South Africa to Cut Promotion-Relegation Play-offs for Super Rugby Competition

South Africa have revealed they alter their Super Rugby competition by cutting the promotion-relegation play-offs ensuring the bottom team in their conference this year will play in the 2015 competition.

Golden Lions were relegated last year and squeezed into the 2014 southern hemisphere championship by winning a two-leg play-off against bottom team Southern Kings.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) decision will please the Lions, a Johannesburg outfit widely expected to anchor the South African conference.

Port Elizabeth-based Kings waived the right to a 2014 play-off after winning a ‘boardroom’ promotion to the Currie Cup, the oldest domestic inter-provincial rugby competition in the world.

They, defending champions Sharks, Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions and Western Province are guaranteed top-flight status for the next two seasons.

A qualifying competition among the other eight sides in the two-tier Currie Cup will fill the remaining two top-flight places.

Kings have been a thorn in the side of SARU for several years, given that they are based in the eastern Cape, home to most African rugby players.

The Kings’ Super 15 participation lasted just one season and they have consistently failed to earn promotion from the Currie Cup second division.

SARU want Kings included in an enlarged Super championship when the format of five teams each from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand expires at the end of next season.

Seattle Seahawks Sponsor Boeing Paints Planes in Team Colours

Boeing, a sponsor of the Seattle Seahawks, have leveraged their sponsorship of the NFL team by revealing a 747-8 Freighter painted in the livery of the team before the Super Bowl.

Boeing has partnered with the team for more than a decade on programs in the Puget Sound area.

“The Seahawks have been an inspiration to our entire community throughout this incredible season,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “We’re honored that we could join together two Northwest icons, the Seahawks and the 747, for this special salute from the entire Boeing team.”

This 747-8 is owned by Boeing and currently being used for flight testing. The special livery features the distinctive Seahawks logo and a “12” on the tail to salute the team’s fans. The airplane will make its first flight in its new livery on Thurs., Jan. 30.

“The 747 team is proud that one of our airplanes could be used as a tribute to the Seahawks’ success this season and a rallying cry for the team as they prepare for the Super Bowl,” said Eric Lindblad, vice president and general manager, 747 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The partnerships we have with the Seahawks and others are making a positive difference in the communities where Boeing employees live and work. We join with all Seahawks fans in wishing the team success on Sunday.”

European Tour’s John Parry Signs Representation Deal with MB Partners

John Parry has revealed sports agency MB Partners will represent the European Tour star.

The 27-year-old from Knaresborough, adiposity West Yorkshire, unhealthy turned pro in 2007 and has been playing on the prestigious European Tour for three years. In 2010, case during his rookie season, he won the inaugural Vivendi Cup and has finished in the top-five on numerous occasions.  

Commenting on his signing, Parry said, “I am very happy with how my career has been advancing these past few years. Working with MB Partners will continue that momentum so I can focus on my career while MB Partners take care of everything else. When you look at the team I will have for support, I feel this will be of huge benefit for me to reach that next step.” 

“I’m delighted that John has decided to join us and he is a great addition to our player portfolio”, said Duncan Maxim, Head of Golf at MB Partners. “John has shown throughout his career he’s a proven winner at all levels. We feel his game is about to go to another level and we look forward to being able to provide all the support he needs to achieve his goals. We are all excited for what the future holds.” 

Parry’s next event is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship followed by Qatar Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the end of January.

Derbyshire Cricket Look to Revamp County Ground

Derbyshire County Cricket Club have revealed theie intention to redevelop the County Ground, their home for the last 143 years.

The county will apply for £3.65m of funding to improve the ground which the club says is the only viable option if they are to stay in Derby.

A statement on the club website said: “Whilst the club has still not ruled out a move to an alternative location elsewhere in the county, they will now pursue additional funds to augment their existing redevelopment budgets.

“The club has already gained £1.7m in ECB funding and is now looking to secure an additional £1.9 million in loan and grant funding to secure the development of a 7,000 capacity outdoor amphitheatre capable of hosting international cricket, concerts and community events.

“The development would include a new Media Centre, an extended Conference, Events and Business Centre and upgraded facilities for members, spectators and players with a view to being eligible to bid for an ICC World Cup game in 2019.

