FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 50.

Mr Rafnsson died during a visit to Geneva, where he had been attending Tuesday’s official opening of FIBA’s new headquarters.

He was President of the National Olympic Association of Iceland and was elected to the Presidency of FIBA Europe in 2010.

Mr Rafnsson was a former player and won the Icelandic Championship in 1988 as part of the Haukar team.

His colleagues at FIBA paid tribute.

“It is with great sadness that we heard of Olaf’s passing. On behalf of FIBA and of the basketball community as a whole, we want to offer our condolences to his family and loved ones,” said FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann.

“He did a lot of good for sports – in particular for basketball – over the course of his life.

“He had success as a basketball player in his native Iceland and made a smooth transition into sports administration, where he served as President of the country’s national Olympic association.

“After being elected President of FIBA Europe in 2010, he played a major role in the triumph that was EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania.

“He will be sorely missed.”

FIBA President Yvan Mainini joined Mr Baumann in paying homage to Mr Rafnsson.

“Olaf was very much liked and respected by his colleagues and peers in the world of basketball and beyond,” he said.

“While Iceland is a cold place, Olaf was very much a warm person,” he pointed out, recalling a visit to Mr Rafnsson in Iceland.

“It is a very sad time for the basketball community but the best way possible to remember and honour Olaf is to carry on his work in Europe and do so all together, united.

“At this moment in time, our thoughts are with Olaf’s family.”

A fresh despute about pay has left the Bangladesh Premier League reeling after International cricket stars threatened to quit.

The second edition of the BPL has already been deprived of any Pakistani players after they were prevented by their national board from taking part on the eve of the tournament.

Now players from five of the BPL’s seven teams could walk away in the middle of the competition unless they receive the salaries that they were promised, according to officials and their representatives.

The owner of the Dhaka Gladiators, which won last year’s inaugural tournament, confirmed that ex-England player Owais Shah was among the players who are threatening to pull out of the competition.

“Shah and some other players have threatened to pull out if they are not paid their due fees immediately,” Salim Chowdhury told AFP.

The inaugural tournament last year was also marred by complaints from players who said teams failed to pay out their full dues or on time.

To avoid a repeat scenario, new rules were set up to make it mandatory for the teams to deposit 25 per cent of their players’ fees with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) which would then hand over the cash.

Chowdhury blamed the board for the non-payment, insisting that his outfit had transferred the money.

But BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus said only two teams including the Gladiators had so far fulfilled their commitment to deposit money with the board, adding that he hoped payments would come through in the next few days.

‘We hope we’ll receive all payments by Saturday,’ he told AFP.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) said ‘many’ players remained unpaid and their patience has worn thin.

“The players are very seriously considering some sort of boycott simply because there is little else they can do,” FICA chief executive Tim May told ESPNcricinfo.

The inaugural edition was also hit by allegations of spot fixing, resulting in the suspension of an ex-Bangladesh cricketer and arrest of a Pakistani national.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Tennis for Free (TFF) have agreed a joint partnership to help people play tennis..

The programme involves a combination of capital and revenue investment by the LTA to improve the places where people play tennis and the programmes on offer to encourage take up of the game.

At all these sites Tennis for Free plan to work with local coaches to provide free tennis coaching on free park courts. Tennis for Free will be providing expert staffing as well as specially-designed ‘Courtline’ software that will help tennis providers and local clubs maximise use of local facilities.

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of LTA said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Tennis for Free as part of a wider, affordable, sustainable programme to try to grow tennis in Great Britain. Together we’re exploring how we can work effectively with local authorities to make tennis more inclusive and accessible in the community.

”Paul Jessop, Chief Executive, TFF commented: “Building up community grassroots tennis is vital to the future of the game in the UK. We are looking forward to working with the LTA to develop new projects than can make a real difference.”

Meg Munn MP said: “Tennis is a great game for people of all ages and all abilities. This joint initiative will provide lots more opportunities for people throughout the country from all backgrounds to get playing and keep playing.”

This summer, doctor 22 outstanding Americans selected by Coca-Cola will light up the streets of Oxford, treat England as they carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. 

Among them will be 10 teenagers from across the United States, story Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan, Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders and renowned fitness icon Jake Steinfeld of Body by Jake.

“Each torchbearer’s generosity and commitment to give back to their communities near and far has inspired us here at Coca-Cola,” said Celeste Bottorff, Vice President of Living Well, Coca-Cola North America. “We now hope their participation in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will motivate others around the world to make a positive difference in their communities.”

The Olympians and teens will be joined by thought leaders from six national health organizations who have made incredible strides in the fields of health and science. They will also run with three Coca-Cola North America employees who have committed themselves to giving back to their local communities.

“Coca-Cola has given me the opportunity of a lifetime! I get to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and represent my country,” said Peyton Medick, founder of Peyton’s Promise, an organization that provides support to local food pantries. “I am excited to carry the Flame and remind people around the world how we all can make a change in our communities.”

