Ryder Cup stalwarts Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam will join three of the world's top 10 players in Phuket for the $2.44 million Johnnie Walker Classic.
Woosnam captained Montgomerie and the European team to victory over the United States last September and the pair are the latest additions to a stellar field, along with former US Masters champion Mike Weir, for the March 1-4 tournament.
The co-sanctioned Classic, one of Asia's most prestigious events, has twice been held on the Thai island since its first edition in 1990 and will again be played at the Blue Canyon Country Club.
Already confirmed were world number three Australian Adam Scott and South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who are fifth and eighth respectively in the global standings.
Englishman Paul Casey, the winner of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship two weeks ago, is also set to play at the revamped Blue Canyon, which has undergone a major facelift since it staged the 1994 and 1998 events.
Montgomerie comes to Phuket off the back of a successful 2006, where he came close to victory in the US Open and made a record fifth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance for Europe.
The 1993 Johnnie Walker Classic is one of 35 career titles for Woosnam, who was an inspirational skipper for Europe at the K Club last year.
Weir makes his debut in the event and will be hoping for a successful start to 2007 after a neck injury hampered his progress over the last two years.
Phuket came close to losing the tri-sanctioned event after Thailand's military-backed government announced a ban on alcohol advertising, which was postponed days after it was due to take effect.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Visit the crazy Finns to see their crazy events in 2007
Finland: A land of Ice and Snow with a bunch of reserved golden locked people. Right? Wrong. While Finland has its fair share of ice and snow, the Finns are far from reserved. Only in this part of the world will you find Wife Carrying Championships, Sauna World Championships, Mobile Throwing World Championship and a whole handful of other strange and wonderful championships that are held each year.
It is in this cold part of the world where you find single and extremely good looking blonde nords gathering at the Haku Päällää, an annual matchmaking festival in Kurikka. There is also the Visuvesi Kissing Competition and the Kutemajärvi Sex Festival.
On the more serious note, what Finland really is famous for is Lordi, last year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner. 2007 will be a big year for Finland with not just a Finn holding the crown, but also the world’s largest music event being held in Helsinki in May.
Finland is also the home of popular sports such as Nordic Walking. Nordic Walking has taken Europe by storm and, along with the Swamp Soccer World Championships and the Aquajogging World Championships, Finland should be a great place to enjoy your sports.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Chelsea Football Club - Ticket and Chelsea Accommodation
Come and see the "Boys in Blue" play an English Premier League home match at Stamford Bridge. After a summer of big spending, expectations are high for Chelsea as they battle for top spot in the league as well as Europe.
With high expectations for the 2006/2007 English Premier League season, don't miss your opportunity to see one of the country's top clubs in action.
Your package includes two nights accommodation in The Hotel at Chelsea with breakfast and a ticket to a Chelsea FC English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. You also get a 3 course dinner at the hotel on the night of your arrival.
3 days / 2 nights Click here for more information and Booking Details »
Monday, January 22, 2007
Drug tests to rise 25 percent at 2008 Olympics
Around 4,500 dope tests will be conducted during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, rising up by 25% from Athens Games 2004, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) said in Beijing on Wednesday.
"As part of its zero tolerance approach to fighting doping, the International Olympic Committee has decided to increase the number of tests by a large amount," BOCOG executive vice president Yang Shu'an told reporters when attending an exhibition themed "The Olympic Movement and Anti-doping Drive".
"Final numbers are to be confirmed but are expected to be around 4,500, a 25 percent increase on Athens 2004," he added.
More than 3,500 tests were conducted during the Athens Games, also a 25 percent rise on the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney.
The exhibition, which will run through Saturday, reviews a number of doping cases in the past years and provides video display of anti-doping test process as well as computer inter-action means for visitors to test their knowledge about the anti-doping combat.
It is the first of its kind proposed by Beijing to target a wider audience instead of a number of specialists in the history of the Olympic Games. Similar exhibitions are expected to be organized in 2007 and 2008 in various parts of China.
"As part of its zero tolerance approach to fighting doping, the International Olympic Committee has decided to increase the number of tests by a large amount," BOCOG executive vice president Yang Shu'an told reporters when attending an exhibition themed "The Olympic Movement and Anti-doping Drive".
"Final numbers are to be confirmed but are expected to be around 4,500, a 25 percent increase on Athens 2004," he added.
More than 3,500 tests were conducted during the Athens Games, also a 25 percent rise on the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney.
