Sports News

West Bromwich Albion is delighted to confirm Principal Partner Ideal Heating will proudly adorn the front of the club’s shirts for a further three years. The UK’s largest heating firm became Baggies sponsors in 2018 and the new deal, which runs to the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, will see the partnership extend to a sixth campaign – making it one of the longest commercial relationships in the club’s history.  

Ideal Heating (formally Ideal Boilers) first agreed a deal with Albion at the start of the 2018/19 season, with the sponsorship taking social media by storm when the now-world-famous “Boilerman” – arguably the most iconic mascot of all time - was unveiled at The Hawthorns. The three-year partnership has gone from strength to strength, with Ideal Heating providing hundreds of tickets to local organisations, as well as merchandise competitions for Baggies fans, and many other successful, supporter-led initiatives.

Ideal Heating has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing heating technology here in the UK for more than a century. It’s known and loved by homeowners, business owners and installers alike for its industry-leading product range and its creative marketing and sponsorship activity.

Formerly known as Ideal Boilers, the rebrand to Ideal Heating in 2020 was designed to better reflect Ideal’s wide range of heating products and solutions. Alongside the rebrand, and as part of its commitment to a low carbon future in the UK, the business launched a specialist environmental division – hence the new green dot on the ‘i’ for Ideal. Simon King, Albion’s Chief Commercial Officer, is delighted to have extended the agreement, having worked closely with the club’s Principal Partner since 2018.

He said: “Ideal Heating are a brand that continues to grow rapidly and are at the forefront of innovation within their sector. They are a true partner in every sense of the word and it has been quite a journey with them so far, both on and off the pitch. I’m looking forward to seeing our long-standing relationship with Ideal Heating continue to flourish and we will strive to build on the fantastic results our partnership has already delivered.”

Chief Executive of Ideal Heating, Shaun Edwards, added: “We take our role as Principal Sponsor very seriously, but we also like to have a good time – which is why we get on so well with West Brom and its fans. Our legendary Boilerman character was born at The Hawthorns three years ago, and is now centre stage in all of our TV ads and installer materials.

“As well as being a part of the team’s success over the past few seasons, we’ve loved getting to know local people, and will continue to focus on our charity and community work throughout this next term. We’re incredibly excited to be back for another three years, and look forward to building on everything we’ve already achieved with the club.”

Ideal Heating’s new logo is already in place at The Hawthorns and will feature on club shirts for the 2021/22 season.

London Lions have won the BBL Trophy for the first time in their history after overcoming Plymouth Raiders 88-82 in a dramatic final live on Sky Sports at the University of Worcester Arena. It came after their WBBL team achieved the same thing earlier in the day.

It's Lions' third piece of silverware since January 2019, and atones for a defeat in the final of this competition two years ago against their capital city rivals, while also bouncing back from BBL Cup Final defeat in January.

London meant business from the off in this one, leading from tip-to-buzzer despite it being close late on. A DeAndre Liggins step-back and a steal and dunk from Dirk Williams sparked a 12-2 burst that made the score 18-7 in the first quarter, as they allowed Plymouth just one bucket in five minutes.

Rapid starts to the second and third periods kept Raiders close, with the latter being a 15-2 burst that included nine for Rickey McGill - who finished with a game-high 31 – and that was a theme of this game as Raiders stayed within striking distance throughout, but could never get in front.

Every time London's lead look threatened, it seemed like one of their standouts - Williams or Liggins - was there to hit a big shot. Williams snapped the third quarter run with a three-pointer, and then hit another in a 9-2 response that sent the lead back to 63-55.

Lions could never shake Plymouth off, and they were back within one shot on numerous occasions in the fourth period, including at 74-71 before Liggins made a big 'and-one' play. And with the game still on the line heading into the final minute, he made a free-throw and then had a second one that was bouncing around tipped in from the rim by the defence for two points, 84-77 with one minute to play.

There was still time for more late drama as Justin Robinson missed a pair of free-throws before Denzel Ubiaro tipped in to make it a one shot game with 12 seconds to go, but Orlando Parker iced a pair at the charity stripe to ultimately settle it. It was Liggins who lifted the MVP award, with a near triple-double of 19 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and five steals.

"I feel great,” DeAndre said. “We came out and played extremely hard, and we just fought to the end and came out victorious.

"We were battling covid earlier in the season, and I had to miss the Cup Final and felt really bad. That's something I couldn't control, so I'm glad that we could pull this one out and get the win.

"We couldn't miss this opportunity again. So I just came in focused from the jump, and we found a will and found a way to come through adversity in the game. We just kept fighting to come out victorious."

Head Coach Vince Macaulay said: "I need to shoutout to the London Lions fans because they are not here to enjoy this with us. We are doing this for them, working really hard in this environment with no one around us and it's for the fans, and I know they will appreciate getting this.

"We had to be animated today, and in all reality we were very focused on the job at hand. It was important for us to come out here and just concentrate on Lions and what we were doing, don't let anything take us out of what we need to do, and I think we did that very well all the way down the stretch.

"In sports it's all about winning, if you don't win it doesn't matter how well you have played. We have been there, stood on the side line while Newcastle Eagles lifted the Cup having played extremely well in that game. It's all about counting those trophies, because we want that to be the result of all our hard work."

Japanese authorities have told the Olympic and Paralympic committees that it was highly unlikely that entry to the country could be guaranteed. Organisers have said that the move now gives clarity to ticket holders and helps ensure a safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese public.

The Games are due to begin on July 23 with the Paralympics following a month later, from August 24. Organisers said that the Covid-19 situation in Japan and many other countries, global travel restrictions and emergence of variant strains of the virus had led to the decision and that ticket holders would be refunded.

