HSBC, healing the sponsor of the Hong Kong Sevens and the International Sevens Series, pill has announced a new international grassroots rugby programme.

Through a partnership with Serevi Rugby the programme will introduce thousands of youngsters to the sport in the next two years. The new initiative launched this week with five days of HSBC Rugby Festivals in Brazil, before moving to Hong Kong and the United States later this season. Serevi Rugby, led by two of the greatest ever players in the sport Waisale Serevi from Fiji and Ben Gollings from England, will manage the festivals and personally coach the children and adults.

HSBC is a long term sponsor of rugby at all levels around the world, and the new partnership with Serevi Rugby will target children who have not previously played rugby.  The programme also has a Coach Education element which will see hundreds of adults earn their IRB Level One coaching qualification enabling them to continue to work with the youngsters in their communities. 

The two year programme began with two coaching sessions in Rio de Janeiro yesterday involving children from the Morro do Cantagalo underprivileged community as well as a special session staged on Copacabana Beach.  The programme will be held in China and Hong Kong during the week of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Speaking on the launch of the programme, Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship for HSBC Holdings said, “HSBC is a long term investor in Rugby and sees the potential of the sport to reach new audiences and attract children, in particular, to play the Game.  Helping to further grow the sport during this crucial period leading up to 2016 is a key aim of our investment. 

“By partnering with the biggest names in the sport in Serevi Rugby, and by working closely with our partners at the IRB and the local unions, we are hopefully going to enable more youngsters to learn about Sevens and build excitement as the Olympic Games gets closer.”

Waisale Serevi, who won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice with Fiji, and who formed Serevi Rugby in 2010, said, “We are delighted to work with HSBC on this new partnership to grow the Game; bringing the skills, fun and values of Rugby to new audiences around the world.”

Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes unveiled the club’s new logo and jerseys during their 40th Anniversary Party last night.

Over 4, viagra 100mg 000 fans were on hand for the event, health which celebrated 40 years of professional soccer in San Jose.

“This is a momentous day for the San Jose Earthquakes as we continue to shape the identity of this club to match its rich history and community ties, anesthetist ” said Earthquakes president Dave Kaval. “After consulting with fans, former players, staff and community stakeholders, we established three pillars for the club: Unity, Devotion, Heritage. Each of those pillars was integrated into the design of our new logo and will define the organization going forward.”

The Earthquakes also unveiled their new jerseys for 2014. The kits used inspiration from adidas’ 2014 World Cup kits combined with elements from the club to create an innovative look. Both jerseys feature banding across the back, adidas’ signature jersey element for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The primary kit follows the club’s style from 2000-05 with a blue top, black shorts and blue socks. One of the unique features is the impact pattern from the club’s logo faded across the chest. In remembering the club’s roots, the words “San Jose 1974” are stitched inside the collar and “Established 1974” is emblazoned behind the neck on the top’s exterior.

The secondary kit will serve as the club’s 40th Anniversary uniform. The jersey pays tribute to the NASL teams and players with red tops, shorts and socks. The red kits also include the impact pattern across the chest. 

MotoGP’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014 after a new deal was agreed.

Next year is the final year of the agreement between IMS and sanctioning organization and commercial rights holder Dorna to bring all three classes of the MotoGP World Championship –MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 – to the Brickyard. But IMS and Dorna have started discussions about a long-term relationship past the terms of the current contract. MotoGP first came to IMS in 2008.

“We’re very pleased that we can bring our fans another thrilling MotoGP World Championship race in 2014 at IMS,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “The last six years have established a solid foundation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and we are optimistic about the growth of the event in Indianapolis. We are also eager to continue working with our friends at Dorna to ensure an exciting long-term future for MotoGP at The Racing Capital of the World.”

