October/November 2010 edition


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Red Bull win the F1 Constructors Championship for the first time since their inauguration six years ago. The Driver's Championship was decided by the end of the 19th race of the season in Abu Dhabi with four drivers 'in play' to claim the title. To celebrate his F1 title win, Sebastian Vettel will drive his car along Fan Mile in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate as part of two hours of celebrations before he flies to Duesseldorf to team up with Michael Schumacher in the Race of Champions. Vettel, the youngest driver ever to win the title, has been busy since winning.  He has visited his home town of Heppenheim and Red Bull’s bases in Austria and Milton Keynes while also taking part in the Pirelli tyre test at Yas Marina. Europe claimed the Ryder Cup in a thrilling tournament which had so much rain delay that it ran into the following Monday for a nail-biting climax.  Woods loses his first place ranking after five years at the top.  While Lee Westwood currently holds the title the race to gain top spot is fairly well-balanced between four golfers which includes German golfer Kayla ... so there's all to play for in a sport which has never been so exciting. New England Sports Ventures (NESV) buy Liverpool FC.  See more below. Football pools operator, Sporttech completes a 51.4 million pound acquisition of US-based gaming group, Scientific Games Racing (SRH).   Jamaican sprinter Ramone McKensie should be feared as he competed in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi wearing a Batman mask! Manchester FC recorded a 83 million pound loss under the ownership of the much maligned Glazers, despite media revenues of over 100 million pounds.  The club's debt now exceeds half a billion pounds!   Sixteen year-old British diver Tom Daly does it again as he claims Gold in the Commonwealth Games. Wayne Rooney will have to score a lot of goals to justify his weekly salary of 180,000 pounds a week after Manchester United fans lost faith in the player's apparent lack of total committment to the Club.  Betfair's stock holders did well as the initial stock price of 1300 pence took off. 2010 Grand National winner, Tony McCoy recorded his 100th season win. Amos Adamu, the Nigerian Fifa official provisionally suspended over the alledges World Cup 2018/2022 bribery scandal has denied any wrong-doing.  Jose Maria Olazabal has won the backing of 12 European Ryder Cup players in his race to claim the captaincy of the next European Ryder Cup team in 2012. A veteran of seven Ryder Cups, the Spaniard has definitely thrown his 'cap' into the ring! Former Chelsea FC player, Adrian Mutu has been accused of assault after allegedly injuring a waiter in Spain.  The Romanian - whose latest drugs ban recently came to an end - has some heavy duty bills to pay having been ordered by the courts to re-imburse Manchester United 14.3 million pounds in compensation - the amount the club paid to sign him!   Never doubt the impact of the celebrity who has lost his way reclaiming their status by appearing on high rating TV programmes such as UK's Strictly Come Dancing.   Gavin Henson - who recently split from singer Charlotte Church has landed on his feet... not on the dance floor but back into the world of professional rugby. Sad to report the death of a footie star.  Paul the Octopus - who successfully predicted the results of a number of Fifa World Cup matches - gasped his last breath.,,,but who will replace him?  After yet another sell-out NFL showdown in London, NFL legend Jerry Rice has predicted that the will soon get its own franchise ... no doubt with a little help form AEG and friends. Beijing looks set to host the World Athletics Championships in 2015 after London, its only rival, officially pulled out of the running yesterday with just three weeks to go until the vote - an indication that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games may not include a permanent new athletic track. A first!  A J Auxerre's Jean Pascal Mignot was shown a yellow card while he was on the touchline.. but yellow tuned into red as he was sent off without stepping on the pitch because he refused to be quiet. Fair play has always been the name of the game when it comes to sport; but Peru's first division team , Hijos de Acosvinchos had the 'misfortune' to see four of their players collapse during a promotion playoff with opponents Sport Ancash.  Was it due to that heavy meal before the game or will an investigation turn up a somewhat more sinister explanation? David Beckham helped seal the fate of LA Galaxy as he scored the equalizer in a 2-1 home win against FC Dallas.  No doubt noted by the England manager, Capello! Thirty year old, David Haye (The Haymaker) takes on Audley Harrison (A-Force) aged 39 years in the latest Heavyweight bout - this time between two Brits.

spotlight on: next season

The 2010/2011 Formula one season will increase in size to twenty races and the health of the sport seems to be on the rise for some, and not for others.

