Friday, 17th August 2007

HEADLINE NEWS

Total Sports Asia Appointed as TM’s Sports Agency

Telekom Malaysia appointed Total Sports Asia (TSA) as its sports marketing agency. TSA will be supporting TM’s sports and sponsorship strategy and activities in areas related to TM’s title sponsorship of the Malaysian Football League (Liga Malaysia) and various other involvements in sports, including the hugely successful College Caged Futsal tournament.

TSA will provide TM with a full range of sports marketing services, ranging from consulting, content development to Below the Line execution. Dato’ Ranbir Singh Nara , Senior Vice President, Group Marketing of TM commented: ‘TM’s involvement in sports is driven by a variety of factors. Brand building, developing new revenue streams and nation building are all important aspects for TM. We believe TSA’s skill sets match our needs and have engaged them to manage these areas for us on a day-to-day basis. He added that TM is positive that their sponsorship involvements will help grow the group’s brand equity and maximize ROI.

“We are delighted to be working with one of Malaysia’s blue chip companies and look forward to finding innovative solutions which fulfill TM’s brand aspirations and goals. We believed that our experience in integrated sports marketing coupled with TM’s sports initiatives, is a perfect match” said Marcus Luer, Group CEO of TSA. Source: Sport Business, Sports e-Media, 16th Aug 2007

RESULTS

The Star, MY, Yahoo! Sports, Reuters IN, Channel News Asia, 17th August 2007
Wong Mew Choo provided big thrills for Malaysia in third round of the World Championships at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. She defied overwhelming odds to become the first Malaysian woman to reach the singles quarter-finals of the championships. And for a player who needed jabs to ease the pain on her knee, Mew Choo did it in stunning fashion. She sent world number two and two-time world champion Xie Xingfang of China packing, winning 21-10, 21-8.

The Star MY, Yahoo! Sports, Reuters IN, Channel News Asia, Udayavani IN, 17th August 2007
Malaysia number one Lee Chong Wei served a double dose of shock for Malaysian badminton last night. He suffered a whitewash by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the World Championships at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, losing the match 11-21, 9-21. 13th seed Hafiz Hashim could not retrieve former glories, losing in three sets to Anup Sridhar, the Indian who put out Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat.

The Star, MY, 17th August 2007
The veteran men’s pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah survived a stiff opening test yesterday. And Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong joined them in the quarter-finals. While second seeds Kien Keat-Boon Heong were expected to win their third round match, they also had to put in some hard work to beat Poland’s Michal Logosz-Robert Mateusiak 21-17, 21-19. Tan Fook-Wan Wah did not have it easy to keep alive a strong interest for Malaysia in the men’s doubles competition. They had to overcome frayed nerves and tauntings from crafty Simon Mollyhus-Anders Kristiansen of Denmark before prevailing 21-11, 15-21, 21-16 in 55 minutes.

The Star, MY, Reuters IN, 17th August 2007
The Malaysian women’s doubles pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui will be looking for a breakthrough performance in their fourth appearance in the World Championships. The eighth-seeded Malaysians advanced to the quarter-finals with a 21-15, 14-21, 21-14 win over Japan’s Miyuki Maeda-Satoko Suetsuna yesterday to set up a match against third seeds and Olympic champions Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen of China.

The Star, MY, Yahoo! Sports, Channel News Asia, The Star MY, 17th August 2007
28-year-old Indonesian-born Ronald Susilo of Singapore shuttler served another stunning result in the World Championships, knocking out third seed Chen Jin of China in the third round of the men’s singles yesterday. Ronald won 21-19, 21-14. The win came just a day after India’s Anup Sridhar sent Olympic and 2005 world champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia packing in a second-round match.

Yahoo! Sports, Channel News Asia, 17th August 2007
World number one Lin Dan of China advanced to the quarters despite earlier watching his girlfriend Xie's exit. Lin, the defending champion, bested Dicky Palyama from the Netherlands 21-18, 21-17. China's fourth seed Bao Chunlai also went through to the quarters, downing South Korea's Lee Hyun Ii 21-19, 21-11. Denmark's Peter Gade advanced after surviving a tough fight against Indonesia's Simon Santoso. Fifth seed Gade fought back from one set down to win 18-21, 21-15, 21-16.

Yahoo! Sports, Channel News Asia, 17th August 2007
China's world number one Zhang Ning booked a spot after she trounced Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia. Zhang, the Olympic champion, said she has yet to be extended here but was focusing on "one match at a time." Zhang now faces Commonwealth Games champion Tracey Hallam of England, who fought a tough battle against Russia's Ella Karachkova before holding on for a 21-23, 21-15, 21-19 victory. Hong Kong suffered a blow when Asian Games silver medallist Yip Pui-yin went down fighting against China's Zhu Lin, although the city's Wang Chen secured a comfortable win.

