The Daily - Issue #1 - Monday 7 April 2014 by SportAccord Convention

>inside 2 >erdener

Turkish NOC chief on nation’s goals

8 >bennett

The ongoing drive for equality in sport

>hooper

Outgoing CEO reflects on CGF’s journey

The>Daily

your guide to what’s happening today at the belek/antalya sportaccord convention

www.sportaccordconvention.com @saconvention

Monday, april 7, 2014

issue 1

positive Hein dialogue: VerbruggenSportAccord and SportAccord Convention rfjrfjfrjfr President Marius L. Vizer ewfiofeiefieffi

Vizer in call for honest dialogue M

arius L. Vizer, the President of SportAccord and SportAccord Convention, has urged delegates to engage in honest and open dialogue during a week of highlevel networking in Turkey. Thousands of leading decision-makers are arriving in Belek/Antalya for the 12th edition of sport’s top global gathering, with dozens of meetings set to take place this week. “My message for the guests and participants of

SportAccord Convention 2014 is that I encourage them to express themselves honestly within the events organised, to talk about the issues that preoccupy their organisations and to propose solutions that SportAccord can then carry forward in order to offer a final product to its members,” Vizer told The Daily. “We should launch as many dialogues and bridges between sports as possible and I hope that each participant will contribute in a constructive way to increasing the value of the Convention,

in order to open doors towards new projects and achievements.” Vizer, who was voted in as President of SportAccord and the Convention nearly a year ago, is eager to implement his own strategy to develop and enhance the event. “SportAccord Convention 2014 is in a moment of transition from the previous management to the current one,” Vizer added. “However, I hope that we will succeed in delivering a Convention that will  Continued on P3

froehlich to depart A new President of the International World Games Association will be elected today after Ron Froehlich confirmed that he is standing down after more than two decades in the role. “I’ve been working in voluntary sports positions for 50 years and have spent the past 25 years as Acting President and President of the IWGA,” Froehlich told The Daily. “At my age I feel it is the right time to allow a successor to come in and lead the Games to the next level. “I am delighted to be leaving the IWGA in a very healthy financial predicament.”  A fond farewell - P5

2 sportaccord convention belek/antalya, turkey gold sponsors

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Delegates are welcomed to ‘dynamic’ hub

host city sponsors

the daily The Daily is produced by Squires Media – Editorial Communications and Publishing for the International Sporting Community – www.squiresmedia.com Editor: Rory Squires Journalists: Phil Ascough, Mustafa Kanorwala, Luana Nanu, Simon Redfern, Musarath Sader, Yerbolat Seidilla, Rebecca Tobena, Abylay Zhunissali

Do you have a story? Come and see us in person in the press area or email editor@squiresmedia.com with your news. The Daily will feature the most interesting tweets of the day in a special section. If you want to get a mention in The Daily, include #SAC2014 in your tweet – and make your opinion heard! Jonny Murch @jonnymurch Lots of familiar faces arriving for @saconvention - the event hasn’t really started but plenty of meetings already underway. Professor Andy Miah @andymiah If u work in sport, then u should know about Sport Accord Convention, ‘where sport meets’ this week #SAC2014 Jeffery McMillan @jefferymcmillan Departing Moscow to new frontiers for #SportsNewFrontier #SAC2014 Can’t wait to get started in Belek!

rof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, the President of Turkey’s National Olympic Committee, believes SportAccord Convention delegates will thrive on the “dynamism” of the country’s burgeoning sporting landscape. Erdener, who believes Belek/Antalya is the perfect destination for the latest edition of sport’s top gathering, told The Daily that Turkey is ready to welcome the sporting world with open arms. “Turkey has 76 million inhabitants and offers a big and dynamic market with a young population, excellent sports facilities and Turkish hospitality,” Erdener said. “It is a unique place that brings cultures and civilisations together and provides a beautiful backdrop for international sports events, whilst offering organisational and economic capacity. “The region of Antalya is Turkey’s top tourist and sports destination. Participants will see Belek/Antalya’s unique and excellent facilities and will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean, as well as the local nature, resorts and historical monuments, plus many world-class sports and golf facilities. “They will experience the dynamism of the region of Antalya and the renowned Turkish hospitality.” SportAccord Convention is landing in Turkey at a time of unprecedented growth for sport in the country, boosted by an economic boom. “Turkish sport has really grown over the last 10 years,” Erdener added. “Turkey has increased the number of athletes participating at the Olympic Games and continental and world championships. “The Turkish Government has invested enormously into new sports facilities all over Turkey and provided great support for Turkish athletes. Many top sports events are being organised successfully. “With the growth of the Turkish economy, the financial support for Turkish sport has increased enormously. “Turkey has organised many international sports events, built many new sports facilities and renovated the old ones. There is a completely new outlook in terms of Turkish sporting infrastructure. For example, Turkey

‘We would like to continue to host international and regional sports events’

DYNAMIc: Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener believes sport is thriving in Turkey organised the 2011 FISU Winter Universiade in Erzurum and built all the venues needed and organised the Games successfully. “Now we have submitted our candidacy for the 2019 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival

the Olympic family the country’s capabilities and potential in terms of organising sport’s biggest event,” Erdener added. “The 2020 Games was Turkey’s fifth bid for the Olympics and therefore there was disappointment amongst