The Olympics were postponed by a year in March last year because of the growing spread of coronavirus across the world. It is the first time in the event's history it has been postponed, with more than 11,000 athletes from about 200 countries scheduled to take part in 2020.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: “The move is a great sacrifice for everybody. We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic Games fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games. For this I am truly sorry.

"Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first. I know that our Japanese partners and friends did not reach this conclusion lightly. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 a great success."

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said: "Difficult decisions had to be made with safety the top priority.

"It goes without saying that in an ideal world we would prefer to have international spectators at the Games. But at the moment we must acknowledge that due to the global pandemic we are not living in an ideal world."

The British Olympic Association (BOA) said that while it is a very disappointing situation, it highlights the extreme determination to stage a safe event during the pandemic. A BOA statement said: "This is very sad news, not only for British fans but particularly for the family and friends of athletes."

The exclusion of international fans comes as another major financial blow to the Tokyo Games.

The competitor lists for the Müller British Athletics Marathon and 20km Walk Trials at Kew Gardens, London on Friday 26 March are now available to view. The event, which is the official trial for the marathon and 20km race walks for the Tokyo Olympic Games, will be streamed at britishathletics.org.uk

Ben Connor is the fastest in the men’s marathon field having gone inside the Olympic qualifying standard with a time of 2:11.20 at the Virgin Money London Marathon last October. He will be seeking one of the top two positions to earn automatic selection for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Dewi Griffiths will be among those who will also be chasing the qualifying standard at the event having posted a 2019 best of 2:11.46; his PB stands at 2:09.49 from 2017. In the women’s contest, Stephanie Davis is the fastest in the field having run inside the Olympic qualifying standard, posting a time of 2:27.40 in Valencia in 2019.

In the 20km race walks, Tom Bosworth headlines the men’s contest and is currently the only British athlete who holds the standard for Tokyo. Callum Wilkinson, who showed great form in clocking 39:05.85   in the 10,000m race walk earlier this month, will be chasing the 1:21.00 World Athletics qualifying mark having clocked a PB of 1:21.21 in Lithuania last September. The first two placed eligible athletes in each individual trial event, who hold an Olympic qualifying standard, will earn automatic selection for Tokyo.

Action will get underway from 6:00am with the men’s and women’s 20km race walks, while the men’s and women’s marathon races will start at 8am. The race walks start and finish in front of Palm House taking in 12 small laps, while the marathon begins at Kew Palace and finishes at Palm House, including one small lap and 12 large laps.

Katie Brazier, Competitions and Events Director at British Athletics, said: “With a week to go until the Müller British Athletics Marathon and 20km Walk Trials, excitement is really building. Although the event will be held behind-closed-doors, we are delighted the race walks and the marathon will be streamed at britishathletics.org.uk so it can be enjoyed by viewers at home.

“Our thanks go to all the stakeholders involved in delivering this event under challenging circumstances.”

British Athletics continues to adhere closely to the Government’s advice and Covid-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of all those involved in delivering and competing at events currently being staged.

Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has joined Birmingham Phoenix for this summer's Hundred competition.

The 30-year-old has won five Twenty20 World Cups and was named player of the decade by the International Cricket Council in December. New Zealand T20 captain - and the world's number one ranked batter - Sophie Devine will lead the side.

"It's always a special moment in sport when something like this comes along," Perry said. "I feel really chuffed that another country wanted me to come and play in their competition."

The new 100-ball competition, which was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, features eight city-based teams and begins on July 21. Phoenix's first fixture will be against London Spirit at Edgbaston two days later.

At 16, Ellyse became the youngest person - male or female - to represent Australia at cricket when she made her one-day international debut against New Zealand in Darwin. Just two weeks later, she made her senior debut for the country's football team and helped them reach the last eight of the 2011 World Cup, scoring a brilliant goal in their 3-1 defeat by Sweden.

In cricket, she has played eight Tests, 112 one-day-internationals and 120 T20s for Australia. Among her many achievements, in July 2019 she became the first cricketer to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20s.

Perry will link up with Birmingham Phoenix head coach Ben Sawyer, who is also assistant coach and fast bowling specialist for the Australian women's team.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games organisers and its partners have released a national Legacy Plan, outlining a series of Games’ firsts that will leave a lasting, positive impact on jobs, skills, education, culture, physical activity and investment across the West Midlands and the UK. It outlines how the Games’ £778 million public investment into the West Midlands is benefiting people in the region and beyond, will continue to do so after the Games, and can provide a legacy blueprint for future host cities.

The plan is delivered in partnership between the Birmingham 2022 organising committee, the Government, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority, Commonwealth Games Federation, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands Growth Company and Commonwealth Games England.

The national plan includes aims to deliver several Commonwealth Games firsts, including:

1.    The first carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games;

2.    The first time firms bidding for contracts must include a social value requirement;

3.    The largest business and tourism programme of any Games to attract international visitors and investment to the region and the UK;

4.    The first Games to fully integrate volunteers from all delivery partners into a united volunteer programme.

The legacy plan is united by Birmingham 2022’s vision to be the Games for Everyone. Its objectives will be delivered against the Games’ five missions: to bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, help the region grow and succeed, be a catalyst for change, and put us on the map. 

