The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said that the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) is considering the Oceanian country as a destination for at least one game during the next edition of its showpiece national team competition as it seeks to expand into new markets.
In February, the RLIF confirmed that Australia and New Zealand would co-host the 2017 World Cup, choosing the joint bid over a rival pitch from South Africa, which has never hosted the tournament.
The RLIF said that the Australia/New Zealand bid was selected as the one with the greatest chance of success in providing more compelling games in front of large crowds.
Four pools will make up the tournament with the Australia and New Zealand national teams being based in their home countries. Negotiations are taking place to have Papua New Guinea as a third host but the RLIF is also said to be considering Fiji for this role in a bid to further the development of the sport in the region.
Andrew Hill, general manager of league integration and game development for Australian league the NRL, said: “Part of our bid to the international federation was to look at how we could assist the broader rugby league strategy in the Pacific. Papua New Guinea have expressed an interest in hosting a game or games.
“We’ve begun discussions with the Sports Minister of Papua New Guinea and over the next couple of months we’ll get into more detail. We’ve had a couple of preliminary discussions. It’s got past general chat. It’s now about the logistics and the contribution Papua New Guinea would need to make to hosting a match of that status.”
Papua New Guinea competed in the 2013 World Cup, but failed to win any of its three group games. However, there is a significant interest in the sport in the country and Hill believes the infrastructure is suitable for involvement in the 2017 tournament.
“Teams who have come here have been very complimentary with the way in which everything has worked,” Hill added. “At the back of the Pacific Games and the Papua New Guinea Games being held this year and next year, there will be infrastructure built that would be appropriate to host World Cup games.”
Category: Event Management
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Papua New Guinea considered as Rugby League World Cup co-host
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CAF turns down Morocco’s request for Cup of Nations postponement
Morocco, which is scheduled to hold the tournament from January 17 to February 8, had asked CAF for a postponement due to the increasingly critical situation, particularly in Western Africa.
Several countries have imposed restrictions or monitoring systems for flights arriving from countries affected by the virus, with more than 4,000 people having died since the start of the year.
Hamid Faridi, an adviser to Moroccan Sports Minister Mohammed Ouzzine, told Atlantic Radio on Saturday that Ebola was “a major health problem” and added: “The overall interest of Morocco, Moroccan and African citizens, counts above all.
“Morocco drew up its request on the basis of very serious health recommendations. We cannot, in any case, move towards taking a risk. The principle of precaution must prevail.”
CAF said: “CAF has registered the request and wishes to state that there are no changes of the schedules of its competitions and events. It must be noted that since the first edition in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations has never witnessed a deferral or a change in schedule.
“CAF has also been cautious since the commencement of the final round qualifiers of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 on the health risks posed by the Ebola virus and has consistently applied precautionary principles, taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and various medical experts.”
CAF did say that the matter would be discussed at its next executive committee meeting on November 2, with further talks planned with the local organisers in Rabat, one of the tournament’s host cities, on the following day. CAF has placed an indefinite ban on Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea from hosting games.
In September, Guinea was one of three countries to be awarded hosting rights for future editions of the competition. In July, the Seychelles forfeited a home qualifier against Sierra Leone due to Ebola fears. -
Morocco at centre of confusion over 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
Reports yesterday (Thursday) that Morocco had withdrawn from hosting the competition due to fears over the Ebola crisis were denied by local authorities, who instead stated they remain keen on postponing the event, but retaining the hosting rights for a later date.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which is still to publicly comment on the matter, is now said to have approached Ghana and South Africa about hosting its showpiece event next year. Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg today (Friday), South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan said his organisation had received a letter from CAF asking it to consider the potential hosting the tournament after African football’s governing body rejected Morocco’s request to postpone the event.
In the event of Morocco formally withdrawing from the tournament, Jordaan said that SAFA would consult with the South African government over whether stepping in would be feasible. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Youth and Sports minister Mahama Ayariga confirmed his country had also been approached by CAF.
“CAF wrote to us and indicated that Morocco had given strong indications they would pull out if CAF did not change the date,” Ayariga told Ghanaian radio station Citi FM. “CAF also indicated that it was firm on the tournament dates, but they would meet the Moroccan authorities and take a decision at that meeting. But in the meantime they are writing to a number of countries that they think have the capacity to be an alternative venue… in the event of Morocco actually pulling out.”
Earlier this week, CAF insisted that the 2015 Cup of Nations would go ahead as planned despite a request from Morocco to postpone the event due to the deadly Ebola outbreak. The 2015 Cup of Nations is due to take place in Morocco from January 17 to February 8. However, Moroccan health officials fear the tournament could trigger a spread of the virus, which has claimed about 4,500 lives since its outbreak in West Africa at the beginning of the year.