After South Korea’s inaugural GP event, motor racing chief Chung Yung-cho expressed an interest in lending a hand to any local corporation potentially interested in setting up a Formula One team.  And while the South Korean event experienced the usual pre-event dramas - including the threat of construction delays at the 250 billion won (US$222.1 million) race track - all ultimately went well.  With attendance at the track reaching an impressive 60,000, despite the heavy rain, it's a win-win for South Korea.

And while South Korea is home to several leading carmakers including world number five Hyundai, there has been no indication from the manufacturers that they would wish to dip a toe into the water and present themselves as potential Formula One Constructor Championship contenders. But like many other economically sound Asian countries it is just a matter of time before they up the ante in terms of their involvement in elite sports. Korean maker of televisions and handsets LG is already 'involved' is a Formula One global sponsor and partner of the Red Bull team; and it would appear that the organization has the resources to support a home grown team alongside a number of other South Korean global brands. 
And as It seems increasingly inevitable that this emerging market will be seen as a 'future major player' alongside several other neighbouring states the question is how wil the 'old guard' respond?

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In sharp contrast, this year's Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix has cost AUS$49 million (US$46 million); and the Victorian state government has had to cover the race's highest-ever shortfall.

Even though attendance increased by 5,000 to 305,000, revenues fell by 30 per cent to AUS$24 million and costs rose by nearly 20 per cent to AUS$73 million.  And this figure did not include the AUS$8 million renovation of the Albert Park circuit which was paid for by the state.

However, as with all major events, the payback is often greater than the investment; with its estimated economic value to Melbourne in the order of US$62 million,

Broadcast coverage of the race in Europe reached an audience of almost thirteen million; and the importance of raising the visibility of a destination should always be put into context.

It should however be noted that each country's specific  economic climate is different; and therefore the impact on individual host cities will in turn vary accordingly!

 
hot spot: The Asian Games

As the largest ever Asian Games ever came to its festive conclusion, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, hailed the Guangzhou Asiad 'a huge success' and 'the best ever' in history.

A mere forty-two sports: Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Billiard, Bowling, Boxing, Canoe/Kayak, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, DanceSport, Dragon Boat, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Sports, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Sepaktakraw, Softball, Shooting. Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu - which dwarfs in number the maximum twenty-eight sports in the Summer Olympic Games (excluding the Paralympics) .

Medal Tally

Rank:       Gold Solver Bronze    Total
1 China    199 119 98                 416
2 Korea   76 65 91                     232
3 Japan    48 74 94                     216
4 Iran       20 14 25                     59
5 Kazakhstan 18 23 38               79

But not everything went smoothly!  The OCA announced its first anti-doping rule violation in the 16th Asian Games which was co-hosted across four co-host cities: Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan

and Shanwei.

And for those of you who may be looking at the prospects for Twenty/20 cricket, Bangladesh won a historic first Asian Games gold, beating Afghanistan by five wickets in the final of cricket's inaugural Twenty20 event.

hot shot: the 2018 and 2022 race

All eyes on Zurich as the race to host the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cup draws to a conclusion.

While England 2018 is seen as the best technical bid, out in front is Russia. 

Some say that the joint bids up against England and Russia - the two conbos of Belgium and Holland and Spain and Portugal - are not the preferred option of Fifa..... but while sport is 'just' the name of the game, the economics of hosting the event and the current economies of the bid countries will undoubtably play a significant role in the decision-making process.

sidelines: total equality

The recent 65th UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the potential of sport and its ability to foster an atmosphere of tolerance.  It received broad support from the world community, being co-sponsored by 192 UN member states.

