi we are already changing people’s minds. We are showing what we are capable of and that Russia can compete at an international level.”

 

Fashion designer Louis Vuitton has renewed its partnership with the America’s Cup to extend its 30-year long association with the event.

The Paris-based fashion house will present the prize, vcialis 40mg the Louis Vuitton Cup, herbal | to the winner of the America’s Cup Challenger Series, clinic as well as serve as official timing for the 34th America’s Cup – promoting its new watch range.

“We are thrilled to announce today the continuation of our 30-year partnership with the America’s Cup. Having met with the team several times, we believe that the 34th edition will be the best America’s Cup yet,” said Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier.

In 2013, the Challenger Series will be staged with the winner earning the right to  compete in the America’s Cup Finals. The Challenger series will be once again called the Louis Vuitton Cup, recognizing the brand’s long partnership with the America’s Cup. In addition, Louis Vuitton will be Official Timing for the America’s Cup World Series competitions, promoting its watch collection.

“We are extremely priveleged that our vision for the next America’s Cup has attracted the return of a company like Louis Vuitton,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. “The 34th America’s Cup will culminate in 2013, marking the 30th anniversary of Louis Vuitton’s support of the sport of sailing, so we could not be more proud to see this great partnership continue and strengthen.”

Since 1983, the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series has been held whenever there has been more than one challenger teams for the America’s Cup. Its role is twofold – to select the best challenger team from the teams presented and, to prepare the winner for success against the Defender in the following America’s Cup Finals.

“I have competed for the Louis Vuitton Cup three times in the past, so I know how important it is to the Challenger’s success. We welcome the return of Louis Vuitton and look forward to racing the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2013,” said Russell Coutts, CEO, BMW ORACLE Racing.

The Louis Vuitton Cup will be in the summer of 2013, with the America’s Cup Finals in early fall. The events will feature the AC72 wing-masted catamaran, a ground-breaking new boat designed to deliver unparalleled racing competition and on-the-water excitement.

“Louis Vuitton is a House that cherishes the art of travel and the spirit of adventure. As a long-time partner, we are very happy to be able to accompany the future of the America’s Cup,” said Pietro Beccari, Senior Vice-President of Louis Vuitton.

The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) has initiatied the bid process to host the 2015 UCI Road World Championships to eligible candidates.

Held annually, pill the UCI Road World Championships represent the most important road cycling event in the World for National Cycling Associations.

Eligible organising committees have until November 7th, buy 2010 to present in writing their intent to present a candidature for consideration to the CCA. The deadline to file candidatures, apoplectic which must be inclusive of the majority of the UCI candidature file requirements, has been set as December 7th.

The CCA will publicly inform the selected candidate on December 15th, and will then proceed to file the international candidature. The successful international candidate will be announced by the UCI at the 2011 Road World Championships.

Canada has hosted the UCI Road World Championships twice in the history of the event.

India will get a world-class hockey academy under plans announced by one of the world’s leading authorities in the sport.

Hockey Australia has signed a statement of Intention to develop a new world class hockey academy as part of the construction of Lavasa, envisioned as one of India’s first planned hill cities.

As part of the agreement, Hockey Australia will provide consultancy services in all aspects of the development of the academy. This will include assisting in the design of the academy, the introduction of quality hockey coaches to run the academy and providing intellectual property of various Hockey Australia programs, including its junior development program – Hook in2 Hockey. Coaches will work in partnership with Indian staff to enure that the academy becomes sustainable over the long term.

The aim of the academy is to provide Lavasa with superior facilities and hockey programs. Hockey Australia chief executive Mark Anderson said Hockey Australia’s involvement in the academy demonstrates Australia’s standing as a world leader in hockey.

 

The English Cricket Board (ECB) have revealed more than 60,000 women are now playing cricket as the women’s game continues to grow in popularity following the England Women’s team’s Ashes triumph over Australia earlier this year.

A total of 63,560 women and girls over 14-years-old – seven per cent of the overall total of grassroots participants – played cricket in the last twelve months according to a new game-wide study of grassroots participation commissioned by ECB’s Cricket Partnerships team. 

The study also showed that 68 per cent of female cricketers would like to play the game more often – with this figure rising even higher to 93 per cent among those who play the game occasionally in the 14 to 16-year-old age range. 

Sunday was rated as the ‘Perfect Day’ for cricket by 51 per cent of female cricketers compared to 31 per cent favouring Saturday while 40 over cricket was the preferred format for 25 per cent of women with 20 over cricket rated second by 17 per cent. 

According to the study, two thirds of women see cricket as a sociable sport and almost half those surveyed said they were enjoying the sport more than two years ago. Three quarters of female cricketers also play other sports with football, netball, swimming, tennis and hockey the most popular. 

The research was based on ECB’s first ever National Playing Survey earlier this year which attracted more than 21,500 responses from recreational cricketers nationwide, together with analysis of more than 1.2 million scorecards from Play-Cricket.com and feedback from twelve Focus Groups. 

The findings also formed part of a wider analysis of grassroots cricket participation which was conducted by Two Circles for ECB and funded via the Sport England Whole Sport Plan. Sport England’s own research has revealed that twelve million women would like to play more sport. 

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “Meeting the rising demand from women and girls for more opportunities to play the game in teams at every level is top priority for ECB and a key element of our new strategic plan, Champion Counties. 

“Over the last decade, we have made a very significant investment into women’s cricket and we are now reaping the rewards with the England Women’s team’s on-field successes inspiring even greater participation at recreational level. 

“With more than 600 recreational clubs nationwide now offering cricket for women and girls and the Chance to Shine programme reaching more schoolgirls than ever before, the foundations of the women’s game are strong. 

“Our task now is to ensure we are providing the best possible facilities, coaching and club environments at grassroots level so that even more women and girls can take up the game and experience the enjoyment that comes from playing the sport regularly in teams.”