The torchbearers chosen to represent Coca-Cola were nominated by peers, teachers and leaders of youth organizations. As a proud sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games and a supporter of the Olympics since 1928, Coca-Cola chose this extraordinary group because of their individual commitments to active healthy living, making a positive difference in their communities and protecting and conserving the environment. “Participating in the Torch Relay is such an honor, and I cannot imagine a more memorable way to celebrate the 20^thanniversary of my Olympic gold-medal moment,” said 1992 Olympian Summer Sanders. “I look forward to sharing this amazing Olympic tradition with my family and helping Coke make lasting memories of the Olympic Games for others.”

The torchbearers will carry the Flame in and around Oxford, England July 9-11, as it makes its way to the Opening Ceremony on July 27.

The ICC (International Cricket Council) Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, has announced the ICC’s backing of the ideas put forward by the Australian Government to combat cheating in sport.

The Australian Government has expressed its desire to establish a national framework of laws designed to eradicate all forms of cheating in the game.

Mr Lorgat endorsed these proposals in Perth during the third test match between Australia and India and in the wake of the Westfield case.

 “ICC is pleased to add its support to that of Australia’s Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) in support of the Australian Government’s initiative to tackle cheating in sport.

 “Like all sports in Australia, the ICC and its Members cherish the reputation and integrity of the game. All sport needs honest competition and while in Australia I will be restating our well known stance to the Government”.

Mr Lorgat also reiterated the importance of a hardline position and referred back to the imprisonment of three Pakistani cricketers in November 2011 after the spot fixing scandal at Lord’s in 2010 .

“In the past year we faced the sort of challenge which could threaten any sport and I believe we conclusively proved that we will not tolerate any threat to the integrity of the game.

 “I hope our swift and decisive action to charge, provisionally suspend and eventually prosecute and ban those who dared to sully the good name of cricket as well as the subsequent criminal prosecution will serve as a deterrent in future”.

The ICC Chair also expressed the governing body’s willingness to work alongside governments and other localised bodies to defeat the problem.

“ICC had also worked effectively with the UK Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police to bring those who committed wrong to justice. Sports governing bodies need state assistance to tackle this worldwide menace and in turn we will support any Government that legislates to protect sport against cheating.

“In supporting this Australian initiative we urge other governments to consider the same to protect all sports. Needless to say we will continue to use everything within our power to ensure that any threat of corrupt activity within the game of cricket is resolutely dealt with.

 “We have always stated that we will explore every possible avenue to ensure that cricket is free from corrupt activity and this initiative of the Australian Government must be commended. ICC will continue to work with the Australian Government and any other Government to protect the integrity of the sport”.

Add your say to our heated debate on the future of cricket in the wake of corruption here

Middlesbrough FC are giving fans purchasing tickets online the alternative of printing tickets from their home or office computer, in a new feature from their ticketing partner Ticketmaster.

The new system ensures that Middlesbrough Football Club continues to be one of the most forward-thinking clubs when it comes to providing services to its loyal supporters. 

Having previously introduced smartcards for Season Card holders and Boro Pride members, as well as interactive online seat selection, it is one of the first organisations across any sport to adopt the state-of-the-art ticket printing system. 

The technology has been trialed since the end of last season and the club has now given the green light to a full-scale launch. 

Anthony Emmerson, Head of Supporter Services, said: “We really hope as many Boro fans as possible take advantage of this offering.

“Not many clubs offer this facility but in an age of printing of airport boarding passes and tickets for other services, we thought why shouldn’t Boro fans be able to do something similar when visiting the Riverside? We want to lead from the front and are proud to offer TicketFast for the 2011-12 season.”

Since its trial began, hundreds of Boro fans have experienced the benefits of TicketFast. Ending the need for matchday queuing, supporters can have their tickets in their hands instantly after online purchase – and they can even be forwarded to other Boro fans attending the game. 

Club staff are confident that many more Boro supporters will now take advantage of this major step forward

It was announced yesterday, June 6, that the English city of Gateshead has been chosen to host the 2013 European Team Championships. 

The European Athletics Council made the decision at its meeting in Frankfurt following UK Athletics and the City of Gateshead bid presentation to host the fourth edition of the Super League.

It will be the first time that the North East city will host European Athletics’ flagship team event, after hosting its predecessor, the SPAR European Cup, in 1989 and 2000, when Britain’s men lifted the trophy on each occasion. 

European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz stated: “We are very pleased to confirm that Gateshead will be the hosts of the European Team Championships Super League in 2013.

“Athletics has a huge following in Great Britain and we have been assured today that we can look forward to an excellent event.”

Gateshead was chosen ahead of·Braunschweig in Germany, Bydgoszcz in Poland and Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Niels de Vos, the chief executive of UK Athletics, added: “Gateshead 2013 will reinforce the European Team Championships as one of the biggest athletics events in the world.

“It will be the first major athletics event in Great Britain after the 2012 London Olympics and I am sure the event will develop, promote and foster athletics in Europe, and further raise the profile of the sport on the continent.”