Across nine legacy programmes, the plan sets out a bold vision for how the Commonwealth Games can transform the region and unite communities across the West Midlands, the country and the Commonwealth with a message of hope and recovery following the pandemic. The plan includes:

·         State-of-the-art legacy facilities at the Alexander Stadium and Sandwell Aquatics Centre for community use after the Games 

·         1,400 homes in the first phase of the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme, with hundreds more in future phases;

·         A procurement spend of around £350 million to benefit businesses across the UK 

·         35,000 jobs and opportunities available, with the first Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy offering a blueprint for reaching disadvantaged groups;

·         200,000 hours of volunteer training for 12,500+ people, with a framework for developing skills and employability that could be replicated by future Games;

·         “Commonwealth Active Communities”, a £4 million Sport England fund to harness the power of the Games to support inactive people to become more active;

·         A six-month, UK-wide Cultural Festival reaching 2.5 million people and prioritising underrepresented communities, offering and a blueprint to support the long term growth of the arts and culture sector;

·         A £6 million Commonwealth Games Community Fund from Birmingham City Council to help communities build pride, respect and cohesion by celebrating the Games their way;

·         An ambition to directly engage with one million children and young people through a learning programme, with classroom resources on the Games offered to children across the UK and the Commonwealth; 

·         A £23.9 million programme to highlight the wealth of opportunities available in the West Midlands, as well as promoting England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland , around the world, enhancing the country’s profile as a destination for tourism, trade and investment and supporting post-pandemic recovery. The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before arriving in England, with communities across the UK encouraged to take part

·         The first Commonwealth Games to incorporate, measure and evidence the social value impacts and benefits of hosting the Games, offering a model to future host cities.

To mark the launch of the Legacy Plan, the Birmingham Poet Laureate and Birmingham 2022 Legacy and Benefits Committee member Casey Bailey has written a poem called “Dive In”, capturing the excitement and the opportunity that Birmingham 2022 bringing to the city, the region, the country and the Commonwealth. Birmingham 2022 is the biggest sport and cultural event in the UK since 2012, and the biggest ever held in the West Midlands. With 19 sports, including 8 para-sports, over 11 days of competition, the Games features the largest integrated para-sport programme at any Commonwealth Games, and will award more medals to women than men for the first time.

Research by the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2020 found significant economic benefits for Commonwealth Games host cities, including a £1 billion uplift for Gold Coast in Australia in 2018. 

Commenting on the legacy plan, John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “The Games is a truly unique moment to showcase our great city and region to the world. It will help us to draw all our neighbours together after the most challenging of times, with a sense of unity and purpose. The Games’ partners are embracing this once in a generation occasion with both hands to ensure the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games leads our recovery with a legacy of renewal, growth, hope and inspiration.

“We are determined that the connections, friendships, and opportunities that the Games will provide us with, will continue to flourish and thrive. As individuals, as neighbours, as communities and as a region we must seize the Games moment as our catalyst to a happier, healthier, and more prosperous future.”

Nicola Turner MBE - Director of Legacy (Cross-Partner), Birmingham 2022, said: “More than ever, it feels like 2022 will be an important year. From cleaner air to new jobs I’m seeing so many possibilities for how the Games can help the West Midlands become a fairer, greener, healthier and more prosperous place. Planning for the legacy starts now and, fuelled by the Games for everyone vision, we intend to make the most of it.” 

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “From day one, as we started developing the bid to host Birmingham 2022, I have emphasised that the Commonwealth Games will be more than 11 days of spectacular sporting action. Sitting alongside the council’s own vision for the city, the Legacy Plan outlines exactly how we and the other Games Partners will make this a reality.

“The Games are clearly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the lives of local people by generating business, delivering much-needed regeneration, being bold by promoting the city on the global stage and bringing our communities together. We will do everything we can to set the standard for future major events in Birmingham, across the Commonwealth, and beyond.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport and Tourism, said: "As the biggest sporting and cultural event ever held in the West Midlands, Birmingham 2022 is a global advert for the best of the UK that will leave a significant legacy. The games will create tens of thousands of jobs, volunteering opportunities and a boost to businesses in the West Midlands and beyond. It will help our country build back better from the pandemic and have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said: “One of the main reasons I fought so hard to help secure the Commonwealth Games for the West Midlands was the jobs it would create for local people – and that is exactly what the legacy plan sets out to do. 35,000 job and skills opportunities is an incredible number, and given the effect on livelihoods the coronavirus pandemic has had, it is mission critical we reach that number to help get people back into work as part of my two-year Mayoral jobs plan.

“Along with 1,400 new homes, a big step towards carbon neutrality by 2041, and a huge boost to West Midlands’ trade, the Commonwealth Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region that will deliver far more than a few medals.”

Bruce Robertson CGF Vice President said: “We know that the Commonwealth Games has consistently provided an economic boost of over £1 billion for previous host cities, along with an array of positive social and environmental benefits.  It is now the turn of Birmingham and the West Midlands to create an amazing new legacy. 

“I am particularly excited about Birmingham 2022 being the first carbon-neutral Games and the innovative approach to driving social value through procurement.  Birmingham 2022 will set a brilliant standard for all future editions of the Games.  It will be for the people of the West Midlands to deliver a successful legacy from Birmingham 2022 and I have every confidence they will do just that, achieving something very special that benefit future generations.”

Commonwealth Games England Chair, Ian Metcalfe, said: “As a born and bred Brummie, I am delighted that Team England`s athletes, coaches and support staff will be central actors in the delivery of a successful Games Legacy. I firmly believe that a major part of the story to tell our children will be of an inspirational Team England, the most diverse English sporting team to compete anywhere in the world. A story not just of their medal winning feats, but of their unity and togetherness – a Team England which represents us all. What a legacy this will be.”

Zaina Mistry, a coach at the City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club, said: “Birmingham and the West Midlands is so diverse, and I think the legacy of the Commonwealth Games will be to show that no matter who you are or where you’re from, you can take part and get involved. That is the message I am giving to the young people I coach every week.