Morocco’s Youth and Sports Minister Mohamed Ouzzine said on Thursday his country had not withdrawn as the host, but reiterated that the government would follow guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Our concern is the health of Africa, and based on WHO reports and guidelines, we have to listen,” Ouzzine said, according to UK broadcaster the BBC. “Zero safety does not exist, but one has to take the necessary precautions so that the coming tournament will be a football feast, bringing together our African brothers, but given the current Ebola situation we don’t think such a feast can take place as expected.
“We are talking about the Africa Cup of Nations where we are expecting between 200,000 to 400,000, even one million spectators to converge in Morocco. I don’t think there is any state or any country that has the necessary capabilities to monitor, check and control the current Ebola situation when faced with these numbers. This is our real problem. We don’t have a problem with visiting teams. We have a problem with visitors.”
South Africa hosted the previous edition of the competition in 2013, switching hosting rights with Libya due to the civil war in the latter country. Libya was due to host the 2017 tournament instead but recently withdrew its staging rights due to ongoing security concerns. Ghana last hosted the event in 2008.
Reports have claimed that any withdrawal by Morocco at this late stage could be met with severe sanctions from CAF. However, Ouzzine added: “If there are fears about the loss of funding and financial commitments, we can always find solutions to these issues – but today is not the day to discuss these things.
“We will discuss these things when we meet with CAF and we might even debate other options. But I beg you, what’s the significance of the financial losses compared to human losses? A human being is priceless. I can tell you that we will reach a definite decision during our meeting with our brothers from CAF.”
Prior to the latest reports, CAF said that the situation will be addressed at its next Executive Committee meeting on November 2, stating that a further meeting will be held between the confederation and Moroccan officials in Rabat on the following day. -
Glasgow 2014 Rugby Sevens wins Event of the Year
The Rugby Sevens tournament at Glasgow 2014 was named best Rugby event of 2014 by industry experts on Wednesday at Rugby Expo 2014.
The event beat off competition from the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August, hosted by France and the Super League Magic Weekend in May which featured seven matches and 14 elite teams competing at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
“Rugby Sevens as a sport was born in Scotland, so it’s really wonderful to see Glasgow and Scotland’s Commonwealth Games showcase for the sport recognised as the top rugby event this year,” said David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014.
Glasgow’s two-day extravaganza at Ibrox stadium saw 16 of the world’s top Rugby Sevens sides battle it out for Commonwealth Gold in front of 171,000 people – a new global record tournament audience for the sport.
Around 192 athletes contested 45 matches over two days of fierce competition which saw South Africa clinch Gold for the first time in Commonwealth Games history, beating New Zealand, winners of every previous Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens Gold medal since the sport was introduced to the Games in 1998.
“The two days of Rugby Sevens at Ibrox were remarkable and memorable not just for the incredible sport but also for the sheer energy and enthusiasm generated by the crowds. We’re really proud to have played our part in sharing Rugby Sevens with new audiences,” said Grevemberg.
“This award is for the amazing athletes and the wonderful crowds which supported them as well as the world-beating experience of Rugby Seven they all helped create at Glasgow 2014.”
Rugby Expo 2014 is an important gathering for the industry which is supported by leading bodies including Premiership Rugby, RFU, SRU, WRU, Pro12 and Championship.
David Grevemberg, who is also the CEO designate of the Commonwealth Games Federation, is speaking at HOST CITY Bid to Win conference on 28th October about “Winning for the Future” alongside city event leaders from Beijing, Barcelona and Istanbul. -
Euro 2016 host cities agree funding deal with Uefa
Half of the money is set to be released for immediate use, with the remaining €10m handed over when the tournament concludes. Uefa’s additional funding package will be used to develop new sports facilities close to the urban populations of the host cities. The funds will not be directed towards stadium development for Euro 2016, the cost of which is currently estimated to stand at €1.7bn.
A resolution to the contentious issue of host cities seeking additional financial support was reached at a meeting of the Euro 2016 steering group in Bordeaux. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Uefa initially offered no additional funding as the cities aimed to secure €10m each.
Quoted on Uefa.com, Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux and president of the Club des sites – the host cities’ association – pointed out that an allocation of tickets for underprivileged youngsters will further enhance the social benefit of Euro 2016.
He said: “It is a gesture from Uefa following our request and is designed to facilitate the social acceptability of the event. The 10 cities are full of enthusiasm and approved this proposal unanimously. I wish to stress that beyond this €20m, Uefa will rent the stadiums throughout the competition and has decided to allocate 20,000 tickets to underprivileged young people. The help given will probably amount to around €50m.”
Uefa president Michel Platini was pleased to have reached a satisfactory conclusion to the dispute.
