The ICA Championship 2008 saw a massive response with nearly 350 players participating from the south of India including Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore and neighbouring cities. There was enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups. The open chess tournament saw a very strong response with the veterans and cream of the top talent participating.

Mr. Sushruta Reddy who is the ex. Jt. Secretary of United Karnataka Chess Association and a chess coach and founder of the Innovators Chess Academy has been a very active arbiter and a strong proponent of promoting the skill based game of chess and taking it to the masses. In recent times, people have shown active interest in participating in a completely new online blitz chess tournament model where people can play online tournaments for cash prizes and the game of chess is now spreading to the masses.

www.games24x7.com was the official sponsor for the ICA Championship 2008 where Mr. Reddy himself is an active player. Mr. Bhavin Pandya, co-founder and managing director of Games24x7.com said, “We have an active association with Mr. Sushruta Reddy right from the starting days of Games24x7.com and he has been an active player and a strong contributor to the development of the chess game on our website. We offer online chess and rummy tournaments catering to the needs of the Indian gaming enthusiast. When Mr. Reddy approached us with the opportunity for being part of ICA Championship, we were very enthusiastic and immediately confirmed our support in his noble initiative to expand chess tournaments in the southern part of India. “

Rahul Shandilya won the ICA Open Chess Championship 2008 when he defeated R Nagesh in the final round. Although Rahul tied with K.V.Sripad for the first place with 5.5 points apiece, the former finished ahead due to a higher tie breaker score.

The detailed list of winners of the ICA chess championships can be obtained by contacting the below mentioned contacts.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Games24x7.com – Games24x7.com is an Indian online games start-up founded by a group of entrepreneurs from IIT and IIM who have seen both eastern and western cultures and wish to bring the spirit of local Indian games to the masses. Games24x7.com is India’s first and only online games company to run daily skill based competitive tournaments with real cash prizes in rummy and chess.

About Innovator’s Chess Academy – Innovator’s Chess Academy (ICA) is one of the premier and most Active Chess Organizations in Bangalore. The Academy has organized nearly 50 Chess Tournaments since early 2005 besides providing Coaching to children in various parts of the City. The Academy also enjoys strong support from the United Karnataka Chess Association (UKCA). ICA founded by Mr. Sushruta Reddy, and supported by Vice Presidents, Mr. Durgesh and Mr. Karthik Shetty has now branched to Muscat and Oman.

For any further information please contact:

Sachin Uppal, Marketing Director,
Play Games24x7 Pvt.Ltd.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph:-+91-9987723454
sachin.uppal@games24x7.com

Sushruta Reddy
National Arbiter and Secretary,
Innovators Chess Academy
Bangalore, Karnataka
Ph:-+91- 9886358313
sushruthareddy@yahoo.co.in

Starting today, the public can buy tickets by logging on to www.kyazoonga.com - the ticketing website of the official Ticketing Partner.

Ticket price categories will be as follows:

• Student Block – Rs.100 (only available at the PCA Stadium)
• Chair Block – Rs.300 (only available at the PCA Stadium)
• VIP Block – Rs.1,000
• North Pavilion – Rs.2,000
• Pavilion Terrace – Rs.5,000
• A.C. Lounge – Rs.10,000
• Corporate Box – Rs.20,000 per seat (40 seats per corporate box sold together)

For further details, please log on to www.kyazoonga.com or call the KyaZoonga ticketing call centre at 011-2323-7527. Online help is also available on the website. Tickets will also be available for cash purchase at designated retail e-ticket outlets that will be listed on the website.

Box-office locations at the PCA Stadium will be operational from October 14, 2008 until the final day of the Match on October 21, 2008.

By offering tickets online and offline, PCA, in keeping with international standards, has decided to make the process of purchasing tickets to the match easy and convenient for cricket fans. Users are provided the ease of a virtual box office in their homes, offices and on the go, in a seamless transaction experience. Credit cards, debit cards and cash will be accepted as modes of payment for purchase and delivery of tickets. Delivery options will include courier or a will-call window for pick-up at the venue.

For the will-call pickup option, customers can collect tickets at the venue starting October 12th to October 15th and at PUDA Bhawan, Near Fortis Hospital, Phase 8, Mohali from October 16th to October 21st. It is recommended that tickets be picked up before match days to avoid rush and potential delays. Customers will need to bring the credit/debit card used for the purchase, a valid photo ID, a clear copy of the photo ID and the confirmation page. If sending someone else to collect on their behalf, customers are requested to send an authorization letter in addition to all of the above. The person authorized also needs to carry her/his original photo identification along with a photocopy.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Mr. I.S. Bindra, President, PCA commented, “Our goal is to provide access to all cricket fans in and around Punjab and all across India to some world class cricket between India and Australia. To that end, we are facilitating a convenient process for people to purchase tickets and get access to all pertinent information regarding the facilities from the comfort of their home, office or nearby convenient store. Nearly 50% of the tickets for the match will be reserved for the two lowest-priced categories, so the youth of the city and state have the opportunity to witness cricket between two of the world’s greatest teams.”

Neetu Bhatia, Chairman and CEO of KyaZoonga and a former national cricketer herself, said, “Having just successfully completed ticketing for the inaugural DLF-IPL season in Mumbai and Delhi and continuing to bring ease of access to sports fans across the world for the Commonwealth Youth Games, we now hope to bring our world-class ticketing facilities to the people of Punjab. We are proud to be associated with PCA and will continue our endeavor to provide a seamless customer experience.”

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Punjab Cricket Association (PCA):

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is the governing body for the development and organization of the game of cricket in the State of Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The cricketing activities of PCA are well spread in the total area of Punjab and Union Territory. PCA is instrumental in running the coaching and other activities in all major districts like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana and Chandigarh and other districts like Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur.

About KyaZoonga:

KyaZoonga (www.KyaZoonga.com) isIndia's first,nation-wide, sports and entertainment ticketing company. Founded in 2006 by Wall Street investment banker Neetu Bhatia, Silicon Valley engineer Akash Bhatia and management consultant Arpita Majumder, KyaZoongabrings together all the major sports and entertainment venues in the country, including sports complexes, cricket stadiums, multiplextheatre chains, and other theatres, under one ticketing roof. KyaZoonga’s mission is to make the sports and entertainment-going experience easy, convenient and fun for the Indian consumer along with several value-added features.KyaZoonga's management team, advisory board and VC backers have a combined experience base of over 100 years in the media, entertainment, Internet and mobile sectors. The company is backed by a $10 billion New York hedge fund that has multiple investments in cutting edge e-media companies.

Announcing the title sponsorship, Venk Krishnan, CEO of NuWare said that the tournament fit nicely with the company's culture.

"We are a technology solutions company with a presence both in the U.S. and India. A lot of our employees play the game and we have cricket teams at both of our offshore centers as well as in USA. That's a key reason why we are delighted to join hands with DreamCricket," Mr. Krishnan said.

"This tournament marks the continuation of the NuWare's longstanding support of cricket," Mr. Krishnan noted.

Mr. Krishnan, who now lives in Bangalore, was the Founder and President of the Sayreville Gladiators club in New Jersey before he relocated to India in 2006. The Gladiators cricket club won the GSCL knockout tournament in 2007. Mr. Krishnan is also a board member of Sportingmindz (www.sportingmindz.com) .

According to Mr.Krishnan, the New Jersey T20 tournament's greater visibility makes it more attractive for corporate involvement.

"I have first-hand experience with cricket organization and am aware of the immense potential that cricket has in USA. I have always been a firm believer that USA, specifically the East Coast, is ready for a professional-grade tournament. The NuWare New Jersey T20 is the first step on a long journey to bring high-quality cricket to the country. We are excited to be part of this journey," Mr. Krishnan noted.

Venu Palaparthi, Director of DreamCricket.com and Tournament Commissioner said: "We are truly delighted with NuWare's commitment to further elevate the tournament in its inaugural year. NuWare's support allows us to enhance the experience for both players and fans. The winner of the inaugural NuWare New Jersey T20 will take home the NuWare Cup in addition to $5000 cash."

NuWare is a niche supplier of remote infrastructure management solutions and strategic offshore IT services with corporate head quarters in Iselin, NJ and offshore centers in Bangalore and Chennai in India.

NuWare joins other blue-chip sponsors for the event including Reebok, Citibank NRI Services, Murtha Cullina LLP, Smith Barney,Stuart Sport and TechnoPrism.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Dreamcricket.com is USA's leading cricket portal. Based in Hillsborough (New Jersey), DreamCricket operates an indoor cricket center, coaching academy and online as well as offline cricket store. DreamCricket.com is entering the event space with the New Jersey T20 cricket event.