With this new resolution, the Assembly recognizes in particular the important role of the IOC and the Olympic Movement in respect to  their premier event the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; their new project, the Youth Olympic Games, and of course, the Olympic Truce. 

And the IOC made full use of its new UN observer status during its address to the General Assembly by explaining its role as a powerful tool to foster development, cooperation, solidarity, social inclusion and peace, As such, “the IOC looks to the UN, to governments and to specialized non-governmental organizations to take the lead in promoting development. But sport has shown time and again that it can contribute effectively.”

Furthermore, the annual report from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki- moon, outlined a revised UN Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace, which includes promoting the principle of “sport for all” and developing inclusive sport and physical education policies.

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A recent decision made by the IOC Executive Board (EB) mirrors the relationship and aspirations of the UN and the IOC as follows:
The EB announced that it is looking favorably at the inclusion of Women's Ski Jumping, Ski Halfpipe, Ski Slopestyle, Snowboard Slopestyle, Biathlon Mixed Team Relay, Figure Skating Team Event and Luge Team Relay in the programme of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. A final decision will be made following the respective World Championships which will take place during the winter season in 2011.

 

fashion icon..... the only place for sport in Manhattan

While more and more 'topnotch' venues are being built around the world, the old standard 'location; location; location' remains key to the long-term success of a venue.

Perhaps one of the most prominent of venues is Madison Square Gardens.  Perched in the middle of Manhattan, residents on the West Side of the Island successfully scuppered the NYC 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid by refusing to allow another stadium to be built in the city.  The residents' dislike of 'tailgating' and other inconvenient and intrusive legacies so often associated with major venues effectively secured the longevity of the Gardens despite the fact that the venue was very recently shutdown following an asbestos scare - hard to believe in these modern times - that forced the postponement of a Tuesday night game.

Madison Square Garden's namesake building reopened for the New York Knicks' game against Washington on the following Friday illustrating that this iconic venue is 'damage proof'! The debris which has been dislodged during a clean-up of an attic space had triggered two air quality detectors, but after further testing the results revealed that the particles did not contain asbestos.

Third-quarter net income for Madison Square Garden Inc. almost doubled; and the company's shares climbed 95 cents, or 4.5%, to US$21.94.  Net income surged to US$19.3 million, or 25 cents per share, compared with US$10.1 million a year earlier.  Revenue for the three month period  ending September 30, 2010 rose 18% to US$190.8 million from a previous figure of  US$161.8 million.

The corporation owns a number of East Coast venues as well as the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and other well-known professional sports teams. This portfolio is complimented by media assets such as sports and music TV networks - all of which combine to produce and control the perfect entertainment package.  And the financials of the corporation once again reinforce the 'damage proof' nature of this worldwide brand.


home and away: Commonwealth Games handover

Few in the sports industry can forget the Beijing 2008/London 2012 handover in the Birds Next Stadium - an opportunity for London to showcase its state-of-the-art creative design - for which Brits are well known - or so it was thought - until a global audience watched a red bus emerging from the distance from which spilled out a few well known faces and many unfamiliar faces in what can only be seen as a 'budget' production. 

Having declared the closing of the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi on October 14, 2010 the official lowering of Commonwealth Games Federation Flag took place.  Now it was Glasgow 2014's  eight-minute 'moment' to showcase their talents, and the city had little to lose, and a very good opportunity to shine.  And with a flourish of kilts they successfully showed London and Delhi how it should be done in front of a full house at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. 

Three hundred and forty-eight Scots performed a program which showcased modern Scotland alongside its historical heritage.

  A cleverly designed 30 metre long flexible stage called The Armadillo - a replica of the Clyde Auditorium - proved an exciting backdrop as dancers and singers performed a very typically Scottish programme which just looked fantastic.