“This is such a great opportunity for Birmingham; the Games will open up a lot of doors for young people in sport, seeing world class athletes on their doorstep and inspiring them to achieve. It will provide the young girls and boys I coach with role models they can look up to.”

According to the findings of an independent review into historical child sexual abuse in the game, "Significant institutional failings" by the Football Association meant it "did not do enough to keep children safe".

It found the FA was "too slow" to have sufficient protection measures in place between October 1995 and May 2000. It said there was no evidence the FA knew of a problem before summer 1995. The report focused on the abuse of children between 1970 and 2005.

It said: "The FA acted far too slowly to introduce appropriate and sufficient child protection measures, and to ensure that safeguarding was taken sufficiently seriously by those involved in the game. These are significant institutional failings for which there is no excuse."

The long awaited 710-page review, led by Clive Sheldon QC and commissioned by the FA in 2016, found:

·         Following high-profile convictions of child sexual abusers from the summer of 1995 until May 2000, the FA "could and should have done more to keep children safe".

·         There was a significant delay by the FA in putting in place sufficient child protection measures in football at that time. In that period, the FA "did not do enough" to keep children safe and "child protection was not regarded as an urgent priority".

·         Even after May 2000, when the FA launched a comprehensive child protection policy and programme, "mistakes were still made" by the FA.

·         The FA failed to ban two of the most notorious perpetrators of child sexual abuse, Barry Bennell and Bob Higgins, from involvement in football.

·         There were known to be at least 240 suspects and 692 survivors, yet relatively few people reported abuse and the actual level was likely to be far higher.

·         Where incidents of abuse were reported to people in authority at football clubs, their responses were "rarely competent or appropriate".

·         Abuse within football was "not commonplace". The overwhelming majority of young people were able to engage in football safely.

·         While several of the perpetrators knew each other, there was not evidence of a "paedophile ring" in football - Sheldon says: "I do not consider that perpetrators shared boys with one another for sexual purposes, or shared information with one another that would have facilitated child sexual abuse."

Sheldon's review has made 13 safeguarding recommendations, and he said: "Understanding and acknowledging the appalling abuse suffered by young players in the period covered by the review is important for its own sake. Survivors deserve to be listened to, and their suffering deserves to be properly recognised. As well as recognising and facing up to what happened in the past, it is also important that this terrible history is not repeated, and that everything possible is done now to safeguard the current and future generations of young players."

On 16 November 2016, former footballer Andy Woodward waived his right to anonymity to talk about how he was sexually abused by Bennell at Crewe Alexandra from the age of 11 to 15. Several other people contacted police in the following days, before former England and Tottenham player Paul Stewart said he was abused as a child by a coach, later named as Frank Roper.

Children's charity the NSPCC set up a hotline with the Football Association dedicated to footballers who had experienced sexual abuse - more than 860 calls were received in the first week. After investigations involving several police forces started, the FA announced an independent inquiry into non-recent child sex abuse, led by Sheldon.

The independent review made its first call for evidence in January 2017, writing to all football clubs in England and Wales, amateur and professional, asking for information about allegations between 1970 and 2005.

Sheldon's review said the FA was not aware that abuse had actually occurred in football prior to the summer of 1995, before Bennell had been convicted in Florida in connection with a football-related tour. The report found that the provision of child protection guidance was "not something which was happening widely within sport".

The report said that for much of the period the review covered:

·         club staff and officials were generally unaware of child protection issues;

·         they were not trained in child protection issues;

·         they did not identify or respond to signs of potential abuse;

·         and if they were aware of the signs, they did not examine them with curiosity or suspicion.

In March 2019, Manchester City set up a multi-million pound compensation scheme for victims of historical child sexual abuse carried out by former coaches. The report said that Manchester City senior management were aware of rumours and concerns about Barry Bennell's conduct in the early 1980s. "The club did not investigate these rumours. It should have done so. The club should also have investigated the arrangements for boys staying at Bennell's house."

Crewe Alexandra have reiterated that they were not aware of any sexual abuse by Bennell until 1994 when he was convicted of sexual assault, and did not receive a single complaint about sexual abuse by him. The Sheldon report said: "It is likely that three directors of Crewe Alexandra FC discussed concerns about Bennell which hinted at his sexual interest in children.

There’s no evidence that the advice of a senior police officer to the club's former chairman to keep a 'watching brief' on Bennell was heeded. The club should also have ensured that there were appropriate arrangements in place for boys staying overnight at Barry Bennell's house.

The boys should have been spoken to periodically to check that they were being properly cared for. Had such steps been taken, this might have led to boys making disclosures to the club".

Stoke City were "also aware of rumours about Bennell" during his time associated with the club in the early 1990s, said the report, and steps should have been taken to monitor his activities. Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Leicester paid damages to five victims of Langford in March 2020. The report said Aston Villa should have reported disclosures about sexual abuse by Langford to the police when his role as a scout was terminated in July 1989.

Southampton admitted "considerable failings" and said they were "deeply sorry" to young footballers abused by Higgins. The report found that Southampton and Peterborough FC were also aware of rumours about the inappropriate behaviour of Bob Higgins, and were aware that boys were staying at his home. This awareness should have resulted in greater monitoring by clubs. Had Higgins been properly monitored this might have prevented some of his abuse of young players.

At Chelsea, in relation to Eddie Heath, the Sheldon report said steps should have been taken to protect the young player who had made a disclosure about abuse in or around 1975. Newcastle United should have acted more quickly following disclosures of abuse by George Ormond at the youth club "Monty's" in early 1997.

Ormond was only removed from the club many months later, and after Ormond had been permitted to travel abroad with young players. The report found that despite being aware of the allegations, no additional safeguards were put in place by the club.

