Hockey Ireland’s Post

🌍 Futsal's Global Growth: Striking the Right Balance ⚽️ Firstly, I want to commend Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Philippines for taking on the incredible challenge of hosting major futsal tournaments like the FIFA Futsal World Cup, UEFA Futsal EUROs and the first-ever FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup. Their dedication is helping expand futsal’s reach and bringing the sport to new audiences, which is crucial for its global development. 🙌 I want to also give credit when credit is due - Uzbekistan has done an amazing job hosting the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, attracting larger audiences than we saw at the 2022 tournament in Lithuania. This enthusiasm from local fans is a great testament to futsal's growing popularity in new regions! 🙌👏 However, when we think about the sport’s global future, it’s important to also consider the holistic business needs of futsal. While expanding into emerging markets is essential for development, hosting tournaments in countries with well-established sports industries—such as France, for example, who had a failed bid for the next EUROs—could ignite more international media attention and commercial interest. These nations can help elevate futsal to a broader global audience by creating ripple effects in other markets around the world. 🌍📺 To be clear, this isn’t a critique of the current host nations, whose contributions are invaluable. Rather, it’s a perspective on how we can balance development and commercial strategy to ensure futsal’s sustained growth. By leveraging large media markets alongside emerging ones, we can create a stronger global ecosystem for the sport. Therefore, I hope a nation like France will bid to host the next World Cup in 2028🌟 ℹ️ Picture: The picture was taken at the current World Cup in Uzbekistan - Source: UEFA #Futsal #GlobalFutsal #FIFA #UEFA #SportsBusiness #HolisticGrowth #FutsalDevelopment #BalancedApproach #CommercialSuccess #2024FutsalWorldCup #FF #Futsal #FutsalFocus #FutsalNews #SportNews #Sport #lovefutsal #choosefutsal #bestsportonearth #lovefutsalplayfutsal #futsalandproud

ITTF Africa Signs Landmark Agreement with ITTF to Elevate Table Tennis in Africa Chengdu, China - December 7, 2024 In a significant move to promote table tennis across the African continent, ITTF Africa (African Table Tennis Federation) has entered into a Strategic Quadrennial Agreement (SQA) with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The agreement, which spans from 2025 to 2028, outlines a unified commitment to advancing the sport in Africa. The SQA promises enhanced funding and collaborative efforts between ITTF Africa and ITTF to promote and develop table tennis in Africa. Key areas of focus include enhancing continental events, promoting grassroots development, advancing commercialization and professionalization, fostering sustainability, strengthening governance, and expanding social responsibility initiatives. ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi and ITTF President Petra Sörling formalized the agreements in a signing ceremony held in Chengdu, China. "The objectives outlined in the SQA align with the new vision and direction of ITTF Africa under my leadership," stated Oshodi. "We will work closely with the ITTF to ensure these objectives are fully achieved in Africa." Sörling added, "The Strategic Quadrennial Agreement marks a pivotal moment for our global table tennis family. By aligning our efforts and resources with the unique needs and aspirations of Africa and its member associations, we can elevate the sport to new heights." This landmark agreement is set to streamline cooperation between ITTF Africa and ITTF, paving the way for a brighter future for table tennis in Africa. Wahid Enitan Oshodi Petra Sörling #development #SDGgoals #genderequality #diversity #inclusion 💪💪💪💪💪

🚀 Sport World News This Week! 2 News Not to Lose!🌟 This week from the world of sports: 🎾 ---> 1. PPA expands to increase decision making for all pro players in padel 🎾 ---> 2. A new exhibition tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia: the Six Kings Slam starts! Are you curious to learn more? Scroll below for all the details 🏆 What is your opinion on these news? Let us know in the comments! #PPA #SixKingsSlam #SportNews

The FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan has not disappointed. A brilliant tournament full of amazing games, full of amazing talent on display and fans worldwide fully engaged. Absolutely fantastic to see. The game continues to grow. 5 times FIFA Futsal World Cup winners Brazil qualify for the final with a very narrow win over Ukraine. This is the same Brazil team that the FAs Graeme Dell organised a deliberate boycott of when they visited England in April 2023. The FA Futsal Committee were invited to this event but chose to ignore the event. One of the futsal committee members bought tickets but weirdly, did not to attend!!!! BTW, this has been denied publicly by England Futsal's Steve Mitchell but I have email evidence to prove he is lying. Yet more despicable behaviour from those entrusted to run futsal in England. Or does this run deeper 🤔. Definitely gives us more to ponder. Ukraine reaching the semi finals is just truly remarkable. I have nothing but admiration for them. A war torn country for over 2 yrs. To see them come this far is truly awesome. Their NGB got right behind them and fully embraced their journey. #proud The other semi final is Argentina (won it in 2016 under my great friend Diego Giustozzi leadership, losing finalists 2021) and France. The FFF invested €20m into futsal and look at the rewards. Simply #Outstanding Serial winners Brazil and serial contenders and winner Argentina are steeped in futsal history. They, along with Spain and Portugal, set the bar. Ukraine and France have clearly proved that through investment and support, they can compete at the top table. #Amazing All this adds yet more #shame and #embarrassment on the English FA and England Futsal Ltd. #futsal #truth #accountability #flawed #Supression #growthegame #sportengland #DCMS

Sports News Today LIVE Updates: Namibia Up Against Uganda In T20 World Cup Warm-Up Fixture - Outlook India: Sports News Today LIVE Updates: Namibia Up Against Uganda In T20 World Cup Warm-Up Fixture  Outlook India

Slovenia is small. Slovenia can't compete with big nations. Slovenia has only few hundred football players, basketball players, volleyball players... Few cyclists. Slovenia can't do this and that.. And yet: - Slovenia soccer team is playing in 1/8 finals on EURO 2024 - Slovenia volleyball team is playing in semifinal League of Nations - Slovenia basketball team with Luka Dončič is playing qualifications tournament for Paris Olympics - Slovenian Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič starting Tour de France as main favourites, trying to add another trophy to Giro 2024 -Slovenian both women and men handball team qualified for Olympics already So next time they tell you, you can't do something, you are too small, you are not competitive.. Say: Watch me! It's not about size! It's about mindset that have vision and heart that have boldness to to do things that can't be done. And I am not talking (just) about sports!😉 #mindset #success #vision

International Rugby League has released its 2023 annual report. The report focuses on the unprecedented growth of the international game in the wake of one of the greatest challenges faced by the IRL after the decision by France 2025 to withdraw from hosting the next World Cup. Difficult, but necessary, decisions made at July’s IRL Board meeting in Singapore, in response to France’s withdrawal, led to more matches being played by more nations in 2023 than any year outside of a World Cup. The introduction of the long-awaited international calendar also provided greater certainty about the direction of international rugby league until 2030 and beyond. The revamping of the World Cup format, with 10 men’s teams and eight each in the women’s and wheelchair tournaments, will ensure more competitive matches featuring many of the game’s best players. The next World Cup will now be staged in 2026 in the Southern Hemisphere before the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments are held as stand-alone tournaments in 2028, 2029 and 2030 respectively. The move will make it more feasible for nations to host a World Cup and has been vindicated by the tender process for the 2028 (women’s), 2029 (wheelchair) and 2030 (men’s tournaments). With a greater focus on regional championships, there will now be a more meaningful qualifying process and the establishment of a World Series to determine the final berths gives added weight to more sanctioned international matches. Among the 2023 highlights were: 🌐 The inaugural Pacific Championships contested by Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa men’s and women’s teams, and Tonga women; 🌐 Tonga men becoming the first Pacific nation to tour England for a three-match series; 🌐 A total of 42 men’s, women’s and wheelchair fixtures involving European nations, including a two-match home-and-away series between RLWC2021 wheelchair finalists England and France ; 🌐 Jamaica hosting the women’s Americas Championship, involving USA, Canada and Jamaica, and a men’s international against the USA Hawks; 🌐 The first ever bilateral international fixtures played in Africa, with South Africa hosting Kenya in two men’s internationals and Nigeria playing Ghana and Kenya in women’s internationals. In addition, France staged an historic two-match tour to Kenya. 📰 https://bit.ly/49vs3yM

📢Saudi Arabia: The New Home of WTA Finals🎾🏆 Riyadh, the vibrant capital of Saudi Arabia, is all set to host the next three editions of the esteemed WTA Finals from 2024-2026. This follows a new agreement between the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation. The 2024 season-ending Finals, scheduled for November 2-9, will showcase the Top 8 singles players and doubles teams in the Race to the WTA Finals. A grand stage for the best in women’s tennis!🙌 Riyadh’s selection comes after a comprehensive evaluation process, assessing multiple bids from different regions and engaging with players. The criteria were clear: 📝 • The ability to deliver and fund a world-class event for players and fans • Support for the WTA’s ambition for significant prize money growth • The strength of their commitment to growing the WTA Finals and the sport over time The agreement promises record prize money of $15.25 million at the 2024 WTA Finals, with further increases in 2025 and 2026. This partnership also supports broader investment in the future development and growth of women’s tennis, including plans to grow the global fanbase through increased investment in marketing, digital, and fan engagement.🌐💸 Riyadh’s selection builds on the WTA’s presence of more than 20 years in the Middle East. This comes at a time of significant growth of sport in Saudi Arabia, with participation levels more than tripling since 2015 to almost 50%. The number of sporting federations has also increased threefold during this time, with the Saudi Tennis Federation being a prime example.📈💥 So, let’s gear up for some high-octane tennis action in the heart of Riyadh. Stay tuned and keep cheering!🤩🙌 #WTAfinals #Riyadh2024 #Tennis #WomenInTennis #SportGrowth #TennisInMiddleEast

Why doesn’t Ireland have multiple indoor sporting arenas capable of holding between 8-10 thousand people all over the country?? With the weather getting worse year on year, surely it makes both sporting and commercial sense! What’s the reason for not building them? Is it that investors/Government think they won’t be commercially viable? Indoor sports like Basketball, Ice-Hockey, Figure skating, Futsal, Olympic Handball, etc… would thrive in these venues. These venues could be used 365 days of the year. Basketball is thriving in Ireland at the moment, we recently hosted a thrilling Davis Cup tie against Austria in the University of Limerick, yet are limited to venues with limited capacity. Much smaller countries than Ireland have venues like this, yet we don’t 🤷🏻♂️ Surely it’s a no brainer to build these type of venues! #builditandtheywillcome #sports #ireland #arenas

Djamel Sedjati Gunning for Rudisha’s World Record at Paris Olympics Djamel Sedjati, Algeria’s rising star in middle-distance running, has set his sights on two monumental goals for the Paris Olympics: securing a medal for his nation and breaking the world… #DavidRudisha #DjamelSedjati #ParisOlympics >>> Read more