The winners of the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards were unveiled on 6 February, and the ceremony will be screened on Sky1 HD on Thursday 9 February at 10pm. 

The Laureus World Sports Awards are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time.

Award winners this year included Serbia’s Novak Djokovic who was acclaimed Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after his remarkable 2011 when he won three Grand Slam events – the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – and took away the tennis world No 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal.

The Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Kenya’s extraordinary distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot, who won both 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold medals at the World Championships in Daegu.

Winners of the Champions League and the Spanish League in the 2010/11 season, under coach Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona won the Laureus World Team of the Year Award.

Northern Ireland golf celebrated two Awards. Brilliant young star Rory McIlroy, 22, (pictured left) was named winner of the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award after winning the US Open, his first Major Championship, while Darren Clarke received the Laureus Comeback Award after his Open Championship victory at Royal St.George’s at his 20th attempt and at the age of 42.

American surfing giant Kelly Slater was named Laureus Action Sportsperson of the Year. It was his fourth Laureus Award, equalling the record of Roger Federer, the only other four-time winner.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, dubbed the ‘Blade Runner’ because he uses carbon fibre blades, was presented with the Laureus Disability Award, after becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in the non-disabled World Championships, a silver in the 4 x 400 metres relay.

England football legend Bobby Charlton was awarded the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable career. Former Brazilian international footballer Raí, now a campaigner for social justice, won the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during 2011, were announced at the Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, which was hosted by Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen and attended by guests from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

The members of the Laureus World Sports Academy present were: Giacomo Agostini, Boris Becker, Sergey Bubka, Nadia Comaneci, Marcel Desailly, Kapil Dev, Mick Doohan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tony Hawk, Mike Horn, Miguel Indurain, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Robby Naish, Ilie Nastase, Martina Navratilova, Alexey Nemov, Gary Player, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Steve Redgrave, Monica Seles, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba, Steve Waugh and Katarina Witt.

Other sports guests included:  Schalk Burger Jr, Paul Collingwood, David Coulthard, Johan Cruyff, Lawrence Dallaglio, Daniel Dias, Cadel Evans, Alex Ferguson, Ruud Gullit, Gavin Hastings, Tim Henman, Kelly Holmes, Petra Kvitova, Lennox Lewis, Barry McGuigan, Matthew Pinsent, Oscar Pistorius, Alan Shearer, Edwin van der Sar, Esther Vergeer, Patrick Vieira, Andre Villas-Boas and Arsene Wenger.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries around the world, including five in London. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

The 2012 Laureus Award winners were:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot

Laureus World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy

Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Darren Clarke

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oscar Pistorius

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater

The Laureus World Sports Awards will be broadcast on Sky1 HD on Thursday 9 February at 10pm and repeated on Sky2 at 11.30pm on Saturday 11 February.

The world’s best snooker players will be back in Newport from February 13-19 for the 2012 888真人Welsh Open, with live coverage on BBC Two Wales, BBC Red Button & British Eurosport. 

The world ranking event has been staged at the Newport Centre every year since 2005, and will stay in the city for the next three years thanks to new funding pledged by Newport City Council.

The tournament will see the return of defending champion John Higgins, as well as home favourites Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens alongside many more of snooker’s top stars including Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

BBC Wales are the host broadcaster for the tournament which will be televised around the globe to a potential audience of hundreds of millions.

BBC Two Wales coverage will consist of live daily afternoon programmes, along with the first hour of play from the evening sessions and nightly highlights programmes. BBC Two Wales coverage will be presented by Ashleigh Crowter with commentary from Dominic Dale, Terry Griffiths, Darren Morgan and Willie Thorne.

Full live coverage of the tournament is also available on the BBC Red Button across the UK and online via the BBC Sport website. British Eurosport will broadcast live coverage from every session throughout the week, with high definition coverage available via Eurosport HD.

British Eurosport will broadcast live coverage of Great Britain’s Europe / Africa Group I Davis Cup tie against the Slovak Republic over the weekend of 10-12 February.

The tie, to be played at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow is Great Britain’s first since clinching promotion following victory over Hungary last year. Team GB will be without British No.1, Andy Murray and will comprise of captain Leon Smith alongside James Ward, Dan Evans, Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins.

Leon Smith said : “This is a real step up in standard for the team, and we go into the tie knowing the Slovak Republic will be favourites. But I am confident the boys will see this as a great chance to put everything into representing their country, and that with the backing of a fantastic set of home fans, we can upset the odds.”