‘Participants will see Belek/ Antalya’s facilities and will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean’ (EYOFW) and all of the venues and the Olympic Village are ready. I believe that Erzurum will organise an excellent EYOFW in 2019.” Since Erdener assumed office at the helm of the National Olympic Committee three years ago, Turkey has been increasingly active in the international sports event-hosting landscape. “Turkey, through Istanbul, submitted a bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and showed

the Turkish public after losing that bid last year. For the 2024 Games, it is too early to say anything yet. We will decide together with the Turkish Government, municipality, business community, non-governmental organisations and our sports community.” Erdener’s aspirations for sport in Turkey span several different areas, from athlete development to eventhosting and commercial ambitions. For SportAccord Convention 2014

delegates, it is clearly an exciting time to be visiting Turkey. “At the National Olympic Committee (NOC), we have increased financial support and scholarships for Turkish athletes and coaches,” he added. “We have also recruited and appointed more women to our NOC Executive Board and NOC Commissions, and prepared an NOC Strategic Plan for the first time. “Additionally, we have increased the number of NOC events for the development of youth and sport, while the NOC Anti-Doping Commission has reached the highest number of doping tests in Turkey and promoted zero tolerance. “I would like to increase sponsorship revenues and be able to provide more support for Turkish sport and the NOC’s activities, and continue to develop more educational programmes for anti-doping in Turkey. “I also aim to develop a successful and sustainable sports governance model in my country and, help to increase the number of qualified Turkish athletes at the Olympic Games whilst helping to increase co-operation between shareholders within Turkish sport. Turkey is a country with a big young population. We are lucky that the Turkish Government provides great support for sports development and international sports events in our country, along with widespread sports facility investments. “We would like to continue to host international and regional sports events, with legacy in mind. We want to promote sport and encourage more young people to participate in sport and be able to use those world-class sports facilities for lasting legacies in Turkey.”

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president is keen to look to the future ‘I want SportAccord to become a united, important and strong organisation, supporting sports at all levels’

 Continued from P1 prove positive for all participants. “Most importantly, I hope that all of them will return to their organisations with new information and updated strategies in accordance with the current development cycle of sports, and that during the Convention they will all express their visions and desires and furthermore they will interact for the unity of world sports. “I am not applying my own strategy [for SportAccord Convention 2014] and I have to follow a strategy elaborated before my becoming President, but I do hope that from 2015 onwards we will be able to display an even more consolidated image, offering many positive surprises and more value to the participants coming from the sports family and to all those organisations and companies that activate around sports.” Whilst reflecting upon a busy year since becoming President of SportAccord, Vizer remains keen to look to the future. “My major priority has been to create a strategy and atmosphere of unity between members, between the various sports with different values, but with the same goal: to offer all their best to society and especially to youth,” he added. “Together with the SportAccord team, I did

strategy: Marius L. Vizer my best to successfully organise the World Combat Games in Saint Petersburg and the Mind Games in Beijing, and I think that we succeeded, together with the organisers, in delivering two successful events, representing an added value to the participating sports as far as their sports presentation, exposure, media, marketing and audience numbers were concerned. “Over this entire period I have tried and I am still trying to find a common language with the

International Olympic Committee in order to organise some strategies and events for the benefit of all sports, Olympic and non‐Olympic as well. “Of course this is not easy, but I think we confront too many interests, egos, ambitions and jealousies. I hope that we will soon find a common language within the great sports family in order to serve the real interests of sport and of the athletes.” As SportAccord and SportAccord Convention enter new chapters under Vizer’s command, his ambitions are clear. “I want SportAccord to become a united, important and strong organisation, supporting sports at all levels, Olympic and non‐Olympic ones, to give an opportunity to sports and athletes to express themselves and to be able to organise important events that generate new resources for the International Federations, National Federations and the athletes.

“I hope that the sports heritage transferred to society will be reflected in new social and educational projects, for the benefit of all ages. “For SportAccord Convention, I have a more complex strategy and once the organiser for 2015 is disclosed we will be able to announce also the new strategies that will be applied in order to enrich the current heritage and strategy of SportAccord Convention. “I wish to congratulate SportAccord Director General Vlad Marinescu and SportAccord Convention Managing Director Nis Hatt, and both teams that are working hard and with devotion in order to best serve the interests of the International Federations and SportAccord’s Members and Associations. “I would also like to thank the International Federations for their solidarity with the two SportAccord organisations, for a successful future.”

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London 2012 Flag Handover / August 12th 2012, Olympic Stadium - London, Uk.

Filmmaster, together with SRCom, in 2011 was appointed by the Rio 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Organizing Committees, to be Producer of Opening & Closing Ceremonies and Torch Relays. Thrilling people, allowing them to dream, transmitting values. With passion. With typically Italian flair. This is the mission of an organisation that fully covers all the phases of creation, planning and production of events. The company has left its mark on four Olympic events, starting with Salt Lake City 2002 (Flag Handover), continuing with Turin 2006 (Ceremonies) and London 2012 (Flag Handover), ending with Sochi 2014 (Paralympic Ceremonies Concept). Many other international events have been produced by Filmmaster Events: the UEFA Euro 2012 opening and closing ceremonies, the America’s Cup opening ceremony in 2012, the spectacular opening of the Juventus Stadium in 2011, the inauguration ceremony for the Donbass Arena in Ukraine in 2009 and the opening ceremony for the Mediterranean Games in 2009. Filmmaster Events is increasingly expanding its expertise in the world of entertainment. Thanks to its incredible creative and productive ability, the company has been asked to devise the storyline for the Cinecittà World Theme Park in Rome, for which it will also develop the permanent shows and entertainment contents. Filmmaster Events has created and planned the renovation of the Luneur Park in Rome, one of the most famous fun fairs in Europe, which it will also operate.