Yahoo! Sports, Channel News Asia, 17th August 2007
China's number one pairing Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili defeated South Korea's Lee Kyung Won and Lee Hyo Jung. Defending champions Gao Ling and Huang Sui, China's number two pair, also walked into the quarters over Denmark's Lena Frier Kristiansen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl. In men's doubles, defending champions Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun trounced Russia's Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko 21-10, 21-9. In mixed doubles, defending champions Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms from England won over South Korea's Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung.

COURTSIDE: THE BADMINTON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

People’s Daily, 17th Aug 2007
After exits of big names Taufik Hidayat, Lee Chong Wei, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Anthony Clark/Robert Blair, China's head Li Yongbo said: "The world badminton championships has lost its meaning for China." "It's not good that Taufik and Chong Wei were ousted because I hope China can win the titles against top shuttlers. More tough, more meaningful to China," Li said. "Why do we pay so much attention to the world championships? Because all the top players compete here. Only they are there and play against us, it's useful for our preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games," he added.

THIS WEEK

Fri, 17th Aug 2007
Badminton World Championships 2007: Quarter-finals

Sat, 18th Aug 2007
Badminton World Championships 2007: Semi-finals

Sun, 19th Aug 2007
Badminton World Championships 2007: Finals
AVP Crocs Tour 2007: Final Day – Boston Open
BTCC 2007: Race Day – Brands Hatch, UK


SPORTS SHORTS

* Amelie Mauresmo has withdrawn from the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament because of a groin injury and needed recovery time after an appendectomy. Former world No. 1, Mauresmo is currently is ranked 7th on the women's tennis tour. In past U.S. Open appearances, she reached either the quarterfinals or the semis the last six years in a row. She has two major tournament titles -- the Australian Open and Wimbledon -- both coming in 2006. Source: Earth Times, 16th Aug 2007

* Fans in Japan were finally able to watch live coverage of the English Premier League last night after J Sports agreed a three-year deal with the Sportfive agency. J Sports signed an exclusive deal covering 2007-08 to 2009-10 for live and highlights coverage after lengthy negotiations with Sportfive. Satellite broadcaster, Sky PerfecTV, which previously held Premier League rights in Japan, pulled out of negotiations claiming that the asking price was too high. J Sports’ deal will also allow the broadcaster to show some matches on its HDTV channel. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

* The ASEAN Golf Tour, A new tour launched in South-East Asia next month, will run from September to December and include events in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. Further events are planned in 2008 in the other five ASEAN countries: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Brunei. The 2007 tour begins on September 5 with the $50,000 International Championships in Jakarta. Golfers from south-east Asia compete on the main Asian Tour, but ASEAN Golf Tour chairman A.C. Wong said that a new circuit was necessary because many talented professionals in the region ‘do not have enough chances to play competitive golf.’ Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

* Sports marketing forum, Brandscore, organised in India by ESPN-STAR Sports and Mindshare, will be held in Mumbai this Friday. The forum aims is to study successful international sports brands and marketing trends that will help Indian sports marketing. Speakers include David Magliano, director of marketing for London 2012; Phil Lines, Premier League head of Int. broadcasting & media operations and Jamie Davis, managing director, ESPN-STAR Sports. Brands such as HSBC, Castrol, ICICI Prudential and Ford are partnering in this forum. Source: Sport Business, 16th Aug 2007

* Thailand's success at the World University Games has landed the government with a huge bill under a generous cash reward scheme it offered to all Thai medalists. The total sum so far is 37 million baht (US$1.16 million) after Thai competitors won 26 medals in six sports ranging from athletics to taekwondo -- but that sum could rise further with three days remaining. The government promised to pay 1mil baht for a gold medal, 500,000 baht for silver and 200,000 baht for bronze. The bill leapt after Thailand struck gold in the men's 4x100-meter relay, the three-member women's 50-meter rifle prone team, and in the mixed team badminton competition -- which saw 12 players receive golds. It had been unclear whether all 12 members of the gold-winning badminton team would get one million baht each. Source: China Post, 17th Aug 2007

* Sportsfest Macao 2007 will not take place this year as planned. The Committee has taken into account the feedback provided by a majority of content providers who see the value that Sportsfest Macao delivers, but prefer to have more time to prepare for such an exhibition. Therefore, despite receiving sterling support from VIP speakers, buyers and sellers to attend as delegates, the organising committee has decided it is more prudent to postpone Sportsfest Macao. The Organising Committee will announce plans for Sportsfest Macao beyond 2007 as soon as possible. Source: Sport Business, 16th Aug 2007

