SAP AG announce multi-year global relationship with Women's Tennis Association

SAP AG today announced a multi-year global relationship with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), a global leader in women’s professional sports, according to a company release. SAP and the WTA will collaborate to transform the sport, aiming to develop innovative technology and apps to further engage fans, offer players the tools to analyze performance and optimize strategy, and better serve the media. In addition, SAP is an official partner of the prestigious WTA Championships, to be held in Istanbul in 2013 and Singapore in 2014.

“Through our cooperation with SAP, we aim to provide revolutionary analysis for our fans, players, coaches and media,” said Stacey Allaster, CEO and chairman, WTA. “We are thrilled to be teaming with a global, innovative leader like SAP as international companies continue investing in women’s professional tennis.”

SAP is hoping to work with the WTA to develop solutions that enhance and grow the sport, focusing on on-court player performance in the first phase, with future plans to broaden to fans and media. SAP plans to provide information and cutting-edge analytics to players and coaches post-match. For example, the statistics could offer telling insight into tactics during a rally. Not only would this allow players to dissect and analyze their own game, it could also be used to highlight potential weaknesses in opponents and reflect tactics successfully used against them in the past.

Through its sports collaborations, SAP delivers analytics and insights to players, coaches and the media and helps fans experience their passion in new and exciting ways.

“SAP has a longstanding commitment to the sport of tennis, and the WTA provides an excellent platform for SAP to demonstrate this on a global scale,” said Steve Peck, senior vice president, Global Strategic Initiatives, SAP AG. “Our innovative technology is transforming sports and entertainment around the world and we look forward to working with the WTA to help players and coaches to perform at a higher level and engage fans like never before.”

SAP is also the current mobile app provider at the Sony Open tennis tournament, has ambassador relationships with former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick and rising star Milos Raonic and was the proud title sponsor of the SAP Open men’s tournament from 2005 to 2013.

Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2013, Jeffrey Kruger wins Race 2 of Round two

In an exciting race, Jeffrey Kruger took top honours today during Race 2 followed by Race 1 winner Prashanth Tharani.

According to a statement issued by VW, tt turned out to be a great day for Yatin Magu who took the third place on the podium, which happened to be his first ever podium finish.

Rahil Noorani had crossed the finish line in first place, but was penalised with 20 seconds due to a jump start and thus ended up in seventh place. With the reverse grid for Race 2, additional element of excitement is always guaranteed. Race 1 winner Prashanth started from eight while second finisher Jeffrey Kruger started from seventh.

Having finished third in Race 1, Noorani took off from sixth place and tried an aggressive start. He went from sixth place to second on lap one and went into lead by the second lap. However, he received a 20 seconds penalty for a jump start which pushed him down to seventh slot. This automatically brought Jeffrey, Prashanth, Yatin and three others up by one place each. While Prashanth and Jeffrey have been regularly finishing on podium, it was the first one for Yatin Magu.

Prithviraj Siddappa, Head of Motorsports, said: “Race 2 was a great show as usual with the reverse grid. There were close battles throughout the race and it is always good to see the drivers pushing their limits further to produce better results every time. Also, despite the damages to our cars in Race 1, our technical team did a great job to bring all the cars back on the grid and I would like to congratulate them for a splendid job today". Kruger, winner of Race 1, pointed out: “It is wonderful to be on the top spot. After winning a race in Round 1, this is what I was looking forward to. Moreover, having secured a podium in each race till now, it encourages me to win more races".

Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2013, Prashanth Tharani clinches the pole position for Race 1 of the second round in Coimbatore

Round 2 of JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup kicked off today with an exciting qualifying session in which the experienced drivers once again showed their upper hand over the rookie drivers.