Leading research organisation ‘The Nielsen Company’ conducted the research spanning 17 product and service categories across the country in 21 cities and 84 rural centres, with around 10,000 respondents covering all strata of society - voicing their opinion about their most preferred brands.

Being the fourth year of CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards, three special categories were introduced this year and the winners were selected through a poll conducted by the channel and a panel of esteemed jury.

· Entertainment Brand Ambassador of the Year – Akshay Kumar

· For Transforming Cricket in India – Lalit Modi

· Hall of Fame – BSNL

Indian Premier League has established itself as a successful brand through its first season, in terms of television viewership, spectators and sponsorship. CNBC AWAAZ recognized the contribution made by Mr. Lalit Modi to the field of cricket and felicitated him with a special award for transforming cricket in India at the ‘CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards 2008’.

While speaking at the occasion Mr. Sharad Pawar, Hon Minister Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution mentioned that common man is becoming increasingly aware of the brands at their disposal. India is one of the very few countries that have consumer protection law. He also added by saying that 86% of the cases in consumer courts are resolved within 6 months. While speaking on the success of IPL he said that IPL is one of the strongest Indian brands that India has in the world. On a lighter side he quipped that he doesn’t know who has become a bigger brand, IPL or Lalit Modi.

While receiving the award Mr. Lalit Modi mentioned that the idea of IPL was with the BCCI for many years but it was put on the back burner till Mr Sharad Pawar took the initiative of building cricket in India as a brand.

Keeping the brand perspective in mind, most companies have now started exploring lucrative opportunities in rural market and are making their brands available in these areas, as trends indicate that these rural markets are coming up in a big way and growing twice as fast as the urban ones. However, to tap these markets, the companies must communicate with their audiences in Hindi as it happens to be a major driving force for mass communication.

CNBC AWAAZ, India’s No.1 Business Channel has been a pioneer in the Hindi business and consumer channel segment and has always captured the pulse of the market. Hindi as a language is witnessing increasing attention from advertisers. This phenomenon was discussed at an interactive session at ‘CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards 2008’. Another discussion that gained a lot of audience participation was about consumer perspective on 'Brand India’. The discussions were hosted by the dynamic duo of Anuradha Sen Gupta - editor-anchor of CNBC-TV18’s flagship feature show "Storyboard" and Prasoon Joshi- Chairman (Asia Pacific) - McCann-Erickson.

Commenting on the CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards, Mr. Neel Chowdhury, Vice President, Marketing CNBC-TV18 and CNBC AWAAZ said: “The marketers who understand the rural consumer and fine tune their strategy are sure to reap benefits in the coming years. In fact, the leadership in any product or service is linked to leadership in rural India. That is why CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards laid special emphasis on rural areas, with a quest to figure out India’s most preferred brands. Over the years CNBC AWAAZ continues to be the Voice of the Indian Consumer by adding new insights to its awards every year”.

The winning brands in various categories for the ‘CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Awards 2008’ are:

Category

Winners

CONSUMER DURABLES

Most Preferred White Goods Brand

LG

Most Preferred Consumer Electronics Brand

LG

TELECOM

Most Preferred Cellular Service Provider

Airtel

Most Preferred Handset Provider

Nokia

FMCG

Most Preferred Personal Care Brand

HUL

Most Preferred Food & Beverage Brand

Parle

Most Preferred Home Care Brand

HUL

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Most Preferred Bank

State Bank of India

Most Preferred Life Insurance Policy

Life Insurance Corporation Of India

Most Preferred Credit Cards

ICICI Bank Credit Cards

Most Preferred Housing Loan

SBI Home Loans

Most Preferred Auto Loan

ICICI Bank Car Loans

RETAIL

Most Preferred Multi Brand Food Retail Chain

Big Bazaar

Most Preferred Fast Food and Beverage Chain

Café Coffee Day

Most Preferred Lifestyle Brand

Tanishq

AUTOMOBILES

Most Preferred Car Brand

Maruti

Most Preferred Two Wheelers Brand

Hero Honda

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About CNBC AWAAZ:

CNBC AWAAZ is India’s No1 Business channel. The channel reaches out to India’s affluent Hindi speaking consumers and is a credible source for timely information on intelligent investing, saving, spending decisions, as well as the latest career opportunities. The CNBC AWAAZ editorial team brings with them more than 19 years of experience each and a nation wide network spanning more than 49 cities. The reporting team is backed by a strong research set up, the first of its kind in India that specializes in research including consumer research, commodity markets, small business related information and stock markets.

Eight international teams – including an All-Stars side boasting test legends Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming – will take part in the weekend spectacular, to be held 8-9 November.

"Cathay Pacific has supported the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes for many years and we are delighted to be the Official Airline for the 2008 event,” said the airline’s director of sales and marketing, James Barrington.

“It’s very rare that you get the chance to see great sportsmen play in a venue as atmospheric as the Kowloon Cricket Club, and the inclusion of the All-Stars team makes the Sixes all the more enticing.

“Cathay Pacific is committed to bringing world-class events to our home city and we look forward to some top cricketing action in November.”

Tournament director Mark Burns said: "We are delighted with this important agreement and would like to express our gratitude to Cathay Pacific for their continuing support of the Sixes."

Organisers also announced today that the Eaton Hotel in Kowloon will be the Official Hotel for the event.

“We are very happy to be the Official Hotel for the 2008 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and we are looking forward to playing a key role in making the tournament a major success," said Eaton Hotel manager Melanie Smith.

“It is our intention to turn the Eaton Hotel into a hub of activity for players, officials and fans alike during Sixes week and we will be doing our best to ensure all our Sixes guests have a memorable and pleasant stay.”

Following the deals with Cathay Pacific and the Eaton Hotel, tournament organisers expect to announce further sponsorship and official partner agreements soon.

“Although we are operating in a very difficult market with everything that is going on in the global economy, we are close to signing more sponsorship contracts covering other key aspects of the event," said Burns.

“However, we still have available a number of very good sponsorship opportunities, as well as some new hospitality space that has been created and is available on a first-come, first-served basis."

Sixes organisers previously announced the signing of the biggest TV deal in the tournament’s history, meaning an estimated 100 million fans around the world will be able to watch the action.

The showpiece will be broadcast live by Dubai-based Taj TV on its Ten Sports outlet, the world’s leading producer of cricket.

First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes continues to be fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and is the sport's longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes tournament.

Players who have taken part over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram.

The tournament is organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association’s commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited. The HKCA’s proceeds from the Sixes will be ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

We believe that there is a player in every one of us and the best way to celebrate is Go Play. This is the belief on which Playgroundonline is founded. www.playgroundonline.com hosts a variety of products related to Sports, Games and Fitness, along with extensive information about the products, brands as well as the Sports. Playgroundonline brings in host of player/fan specific content that is relevant to players who are seeking to improve their game.

“We are delighted to be nominated for TATA NEN Hottest Startups Awards. This is a great opportunity for young and upcoming companies to showcase their products and services and get much needed exposure and experience. We compliment TATA NEN for instituting this award and we believe that this will go a long way in nurturing the entrepreneurial talent in this country” say the founders Srini Battula and Ramakrishna Kalluri of Playgroundonline.com

The First ever ‘Public Choice’ awards to recognize India’s new wave of growth, the TATA NEN Hottest Startups is an online contest where people can nominate companies & vote for them both on internet & through SMS.

The Awards are a unique collaboration between the Tata Group, India’s most respected business conglomerate and National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN), the largest representatives of new & future entrepreneurs in India. The Awards aim to showcase and recognize high potential young companies in India, with the goal to attract visibility for over 800 entrepreneurs & their ventures in India, and engage over 5,00,000 people.

The TATA NEN Hottest Startups Awards are designed to engage the public in the selection process. People can nominate and check out the nominations online. Voting can be done online or via sms. Comments can be shared online about the Nominees – people can campaign for their favorite startup, get their friends to vote and participate in Hottest Startup events! People can also enter Lucky Draws to win Hottest Stuff! More information and company profile at www.hotteststartups.in

Prizes in the TATA NEN Startup Awards include:

• Business training, mentoring and incubation support of upto Rs. 50 lakhs by IIM-A and CIIE
• Incubation opportunity to a befitting venture by IIM-B and NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL)
• Admission to Microsoft’s StartUp Accelerator Program for at least one winner
• All Shortlisted startups will get admission to TiE Mumbai’s nurturing program

The 2008 Tata-NEN Startups Awards will showcase a wide range of high potential startups from multiple sectors, ranging from healthcare, retail, mobile technologies, biotech, hospitality, lifestyle, IT and service providers.