Among Sheldon's recommendations are the introduction of safeguarding training at several levels in the game, including all players and young people as well as the FA board and senior management team. He also recommends there should be safeguarding officers employed by all Premier League and English Football League clubs.

Chess player Koneru Humpy has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2020, following a public vote. The 33-year-old beat sprinter Dutee Chand, airgun shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and India hockey captain Rani Rampal to the award.

Humpy is the World Rapid Chess champion having won the title in December 2019 after a two-year maternity break. In 2020, she won the Cairns Cup, an elite-level tournament for the top female players.

She said: "Being an indoor game, chess doesn't get as much attention as sports like cricket gets in India. But with this award, I hope the game will draw people's attention." She added: "I won over the years because of my willpower and confidence. A female player should never think about quitting her game. Marriage and motherhood are just a part of our life and they should not change the course of our lives."

Born in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, Kuneru was identified as a chess prodigy at an early age by her father. She lived up to the reputation by becoming the youngest female grandmaster, aged 15, in 2002 - the record was broken by China's Hou Yifan in 2008. She received the Arjuna Award, one of India's top sporting honours, in 2003, and India's fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri, in 2007.

The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year initiative was launched in 2019 to celebrate female achievements in sport and highlight the issues and challenges faced by women and girls in India.

Former long jumper Anju Bobby George was given the Lifetime Achievement award for her contribution to Indian sport. She remains the only athlete to win a World Championship athletics medal for her country.

In the run up to the event a 'Sports Hackathon' was held, with the aim of adding more information about Indian sportswomen to Wikipedia in Indian languages. The project focused on athletes about whom there was minimal or no information available on the online encyclopaedia.

More than 300 entries of 50 Indian sportswomen were added into the site in collaboration with 300 journalism students in 13 universities across India.

Following making historical new grounds with Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney taking up ownership of the Welsh club, Wrexham has broken further new grounds by appointing Fleur Robinson as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Following her appointment, on the club’s official website a thrilled Fleur said: “I’m delighted to accept this fantastic position and I’m excited about joining one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world, which has both a proud history and a positive future.

“There are not many jobs that would have pulled me away from Burton Albion, a club I have helped develop from the second tier of non-league to two seasons in the Championship, but the prospect of joining Wrexham at the start of what I believe is about to be an incredible new era for the club was too exciting to pass up.”

Co-owner Reynolds said: “Fleur’s enthusiasm just shone through and having successfully navigated the journey to the EFL from the National League, she was able to offer us something different but exceptionally relevant.”

Fellow-owner McElhenney added: “Fleur will be a great leader for Wrexham. Her commitment to placing the Club at the centre of the community and experience in doing so was exceptionally attractive when you consider the importance we place on that area in our Mission Statement.”

The latest off-field development by the pair will see Fleur Robinson taking up her new position in June after she serves her notice period at her current club.

Former Brighton striker Maheta Molango is set to replace Gordon Taylor as chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association.

The 38-year-old Swiss, who spent four years working as chief executive of Spanish La Liga club Real Mallorca, has been recommended for his new position by an independent advisory panel. Taylor is to leave the role he has held since 1981 at the end of the season.

The players' board has approved of the appointment, but it is not yet formal. A statement from the players' union added that the PFA "will now look to finalise terms" with Molango, who qualified to be a lawyer in Spain after retiring from playing. Four independent non-executive directors have overseen the recruitment process.

The former Lincoln City, Oldham Athletic, Wrexham and Grays Athletic player will become only the second person in 40 years to lead the PFA when Taylor finally stands down two years after first announcing his intention to do so.

An independent QC-led review last year recommended a governance overhaul for the organisation. A Charity Commission investigation into the PFA charity is ongoing.

Qatar Airways, the official airline sponsor, and Qatar Duty Free (QDF), the official retail sponsor of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021, congratulate the Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, winner of the annual men’s international tennis tournament held at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Qatar. Basilashvili earned his fourth Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour title after defeating the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut during a thrilling final match on Saturday, 13 March.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways congratulates Nikoloz Basilashvili on his well-deserved win at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021 and we look forward to welcoming him back to Doha next year to defend his title.

“The Qatar ExxonMobil Open tournament is a highlight in the country’s thriving international sports calendar and remains an event that both the players and the fans look forward to. We are delighted to have supported the 29^th edition of the annual tennis championship.”

Qatar Airways Senior Vice-President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways is proud to bring together the world’s most talented tennis players here in Doha, to the delight of millions of fans who watched this prestigious event online. The successful hosting of such world-class sporting events further supports Qatar’s ambition to achieve sporting excellence in the region and empowers individuals and teams to realise their own potential.”

Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Mr. Thabet Musleh said: “It was a great pleasure hosting another successful tournament in partnership with the Qatar Tennis Federation. After an unpredictable and eventful competition, we are thrilled to congratulate Nikoloz Basilashvili on his fantastic win of this year’s ExxonMobil championship.  We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the players and to the QTF for making this much anticipated annual sporting event possible despite the ongoing challenges.”

Top-ranked tennis players including Roger Federer, Andrey Rublev, and Dominic Thiem were among the athletes at this year’s annual star-studded ATP Tour event. In all, 28 players made the entry list for the singles event of this year’s ATP Tour 250 series tournament, while 16 teams took part in the doubles event.

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open tournament is one of two high profile ATP Tour events hosted in the Middle East. The prestigious tennis championship received the ‘Tournament of the Year’ award in the 250 category on three occasions – 2015, 2017 and 2019 – as voted by ATP players.

