Uefa releases match schedule for Euro 2012

European football’s governing body Uefa has approved the match schedule for the Euro 2012 finals, it has been announced.

There had been some fears some of the stadiums in the co-host cities of Ukraine and Poland would not be ready in time, but Uefa has now approved eight venues in both Ukraine and Poland at an executivee meeting in Minsk this week.

Poland will stage games in Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan and Gdansk, while Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv will hold matches in Ukraine.

Uefa released a statement which said: “In Poland, Wroclaw and Poznan will host three group stage matches, while Gdansk will stage three group stage matches and a quarter-final.

“Warsaw will host three group stage fixtures, including the opening Group A game featuring Poland, a quarter-final and a semi-final. Poland will play their second group match in Warsaw, and their third in Wroclaw.”

The tournament will take place between 8 June and 1 July 2012.

David Gold wants Beckham support for West Ham stadium move

Co-owner of Premier League side West Ham United, David Gold, has said that former England captain David Beckham could play a key role in helping the club move to the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games.

Beckham played an important part in helping London get the 2012 Games, and is undertaking a similar role for England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Gold said: “David Beckham could play a massive part, because of his roots, in helping West Ham win the Olympic Stadium.

“We know what a great ambassador he is. Now we see David as not just an ambassador for West Ham but also for East London where it all started for him.”

West Ham are one of several bidders to take over the stadium following the Games.

England Rugby Receives Unprecedented Demand for 2015 Rugby World Cup Tickets

England Rugby, the organisers of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, have announced they sold 950,000 Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets in the September general sale, with record levels of demand for tickets for pool and knock-out stage matches.

Tickets were on general sale from September 12-29, and England Rugby 2015 received applications for more than 5 million tickets, leading to demand exceeding supply at every price category for 23 of the 48 matches.

Ballots were run earlier this week for matches and price points where demand for tickets exceeded supply, and ballots were held for at least one price point in every one of the 48 matches.

Rugby fans will be notified of the results of their ticket applications on Saturday, October 25, and payment will be taken from payment cards from Monday, October 27.

Rugby fans who did not receive tickets in the ballots will receive priority when tickets go back on sale by the end of November.

Demand for tickets was highest for England v Australia, England v Wales, New Zealand v Argentina and Australia v Wales in the pool stages, and for both semi-finals and the Final.

Debbie Jevans, Chief Executive Officer of England Rugby 2015 said: “We are thrilled with demand for tickets a year out from the Tournament, and the record level of demand we saw in September is a terrific indicator of the general interest and excitement for Rugby World Cup 2015.

“Demand has exceeded supply for a high number of our matches, and the only downside of such strong demand is that there will inevitably be some disappointment when rugby fans are notified of the results of their applications on Saturday. We would like to thank everyone who applied for tickets and anyone who missed out on tickets this time will get first priority when the remaining tickets go back on sale next month.”

Bernard Lapasset, IRB Chairman, added: “We are delighted with the incredible demand for tickets across the Tournament from fans in the UK and around the world. Rugby World Cup is all about the fans and the players and today’s announcement reinforces our belief that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a very special record-breaking celebration of Rugby and the host nation. It really is too big to miss.”

In addition to the 950,000 tickets sold in the September sale, 340,000 tickets were sold by England Rugby 2015 to rugby fans through rugby clubs in England and Wales as part of the Rugby Community Programme, while the overall sales figure will increase through the November sale.

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Al Watan Launches New Marketing Campaign with Lionel Messi

Al Watan has launched a cross-media campaign with Argentina and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The campaign will run through the World Cup and Ramadan with editorial and commercial engagements for the audience.

The Ooredoo’s “Simply Do Wonders” campaign features a dynamic Rewardisement engaging video where the audience gets rewarded for their engagement with the ad. The campaign is making its debut with brand ambassador Leo Messi, across Asia, theMiddle East and North Africa.

It is supported by a major social media campaign, “Simply Do Wonders”, which encourages young people to upload videos of their football “street skills” to an Instagram account with the hashtag #MeetMessi.