Prashanth Tharani from Chennai was the fastest driver on the track today. Following him closely was South Africa’s Jeffrey Kruger. Rookie driver Samarth Jaiswal will start third while Yatin Magu will join him on the second row and start from fourth spot.
The experienced drivers once again showed their skills over the rookie drivers as four out of top five are drivers from earlier Polo R Cup seasons. Even more interestingly, all four of them were able to set the fastest lap in their very first flying lap. Prashanth Tharani managed to secure the pole position by setting a lap time of 1:14.844, 0.255 seconds clear of Jeffrey Kruger who took the second spot. The only rookie driver to make it with the top runners was Samarth Jaiswal who set went fastest on his 8th lap. He will start 3rd and it will be a challenge for the rookie to defend his position alongside the ace drivers. Total 19 drivers will start Race 1 on Sunday as Adnan Lehry had a crash and will not be able to make it to the grid due to a damaged car. 
JK Tyre Volkswagen Vento Support Race

Besides the Polo action, Volkswagen Motorsport, for the first time, has organised a Support Race tomorrow, in which Volkswagen Vento cars will be racing against each other. The Vento race drivers had 2 practice sessions on Friday before they made it to the qualifying today.

 Siddharth Santosh took the pole position for this race while Shrivatsa Sinha will start from second place.

Radio Controlled Cars Competition

The weekend has another unique race of sorts, featuring Radio Controlled Cars. The competition will include 3 heat sessions of 10 minutes each and a final race of 15 minutes. There are 16 professional RC cars’ controllers registered for participating in this race.

 The event has been organised by the veteran racer GD Rajkumar, an expert at radio controlled cars himself. The heats will be conducted throughout the day between racing events and the final race will be conducted during lunch time.

Motor sports enthusiasts interested in getting further information can log on to the website, volkswagen-motorsport.in. This website displays information about Polo R Cup format, race updates and driver profiles.

In more than 40 years of motorsport history Volkswagen has been setting standards primarily in three areas: The brand celebrated exploits in touring car racing, formula racing and rally racing. The brand’s history in motorsport started in 1966, in formula racing. Formula V – "V” stood for Volkswagen – became an important career step for drivers like Keke Rosberg or Niki Lauda. With 58 hp and the robust technology of the Beetle it offered favourably priced entry and high-quality racing for young drivers. Later, one-make cups like Formula König powered by Volkswagen and Formula Volkswagen built upon this line and consistently followed through on the one-make cup idea with standard chassis. In 2008 Formula ADAC powered by Volkswagen started to continue this tradition.
In comparison with other manufacturers Volkswagen set the pace on the formula stage as well. Between 1979 and 1994 Volkswagen, as a Formula 3 engine manufacturer, won 55 international titles, including seven in Germany. Since September 2007 Volkswagen has been competing in the Formula 3 Euro Series, since 2008 in the German Formula 3 Cup and since 2009 in the British Formula 3, and with success: 2009 saw the title wins in the ¬German and British Championships, and 2010 in all three series. At the prestigious Formula 3 finale in Macau in November 2009 and 2010 Edoardo Mortara celebrated wins "powered by Volkswagen”.
 Successes in rally sport
While the first off-road excursions date back all the way to the 1970s, Volkswagen has been systematically promoting young talent since 1980. For half a decade, the Golf Rally Cup offered optimum opportunities to young drivers. Concurrently, Volkswagen in the 1986 World Rally Championship (WRC) clinched the title win in Group A with the Golf and driver Kenneth Eriksson. In cross-country rally sport the brand achieved its first big exploit by winning the 1980 Dakar Rally. From 2009 to 2011 Volkswagen became the first manufacturer to win the legendary rallye with a car powered by a Diesel engine. Volkswagen is creating history once again by re-entering the WRC 2013. After rigorous testing through-out 2012, the Polo WRC race car is taking the rally by storm by stamping wins in the early stages.
 Attractive one-make cups in touring car racing
In more than three decades Volkswagen has shaped the touring car scene as well. The Scirocco Cup, as the first one-make cup from 1976 onwards, produced a subsequent Formula 1 driver, Manfred Winkelhock. It was followed by the Golf Cup and the Lupo/Polo Cup from which numerous talented drivers managed to ascend to higher-level series. Currently, the Scirocco R-Cup is setting bench-marks in the European racing circuits.

JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2013 returns to Coimbatore for second round

The JK Tyre Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2013 is returning to Coimbatore for second two of the season. After a short break of three weeks, the Polo race cars and their respective drivers are all set to take on the challenge for the title further.

 South African driver Jeffrey Kruger will be keen on continuing his form from Round 1 in which he had finished second in Race 1 and had won Race 2. Mumbai’s Rahil Noorani is expected to be the man to challenge Jeffrey. With a win in Race 1 and third place finish in Race 2, Rahil is not too far behind Jeffrey.

Kari Motor Speedway is getting all set to host the Round 2 of JK Tyre Racing Challenge 2013 and Volkswagen Polo R Cup 2013. During Round 1 of the season, Rahil Noorani had taken pole position for Race 1 and won it after leading from start to finish. The Race 1 had been cut short when an incident that forced the officials to bring out the red flags with four laps to go. In Race 2, with reverse starting grid, it was Rahil starting in eighth position while second place finisher Jeffrey in seventh. Jeffrey made early moves to take lead in the race and went on to win it. Rahil finished second while rookie driver Karthik Tharani claimed the final spot on the podium.

The drivers will pick up from where they left in Round 1. The 14 rookie drivers on the grid will look forward to improve their lap times and up their pace. The highly technical Kari Motor Speedway will offer further learning for the new drivers. Weather forecast shows sunny Saturday assuring dry Qualifying session. However, with some scattered showers predicted for Sunday, it will be exciting to see a mix of dry and wet races on the final day of the race weekend.

Along with the Polo R Cup action, enthusiasts will also witness a special race over the weekend of Volkswagen Vento track-prepped race cars. With the drivers being selected through a contest run by Overdrive magazine, Volkswagen has provided a platform for the enthusiasts to come and experience the racing action first hand. Specially prepared Vento cars will be used for this race which will feature FIA spec roll-cage, racing seats with six-point harness, fire extinguisher system, 17-inch wheels with racing tyres, race-spec suspension and stripped down interiors.

The Polo R Cup 2013 has five race weekends. The season began on 19 July with Round 1 in Coimbatore and the current round being continued at the same circuit. Besides Coimbatore, races will take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida and a street circuit (TBD).

Thanks to its p roven concept of promoting young talent abroad, the Polo Cup enjoys the reputation of being an ideal stepping stone to enter professional racing. Building on its success of two great seasons since its inception in 2010, Volkswagen Motorsport hopes to make the Polo R Cup this year an exciting and challenging season in the Indian Motorsports calendar.

Motor sports enthusiasts interested in getting further information can log on to the website, www.polocup.in. This website displays information about Polo R Cup format, race updates and driver profile

In more than 40 years of motorsport history Volkswagen has been setting standards primarily in three areas: The brand celebrated exploits in touring car racing, formula racing and rally racing. The brand’s history in motorsport started in 1966, in formula racing. Formula V – "V” stood for Volkswagen – became an important career step for drivers like Keke Rosberg or Niki Lauda. With 58 hp and the robust technology of the Beetle it offered favourably priced entry and high-quality racing for young drivers. Later, one-make cups like Formula König powered by Volkswagen and Formula Volkswagen built upon this line and consistently followed through on the one-make cup idea with standard chassis. In 2008 Formula ADAC powered by Volkswagen started to continue this tradition.

In comparison with other manufacturers Volkswagen set the pace on the formula stage as well. Between 1979 and 1994 Volkswagen, as a Formula three engine manufacturer, won 55 international titles, including seven in Germany. Since September 2007 Volkswagen has been competing in the Formula 3 Euro Series, since 2008 in the German Formula 3 Cup and since 2009 in the British Formula 3, and with success: 2009 saw the title wins in the ­German and British Championships, and 2010 in all three series. At the prestigious Formula three finale in Macau in November 2009 and 2010 Edoardo Mortara celebrated wins 'powered by Volkswagen'.