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back to basics for lawaccord

issues and talk about them in more detail. So it’s awAccord is going back to basics back to basics in that sense.” today by turning the spotlight on the The LawAccord team has recruited day-to-day issues facing the sports expert panellists who reflect the diversity of family as the major events programme SportAccord’s Membership to provide the most expands worldwide. benefit to participants. Host agreements, insurance provision and the Common threads that are rules and regulations around the likely to run through all three various competitions all present sessions include the way in potential problems that will be which the scale of possible addressed in the discussion from problems varies depending 08.30 until midday in the Press on the size of an event, an Briefing Room. event’s location and the level of In keeping with SportAccord’s resources and expertise available mandate to serve its to the organisers. Membership, the LawAccord The first session will examine team conducted a survey earlier Host Agreements. Such this year to take the pulse of the agreements can be very detailed Membership’s most pressing detail: Steve Townley for major events for large issues in this area. The survey Federations or the Olympic Games, or much less results made two points clear – LawAccord is so for smaller IFs or events. LawAccord will look an important part of the week’s programme as at the practical problems and how they can be legal concerns are high on the International approached. Federations’ agenda, and it is time to look at Does a small IF follow the major events some of the grassroots issues. model or are they better off adopting a Chairman Steve Townley said: “We have different approach? What guarantees or level tackled some of the really big issues, such as of Government support do they get and what last year’s hard-hitting forum on match-fixing. happens if things go wrong? However, we also want to look at the day-to-day

‘We want to look at the day-to-day issues and talk about them in more detail’ As a Games organiser itself, SportAccord looks forward to participating in the discussions. David Nivelle, SportAccord’s Multi-Sports Games Director, will share his practical experience. “We delivered two successful events in Russia and China last year, and I can speak about the importance of having effective Host Agreements in place,” Nivelle said. “We continually improve the host agreements’ framework for our multiple upcoming events, so I’m looking forward to hearing other perspectives from colleagues at LawAccord.” The second session will focus on insurance and is expected to take a broad view embracing scenarios from athlete injuries to accidents involving other participants, from cancellation of events to defence for IF officials against the threat of legal action. Townley added: “To what extent does an International Federation need to insist that insurance policies are in place for its athletes, other participants, personal injury, accident and third-party liability? Some jurisdictions are higher

risk than others when it comes to legislation.” The way in which sport deals with regulatory and legal issues is a key element of the third session, which looks at competition rules and disciplinary procedures. As competitions, events and equipment evolve, so must the procedures that govern sport. How does sport face the challenge of responding to such changes, while supporting sporting goals and maintaining authority? Where does the dividing line sit? What are the contemporary issues about the competition regulations in relation to events? This session will also look at the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. LawAccord will challenge panellists and delegates to identify 10 things that can torpedo their events. “We want to identify the 10 most common things that can go wrong and try to mitigate the risks. That is something that people can start to think about in advance,” Townley said.  LawAccord, 08.30-12.00 in the Press Briefing Room.

It’s Happening in Malaysia Malaysia Takes on Some of the Biggest Brands in Sports Malaysia, a Top 10 Travel Destination for 2014 by Travel Planet is popularised as a

What is probably Malaysia’s illustrious sporting event to date is hosting the Laureus World

leisure destination boasting one of Asia’s oldest rainforests, to the world’s tallest twin

Sports Award 2014 where the world set its sight on some of the biggest sporting individuals

towers. It also comes complete with modern facilities, world class infrastructures and

coveting glory as the best sportsperson of the year.

expert capabilities to host and organise international sporting events. This is evident with Kuala Lumpur named as a Top 20 Sport business’ Ultimate Sport City in 2012.

As Malaysia looks forward to hosting these sporting events during the nation’s Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign, global recognition of our unique selling points is conceivable

The profile spans a history of golden moments in sports with the winning bid to host

in attracting other prolific events to our shores.

Commonwealth Games in 1998, Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1999 and Le Tour de Langkawi from 1996. In 2014, Malaysia secured a variety of new events such as FISE World Series (Extreme Sports) a first for Asia and the historic state of Melaka is named as host of this prestigious event. Another is Muay Thai World Championship; a sport increasing in popularity globally has helped root Malaysia’s appeal as a host for unique sports. In addition, Ironman has returned to its South East Asian home for not just one but two races – Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya and Ironman Malaysia.

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Athletes’ needs are our main focus - Froehlich R

departing: Ron Froehlich

on Froehlich has announced that he is standing down as President of the International World Games Association (IWGA) after more than two decades at the helm. Froehlich will welcome in his successor as President of the IWGA at the organisation’s General Annual Meeting this morning in Belek. However, ahead of bidding farewell to IWGA members this morning, the outgoing President told The Daily that the World Games will continue to flourish in the future as long as it continues to deliver against the expectations of its stakeholders. “I believe that with our official competition programme and the invitational programme we should not exceed 5,000 athletes and officials for the Games,” Froehlich said. “We have started the process of developing a sports programme that matches the expectations of our Member Federations, the host city and the media. But most of all, it has to meet the needs of our athletes. The World Games are their Games and not ours. I am pleased to say that the new board to be elected in Belek will very likely support the current measures and take the World Games to the next level.” The World Games, which took

place in the Colombian city of Cali last year, will be held in Wroclaw, Poland in 2017. Last year in Cali, the World Games featured 31 official sports and two invitational sports. Over 10 days of competition in late July and early August last year, more than 500,000 spectators watched the action, ensuring the event set a new attendance record for the World Games, bettering the 2009 edition in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei. Froehlich believes the time slot for the World Games has helped it to develop into an increasingly influential and popular spectacle. “The IWGA has established that the timeframe for the World Games is July to August, after the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and before any other major sports start their season,” he said. “In most countries, schools are closed during this period and that also adds to ticket sales and the supply of volunteers. Considering this, it makes it easier for potential host cities to fulfil the requirements. “On the other hand, we don’t require investment in new stadiums, so we do not ask for white elephants, but instead support sustainable development.”

Froehlich said that Cali hosted the “best World Games ever” in the eyes of the athletes, setting high standards for Wroclaw in 2017 and the host of the 2021 Games, with bids to stage the event due by 31 July. Froehlich believes one of the successes of Cali was the appetite of the local spectators, who were vociferous in their backing of all athletes. “The support of the local citizens and their enthusiasm to watch sports that in some cases they had never seen before was terrific,” he said. “In some events they did not even have a competitor from Colombia, but nevertheless the venues were full and the people from Cali were excited, whoever was competing. “Looking ahead, I have been very impressed with the professionalism of the Wroclaw organisers. They have been really aware of the challenges of staging a multi-sport event. “It is worth bearing in mind that they have to present over 30 sports with more than 4,500 participants. We have to acknowledge that Wroclaw was one of the host cities of the UEFA European Championship of football in 2012, so they bring a lot of experience. We have given them another chance to show how capable they are of organising a big event.”