The exhibition, which will run through Saturday, reviews a number of doping cases in the past years and provides video display of anti-doping test process as well as computer inter-action means for visitors to test their knowledge about the anti-doping combat.
It is the first of its kind proposed by Beijing to target a wider audience instead of a number of specialists in the history of the Olympic Games. Similar exhibitions are expected to be organized in 2007 and 2008 in various parts of China.
Bahrain: Middle East’s motor sport hub to host 2007 Grand Prix for another year
The Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious and sought after motor sport event in the world and, with millions of followers around the world, is a highly vied for event for the tourism industry.
To cater for the world-wide population of F1 racing fanatics, the Grand Prix does a tour of some of the world’s most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art racing circuits and the only one in the Middle East for the 2007 Grand Prix will be in Bahrain.
“This will be the fourth Grand Prix hosted by the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), which translate into an accolade for the nation and its people,” said BIC Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Relations Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa. “We are proud to hone the world of motorsport in the region. The circuit has kick started many regional championships and has complemented the new circuits that have developed in the past two years and the new ones on the rise.”
In fact, the countdown for the eagerly awaited Gulf Air sponsored 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix has begun with a regional tour of the Middle East.
The road show will begin in Grand Prix host city Bahrain on January 17 and from there, will move through Muscat, Beirut, Cairo, Kuwait, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai and the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. This will be the fourth time that this Gulf Air-BIC sponsored roadshow has been run and will be making 2007 an especially big year in an attempt to overshadow the success of all previous ones.
As manager sports marketing and sponsorship Hisham Abu Al Fateh said: “The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is the Middle East’s only F1 race and we want this event to be a shining example of the region’s emergence as a hub for motor sports.”
About F1 season 2007
To cater for the world-wide population of F1 racing fanatics, the Grand Prix does a tour of some of the world’s most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art racing circuits and the only one in the Middle East for the 2007 Grand Prix will be in Bahrain.
“This will be the fourth Grand Prix hosted by the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), which translate into an accolade for the nation and its people,” said BIC Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Relations Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa. “We are proud to hone the world of motorsport in the region. The circuit has kick started many regional championships and has complemented the new circuits that have developed in the past two years and the new ones on the rise.”
In fact, the countdown for the eagerly awaited Gulf Air sponsored 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix has begun with a regional tour of the Middle East.
The road show will begin in Grand Prix host city Bahrain on January 17 and from there, will move through Muscat, Beirut, Cairo, Kuwait, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai and the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. This will be the fourth time that this Gulf Air-BIC sponsored roadshow has been run and will be making 2007 an especially big year in an attempt to overshadow the success of all previous ones.
As manager sports marketing and sponsorship Hisham Abu Al Fateh said: “The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is the Middle East’s only F1 race and we want this event to be a shining example of the region’s emergence as a hub for motor sports.”
About F1 season 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Premiership clubs to get even richer in £625m TV deal
PREMIER League clubs will see incomes rise by between £10 million to £20 million each from next season after the agreement of a £625 million deal for overseas television rights.
The 20 teams competing in the Barclays Premiership will share in an astounding £2.725 billion pot over the next three seasons - 60 per cent or £1 billion more than the current three-year deal.
There will also be a positive spin-off with an extra £23 million, making a total of £38 million a year, being ploughed into grass-roots football.
Last season's champions Chelsea earned £30.4 million from Premier League TV money while bottom club Sunderland earned £16.8 million. From next season, the champions can expect to bring in close to £50 million and the side finishing bottom around £26 million.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "By focusing on the quality of the game, their players and their grounds, the clubs have produced a competition that people want to watch - both at matches and at home.
"That is the basis of our commercial success and I am confident that we will continue to invest in the best players and facilities to keep the Premier League where it is today - the most watched domestic football competition in the world."
Sports minister Richard Caborn welcomed the deal as being good for grass-roots football. Caborn and culture secretary Tessa Jowell both met the European Commission last year during their dispute with the Premier League, to urge them to allow a collective agreement because of the positive benefits.
Caborn said: "This is good news. It shows the Premier League is the number one domestic league in world football and I'm also pleased because it means a massive boost for the grass-roots with the amount of money increasing from £15 million a year to around £38 million a year."
The £2.725 billion is made up of £1.7 billion for domestic rights sold to Sky and Setanta, £400 million from highlights for broadcast on the internet and mobile phones, plus the latest £625 million overseas rights deal. The overseas deal is around double that agreed for the current three-year global rights deal.