The award-winning airline is proud to sponsor and support top-level athletes such as Ons Jabeur, the highest ranked Arab player in Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) history and Qatar Total Open 2021 wildcard, as well as some of the world’s biggest football clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, FC Bayern München, K.A.S. Eupen and Al Sadd SC.

As official FIFA partner, Qatar Airways has sponsored mega events such the 2019 and 2020 editions of FIFA Club World Cup and will sponsor the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The airline was also recently announced as the official airline sponsor for the UEFA Euro 2020, set to take place from 11 June – 11 July 2021, across 12 European cities.

Former undisputed middleweight world champion 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler has died. The American dominated the middleweight division from 1979 until his controversial defeat by Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987.

"Today, unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire," his wife Kay Hagler said. He fought 67 times during his 14-year professional career, winning 62. He triumphed on 52 occasions by knockout, while he drew two and lost three times.

In September 1980, Hagler fought Britain's Alan Minter at Wembley Stadium to claim his first world titles, winning the WBA and WBC belts. It followed Minter’s controversial outburst when, before the bout he said that he would never be beaten by a Black man. His most famous fight came in April 1985 when he fought Thomas 'Hit Man' Hearns over three brutal rounds - a classic known as 'The War'.

In 1982, he legally changed his name to "Marvelous Marvin Hagler because network announcers often did not refer to him by his nickname ‘Marvelous.’

He made 12 successful title defences until his defeat by Leonard by a split decision and he retired a year later. Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis tweeted: "The world is one great man less today.

"This one hits so hard also because he was the one I emulated my own training camps after when I saw how seriously he took his training camps." He added: "Not only was he a living legend, but I was proud to call him my friend. He was so full of life, energy and positivity in our conversations that you would never guess what a wrecking machine he was in the ring.

"Our wives would speak on the phone to connect us and I'll miss his voice saying 'It's Marvelous' on the other end of the line. Boxing lost an all-time great today," said promoter Frank Warren.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" to hear of the "incredible" Hagler's death. The Irishman added: "I'm honoured to have spent some amazing times with him. My heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kay and his family. Rest in Peace Champ."

British heavyweight Derek Chisora said Hagler was "one of the greatest".

Before the world super flyweight unification fight between Juan Estrada and Roman Gonzalez in Dallas on Saturday night, a "memorial count of 10" was led by ring announcer Michael Buffer, with the bell rung 10 times in Hagler's memory.

Hagler, an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, was 66.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player not to take a knee before kick-off as he stood before Saturday's win over West Brom, an action he hopes will highlight that more needs to be done to fight racism. In a statement, the 28-year-old said he "will continue to stand tall".

In February the Ivory Coast international said that he would no longer follow the initiative adopted in the Premier League last season after clubs started to take a knee before kick-off to support the Black Lives Matter movement, which rose to prominence following the death of George Floyd in the United States in May 2020.

He said: "My decision to stand at kick-off has been public knowledge. There is no right or wrong decision, but for me personally I feel kneeling has just become a part of the pre-match routine and at the moment it doesn't matter whether we kneel or stand, some of us still continue to receive abuse."

Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic says he is fully behind the stance that has been adopted by his team-mate. He said: "I support him 100%. We are taking a knee to show an example so, when kids see, they are asking why are players doing that. Wilfried is going further, he did it the other way, and I respect him 100%."

Palace manager Roy Hodgson added: "I would be surprised if there is anyone who has suggested for one minute that he is doing it because he doesn't care. He's doing it because he cares perhaps too much. He is making a strong statement. He doesn't think the things we are doing are having the same impact as they were at the beginning."

Zaha joins Championship clubs Derby, Bournemouth and Brentford in no longer taking part in the gesture pre-match. Earlier this season, Queens Park Rangers also stopped the gesture after director of football Les Ferdinand said its impact had been diluted. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has said taking the knee will continue until the end of the season but there will be fresh talks with players over the most effective way to move forward.

With 500 days to go until the start of Birmingham 2022, organisers have unveiled plans to deliver the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games. Outlined in its newly published sustainability pledge, Birmingham 2022 has laid clear a series of commitments and the steps it will take with the aim of achieving this milestone, as well as other operational workstreams that will help it become the most sustainable Commonwealth Games to date.

A critical part of this commitment is the forming of a new partnership with Severn Trent. Becoming Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter, Severn Trent will be responsible for delivering a series of initiatives that help offset the carbon generated by the Commonwealth Games and hopes to leave a positive social and environmental legacy of sustainability in the West Midlands.

Two of the standout initiatives that Severn Trent will be delivering on behalf of Birmingham 2022 include the creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 tennis-court-sized mini forests, to be built in urban areas across the West Midlands. Each mini forest will be linked to one of the nations and territories competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. The 2022 acres of forest, intended to be based in the West Midlands, will feature native species, and will not only help local people reconnect with nature, but will also help offset the carbon generated by the Games.

Improving the natural environment has a positive impact on natural water sources, which is why alongside already pledging to be a net zero carbon organisation by 2030, Severn Trent has committed to planting 1.3 million new trees and enhancing 5,000 hectares of biodiversity as part of its existing Great Big Nature Boost initiative.

Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 said: “We have always had strong ambitions to set new standards in all we do with these Commonwealth Games and make significant progress in areas that matter. 

“Our plan not only outlines how we will continue to support the regionwide economic recovery, but also demonstrates how we will leave a credible piece of social and environmental legacy. 

“Our new partnership with Severn Trent is incredibly important to achieving these ambitions, and it sets a compelling benchmark for how we deliver on all aspects of sustainability over the next 18 months.  Our commitment to become the first carbon-neutral Games is a significant one, and this marks just the start of our journey to make these Commonwealth Games the most sustainable to date”. 