HISTORY IN THE MAKING THE FIRST EUROPEAN GAMES

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THE FIRST EUROPEAN GAMES will take place in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, in June 2015. All 49 National Olympic Committees of Europe will participate in the Games – more than 6,000 athletes will compete in 20 new or refurbished competition venues, across 19 sports

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Seizing the opportunity

vision: Helena Alterby Nordström

GETTING READY FOR RIO

s golf prepares to join the Olympic Games programme in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Helena Alterby Nordström, the recently-appointed Chairman of the Ladies European Tour (LET), is determined to ensure the sport seizes the opportunities that will arise over the next two years. Alterby Nordström will take her place in Wednesday’s Conference Programme Plenary Panel Session on ‘The New Face of Leadership’ with the message that any leader is only as strong as their team. She credits the quality and commitment of the membership and management of LET with enabling her smooth transition into the top job when Karen Lunn stepped down as Chairman last year. She is confident that those same qualities will drive the growth of women’s golf among new players and spectators, from the grassroots to the greens of Rio de Janeiro.

“We have a vision of becoming more than a golf tour,” Alterby Nordström told The Daily. “We aim to be a tour that is going to inspire women all over the world to play golf. We would like to give girls an opportunity to go from the grassroots and all the way up to becoming pro. We want to be part of that journey. “We will also focus on getting out to a new audience, making the tournaments exciting on and off the golf course. It should be a fun day, an event for the whole family when you visit one of our tournaments, and currently we are putting a strong team and resources in place to make this vision a reality.” Alterby Nordström acknowledges that women’s golf must overcome issues around profile and awareness, but she looks forward to the 2016 Olympics making a big difference. She said: “One of the challenges is a lack of recognition of the high standard and competitiveness of women’s golf which results in not getting enough or the right air time on

television and in the media in general. There are so many sports competing. “But the Olympic Games will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase women’s golf, and there are other opportunities to make our sport more visible – you can reach out to your audience, and live streaming through the internet is one example.” Recognition from Rio is seen as a big chance to explode some of the myths about golf. Alterby Nordström said: “Over the years the media have sometimes given a picture of golf as a sport for wealthy men and women of the age of 50 or more, when in fact it is a game for everyone, regardless of their age. A grandparent could play against their children and grandchildren on equal terms thanks to the handicap system. In how many sports can you do that?” The new season in Europe tees off with the Turkish Ladies Open at the National Golf Club in Belek on 8 May and LET is already preparing

for next year’s Solheim Cup at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany. Alterby Nordström is looking forward to an exciting defence of the trophy that Europe brought back from Colorado last year, but she emphasises that from top to bottom, ladies golf is a team game. “Leadership no longer means a single person acting alone,” she added. “It is more and more about strong leadership with a strong team. “LET is a membership organisation of professional female golfers, and the representation of that membership in an elected board builds the strong team with LET’s executive management. “Leadership means also taking care of a succession so that the vision of the organisation has longevity and is passed on. In our case it was easy as our former Chairman did a fantastic job.”  Helena Alterby Nordström will speak on the session, ‘The New Face of Leadership’, from 14.00-15.00 during the Conference Programme on Wednesday 9 April.

FIBA excited by huge leap of 3x3 format

he International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has admitted that the growth of the 3x3 format of the sport has even taken the governing body by surprise. Kosta Iliev, who was appointed as FIBA’s 3x3 Sports Director in June 2011, has witnessed rapid growth in the three-players-per-team format, with a place on the Olympic Games programme remaining the ultimate goal. “The 3x3 format is developing very fast – even faster than FIBA expected,” the former Bulgaria international told The Daily. “Seven hundred tournaments in 64 countries have joined the FIBA 3x3 family in the last year. “We want to make basketball the most popular sport in the world and create a structure with attractive professional events. “After organising a World Tour with six stops plus the final and World Championships, becoming a new Olympic discipline is our priority goal.” As Iliev is keen to point out, 3x3 is certainly not lacking when it comes to pedigree at multi-sport events. It made its debut at the 2009 Asian Youth Games and was then a hugely popular competition for players and spectators alike at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games. “The format is part of the official programme of the most important multi-sport events – the Youth Olympic Games, Asian Youth Games, African Youth Games and the European Games,” Iliev added. “We also work with FISU (the International University Sports Federation) and the ISF (International School Sport Federation) to

growth: Kosta Iliev, FIBA’s 3x3 Sports Director incorporate 3x3 into the World University Championships and the World School Championships, respectively.” This focus on youth through 3x3 is reflected by FIBA’s activation across new media platforms as it looks to broaden the appeal of basketball. The format’s registered and ranked players, of which there are now more than 50,000, are connected through the 3x3planet.com online community. Using computers or mobile devices, members of the community can organise pick-up games with other nearby players, register for tournaments and record results of their games.

