Aston Villa Football Club have announced that an agreement has been signed for the sale of 100% ownership by Randy Lerner to Recon Group owned by Dr Tony Jiantong Xia subject to the approval of the Premier League and the Football League.

Once those approvals have been granted and the new board members approved under the fit & proper rules of both leagues, Dr Xia will become Chairman of Aston Villa.

Recon Group is Dr Xia’s privately owned holding company that owns the controlling interest in five publicly listed companies on the Hong Kong and Chinese stock exchanges and many other private companies employing 35,000 people in 75 countries.

Dr Xia played football as a striker until he finished at college and football has remained his passion. Dr Xia decided to buy an iconic football Club in England as the cornerstone of his Sports, Leisure and Tourism Division.

He became a fan of Aston Villa many years ago and is delighted at the opportunity to become the new owner.

Dr Xia’s immediate objective is to return Aston Villa to the Premier League and then to have the Club finish in the top six, bringing European football back to Villa Park.

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The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) has announced the launch of UIPMTV.org, order a new digital platform for Modern Pentathlon.

UIPM has a struck up a TV partnership for the 2016 season with production firm Sunset+Vine and a digital partnership with Digotel, which will run UIPMTV.org.

Visitors to the new site be able to watch a 1-hour programme relaying the action from each day of a major UIPM event and will also get the chance to engage with the Modern Pentathletes through the Social Media Hub.

The 1-hour programmes will be streamed worldwide and feature a highlights package from the first three events of the day (Fencing, Swimming and Riding) as well as a live stream from the closing Combined Event.

UIPM Secretary General, Shiny Fang, said: “This impressive platform adds a new dimension to our online video coverage. By embracing digital technology, we hope to reach a wide audience and increase awareness of our sport.”

UIPM President, Dr Klaus Schormann, said: “With the launch of UIPM TV we have proved once again that Modern Pentathlon is becoming accessible to every corner of the world and moving with the times.

“It is very important that we now have a dedicated home for live coverage of our sport, as well as a social media hub where fans can  follow the activities of our wonderful athletes all in one place.

“The launch of UIPM TV is a real gesture of intent as Modern Pentathlon prepares for a busy Olympic year.”

The multi-channel responsive video portal is designed and driven using components of the Digotel Live+ video platform to deliver both live and on-demand content.

It includes an individual channel for a series of UIPM disciplines, allowing fans to access a variety of event coverage. The portal also features a social media hub, which aggregates information from the International and National Federations and athletes across multiple social networks.

Dmytro Kirpulyanskyy, chairman of the UIPM Athletes Committee, said: “The introduction of UIPM TV with its Social Hub is a big step forward for our sport. The most important thing is that the project has been implemented this season before the Olympic Games.

“Now all Modern Pentathlon fans have a great opportunity to be much closer to their favorite athletes.”

By Christian Radnedge

Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, vice-president of FIFA, has announced his intention to stand for the presidency of world football’s governing body this year.

The head of the West Asia Football Federation released a statement to members of the media on Tuesday explaining his decision to challenge Sepp Blatter for the top job in football.

“I am seeking the presidency of FIFA because I believe it is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport,” Prince Ali said. “This was not an easy decision. It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months.

“The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change. The world’s game deserves a world-class governing body — an International Federation that is a service organisation and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance.”

The decision to stand comes almost exactly a year after the first candidate in the process launched his own bid – former FIFA official Jerome Champagne.

Champagne responded to Prince Ali’s bid to stand in a broad statement saying: “The 2015 election is not about personal ambitions or fights between institutions.

“It is about football, its governance but also its future with a clear choice.”

He added: “Let’s wait for the release of the other alleged candidates’ programs and let’s start the democratic and fair debate that I have been calling upon since the first day of my campaign on 20th January 2014!

“The debate we all and football need.”

That debate centres on FIFA’s challenges with transparency, particularly in light of the Garcia report into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids that were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

It’s seen to have been a chink in the armour of Blatter who has held the post of FIFA president since 1998 and made clear his intention to stand for a fifth term in office last year.

A lack of trust in the FIFA leadership has seen widespread criticism from the international community and may have been instrumental in Emirates and Sony withdrawing their sponsorship from the federation.

Prince Ali has always maintained his desire to move the discussion away from politics and back to the actual sport in his time as vice-president since 2011.