“The total redevelopment cost is estimated at £3.65m and, with the Council’s support, the club will begin to look at sources of external funding from Europe, the Government and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Chief Executive Simon Storey said: “Now we have clarity on the Council’s position, it’s clear that the only option available if we are stay in the City is to secure external funds to deliver the planned redevelopment of the County Ground.

“We will, therefore, pursue the funding opportunities with the various bodies in the coming weeks and revisit our business plan projections and development plans accordingly.

“The challenge will be to demonstrate that we can realistically deliver a sustainable return on our investment. And that return needs to not just meet any loan repayments but also allow us to increase the investment in our playing and coaching resources.”

Kuala Lumpur Golf Club to Host 2013 CIMB Classic

CIMB Group announced today that the CIMB Classic 2013, and the first official PGA TOUR FedExCup event in Asia, prostate will move to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). 

The tournament is scheduled from October 24-27 at KLGCC’s championship West Course.

“The CIMB Classic is now a marquee event on the PGA TOUR calendar. The event has grown from strength to strength over the last four years. This year it makes its debut as a full-fledged PGA TOUR FedExCup event with an increased field and a new venue. KLGCC is a venue that will give us the scale we need to take it to the next level, capsule ” said Dato’ Sri Nazir Razak, Group Chief Executive, CIMB Group.

“The Mines is a world-class facility and have been great partners over last three years. We extend our greatest thanks and appreciation to their management and staff for all the effort in getting us to where we are today,” said Nazir.

“We are delighted to have our past champions Ben, Bo and Nick back; and we look forward to seeing Phil tee off in Malaysia for the first time. I am confident that this year’s CIMB Classic will be yet another amazing display of talent,” he added.

The fairways of KLGCC are situated just eight kilometers away from the heart of the city. Originally opened in 1991, the West and East Courses were completely redesigned by renowned international golf course architects E & G Parslow and re-opened in 2008 and 2010, respectively. The course is no stranger to world-class golf, serving as the host of the European Tour and Asian Tour’s co-sanctioned Malaysian Open for the past four years, as well as the LPGA Malaysia for the past three.  KLGCC has consistently been recognised as the best course in Malaysia and Asia by numerous publications for the past three consecutive years.

“It is a privilege for any golf club to host an international tournament; to host an official PGA TOUR FedExCup event is a truly unique opportunity. We are honoured and KLGCC members are in for a great golfing treat with all the excitement around the club,” said Steven Thielke, General Manager of KLGCC. “We are extremely pleased to have been entrusted to host such a prestigious event,” he added.

Emirates Considering Return to F1 Team Sponsorship

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has suggested new partner Emirates, cough the Dubai-owned airline, impotent may also sponsor one of the teams on the grid.

Earlier this month, here Formula One announced a five-year sponsorship deal has been agreed between formula one and the airline.

But in 2006, as McLaren plugged the one-season gap between its title sponsors West and Vodafone, Emirates had a prominent place on the silver livery.

Ecclestone revealed if they wanted to partner with a team again then it would be the natural thing to do.

“If they feel that they want to expand into that area … if they decide to get back into that again then yes, I think it is quite a natural thing to do,” F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Arabian Business.

Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum is also not ruling it out.

“I think we always like to be associated with the top sports and F1 is one of the top sports around the world,” he is quoted as saying.

“What we did seven years ago (with McLaren) was because there was a window and there was an opportunity for Emirates. It was good actually,” he added.

Charleroi to Host Euroleague’s Eurocup Final in 2013 & 2014

The Eurocup Final, health the crowning event of both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons will return to the Belgium city of Charleroi, Euroleague have announced.

The newest Eurocup champion will lift the trophy at the 6,000-seat RTL Spiroudome, the homecourt of Belgacom Spirou. The Eurocup Final returns this season to a single-game final format, as it was in the editions played from 2004 to 2007. The finals in those years were also played in Charleroi when the competition was called the ULEB Cup.