“The new campaign marks the beginning of a new advertising age where technology is helping to reach audience on all platforms seamlessly and engage them with rewarding activities. We are proud to be part of this campaign and helping in bridging the gap between print and digital through LiveBridge and Rewardisement solutions” commented Ali Al Assam, CEO, KnowledgeView.

NASCAR Expands Teneo Strategy Partnership as VP Marcus Jadotte Departs

NASCAR announced today an expanded partnership with with Teneo Strategy, pills a strategic advisory firm, to support its public affairs activities following the departure of vice president of public affairs and multicultural development, Marcus Jadotte.

Jadotte will serve as a consultant as NASCAR continues to evolve its diversity and multicultural development initiatives throughout the organization. 

“During his nine years at NASCAR, Marcus has made a truly meaningful impact on our business,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “Thanks in large part to Marcus’ passion and leadership, we have become a leader in diversity and inclusion among the sports industry, and we will continue to deepen our commitment in the years ahead. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service to NASCAR.” 

“The NASCAR ecosystem reaches nearly every facet of the American economy, so it was particularly gratifying to have worked with leading NASCAR stakeholders and to have contributed to the sport’s development over the last nine years,” Jadotte said. “I am especially grateful for the professional support and friendship I have received from Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton during my tenure.” 

Among his accomplishments since joining NASCAR in March 2005, Jadotte led the development of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) and NASCAR Pit Crew Development programs. 

NASCAR D4D will continue under the leadership of Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president, racing operations (to whom Jadotte reported). The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and annual NASCAR Diversity Awards also are among a number of diversity and inclusion programs started by Jadotte that will continue at NASCAR.

Castleford Tigers Reveal Stadium Plans

English Rugby League club Castleford Tigers have revealed new plans for a new stadium.

The Super League club wants to build a 10, ailment 000-capacity stadium as part of a £135m retail development on the site of a disused colliery just off the M62 at Glasshoughton.

Developers Lateral Property Group say the structure will also feature a 50-acre country park and that as many as 2, ambulance 000 jobs would be created.

The purpose-built stadium would be designed to meet Super League requirements, doctor with a mixture of both seating and standing terraces, and it is hoped that work will begin during 2015 with a view to being ready for the 2017 season.

Castleford chairman Jack Fulton said: “Clearly this is a very exciting opportunity for Castleford Tigers to finally get a home fit for the 21st century.

“A new stadium will provide the foundations of a bright new future for the club and much-needed facilities for the wider Castleford community.

“Where previously other plans have not materialised, Castleford Tigers are confident that Lateral Property Group can deliver this new stadium for the club.”

The development is on similar lines to the one proposed for Super League neighbours Wakefield, just two junctions further along the M62.

Philip Lunn, managing director of Lateral Property Group, said: “In addition to delivering this new stadium for Castleford Tigers, the enabling retail development could bring a massive boost to the local economy.

“We have had very positive conversations with some of the biggest names in UK retail and we expect to be able to make further announcements soon.”

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to Remain on European Tour Until 2017 after New Deal

The Qatar Golf Association has renewed its partnership with the The European Tour for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to remain on the Tour schedule for a further three years. 

The Doha Golf Club will remain the host venue for the tournament which, ailment this week, capsule has been staged for the 17th consecutive year and is now firmly established as one of The European Tour’s marquee global events with a US$2.5 million prize fund.

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has played host to many of the world’s finest players, with former winners including Thomas Björn, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson.

Hassan Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “We are delighted to extend our 17 year relationship with our sanctioning body, The European Tour, for a further three years. Our tournament has gone from strength to strength over the past years and much of that is down to the incredible support of our title sponsor, Commercial Bank of Qatar, and the technical guidance of The European Tour.”

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “This is fantastic news for the Tour, so we are delighted to extend our partnership with Qatar.

“The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is a truly exceptional tournament, and we have to pay special thanks to the Qatar Golf Association and the Doha Golf Club for their continued support and valued friendship.

“We are also very fortunate to have such a strong title sponsor in Commercial Bank, as well as so many valuable co-sponsors, in Doha and we thank all of these partners for their continued support.

“We believe that our desert swing of events has been a key factor in the positive evolution of golf in Qatar – and throughout the Middle East – so it is great news that the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will remain on the schedule.”

