Jakarta to Host 2013 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships

The 2013 edition of the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships will take place in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta from 26th to 29th September, bronchi FIBA have announced.

The Indonesia Basketball Federation, sale one of Asia’s pioneers in developing 3×3, prescription will host the third edition of the tournament. It was previously held in Rimini, Italy (2011) and in Alcobendas, Spain (2012).

The 2013 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships will follow the same competition format as past editions, with men’s and women’s tournaments as well as individual contests. At least 48 teams (24 men’s and 24 women’s) from more than 35 countries are expected to compete in Jakarta.

“We are extremely pleased to stage the 2013 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships in Indonesia, giving the country its first major FIBA event,” said FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Patrick Baumann.

“New markets like Mexico and South Africa were very keen to host this event, which proves that interest in 3×3 is truly global. It is a discipline that is opening new horizons for FIBA and basketball.

“This is another very important step on our path to have 3×3 included in the basketball programme at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.”

The teams that perform the best at the 2013 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships will directly qualify for the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2014.

The selection of teams for the tournament (as well as for the FIBA 3×3 World Championships for Men and Women and the Youth Olympic Games) is based on both sport’s and development’s criteria, allowing both the strongest on the field as well as the most active countries to participate in the event, which follows the aim of diversity – key for 3×3.

Takeover Bid Rejected for IPL’s Deccan Chargers

Indian Premier League franchise, Deccan Chargers have rejected the only takeover bid they have received for the team, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said on Thursday.

Deccan Chronicle Holdings, which owns the Deccan Chargers, put the Twenty20 team up for sale last week after getting the nod from the cricket board.

“They informed us the price and terms were not suitable so they did not accept it,” BCCI president N. Srinivasan told reporters in Chennai.

“The BCCI assisted the Deccan Chargers and we also looked at the eligibility criteria, whether they were fit and proper.

“We found the party was acceptable to us. After that, though, it was between Deccan Chargers and the bidder.”

According to media reports PVP Ventures, a company which has interests in real estate and also finances film projects, submitted a bid of nine billion rupees ($162.4 million) to buy the troubled franchise.

Deccan Chronicle paid $107 million in 2008 to bag the franchise for 10 years.

The team finished last in the inaugural IPL but came back strongly to win the next edition in South Africa in 2009.

The Chargers were second last in the most recent IPL tournament that ended in May.

NFL Relaxes on Blackout Rules

NFL teams can individually determine how much of their (publicly-financed) stadiums they will require to be full, denture meaning that some cities may still be subjected to blackouts.

The new policy does not mean lower ticket prices, which continue to go up. The average ticket price last year was $77.

According to a Wall Street Journal report last week, “Team owners have passed a resolution that starting this season will allow for local broadcasts of NFL games even when as few as 85% of tickets are sold. Under the new rule, each team has more flexibility to establish its own seat-sales benchmark as long as it is 85% or higher. To discourage teams from setting easy benchmarks, teams will be forced to share more of the revenue when they exceed it.”

 

North Korea Women’s Team Banned from 2015 World Cup by FIFA

Five female players who failed a drugs test in Germany last month have excluded their country North Korea from the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada at the hands of a FIFA ban.

Of those who tested positive for steroids from a traditional musk deer gland therapy, Pok Sim Jong, Myong Hui Hong, Un Byol Ho and Un Hyang Ri have been suspended for 18 months, while Jong Sun Song is out for 14 months.

North Korea say that the players were given the treatment after being struck by lightning at a training camp.

The country’s doctor has been banned from being involved in football for six years, and the national football association hit with a $400,000 fine, which is the same amount they received in prize money for their performance at the World Cup.

North Korea finished third in a group, which included Sweden, Colombia and the eventual losing finalists United States, failing to score a single goal.

They took just a point from a 0-0 draw with Colombia, and one of their players, Yineth Varon, has also been suspended for two years after also being found guilty of violating FIFA’s anti-doping regulations.

UEFA Announce Corporate Hospitality Sales Agencies for Euro 2012

UEFA EURO 2012 have announced the marketing agencies appointed to handle corporate hospitality sales after the tender was launched on April 12, shop providing the opportunity for top businesses and companies to choose from the various corporate hospitality packages available and join the most prestigious and exclusive soccer experience of the tournament: UEFA EURO 2012 Club Prestige.

UEFA will conduct direct sales of the corporate hospitality packages in the two host countries, cheap Poland and Ukraine, generic as well as in several European territories via its own dedicated sales force.

Additionally, in key markets, UEFA has established a sales network of the leading sport marketing agencies comprising of International Management Group (UK) Limited – IMG (UK, Russia, Turkey), SPORTFIVE GmbH & Co KG (Germany), SPORTFIVE (France), Infront Sport & Media Italy (Italy), Cosmos Viagens e Turismo, SA (Spain & Portugal), Pro Sport Nederland BV (Netherlands) and MATCH Hospitality AG (in all non-UEFA member countries other than Angola).

In addition, Deloitte, a leading professional services organisation, has been appointed as an authorised sales consultant in the two host countries, and Donbass Arena and Wroclaw2012 (SMG) stadium operators have been appointed to handle corporate hospitality sales as authorised sales agents.

Cruyff Speaks Out Against Barca Shirt Sponsor

Former FC Barcelona legendary player and manager, Johan Cruyff has launched an attack against the soccer club’s president, Sandro Rosell. Cruyff has let his feelings be known over his dislike of the new president since taking over from Joan Laporta earlier in the year, a man who had made the Dutchman an honorary president at the Spanish giants.