Andy Murray has been advised to take a few weeks off on medical grounds, after picking up injuries in last months Australian Open.

Murray who reached the semi-final of the Australian Open said: ”I’m gutted to miss out on the Davis Cup having really enjoyed playing last year, but as it’s only the start of an important season, which includes the Olympics in London, it’s probably a sensible decision.

“My focus in 2012 is on performing well in the Grand Slams and the London 2012 Olympics. I look forward to playing in the next Davis Cup tie later in the year.”

Eurosport recently became the new home of Davis Cup tennis after securing a two-year deal with the International Tennis Federation for exclusive coverage of World Group ties and Great Britain’s ties.

Davis Cup : Great Britain v Slovak Republic – Live Broadcast Schedule

Day 1 – Friday 10th February
Singles x 2
2.45pm-7.30pm – British Eurosport 2

Day 2 – Saturday 11th February
Doubles
12.45pm-3.30pm – British Eurosport 2

Day 3 – Sunday 12th February
Singles x 2
12.45pm-5.30pm – British Eurosport 2

The Aviva Indoor UK Trials and Championships will take place at the EIS Sheffield on the weekend of 11-12 February 2012 with live coverage of the track finals on Channel 4 on Sunday 12 February. 

The event returns to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield for the eighth time for what is set to be a weekend of fierce competition and exhilarating athletics action, as Britain’s best compete for the right to represent their country at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul in March.

Featuring the likes of Jessica Ennis, Hannah England, Chris Tomlinson and Mark Lewis-Francis, all of the athletes will be keen to make their mark in a crucial year for British athletics.

Channel 4 coverage is presented by Rick Edwards, with Iwan Thomas, Katharine Merry, Dean Macey and Kelly Sotherton. Commentary comes from John Rawling.

Channel 4 will broadcast live coverage of the track finals on Sunday 12 February from 2pm. 

Event Schedule

The 2011/12 UEFA Champions League returns in February as the 1^st Legs of the knockout stages get underway, with Arsenal and Chelsea the only British interest left in the competition. 

Sky Sports will broadcast comprehensive coverage of six 1^st Leg matches, including Chelsea away to Napoli on Tuesday 21 February. ITV1 will broadcast two 1^st Leg matches from the last 16 including Arsenal’s visit to the San Siro to take on AC Milan on Wednesday 15 February.

AC Milan v Arsenal – Wednesday 15 February – ITV1 HD 7.30pm (k/o 7.45pm)

Adrian Chiles will be joined by Roy Keane and Gareth Southgate for the big Champions League encounter between AC Milan and Arsenal live from the San Siro.

There is little margin for error with the tournament having reached the knockout stages and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal face a tough test in this Round of 16 first leg tie against the Italian champions. Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will pose a particular threat to the Gunners’ defence. Arsenal may or may not take comfort from the fact that their London rivals Tottenham knocked out AC Milan at this stage of the competition a year ago – a feat Robin van Persie and co will be expected to match.

Napoli v Chelsea – Tuesday 21 February – Sky Sports HD2 7pm (k/o 7.45pm)

SSC Napoli ended Manchester City FC’s hopes in the UEFA Champions League group stage and will be looking to do the same to another English team when they welcome Chelsea FC in the first leg of their round of 16 encounter.

Chelsea are competing in the last 16 for the ninth season in succession, they won their group without recording a victory away from home. They drew at Valencia CF and KRC Genk and lost at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

UEFA Champions League Broadcast Schedule – Last 16 1^st Leg

Tuesday 14 February

Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona (Sky Sports HD2 k/o 7.45pm)
Lyon v Apoel Nicosia (Sky Sports HD4 k/o 7.45pm)

Wednesday 15 February

Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica (Sky Sports HD2 k/o 5pm)
AC Milan v Arsenal (ITV1 HD k/o 7.45pm)

Tuesday 21 February

CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid (Sky Sports HD2 k/o 5pm)
Napoli v Chelsea (Sky Sports HD2 k/o 7.45pm)

Wednesday 22 February

Basle v Bayern Munich (Sky Sports HD2 k/o 7.45pm)
Marseille v Inter Milan (ITV1 HD k/o 7.45pm)

Channel 5 and Hennessy Sports will unleash a new generation of boxers including Kid Galahad and Chris Eubank Jr before millions of fight fans when they both appear on the “Men of Steel” event at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham on Saturday 18 February. 

Sheffield’s unbeaten hot prospect Kid Galahad will be vying for his first professional title when he takes on former British and Commonwealth champion and IBF world title challenger, Nottingham’s Jason “2 smooth” Booth for the WBC International Super Bantamweight title, which has been previously held by great fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Naseem Hamed.