While the first off-road excursions date back all the way to the 1970s, Volkswagen has been systematically promoting young talent since 1980. For half a decade, the Golf Rally Cup offered optimum opportunities to young drivers. Concurrently, Volkswagen in the 1986 World Rally Championship (WRC) clinched the title win in Group A with the Golf and driver Kenneth Eriksson. In cross-country rally sport the brand achieved its first big exploit by winning the 1980 Dakar Rally. From 2009 to 2011 Volkswagen became the first manufacturer to win the legendary rallye with a car powered by a Diesel engine. Volkswagen is creating history once again by re-entering the WRC 2013. After rigorous testing through-out 2012, the Polo WRC race car is taking the rally by storm by stamping wins in the early stages.

Attractive one-make cups in touring car racing

In more than three decades Volkswagen has shaped the touring car scene as well. The Scirocco Cup, as the first one-make cup from 1976 onwards, produced a subsequent Formula 1 driver, Manfred Winkelhock. It was followed by the Golf Cup and the Lupo/Polo Cup from which numerous talented drivers managed to ascend to higher-level series. Currently, the Scirocco R-Cup is setting bench-marks in the European racing circuits.

Vodafone is title sponsor for Indian Badminton League to start on August 14, 2013

In what could be termed as one of the most anticipated statements of the high-impact Indian Badminton League, it was announced yesterday that Vodafone India, India’s leading telecommunications service providers will be the ‘Title Sponsors’ for Indian Badminton League (IBL) 2013, a company statement said.

Vivek Mathur, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone India said: “Vodafone has a strong association with sport in India. We see a great initiative in the Indian Badminton League. Badminton is a sport that most Indians associate with and we see this as a paradigm shift in the sports entertainment industry. Vodafone India intends to make the best out of this association".
Ashish Chadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, the ‘Commercial Partner’ for IBL, pointed out: “It is a matter of pride for Indian Badminton League today that Vodafone India has decided to promote the League and this association will take BAI and Sporty Solutionz’s attempt to promote badminton in India to the next level. With its unparalleled reputation for world-class services and pioneering telecom supremacy, Vodafone India’s support will be a key factor to the success of IBL. Keeping in mind Vodafone India’s past association with sports, it gives us the confidence that they will even guide us with their valuable experience through this foray".
Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta, Badminton Association of India President and Member of Parliament added: “We welcome Vodafone to the IBL family. We look forward to a strong and successful association and their presence will add goodwill to the League".
Badminton League
The $ 1-million Indian Badminton League is set to launch on August 14, 2013, with some high-voltage action expected between Krrish Delhi Smashers and Pune Pistons. The 2013 IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches, providing broadcasters and in-stadia spectators with more than 100 hours of Live 'family entertainment' on STAR Sports 2 and ESPN. The matches will be held during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience.
The Live in-stadia entertainment, combined with high-octane on-court action is likely to further hook viewers onto this new adrenalin packed Live family entertainment format attracting a much younger fan base, which also includes women and children.The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semi-finals and the winners will meet in the grand final on August 31, 2013 which will be played in Mumbai, for the richest prize money tournament in badminton till now. Vodafone India is a member of the Vodafone Group and commenced operations in 1994 when its predecessor Hutchison Telecom acquired the cellular license for Mumbai. The company has operations across the country serving over 150 million customers. Vodafone India has firmly established a strong position within the Vodafone Group to, becoming the largest subscriber base globally. This journey is a strong testimony of Vodafone’s success in a highly competitive and price sensitive market. Vodafone India in its long-term commitment to India has been providing innovative, customer friendly and reliable products and services by continuously differentiating itself with a strong brand, best quality network, unique distribution and great customer service. For this contribution, the company has been receiving several awards and recognition across different segments. Vodafone Group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies with over 408 million customers as on June 30, 2013. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide. 

