HEADLINE NEWS
Badminton Feud Escalates as Punch and Allies Fight Back
Punch Gunalan, along with three other leading figures in the Badminton World Federation, the sport’s world governing body, have hit back at an outspoken attack by the BWF’s South Korean president Kang Young-joong on the running of the organisation. The four officials were speaking in the wake of a BWF council motion of no-confidence against Kang, which was passed during the badminton world championships on Saturday. Punch, the federation’s controversial deputy president, chairman of international relations Roger Johansson and vice-presidents VK Verma and Robin Bryant were defiant in defence of the motion.
Verma said: ‘He [Kang] should not have said the things that he had said. The only issue the council had with him was on his approach on decision-making. Every leader has to respect the majority but he does not. ‘We have run things based on the principles of democracy. The BWF are not falling apart as portrayed. It [the no-confidence vote] is a family-within-a-family matter. Technically, he is the president until the next AGM [in 2009]. Then, our 173 members will decide.’
Following the passing of the motion at the BWF council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Kang had left the room to hold a spontaneous press conference where he launched an attack on Punch and other senior officials. He criticised a ‘select group of people’ for running the organisation undemocratically, questioned the transparency of the BWF, and said their actions could threaten badminton’s future as an Olympic sport. Kang also asserted that Punch had usurped the president's position and that of the chief operating officer P Ganga Rao, who was dismissed last month, and maintained that the BWF had spiralled downwards through a ‘dictatorship by democracy.’
But Verma denied Kang’s claim that the BWF was being ruled with an iron fist by Punch, saying: ‘It is not a case of one man running the show. If not the pattern of votes [for the no-confidence vote, which was passed 14-5] would have been different.’ Punch, meanwhile, said that he was disappointed with the personal attack by Young-joong on his role as the deputy president, and claimed that the controversy over the running of the federation has not jeopardised badminton’s Olympic status.
But Punch failed to dispel reports that he had been asked to resign from his BWF role by Malaysia youth and sports minister Datuk Azalina Othman. He said: ‘That was a speculation. It was a personal meeting between the minister and I. As always, she gave me advices and I respect them. What was said is between me and her.’ The BWF, meanwhile, said: ‘The council has been surprised at the comments of the sports minister of Malaysia. ‘It noted that the fundamental principles of Olympianism include that the organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.
‘The BWF will always strive to work productively with each of the governments of its members, including Malaysia.’ Punch is already at the centre of allegations of a conflict of interest relating to the federation’s decision to move its headquarters from Cheltenham, England to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia two years ago. The allegations surfaced at the AGM, when Young-joong was handed a three-year-old letter apparently implicating Punch in using his position at the international federation to pass on to the Badminton Association of Malaysia confidential information relating to rival bids to attract the international federation’s headquarters.
The allegations against Punch were the latest in a series of rows over the controversial move of the federation’s headquarters to Kuala Lumpur, which was widely seen as a manifestation of a power struggle between the sport’s Asian and European power bases. The council decided this weekend to form a committee to investigate the process of moving to Kuala Lumpur.
A statement on the BWF website said: ‘At the recent BWF AGM, a letter was produced which has caused considerable negative comment about processes associated with the relocation of the international office. Council received formal statements from Datuk Punch Gunalan and Mr Roger Johansson, chair of the relocation task force.
‘Mr Johansson said that the bidding process for the relocation of the BWF headquarters from Cheltenham, London to Kuala Lumpur was controlled by the then COO Mr Andrew Ryan and were above board.’ Another steering committee has been formed to review the office structure, its function and all matters related to the running of an international office. It will also review the role of the general manager and chief operating officer, with the findings to be made known during the next council meeting in December. Source: Sportcal, The Star MY, 20th Aug 2007
Developments on the Indian Cricket League
Source: Sportcal, Indian Television, 20th Aug 2007
Pakistan cricket faces a crisis after it was announced that four senior players have confirmed their participation in a forthcoming unofficial competition in India. Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammed Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat all appear on a list of 44 players announced today by the organisers of the Indian Cricket League. The boards of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have all threatened to ban players who join the league, which is backed by Essel Group, the owner of Indian media group Zee Telefilms.