Kid Galahad said : “Jason Booth is an experienced operator, who has fought consistently at British and European title level for most of his career and also challenged for a world title back in 2010, but come the 18th February the millions of fight fans watching me live on Channel 5 will know who Kid Galahad is and that I’m the next major star to come out of Sheffield.

“It’s an honour to be fighting for the prestigious WBC international title and I will look to emulate what Naseem and Manny have done.”

Middleweight sensation, Chris Eubank Jr, son of former world champion Chris Eubank, made his professional debut in November last year on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s Commonwealth Heavyweight title defence said “I can’t wait to get back in the ring and start to show the world of boxing what I’m all about”

”I’m not just here to win- I’m here to entertain. I want people to be excited about tuning in to watch my second professional fight live on Channel 5.”

“I got a taste of professional boxing with my first fight and I’m hungry for more.” Added Chris.

Promoter Mick Hennessy said. “I’m really proud to be showcasing these two brilliant young talents together on Channel 5 and with Kid Galahad headlining for the prestigious WBC International title in only his 11th fight, I believe he will show the boxing world why we have so much faith in him.

“There is great anticipation for Chris Eubank Jr’s second pro fight and rightfully so, he’s a special and unique talent who brings a real buzz to this great sport.”

“Obviously people have known about this great fight between Kid Galahad and Jason Booth for a while now but it was stipulated by the WBC and the Boxing Board that the fight could not be announced until Jason Booths medicals had cleared, which they have now.” Added Mick Hennessy

Joining Kid Galahad and Chris Eubank Jr will be former British Light Welterweight champion Lenny Daws of Morden who will be fighting Chris Truman from Birmingham, local fighters Kash Ali and Karl Bell, Leigh Wood from Nottingham and Jason Cunningham from Doncaster. The Central Area Middleweight title will also be contested over 10 rounds when Phill Fury from Lancaster takes on Lee Noble from Barnsley.

BBC One Scotland and Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of three ties from the William Hill Scottish Cup 5^th Round over the weekend of  4/5 February. 

Sky Sports will broadcast live from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on Saturday 5 February as Inverness Caledonian Thistle take on  Celtic in a 12.45pm kick off. The holders lost out to Caley in 2000 and 2003 Scottish Cup competitions and will be hoping to avoid a repeat this weekend. Sky Sports HD3 coverage starts at 12.30pm.

On Sunday 5 February, 2 live 5^th Round games will be broadcast live with BBC One Scotland screening the all-SPL tie between Ally McCoist’s Rangers and Peter Houston’s Dundee United in a 12.15pm kick off. (Coverage starts at 12.05pm).

Both clubs are recent winners of this competition – United beat Ross County 3-0 in the 2010 final and Rangers were 1-0 winners against Falkirk a year earlier. The last time the teams met each other in the Scottish Cup they served up a real thriller. A 3-3 draw at Ibrox two years ago was followed up by a 1-0 replay win for United at Tannadice courtesy of a last minute David Robertson goal – with the Taysiders going on to lift the trophy the same season. So far this season the advantage lies with the Glasgow side who have won both league meetings.

BBC One Scotland’s coverage will be presented by Rob Maclean who will be joined in the studio by Pat Nevin, Bristol City Manager Derek McInnes, who played for both clubs, and former Rangers and Dundee United striker Steven Thompson. Liam McLeod is the commentator.

Later on Sunday 5 February, Sky Sports HD3 will broadcast the 5^th Round tie between Heart of Midlothian and St Johnstone from Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh in a 2.15pm kick off.

Scottish Cup 5^th Round Broadcast Schedule

Saturday 4 February 2012

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Celtic – kick off 12.45pm
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness
Live on Sky Sports

Sunday 5 February 2012

Rangers v Dundee United – kick off 12.15pm
Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Live on BBC Scotland

Heart of Midlothian v St Johnstone – kick off 2.15pm
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh
Live on Sky Sports

Sky Sports have announced that the new Sky Sports F1 HD channel will feature live coverage of both the GP2 and GP3 series from its launch in March.

Complementing the channel’s extensive coverage of every F1 session from every 2012 race, the inclusion of GP2 and GP3 provides fans a glimpse into the future of motorsport with both series considered to be a breeding ground for the F1 drivers of the future.

In addition to live coverage, the channel’s weekly magazine show, presented by Georgie Thompson and Ted Kravitz, will also provide analysis and discussion of the races from the likes of Monaco, Monza and Silverstone, Spa and Singapore.

