British multinational company Virgin Group have announced today it will be on the grid for the Formula E Championship after signing an agreement with series promoters Formula E Holdings.

Based in the UK, the Virgin Racing Formula E Team will be headed by Team Principal Alex Tai and has the backing of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson. Both have been involved in a number of pioneering technology projects in aviation, space and more recently racing.

“The launch of the FIA Formula E Championship is exciting news for racing fans but also for those that believe in developing the great electric cars of the future,” said Sir Richard Branson. “The need to create fast, dependable and durable race cars will help to accelerate the sector and showcase electric cars to a large global audience. With races around many famous city centres, I am expecting a lot of spectators, plenty of fun and some sparks flying as the competition hots up.”

Virgin will now be put forward to the FIA for final approval as the ninth of ten teams to enter the new zero emission championship, racing in 10 city-centres around the world. They join IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Asia’s China Racing, Super Aguri and Mahindra Racing, and European squads Drayson Racing, e.dams and Audi Sport ABT.

Team Principal Alex Tai said: “I’m absolutely sold on the concept of Formula E and believe that it is a great fit for the Virgin brand. The accessible nature of the series with its races being right in the heart of our great cities, should create a wonderful atmosphere. 

“The drive to develop new technology appeals to Virgin, which has always been a pioneering organisation. I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in a number of such activities over years, from the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer to Virgin Galactic activities that push technological and human boundaries and capture people’s imagination.

“We have hugely exciting plans and over the next nine months will be revealing new parts to our story on a regular basis, so I’d ask fans and the commercial world alike to ‘watch this space.'”

Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin is a leading international investment group which has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays and health and wellness.

Alejandro Agag, CEO Formula E Holdings, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Team to Formula E and for them to have chosen the FIA’s new global electric race series to make their return to top-flight motor sport. Having a global brand like Virgin, renowned for their technological innovation and sporting passion, as one of our ten teams is a fantastic addition to the championship and shows their commitment to sustainable mobility.

“Today’s announcement now means we just have one team left to announce before the grid for the inaugural 2014/2015 Formula E season is complete.”

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Organisers of Ryder Cup 2014 have announced they have awarded catering contracts to Mecco and Compass Group.

Mecco, supported by sister company Fresh Direct in Paisley, and Compass in Scotland’s Sport, Leisure and Hospitality division (part of Compass Group UK & Ireland), will work in partnership to manage public retail catering and hospitality for the global sporting event, which is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors.

More than 1,500 temporary jobs will also be created with both companies recruiting in Scotland.

Mecco – who from the beginning of 2013 joined forces with Jamie’s Fabulous Feasts with the backing of Jamie Oliver Ltd and Fresh Direct – and Compass in Scotland will work closely with Scotland Food & Drink to showcase regional specialities and tasty seasonal fare to promote Scotland as ‘A Land of Food and Drink.’  

Mecco Managing Director Jeremy Wood said: “Our aim is to showcase Scotland’s wonderful and diverse array of food and producers by developing delicious seasonal menus in conjunction with Scotland Food & Drink for every facility, both in hospitality and on-course public areas at The Ryder Cup.  With our sister company Fresh Direct, whose Scotland operation is based in Paisley, we will source suppliers across Scotland to provide ingredients and products to create traditional and innovative Scottish dishes and menus.”

Neil MacLaurin, Business Development Director of Sport, Leisure and Hospitality at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded this contract and will work closely with our fantastic network of Scottish suppliers to promote everything that is great about Scottish food and drink. Compass in Scotland is committed to helping Scotland grow; supporting Scottish suppliers is a vital part of this, as is supporting local communities through job creation. To deliver a first class, successful event we will be recruiting for a range of temporary roles and will be looking for enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude to support our Compass in Scotland team throughout The 2014 Ryder Cup.”

Edward Kitson, Match Director for The 2014 Ryder Cup, said: “Providing high-quality catering for tens of thousands of spectators and guests in temporary structures is a huge logistical operation. Both Mecco and Compass have proven track records in this field and we are confident they will deliver an exceptional experience for all once again. Clearly, the operation will deliver economic inputs, including an estimated 1,500 temporary jobs in Scotland, and we are pleased that the sustainable approach to sourcing ingredients from local producers and suppliers will benefit businesses in Scotland.”

Mecco and Compass previously worked in partnership at The 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort, Wales. It was calculated that the value of the catering produced a £2.5 million input to the Welsh economy, including temporary jobs, and this forms the basis of the estimated economic benefit to Scotland.

The race organisers for the Indian Grand Prix Jaypee, who will not host a grand prix in 2014, have admitted that only 20,000 tickets have been sold so far for this year’s edition

“The excitement surrounding the event is less compared to past editions but we are confident of having the turnout of 2012,” said Jaypee chief Sameer Gaur.

“The latest number I have is that 20,000 tickets have been sold,” he admitted, adding that he expects sales to pick up considerably in coming days.

Mere days after India, Formula One will head to Abu Dhabi for the spectacular and hugely popular twilight race.

In total contrast to India, organisers of the Yas Marina event are expecting a sellout as usual, with less than 2,500 tickets still available.

“We’re expecting more fans than ever before,” said circuit boss Richard Cregan.

By Ismail Uddin

Tommy Wiking, the president of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has revealed he hopes to see American Football in the Olympics someday. 

IFAF are currently applying for IOC recognition and Wiking sees the sport in the Olympics one day. 

“Off course I can see American Football in the Olympics someday but the problem is to get the IOC to see it my way so it is a challenge,” he told iSportconnect exclusively. 

“First of all you need to know the IOC have a structure in place when a new sport is trying to join the program so it’s a long process and they are discussing it right now.” 

Wiking, who has been president since 200g, also suggested that if they were to get recognition it will take a little while before they could conceivably be included for the Games. 

He said: “They are talking about cutting Wrestling from the 2020 games and the decision will be made seven years before the games begin. For us to be included we will first have to be IOC recognised and then we can start the process of actually applying for the actual games. If we were to get recognised now the first games we could in theory get recognised is the 2024 games. I don’t think we will be included in 2024.” 

Sweden native, Wiking added that if approved they may have to alter their game like Rugby Sevens to adapt to IOC regulations. 

“If you were to do American Football there would mean eight teams in the men’s tournament and eight in the women’s and coaches. We would make up 10% of the athletes at the Olympics and they would have to chop other sports and they won’t do that. They will either have to decide to increase the invitation or ask us to change our player system similar to Rugby Sevens. I don’t know what the answer is but when the question comes we will take it and make it work,” Wiking commented.

Read the full interview here>>

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that the New York marathon has been cancelled in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. 

The Mayor had earlier made a statement that the event would go ahead and be dedicated to victims of Sandy and their families.

But Mr Bloomberg yesterday said he did not want “a cloud” to overshadow the marathon.

There had been claims the event would detract from the clean-up effort and pull police resources dedicated the restoring the city.

The mayor’s office tweeted last night: “We have decided to cancel the NYC marathon. The New York Road Runners will have additional information in days ahead for participants.”

In a statement, the mayor said: “We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants, and so we have decided to cancel it.

“We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event – even one as meaningful as this – to distract attention away from all the critically-important work that is being done to recover from the storm and get our city back on track.

Mr Bloomberg insisted holding the race would not mean diverting resources from the recovery effort but understood the controversy surrounding the race.

“It is clear that it has become the source of controversy and division.

“The marathon has always brought our city together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination.”

The cancellation came a day after Mary Wittenberg, chief executive of race organisers the New York Road Runners, said the marathon would show the “vitality and spirit” of New York.