Part of this may be due to the experience of event producers Unspun whose previous project have included 2018 FIFA World Cup, London 2012 Olympic Bid Campaign, 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the Opening Ceremony of Doha 2006 Asian Games.

If this is an example of the Glasgow Games then all bodes well for 2014 .... except there is many a slip between cup and lip......

sport culture:

This year's London Film Festival pulled out all the stops with five films covering sports.  A real feast of good movies, this  issue of ShortsandSports will take a quick look at Africa United - a charming feature which tells the story of a group of kids who make the trip from Rwanda to Soccer City in South Africa so that one of 'their team' could take up an offer to participate in the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 World Cup.

Not failing to address some of the more contentious issues in Africa, the movie tackles AIDS, drugs, gun crime and child prostitution..... but the glue behind the whole film is the exceptional performance of the character Dudu.  He is the 'team manager' who keeps the whole thing together with an energy and enthusiasm which far exceeded many seen on the pitch in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup.

A road movie with a difference, this film gives an insight into the lives of African kids while at the same time showcasing the devotion for the sport in  a corner of the world where survival is key to day-to-day existence.

And a special acknowledgement to the fabulous animation which parallels the journey across the continent of Africa in the form of some very traditional story telling.

A great film for all ages, don't forget to bring along a handy box of Kleenex. 
And more reviews in future issues.

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starting blocks: Commonwealth Games

It would be fair to say that the enthusiasm for the Commonwealth Games - prior to the start of the event - was somewhat muted.  Certainly, from one journalist's point of view it was almost impossible to get an interview with a member of the organizing committee.  Even an 'update' proved a challenge!

So when the Games kicked off it was hardly surprising that the press jumped on the shortcomings of the preparations and the facilities on offer to the elite athletes.

A few days into the event the editor of shortsandsports attended a sports industry event where it was no holds barred as the critics accused Delhi of providing an 'inadequate Games' for its foreign guests. This would 'never' happen in London!

But as London rapidly hurtles toward the start of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games it is difficult to imagine a critic-free event.  It is after all, the name of the game; and as the mega event unfolds, it proves an opportunity for the organizers to turn it around into the nest games 'ever'!

While there may be some sympathy for a city and a country to host their first major sporting event, (London cannot claims lack of experience) what is clear in the game of hosting major sporting events is that the event owners - in this case The Commonwealth Games - should not try to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Many of the sports on show in Delhi were largely unfamiliar to the Indian community, so why should they attend and who should the support?

Never judge a major international multi-sport event in the first few days because as far as the sports industry is concerned that criticism may come back to bite you.

Of course, few can deny that Delhi did not do a good job at the outset; but over the period of the Games their enthusiasm grew and became infectious.

As an emerging market and a future leading economy, India has the arsenal to become a destination of excellence and no doubt with lessons learnt, Fifa and the IOC will have their business card in hand for the future.

life after  the  Sport and i-Gaming Conference

A fascinating one conference gave an insight into developments in the i-gaming world and just how much betting websites plan to capitalize on the opportunities in the sports industry to develop their product.

From the outset, the sports sector has been seen as a lead indicator when it comes to mobile technology.

Now could be the golden age of i-gaming as a cluster of established brands create opportunities to play the odds in almost any scenario of their choice:

- a corner in a soccer match in the next 15 minutes of play 
- the longest rally in a tennis set

and for the more traditional: first past the post in horse racing; or who will make the first 147 break in the World Snooker Championships. 

But what is the downside of i-gaming when it comes to following live events.  While the industry sees i-gaming as an enhanced experience for the sports fan, this editor can compare it to the digital camera experience as compared with using film. 

If viewers/spectators see the action second-hand through a piece of technology does it improve the experience?  Does sending your experience to your mates add value?   Or are you just distracted from watching the skills of the athletes and the live action as you constantly engage others through instant texts and picture sharing?

Pay your money and place your bets - a better, more exciting, more interactive experience? or is it yet another piece of tech devaluing the real-time action and coming between you and the real world?

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