Scudamore has travelled to India and is expected to announce tomorrow a number of international football projects that the Premier League are due to finance as a result of the new TV deals.
The 20 teams competing in the Barclays Premiership will share in an astounding £2.725 billion pot over the next three seasons - 60 per cent or £1 billion more than the current three-year deal.
There will also be a positive spin-off with an extra £23 million, making a total of £38 million a year, being ploughed into grass-roots football.
Last season's champions Chelsea earned £30.4 million from Premier League TV money while bottom club Sunderland earned £16.8 million. From next season, the champions can expect to bring in close to £50 million and the side finishing bottom around £26 million.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "By focusing on the quality of the game, their players and their grounds, the clubs have produced a competition that people want to watch - both at matches and at home.
"That is the basis of our commercial success and I am confident that we will continue to invest in the best players and facilities to keep the Premier League where it is today - the most watched domestic football competition in the world."
Sports minister Richard Caborn welcomed the deal as being good for grass-roots football. Caborn and culture secretary Tessa Jowell both met the European Commission last year during their dispute with the Premier League, to urge them to allow a collective agreement because of the positive benefits.
Caborn said: "This is good news. It shows the Premier League is the number one domestic league in world football and I'm also pleased because it means a massive boost for the grass-roots with the amount of money increasing from £15 million a year to around £38 million a year."
The £2.725 billion is made up of £1.7 billion for domestic rights sold to Sky and Setanta, £400 million from highlights for broadcast on the internet and mobile phones, plus the latest £625 million overseas rights deal. The overseas deal is around double that agreed for the current three-year global rights deal.
Scudamore has travelled to India and is expected to announce tomorrow a number of international football projects that the Premier League are due to finance as a result of the new TV deals.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Preview
United Arab Emirates resident Thomas Bjorn believes local knowledge could help him scoop the first prize at this week's $2 million Abu Dhabi Championship.
"It's a highly competitive field brimming with the world's top players but I have a significant advantage...which might just swing it," the 35-year-old Dane said.
"As a UAE resident, whatever I can do to help raise the profile of the game in my adopted home is a massive incentive for me."
Bjorn, restricted by a foot injury when he tied for 24th place in 2006, will need to be at his best this week to eclipse the likes of world number eight Retief Goosen, ninth-ranked Padraig Harrington and number 11 Sergio Garcia.
Britain's Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie, Robert Karlsson of Sweden and American Chris DiMarco will also be chasing the first prize of $333,330 in the second edition of the tournament.
The biggest sporting event held in the UAE capital was won last year by DiMarco.
Playing in his first European Tour competition outside the majors and World Golf Championships, the New Yorker shot a closing 67 to edge out Sweden's Henrik Stenson by one stroke.
The big-hitting Stenson will bid to go one better when he returns to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for Thursday's opening round.
Harrington, who topped last year's European order of merit, is looking forward to his debut appearance in the tournament.
"I missed the inaugural event but the feedback was that Abu Dhabi was a lush, green environment quite at odds with common perceptions of desert landscapes," said the Irishman.
"It will be a great way to start my year."
World Match Play champion Casey and eight-times European number one Montgomerie will also be making their first competitive outings of 2007.
American Notah Begay III, who earned his European Tour card at qualifying school in November, returns to the circuit proper for the first time since 2000.
Begay was a room mate of Tiger Woods during their days at Stanford University.
"It's a highly competitive field brimming with the world's top players but I have a significant advantage...which might just swing it," the 35-year-old Dane said.
"As a UAE resident, whatever I can do to help raise the profile of the game in my adopted home is a massive incentive for me."
Bjorn, restricted by a foot injury when he tied for 24th place in 2006, will need to be at his best this week to eclipse the likes of world number eight Retief Goosen, ninth-ranked Padraig Harrington and number 11 Sergio Garcia.
Britain's Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie, Robert Karlsson of Sweden and American Chris DiMarco will also be chasing the first prize of $333,330 in the second edition of the tournament.
The biggest sporting event held in the UAE capital was won last year by DiMarco.
Playing in his first European Tour competition outside the majors and World Golf Championships, the New Yorker shot a closing 67 to edge out Sweden's Henrik Stenson by one stroke.
Harrington, who topped last year's European order of merit, is looking forward to his debut appearance in the tournament.
"I missed the inaugural event but the feedback was that Abu Dhabi was a lush, green environment quite at odds with common perceptions of desert landscapes," said the Irishman.
"It will be a great way to start my year."
World Match Play champion Casey and eight-times European number one Montgomerie will also be making their first competitive outings of 2007.
American Notah Begay III, who earned his European Tour card at qualifying school in November, returns to the circuit proper for the first time since 2000.
Begay was a room mate of Tiger Woods during their days at Stanford University.
Ivanovic unveils AO outfit
Serbian teenage tennis star, Ana Ivanovic, debuted her new adidas on-court outfit for Australian Open 2007 on a floating catwalk in Melbourne yesterday.
One of the most promising female players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Ivanovic’s performances have already seen her awarded the WTA’s most improved player for 2006 and finish last year at No.16 in the world.
“I love fashion but when I'm on court, fit and comfort are the most important. With adilibria I get both so I'm really happy," Ivanovic said.
Ivanovic was actively involved in the design of the adilibria tennis collection. She met with the adidas design team several times, providing input and feedback on a range of preliminary concept drawings.
She has also provided feedback on colours and silhouettes for future seasons.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Alonso tips himself to win title
Fernando Alonso believes he can win a third consecutive world title despite his move from Renault to McLaren.
The Spaniard, 25, said at the launch of McLaren's new car that his team were favourites to win the title, despite not winning a race last year.
"I have full confidence in ourselves," said the double world champion.
"All the information I have about the aerodynamics and engine is so promising that if it transfers to the track we will have a very good car."
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Football coach Kuhn crowned "Swiss of the Year"
Television viewers across the country have named the coach of the national football team, Jakob "Köbi" Kuhn, Swiss personality of 2006.
The 63-year-old Kuhn is the fifth winner of the main prize and succeeds Peter Sauber, the founder of Switzerland's former Formula One racing team.
Actress Stephanie Glaser and snowboard Olympic gold medallist Tanja Frieden came second and third respectively in Saturday's award ceremony in Zurich.
Kuhn said he was very pleased with the prize. "It's an award for the whole football team which did so well," he told the SonntagsBlick newspaper.
Kuhn took the Swiss squad to the last 16 at last year's football World Cup in Germany, where they lost to Ukraine after a penalty shoot-out.
The 63-year-old Kuhn is the fifth winner of the main prize and succeeds Peter Sauber, the founder of Switzerland's former Formula One racing team.
Actress Stephanie Glaser and snowboard Olympic gold medallist Tanja Frieden came second and third respectively in Saturday's award ceremony in Zurich.
Kuhn said he was very pleased with the prize. "It's an award for the whole football team which did so well," he told the SonntagsBlick newspaper.
Kuhn took the Swiss squad to the last 16 at last year's football World Cup in Germany, where they lost to Ukraine after a penalty shoot-out.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Clijsters Stops Jankovic Streak In Sydney
Kim Clijsters stopped the victory run of Jelena Jankovic, salvaging a match point to lift a second title in four years at the Medibank International on Friday.
The Belgian third seed used her experience to defeat the surging Serb who already owns a title in 2007 and brought a nine-match win streak into the final. Clijsters secured a 4-6, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 win.
Clijsers saved a match point at 4-5 in the second set as a nervous Jankovic failed on two attempts to serve out the upset victory.
After more than two and a half hours, Clijsters moved through, securing her position as a title favourite at the Australian Open starting Monday.
The Belgian third seed used her experience to defeat the surging Serb who already owns a title in 2007 and brought a nine-match win streak into the final. Clijsters secured a 4-6, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 win.
Clijsers saved a match point at 4-5 in the second set as a nervous Jankovic failed on two attempts to serve out the upset victory.
After more than two and a half hours, Clijsters moved through, securing her position as a title favourite at the Australian Open starting Monday.
Europe in command
Defending champions Europe got off to a flying start on the first day of the Royal Trophy, surging to a healthy 3 1/2-½ lead over Asia after the foursomes matches.
Seve Ballesteros's team, hoping to repeat their victory from the inaugural contest last year, made the early headway after three of their four partnerships registered convincing victories over the hosts at the Amata Springs Country Club.
Seve Ballesteros's team, hoping to repeat their victory from the inaugural contest last year, made the early headway after three of their four partnerships registered convincing victories over the hosts at the Amata Springs Country Club.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Beckham quits Real for LA
David Beckham will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and join side Los Angeles Galaxy on a £128million ($250million) five-year deal.