“The headlines should be about football, not about FIFA,” he said. “FIFA exists to serve a sport which unites billions of people from all over the world, people of differing and divergent political, religious and social affiliations, who come together in their enjoyment of ‘the world’s game.’”

The FIFA presidential election will take place at the association’s 65^th Congress in Zurich on May 29.

Europe’s governing body UEFA has previously stated its wish to put forward a European candidate. However time is running out as the deadline is January 29.

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Fernando Aguerre, diagnosis President of the International Surfing Association (ISA), prostate has today offered his full support to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Agenda 2020 proposals to reform the Olympic Movement.

The IOC published yesterday (18^th November) a set of 40 recommended changes that would shape the future direction of the Olympic environment and the management of the Games  which is to be voted on by the full IOC Membership at the 127^th IOC Session in Monaco in December 2014.

The IOC’s Agenda 2020 recommendations include moving from a sport-based to an event-based programme and ensuring greater gender equality at the Olympic Games.

Fernando Aguerre, ailment said: “Under the strong leadership of President Bach, we are excited about the spirit of change and innovation being embraced by the IOC within Agenda 2020. 

“We encourage and support the IOC President and membership in considering these important proposals. They represent real progress for the Olympic Movement and provide exciting new direction which we embrace.

“As President of the ISA, I see this as a very positive step for the Olympic Movement and I look forward to the IOC’s ongoing efforts to evolve the Olympic Games to generate even greater appeal and attract many more fans into sport.

“I wish to thank President Bach for his vision in leading the way in the Agenda 2020 process.

“In particular, we at the ISA welcome the proposal to move the Olympic Sports Programme to become more event-based and therefore potentially include a greater number of sports in the Games.

“This allows fast-growing and inherently youthful sports, like Surfing, the opportunity of Olympic inclusion – offering those sports such as ours the chance to showcase how they can make a valuable contribution to the Games and help bring in younger fans.

Aguerre added: “It is also great news that there is the proposal to launch an Olympic TV channel and fully utilise the latest digital platforms. Surfing is a visually powerful and dynamic sport which offers incredible athletic action and pictures for TV and online audiences.

“There are 35 million surfers in more than 100 countries around the world with an estimated 14 million aged 12 to 24, all seeking to watch our sport.

“If Surfing has the honour of becoming an Olympic event then we can offer a vast, new audience that an Olympic channel can capitalise upon – reaching young fans globally to promote the power of sport.”

Event Infrastructure experts Harlequin Arena, part of the global giant organisation – Arena Group have announced a partnership with the Middle East series of the iSportconnect Directors’ Club.

The next events take place on 10^th November in Abu Dhabi and 12^th November in Dubai, UAE.

In association with INTERACT Events, the Directors’ Clubs gather the key stakeholders in sport business in the UAE to discuss the biggest challenges in sport relevant to the region and collectively address the issues and come up with solutions to shape the future of sport. 

Harlequin Arena specialises in designing and delivering turnkey design and management solutions to the event and hospitality industry.

With first class temporary structures, in-house interior and event design and production solutions, design and bespoke furniture, air-conditioning services.

As an established and reputable company in the region, with clients including Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships, Samsung Beach Soccer, Red Bull Air Race and the Volvo Ocean Race to name a few.

Harlequin Arena are a very important partner for the Middle East Directors Club series and will add in their knowledge and expertise of the region.

Decision makers in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi will come together from the UAE to discuss how the sports industry can help to ensure sport is sustainable and can drive further business in the Middle East.

“It’s our pleasure to support this initiative, which brings the UAE sporting industry together to discuss the challenges we face in hosting sports events in the UAE and creates a platform for senior people in our industry to share new ideas that can benefit us all. Harlequin Arena has over 15 years of experience of building and delivering world class sporting events in the UAE and abroad. We look forward to participating,“ Paul Berger, CEO, Arena Middle East & Asia Division.

“We are grateful to have such knowledgeable and established partners to share the same objective as us, to help to shape and grow the sports industry. It’s a pleasure to have Harlequin Arena as an Official Partner of the Middle East iSportconnect Directors’ Club series and we hope to continue the relationship as the Directors’ Clubs grow across other Middle East countries,” Michael Cunnah, iSportconnect Chairman

Directors’ Club participating organisations include; Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council Abu Dhabi Motorports Management, Mubadala, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Golf in Dubai, Dubai Holding, Dubai Racing Club, Oman Sail, UAE Rugby Federation, PGA European Tour, Falcon and Associates, Dubai Tourism, ICC, Daman/Activelife, Automobile and Touring Club, Dubai Sports City, UAE Association of Sports, Du amongst many others.