CEO of Severn Trent, Liv Garfield, said: ‘’We’re delighted to be partnering with the Commonwealth Games and to play a leading role in helping make Birmingham 2022 the most sustainable games ever.  We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and operate, and to the lives of everyone that we serve. 

“And that’s why we just had to be involved. Through this exciting partnership we’ll build on our existing work and ambitions to deliver lasting social and environmental change by creating new green urban spaces, further enhancing biodiversity, promoting plastic-free thinking and ultimately delivering a carbon neutral legacy for generations to come.’’

CGF President, Dame Louise Martin said: “Birmingham 2022’s plan to stage the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games is an historic moment for Commonwealth Sport. It reinforces our commitment to ensure that the Games leaves a positive social and environmental legacy for generations to come.

“The creation of 2022 acres of forest, as well as 72 new urban forests in the West Midlands, is an inspired initiative that will provide numerous benefits for the local community. This will set a long-term blueprint for future Commonwealth Games that will make our event a global leader when it comes to staging sustainable, environmentally-sound sporting competition. I would like to give special recognition to our excellent team at CGF Partnerships (CGFP) in securing Birmingham 2022’s Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter.  Severn Trent is the perfect partner to help us deliver a carbon neutral legacy and we are delighted to be working with them.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport and Tourism said: "I'm delighted to support Birmingham 2022's ambition to be the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games. I hope this will set a new standard for major events as we look to build back greener and play our part in building a more sustainable future for us all.”

In addition to the ambition on carbon, and further detailed in its newly published sustainability pledge Birmingham 2022 lays clear the seven key pillars it will work on to become the most sustainable Commonwealth Games to date, including:

1.       Addressing carbon and air quality

Birmingham 2022 aims to be the first carbon neutral Commonwealth Games. It has conducted an independent, credible analysis of the Games likely carbon footprint to determine the baseline. The primary goal is to reduce carbon at every possible opportunity and offset what remains through credible initiatives with support from Severn Trent. The Games will also help the region to change the way it thinks about sustainable travel as it actively encourages the use of public transport and active travel to reduce congestion. This will help directly improve air quality, as well as overall health and wellbeing. Birmingham 2022 is working with experts on maximising the use of cleaner generators, supplying a modern and cleaner bus fleet, and aspiring to develop a car fleet containing hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition, the three-site campus village model which will see some athletes staying close to their training and competition sites will support us to reduce travel and carbon emissions.

2.       Promoting a circular economy (reducing and encouraging waste reduction)

Birmingham 2022 will work with subcontractors to reduce waste across the full Games footprint. It will also install free drinking-water refill points wherever possible to encourage people to use refillable water bottles. Additionally, wherever possible the Games will hire rather than buy equipment, and where it does buy equipment it will repurpose, reuse, and redistribute as many assets as possible at the end of the Games

3.       Delivering new conservation initiatives

The contractors working on the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre and Alexander Stadium developments, are being actively encouraged to increase the levels of biodiversity and bring improvements to the local environment. Furthermore, the Games partners will clean and clear 22 miles of canals through the ‘United by 2022’ partnership that exists with The Canals & Rivers Trust.  Conservation and sustainability will become core themes as part of the Games’ regional and international education programmes, and it will continue to work with expert organisations such as the National Trust, Environment Agency, and Carbon Trust, to make sure all activities are credible and measurable.

4.       Setting new standards in accessibility

The Games will offer the largest fully integrating para-sports programme in history.  This means accessibility has been firmly embedded from the outset in early planning for the Games and its existence. Offering access to sport for all means providing accessible venues, facilities, and barrier-free environments so that these once in a lifetime Games can be enjoyed by everyone and it is possible to do that independently. Birmingham 2022 has an ambition to reduce the disability employment gap. As a Disability Confident Employer the Games continues to review its processes to remove barriers for paid roles and volunteering opportunities to make them accessible to all.  Birmingham 2022 is also working to deliver the best accessibility standards across the Games, going beyond best practice for other major multi-sport events.

5.       Embedding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of Games delivery

The Games will be an event that is inclusive to all, regardless of gender, age, race, sexuality, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. We will actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce and build an inclusive environment for our employees as well as thousands of volunteers that are representative of the region and we will be transparent about workforce demographics; it will host the first Commonwealth Games with more female medal events than male medal events, and the largest ever integrated para sport programme; and provide an accessible ticketing policy to maximise participation across the local community.

6.       Promoting social value through all practices

The Games will provide jobs to try and help reduce unemployment and serve to upskill the workforce of the West Midlands. It will create around 40,000 new jobs and skills opportunities through its wider supply chain including over 12,500 volunteering roles. This will aid regional recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic, as well as helping to reduce poverty and exclusion. By measuring social value, we will contribute to how other publicly funded events and organisations could evidence social value and added benefits.  

7.       Ensure human rights are at the heart of the Games

The Games will align with all Human Rights law and UN best-practices, embedding human rights training at every level of the Games team’s structure to incorporate ethical trading, safeguarding, and freedom of speech. Furthermore, the Games will require all contractors and suppliers to demonstrate robust anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking measures.

The Birmingham 2022 sustainability pledge is intrinsically aligned to the Commonwealth Games Federations’ impact areas of peace, sustainability and prosperity as well as the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are clear and compelling, and task us all to work together to drive positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes by 2030.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As a city that aims to take a leading role in tackling climate change, there is so much in this sustainability pledge and the partnership plans with Severn Trent that complements what we are already doing.