In his role as part-time coach of the Catalonia XI, Cruyff spoke of his disappointment over the new record-breaking sponsorship deal that has seen the club go back on its values and share its kit sponsor of the charity Unicef, with the Qatar Foundation.

At a press conference in the run up to a friendly match against Honduras, Cruyff stated: “The motto of Barcelona is ‘More Than a  Club’ but now it’s just like any other club. It’s a bad business and I don’t see the need for it. There are many better ways to make money if the club needs it so badly.”

Australia 2022 World Cup bid comes under scrutiny

Australia’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup has come under scrutiny after a series of newspaper reports questioning the Australian Football Federation’s (FFA) spending.

A report in Fairfax newspapers claimed that the FFA had agreed to multi-million dollar fees for lobbyists and consultants that would equate to more than a quarter of the total cost of the bid.

Other allegations suggested that pearl necklaces had been given to the wives of the FIFA executive committee, while another committee member received pearl cufflinks and a trip to Australia.

FFA CEO, Ben Brdaley, has denied the allegations, saying that the bid accounts are transparent and spending is within all necessary legal and public requirements.

Sports Minister Kate Ellis has promised to investigate the allegations, saying: “Obviously when the FFA spends government money, it is subject to the usual reporting and scrutiny requirements. Any evidence to the contrary will be thoroughly investigated by the government, as would any alleged breach of the funding agreement.”

Australia’s ambitions to host the 2018 World Cup were ended earlier this month when they withdrew their bid after it became clear that FIFA wanted to hold the tournament in Europe.

Southampton FC Sign Qjacker Partnership

Pre-order solution company Qjacker has signed a partnership with Southampton FC. 

With Qjacker, Saints fans can pre-purchase hot food, beers and wines, soft drinks, hot beverages and great range of snacks and confectionary – you can even pre-order your copy of SAINTS, our official matchday magazine.

In a stement on Southampton’s website, Qjacker explained their product: “Pre-ordering through Qjacker begins 24 hours before kick-off. Simply make sure your order is with us no later than two hours before the game begins and your items will be ready and waiting for you, whether you want to collect them when you arrive at the stadium or during the half-time interval.”

Richard Graham Appointed Interim CEO of Commonwealth Games England

The former Professional Squash Association chief executive officer Richard Graham has become the Interim CEO of Commonwealth Games England (CGE). 

He succeeds Adam Paker who is moving to be Chief Executive at the Amateur Swimming Association in November after three years leading CGE. Graham began his career in tennis as Commercial Director for the Miami Masters Tennis before becoming Chief Operating Officer at the sports media agency, Parallel Media Group.

During his tenure as CEO of the Professional Squash Association, Richard re-structured the professional tour and securing a media contract for the organisation for the first time. Since then, he has set up his own recruitment business in sport working with a range of football clubs and federations. Richard has also carried out a number of Non-Executive Director and Advisor roles in swimming, rugby league, football, and for the charity, Sporting Equals.

Sir Andrew Foster, Chair of Commonwealth Games England, said: “We are delighted to appoint Richard Graham as the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Commonwealth Games England. Throughout the selection process he impressed us with his energy, passion for the Commonwealth Games and experience at a senior level across a range of sports.”

“Richard has some well-considered ideas on how to develop our strategy in the short and long term. I am confident that Richard, together with CGE’s Chair Designate, Ian Metcalfe, will provide the right leadership for the organisation during its next phase.”

Richard Graham, Interim CEO of Commonwealth Games England, said: “I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to help Commonwealth Games England build on the successes achieved at Glasgow 2014. From a young age the Commonwealth Games have given me some of my favourite sporting memories and I am delighted to have been given the chance to support Team England as we look to defend our position at the top of the medal table.

“My priorities over the coming six months will be to participate in the CGE Glasgow 2014 review, work with the CGE board to shape our strategy to Gold Coast 2018 and securing additional revenue to best equip Team England to be successful.

Salford Red Devils Owner Disappointed with Fans Ticket Interest

Marwan Koukash, who owns Super League team Salford Red Devils, has revealed his disappointment that more tickets have not been sold for the new season.

The millionaire racehorse owner believes the likes of Bradford, Widnes and Wakefield are ahead of Salford in terms of season-ticket sales following Koukash’s increase commitment to the club.

Koukash has rebranded the club and made no less than 14 signings ahead of the new season in order to bring a new culture and to help transform performances from the Super League strugglers. But he believes his ambition has not had the same response from fans.

“I have certainly delivered in terms of what I promised I would for Salford but the response from fans has not been as good as I expected,” he told MEN Sport.

“After having done so much and more, I am bound to be disappointed and frustrated. I am a man of my word – I have brought in new players and raised the club’s profile. I made it my business to go out urging more people to become part of what is their club.

“We spent six or seven weeks out and about making people aware of what was happening at Salford and how we needed them on board with us. You expect a good return with what has been done and spent.

“My sources tell me the likes of Bradford, Widnes and Wakefield have already sold more season tickets than we have done. This also disappoints me bearing in mind just how hard everyone associated with the Salford club have been working to promote the club.

“It is time for fans to really show they want a strong competitive side in Salford – I again urge people to give us a chance and become part of the club. Together we can make things happen and fulfil ambitions.

“It is fact the fans’ response to what I want from them in return has not been as good as what I had been expecting. It should have been far greater and stronger. It’s no use expecting free tickets – those days have gone.

“People now have to get behind this club and support what I am doing for the city and for the sport.”