* A new media crackdown has begun in China after a television reporter was accused of fabricating a story about dumpling makers. The new campaign is directed against what China calls "false news reports, unauthorized publications and bogus journalists," The New York Times reported, adding it comes two months before the start of the once-in-five-years Communist Party congress. The tough measures were confirmed by the government's official web site, the report said. In the dumpling maker case, the journalist was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $130 for what the government claimed was a fabricated story that cardboard was being used as filler. Source: Earth Times, 17th Aug 2007

* Tenders have been submitted for a new Russian general access sports channel, proposed by President Vladimir Putin as a way to promote healthy lifestyles in Russia. The winning bidder for the sports channel will be given access to a 'sport broadcasting' frequency pool in 68 Russian cities. One of the applications was submitted by 7TV, 50 per cent of which belongs to metals magnate Alisher Usmanov, whose company Metalloinvest is capitalised at around $15 billion. 7TV is widely expected to provide the foundation for the new channel. Source: Sport Business, 16th Aug 2007

* Plans have been unveiled for a new Formula Master motor racing series based in Australasia and Asia, commencing 2008. The rules will be identical to the International Formula Master, a European series featuring energy-efficient cars. The series is promoted by Sub Latitude Racing Series Group of New Zealand and will begin next March. Events are planned in Australia, China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Formula Master will provide a springboard for drivers in the region intent on competing in major series such as Formula 1, GP2, Champ Car and Indy Car. International Formula Master is backed by pan-European sports broadcaster Eurosport and regularly supports the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

* Puerto Rican boxer, Miguel Cotto, will put his WBC welterweight title on the line when he takes on American Shane Mosley at Madison Square Garden on Nov 10. Cotto extended his unbeaten record to 30 fights when he stopped the USA's Zab Juddah in front of a capacity crowd at the same venue. Mosley is likely to prove an equally strong draw having held world titles in three different weight divisions. In his most recent fight in Las Vegas in February, he won a unanimous points decision over fellow American Luis Collazo. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

* Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) will take 75% of the market for digital TVs by 2011. In-Stat says LCD sales will continue to dominate, with Plasma models fading to less than 15% market share globally. Michael Inouye, In-Stat analyst said: "US interest in HDTVs fell from 17% in 2006 to 13% in 2007, while those who are least interested increased 12% in 2007 to 65%. International respondents exhibited more interest in HDTVs with consumers in France and South Korea showing strong interest (44% and 40% high-interest respectively)." The study found that global DTV unit shipments were expected to grow from 68m units in 2006 to over 144m by 2011. Source: Rapid TV News, 16th Aug 2007

* UNICEF announced its partnership with business convention for football worldwide, Soccerex, which takes place from 25-28 November at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. The children’s organisation said it will showcase its Sport for Development program at this year’s Soccerex Convention, when it will seek to engage some 5,000 delegates on the development of children through sport. Source: Sports e-Media, 16th Aug 2007

* The International Baseball Federation has said Venezuela could face sanctions over a visa row that led to the cancellation of the World Junior Baseball Championships. Venezuela was due to stage the tournament, starting Friday, but the IBAF withdrew rights after the hosts refused to grant visas to the Taiwan team on political grounds. Taiwan is excluded from many international activities because of its relationship with China but does take part in international sports events and is recognised by the IOC as Chinese Taipei. Venezuela does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

* Coca-Cola is launching a global ad campaign to promote its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. A TV ad featuring Olympians and NBA basketball stars LeBron James and Yao Ming will show how Coca-Cola and the Olympics can unite people and cultures. James, co-captain of Team USA Basketball, and Ming, a member of Team China Basketball, will act as Coca--Cola's Olympic ambassadors to demonstrate how East and West will unite during the Games. The ad will form part of Coca-Cola's global 'Coke side of life' campaign. Source: Brand Republic, 16th Aug 2007

MORE NEWS

BWF: Minister Demands Explanation

Malaysian Minister of Sports, Azalina Othman Said asked Badminton World Federation (BWF) deputy president Datuk Punch Gunalan to explain allegations accusing him and the Government of reneging on promises made in the bid to base the BWF headquarters here. Azalina said she has received complaints from BWF affiliates who were unhappy they had not received the perks as stated in Malaysia’s winning bid.

"The letters accused him of misconduct as they (the affiliates) are not happy that the promises were not kept," Azalina said after launching the five-star equestrian FEI KL Grand Prix 2007 in Putrajaya. Azalina said the only promise made by the Malaysian Government was a financial contribution of RM500,000 for the bid which has been disbursed.