Source: The Hindu, 19th Aug 2007
Stepping up its player signing up drive, the Indian Cricket League has wooed Mohammad Asif with a lucrative second offer of Rs. 10 crore, local media reported on Saturday. “The ICL has offered Asif Rs. 100 million for a three-year contract and the pacer is carefully assessing the various aspects of the offer before taking a decision next week,” The Dawn reported on Saturday quoting Pakista n Cricket Board sources.
Source: The Hindu, 20th Aug 2007
Zee Network delegation’s efforts to get the Lal Bahadur Stadium on lease for three years for its Indian Cricket League ended in deadlock as the State Government insisted that it be paid a minimum of Rs.1 crore per year for conducting the ICL tournament at the venue. This was the outcome of the high level talks in the city on Friday, a day after the ICL successfully lured eight Hyderabad Ranji cricketers into its fold. A senior official of the State Government informed The Hindu that the Zee delegation was in no mood to accept the proposal of sharing the gate money and the ad revenue to be generated by the ICL matches at the floodlit venue.
THIS WEEK
Sun, 19th Aug 2007
AVP Crocs Tour 2007: Final Day – Brooklyn Open
WWE Summerslam: Meadowlands, USA
SPORTS SHORTS
* ESPN Star Sports is looking to bring the X Games to India. The company is looking at a three-year time frame to introduce the extreme Games to India, according to ESS Asia managing director Jamie Davis. Davis revealed the plan the Brand Score Sports Marketing Forum organised by ESPN Star Sports and Mindshare in Mumbai, India, last week. Davis said that the X Game would be adapted for the Indian audience. Source: Sport Business, Indian Television, 20th Aug 2007
* Dubai-based Arabic broadcaster, Middle East Broadcasting (MBC), is readying for HDTV. MBC has just installed a multi-definition switcher as part of equipment upgrades toward HDTV. MBC went on air in 1991, and relocated from London to Dubai’s Media City in 2002. Since then it has launched a number of new free to air channels including Al Arabiya (news), MBC2 (movies), 3 (kids), 4 (women) and MBC Action. It is backed by Saudi Arabian cash. Source: Rapid TV News, 20th Aug 2007
* India’s broadcasting industry looks set for a new explosion, with about 50 companies awaiting government approval to launch 130 channels in the next year to 18 months. Companies that have applied for licences to launch new channels includeZee TV, NDTV, Relaince, ADAG, BAG Films, INX Media, Broadcasting and Viacom 18, a joint venture between the US media giant Viacom and India’s own TV-18. Source: Sportcal, Rapid TV News, 20th Aug 2007
* Hong Kong tycoon, Carson Yeung, looking to control EPL side Birmingham City, said he hopes to complete a deal in two months. Yeung installed himself as the club’s biggest shareholder last month when he acquired a 29.9% in the club for £15 million ($29.7 million). The former owner of Hong Kong Rangers, plans to tap into the Chinese market with the establishment of 10 soccer schools, which could provide City with talented young players. He also clarified his position on team manager Steve Bruce and managing director Karren Brady saying that he is happy for both to stay at the club. Source: Sportcal, 20th Aug 2007
* German-language cable and digital terrestrial broadcaster in Switzerland, U1 TV is seeking acquisition of rights to broadcast Formula 1 next season. Officials from U1 TV are reported to have been in negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone and have offered an estimated €2 million ($2.7 million) for the rights. RTL, the commercial network with rights in Germany, broadcasts F1 into Switzerland without paying an additional contract fee and is reported to be interested in retaining the German-language rights in the country, but has been asked to pay an additional €2.5 million. Source: Sportcal, 20th Aug 2007
* The FIH, field hockey’s international governing body, has agreed a ‘six-figure’ deal with Cricket Plus television channel to broadcast live and delayed coverage of major FIH events and the ABN AMRO World Hockey monthly magazine programme in USA and Canada. Cricket Plus is produced on behalf of the US satellite broadcaster DirecTV by Ten Sports, the Dubai-based broadcaster, which also shows coverage of FIH events in the Indian sub-continent and Middle East. Cricket Plus, which is available to over 16 million homes via DirecTV, carries coverage of International Cricket Council events as well as cricket from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Source: Sportcal, 20th Aug 2007
MORE NEWS
Asia/Elsewhere/New Media: Live IP Broadcast Platform For Serie A
Infront Advanced Media Solutions is launching a dedicated broadband channel for Italy’s SerieA, in time with the kick off of the 2007/2008 season on August 26th. SerieA.tv (http://www.seriea.tv/) will offer fans of Italian football in the Americas and in selected Asian countries the opportunity to watch a broad range of Serie A matches live and on demand on the Internet. SerieA.tv is being produced and managed by Infront Advanced Media Solutions, a division of the Swiss-based sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, in cooperation with the MP & Silva agency, the league’s media distribution partner.
This is the first time in the history of Serie A that a wide-ranging online service will be available to fans, offering them flexible viewing options. The matches of the 2007/08 season will be offered as high-quality video streams (up to 400k) “live and on demand”, together with various highlight programmes. In addition to match coverage, SerieA.tv will also feature daily video news programmes and two weekly TV magazine programmes available each Monday and Friday.
The online service will be further embellished by the latest news and statistics from all 20 Serie A clubs. This comprehensive range of top sports action and quality information positions SerieA.tv as the ultimate one-stop-shop for all fans of one of the most exciting football leagues worldwide. The entire platform is being presented in English language. Most of the matches will be available with dual commentary, Italian and English.
The user can chose from three flexible subscription models to access the content. Single matches can be purchased for $6.95 USD, while the season package is available for $109.95 USD. There is also a monthly subscription, set at $14.95 USD. A promotional offer at $89.95 USD is available for fans subscribing before the beginning of the season on August 26, 2007. Source: Sports e-Media, Sportcal, 20th Aug 2007
ARTICLES, COMMENTS & OPINIONS
Cricket Rights Will Not Go Beserk
Sibabrata Das writes for Indian Television, 20th Aug 2007
ESPN Star Sports sees acquisition prices for the upcoming cricket telecast rights staying firm but bidding would be within reasonable limits. "It will still be a very competitive race for the rights but we don't see prices going beserk," ESPN Star Sports Asia managing director Jamie Davis tells Indiantelevision.com. The rights open up next year for the major boards including South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Ten Sports is the incumbent rights holder for the coveted Pakistan and Sri Lanka boards.
ESS, which has bagged the ICC rights including the next two World Cups, does not feel that it need to put up an over-the-ceiling bid to retain the Australia, England and SA boards. "We will be aggressive in our future bids but the price should make business sense to us," says Davis. Replying to a query on whether these rights are crucial, Davis says ESS has already got good content with ICC cricket. "We went for the ICC because it is the only cricket property that is available for eight years. Besides, it has cricket every year. But we are definitely interested in adding to the plate and will be aggressive," says Davis.
Will Subhash Chandra's Indian Cricket League (ICL) be a potential threat? "We have to see how it surfaces before commenting on it," Davis adds. But does he see a business opportunity with players like Brian Lara, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath who are fresh from retirement being available? "Generally speaking, anything drawing more popularity is good for the sports broadcasting industry and can be an opportunity. But whether ICL will be successful or not remains to be seen."
Was the launch of a third channel in the form of Star Cricket an attempt really to drive in growth in subscription revenues at a time when the Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has regulated price on cable? "We were toying with the idea of a third channel and were weighing various options a year back. We set the processes in January. The basic reason for us to come out with Star Cricket is because we had so many live properties that two channels weren't enough to show all our content. We have built our business model taking into account all the regulations."
Will the tight screws on subscription revenue due to price regulation and lack of space on analogue cable not hurt the investments made on the third channel in the short run? "The Indian economy is booming and revenue can only go up. We are seeing growth in ad as well as subscription revenues. Star Cricket is already having a 80 per cent cable reach and it is a pay channel. On the advertising front, the sports pie is still small compared to the other genres. We see scope for this portion to expand and grow."
With acquisition prices up, will there be pressure to push up ad rates for the sports properties? "Since all of us are paying more for the properties, we will have to ensure that ad rates go up." How significant is direct-to-home (DTH) as a new revenue opportunity at this stage? "ESS has the best content and so it is good for us to have more ways to reach the fan. We are happy with the pace of growth of DTH subscribers. And competition in the marketplace can only up the game."
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