Injured Togo keeper gets donation from FIFA

Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale will receive a donation of $100,000 from FIFA after being seriously injured during an armed attack on his team’s bus before the start of the African Nations Cup in January.

FIFA said in a statement on its website that president Sepp Blatter had told Obilale in September that a payment of $25,000 would be made from the governing body’s humanitarian fund but it had now decided to raise that sum.

The 25-year-old keeper, formerly with French side Pontivy, needed surgery for gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen following the attack in the Angolan province of Cabinda which killed two members of Togo’s soccer delegation and the bus driver.

Obilale is still continuing his rehabilitation, FIFA said. Togo pulled out of the Nations Cup finals following the attack and were given a four-year ban from the competition by the African Confederation of Football (CAF). The ban was overturned following mediation by FIFA.

Wembley Stadium to Host North London Half Marathon

Wembley Stadium has been announced as a host of the brand new Vitality North London Half Marathon.

The iconic home of English football is the second sporting venue to be added to the much anticipated half marathon race route. Runners of the event, taking place on Sunday 15th March 2015, will not only start and finish at Allianz Park, home of the mighty Saracens Rugby Club, but also run through Wembley Stadium on route, promising a unique “stadium to stadium” sporting experience. 

Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing and Commercial at GO2, said: “This is set to be a real stand out half marathon in the running calendar, designed with race experience in mind. The integration of both stadiums is particularly special, and will allow runners to experience two of the areas most loved sporting venues from a very unique perspective. 

“From start to finish, you are guaranteed some sights and experiences to keep you motivated throughout the course. Taking place exactly six weeks before the London Marathon, we also anticipate that many full marathon runners in training will take the opportunity to use the Vitality North London Half Marathon to enjoy a different side of London in preparation for the popular April event.” 

Jim Frayling, Head of Business Development at Wembley Stadium, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Vitality North London Half Marathon at Wembley Stadium. We’re all about great events that inspire memories and we hope this is a memorable event for all the participants. 

“We share an extremely strong and fruitful relationship with Saracens and to be able to work with them on a completely new event, while using GO2’s expertise in running events, is a fantastic opportunity for us all.” 

IAAF Selects Havas Sports as Corporate PR Agency

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has selected Havas Sports & Entertainment (HS&E), cialis sale the global brand engagement network of the Havas Group, cialis as their corporate PR agency following project work in 2013 where they developed a corporate communications strategy.  

As part of this new two-year brief HS&E will help the IAAF promote its 2014 – 2016 strategic plan, anabolics which features a range of innovations and social inclusion initiatives, to showcase athletics’ status as the number one Olympic sport. 

Founded in 1912 and based in Monaco, the IAAF is responsible for the administration and organisation of major athletics competitions worldwide, which form part of the World Athletics Series; these include the World Championships and the Diamond League events.   

HS&E will be delivering the PR programme in partnership with sister agency Seven46 who have been The IAAF’s corporate editorial agency since 2008. 

At this year’s SportAccord Convention in Turkey, HS&E helped the IAAF launch its new social responsibility programme; Athletics for a Better World (ABW).  Pioneered by IAAF President Lamine Diack, ABW will use the global reach and universality of athletics as a platform for social good in the areas of peace, social inclusion, health and religion. 

Commenting on the appointment, Nick Davies, IAAF Deputy Secretary General said: “The IAAF is delighted to welcome Havas Sports & Entertainment into the athletics family as our corporate PR agency.  They’ve been integral to the development of our 2014-16 communications plan and are already playing a crucial role, this year, in helping us become more active in the international sports community.

“This partnership builds on a long-term relationship with Seven46 and will enable us to benefit from HS&E’s global network and deep experience in the sports industry with both federations and commercial brands.”

President & Global CEO, HS&E, Lucien Boyer added: “Athletics is the world’s most universal sport and has the power to change lives by getting more people running, jumping and throwing.

“This fits perfectly with our ‘meaningful brands’ philosophy so we are thrilled to be working with the IAAF to help them play an active leadership role in the global sports community as the number one Olympic sport.”

European Senior Tour’s MCB Tour Championship to Remain in Mauritius

European Senior Tour finale, sale the MCB Tour Championship, ambulance will remain at Constance Belle Plage in Mauritius until at least 2017 following a new three year agreement between the Senior Tour, healing the host venue and title sponsor Mauritius Commercial Bank.

The extension to the existing four year term means the winner of the John Jacobs Trophy will now be confirmed in Mauritius for the next four seasons, taking the Senior Tour up to the end of its 26th campaign.

This year’s MCB Tour Championship takes place over the Legend Course at Constance Belle Mare Plage from December 12-14, when Paul Wesselingh will defend his title.

Raoul Gufflet, Head – International at Mauritius Commercial Bank, said: “The MCB Group is very proud of its association with the European Senior Tour and is honoured to have golf legends ending their season on the fairways of Constance Belle Mare Plage amidst the beautiful scenery of Mauritius.

“The MCB Group has been, throughout its history, an important supporter of all sports at all levels. It was only natural that it got involved with golf when it became increasingly popular in the strategic development of the tourism offer of the Mauritian hospitality groups.

“The association with the European Senior Tour and Constance Group allows the MCB Group to showcase a sport that preserves a friendly cachet while being professionally competitive. The participation of some of golf’s biggest names over the past four years is a testimony to the success of this event which is also increasingly sought after by amateur golfers from all around the world.”

Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are very honoured and proud that the renewal of a three-year agreement has been signed once again with the European Senior Tour, and we look forward to welcoming the John Jacobs Trophy to Constance Belle Mare Plage each December through to 2017.

“We are also thrilled that our main partner, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, is backing us in this commitment.  Year on year, we have seen this competition grow, with a high calibre of players including Tom Lehman, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance, David Frost and some good suspense right up until the last day.  Our promise is not only to continue raising the level of the quality of Constance Hotels and Resorts’ golf courses and accommodation, but also to do our best to be the perfect Ambassador of golf and inevitably boost the country’s image as a premier golf destination.”

Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The idyllic island setting of Mauritius is the perfect place for the Senior Tour to bring our season to a close, and the hospitality shown to us by the Constance Group, at their hotels the Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage, has ensured the strongest possible fields over the past three years.

“The Legend Course is a great examination for the leading Senior Tour players and has ensured that the contest for the John Jacobs Trophy comes to a fitting finale.

“We are delighted to announce this three year extension and would like to thank the board of the Mauritius Commercial Bank for their long term commitment to this important event on our schedule, as well as the Constance Group for providing such a wonderful backdrop for us to conclude our season.”

The MCB Tour Championship succeeded the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open, won by Englishman Kevin Spurgeon in the 2010 season and South African Frost the following term, which itself evolved from the Mauritius Open which was played at Constance Belle Mare Plage from 1994 to 2008.

Memphis Grizzlies Sign Affiliate Partnership with NBA D-League’s Iowa Energy

NBA franchise Memphis Grizzlies has announced NBA Development League team Iowa Energy will be their official affiliate for the 2014-15 season. 

The Grizzlies become the 14th team to have a one-to-one relationship with its NBA D-League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.

Memphis will be the only NBA team affiliated with the Energy and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations.  This partnership, also referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” will see the Grizzlies pay for and control Iowa’s basketball operations, while Energy ownership, including Jed Kaplan and Energy Basketball, LLC, will maintain primary responsibility for the team’s business operations and community initiatives.  To further align the teams, the Energy has adopted Memphis’ Beale Street Blue and Gold color scheme and has revamped their logo to visually represent the partnership with the Grizzlies. 

“We are excited at the opportunity for our basketball operations to partner with an NBA Development League team and believe this to be an important milestone for our franchise,” Memphis Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera said. “This affiliation will further strengthen our ability to develop potential NBA talent and staff as we continue to build upon our positive culture and winning foundation here in Memphis.”

“The investment by Jed Kaplan and the Memphis Grizzlies in the Iowa Energy is yet another exciting step forward for the NBA D-League,” NBA D-League President Dan Reed said. “The Grizzlies continue to demonstrate their commitment to basketball innovation and development with this new partnership, joining an ever-growing number of NBA teams who have obtained a ‘one-to-one’ affiliation with an NBA D-League team.”

The Energy, which joined the NBA D-League prior today the 2007-08 season, plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, part of the Iowa Events Center.  The team captured the 2011 NBA D-League Championship in front of a record 14,036 fans, while helping 10 total players make the jump from the Energy to the NBA, including current NBA players Diante Garrett (Utah Jazz), Othyus Jeffers (Minnesota Timberwolves), Cartier Martin (Atlanta Hawks), Anthony Tolliver (Charlotte Bobcats) and Jarvis Varnado (Philadelphia 76ers).

“The synergy created through the hybrid agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies will prove extremely beneficial to both organizations. We look forward to continued success, community involvement and treating the fans to Memphis’ brand of basketball on our way to multiple championships in Des Moines,” Iowa Energy Managing Partner Jed Kaplan said.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Looks for Bills to Acquire New Stadium

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes the Buffalo Bills need a new stadium to remain in Western New York.

Bills sole owner Ralph Wilson died in March at age 95. It was reported that the franchise could be sold by this summer with league approval coming as early October, anabolics when league meetings are scheduled.

Ralph Wilson Stadium went through $130 million in upgrades this offseason. The Bills still have eight years on their lease with Erie County.

On regards to whether the team need a new stadium Goodell told the Buffalo News: “Yes, I do. We said at the time when they entered into a new lease that this is really a short-term solution. We need to find the right long-term solution that’s good for the community and can help the Bills to continue to be successful in western New York.”

Ralph Wilson Stadium opened in 1973 and seats 80,000. Goodell said that the potential new owner could relocate the team, but the sale of the team and relocation talk are two separate issues.

“There’s two votes. There’s one vote to approve an ownership, and if a team potentially relocates, it’s another vote,” Goodell said. “We’re not making those one vote.”

New Logo Unveiled for Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

ZOOM Motorsports ahave announced the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama will feature a new event logo starting with the 2014 race.

In the fifth year of hosting the IndyCar Series in Birmingham, illness this year’s event has several new additions to it, including a new, later date in April, as well as three new series racing during the weekend.

The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama will take place three weeks later this year, April 25-27, right before the drivers compete in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and then the famous Indy 500. In addition to the traditional IndyCar Series and Indy Lights races, the 2014 weekend will also feature the Pirelli World Challenge Sports Car Series, Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tires and USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda races at Barber Motorsports Park. 

“With the additional series, we will now have eleven races throughout the three-day race weekend, meaning fans will have the opportunity to see more racing action than ever before,” stated Rick Humphrey, VP of ZOOM Motorsports, the exclusive event promoter of Barber Motorsports Park.

“This new logo is just one of the many new, exciting changes for the race this year. In addition to the logo and on-track changes, fans will also have the opportunity to purchase an upgraded ticket to our new CM’s Trackside Tavern. This area will feature one of the best views at the park, along with delicious food from some of Birmingham’s top local restaurants.” 

McLaren F1 to Start New Season Without Title Sponsor

McLaren F1 have revealed they will start next season without a title sponsor but expect to have one in place during the early races.

The team has been without a title sponsor since it’s partnership with Vodafone ended at the end of 2013. They were scheduled to make an announcement about a new title sponsor before the new season but postponed the news.

Despite the delays, group CEO Ron Dennis insists a new title sponsor will be in place as soon as he feels McLaren is correctly valued.

“Our cars will not feature a title sponsor at the first event and it will definitely be featuring a title sponsor some time in the next few races,” Dennis said. “Why? Because I strongly believe we are Manchester United. Inevitably when you have a run of poor results people try to push the rate card down and I won’t accept that.

“I know what this company is and I know what this grand prix team can achieve, and that requires the correct recognition when it comes to a commercial relationship with a principal sponsor.

“We are negotiating with several companies at the moment and I’m optimistic it will happen sooner rather than later. But part of being the size that we are, money is an issue. The racing team – who doesn’t have to worry about income – has the biggest budget that it’s had in the history of the company.”

Dennis also explained that any title sponsorship deal would not be an interim until the Honda partnership begins in 2015.

“We’ve turned away stop-gaps. You can go a lot in to fractionisation where you go a lot in to branding zones, but what you don’t get in that instance is you don’t get the benefit of a global advertising strategy. Global advertising strategies are very impactful on those sponsors who sit alongside the title because they get the impact of other people’s spends.

“So we are quite scientific about analysing the media impact on the team, impact of colouration, design, whatever. I don’t think anyone should be surprised by that because effectively we are competing for the same money and some budgets as world class advertising agencies. So you need to speak the same language and you need to have the same metric of being able to enforce those. The one thing that dilutes the ability to get share of voice is not having a dynamic, proactive title sponsor.

“Fortunately because of the depths of the company I am not stressed by that and I am as certain as one can be that it is something that will change over the next few months.”

Warwickshire Cricket to Be Known as Birmingham Bears for Rebranded T20 Tournament

Warwickshire County Cricket Club have announced a rebrand of their Twenty20 team and will now be known as the Birmingham Bears as a number of other changes were also announced. 

In changes to the game announced on Tuesday, the T20 competition – to be known as the NatWest T20 Blast – will primarily take place on Friday evenings.

The county will still be known as Warwickshire in the County Championship and 50-over Royal London One-Day Cup.

Bears chief executive Colin Povey said: “Birmingham and Edgbaston has been the Club’s home since 1886 and we believe that adopting the Birmingham Bears name for the NatWest T20 Blast presents a great opportunity for us to engage even more closely with fans living and working at the heart of the City.

“Asian families, business men and women working in the city’s commercial districts and local cricket clubs are three particular audiences the club is seeking to work with more next season.

“T20 games in 2014 will predominantly be played on Friday evenings, so this fixed slot gives supporters a time that we hope will be associated with the Birmingham Bears; similar to Saturday afternoon football or rugby.

“However, despite our T20 name change, we will continue to maintain the proud history of the club and play under the Warwickshire banner in the other two more traditional formats.”

Councillor Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “The Birmingham Bears T20 team is an incredibly exciting proposition that can unite sports fans across the city on Friday evenings next summer.

“The club and the redeveloped stadium provide so many great opportunities for the local communities to play and watch world-class cricket here in Birmingham, and I’m looking forward to seeing people get behind the Bears.”

KPMG to Review UCI Governance

The UCI has instructed auditors KPMG to carry out a review of its governance in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal.

The audit was announced as cycling’s world governing body revealed discussion topics for a consultation exercise titled ‘A Bright Future for Cycling’, which will take place early next year.

A UCI statement read: “The UCI has also engaged the international auditors KPMG to carry out a review of the governance of the UCI, as well as that of the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), reporting back in time for its findings to be debated in the consultation process.”

The UCI and its leadership – particularly president Pat McQuaid and his predecessor Hein Verbruggen – has been heavily criticised for numerous perceived failings after the scale of doping at Armstrong’s United States Postal Service team was revealed by an United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) investigation.

Armstrong, who declined to co-operate with USADA, was banned for life and stripped of all results since 1 August, 1998, including seven Tour de France titles, following a scandal which continues to send shockwaves through the sport.