Azalina said Punch told her that he would address the allegations with the BWF council members soon. Azalina read a list of the bid promises which included the Government’s cash contribution, flight tickets amounting to US$150,000 annually for four years, a one-off Petronas contribution of US$100,000 and perks for its international staff such as condominium accommodation, cars, work permits and tax-free status.

Azalina earlier had a one-hour closed door session with Punch, former BWF general manager P. Ganga Rao, National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong and Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar. Source: The New Straits Times, 17th Aug 2007

China/General: Football Association Claims League is Recovering

The Chinese Football Association has defended the management of the China Super League, the country’s top-tier soccer league, and pointed out that crowds have increased significantly. The league, which has previously been dogged by allegations of bribery, betting and match-fixing, has recorded an average match attendance of 16,400 this year, up from 10,600 in 2006.

Nan Yong, the CFA vice president, said that there had been ‘some positive results in the three years since the China Super League began’ and claimed better management and bigger crowds would help improve the Chinese national team, which failed to reach the 2006 World Cup finals or the latter stages of this year’s Asian Cup. As a result of the controversies that plagued the CSL following its inception in 2004, many fans turned their backs on the competition to watch the major European leagues and sponsors were also difficult to find. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

Elsewhere/General: Sheffield United to Sue West Ham after Relegation Blow

Sheffield United said today that it is to sue West Ham United for the cost of relegation from the top-tier Premier League last season. The Yorkshire outfit said that it was seeking ‘substantial compensation’ after failing to retain its place in the top flight. It estimates the cost of relegation to the second-tier Championship at between £30 million ($60 million) and £50 million.

West Ham stayed up at Sheffield United ‘s expense after it was fined £5.5 million rather than docked points for failing to disclose third-party influence in the contracts of Argentine signings Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. The Sheffield club failed with two appeals against the decision of the Premier League not to deduct points from West Ham and to allow Tevez to play in the crucial final matches of last season. Mascherano left the London club for Liverpool in January and, following protracted negotiations, Tevez has now joined league champions Manchester United. Source: Sportcal, 16th Aug 2007

Global/New Media: Different Mobile Standards ‘Will Win’

FLO will win in the US, DVB-H will win in Europe and other mobile technologies will become increasingly region-specific, says a major study. IMS Research says there is a new dynamic in the TV-to-mobile marketplace following AT&T’s decision to dump Modeo in favour of MediaFLO, and Crown Castle’s divestiture (in the US) of the Modeo spectrum. “The lines defining a strong regional base for various [mobile TV] standards are becoming clearer,” says IMS.

IMS says that by 2011 the Americas region will account for 60% of worldwide FLO subscribers. Similarly, Europe is forecast to claim 61% of worldwide DVB-H/DVB-SH subscribers. Other standards, such as T-DMB and ISDB-T, are also expected to become increasingly region-specific between 2007 and 2011, with an increasing number of these standards’ subscribers coming respectively from Korea and Japan.

Anna Hunt, Research Director at IMS Research, commented: “Operator and government decisions about which mobile TV standard to deploy in each country or region depend on a number of variables including spectrum availability, existing cellular and DTT infrastructure, market needs, and national political and economic interests. This has resulted in a situation where in certain regions, different standards gained a distinct advantage in building the consensus required to deploy a broadcast network, thereby gaining the first-mover advantage so key in a standards war.” Source: Rapid TV News, 16th Aug 2007

Elsewhere/General: FIFA increases Club World Cup payout

The Club World Cup has received a boost, and the organizing committee for the 2007 Club World Cup in Japan has tightened its schedule and increased its prize money. A seven-team, seven-match competition between all six regional confederations and the host club will kick off Dec. 7 in Japan with a final of Dec. 16. Teams secured their participation includes Mexican Pachuca CF (CONCACAF), Argentinian Boca Juniors (CONMEBOL), New Zealand's Waitakere United (OFC), and Italian AC Milan (UEFA). The remainder participating clubs (AFC and CAF) will be known when their respective leagues end.

In the three previous tournaments, known then as the World Club Championship, six continental club champions qualified, but from this year the champions of the host country will receive a spot and play the Oceania winners in the first match. The competition has an injection of an additional EUR 740,000 to the prize pool, with a total prize fund of EUR 11.8 million. The champion will earn EUR 3.68 million, while the runner-up will get EUR 2.94 million. The third-place finisher will receive EUR 1.84 million. The competition will have three venues: Tokyo National Stadium (48,000 seats), Toyota Stadium (36,000 seats) and Yokohama International Stadium (68,000 seats). Source: EUFootball.biz, 16th Aug 2007