The best cities to watch the Euros has been revealed

New research from leading mobile reseller Buymobiles has ranked 28 of the UK’s major cities based on a number of metrics to determine the best places to watch the European Football Championship this summer, as England march on to the quarter-finals.

The data reveals that Manchester is the best place in the UK to watch the Euros, with the best average score based on phone signal, the average cost of a pint, the number of venues, venue ratings, sun hours and a ‘footy-mad’ rating – determined by Google Trends.

Ranking second place is Liverpool, which makes the North West the place to be for the ultimate viewing experience. Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow made up the top five followed by Leeds, Belfast and Southampton. 

Aberdeen was next on the list meaning Scotland can boast three cities in the top ten with Yorkshire duo Sheffield and York ranked closely behind. London, the UK’s capital, ranked low, taking twelfth place despite having one of the best football-mad ratings and the biggest population by a considerable distance. 

Unfortunately, London had the highest average cost of a pint when compared to 27 other cities.

Other locations that scored low include Birmingham, which was just behind the capital, and Bristol coming in at twenty-first of the twenty-eight cities analysed. This is despite both cities having more than one football club and having a higher population than the vast majority on the list. 

Welsh Capital Cardiff also found itself ranking in the lower echelons, placing in twenty-third, followed by Portsmouth, Sunderland, Coventry and Plymouth. This leaves Swansea as the worst place in the UK to watch the championship, due to a lack of venues, poorer venue ratings and a comparatively low amount of sun hours. 

Jess Canning, Mobile Expert at Buymobiles said on the new research: “We’ve missed so much live entertainment as a result of the pandemic, and the Euros is a fantastic start to some normality returning. Whilst we know every fan will make the best of this tournament, whatever city they watch the games in, it’s a great conversation starter for the group football chat. 

“Afterall, what more could you need while watching the Euros than sunshine, a cheap pint and a good strong signal on your mobile to stay connected while you celebrate. None of us expected London to rank outside the top ten given its size and number of venues, but perhaps not so surprisingly, the average cost of a pint let the capital down as it was the highest on the list. 

“Likewise, with some of the bigger cities like Birmingham and Bristol, which we thought would come in the top ten.”

The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay arrives in London for the Platinum Jubilee weekend

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities in every corner of the Commonwealth ahead of Birmingham 2022. The Baton has already begun its epic journey across the Commonwealth, where it will have visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas, it will return to England in July 2022 for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay approaches end of the international journey ahead of Home Nations tour

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has now visited 68 nations and territories of the Commonwealth in 253 days, with visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales remaining in the international journey.   

It comes as, today, the Queen’s Baton Relay has completed its journey through the Isle of Man with visits to NSC Athletics Track, Peel Castle and Tynwald Hill.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in England after completing journey through the Home Nations

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has reached a significant milestone, having completed a 269-day international journey across 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. It comes as the Baton has just completed visits to the Home Nations: Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay completes visit to Australia

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has completed four jam-packed days in Australia from 17 to 20 March, where over 50 Batonbearers were selected to represent their country. It follows recent visits to other Commonwealth Games Associations in Oceania, some of which include:

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay reaches halfway point

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay has now completed half of its journey to all 72 nations and territories in the Commonwealth. The Baton spent its 147th day in Niue, a Pacific Island in Oceania, which marked the halfway point through its journey. The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects, and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. It officially began on 7 October when Her Majesty The Queen placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

The Relay will officially come to an end in 147 days at the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony on 28 July, when the Queen or her representative, will read out her Message to the Commonwealth. During a visit from the Baton, Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) host a busy schedule of events and activities that aim to tell the untold stories of communities, through local heroes, whilst showcasing landmarks, and highlighting projects that addresses at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Most recently, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been visiting the Pacific Islands in Oceania. In Fiji, Batonbearers took part in a coral planting activity as part of a global conservation initiative, led by hotels and resorts in Fiji in partnership with governments, private industries and conservation organisations. The initiative aims to protect coral reefs through coral planting opportunities, beach clean-ups and other activities to support the health of the ocean. Team Fiji’s Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022, Sale Sorovaki, was among the Batonbearers to take the plunge and plant coral.