Lending support in the cause are Helion Ventures, Seedfund and Wadhwani Foundation. In addition, all the established entrepreneurial, academic and corporate communities including, Microsoft, IIM-Bangalore, IIM-Ahmedabad, Open Coffee Club chapters, Mumbai Angels, Indian Angel Network, Venture Woods, Proto.in, Kickstart and TiE are partnering in the initiative.

Voting for the TATA NEN Startups Awards opened on August 27, 2008. Last date for sending nominations is October 22, 2008. In phase I, public votes and expert reviews will decide the 30 shortlisted companies, which will be announced on November 6. Phase II will comprise on-ground and online campaigning by the 30 shortlisted startups and culminate into a major voting drive where the public will vote for the Top 5 Winners who will be declared on December 23, 2008.

For more information on us, visit our site www.playgroundonline.com

For more information on TATA NEN Hottest Startups visit www.hotteststartups.in

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Playground Sports India Private limited is engaged in retail sales of spots goods, apparel, footwear, Fitness products, video gaming and Toys & Games. It is primarily focused on operating an online e-commerce site www.playgroundonline.com, which focuses exclusively on sports goods and related segments. This is one of its kind of e-commerce site in India and it offers a great choice to sports lovers in India and across the world. Playground Sports is based in Bangalore, India

In a discussion on the pathetic condition of Indian Sports in Khel Se Khilwad, Mr. Digvijay Singh alleged that the shooters are ungrateful when they suggest that the federation has not helped them. According to Mr. Singh, the success of shooters like Abhinav Bindra and Jaspal Rana has been possible due to the system set up by the Indian Shooting federation, but success seem to have gone to their heads as these statements betray arrogance. Reacting strongly to Digvijay Singh's remarks Asiad Gold Medallist, Jaspal Rana said that the present system cannot produce champions.

Rana said "I have not picked up my pistol after 2006, due to the paucity of ammunition, but till date no one from the federation has even bothered to find out why I am not practising."

Mr. A S Bindra, father of the Olympic Gold MedalistAbhinav Bindraalso had strong words to say about the working of the Shooting Federation. Mr. Bindracommented that the Shooters have to spend their own money in order to buy ammunition and practise. Mr Bindra also demanded that the Federation reveal their accounts, to show how the money is spent.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About NDTV

NDTV Ltd, founded in 1988, is India's largest news and infotainment network. It is home to the country's best and brightest reporters, anchors, camerapersons and producers; 23 offices and studios across the country host India's most modern and sophisticated production, newsgathering and archiving facilities. NDTV has an unmatched track record oflaunchingthe most successful news channels in India andthreeabroad: Its flagship channel NDTV 24x7 is a clear leader in the English news segment, NDTV Profit, a 24-hour business plus channel, is India’sleading business news channel, and NDTV India is amongst the country's most credible Hindi news channels. NDTV is credited with pioneering several broadcasting and programming initiatives in Indian television setting award winning benchmarks in reporting and production. The group has now expanded into one of the nation’s biggest broadcasting houses by growing beyond news into Entertainment and Lifestyle Broadcasting, Media Process Outsourcing and Convergence.

India is becoming home to rapidly growing football enthusiasts and the “Extreme Manchester United Fan” contest, a first of its kind in India is an attempt to garner and showcase the increasing fan following among football obsessed teens. The contest is open to individuals between the age group of 15 to 25 years and will be hosted on nikefootball.in. All the contest details such as dates, terms & conditions, as well as the procedure to submit entries will be available on nikefootball.in

Talking about the contest at the launch Mr. Sanjay Gangopadhyay, Marketing Director, Nike India Pvt. Ltd, said “The contest that begins on 27th September 2008 challenges all fans in India to prove in five photographs or less why he/she is the biggest Manchester United fan ever. The winner gets a once in a lifetime all expense paid trip to Old Trafford stadium, Manchester to watch a Manchester United game, visit Carrington, Manchester United’s legendary training ground, be treated to an Old Trafford Stadium Tour as well as an Old Trafford Museum Tour”.

Along with the launch of the new Manchester United Away Jersey, the ‘3rd Jersey’ commemorating the Clubs 40th Anniversary of their first European Cup win was also unveiled. In 1968 Manchester United made history in becoming the first English team to lift the European Cup when they defeated Benfica 4-1 at Wembley Stadium. Before the game it was agreed that Manchester United would play in their Blue away kit as both teams home jerseys were red.

To celebrate the 40th year anniversary of this momentous night, Nike has created a kit worthy of that great team and their great night at Wembley. Taking inspiration from that first European Cup win and the Busby Babes, Manchester United will wear blue as their Third Kit for the 2008/09 season inspired by the famous 1968 victory. The kit will also be their preferred kit for this season’s Champions League away matches. The shirt includes a number of details that celebrate the anniversary including the embroidery of the words “May 29th 1968” and “40th Year Anniversary” around the club crest.

The kit uses Nike Fit fabric technology, first used by Nike in national team kits worn by Nike-sponsored teams in the 2006 World Cup. This technology is designed to enhance player performance by wicking sweat through the material and away from the skin. A full mesh back on the player’s jerseys also aids ventilation.

Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United player, said, “When you look at the final image you will associate it with the great team of 1968 with the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton. Obviously they won the European Cup in blue so we hope we can walk in their shoes again with this kit as it’s such a big part of the history of the club”.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About Nike

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan Holdings Incorporated, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

Armaan is the youngest driver of the team and has been brought on board to create the best ever Indian racing team in an international championship. Narain Karthikeyan, Lead Driver, A1 Team India added, "This year holds a lot of expectations from India and I am looking forward for a consistent performance for Team India. Hope that the new season brings more interesting and challenging paradigms for us to prove our capability to the motor racing world.”Andaleeb Sehgal, Chief Executive Officer, A1 Team India said, “Today is a momentous day for all of us here. We had a phenomenal third season with two wins at Zhuhai, China and Brands Hatch, UK and are all geared up to make this forthcoming season even better. We have a lot of expectations from the new structure of the team and hopefully India will emerge as on of the best performing countries participating in the races.”The new season will take the series on a brand new level being officially powered by Ferrari. All 25 cars on the grid including Team India will have Ferrari chasis and engines.

The brand new car for team India for this season and drivers will now don a new look. The new livery launched today is based on the theme of the traditional sporting colors of India using an interesting combination of classic Indian blue and Cyan. David Clare, CEO A1GP Asia Pacific, who was also present at the occasion said, “India is a priority market for A1GP. It gives me immense pleasure to see that motor racing is catching up fast among Indian audiences. It’s a brand new season for A1GP which we all are looking forward to, especially after Ferrari’s association with us. We are keen to add many more interesting venues to our calendar and hopefully India will be one amongst them soon.” A1GP is increasingly gaining popularity among Indian sports enthusiasts. To reach out to a wider audience, A1GP has tied up with ESPN Star Sports in India to telecast all the races of the season live as well as repeated. The event also announced the new promo on A1 Team India produced by Espn Star Sports.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

ABOUT A1GP WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT

Pitting nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP unites 23 countries in a competition where human bravery, skill and excellence determine victory. Racing identical single-seat cars, the deliberately equalised technology allows countries as diverse as the USA, Lebanon, France, China and South Africa to compete on a level playing field.

With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for fans to interact with teams and drivers. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe.

Now preparing for its fourth season, A1GP takes in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, delivering high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn.

A1 Team India represents India in A1GP - The World Cup of Motorsport. A novel concept in motor racing, A1GP has been steadily growing in popularity since its first ever race in September 2005. It is an FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) approved world championship motor racing series which pits teams representing up to 25 nations, representing over 80% of the world’s population, against each other, in single-seater racing cars. These teams compete on a level playing field giving the entire credit to driver and engineer performance.

A1 Team India has been a favorite on the track last season with two historical wins in Zhuhai, China and Brands Hatch, UK – the last race of the season. The new 2008-09 A1GP season starting in October 2008 is taking the format on a completely new level with Ferrari coming onboard as the car and engine manufacturers. For the first time in history, 25 Ferrari cars will be on one grid. The prestigious Ferrari brand will hence be officially associated with A1GP. All cars and official merchandise are contractually obligated to portray the slogan "Powered by Ferrari". Michelin becomes the exclusive tyre partner for the new season.