“Any potential misunderstandings have been resolved,” he said. “Everything is fine and we are all satisfied. I am very happy, particularly because not since 1998, when I was co-president of the organising committee of the (Fifa) World Cup in France, have we felt the love and desire that exists for Uefa Euro 2016.”
Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, St-Etienne and Toulouse will join Bordeaux in hosting matches at Euro 2016 – the first edition of the tournament since Uefa decided to increase the number of teams at the finals from 16 to 24.
Uefa announced last month that Wembley Stadium in London will host the semi-final and final of Euro 2020 as part of a one-off staging model for the event. -
HOST CITY joins UNICEF in supporting ISC in Geneva
HOST CITY is following on from the success of its inaugural Bid to Win conference by supporting the Host Cities And Sports Events conference, which takes place in Geneva within the International Sports Convention (ISC) on 10th-11th December.
A number of speakers who featured in HOST CITY Bid to Win will be making an appearance at Host Cities and Sports Events, including David Grevemberg, CEO, Commonwealth Games Federation; Ric Birch, Managing Director, Filmmaster Special Events; and Nick Varley, Founding Partner and CEO, Seven46.
HOST CITY shares sponsorship of the conference with sports PR firm Calacus, insurer AON and TV production company Actua.
The ISC features 18 conferences with a total of 150 speakers, including FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne and former Manchester United FC Manager David Moyes.
The four Event Partners for ISC are UNICEF, ASPIRE, MAPEI and the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC).
“We are very proud to work with UNICEF in assisting them to achieve their goals,” said Nigel Fletcher, Chief Executive of the International Sports Convention.
“The ISC focusses on the business of sport, and many are there to grow their businesses, which is what we set out to facilitate but we as organisers wanted to have a balance and re-emphasize the power of sport in today’s world.”
MAPEI supplies adhesives and chemical products for building sport facilities, such as the installations of swimming pools and running tracks, for Olympic Games and numerous international sports events.
The host of the 2006 Asian Games, Qatar’s ASPIRE Zone offers a unique sports medicine, research and education destination for the international sports industry among some of the world’s finest sport venues.
The QFC Authority is the commercial and strategic arm of the Qatar Financial Centre, a thriving jurisdiction for global and regional financial services firms looking to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the region.
“It is an exciting time for Qatar, now and especially the road to 2022 and we look forward to working with Qatar Financial Centre,” said Fletcher.
For information about the ISC please visit www.geneva2014.com -
Emirates ends sponsorship as FIFA plans Winter World Cup
Just as a FIFA taskforce met in Zurich on Monday to review options for the timings of the 2022 World Cup, it emerged that Emirates airline would not be renewing its sponsorship contract with football’s international governing body.
“This decision was made following an evaluation of FIFA’s contract proposal which did not meet Emirates’ expectations,” Emirates said in a statement on Monday.
A FIFA spokesperson said Emirates had informed them two years ago that Brazil 2014 would be the last World Cup it would sponsor, as the airline was changing its strategy to focus on more frequent smaller events around the world instead of a mega-event every four years.
Qatar Airlines is said to be waiting in the wings to take over the role of official carrier for FIFA. Sony are also reported to be putting an end to their sponsorship, with Olympic TOP sponsors Samsung being mentioned as likely contenders to occupy this space.
Emirates chose to make the news public at a time when FIFA is tackling the tricky issue of how to host the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 without risking the health of players and fans, while also minimising disruption to national league fixtures.
“We are getting closer to narrowing the dates for the FIFA World Cup to two options – January/February 2022 or November/December 2022 – but FIFA has also been asked to consider May 2022,” said FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.
Hosting the World Cup in January/February would almost certainly result in the event clashing with the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, for which Almaty and Beijing are currently candidate cities.
The May option was put forward by the European Club Association, who have proposed that the tournament could take place from April 28 to May 29 without disrupting domestic fixtures.
However, FIFA’s chief medical officer Professor Ji?í Dvo?ák highlighted medical concerns relating to player safety and fan safety if the FIFA World Cup were to be held between May and September. Valcke also pointed out that the month-long period of Ramadan would begin on 2 April in 2022, which would impact on preparations for the tournament.
Hassan Al Thawadi, CEO of the local organising committee said the preferred scenario was for the World Cup to be held in the winter, while affirming that it remained fully committed to delivering what was promised in its bid and organising the best possible event whatever is decided.
The taskforce is due to hold its next meeting in early 2015 after further consultation.
“The objective of today’s meeting was to receive feedback from all parties and to work on narrowing the options,” said Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. -
Baku 2015 signs first Asian broadcaster in Japan
Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Television has secured exclusive rights to broadcasting the Baku 2015 European Games in Japan.
The 17-day coverage will include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as highlights packages across all of their domestic platforms.