At Sport Event Denmark we continually challenge ourselves to deliver newAtexperiences the athletes and fans atchallenge each Sport Eventfor Denmark we continually ourselves of our events.to deliver new experiences for the athletes and fans at each of our events. At Sport Denmark weVisit continually chalAt Sport Event Denmark weus! continually challenge ourselves Now we want youEvent to challenge our stand and tell At Sport Event Denmark we continually challenge ourselves to deliver new experiences for the athletes and fans at each lenge ourselves to deliver new experiences for us how you think the delivery of sports events could bestand and tell Now we want you to challenge us! Visit our to deliver new experiences for the athletes and fans at each of our events. the athletes and fans at each of our events. improved. be you providing free on-siteofprofessional of ourWe events. uswill how think athe delivery sports events could be we want you youWe toto challenge Visit our stand and tellwill professional NowNow we want challenge us! Visit our stand photograph to everyone that sets new challenge (you improved. will bea us! providing a free on-site us how you think the think deliveryus! of Visit sports events betell tell us how you the delivery ofcould sports Now we want you toand challenge our stand and receive aand framed photo a digital copy for future use). photograph to everyone that sets a new challenge (you will improved. We will be providing a free on-site professional could improved. We will be providing us events howphotograph you thinktobe the delivery of sports events could be sets aand new a challenge willfor future use). receive a everyone framedthat photo digital(you copy improved. We will be providing a free on-site professional a free on-site professional photograph to everyreceive a framed photo and a digital copy for future use). Your ideas will also be shared via social media – follow photograph everyone sets a new challenge (you will one thatto sets a newthat challenge (you will receive a #MoreThanAHost ideas will also be shared via –social media – follow Your ideas will also shared via social media follow receive a Your framed photo and a digital copy for future use). framed photo and abedigital copy for future use). #MoreThanAHost #MoreThanAHost Your ideas will also be shared via social media – Your ideas will also be shared via social media – follow follow #MoreThanAHost #MoreThanAHost

This grassroots network underpins FIBA’s flagship 3x3 properties – the World Tour and National Team World Championships – and Iliev believes that there is plenty of room for further development. “We have two major challenges now,” he explained. “The first one is to improve the digital part of our programme and offer an additional out-of-court experience to the 3x3 community. “The second challenge is to expand the television coverage of our top events, the World Championships and World Tour.” In February, FIBA Europe announced that Bucharest in Romania, the spiritual home of the three-per-team format, will host the inaugural 3x3 European Championships later this year, with the continent’s top 16 men’s and women’s teams tipping off in the city’s University Square from 5-7 September. Tel Aviv in Israel is set to stage next year’s U-18 World Championship, while FIBA’s 2014 3x3 World Tour calendar, which was confirmed in March, comprises an array of events in eye-catching locations such as Manila, Beijing, Chicago, Prague, Lausanne, Rio and Tokyo. “The biggest advantage of 3x3 is that it is a very fast, skilful game played outdoors and it can take place in the most iconic destinations in the world,” Iliev added. “It is more than a game. It is a festival. We are bringing basketball to the people with 3x3.”  Kosta Iliev will speak on the Panel Session, ‘Establishing New Markets’, from 16.00-17.00 during City Forum on Tuesday 8 April.

the winning way

International Relations and Communications in Sport www.jtassocs.com

We look forward to seeing you at the JTA Business Club (next to the convention entrance and the Aggreko media suite)

Lars Lundov

Lars LundovCEO CEO Lars Lundov CEO Lars Lundov A5_velkomstkort2.indd 1

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CEO

City impact

18/02/14 10.31

18/02/14 10.31 18/02/14 10.31 18/02/14 10.31

by Sport has the power to transform communities. And a well-executed event has the power to redefine a city or even a nation.

Belek/Antalya: Showcasing sport tourism

Hosting SportAccord Convention could boost Belek’s economy by an estimated US$3.85 million and, perhaps more importantly, contribute to Antalya and Turkey’s achievement of its longer-term development goals. Under the Turkish government’s Strategy 2023 for economic development, Antalya was selected as one of four cities to receive significant investments to increase tourism, including sport tourism. The fruits of this strategy have already begun to be realised: Antalya was chosen to host four major sporting events in the past year alone:  World Archery Championship  World Tennis Championships  Turkish Airlines World Golf Final  FIFA U-20 World Cup. Source: Belek/Antalya: Showcasing sport tourism - SportAccord Convention 2014 Economic Impact Study, PwC, April 2014

SILVER PARTNER 2014

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changing times for equality in sport

manda Bennett, the Rugby Football Union’s Head Coach of the England women’s U-20 team, believes the sporting world is finally waking up to the potential of women’s sport. Bennett, who will speak on a panel looking at ‘A Women’s World: The journey towards sporting equality’ during the Conference Programme on Wednesday, has seen the role of women in sport transform since she started playing rugby union for Loughborough University and Wales. “When I think back to the 1994 Women’s Rugby World Cup, it was just a completely different set-up,” Bennett told The Daily. “I remember that we ended up getting our tracksuits for free because the pockets had been stitched in the wrong way round. That was what it was like then, but can you imagine that sort of thing happening now? “This season alone there have been several live broadcasts of women’s rugby games and, looking ahead to the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup in France, you can guarantee that the stadiums will be packed. “The International Rugby Board has been very keen to develop women’s rugby and of course

‘We are getting beyond the question of why women would want to play sport’

potential: Amanda Bennett believes the role of women in sport has transformed achieving Olympic status will make a massive impact.” Rugby Sevens will make its debut at the Summer Olympic Games in just over two years’ time in Rio de Janeiro with the women’s

competition set to run alongside the men’s tournament. However, Bennett is well aware that more needs to be done to establish greater equality between men’s sport and women’s sport. “What people are waking up to now is the fact that women have as much right to be involved in sport as men,” she added. “We are getting beyond the question of why women would want to play sport. “However, coaching is still the last bastion and it remains very difficult to crack, particularly at an elite level. “Things have been changing in administrative roles, though, and research has shown that your company is more likely to be profitable if it has a balanced board.” Bennett, who worked as the Head of Governance at UK Sport until last year, added that it makes undeniable business sense to embrace the potential of women’s sport. “When I was chair of European Women and

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO 2016. MINAS GERAIS, IN BRAZIL, IS READY TO WELCOME YOU.

Minas Gerais has hosted national and international sporting events over the last years, as well as providing excellent training locations for athletes and teams from around Brazil and the world. In addition, the British team has chosen Minas Gerais as its training base for 2016. 16 sporting facilities in 9 cities of Minas Gerais have had the support of the Minas 2016 Program, created by the Secretariat of Tourism and Sports. Not only does it provide all the support to the delegations but it also contributes to the exchange among the different sports in 2014, 2015 e 2016.

Sport, I made sure that the business case was highlighted,” she said. “Women represent a massive market in the industry. “Companies like NIKE and adidas understood this a long time ago and have been able to pitch products for the women’s market. “The business case is no more visible than at Olympic and Paralympic level. China capitalised on this very well around the Beijing 2008 Olympics. “When I was at UK Sport there was a big change, with the proportion of women Team GB athletes winning medals increasing by seven per cent in Athens (in 2004) to 37 per cent in Beijing. There is a female market out there waiting to be seized.”  Amanda Bennett will speak on the session, ‘A Woman’s World – The Journey Towards Sporting Equality’, from 12.0013.00 during the Conference Programme on Wednesday 9 April.

W W W . M I N A S 2 0 1 6 . M G . G O V. B R

news

A post-London Games boom for badminton A

momentum: Adrian Christy

drian Christy, the Chief Executive of BADMINTON England, has highlighted the need to adopt a sustainable approach to developing the sport in the country as it aims to build on the momentum of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Participation levels in the sport increased by a reported 70 per cent in the UK in 2013, and BADMINTON England is determined to make the most of the opportunity that lies ahead. “The critical component is sustainability,” Christy told The Daily. “An event such as the Olympic Games can create a spike in interest that has the ability to disappear as quickly as it happens. “We launched a campaign pre-2012 called BE Prepared which was about enabling our clubs and partners who operate facilities to be ready for the spike in interest. “Following the Games, we have developed a series of opportunities which operate under the umbrella of ‘ways to play’. “These are programmes developed with real market intelligence so that we know what people want, when they want them and how they want them developed. Giving our customers what they want is the key to our success.” One of the initiatives

ch2m hill wants Sustainable collaboration CH2M Hill, the Official Sustainability and Legacy Partner of SportAccord Convention, is hoping that its involvement in this year’s event in Belek/Antalya will help sports event hosts to place an even greater focus on sustainability. CH2M Hill, which provides design, construction and programme management services and was involved in the London 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, is leading a consortium of 30 major manufacturers in efforts to make their supply chains more ‘green’ through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The recently-launched GRI G4 Guidelines offer reporting principles, standard disclosures and an implementation manual for the preparation of sustainability reports by organisations. According to CH2M Hill’s White Paper, ‘Towards Sustainable Supply Chains’, industry collaboration is already working in the sportswear industry. The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Programme, of which CH2M Hill serves as the programme manager, has grown from six founding brands, including NIKE, Puma, Li Ning and adidas, to 17 brands.

“Through our partnership with SportAccord Convention, we hope to advance the delivery of world-class, sustainable sports events with future generations in mind,” White Paper coauthor Dr Velislava Ivanova, CH2M Hill’s Global Sustainability Practice Director, said. “Incorporating sustainability into a company’s supply chain is complex but the failure to act may be the biggest risk of all.” With CH2M Hill’s support, brands are now working together to integrate higher standards of environmental and business practices for their industry by eliminating the use of 11 classes of hazardous chemicals from textile production by 2020. Jessica Wollmuth, CH2M Hill’s Service Area Leader of Supply Chain Sustainability and the White Paper’s co-author, added: “By managing and improving environmental, social and economic performance throughout supply chains, companies can conserve resources, optimise processes, uncover product innovations, save costs, increase productivity and promote corporate values. “Research shows the business case for supply chain sustainability is growing.”

launched by BADMINTON England is called ‘No Strings Badminton’, which is aimed at increasing participation levels in the sport. Christy said that the project has not only succeeded in attracting more people to badminton, but has also exceeded expectations in terms of developing the sport. “No Strings has been hugely successful,” he said. “We have just seen our 50,000th participant and we have smashed through our target to have 350 No Strings venues in place by 2017 – we currently have almost 700. The key to its success is the flexibility and the clear financial benefit to operators of facilities who see the monetary value as a consequence of its popularity and therefore retain it as part of their programming.” Christy also highlighted a number of other programmes that are helping boost participation and interest levels. “Our other programmes such as Smash Up, Battle Badminton and Play Badminton have been launched with great success,” he added. “Smash Up is now in almost 1,000 schools and local facilities, Battle has more than 2,500 people competing regularly and Play Badminton is operating at more than 700 leisure sites across the country.” Such levels of interest and participation place the sport in a good position in terms of

commercial activity, and Christy admitted that BADMINTON England has “high hopes” of what it can achieve this year. The governing body has already agreed a seven-year extension to its deal with Yonex for the title rights to its All England Open Badminton Championships. “We have very high hopes for our commercial proposition, Christy said. “We believe we have some great assets from world-class performance to competitions and events to a huge community programme. We are a genuine cradle to grave sport. We have a great gender balance and practically every secondary school in the country has badminton courts, so our education reach is massive. “We also have some fantastically talented players, with great personalities, who each have their best years ahead of them and therefore offer a great proposition as they head towards medal success in the future. We have undertaken a wide-reaching asset evaluation and we are launching our sales strategy with a view to securing some great new partnerships.”  Adrian Christy will speak on the Panel Session, ‘The Rule-breakers and gamechangers’, from 16.00-17.00 during the Conference Programme on Wednesday 9 April.

news

new era beckons for convention S portAccord Convention Managing Director Nis Hatt believes the 2014 edition of sport’s top gathering will serve as the perfect setting for bringing the global sports family together as the event embarks on a new era. With the Headquarter Hotel conveniently attached to Susesi Convention Centre, and other Official Hotels situated within 15 minutes by shuttle bus, SportAccord Convention 2014 will offer the ideal opportunity for delegates to interact in a comfortable environment. “Belek/Antalya is truly a sports hub and therefore a great place for SportAccord Convention,” Hatt told The Daily. “The infrastructure and layout of the event will facilitate and foster natural networking opportunities for delegates. “This year there is a new President of SportAccord and SportAccord Convention, Marius L. Vizer, and a new President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. “These two leaders are very keen to be amongst the delegates and interacting with people on the ground. They will bring a new dynamism and energy to this year’s event.” Hatt urged delegates to make the most of the new SportAccord Convention mobile application, to arrange meetings as early as possible. “The mobile app is great tool – a one-stop shop for information about everything that is going on at the Convention,” he added. “Delegates need to be meticulous and careful in their planning. Who do they want to meet? What do they want to do? What is their objective of attending the Convention? “We have invested a lot of resources into the Conference Programme, which is focusing on sport’s new frontier. “The programme will feature keynote addresses in the mornings and panel discussions in the

afternoons. It has been a pleasure working with the Local Organising Committee, spearheaded by Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey – with any organisational issues resolved in a mutually beneficial and respectful manner. “I am really proud to be steering SportAccord Convention and working with colleagues across the international sporting community.” With President Vizer now at the helm, Hatt is convinced that there are exciting times ahead for SportAccord Convention. “There is no doubt that President Vizer will bring new energy and a new approach to the