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the governing body for badminton in India. BAI is an association registered under the Societies Act and affiliated to the Badminton World Federation, BAC and the IOA. BAI was formed in 1934 and has been holding national-level tournaments in India since 1936. BAI conducts international tournaments in India like the India Open Superseries, Syed Modi India Grand Prix, national championships, selects team and conducts camps for Olympic Games, World Championship, looks after training of technical officials, and takes path-breaking initiatives like Indian Badminton League to promote the sport.
Sporty Solutionz Pvt Ltd are the Commercial Partner for the Indian Badminton League and the Marketing and Events Partners for the Yonex Sunrise India Open. The company is India’s leading TV Rights  Management Company, and has been associated with almost all the premier sporting events in India like the IPL, Euro 2012, Sri Lanka Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches etc. Based in Noida (Delhi NCR), Sporty Solutionz also specialises in Sports Production, Events, Talent Management and Sports PR and Press Operations.

MS Dhoni to promote Barclays Premier League Soccer for Star Sports

STAR Sports, one of the most popular sports channels, has appointed Indian Cricket team captain and youth icon, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as the brand ambassador to promote Barclays Premier League soccer (BPL) in the country. A keen soccer enthusiast and a Manchester United fan, Dhoni will invite all sports fans to ‘Join the Game’ in a clutter breaking integrated marketing campaign which will be launched early next week. The campaign will have a strong on-air and digital media thrust, according to a statement issued by ESPN.

The announcement comes on the back of the sports broadcaster announcing the launch of Hindi commentary for the first time on BPL. The Hindi commentary will be in addition to the English commentary and will be available for over 100 live matches across the season, noted the statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, ESPN Software India said: "We are delighted to have Dhoni come on board as the brand ambassador for BPL in India. We are targeting to expand the fan base of BPL here by leveraging the iconic power and fan following of Dhoni to attract cricket fans to sample BPL – Duniya ka sabse bada league. We want these fans to sample matches of BPL through the eyes of their biggest hero. The core campaign idea is ‘Join the Game’. The launch of BPL in Hindi is in line with our overall strategy of pushing multi-lingual content. We believe that if you want people to consume a lot of content, you should offer it to them in their language of comfort".

The BPL campaign will build on MSD's love for football. He will invite sports fans in India to 'Join the Game'. The campaign has interesting renditions of how Dhoni is always missing from action and is glued to the TV sets watching BPL every weekend while his family and friends run around looking for him.

Speaking on the association, Dhoni, added: “I am an avid BPL fan and I just played out a real situation in front of the camera. If I am not busy with cricket, I am always busy with BPL during week-ends. Soccer is extremely exciting and very close to my heart. I was a goal keeper during my school days. Even today, I play soccer as a warm up game ahead of key cricket matches".

Stating that he felt that Indian sports fans should consume different types of sports, Dhoni went on to add: "I want them to be passionate about Cricket as they are, but at the same time one needs to give healthy respect for other disciplines as well. It is critical to spread the message of overall sports development and promotion in the country. This STAR Sports initiative to provide soccer commentary now in Hindi will go a long way in making soccer exciting to watch and comprehend for new audiences across the nation.
Similar efforts should be done to promote other sports as well".

Production plans

STAR Sports has aggressive production plans for non-live programming on this season of BPL in Hindi.  The support of non-live programming through the season will play a key role in educating consumers about the league. The broadcaster plans to showcase highlight shows, weekly show based on ‘goals’; and a weekly magazine show which will review and preview the latest developments from BPL. The sports channel has started off non-live programming with a 6 episode build-up show ‘Superstar Football’ which focuses on multiple facets of the league – famous owners, top clubs, top players etc. In soccer, STAR Sports channels hold broadcast rights for Barclays Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, the English FA Cup and England international matches and AFC Events. STAR Sports has recently showcased FIFA Confederations Cup 2013.