A1GP, only four seasons old, is an arriviste that has grated on the nerves of the motorsport establishment. Narain Karthikeyan is Team India’s biggest asset along with the credibility of representing India at the World Cup of Motorsport. Catching up from the last season, A1 Team India aims for a consistent performance that will place India among the top six teams in the world. With a team structure that will ably support Narain, there is just no looking back for the new A1 Team India.

One of the driving forces behind A1 Team India is Spice Energy Group, which is the official sponsor since 2006-2007 and has been investing hugely for the development of the sport in India. The Ministry of Tourism – Incredible!ndia and the Indian Air Force also extend their active support to A1 Team India.

For further information please contact:

Karina Gupta
Manager Communications - A1 Team India
M: +91 9958162211/9810000464 E: karina.gupta@a1gpteamindia.com

Samir/ Mohita - Hanmer MS&L, Mumbai
98337 11437/ 9322007116 samir@hanmerpr.com / mohita@hanmerpr.com

Apart from meeting his fans, Batista™ will also meet children from Doorstep School, a local NGO, to encourage them in their chosen path in life.

Batista™ ’s chiseled body and explosive temper makes him dominate the ring. Despite his intimidating six foot six inches and 290 pound frame, he has a quiet demeanour, projecting incredible intensity and confidence.

Speaking about his India tour, an excited Batista™ said, “I’m thrilled about this visit, having heard about India from my peers who have visited the country. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to experience the warmth and charm of India”.

Ever since Batista™ first saw WWE® on television, he aspired to be a part of it. He showed the grit of a true WWE® Superstar right from the outset and redirected his training and philosophies, redesigning his body and mental outlook to fit the bill of a true World Heavyweight Champion.

Speaking of the visit, Mr. Rukin Kizilbash, General Manager-India, Ten Sports, Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd said “Batista™ has a huge fan following in India and he is one of WWE®’s favourite Superstars. Ten Sports from its inception has always delivered the best in WWE® – including real life chances for fans to see their heroes not only on television but beyond the ring, up close and personal.”

Batista™ debuted in WWE® in May 2002 and went on to win the 2005 Royal Rumble® where he earned the right to Main Event at WrestleMania® XXI. At that event, Batista™ won his first World Heavyweight Championship. The Animal’s extraordinary fan base makes him one of the most recognizable celebrities around the globe. Batista™ has Greek and Filipino lineage.

WWE® on Ten Sports cuts across age and gender barriers and regularly records television ratings, second only to cricket.

BATISTA™ - Fast Facts

Name:

Batista™

WWE® Ring name

Batista™ , The Animal

WWE® Theme song

By Salvia on WWE® Wreckless Intent™

From

Washington, D.C.

Height

6 foot 6 inches

Weight

290 pounds

Signature Move/Finishing Move:

Batista™ Bomb

Trainer

Wild Samoan and former World Tag Team Champion,

WWE® Debut

May 2002.

Career Highlights:

World Heavyweight Champion; WWE® Tag Team Champion, World Tag Team Champion; 2005 Royal Rumble® winner

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at WWE.com and corporate.WWE.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.WWE.com/worldwide/.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Trademarks: All WWE® programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

ABOUT WWE®: WWE® is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE® has been involved in the sports entertainment business for over 50 years and has developed into one of the most popular forms of global entertainment today. WWE®’s television programming can be seen across more than 130 countries around the world and tours yearly with more than 300 live events. WWE® is a publically trades company on the New York Stock Exchange, for additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at WWE.com and corporate.WWE.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.WWE .com/worldwide/.

ABOUT TEN SPORTS: Taj TV’s Ten Sports,the mostwatched sports channel in the sub-continent, is available inmore than 55 million cable/satellite homes worldwide.The world’s biggest producer of cricket, the Channel broadcasts cricket from Sharjah,West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe throughout the Indian sub-continent and Asia, as well as to the United States and Canada (Cricket Plus), Continental Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Ten Sports also owns the exclusive rights in its sub-continent territories for the WWE®, the UEFA Champions League, the US Open tennis and Hockey World Cup.

“I’m honoured to be given this prestigious award,” said Chanderpaul, who had already been named Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

“A special thank you goes out to my manager, my agent and all my supporters in the Caribbean and throughout the world. It's also important that I thank my teammates without whom this wouldn't have been possible.”

During the voting period, left-hander Chanderpaul played eight test matches, scoring 819 runs at an average of 91.00, including three centuries and six fifties, all against the top seven teams in the world.

He also played 13 one day internationals in that time, topping the averages with 74.75 having scored 598 runs, with a century and five fifties.

Chanderpaul will line up with former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and Australian great Justin Langer for the All-Stars when the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is held at Kowloon Cricket Club from November 8-9.

“It’s great news for the Sixes that Chanderpaul has been recognised in this way by the ICC,” said tournament director Mark Burns.

“We are committed to bringing world class players to our event and they don’t come any better than the man who holds not only the ICC and Wisden Cricketer of the Year titles but also tops the current ICC batting rankings.

“We’re sure Hong Kong fans are going to relish watching such a fantastically talented player who is at the peak of his game.”

The All-Stars will join six test-playing nations and hosts Hong Kong in the line-up for the Sixes.

The tournament is being organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association’s commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

These camps are an unique opportunity for all young football players of different abilities to improve their game. Past participants from these camps like Rickin Dang have gone on to excel for their school and state teams.

The 4 day camp will entail 6 hours of training daily and with lots of activities related to football such as a skill test, quiz, fitness test, etc. So if you want to be the best, then make it your GOAL to be there.

The camp is co-sponsored by Nike

Due to popular demand, Mumbai will host 2 camps during the Diwali break. The first will be held at Karnatak Football ground from 25 October to 28 October 2008 and the second at St Andrews ground from 29 October to 1 November 2008

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

A Football Academy dedicated to training young Indian children. It strongly believes that the road to India's FIFA World Cup is thru the children, they are the future of India.

PIFA organize camps in Europe & in India with UEFA Coaches as well as runs a training academy in Mumbai. All coaches are AFC / FA/ UEFA licensed. They have a men’s & women’s team in the MDFA league. They also conduct various events related to children’s football.

Associated with Inspire Academy, Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy, Rangers Soccer School, AC Milan Academy, Cruzerio EC, EVerton Fc Youth Academy.

PIFA Vision - India in the 2022 World Cup !!!

The team will be trained and coached by PIFA Director & UEFA licensed coach Nirvan Shah.

The teams is as follows :

1. Rashid Sheikh

2. Clifford Garreth

3. Imran Khan (GK)

4. Vaibhav Thandel

5. Mahendra Thandel

6. Prateek Ian

7. Ratan Khandhadia

8. David D’souza

9. Raza Rizvi

10. Satish Singh Keer

11. Mohammed Shadab

12. Balbir Rawat

13. Sagar Ghadigaonkar

14. Nilesh Patidar

15. Burges Master

16. Naresh Raina

17. Joynacks Mathews

18. Ivano Fucci (foreign Italian transfer)

19. Mohammad Khan (GK)

20. Ankur Gogia (GK)

PIFA has been able to use its Italian association to sign an Italian striker, Mr Ivano Fucci, he has played the Italian serie league. The team is in negotiation for one more foreign player to strength their defence.

The youngest player in the team is 16 year old Burges Master, a product from the PIFA academy.

The team training was taken over two years ago by PIFA, it achieved promotions in both the years by being runners-up in their league.

The team will play its first match on 9 September 2008 against Union Bank of India at the RCF grounds.

This year due to lack of a sponsor the management was unable to have a big squad and had to cut costs drastically. The team still hopes to make it to the Elite play off stages.

“PIFA Foundation for the benefit of sports” has undertaken the management of the finances of the team.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

A Football Academy dedicated to training young Indian children. It strongly believes that the road to India's FIFA World Cup is thru the children, they are the future of India.

PIFA organize camps in Europe & in India with UEFA Coaches as well as runs a training academy in Mumbai. All coaches are AFC / FA/ UEFA licensed. They have a men’s & women’s team in the MDFA league. They also conduct various events related to children’s football.

Associated with Inspire Academy, Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy, Rangers Soccer School, AC Milan Academy, Cruzerio EC, EVerton Fc Youth Academy.

PIFA Vision - India in the 2022 World Cup !!!