‘The event will facilitate natural networking opportunities’ event, and we are already starting to see it this year,” he added. “President Vizer is a driver of change – not just for the sake of change – but for the sake of improving the Convention for the betterment of the world of sport. “SportAccord Convention is the most prestigious sports meeting in the world. “We will leverage this success and continue to add new elements of interest for the benefit of all involved. “I would like to pay a special thank you to our hosts, stakeholders, the International Olympic Committee, Partners, press and the media, and finally our delegates who all play an integral part in making this event a success year upon year.”

HOST: Nis Hatt is pleased with the facilities in Belek/Antalya

Cities must show they have the right credentials capabilities and their attractiveness as a venue. Inspirational, creative and a safe pair of hands – “In fact, bidding cities need to be at events like as well as a presence at SportAccord Convention SportAccord Convention to make everyone aware – are the headline credentials that candidates of what they have to offer.” need to demonstrate when bidding for major Governments need to demonstrate the events, according to Michael Cunnah. commitment and the finance necessary to host The Chairman of iSportconnect, which is a an event. That commitment needs to extend to Media Partner of SportAccord Convention, putting the right team in place and ensuring that believes that such requirements are becoming the necessary skills are available to build the increasingly important as competition between facilities and to operate them during the event. destinations raises the bar in bidding contests. markets: Legacy remains important, particularly in terms Cunnah, whose specialist areas include sports of helping to justify costs, but Cunnah explained rights and stadium development, gave The Daily Michael Cunnah that reputation is crucial and sporting events will be a personal insight ahead of moderating tomorrow’s City awarded to venues that can eliminate risk. Forum Panel Session on ‘Establishing New Markets’. “The owners of major sporting events will be very careful He used Singapore as an example of a destination that when choosing host venues as the reputation and the has invested heavily in facilities, although he stressed that value of each sporting event is at stake,” he added. such a policy brings no guarantees. “Cities need to establish themselves as being “Several cities have decided that they wish to host big inspirational and creative whilst, at the same time, being a events and have built the facilities anyway,” he said. “In safe pair of hands when an event is entrusted to them.” this way, these cities have eliminated any construction risk The threat of protests would be one concern when from their bids and therefore hope to demonstrate their considering candidates, underlining the need for unity. commitment and that they are a safe option. “It is vital for cities to keep their many stakeholders, “However, it is not enough for cities to think ‘build it and including the public, working together and supporting a they will come’. It is vital for bidding cities to promote their

bid. Major event owners will not want to go where there might be resistance, or worse, damaging protests. “Event owners need to demonstrate that their events attract interest from television audiences, generate media coverage and encourage engagement with the public. “The fundamental question that a bidding city needs to answer is: why are they doing it? If everyone, including the event owners, buys into the reasons for the bid, it will be more compelling and will allow every aspect of the event to be consistent, both in the design and execution.” Get it right and the subsequent rewards can be significant and long-lasting, according to Cunnah. “The difference can be in the planning and preparation,” he added. “In my experience of building the new Wembley Stadium, the most important phase was planning. Changing plans in mid-project is how things go wrong. “Hosting major events represents a very exciting and compelling experience. Cities that have got it right have benefited enormously from exposure, regeneration, legacies and many other real and tangible benefits.”  Michael Cunnah will moderate the session, ‘Establishing New Markets’, from 16.00-17.00 during the City Forum on Tuesday 8 April.

the big interview

Hooper ready to pass on Games baton outgoing chief Reflects on cgf journey M H

standing down: Mike Hooper

ike Hooper has seen it all since being appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) back in 2000. During Hooper’s tenure, the Commonwealth Games has travelled from Manchester in 2002 through to Glasgow in a couple of months’ time via Melbourne in 2006 and Delhi in 2010, while the CGF has undergone a transformation. Earlier this year, Hooper announced that he would be standing down after the conclusion of the 2014 Games. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be CEO of the Federation for almost 14 years and since joining the organisation we have grown immensely, not only in terms of the scale and scope of the Games, but also insofar as the level of support we now provide to both Organising Committees and our 71 Member Associations,” Hooper told The Daily. “With the backdrop of a recently concluded strategic review process and the move towards implementation, I felt that the time was right to pass the baton to a new leader for the next phase of the CGF’s development. “My focus remains on working with all stakeholders on delivering an outstanding Games in Glasgow and of course assisting with the successful transition to the next chapter of the CGF’s development.” For Hooper, a former Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, the focus is unquestionably on the delivery of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which will run from 23 July to 3 August. “Preparations for Glasgow have been going extremely well,” he added. “We recently concluded the final visit of our Co-ordination Commission and concluded that Glasgow 2014 is prepared for the Games. “These Games will be exceptional and this

is as a result of the strong partnerships forged since the award of the Games back in 2007. “The commitment by all local partners, the Organising Committee, the Scottish Government, the Glasgow City Council and our colleagues at Commonwealth Games Scotland to delivering an outstanding Games for the athletes of the Commonwealth is uncompromising. “In October 2012 our Co-ordination Commission, when commenting on progress, observed that the level of preparations at that time were impressive and presented opportunities for the best ever Games to take place, and this level of preparation has continued.” Following the well-documented challenges of the Delhi 2010 Games, the CGF will be hopeful of a smoother ride in Scotland. During the most recent Co-ordination Commission visit last month, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government and Commonwealth Games Scotland all reported on the progress. The Commission praised the local organisers for completing construction work at the Commonwealth Games Village and was also encouraged by the progress of work to temporarily convert the National Football Stadium at Hampden Park for athletics use as the Games’ centrepiece. Glasgow 2014’s corporate programme is also strong, with more than 30 corporate partners secured for the event. Hooper said that the biggest challenge he has faced has been “managing expectations, be they internal or external”.