“I’m extremely pleased that MotoGP will be returning to iconic Indianapolis track in 2014 to bring the pinnacle of motorcycle racing to the American fans. The Brickyard not only attracts a great crowd every year, but it heritage and history in the world of motor racing also helps grow the popularity ofMotoGP in the United States and around the world. I would like to thank the organization and staff at Indianapolis for their fantastic efforts to keep the race at their track, and am already looking forward to returning next year.”, declared Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO.

China’s most successful golfer, sale Liang Wen-Chong, generic has taken up a new ambassadorial role with The R&A to support the development of golf in his home country and to promote understanding of its Rules and values. 

Liang, the winner of 18 tournaments worldwide, has become The R&A’s third Working for Golf Ambassador and attended a special signing ceremony at The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse in St Andrews with Consul Degang Wan of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Edinburgh. A ceremonial Chinese lion dance was held to wish Liang good luck in his new role.

“I am honoured to be working with The R&A and helping to promote golf and its values in China”, he said. “I have been very fortunate to become a professional golfer and enjoy a successful career. Golf has been good to me and this is an opportunity for me to give something back to the game. I look forward to working with The R&A to promote greater understanding of the game’s Rules and values in China.”

Consul Degang Wan commented: “There are many links between China and Scotland and this relationship is further enhanced by our mutual love of golf,” he said. “This is an excellent new initiative which should help improve knowledge and understanding of the game in China. Liang is a well-known sportsman at home and in this role I believe he will make an invaluable contribution to the growth of the game there and also to the ever-increasing friendship between our two peoples.”

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Working for Golf at The R&A, said: “Liang was the first player from his country to play in The Open Championship in 2008 which is a great achievement. He has led the way for golf in China and will bring a great deal of experience and expertise to his new role. The R&A is already working hard with the China Golf Association to encourage people to learn more about golf and its values. Liang will help us to communicate these messages to an even wider audience.”

Liang will front a TV, online and print media campaign across China that will highlight and explain some of the commonly misunderstood aspects of golf. The campaign will be launched later this year.

Liang joins two-time Open Champion and former USPGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington and 2007 LPGA Champion Suzann Pettersen as R&A Working for Golf Ambassadors.

Forbes, pills an American business magazine, has released its annual list of NBA ‘s most valuable teams with New York Knicks reclaiming the top spot. 

The Knicks are worth $1.1billion taking the No. 1 spot away from Los Angeles Lakers.

The Knicks‘ value rose 41%, mainly due to a $980 million renovation of Madison Square Garden that is expected to be completed this summer. The makeover resulted in an NBA-leading $243 million in revenue last season. The Knicks‘ operating income of $83 million was the highest in the league for a third straight year. 

Also the Knicks have enjoyed a ratings boost with the team second in the Eastern Conference. 

With the help of a new 20-year, $3.6 billion television deal with Time Warner Cable, the Lakers, while losing their top spot, did enjoy some success financially as well. They are worth $1 billion, up 11% from last year. The Lakers and Knicks are the first NBA teams to be valued at 10-figures. 

The report also revealed that an average NBA team is worth $509 million, a 30% increase over last year. 

Forbes has accounted the increase to higher revenue from television, new and renovated arenas, and the NBA’s new collective-bargaining agreement, which reduced player costs from 57% of revenues to roughly 50%. The labour deal also increased the amount of money high-revenue teams provide low-revenue teams. 

Top Ten NBA’s Most Valuable Teams (in millions unless stated): 

1. New York Knicks – $1.1 billion (Profit: $83 million)

2. Los Angeles Lakers – $1 billion (Profit: $48)

3. Chicago Bulls – $800 million (Profit: $34)

4. Boston Celtics – $730 million (Profit: $19)

5. Dallas Mavericks – $685 million (Profit: $13)

6. Miami Heat – $625 million (Profit: $15)

7. Houston Rockets – $568 million (Profit: $27)

8. Golden State Warriors – $555 million (Profit: $29)

9. Brooklyn Nets – $530 million (Profit: $17)

10. San Antonio Spurs – $527 million (Profit: $15)