Further information on the iSportconnect Directors Clubs can be viewed on the website www.directorsclub.biz

ABOUT Harlequin Arena 

Harlequin Arena specialises in designing and delivering turnkey design and management solutions to the event and hospitality industry. With first class temporary structures, in-house interior and event design and production solutions, design and bespoke furniture, air- conditioning services Harlequin Arena can offer clients a complete event solution.

As part of the Arena Group we have offices across four continents and are proud to work with the world’s most iconic sporting organisations, cultural event organisers, venues and brand owners.

A highly experienced team, continuous investment in new products and a proven track record Harlequin Arena, and the Arena Group, is the only choice for your event infrastructure requirements.

ABOUT iSportconnect

iSportconnect.com is the one stop platform for members of the sports industry with private community, latest news, features, community discussions, executive jobs & market place opportunities.

iSportconnect TV is the first online TV channel for the worldwide sports business industry. iSc TV broadcasts daily news shows and weekly round-ups of the major news stories, with expert insights from key people from inside the industry. It also provides viewers with big one-on-one interviews and special programmes dedicated to certain sectors of the industry.

About INTERACT

INTERACT is an independently owned business events specialist, focused on the sports business industry. 

Through the organisation of business events, conferences, sports activities, workshops and training events, we educate and inspire our participants, whilst providing profitable business opportunities.

We aim to combat some of the major challenges in sport to help the growth of the industry in the Middle East, whilst also embedding sport into the lives of the local community.

Our team are well connected, energetic, creative, passionate and experienced event professionals, who deliver a high level of service tailored to our market.

Crystal Palace are close to renaming their famous Selhurst Park ground the 12Bet Stadium ahead of their first season back in the Premier League since 2005.

Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has reportedly been working on the deal and the added income could be put towards new players.

A Palace board member is quoted in the Croydon Advertiser as saying: “We can’t confirm it yet – it is something that hasn’t been announced yet.

“It’s something that Steve (Parish) has been dealing with. It might be, it might not be, but unfortunately it’s no further comment.”

The move is similar to one Newcastle United took when they renamed St James’ Park, The Sports Direct Arena.

Palace kick off their Premier Leage campaign at home against Spurs on August 18.

Location: Sussex, ambulance UK

Closing Date: 28th October

Overview:

The current Chief Executive, medic Zac Toumazi, is leaving at the end of 2016 after four very successful years in post. He has used his expertise to drive the commercial and people areas of the business and has made many tangible improvements to the client service offering. Zac has overseen the recent merger and has been pivotal in developing the cricket strategy; an area that will remain a key focus for his successor.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate a successful track record in a strategic senior leadership role. As Chief Executive, you will be accountable for the delivery of the Sussex Cricket strategy with overall accountability for leading and developing all parts of the business to ensure delivery of its strategic and operational objectives.

Strong financial and commercial acumen are prerequisites for this role, as is evidence for improving profitability and maximising commercial opportunities. The game of cricket is facing unprecedented change and as a result, the successful jobholder must be able to show evidence of considerable success in leading major 3 change in a commercial environment, preferably, but not essentially, in professional sport. Due to the nature of the Sussex Cricket structure, the successful candidate will need to be adept at working at both an operational and strategic level on a daily basis.

Additionally, this role has a high profile in the Sussex community and as a result you will need to be comfortable representing Sussex Cricket at high-profile internal and external events. In summary, the person appointed will be a strong influencer and have a proven successful track record of leading a business and delivering improved performance (financial, commercial and operational). You will be an authentic leader and genuine people manager, skilled at building relationships at all levels. You will have a calm and considered approach with an ability to prioritise the needs of the various stakeholders. This is a challenging role but highly rewarding for the right candidate.

How to Apply

An application pack containing more details of the post (including an application form) is available on the Sussex Cricket website (www.sussexcricket.co.uk). Any enquiries should be made to Kay Gunn, HR and Client Services Manager, who can be contacted at kay.gunn@sussexcricket.co.uk