On this occasion Captain of the Indian Cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni aka 'Maahi' came specially to wish Ishant on his birthday. Virendra Sehwag, Ashish Nehra, Akash Chopra, Gaurav Chhabra, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant's family members & his friends were also present there, while Ruby Singh Sehrawat & Ritu Singh Sehrawat were the perfect hosts of the evening.

To celebrate the birthday a Grand Cake in the shape of a Cricket Field was ordered which was enjoyed by Ishant's family, friends & his teammates.

Ishant looked quite excited, he said this is for the very first time that I'm celebrating my birthday in such a grand way. It's one of the very memorable days in my life. He further added that my life has changed very rapidly in last one year or so. Last year proved to be a great year for me and I will try to get better in future to improve my team's chances in its winning efforts.

All the guests and others wished Ishant on his birthday and enjoyed the tasty snacks and drinks as well. The party was on till late night with Ishant and others enjoying every moment to the fullest.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

The date for the event means a change to the provisional calendar for Season Four, as this was the date originally set for a race in Indonesia. Now the Indonesian event, which sees A1GP head to the country for a third time, moves to a new venue on the 6-8 February 2009. “Making such changes needs a lot of co-operation, and we would especially like to thank the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs, Dr Adhyaksa Dault and IMI the National Motorsports Federation, for consenting to this date change,” said A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira.

Commenting on the series visiting China Teixeira added: “Our welcome in China has always been extremely warm and it is very gratifying that we have been invited to race at our fourth different track in this amazing country by the Chinese Government. The Chinese fans are some of the most passionate, as can be seen by their support for the series and A1 Team China. Also, as we have seen with the recent Olympics, China knows how to put on great events.”

Liu Yu, A1 Team China Seat Holder is certain this race will be very important to the Sichuan Province: “It is a great honour to have A1GP back in China, especially with the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars. The severity of the earthquake in Sichuan Province on the 12 May this year was a shock to everyone worldwide, and both A1GP and A1 Team China will take this opportunity to show support for the local people who have suffered so badly. I am sure the fans in Chengdu will be able to show they are getting on with their lives and will give A1GP a warm welcome.”

Although the race in China was originally scheduled for the 12-14 December, a date change was necessary to ensure the best possible weather conditions in this region of China. Chengdu City is the capital of the Sichuan province in the south west of the country, while the track, which lies 16 kilometres south west of the city centre, is 3.367 kilometres (2.019 miles) long and features 14 turns. The ‘City of Abundance’ as Chengdu is also known, is the fifth most populated city in the country with over a 100 million people living in Sichuan Province. Its other claim to fame is being the most important economic, transportation and communication hub in China. The city is 1,518 kilometres (943 miles) from Beijing and 1,651 kilometres (1,026 miles) from Shanghai.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

ABOUT A1GP WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT

Pitting nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP unites 23 countries in a competition where human bravery, skill and excellence determine victory. Racing identical single-seat cars, the deliberately equalised technology allows countries as diverse as the USA, Lebanon, France, China and South Africa to compete on a level playing field.

With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for fans to interact with teams and drivers. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe.

Now preparing for its fourth season, A1GP takes in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, delivering high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn.

In his keynote address, James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank and former Olympian noted that his participation in the 1956 Games influenced his whole approach to life thereafter. Wolfensohn highlighted that the Olympic Games have always represented a global "coming together" and that no city that has ever held the Games is the same afterwards.

Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012 who is preparing for the Olympic Handover on August 24, stated that time and time again, the Olympics has done more than just change cities, it has changed the framework of society. The primary goal of London 2012 is, according to Lord Coe, to use sport as a bridgehead to solve some of the issues London faces.

Wei Wei, musical Ambassador to the Beijing 2008 Games noted that the global spotlight of the Olympics has made the citizens of Beijing change behaviors. Foreigners' perceptions about China prior to the Olympics were skewed and the local population has gone to great lengths to change that, she said. Peter Foss, President of Olympic Sponsorship for General Electric concurred, underlining the public welfare work undertaken in China ahead of the Games. Major sporting events leave a legacy of commercially viable technologies that help improve the lives of ordinary people, added Foss.

Representatives of two of the biggest upcoming sporting events in Asia, the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, predicted that these events would have a similar impact on their societies. Raja Randhir Singh, Secretary General, Olympic Council of Asia, stated that the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games will be an opportunity for the world to judge India's capabilities.

Teo Ser Luck, advisor to the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, said that the Youth Olympics have tremendous potential to instill the values of sportsmanship and athletic excellence not only during the two weeks that the Games last, but on a sustained basis after the Games.

"Some say that the Olympics are just a power trip by megalomaniacs with an 'edifice complex' who want to build big buildings," summarized Jaime A. FlorCruz, CNN's Beijing Bureau Chief and correspondent, and moderator of the event. "What this discussion showed us is that sporting events have the potential to change not only the infrastructure of a city, but also produce a transformation of host societies."

The panel discussion was followed by a VIP Luncheon Reception hosted by the Commonwealth Games 2010 Organizing Committee and attended by, amongst others, Tessa Jowell, Minister of the Olympics for London. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Committee spoke to the gathering on India's vision to provide its guests a stellar experience whilst encouraging sporting excellence within the country.

The London Development Agency has set up London House in Beijing to promote London during the Olympic Games. A series of events and seminars aimed at attracting investors, tourists and students to London have taken place since August 7 and will culminate in the Olympic Handover celebration on 24th August when London officially becomes the next Host City.

The panel discussion at London House was organized by Mirabilis Advisory (www.mirabilisadvisory.com) and The NewsMarket (www.thenewsmarket.com) as part of their work for the London Development Agency and other Olympic participants.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

NOTE TO EDITORS:

For broadcast-quality video supporting this press release, please visit London House TV www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.2713 or www.thenewsmarket.com/londonhouse. If you are a first time user, please take a minute to register or with any questions, please contact journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com

About The NewsMarket

The NewsMarket (www.thenewsmarket.com) is the leading platform for global brands to market and deliver their video to all their audiences. The company enables corporations and government and non-profit organizations to easily share their video content with the media, blogs, consumers, online communities and other audiences globally. The company's media site (www.thenewsmarket.com) is used by more than 16,000 media outlets in 193 countries to view and order free news video for use in their programming. The NewsMarket works with many of the world's leading brands including General Motors, Volvo Cars, Mazda, IBM, Microsoft, UNICEF, Facebook, Google and Visit Mexico. The NewsMarket is headquartered in New York, with offices in Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, London, San Francisco, Munich, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai. To learn more about our capabilities, visit: www.thenewsmarket.com/postingcontent/

About Mirabilis Advisory

Mirabilis Advisory is a boutique consulting firm that facilitates global exchange between India and the world's leading institutions, cities, regions and countries by building partnerships across the public and private sectors. Clients are global brands that include governments, associations, public-private partnerships, cultural & academic institutions, sports organizations, financial institutions, foundations and media organizations. For more information, visit: www.mirabilisadvisory.com/

For more information and interview requests, please contact:

Romina Rosado
Romina.rosado@thenewsmarket.com
+1 646 321 5435

Belinda Thomas
belinda@franklinrae.com
+44 (0) 20 7317 5400

Caroline Higgins
caroline@franklinrae.com
+44 (0) 20 7317 5400

Jennifer Buchhalter
jbuchhalter@Articulatepr.com
+1 781-990-3455

In his keynote address, James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank and former Olympian noted that his participation in the 1956 Games influenced his whole approach to life thereafter. Wolfensohn highlighted that the Olympics Games have always represented a global “coming together” and that no city that has ever held the Games is the same after the Games.

Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012 who is preparing for the Olympics handover on August 24, stated that time and time and time again, the Olympics has done more than just change cities, it has changed the framework of society. The primary goal of London 2012 is, according to Lord Coe, to use sport as a bridgehead to solve some of the issues London faces.

Wei Wei, musical Ambassador to the Beijing 2008 Games concurred, noting that the global spotlight of the Olympics has made the citizens of Beijing change their behavior. Foreigners’ perceptions about China prior to the Olympics were skewed and the local population has gone to great lengths to change that. Peter Foss, President of Olympic Sponsorship for General Electric concurred, underlining the public welfare work undertaken in China ahead of the Games. Major sporting events leave a legacy of commercially-viable technologies that help improve the lives of ordinary people, according to Foss.