“This is the first deal we have announced with an Asian broadcaster and represents a significant step in achieving our aim of ensuring the inaugural European Games is broadcast in all five continents around the world,” said Charlie Wijeratna, Commercial Director of Baku 2015.
The agreement follows on from recently announced deals with the Arab States Broadcasting Union, which will see the European Games broadcast in 20 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and L’Equipe 21 which will show the event throughout France.
“The Baku 2015 European Games will be an historic event and we are proud to begin what we are sure will develop into a long and fruitful partnership,” said Masamichi Amano, Executive Vice President of TBS Sports.
“We look forward to presenting the inaugural European Games to our viewers across Japan and also introducing all that Baku has to offer the world.”
TBS, a free-to-air commercial broadcaster, has exclusive rights to the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Japan and is part of a consortium of Japanese broadcasters that covers the Olympic and Olympic Winter Games, the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Games.
The broadcaster also has rights to The Masters, The PGA Championship, Major League Baseball and the FIVB World Volleyball Championships in Japan.
Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “We are delighted to have confirmed this deal with TBS Television to ensure the European Games will receive exposure in the Japanese market.
“As a keen sporting nation, we are sure there will be significant interest in Baku 2015 so it is extremely pleasing to know fans will be able to tune in to the best of all the action.” -
Glasgow 2014 to come in £25m below budget
The 2014 Commonwealth Games were predicted to cost £472m to host, but the organising committee has announced that around £25m of previously committed public funds have not been required.
While the final budget will not be confirmed until the organising committee’s closing accounts are completed early in 2015, its chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin said that Glasgow 2014 was set to conclude its operations significantly within budget.
“It gives me considerable pride to now be able to say that Glasgow and Scotland have made Games history…. and have done so well within budget,” he said.
The surplus will be invested into physical, economic and social regeneration, said Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond. “We have already announced that £6 million will go into Scotland’s first ever para-sports centre and £2 million will support our successful Legacy programme.
“The remaining funds will be invested back into Scotland’s health service. It is clear that the benefit of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be felt in Scotland for generations to come.”
1.3 million tickets were sold for Glasgow 2014, with an attendance record of 171,000 reached for Rugby Sevens.
Around £400m of Games contracts were awarded during the delivery of the Games, with more than two thirds of these contracts going to Scottish companies. More than £1 million of contracts were awarded to social businesses.
“Glasgow 2014 and Games Partners are to be warmly congratulated on their prudent and responsible approach to the delivery of what was an outstanding and joyful Commonwealth Games,” said HRH Prince Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“Glasgow and Scotland’s Games has set bold new benchmarks, energised and inspired the Commonwealth sports movement and invested in developing a long-term legacy which will benefit a wide range of people and communities for many years to come.”
The event set new standards in sustainability management, being the first Scottish event or Commonwealth Games to be awarded the ISO 20121 – the gold international standard in sustainable event management.
“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games raised the bar in so many ways, from preparing the venues, hosting the competitions, ceremonies and cultural programme and on to the legacy that we are currently enjoying,” said Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader, Glasgow City Council.
“So it’s no surprise to find that all the previously-committed public funds were not required. Once again we have been shown to be a world-class city capable of organising events in the best possible fashion.”
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Milan to host MTV EMA during 2015 World Expo
The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) is to return to Milan next year, to coincide with the Expo 2015.
The news was announced by event host and rap sensation Nicki Minaj at the 2014 EMA at SSE Hydro in Glasgow on 9th November.
The 2015 edition of MTV’s star-studded awards show will be held at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan on October 25.
Sunday night’s extravaganza was the first time Glasgow had hosted the event, culminating an extraordinary year of events in Glasgow and Scotland that included the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
This will be the second time that the major international music awards event will be held in Milan, which played host in 1998, and the third time Italy has hosted the show.
“The 2004 show in Rome was a huge success. Now, we’re looking forward to delivering an even bigger and better experience with the 2015 MTV EMA in partnership with EXPO, bringing thousands of people from around the world to Milan.” said Raffaele Annecchino, Executive Vice President and Managing Director VIMN South Europe, Middle East & Africa.
“We’re thrilled to bring the 2015 MTV EMA to Milan – an iconic city where art, fashion and music collide, and home to the World Expo,” said Bruce Gillmer, Executive Producer of the MTV EMA and Executive Vice President of Music / Talent Programming and Events for event owner Viacom International Media Networks.
“One of the world’s biggest cultural capitals, Milan will undoubtedly set the stage one of the biggest global music events of the year,” he added.
The World Expo is the world’s largest city-based event, after the Olympic Games. The theme of the Milan 2015 Expo is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.
According to Bob Bakish, president and chief executive of Viacom International Media Networks, the EMAs bring “a noticeable economic boost for the host city every year”.
It has been estimated that Glasgow will have benefited by as much as £10m from hosting the MTV EMA.