Executive Producer Martin Turner said: “We are delighted to be showing GP2 and GP3 live on Sky Sports F1 HD. There are six former GP2 champions in Formula 1 this season, including Lewis Hamilton and last year’s winner Romain Grosjean. The series promises nail-biting and fascinating racing and we’ll track gifted drivers through the ranks as they aim for Formula 1.”

The 12-round 2012 GP2 series will begin in Malaysia on 23-25 March and follows a global circuit through 10 countries. Sky Sports F1 HD will show the two races per weekend; a feature race and a shorter sprint race.

GP2 Series Schedule 2012

23-25 March - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20-22 April – Sakhir, Bahrain
26-28 April – Sakhir, Bahrain
11-13 May – Barcelona, Spain
24-26 May – Monte Carlo, Monaco
22-24 June – Valencia, Spain
06-08 July - Silverstone, Great-Britain
20-22 July – Hockenheim, Germany
27-29 July – Budapest, Hungary
31 Aug – 02 September – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
07-09 September – Monza, Italy
21-23 September - Singapore, Singapore

GP3 Series Schedule 2012

11-13 May – Barcelona, Spain
24-27 May – Monte-Carlo, Monaco
22-24 June – Valencia, Spain
06-08 July – Silverstone, Great Britain
20-22 July – Hockenheim, Germany
27-29 July – Budapest, Hungary
31 Aug – 02 Sep – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
07-09 September – Monza, Italy
 

The England & Wales Cricket Board have announced the renewal of its broadcasting agreement with Channel 5 for highlights of England’s test and one-day cricket home matches from 2014-17.

The broadcaster will continue to screen its highlights programme in early evening peak viewing time as part of the new four-year deal with the ECB.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: “The ECB strongly values its relationship with Channel 5 and we welcome their ongoing commitment to cricket.

“Their evening highlights programme provides an excellent snapshot of the day’s play in each Test match and we are delighted that it will continue in an early evening slot which suits viewing patterns for families and younger viewers.”

Jeff Ford, Channel 5’s director of programming, commented: “Channel 5 has been associated with English cricket for over six years, providing new and established fans with the very best in cricket highlights from Test matches and more.

“We’re delighted to continue our association with the ECB for another four years and to firmly cement our position as the terrestrial home of English cricket.”

Mark Nicholas has presented Channel 5′s cricket coverage since 2006, alongside commentators Geoffrey Boycott and Simon Hughes. Former England captain Michael Vaughan joined the Channel 5 team in 2009 following his international retirement from the game.

The announcement follows the agreement that the ECB announced with broadcast partner Sky Sports for live coverage of England international & domestic cricket rights through to 2017.

Matchroom Sport have joined forces with David Coldwell and Coldwell Boxing for Tony Bellew’s British light-Heavyweight title defence against Danny McIntosh on ‘The Big Bang’ card at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on April 14, live on Sky Sports.

Bellew holds a 16-1 record as a pro and scooped both the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight belts in 2010. Last year he also challenged for the WBO world light-heavyweight title challenger, dropping a close and competitive decision to champion Nathan Cleverly.

Challenger McIntosh, has a 13-2 record (7 KO) and won the English light-heavyweight title in just his eighth pro bout. In January 2011, McIntosh shocked the world when he knocked out Frenchman Thierry Karl on his home turf, lifting the European light-heavyweight belt in the process.

“It’s a dream come true to be back on Sky Sports,” said Bellew. “April 14 is going to be a great night with a great atmosphere and I can’t wait to put on a big performance in front of my people.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said : “I’m delighted to be working in association with David Coldwell and Coldwell Boxing to deliver another great night of boxing for Sky Sports,”

Hearn added : “Tony has tremendous support in Liverpool and Danny represents a real test for him on what promises to be an electric night at the Echo Arena.”

David Coldwell said : “As promoters, we strive to give the fans what they want and the fighters what they deserve, both in terms of opportunity and exposure,”

“This fight between Bellew and McIntosh deserves the platform and coverage Sky Sports will provide, as it is a contest everybody in the trade is looking forward to.

“I’d also like to express my own personal delight at linking up with both Eddie and Sky Sports for this particular event. Eddie and I share a similar passion for the sport and I am full of admiration for the way in which he is attempting to drive British boxing towards a brighter future.”

Tony Bellew v Danny McIntosh in ‘The Big Bang’ is live from the Echo Arena, Liverpool on Saturday 14 April, live on Sky Sports.