Representatives for two of the biggest upcoming sporting events in Asia, the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, predicted that these events would have a similar impact on their societies. Raja Randhir Singh, Secretary General, Olympic Council of Asia, stated that the 2012 Delhi Commonwealth Games will be an opportunity for the world to judge India’s capabilities.

Teo Ser Luck, advisor to the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, agreed saying that the Youth Olympics have tremendous potential to inculcate the values of sportsmanship and athletic excellence not only during the 12 or 16 days that the Games last, but on a sustained basis after the Games.

“Some may say that the Olympics are an ‘edifice complex’, that megalomaniacs just want to build big buildings,” summarized Jaime A. FlorCruz, CNN's Beijing Bureau Chief and correspondent, and moderator of the event. "What this discussion showed us is that sporting events have the potential to change not only the infrastructure of a city, but also produce a transformation of host societies.”

Tessa Jowell, Minister of the Olympics for London was in attendance at the VIP Luncheon Reception hosted by the Commonwealth Games 2010 Organizing Committee. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Committee spoke to the gathering on India’s vision to provide its’ guests a stellar experience whilst encouraging sporting excellence within the country.

The London Development Agency has set up London House in Beijing to promote London during the Olympic Games. A series of events and seminars aimed at attracting investors, tourists and students to London have taken place since August 7 and will culminate in the Olympic Handover celebration on 24th August when London officially becomes the next Host City.

The panel discussion at London House was organized by Mirabilis Advisory (www.mirabilisadvisory.com/) and The NewsMarket (www.thenewsmarket.com) as part of their work for the London Development Agency and other Olympic participants.

For broadcast-quality video supporting this press release, please visit (www.thenewsmarket.com/londonhouse). If you are a first time user, please take a minute to register or with any questions, please contact journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About The NewsMarket

The NewsMarket (www.thenewsmarket.com) is the leading platform for global brands to market and deliver their video to all their audiences. The company enables corporations and government and non-profit organizations to easily share their video content with the media, blogs, consumers, online communities and other audiences globally. The company’s media site (www.thenewsmarket.com) is used by more than 16,000 media outlets in 193 countries to view and order free news video for use in their programming. The NewsMarket works with many of the world’s leading brands including General Motors, Volvo Cars, Mazda, IBM, Microsoft, UNICEF, Facebook, Google and Visit Mexico. The NewsMarket is headquartered in New York, with offices in Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, London, San Francisco, Munich, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai. To learn more about our capabilities, visit: www.thenewsmarket.com/postingcontent/

About Mirabilis Advisory

Mirabilis Advisory is a boutique consulting firm that facilitates global exchange between India and the world’s leading institutions, cities, regions and countries by building partnerships across the public and private sectors. Clients are global brands that include governments, associations, public-private partnerships, cultural & academic institutions, sports organisations, financial institutions, foundations and media organisations. For more information, visit: www.mirabilisadvisory.com/

WHAT

Panel discussion

"Champions of Change: How mega sports events spur social, economic, cultural and environmental transformation" panel discussion.

Followed by a VIP luncheon reception hosted by the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee.

WHO

James Wolfensohn, Former President, The World Bank & Former Olympian Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman, London 2012 Peter Foss, President of Olympic Sponsorship, GE Wei Wei, musical ambassador for the Beijing 2008 Olympics Teo Ser Luck, Advisor, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee Raja Randhir Singh, Secretary General, Olympic Council of Asia Jaime A. Florcruz, Beijing Bureau Chief and correspondent, CNN (moderator)

WHEN

21 August 2008, 11:00 - 14:00

WHERE

London House, Shi Cha Hai Club, No49 Di An Men West Street, Xi Cheng District, Beijing

***Media wishing to attend the event should register with manas@mirabilisadvisory.com by August 20 to ensure access to London House***

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

For broadcast-quality video supporting this event, please visit (www.thenewsmarket.com/londonhouse). If you are a first time user, please take a minute to register or with any questions, please contact journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.

CONTACT:
Beijing
Dhruv Chitgopekar
+86-137-0772-4341
dhruv@mirabilisadvisory.com

"It's an honour for PFC to play a tournament that is the oldest in India. We are looking forward to have a successful tournament," said Chirag Tanna, Head Operations PFC.

The opportunity, thus makes PFC the first ever city club to take participate in a tournament that is considered to be the third oldest in the world.

In New Delhi, PFC will play the 'qualification round' of the Durand Cup and are clubbed in Group 2. The top two teams of this nine-team group will advance into the pre quarter-final league and subsequently fight it out for two slots available in the Durand Cup 'proper' that begins on August 28.

The other teams in PFC's group include; Ahbab FC, New Delhi, II GR, Lucknow, Indian Air Force XI, Tarun Sangha, New Delhi, Border Security Force, BEG, Roorkee, Indian Navy and ONGC, Mumbai. Adds Tanna, "It's a tough ask to get into the main round of the Durand Cup, but then the tournament provides the perfect ground to test our strength as a team after having regrouped in July."

PFC, one of the four new generation Indian football clubs floated in 2007, is being promoted by the Ashok Primal Group. Established in August 2007, PFC currently figure in the Second Division I League. Last year, PFC finished a creditable fifth and missed out qualification to the 'elite' First Division I League during the final round played at Guwahati, Assam.

Recently, the team underwent a two week long training-cum-conditioning camp at the all weather pitch at Chougule College, Goa. During their stay PFC played practice matches against Mahindra United and Mumbai F.C.

PFC have meanwhile signed on two Nigerians central defender Ugochukwu Amarikwa and striker Wali Chika for the forthcoming season. Both in their mid 20's were shortlisted after eight to ten foreign players were called for trials at Goa.

Both are in the country after receiving their International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from the Benin Republic.

THE DURAND CUP

Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in India and the third oldest tournament in the world! The tournament was started by Sir Mortimer Durand at Simla, India, in 1888. Royal Scots Fusiliers won the inaugural Durand Cup in 1888 at Simla defeating Highland Light Infantry 2-1.

In 1940 the venue was shifted to New Delhi. India's armed forces deserve credit for keeping the Durand Cup tradition alive over the centuries.

SQUAD

Caitano Costa, Asim Hassan, Sudheesh Muttath, Shambhu Mistry,, K Rahul, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Crispin Chettri, Gurjinder Singh, Kamal Thapa, Santha Kumar, Parveen Rawat, S. Satish Kumar, Othallo Tabia, Balaji Narsimhan, J Prasad, Jeje Lalpekhlua, F Lal Rozama, Ugochukwu Amarikwa, Wali Chika, Amarwant Singh.

Manager: Dr. Ashok Kumar. Coach: Stewart Hall. Assistant Coach: Vivek Nagul. Physio: Dr. Tariq Shaikh. Team Assistant: Prashant Naidu.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Mr. Shapoor P. Mistry and M P. Shroff, the owner of the horse, received the prize from Mr. Jayant Pawar and Nicola Pawar Director, Club Solaris. Dr. Cyrus Poonawala, Chairman, RWITC and Mr.Vivek Jain, Chairman, RWITC, Marketing Group, were presentat the ceremony.

A contest of skill sponsored byClub Solaris, was theone of the main features of the day, the first and third prize winner Mr. Arun Kumar, Lucky person of the day. He bagged two prizes,Rs. 2 lakh worth family membership for a couple andunmarried children And the third prize a one year Solaris gym membership for a couple. Mr. Singh won the second prize offered will be a 3 nights/ 4 day complimentary stay at the Royal retreat is a resort apartment in Goa.

Another feature of the day at the race course was the presence of Actor Shahid Kapoor who was being directed by Vishal Bharadwaj for the forthcoming movie Kameena.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

From baseball to badminton, visual skills such as anticipation timing, eye-hand coordination and peripheral awareness have emerged as key components to overall athletic performance. Research has shown the best athletes tend to have above average vision and superior visual skills.(1) Realizing this, Olympic athletes and their coaches are working with The Vision Care Institute(TM) to incorporate The AchieveVision(TM) Program into their training not only to help level the playing field for athletes who may have weaknesses in their visual system, but to help optimize visual skills for a competitive edge.

Teams from several countries, including China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, have incorporated The AchieveVision(TM) Program into their training. Vision assessments have been customized to meet the different needs of various Olympic sports, including archery, badminton, boxing, BMX, decathlon, fencing, gymnastics, kayaking, shooting, soccer, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, track and field and volleyball.