Fijian Batonbearers Jerry Tuwai, and Rusila Nagasau, respectively silver and bronze medallists at Gold Coast 2018, handed the Baton over to His Excellency the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. The Baton was then received at the British High Commissioner’s residence from para-athlete, Leslie Tikotikoca.

While in Papua New Guinea, the Baton visited Kambaramba, a village built entirely on stilts in the Sepik River. This way of living has allowed generations of families to live in the area, without exploiting the natural environment. Bradley Simon, Sports Project Officer to Hon Governor Allan Bird’s Office and former Agmark Gurias rugby league team member, represented his community as one of the nation’s Batonbearers.

The Baton was also taken to Unity Square in the Solomon Islands, which is home to the biggest flag and tallest flagpole in the Pacific region. In Samoa, the Baton visited a celebration of sport at Samoa Cricket Oval. It also visited Mount Vaea, which serves as the final resting place of Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer whose notable works include Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Samoan Athletes El Shaddai Eniata, Jireh Westerlund, Johnny Key, Jirhel Levy, William Hunt, and Esau Masina all carried the Baton on Mount Vaea.
The Baton visited Captain Cook’s Landing Place in Tonga, which marks the location where Captain James Cook came ashore to the island in 1777. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited and commemorated the location with a plaque in 1970. Tongan athlete Ronald Fotofili and sprinter Siueni Filimone represented Tonga as Batonbearers during the visit.

While visiting the world’s smallest island nation, Nauru, the Baton visited all 14 of the island’s districts, where local members of the communities had hand painted signs to welcome the Baton’s arrival. The Baton was also taken to the Nauru Museum, which is home to the first ever Nauruan flag. 18-year-old Nauruan weightlifter, Nancy Abouke was honoured to bear the Baton on home soil.

Batonbearers in Vanuatu took on extreme modes of transport with Benneth Malas ziplining 300m, another rode a quad bike, while a third went horseback riding with the Baton. Another Batonbearer crossed the Vanuatu Sky Bridge, 65m above a canyon, while carrying the Baton. In Niue, the Baton visited Matapa Chasm, which is known locally as the King’s Bathing Hole as it used to be frequented by Niue Royalty.

The chasm has a rich marine life and is home to many tropical species of crabs and crayfish. In the final 147 days, the Baton is set to continue its journey in Oceania, with upcoming visits to more islands in the Pacific Ocean and New Zealand, where the Baton will celebrate Commonwealth Day, before travelling on to Australia.

Following visits to the remaining Pacific Islands and CGA’s in Oceania, the Baton will visit the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe, before finally returning home to England on 4 July, where the Baton will spend 25 days visiting cities, towns, and communities across the country.
Jerry Tuwai, Fiji Sevens team member and Batonbearer, said: “I felt so privileged to be one of the first Batonbearers in Fiji to take on the Relay and represent my country during the Queen’s Baton Relay. It is an amazing feeling to take part in such an important journey.”

President of Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association Maru Talagi, said: “It is such an honour to have been able to host the Queen’s Baton Relay during its landmark celebration of being halfway through its journey. I have enjoyed seeing the Relay so far and I am excited to see how the remaining countries and territories welcome the Baton.”

Lisa Hampton, Head of the Queen’s Baton Relay, said: “Being halfway through the Queen’s Baton Relay is such an incredible landmark to reach. This is bigger than just the numbers, it’s about the remarkable individuals we’ve met as Batonbearers, and the captivating stories told from communities visited that are testament to the success of this journey so far.

“I have been constantly amazed by the activities and events that the Commonwealth Games Associations have organised to celebrate the arrival of the Baton in each nation and territory. They have managed to make the Relay such a special experience for everyone around the Commonwealth to watch and enjoy with them.

“I am really looking forward to each of the remaining 147 days and to get to know each remaining Commonwealth nation and territory through the Queen’s Baton Relay.”
Dame Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “It is amazing that the Queen’s Baton Relay has now completed half of its journey across the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

“The Baton has received a warm and vibrant welcome from our Commonwealth Games Associations, whilst creating huge excitement and anticipation for Birmingham 2022. We are all now looking forward to the second half of the journey as the Baton continues to provide hope and inspiration on route to the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony on 28 July.”

 

The Birmingham City’s ‘Keep Right On’ Challenge

Players and staff at Birmingham City F.C. got together to take up the challenge of covering the entire distance between John O’ Groats to Land’s End to help to raise funds for local hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Championship club’s players and staff; including Men’s and Women’s First Team, Academy, BCFC Community Trust, the Former Players Association, Media, Ticket Office, Commercial and Retail recorded their cumulative miles travelled by either running or walking in their respective local surroundings whilst adhering to guidelines on exercise and social distancing.

Backed by Principle partners, Boylsports, who took part themselves, they chose to support the University Hospital Birmingham Charity.

A statement from the club said: “The money raised can now go to delivering care packs to nurses, provide ‘wobble rooms’ for staff to get psychological and emotional support, helping patients to stay in contact with their families by providing tablets with video conferencing apps and much more”.

Charlotte Schofield, Director of Fundraising at the University Hospital Birmingham Charity said: “Our thanks go out to everyone at Birmingham City who took on, or supported the Keep Right On Challenge, as their support will now help us to do more for our NHS Superheroes and the patients who they are treating at these difficult times/

The boxing world is in mourning as championship star, Paul Bamba, announced dead

Championship boxer Paul Bamba has died, his manager Ne-Yo confirmed.

The charity encouraging young Black people to keep a cricket legacy alive

A cricket charity is encouraging young people of African and Caribbean heritage to get into the game.

The Club at Castiglion del Bosco set for major course upgrade

The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, Europe's finest golf and wine experience at Italy’s only private golf club, is to be extended and enhanced as part of a major course upgrade this winter. In the year The 2023 Ryder Cup comes to Italy, a multi-million Euro investment will lengthen the course to 7,500 yards and further enhance the exclusive playing experience for club members and guests of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco.

The Cool Hand Cup is back as Marston’s and Luke Humphries are on the lookout for the UK’s best pub darts team

This February, Marston’s is challenging darts teams up and down the country to step up to their local oche and see if they have what it takes to get their hands on a cool £10,000. 

The Coventry company who kitted out Team Anguilla for Games

Coventry-based boxing apparel company BOXRAW have kitted out the Anguilla team participating at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. In a game-changing donation, BOXRAW stepped in to provide top-quality training and competition kit for the Anguilla team after they were nearly forced to pull out of the Games due to a lack of kit.  

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. races ahead as the new sponsor of The Prestbury Cup at The Cheltenham Festival

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., creator of the world's Best Irish Single Malt of 2022, has been announced as the new sponsor of The Prestbury Cup at The Cheltenham Festival. The sponsorship represents the second year running that The Jockey Club and The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. have partnered at the Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse.

The cricket world mourn death of former Australia batsman and commentator Dean Jones

The cricket world is still in mourning after the passing of former Australia batsman Dean Jones whilst he was in Mumbai, where he was working as a commentator covering the Indian Premier League.

Born in Coburg,in Victoria, the stylish middle-order batsman played 52 Tests from 1984 to 1992, averaging 46.55 and winning the Ashes on two occasions. He was also part of the Australia team that won the World Cup in 1987, beating England in a thrilling final.

 

Best remembered for his innings of 210 in the tied match between Australia and India in 1986, in his 164 one-day internationals, he averaged 44.61.

 

He also had spells in county cricket with Derbyshire and Durham, and, after retiring from playing, had further careers as a coach and broadcaster.

 

Following the news of his death Cricket Australia chair Earl Eddings said: "Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and will forever be remembered as a legend of this great game.

 

"Anyone who watched cricket in the 1980s and 1990s will fondly recall his cavalier approach at the crease and the incredible energy and passion he brought to every game he played."

 

On his Twitter Australia batsman Steve Smith wrote: "Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai. He was a wonderful player for Australia and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family" Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he was "heartbroken" by the news of Jones' passing.

 

Former England captain Michael Atherton said Jones was a pioneer in cricket and "played the game as it would become in the years after he would retire", whilst another former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "This is so sad... A hero of mine has gone far too soon... always offered so much advice to us younger players when he played at Derby."

 

Aaron Finch, Australia limited-overs captain, wrote: "Still in shock hearing the news of Deano's passing. Thoughts are with Jane and the family at this incredibly tough time. A great man with an amazing passion for the game."

 

He was 59.

The cricket world mourns the death of England great, Graham Thorpe

Graham Thorpe, who has died aged 55, will be remembered as one of the best batters of his generation.

THE DUBAI INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CONFERENCE

 DUBAI, 28th December, 2019 Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the 14th Dubai International Sports Conference, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, concluded at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai International Marine Club.

Sheikh Mansour attended the main session of the event, which was organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the theme ‘Future Football Accelerators’.

The event attracted prominent football stars from around the world. A short video shown during the main session of the event highlighted the objectives of the conference, which are in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Guided by the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the conference aims to provide a global platform for generating new strategies for developing football in the UAE and the world, as well as providing a forum for football stars and the sport’s decision makers to share ideas.

Sheikh Mansour, accompanied by Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council Mattar Al Tayer, honoured a number of guests and speakers at the conference including Juventus and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Atlético Madrid and Portugal star Joao Felix, Italian League star Romelu Lukaku and Juventus and Bosnia superstar Miralem Pjanic.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, and Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, along with senior executives of sports establishments, players, coaches and players of local clubs and the UAE female football team.

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo talked about his football style and what it takes to maintain fitness, in a session titled ‘Beat the Challenges, Cristiano Way’.

The conference, which included four panel sessions, discussed topics such as ‘English Football Back to the Top’, featuring former Man United player Edwin Van der Sar, Former England National Team Coach Fabio Capello, and Ferran Soriano, CEO of City Group.

A session titled ‘Empowering Women in Football’ featured French football referee Stephanie Frappart, who has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2009. She became the first female referee to officiate a Men’s Ligue 1 match and was promoted to join the pool of Ligue 1 referees on a permanent basis for the 2019-20 season. Other panelists included Olympique Lyon and England national team player Lucy Bronze, Juventus FC and Italian national team player Sara Gama, and Olympique Lyonnaise & French national team Player Amandine Henry.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Joao Felix and Serie A stars Romelu Lukaku and Miralem Pjanic shared their experiences in a session titled ‘Football Changing Futures’.

French national team manager and World Cup 2018 winner Didier Deschamps, Wales national team manager and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, SS Lazio team manager and former Italian national team player Simone Inzaghi shared their thoughts in a session titled ‘Modern Training and Technology.’ Established as a forum for discussing the global development of the game, the conference brings together influential leaders including chairmen, directors, referees, agents, players and coaches to share their knowledge, experience and ideas.

 

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FOOTBALL

The Dubai International Sports Council Conference had an all women panel discuss the successes and challenges that face women's football. Lucy Bronze, Amandine Henry, Sara Gama and referee Stephanie Frappart made up the first ever all women panel at the 14th Dubai International Sports Council Conference. They were moderated by the CEO of Futbolita, also known as “The ‘Female Voice Of Football”, who asked them questions regarding the progress of women’s football and the challenges each one of them have had to overcome.

The current UEFA Women’s Player Of The Year Lucy Bronze covered topics regarding the England national team and her club team Olympique Lyonnaise. She stated there was a gap in the development of women’s football between some European countries. Those behind need support to raise their level and make the women’s game competitive for all. In 2020 she hopes to see all the stadiums full in ever game.

French referee Stephanie Frappart who has officiated men’s and women’s football matches, discussed the differences in how she was treated between the two while on the field. In August 2019, the 36-year-old was the first woman to referee a major men’s European match when Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties in Istanbul to lift the UEFA Super Cup.

Amandine Henry said today's football players have inspired many women not only in football, but in all walks of life. Amandine who plays for Lyon is also the captain of the French national team, started her footballing career at the age of just 15.

Italy and Juventus defender Sara Gama discussed where Italy needs to improve in women’s football to be more competitive, highlighting that the pool of players they have are less than 23,000 where as their neighbours France have a pool of 100,000 women footballers. With more revenue being attracted to Women’s football, once can only conclude that the future is bright.

Delroy Constantine-Simms

 

INTER MILAN STRIKER IMPLORES ITALIAN FOOTBALL TO FIGHT RACISM

 

Football Changing the Future

Romelu Lukaku during the 14th Dubai International Sports Conference at Madinat called on Italian football to take a more hardline stance on racism after a spate of incidents blighted the game this season. The Inter Milan striker, who signed from Manchester United in August, was racially abused in his second appearance for the club in September, when he was subjected to monkey chants as he was about to take a penalty at Cagliari. Cagliari later escaped punishment from the league.

Meanwhile, Brescia striker Mario Balotelli, Fiorentina’s Dalbert and Sampdoria’s Ronaldo Vieira have also been targeted this season, while the Corriere dello Sport rightfully attracted widespread condemnation earlier this month for its “Black Friday” front page.

Further to that, Serie A’s hugely ill-advised “No to Racism” initiative, which featured three posters of chimpanzees, was almost universally denounced. And although the problem is not confined to the Italian top flight – the Premier League had two incidents this month – Lukaku wants more action taken to eradicate it from the game.

“As footballers we have the power to try and change stuff,” the Belgian said on Saturday at the Dubai International Sports Conference, when talking about speaking out against racism on social media.

“The team, the players around them, have to make a statement. What happened to me was sad because it was the first time it happened in my career.

“I came from England where everything is strict. They make really hard statements on it, they have cameras in the stadiums, fans helping to try and ban those people in the stadiums. In Italy we should do the same.

 

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FOOTBALL

 

The Dubai International Sports Council Conference had an all women panel discuss the successes and challenges that face women's football.

Lucy Bronze, Amandine Henry, Sara Gama and referee Stephanie Frappart made up the first ever all women panel at the 14th Dubai International Sports Council Conference. They were moderated by the CEO of Futbolita, also known as “The ‘Female Voice Of Football”, who asked them questions regarding the progress of women’s football and the challenges each one of them have had to overcome.

The current UEFA Women’s Player Of The Year Lucy Bronze covered topics regarding the England national team and her club team Olympique Lyonnaise. She stated there was a gap in the development of women’s football between some European countries. Those behind need support to raise their level and make the women’s game competitive for all. In 2020 she hopes to see all the stadiums full in ever game.

French referee Stephanie Frappart who has officiated men’s and women’s football matches, discussed the differences in how she was treated between the two while on the field. In August 2019, the 36-year-old was the first woman to referee a major men’s European match when Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties in Istanbul to lift the UEFA Super Cup.

Amandine Henry said today's football players have inspired many women not only in football, but in all walks of life. Amandine who plays for Lyon is also the captain of the French national team, started her footballing career at the age of just 15.

Italy and Juventus defender Sara Gama discussed where Italy needs to improve in women’s football to be more competitive, highlighting that the pool of players they have are less than 23,000 where as their neighbours France have a pool of 100,000 women footballers. With more revenue being attracted to Women’s football, once can only conclude that the future is bright.

Delroy Constantine-Simms

 

INTER MILAN STRIKER IMPLORES ITALIAN FOOTBALL TO FIGHT RACISM

Football Changing the Future

Romelu Lukaku during the 14th Dubai International Sports Conference at Madinat called on Italian football to take a more hardline stance on racism after a spate of incidents blighted the game this season. The Inter Milan striker, who signed from Manchester United in August, was racially abused in his second appearance for the club in September, when he was subjected to monkey chants as he was about to take a penalty at Cagliari. Cagliari later escaped punishment from the league.

Meanwhile, Brescia striker Mario Balotelli, Fiorentina’s Dalbert and Sampdoria’s Ronaldo Vieira have also been targeted this season, while the Corriere dello Sport rightfully attracted widespread condemnation earlier this month for its “Black Friday” front page.

Further to that, Serie A’s hugely ill-advised “No to Racism” initiative, which featured three posters of chimpanzees, was almost universally denounced. And although the problem is not confined to the Italian top flight – the Premier League had two incidents this month – Lukaku wants more action taken to eradicate it from the game.

“As footballers we have the power to try and change stuff,” the Belgian said on Saturday at the Dubai International Sports Conference, when talking about speaking out against racism on social media.

“The team, the players around them, have to make a statement. What happened to me was sad because it was the first time it happened in my career.

“I came from England where everything is strict. They make really hard statements on it, they have cameras in the stadiums, fans helping to try and ban those people in the stadiums. In Italy we should do the same.

 

GLOBE SOCCER AWARDS: CRISTIANO RONALDO, LUCY BRONZE AND LIVERPOOL WALK AWAY WITH BIG PRIZES

Juventus and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo collected a record-extending Best Men’s Player of the Year gong at the 11th edition of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.

Ronaldo, 34, was honoured for a sixth time and for a fourth-consecutive year during the glittering ceremony at Madinat Jumeirah.

The award was an acknowledgement of his outstanding efforts in helping the Italian football club Juventus to the Serie A crown in his debut campaign, and leading his Portugal to victory against the Dutch in the finals of the UEFA Nations League Cup final

There was also a first-ever Best Women’s Player of the Year trophy for England and Lyon right-back Lucy Bronze. Champions League holders and Premier League leaders Liverpool came away with three prizes; Best Coach of the Year – Jurgen Klopp; Best Club of the Year; Best Goalkeeper of the Year (for a second-successive edition) – Alisson.

The night, however, unquestionably belonged to Ronaldo.

“I have to thank my family, my girlfriend, my boy who is here, my three kids waiting for me in the hotel, my family who watched me in Portugal,” said the Portuguese who owns five more Best Men’s Player of the Year gongs than Barcelona and Argentina rival Lionel Messi.

“Also my team-mates at Juventus and the national team, my agent and all the people here tonight supporting this gala of Globe Soccer.

“Thank you to the Arabic community that is always great with me. Dubai is a marvellous place to be, I’m coming every year.

“I love this place. Finally, thanks to people who voted for me.

“It is a great honour to receive this amazing award. I hope to be here again, of course.”

Best Women’s Player of the Year Bronze, 28, delivered an empowering message.

She said: “2019 has been an amazing year for women’s football, especially. A lot of records broken and records made, such as tonight with this first-ever women’s award.

“I would love to dedicate this award to all of the women working hard in football. They are truly doing an amazing job – they all deserve a part of this as much as I do.”

Klopp, 52, decided to deflect praise onto his squad and technical staff.

He said: “It is always on behalf of my coaching staff and you can only win these things when a team is performing at a high level. “Coincidentally, I am coach of these wonderful players and I got the award.

“Now, we’ve worked together with this group for two years. I am so pleased with the resilience we have shown in so many moments.”

As for the other awards, Jorge Mendes triumphed once again among the agents, this year winning award number nine since the establishment of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, a record that is becoming increasingly difficult to match.

