Federations Roundup - FIFA Confirms Confederations Cup Venues

5/31/2012

FIFA Confirms 2013 Confederations Cup Venues

FIFA confirmed the venues and match schedule of the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. The event is seen as a test event for the 2014 World Cup.

Brasilia's 70,000-seat Mane Garrincha Stadium hosts the opening match on June 15, with the other host cities - Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador - each staging three of the 16 games. The final takes place at Rio’s Maracana Stadium on June 30.

Last week, the FIFA Executive Committee ratified the six-venue plan for next year’s eight-country competition. Amid concerns that stadium construction in Recife and Salvador is behind schedule, FIFA gave the cities until mid-November to show they can deliver on time.

The Confederations Cup already has one of the strongest line-ups ever, featuring the already qualified hosts Brazil, world champions Spain, Asian champions Japan, CONCACAF champions Mexico and South American champions Uruguay. The other spots will be filled by the African, European and Oceania champions.

“This event is more than just a curtain-raiser for what is to come in 2014," said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, who was joined at a Rio media briefing by sports minister Aldo Rebelo and LOC management board members Bebeto and Ronaldo.

"Yes, it is an important operational test for the country and host cities, but at the same time it showcases football at the highest level."

To read more visit World Football INSIDER.

Canoe WC Season Closes

Sprint canoe wraps up its World Cup season at the discipline’s venue from the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Top paddlers will stop by the Krylatskoye Sport Centre from Friday to Sunday for their last major competition ahead of the European Championships next month in Zagreb, Croatia and the London 2012 regatta in July.

Action from this weekend’s World Cup will be streamed live on the International Canoe Federation’s video website.

“Unprecedented” SportAccord Coverage

SportAccord says its 10th anniversary convention enjoyed “unprecedented” play on TV networks worldwide.

According to a Thursday release, NHK (Japan), Al Jazeera (Qatar), Telemadrid (Spain), RDS (Canada) and Radio Canada all broadcast live from Quebec City Convention Center throughout last week, including coverage of the 2020 shortlist announcement and the signing of a new revenue-sharing agreement between the IOC and USOC.

Cricket Project Taps TSE

TSE Consulting will assist with plans to launch a cricket league in North America.

The Lausanne-based consultancy was appointed to the job by Cricket Holdings America, a joint venture between New Zealand Cricket and the United States of America Cricket Association.

“We have taken time to put all the pieces in place for a successful league that will be a lasting addition to the sports industry in North America. We look forward to announcing the cities that will host teams in the near future and the development of new cricket facilities throughout America,” Cricket Holdings North America director Neil Maxwell said Thursday in a statement.

“We are delighted to be working with TSE and PROS whose combined knowledge of host cities and facility development is the perfect fit for us.”

Written by Mark Bisson and Matthew Grayson.

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