Individual athlete highlights include:

• A top heptathlete found that training her visual skills could help improve her depth perception and reaction time. These skills are key in the heptathlon, especially hurdling.
• The AchieveVision(TM) Program identified deficiencies in a softball player's vision that could be corrected. The vision in one of her eyes was poor, which impacts acuity and visual skills important in batting and fielding.
• The AchieveVision(TM) Program identified a problem with a badminton player's binocular vision (how the two eyes function together), which was affecting her depth perception, the ability to observe where an object is in relation to its environment. A training program was developed to correct this problem in time for the Olympic Games.
• Table tennis players who have been training regularly with The AchieveVision(TM) Program were able to concentrate on visual skills such as convergence and focusing stamina. These skills are key in table tennis.

The AchieveVision(TM) Program supplements regular eye exams by moving beyond basic acuity to assess the visual skills that play a role in an athlete's performance. The program is comprised of a suite of assessment and training tools that include computer-based systems and equipment that is physically challenging not only to the eyes, but to the whole body in order to simulate the visual demands in an athlete's sport.

"As an Olympian myself, I know firsthand that an athlete's vision and visual skills are critical tools, both on and off the field," said Dr. Karin McCarthy, Principal Research Optometrist, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. "Vision is a critical component of overall physical health that makes a large contribution to overall performance. After having worked with a number of elite athletes, I am surprised how many are not seeing as well as they could. At this level of competition an athlete should not be squinting to focus on a ball, a hurdle, or a teammate on the field. If you are not seeing well, your reaction time is slower and that may impact your overall performance."

To date, The Vision Care Institute(TM) has provided more than 600 athletes worldwide with a range of vision services as part of The AchieveVision(TM) Program. The Vision Care Institute(TM) found that many athletes needed basic vision correction or updated prescriptions. This emphasizes the need for improved vision care as part of national training programs. Through this program 250 athletes were fitted for contact lenses to sharpen their visual acuity in time for competition.

"When you are training an elite athlete, every aspect of their health and physical skills should be assessed and, if possible, improved. It is critical that every athlete's vision is clear and that their vision is helping -- not hindering -- their performance," said Professor Lu Fan, Executive Dean of School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical College. "Scientific advances like The AchieveVision(TM) Program offer new techniques to help our athletes perform at their peak. We have incorporated The AchieveVision(TM) Program at General Administration of Sports of China to allow eye care professionals, coaches and trainers to customize vision care for each athlete and focus on the visual skills that are key to their competition."

Supporting Olympic Athletes and Medical Staff

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will provide vision services to Olympic athletes, coaches and staff onsite during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games through The Olympic Village Polyclinic. The AchieveVision(TM) Program will be available to athletes at the Polyclinic, where they can learn how to maximize their visual skills.

"We're honored to be entrusted with the vision care for the Olympic athletes and team staff while they are in Beijing," said Dr. John Ang, Vice President of Professional and Regulatory Affairs, Asia-Pacific Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. "Through the Olympic Village Polyclinic, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will provide the athletes access to best-in-class vision care services and products to help them maintain visual health during competition. For some athletes who have limited access to vision care services, this may be their first opportunity to receive eye care and diagnostic services, which can have a significant impact on their everyday lives."

Healthy Vision for Everyone

It is not just Olympic athletes who need to be concerned about the performance and health of their eyes to be at the top of their game. The Vision Care Institute(TM) recently commissioned a first-of-its-kind, large-scale global eye exam survey of 6,500 people across 13 countries and found that most people believe improved vision would help them to get the most out of life. Around the world, respondents agreed that it is important to get an eye exam on a regular basis and most (78 percent) rated sight as the most important of the five senses. Yet, half of respondents had never had a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor, and only a third are getting comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis (at least every two years). And, although more than 80 percent of parents around the world believe that improved vision would impact their child's performance in school and sports, nearly half (46 percent) report that their child has never had any type of eye exam.(2)

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for the importance of vision care and eye health, not only for elite athletes but also for all of us who value our vision and are looking to do our best.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

About the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Partnership

Johnson & Johnson is an Official Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee, through which Johnson & Johnson has partnerships with more than 200 National Olympic Committees around the world.

About The Vision Care Institute(TM)

The Vision Care Institute(TM), LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, is an innovative professional resource for eye care providers. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., the state-of-the-art facility gives participants a rare opportunity to experience the latest in vision diagnostic and treatment technologies through hands-on instruction, including training on contact lens fitting and prescribing.

Working in tandem with leading schools and associations since its launch in March 2004, The Vision Care Institute(TM) has hosted more than 2,500 students from all 19 of the schools and colleges of optometry throughout North America. The Vision Care Institute(TM) has sister facilities in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy and Czech Republic, which offer eye care specialists around the world an opportunity to learn of new developments in the field under the leadership of top contact lens specialists. For more information, please visit www.tvciedu.com.

The Vision Care Institute(TM) is a trademark of The Vision Care Institute, LLC.

(1) Laby et al. The visual function of professional baseball players, 1996. Am J Ophthalmol 122:476-485.

(2) Global Eye Exam Survey, The Vision Care Institute, 2008 (TNS-GsK).

Contact:

Dr. John Ang
Asia-Pacific Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
Office: +65 68276292
JANG1@its.jnj.com

The Vision Care Institute™ invites you to learn how visual skills have become a new area that athletes are focusing on to gain a competitive edge.

WHO:

Leading experts will discuss how vision is related to overall performance on and off the field, and why many Olympians used The AchieveVision™ Program to prepare for these Olympic Games. Event speakers include:

• Michael Johnson, Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, World Record Holder
• Sir Clive Woodward, Director of Elite Performance, British Olympic Association
• Lu Fan, MD, Executive Dean of School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical College
• Daniel Laby, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Harvard Medical School

TRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIAN:

Test your own visual skills on equipment from The AchieveVision(™) Program and compare your results to Olympic athletes.

WHERE:

Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion, located on the Olympic Green

WHEN:

August 11, 2008, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (China Standard Time)

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

FOR MORE INFORMATION, and to reserve your place at the event, please contact:

Joseph Guarino
Manning Selvage & Lee
Phone: 917-972-3562
China Mobile: 159 0121 7357

Shirley Wong Walker (Mandarin speaking)
Manning Selvage & Lee
China Mobile: 138 1780 0114

FOR MORE INFORMATION, and to reserve your place at the event, please contact:

Joseph Guarino
Manning Selvage & Lee
Phone: 917-972-3562
China Mobile: 159 0121 7357
Email: joseph.guarino@mslpr.com

Anand shares a great working relationship with Cricket players like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Mohd. Azharuddin, Ajit Wadekar and Arvinda De Silva to name a few.

Says Anita, "Anand is a rare instance of a professional cricketer in the field of sports marketing, a former first class cricketer who played for Mumbai, Karanataka & Maharashtra in the Ranji trophy and has led and promoted few sports marketing ventures. He has been instrumental in creating unique concepts and executing them for various clients like Anchor, Emami, Zee, DNA, Tata, Birla Sun Life Insurance, Visage Images, Mid-Day, Radio One, PCI, Headlines Today, Aaj Tak etc."

Says Anand, "Havas Sports has the tradition of sports marketing and has a base globally. I feel the Indian market has still not matured in terms of sports marketing. I want to utilize my experience/strengths along with the support of the global team to help the Indian market mature and provide unique and viable sports marketing solutions for various brands in India."

Highlights of Anand’s work have been – Mumbai Not Out, A charity dinner for the Mumbai Blast victims of 2006 where the Indian team along with the corporates joined hands to raise funds for the victims, sponsorships of various Ranji teams & the conceptualization of the Zee Super sixes. He also was successful in launching Hattrick Cricket Academy in Mumbai where quite a few of his students have been representing the Mumbai Junior teams.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Vectran(R) fiber, a high-performance multifilament yarn spun from liquid crystal polymer, is a key component of the new Flywire technology being used in Zoom Victory Spikes that are so light that athletes say they feel like a second skin or spikes coming out of their feet.

Manufactured by Kuraray America, Inc., Vectran's high-strength threads are pound-for-pound five times stronger than steel. In the Flywire technology, these fibers work like cables in the new suspension bridge-inspired design, providing cushioning and support precisely where a foot needs it.

Nike is calling the Zoom Victory Spike its "lightest and strongest footwear ever made," weighing 93 grams, without compromising on durability, integrity or support. In comparison, the famed Gold Shoe worn by Michael Johnson in the 1996 Olympics, which had been the lightest spike to date, weighed in at 112 grams.