He said: “I would like to thank my people from [agency] GestiFute, my family, managers and players. We also have here Joao Felix, who is the best young player in the world, and the best-ever player, Cristiano Ronaldo.”

With him on the Globe Soccer stage, his star pupil also appeared, the promising young Portugal player Joao Felix, class of ’99, who was named as the Best Revelation Player. His gold transfer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid contributed in no small part to the victory of his agent.

He said: “I want to say thank you to Benfica, Atletico Madrid, my agents and my parents who have supported me from the beginning.”

Among the referees, it was again a woman who won the award for Best Referee of the Year, France’s Stephanie Frappart. She became the first woman referee in history to officiate over a European men’s Super Cup final (the match between Liverpool and Chelsea, held on August 14).

Dubai Globe Soccer Awards also recognizes football stars in the Arab region in cooperation with Kooora: the Saudi club Al Hilal was named Best Arab Club of the Year; and the Moroccan striker, leading figure of the Saudi club Al Nassr, Abderrazak Hamdallah won as Best Arab Player.

Player Career Awards were given to Manchester United legend and current Wales boss Ryan Giggs, plus Juventus and Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

“I was lucky enough to play for the team I supported an also the country I was born,” said 46-year-old Giggs, who retired from United in 2014. “I played under many great coaches and manager, so I’d like to thank them – especially Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I’d also like to thank my teammate. I played until I was 40 and you can only do that with really good players.

“I would also like to thank my family and friends. Without them, I couldn’t have done what I did.”

Considered as part of the ‘Grand Slam’ of football award ceremonies alongside the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Football Awards, the star-studded event was organised in partnership with Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and held alongside DSC`s Dubai International Sports Conference.

The annual Dubai Globe Soccer Awards were established in 2010 with the aim of recognising not just the best players and coaches, but also the people who work behind the scenes who had not previously been acknowledged. The great success of the event over the years has seen further categories added to the awards list, and the event now honours all the best in football.

2019 Globe Soccer Awards

1. Best Academy of the Year: Ajax and Benfica

2. Best Agent of the Year: Jorge Mendes

3. Best Club of the Year: Liverpool

4. Best Coach of the Year: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

5. Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Alisson Becker

6. Best Men’s Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo

7. Best Partnership of the Year Award by Sport Business: Manchester City and SAP

8. Best Referee of the Year: Stephanie Frappart

9. Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid, Portugal)

10. Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

11. Best Women’s Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze

12. Best Young Arab Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi

13. Kooora — Best Arab Club Award: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

14. Kooora — Best Arab Player Award: Abderazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia)

15. Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

 

Delroy Constantine-Simms

The Els Club Teluk Datai becomes Malaysia’s first golf course to achieve GEO Certification

Pioneering rainforest resort, The Datai Langkawi, is delighted to announce that The Els Club Teluk Datai has become the first golf course in Malaysia to be awarded the prestigious GEO Certification.

The eSkootr Championship and Umicore to recycle S1-X Electric Scooter Batteries

As part of the eSkootr Championship’s (eSC) commitment to offer a future net-zero carbon racing series, every battery used to power the S1-X scooters will be recycled by world-leading materials technology and recycling group, Umicore. Additionally, Umicore will work closely with the eSC technical and sustainability team to enable sustainable circular design of the next generation batteries.
 
Umicore was the first organization to join eSC as a Global Sustainability Partner in 2021 and will be responsible for recycling the Williams Advance Engineering battery.

The First Tee celebrity golf tournament returns

Three new celebrities have signed up for ‘The First Tee’ with former Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist Ellen Keane, ex-Ireland international footballer Stephanie Zambra, and personal coach and fitness influencer Nathalie Lennon coming on board this year.

The five games that defined Chelsea's WSL title win

Chelsea wrapped up an astonishing fifth Women's Super League title in a row with a ruthless final day thrashing of Manchester United on Saturday.