The former England captain will leave Real in June and begin his new career in Major League Soccer in August.
Beckham said in a statement released to PA Sport: "This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons.
"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year.
"I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
The former England captain will leave Real in June and begin his new career in Major League Soccer in August.
Beckham said in a statement released to PA Sport: "This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons.
"After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year.
"I would like to thank the supporters and people of Madrid who have made my family and I feel so welcome in my time here, making this an extremely difficult decision to make.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Malaysia F1 test
Malaysia's Sepang circuit will host an official Formula One test for the first time after the Australian season-opener in March. Sole supplier Bridgestone confirmed on Monday that they would be providing tyres for the rare session in the Far East from March 27-29.
The 11 teams, who have set up a committee to coordinate limited testing during the season, had sought a Malaysian test after the March 18 race in Melbourne to avoid the expense of shipping freight from Australia to Europe and then back to Malaysia.
This year's race at Sepang on April 8 comes three weeks after Melbourne, rather than just two in the past. Last season Malaysia hosted its race on the weekend immediately after the Bahrain season-opener.
Bahrain is this year's third race, on April 15.
>> 2007 Formula One season - The 2007 Formula One season will be the 58th FIA Formula One World Championship season. Scheduled to begin on 18 March, it will end on 21 October, after seventeen Grands Prix.
"Almost all of the teams are based in Europe and it would make sense for them to commit their personnel to test the cars in Sepang instead of flying them back to the other side of the globe," circuit spokesman Azhar Ghazali told Malaysia's Star newspaper website.
Teams have traditionally been limited to testing in Europe once the championship has started.
The 11 teams, who have set up a committee to coordinate limited testing during the season, had sought a Malaysian test after the March 18 race in Melbourne to avoid the expense of shipping freight from Australia to Europe and then back to Malaysia.
This year's race at Sepang on April 8 comes three weeks after Melbourne, rather than just two in the past. Last season Malaysia hosted its race on the weekend immediately after the Bahrain season-opener.
Bahrain is this year's third race, on April 15.
>> 2007 Formula One season - The 2007 Formula One season will be the 58th FIA Formula One World Championship season. Scheduled to begin on 18 March, it will end on 21 October, after seventeen Grands Prix.
"Almost all of the teams are based in Europe and it would make sense for them to commit their personnel to test the cars in Sepang instead of flying them back to the other side of the globe," circuit spokesman Azhar Ghazali told Malaysia's Star newspaper website.
Teams have traditionally been limited to testing in Europe once the championship has started.
Golf: Qatar line-up named
Former winner Ernie Els, world number eight Retief Goosen and 11th-ranked Sergio Garcia will compete for a record prize fund of $2.2 million at this month's Qatar Masters in Doha.
Britain's Darren Clarke, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood, Chris DiMarco of the U.S. and Swedish title holder Henrik Stenson have also confirmed their entries for the Jan. 25-28 event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
"I strongly believe, with the calibre of players we have lined up, this year's Qatar Masters has the strongest in-depth field of all the events being staged in the region," tournament manager Chris Myers told the European's Tour official website.
Officials said the 10th anniversary would bear no resemblance to past editions, with improved hospitality facilities and activities.
Unlike other tour events in the region, entrance is free of charge to the public.
"The Qatari Government is striving to cement the country's position as the sporting centre of the Middle East," said a spokesman for the tournament sponsors.
"The 2006 Asian Games, the recent Qatar Tennis Open and March's MotoGP are just three examples of that ambition."
The Qatar Masters champion will pick up a first prize of $366,660.
Britain's Darren Clarke, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood, Chris DiMarco of the U.S. and Swedish title holder Henrik Stenson have also confirmed their entries for the Jan. 25-28 event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
"I strongly believe, with the calibre of players we have lined up, this year's Qatar Masters has the strongest in-depth field of all the events being staged in the region," tournament manager Chris Myers told the European's Tour official website.
Officials said the 10th anniversary would bear no resemblance to past editions, with improved hospitality facilities and activities.
Unlike other tour events in the region, entrance is free of charge to the public.
"The Qatari Government is striving to cement the country's position as the sporting centre of the Middle East," said a spokesman for the tournament sponsors.
"The 2006 Asian Games, the recent Qatar Tennis Open and March's MotoGP are just three examples of that ambition."
The Qatar Masters champion will pick up a first prize of $366,660.
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