Each Zoom Victory Spike uses 116 strands of the Vectran fiber Flywire strands to keep an athletes' foot cushioned at key points, such as the heel and forefoot, and also firmly cradled in the spike's footprint, according to the Nike Innovation Lab site. This enables more energy to be transferred directly into forward motion with each stride.

Nike is supplying the Zoom Victory Spikes to the U.S. track and field team for middle distance events and Zoom Matumbo, also utilizing Flywire, for longer distance events. The same technology is being used in Hyperdunk basketball sneakers being worn by L.A. Lakers' superstar Kobe Bryant.

The multifilament Vectran fibers, which are a quarter of the diameter of a human hair, were converted into embroidery threads to be sewn by Nike. Nike explored the use of other high-performance synthetic fibers, before choosing Vectran for achieving the desired properties.

"Vectran fiber's unique combination of properties, including its tensile strength, light weight and flexibility, enabled Nike to design the lightest weight spikes ever made," said Robert Knudsen, manager of sales and marketing for Kuraray America, Inc.'s Vectran division.

"Kuraray is pleased to supply Vectran fiber in this revolutionary design that has allowed Nike to achieve both light weight and strength -- a combination that was never thought possible before today," he said.

Versatile Vectran has been used in demanding applications ranging from cushioning Mars Rovers during landings to the cabling system on new airborne wind turbines, puncture-resistant bicycle tires and the world's largest sail on a luxury charter.

(Source: Marketwire.com)

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Media Contact:
Sandy Frinton - JMC Marketing Communications & PR
(845) 454-3895 sandy@mallen.com

Aleem, 40, has agreed to officiate at the Sixes, to be held on November 8-9 at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

“The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has a widespread reputation for being a unique and entertaining tournament and I'm delighted to be involved this year,” said Aleem.

“It promises to be an exciting weekend for spectators, players and umpires alike.

"Umpiring in six-a-side cricket brings its own challenges because the action is so fast and furious, so I'm looking forward to what should be a great experience.”

A talented middle-order batsman and leg spinner, Aleem played first class cricket in Pakistan before concentrating on umpiring.

In 2000, he officiated in his first one day international at the age of 32 and within two years he had been appointed to the ICC panel. He officiated in the 2003 Cricket World Cup and made his test debut that same year.

He also officiated at last year's Cricket World Cup and has continued to build a reputation as one of the game's finest umpires.

“We’re delighted that Aleem – one of the world’s best umpires and a man hugely respected throughout the game – will be officiating in our event,” said Sixes tournament director Mark Burns.

“The Sixes delivers high quality standards in all areas and the officials are no exception. We are recruiting the best players and umpires so we can put on a tremendous show for the Hong Kong fans and the millions of people who will watch the event on TV around the world.”

Among the players confirmed for this year's Sixes are West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who will both appear for the All-Stars.

Chanderpaul, 33, was recently named Wisden Cricketer of the Year and is currently the second-highest ranked batsman in the world.

The Guyana-born ace has played 112 tests, scoring 19 hundreds and 49 fifties.

Fleming, 35, retired from international cricket just four months ago after a stellar 14-year career in which he played 111 tests.

He was captain for 80 of those matches – second on the all-time list behind Allan Border, who led Australia 93 times.

Fleming also holds the world record for the most one day international appearances as captain, having led New Zealand 218 times in his total of 280 games.

The All-Stars will join nine representative international teams – Australia, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and hosts Hong Kong.

First held in 1992, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes continues to be fully sanctioned by the ICC and is the sport's longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes tournament.

Players who have taken part over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram.

Profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

The training will be from 5-6 pm for all children 5 to 8 years and from 6-7 pm for children 9-14 years.

PIFA also has training centers at St Andrews-Bandra, Bombay Scout Ground-Juhu, Karnataka Sports- Cross Maidan, Islam Gymkhana-Marine Drive & Gokuldham-Goregaon. For all children 5-16 years.

The academy features the latest training methods adapted from Europe. Improvement is gauranteed.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

A Football Academy dedicated to training young Indian children. It strongly believes that the road to India's FIFA World Cup is thru the children, they are the future of India.

PIFA organize camps in Europe & in India with UEFA Coaches as well as runs a training academy in Mumbai. All coaches are AFC / FA/ UEFA licensed. They have a men’s & women’s team in the MDFA league. They also conduct various events related to children’s football.

Tied up with Inspire Academy, Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy, Rangers Soccer School, AC Milan Academy, Cruzerio EC, Everton FC Youth Academy.

PIFA Vision - India in the 2022 World Cup !!!

Fifteen children participated in this exciting camp from 4th July to 13 July 2008, mainly made up of children from International schools in India. The children were accommodated in a hotel in London.

The tour was specifically designed by PIFA to help children appreciate and understand the history of Arsenal FC as well as Chelsea FC and what makes them so special. The children got a guided tour of the Emirates Stadium & Stamford Bridge.

PIFA Foundation for the benefit of sports fully sponsored a young talented football player -Hussain Vahanvaty for the camp.

The training was organized by Inspire Academy. Coaches Gary Lewis, UEFA A license coach with the Everton Youth Academy & Tony Leatherborrow(UEFA B) from Liverpool conducted the sessions through the week on 4G all weather artificial grass pitches at the Football Academy in Loughton.

The children were privileged to a two hour long session by Peter Shreaves (ex Tottenham Hotpsurs Manager). Later in the week, the boys got a guided tour of the Tottenham Hotspurs FC training ground at Luxborough Lane by Chris Ramsey (Assistant Academy Manager/Head of Player Development).

The campers got to use the Soccer Park & Ice Rink at the Football Academy. Skills test, fitness test as well as some fun quiz contests were conducted at the camp.

The children played friendly’s against the Boca Juniors U-15. Every child underwent fitness and skill tests. The Inpsire skills test was won by PIFA student Ryuju Osamura. Each participant received a Certificate.

The group was accompanied by two adults from India ensuring that the children totally focus on football and enjoy themselves.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

A Football Academy dedicated to training young Indian children. It strongly believes that the road to India's FIFA World Cup is thru the children, they are the future of India.

PIFA organize camps in Europe & in India with UEFA Coaches as well as runs a training academy in Mumbai. All coaches are AFC / FA/ UEFA licensed. They have a men’s & women’s team in the MDFA league. They also conduct various events related to children’s football.

Associated with Inspire Academy, Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy, Rangers Soccer School, AC Milan Academy, Cruzerio EC, EVerton Fc Youth Academy.

PIFA Vision - India in the 2022 World Cup !!!

A record prize money on stake which is an increase of 15 per cent from last year’s Rs 613.35 lakh, sponsored races on every weekend and a first-time ever ten per cent performance incentive to owners are the other highlights of the season.

In addition the general level of stakes in handicaps has been increased by five per cent and stakes in graded races have been boosted to attract the best horses to the turf.

In an ongoing bid by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) to attract more crowds and glamour to the sport, a novel concept of O Racing awards are also on the anvil “on the lines of the Oscar, except that these will be for the racing fraternity.

We will have a jury that will be keeping scores throughout the season and at the end of it awards for the best filly, best trainer, best punter and so on will be given in a grand ceremony,” said Anil Seolekar whose Oxford Group would be hosting the awards.

Other than that entertainment, fashion shows and prizes have been planned to boost numbers at the course. Vivek Jain, chairman marketing and media working group, along with RWITC chairman Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Zavaray Ponawalla and RWITC secretary Behram Engineer addressed a press conference where the highlights of the current Pune season were outlined. The races this year have sponsorships to the tune of 80 lakh which is a 25 per cent increase from last year.

Amongst the new entrants to the arena is Lufthansa that is also hosting a race day this season. This, said Jain, was to strengthen the airline’s ties with the city following the start of its Pune-Frankfurt flight.

PRA Reality, Goel Ganga Developments, PiaggioVehicles Pvt .Ltd, Solaris Group, Diageo India, Acropolis Developments Yeravada Stud Farms , Panchshil Reality are the other sponsors of the major races to be held this season , Mr. Jain added. DNA will be the media partner of the RWITC, CNBC-TV 18 will be the official broadcast partner of the season, he added

BN Nanjappa, clerk of the course, further added that the race course facilities have been upgraded with more facilities added in the first and second enclosures. A long pending demand of sprucing up the jockey’s room has also been addressed this year with the room renovated and made more comfortable, he said. Amongst the important races this year are the Independence Race Day, the General Rajendrasinhji Trophy, the Southern Command Race Day, the S.A Poonawalla Millions, and the Nanoli Pune Derby.

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire