Latin America

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A giant Sao Paulo has agreed a new kit partnership with Penalty worth over R$35 million (US$17.1 million) per year until 2015.

Brazilian giant Flamengo has signed off on a new 10-year kit partnership with Adidas worth a reported US$183 million.

The ATP World Tour will return to Colombia for the first time since 2002 after the Association of Tennis Professionals approved the sale of the Los Angeles tournament, a World Tour 250 event, to a Colombian entertainment and sports marketing company.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged Rio 2016 to step up its preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, warning that “time is ticking”.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has announced a five-year deal that will allow Bridgestone to become the new title sponsor of the Copa Libertadores.

Havas Sports & Entertainment (HS&E) has become the latest major agency to make a move into the Brazilian market by announcing a strategic partnership with independent experiential marketing agency, Benza Promotions & Events.

FIFA has warned that Manaus risks losing its host city status for the 2014 World Cup if it fails to speed up construction work on its stadium.

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has announced that Puebla will host its 2013 World Championships, marking the first time the event has been staged in Mexico.

Leading football rights agencies Kentaro and the Figer Group have joined forces to announce plans for a joint venture which aims to exploit opportunities within the Brazilian football market and beyond.

The game between Brazil and England to celebrate the reopening of the Maracana Stadium on June 2 next year, announced by Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral on Friday, does not yet have FIFA authorisation according to Jérôme Valcke, Secretary General of world football’s governing body.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has announced that Guiyang and Cali will host the World Cross Country Championships and World Youth Championships in 2015.

FIFA has signed up its penultimate national supporter for the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Confederations Cup after announcing a deal with Brazilian trade and investment agency Apex-Brasil.

Rio 2016 has restructured its senior management for the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games with Sidney Levy succeeding CEO Leonardo Gryner, who will now become chief operations officer of the organisation.

Brazilian authorities have revised the estimated cost of public spending on stadiums, airports and other infrastructure for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by more than US$1.7 billion.

FIFA has retained its original list of six host cities for Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup after world football’s governing body relaxed its deadline for delivery of the venues.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has maintained that this week’s naming of the host cities for the 2013 Confederations Cup is a “crucial moment” in the cycle of Brazil’s preparations for the tournament, along with the 2014 World Cup itself.