“We have stated through our own Route To Zero project that we want to get to net zero carbon in the shortest possible time and only this month were reconfirmed as a Tree City of the World. The other social and economic pillars of the sustainability pledge also resonate strongly with everything we are doing at a city level. This pledge, when delivering on its ambitions, will undoubtedly bolster our efforts to improve life in Birmingham.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “The West Midlands is facing a very serious climate emergency, and in order to reach our #WM2041 goal of carbon neutrality by 2041 there are going to have to be some very radical steps taken.

“Today’s announcement about the Commonwealth Games being the first ever carbon-neutral games is exactly that, and the organisers alongside Severn Trent deserve enormous praise for such a bold and courageous move that sets a precedent right across the globe. We’re looking forward to working with Severn Trent on the really exciting plans to create 2022 acres of forest across the region in places that will benefit people across the West Midlands.”

“The move to carbon-neutrality for the Games should also help create thousands of jobs across the West Midlands, working hand in glove with my plan to get 100,000 people into work in the next two years to help the region recover from the economic damage the Covid-19 pandemic has caused.”

A team of 25 amateur cyclists will begin riding the full 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals in exactly 100 days. The Tour 21, which takes place from Saturday 19^th June – Sunday 11^th July, aims to raise in excess of £1,000,000 for national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia and the team are halfway to their fundraising total after recently surpassing £500,000.

Cure Leukaemia, which was announced as the first ever official Charity Partner of the Tour de France in the UK for the next three years, recorded a £1,500,000 fundraising shortfall in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and The Tour 21 team, which was increased from 20 to 25 riders after this event’s postponement last summer, aim to help the charity address this shortfall in funding by completing all 3,384km of the world’s most famous and prestigious professional cycling event.

All funds raised by The Tour 21 team will be invested in the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) which has been solely funded by Cure Leukaemia since January 2020. TAP is a network of specialist research nurses at 12 blood cancer centres located in the UK’s biggest cities and a facilitatory hub based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This network enables accelerated setup and delivery of potentially life-saving blood cancer clinical trials to run giving patients from a UK catchment area of over 20 million people access to treatments not currently available through standard care.

Leading the team on his final Tour de France challenge is ex-England footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia Patron Geoff Thomas, 56, who said: “We all know that this event will be gruelling and will test us to the limits both physically and mentally but the reason we are doing it is to raise over £1,000,000 for Cure Leukaemia to claw back the £1,500,000 fundraising shortfall the charity suffered. However tough the challenge is for us it is nothing compared to what blood cancer patients have to go through and I know that from personal experience.

“I am delighted that, as a team, we have reached the halfway mark with our fundraising, but we must keep our foot down now to ensure we can set off from Brittany on June 19^th knowing that we have exceeded £1,000,000 to sustain the TAP network and give hope to the 38,000 people diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK each year.”

Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin continued: “It is fantastic to see The Tour 21 team reaching £500,000 raised this far out from the start of the event but after such a challenging year in 2020. With a range of sponsorships opportunities still available for this event

including the jersey, team bus and comprehensive video content of the whole 21 stage event, it would be great if companies worldwide could support Geoff and the team surpass their fundraising target.

“With this being Geoff’s final major cycling challenge, we encourage everyone who has supported him over the years can do so once again to ensure he can hang up his cleats knowing this team has made a huge impact for blood cancer patients across the UK.”

Vertu Motors plc, the Gateshead-based motor retail group, has acquired the naming rights to the Eagles Community Arena in Newcastle in a five-year deal.

The purpose-built community, events and sports arena, which is home to the Newcastle Eagles basketball club, the most successful British Basketball team of all time, and the award-winning Eagles Community Foundation, will now be known as the Vertu Motors Arena.

The deal will see signage featuring the Vertu Motors name added to the Scotswood Road venue’s exterior, as well as new branding throughout the popular destination, which will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people visiting the city and watching British Basketball League games live on Sky Sports.

In addition to being the state-of-the-art venue for top-flight men’s and women’s basketball, the venue, which is owned and operated by the charity foundation, is a community and education hub with flexible spaces to host a wide range of business, entertainment and sporting events – ranging from meetings, conferences and weddings across its hospitality spaces up to large scale exhibitions and events in its multi-purpose arena with capacity crowds of up to 3,000 people.

As part of the arena’s firmly rooted commitment to its local area, since the start of the pandemic it has also been utilised as a COVID-19 testing centre, a base for food and sporting activity pack distribution and most recently it became the region’s biggest vaccination centre with up to 5,000 jabs being administered on site over a weekend.

Vertu Motors has a long-standing relationship with both the club and the charity. The region’s most successful sports team’s staff and players drive an iconic fleet of cars from the arena’s neighbouring Vertu Motors Honda dealership, which extended its support further into developing future generations of basketball players by sponsoring teams of young players participating in one of the foundation’s outreach programmes.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: “We are delighted to have our name above the door on this important events, sporting and community venue.

“The Vertu Motors Arena is a standout landmark in the city, which is visited not only by sports fans but businesses and local people and to have our name associated with it is an excellent opportunity for the business.

“The Arena is a hub for the local area, and we are proud to have the chance to support the valuable work the Foundation does and the many community initiatives that make the Arena a genuine community asset.

“Newcastle Eagles are an iconic sports team in the North East and one we are already working in partnership with and to extend that collaboration is extremely exciting.”

Sam Blake, chief executive officer of the Eagles Community Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to have such an incredible investment from Vertu Motors for the future of the foundation, this venue and our community.

“The past twelve months have been a tough road to walk for all of us, so we hope this news brings a much-needed boost and a smile to all of our Eagles families, friends and volunteers.

“We know everyone is looking forward to the return of sport, leisure, education and events over the coming months and we can’t wait to welcome it all to our newly renamed Vertu Motors Arena.”