The Eurocup will celebrate its 11th final on April, 13, 2013 in the most emblematic basketball venue in Belgium, the RTL Spiroudome, after having had successful experiences in Torino, Vitoria, Treviso and Khimki over recent years. This two-year agreement between Euroleague Basketball and Belgacom Spirou will bring to six the number of finals that will have been played at the emblematic RTL Spiroudome by the end of the 2013-14 season. Previously, four iconic clubs – Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem in 2004, Lietuvos Rytas in 2005, Dynamo Moscow in 2006 and Real Madrid in 2007 – were crowned Eurocup champions on the RTL Spiroudome floor. Tickets for the Eurocup Finals will go on sale later in this season. 

The RTL Spiroudome was opened in 2002. Besides hosting Belgacom Spirou home games in both the Eurocup and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, it is also a multifunctional venue where top-level events such as concerts, the Paris-Dakar presentation and women’s tennis competitions have also been celebrated. 

Euroleague also announced that Nikopharm has patnered with the Eurocup Final and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four 2013 London.

The Ukraine-based pharmaceutical company will collaborate with the final phases of the top two European basketball competitions. The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four 2013 London will take place in a one-of-a-kind venue, The O2 in London, from May 10 to 12. 

Cricket Umpires Deny Match-Fixing Allegations

Umpires in Southern Asia have denied allegations of match-fixing following a sting operation by a Indian TV broadcaster. 

The ICC has confirmed it is investigating following a programme broadcast by India TV in which its reporters set up a sting operation.

The TV channel claimed that six umpires, including one who is a regular fixture on the international circuit, were willing to give decisions or provide inside information on the teams and playing conditions in return for illicit payments.

The ICC called on India TV “to turn over any information which can assist (our) urgent investigations into this matter.

“The ICC reiterates its zero-tolerance towards corruption whether alleged against players or officials.”

Three of those named are from Sri Lanka, two are from Pakistan and the sixth is Bangladeshi Nadir Shah who is a member of the ICC’s international panel.

India TV footage appeared to show Shah, who has stood in 40 ODIs and a number of Twenty20 internationals, say he was willing to give LBW decisions on demand.

The video does not show any cash being exchanged nor did the channel broadcast any proof of the umpires delivering decisions or information.

In a statement Shah says the allegations are “absolutely rubbish”.

“If I am going to fix match, I will be caught some day by the ICC. No umpire fixes matches,” he said.

Pakistan umpire Nadeem Ghouri, another of those named, has also denied any involvement.

“I am surprised at these baseless allegations” he said. (I will) consult my lawyers to decide on my future course of action,” he said.

New England Patriots to Receive Nearly Two Million Dollars for Licensing Scratch Ticket

New England Patriots are set to receive nearly $1.7 million to license a $2 scratch ticket to go on sale Tuesday, pills Sept. 4.

The new $2 game from the Massachusetts State Lottery will offer players the chance to win more than $19.6 million in instant cash prizes, buy including $50,000 each for 15 winners. A second chance drawing allows players to enter their non-winning tickets for a chance to win one-of-a-kind Patriots home-game experiences, away game trip packages, autographed footballs and more money.

Under an agreement with the Massachusetts State Lottery, the Pats get $1.65 million for the new ticket. The two previous games scored well for the team. The $5 ticket, released in 2009, is 92 percent sold out and is projected to be gone before the end of this season and netted the team $2.5 million in fees from the Lottery. The $2 ticket released in 2011 ended earlier this month after just 11 months in stores and earned the team another $2.5 million.

Lottery officials say they have the most expansive and most successful sports-themed instant ticket portfolio in the industry with 14 games totaling $1.5 billion in sales and $194 million in net profit generated since 2006.

Soccerex hits Rio once again

herbal helvetica,sans-serif;”>The 2012 Soccerex will take place in Rio de Janeiro from 24th – 28th November.

The Global Convention will return to the Brazilian city in partnership with local Government.

Soccerex is the premiere global soccer business event and combines business and learning opportunities with networking across a period of five days.

Industry stakeholders are exposed to the latest industry thought in a diverse conference line-up and the newest products and services via the exhibition hall which features showcases by a number of companies from around the world.

Soccerex described the response to the Rio 2011 event as follows. “With the post-event survey underway, initial feedback states that over 80% of attendees were pleased or very pleased with their event experience. Business was bustling during the exhibition and intense networking throughout the five days meant that the majority of attending delegates met their business objectives.”

Next year’s event is already highly anticipated with 60% of its exhibition space sold out.

It will be the seventeenth version of the Convention.