Leonardo DiCaprio Launches New Formula E Team

Hollywood A-list actor Leonardo DiCaprio has agreed a partnership with Venturi Automobiles to enter a team in the new electric motorsport series, FIA Formula E Championship.

Based in Monaco, the new Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team has been co-founded by DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa.

Formula E is a new FIA Championship using electric single-seater race cars capable of speeds in excess of 225km/h. The series will compete in the heart of 10 of the world’s leading cities including Beijing, Los Angeles and London. Ten teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fan whilst accelerating the electric vehicle market and promoting sustainability.

“The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

Venturi Grand Prix will now be put forward to the FIA for approval as the tenth and final team to enter the new zero emission series. They join international names from around the globe with IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Asia’s China Racing, Super Aguri and Mahindra Racing, and European squads Drayson Racing, e.dams, Audi Sport ABT and Virgin Racing.

“Venturi has been a pioneer in electric high performance vehicles for more than a decade and Formula E gives us the fantastic opportunity to further improve our advanced technologies through motorsport, as well as compete all over the world,” said Gildo. “It also gives us the chance to be part of a new racing programme with a project that really shares Venturi’s values for clean mobility, innovation in the field of electric propulsion and energy efficiency optimisation.”

“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the tenth and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings. “Gildo is a true pioneer in electric racing. From the desert of Salt Lake to Antarctica, his passion and vision pushes forward the technology barriers of what can be done with an electric car. But Gildo is not alone in this venture. Global entrepreneurs Francesco Costa and Bert Hedaya bring great experience and energy to the team.

“And of course, I want to give a very special welcome to our Championship to Leonardo DiCaprio. Very few environmental leaders have helped more than him to spread the message of sustainability around the world. Having people like him and Richard Branson – global ambassadors for the environment – is a privilege for our Championship and will help us massively to spread the use of electric cars in cities around the planet.”

Bahrain Grand Prix Set to Host F1’s Second Night Race

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to host Formula 1’s second night race after the construction of floodlights and their testing at the final round of the World Endurance Championship in the kingdom this weekend.

Bahrain’s suitability to host a grand prix has come into question over the past few years due to civil unrest in the wake of the Arab Spring. The protests proved to be so volatile that the race was cancelled in 2011, but since it has managed to go ahead without too many problems. Nevertheless, with attendance figures dwindling, the organizers have opted to make the grand prix a night race in 2014 to mark the tenth anniversary of the first event in Bahrain.

“This is by far the biggest development project we have ever undertaken at the BIC [Bahrain International Circuit] since the circuit was first built,” chief executive Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa explained. ”I believe that there can be no better way for us to mark our tenth anniversary in F1 by demonstrating our long term commitment to the sport through this significant investment.”

With this move, the Bahrain Grand Prix becomes the second night race on the calendar, following in the footsteps of the Singapore Grand Prix. 

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Leeds Carnegie Added as New Franchise to British Basketball League

The British Basketball League (BBL) have announced a deal for Leeds Carnegie to join the BBL. 

The club, who are strongly linked to the Leeds Metropolitan University, have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their formation in 2006 which has seen them jump three divisions to their current home in England Basketball (EBL) Division One. 

Away from the senior men’s team, the club also operate a women’s team and have an extensive junior programme covering multiple age ranges, all driven via their vast community programme. 

Carnegie will get a taste of BBL Competition as early as January 2014 when they take on the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy 1st round. 

Leeds Carnegie Director of Basketball and Head Coach Matt Newby said: “The BBL is the premier basketball league in the UK and is going from strength to strength. It is a great time to make the move up and it will ultimately help us achieve our goal of creating a complete performance pathway, which we have been building since 2006. It will further enhance our community focus and commitment to social agendas and ultimately we hope to inspire a new generation of basketball enthusiasts within the city of Leeds.”

Andy Webb, BBL Chief Operating Officer, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Leeds Carnegie to the BBL. Their addition will take our roster to 15 clubs for next season and will give us a 2nd club in Yorkshire. The club have a solid community base from which to grow, and we look forward to working with them to develop the club in the coming seasons.”  

Carnegie will commence participation in BBL Competitions for the 2014/15 season subject to meeting agreed criteria.