Africa

Four years after laying the first stone of the Diambars Football Academy in Senegal, Patrick Vieira, Jimmy Adjovi-Boco and Bernard Lama will return to the Academy this month and will announce new projects in partnership with both UNESCO and FIFA as well as partners from the private sector.

FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter was re-elected for a third term yesterday after standing unopposed at the organisation's 57th annual congress. Blatter reiterated his stance that the 2010 World Cup would definitely be hosted by South Africa despite constant speculation that the country may not be ready.

ESPN-Star Sports acquired the broadcast rights for cricket’s Afro-Asia Cup after Nimbus pullled out of the deal. Nimbus meanwhile acquired the rights for the India-South Africa ODI series.

Australia could avoid paying compensation to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union if the Australian federal government bans the Australian team from touring there later this year.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says a string of countries are lined up to take over the hosting of the 2010 World Cup should South Africa be unable to fulfil their commitments.

English Premier League soccer chiefs have struck a deal to breathe new commercial life into the domestic league of African nation Nigeria.

Organisers of the World Cross Country Championships in Kenya say adequate security is in place at the event – despite a warning by the US Embassy it could be a possible terrorist target.

The senior police officer leading security planning for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is to deliver a keynote address at the influential International Sports Security Summit at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London on Thursday.

A new elite cycle race, the Tour of South Africa will be held for the first time later this year. The seven-day event will start on 18 November 2007 with 20 teams of 6 riders taking part.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) agreed a deal with Yellow Pages to become its national sponsor for the domestic track and field season.

The British & Irish Lions appointed Accelerate as its exclusive commercial broker and sponsorship managers for the 2009 tour to South Africa.

The winners of the major contracts for work in South Africa ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup are to be announced before the end of the year, according to the country’s deputy minister of finance.

FIFA has rapped out a warning to South Africa to get work started on the venues it intends to use for the 2010 World Cup.

Cricket Kenya and Nimbus Sport agreed a long-term deal for Nimbus to manage the commercial rights of Cricket Kenya.

TSE Consulting and JAPPO (Dakar, Senegal) announced an agreement of mutual support for the African International Sports Convention (CISA) to be held in Dakar, Senegal from 1-3 February 2007.

Telkom Business signed a three-year deal to sponsor golf’s Women's World Cup of Golf.