He added: “The Commonwealth Games is very much of, and for, the Commonwealth. It does not have the resources of some other major international events and at times this can give rise to unrealistic expectations, particularly from a delivery point of view.”

owever, the CGF is determined to maximise the resources at its disposal. In 2012, the Federation appointed pmplegacy to undertake a strategic review of the organisation through to 2022 and beyond. The review covers the CGF’s vision, objectives, activities, governance, management and funding. “Not surprisingly, a key matter that flowed from the strategic review process was a call from members to undertake a detailed study of the sports programme for the Games looking at a broad range of issues, such as which sports should be core or optional, which disciplines should be included, how many sports should be on the Games programme and should athlete quotas be introduced, amongst many others,” Hooper added. “The sports programme drives the success or otherwise of the Games and in taking such decisions it is imperative that, in a Commonwealth context, the best product mix is delivered and in this regard, given the 2018 programme is already set, over the next few years this review process will be a major focus. “The Federation will work with all key stakeholders and in particular its Member

‘My focus remains on delivering an outstanding Games in Glasgow’

Associations, International Federations, Organising Committees, broadcasters and future and potential hosts so that this review delivers the best possible outcome for the Games movement. “Another key focus for the Federation postGlasgow is of course the successful delivery of the next edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa set for September 2015.” Looking back, Hooper is proud of his role in steering the CGF through the most significant phase of its development. “I have been privileged to work in sport at the highest level for the last 23 years, initially as Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and since 2000 as CEO of the CGF,” he added. “Knowing that what you do helps to deliver on athletes’ aspirations, looking to deliver an environment within which they can focus on being the best they can be, is so rewarding. “Within the Federation itself I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some very talented people both at board and CGA [Commonwealth Games Association] level, as well as within respective Organising Committees, their Games delivery partners and International Federations. “Together we have seen the Commonwealth Games and the Games movement grow both in size and stature on the world’s sporting stage, and I am proud to have been part of this. “As an organisation over the last 14 years, we have been able to substantially enhance the level of support provided to not only Games hosts but, importantly, to our members across the Commonwealth. “As I leave the Federation post-Glasgow, it will be in a lot stronger position to that which it was in when I joined back in 2000 and I am equally proud of my contribution in delivering this.”

social

on your marks Delegates got into the swing of things at the ‘Best Ball’ Golf Tournament (above) yesterday at the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort while SportAccord hosted a ‘Celebration Run’ in the framework of the first International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (left). After participating in the golf tournament – which was sponsored by JTA, a Silver Partner of the Convention – SportAccord Director General Vlad Marinescu (pictured left) welcomed 50 children and members of the Antalya Volunteers Association for the commemorative run at Susesi Luxury Resort & Convention Centre.

running with the stars

ow often do you get the chance to carry out your morning run in the company of famous faces from the world of athletics whilst taking in the glorious scenery of the sparkling Mediterranean? Thanks to the support of the IAAF, the global governing body of athletics, SportAccord Convention delegates will have that opportunity here in Belek. American heptathlon and long jump legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Italian high jumper Alessia Trost will be on hand to guide delegates on a five-kilometre run every morning from Monday to Friday this week. Joyner-Kersee is a three-time Olympic gold medal-winner and a four-time gold medalwinner at the World Championships, while

Trost is considered to be one of athletics’ future stars, having claimed gold medals at the 2009 World Youth Championships, 2012 World Junior Championships and 2013 European U-23 Championships. The free morning exercise sessions, which also include the option of a brisk 5km walk,

Today at a glance 08.30-12.00 – LawAccord (Press Briefing Room) MEETINGS 08.30-12.00 – IWGA General Annual Meeting (Main Auditorium) 13.30-17.30 – ARISF General Assembly (Main Auditorium) 17.30-19.00 – IMGA General Assembly (Press Briefing Room)

are open to all of the Convention’s participants, regardless of fitness levels. The meeting points are in the lobbies of all of the Official SportAccord Convention Hotels at 06.15, with the walk/run then taking place from 06.30-07.30. Then on Wednesday, delegates will have an opportunity to really kick-start their day with the SOCIAL 19.00-23.30 – SportAccord Convention AfterHours Bar 20.00 – ASOIF Dinner (drinks as of 19.00 – by invitation only) 20.00 – ARISF/IWGA Dinner (by invitation only) MORNING EXERCISE TODAY: 06.30-07.30 – Group Run/Walk (lobby of official Convention hotels at 06.15) TOMORROW: 06.30-07.30 – Group Run/Walk (lobby of official Convention hotels at 06.15)

IFMA Morning Muaythai Boxercise Class led by former world champion and TV personality Stephan Fox and his local instructors. The session will take place from 06.45-07.30 on Wednesday at the SportAccord Convention Sports Demo Zone at Susesi Luxury Resort & Convention Centre. If you want to take part, email ifmaadmin@gmail. com with your name, organisation and position, and then turn up wearing exercise clothes and sport shoes and bring a bottle of water, a towel and your determination! All participants will receive a certificate, gloves and a ‘Good Morning Belek’ tee-shirt to take home. The morning exercise sessions represent a great way to meet fellow delegates in an informal and friendly environment, see the sights of stunning Belek, and pump up energy levels ahead of a busy day of networking. So don’t miss out!

NEW TAIPEI CITY