Urbane Sports

Michu's emotional goodbye to football & all that's good, bad & ugly about the beautiful game

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:38:00 -0700

Spanish international professional football player, Celta Vigo, Swansea City, Rayo Vallecano , Napoli and La Felgura striker , Miguel Perez Cuesta, announced his retirement as a player via letter written both in Spanish and English, scanned and then shared on his Twitter page.

At 31 years of age, Michu's retirement isn't entirely unexpected. Moreso, following a struggle with injury. But it drew us in as at the very end, Michu once again was both passionate and sublime. This time, to show us how deep football gets for a professional footballer.
But before we get into the good, bad and ugly of the beautiful game, the letter:

Dear Football,

According to medical reports, the current situation of my right ankle has come to a point where it has forced me to say goodbye to you as a professional football player today.

Even though I am saying farewell to you with much sorrow, I know that we will always be united. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the magical moments that you have given to me during this time. I feel privileged to have fulfilled a dream that is shared by so many of us since childhood. The dream of becoming a professional player in this sport.

Because of you, the public have given me an invaluable affection that I will never be able to repay. Indeed, I feel I have done nothing to deserve it all.

You led me to Vigo to play for Real Club Celta, to Madrid to play for Rayo Vallecano, to Wales to play for Swansea City, to Italy to play for SCC Napoli and to La Felgura to play for Union Popular de Langero. You even allowed me to represent my country by wearing the national team football shirt, sharing the dressing room with colleagues who were world champions. It is thanks to you that I have visited many wonderful countries and cities, but I am especially thankful for the people that I have met through you, whom I will keep in my heart my whole life.

I wish to make special mention to Real Oviedo because this club has taught me all that I have been able to do on the pitch. I also address a special thought to all its supporters around the world. Without them, I would never have been so happy throughout this journey. Each and every encouraging word has helped me to move forward when others might have given up .

Before I conclude, I would like to tell you that I consider myself an honest guy thanks to the education I received from my family and that I have always tried to do do my best for every club that you have led me to. I wholeheartedly apologize if, at any point, my acts may have upset any of your supporters, who love you madly as I do.

Endless thanks to you, my friend, I will always be in debt with you !

Always yours,

Miguel Perez Cuesta,

'Michu' .

- - - - - - END - - - - - -

La Liga, Swansea football team among other fans of the Spaniard ackmowledged this heartfelt goodbye paying homage to Michu in various ways.

Thanks for your football, @Michuoviedo! 💙🔵⚡️ https://t.co/DEgttNjwXC
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) July 25, 2017

Classy! Swansea Football Team even made a YouTube video highlights of Michu's time in South Wales

We are sad to hear @Michuoviedo has retired from football...

📺 Thanks for some fantastic #Swans memories.https://t.co/ZYyadcmKD4
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) July 16, 2017

For most professional footballers, retirement happens via a press statement at best, at worst, negative media reports do the talking. Not judging them, but the fall from grace to grass, from the heights of stardom to ridicule, can be a hard one to take.

Having been feed on such fodder of terse statements and tabloid gossip, Michu's choice of announcement of retirement from professional football, as a player, is a like the ocean breeze. What's more? The viola` way it goes about the good, bad and ugly of football as a professional player.

The Good

Travel and the chance to experience different cultures and meet new interesting people.
That professional football like education is an equalizer. For all the criticisms towards international football, one thing it does is give the chance for the very best to mix it up with guys who ply their trade locally or in the lower rungs of professional football. Think of Victor Wanayama when he meets up with his team mates who ply their trade in the Kenyan Premier League or Messi with his compatriots plying their trade in Argentina!

The bad & Ugly of professional football

Can you imagine being out of job at 31 years of age? Retired at 29, 25, 33 years of age? While it is easy to argue that the money that footballers earn guarantees them a life of luxury thereafter till death, a casual poke around reveals that it is not always that straight forward.

Speaking strictly as a fan, whenever there's talk about 'too much money in the game' I cringe as it often gets lost where the money to pay these salaries comes from. But as Marina Hyde argues in the Guardian, patronizing footballers for their high salaries is indeed lazy.

The real question is how well we as football fans, the professional football fraternity, remember that that footballers are human.

The fact that Michu in his farewell letter made implicit reference to this dehumanization of professional footballers by fans - by first unreservedley thanking them and then by unreservedly apologizing to his friend football - tells of how a career as a professional footballer is a perpetual vicious cycle of appeasing the gods of football : The fans.

A powerful force that can elevate and dump you at no warning.

In professional football, there can't be a bad day in the office. Least it's from star to sh*t in an 90 mins and often yoyo-ing between the two extremes multiple times within then 90.

All this, in spite of their expectation of sick offs, disability pay and a well padded retirement as part of their own contracts. But for a proffessioanl footballer? Well.....

Thank you. Gracias Michu ! And all the best!

#CAFElections: Africans On Twitter Expose International Media Hypocrisy Over The Topple Of Issa Hayatou To End 29year Reign Over African Football

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 13:46:00 -0700

When news broke out of Madagascar's Ahmed Ahmed's victory in the CAF elections to end 29year reign of Issa Hayatou, initial reports by international media outlets spoke of "a lot being achieved" under the Cameroonian's leadership. So strong was this narrative that it appeared Africa once again had done something African. Something inexplicable. This, quite in contrast to celebrations online best exemplified by these tweets that come only second to the hoist and shoulder high carry of Ahmed Ahmed by South African (region not country) CAF delegates once news of the 34-20 win broke.

Follow reactions on twitter to Madagascar's Ahmed Ahmed toppling of Issa Hayatou's on these hashtag: #CAFElections #CAFGA2017 #CAF #CAFPolls

Enter Ahmed Ahmed The Man With The Plan, Exit Hayatou The Rudderless Option

#Liberia FA boss delighted to see the back of Issa Hayatouhttps://t.co/hX5VvbvdEm
— Farayi Mungazi (@BBCFarayi) March 16, 2017

And Here I am Thinking That Hosni was The Last Pharaoh 😏

Pharaoh is gone, he never thought Moses could part the sea into two. Africa fresh blood. @robertmarawa @Veli_Mbuli #CAFElections
— SirSabastian (@sabastian_81) March 16, 2017

Meet The Mastermind Of Hayatou's CAF Presidency deposition

'THE MOST WANTED' Phillip Chiyangwa, Cosafa/Zimbabwe FA President. " We have destroyed the empire" #CAFElections pic.twitter.com/f6RrYECvkJ
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) March 16, 2017

Change For Its Own Sake? Change In The Tragedy That The Toppling Of Gaddafi Threatens To be? Or Change as Described By Obama as a Long Curve That Eventually Bends Towards Justice?

Ahmad Ahmad the politician from Madagascar is the new CAF boss. Change is here, adjust sails, the voyage begins #CAFElections @KBCChannel1
— Vereso Mwanga (@VeresoMwanga) March 16, 2017

Issa Hayayou's CAF reign Sanctimoniously Dealt With

Congratulations to Ahmad Ahmad - the new CAF President. The perfidy and mendacity of Issa Hayatou has been repugnant and insalubrious. 1/2
— Steve Not Komphela (@BigWordKomphela) March 16, 2017

Then Arsene Wenger Had To Be Dragged Into This! See My Life As An Arsenal Fan...

All of Arsene Wenger's contemporaries are gone; Alex Ferguson,Sepp Blatter even Issa Hayatou. What is he waiting for?
— Kingsley Oyero I (@koyero) March 16, 2017

Rate These Beasts: The Hot, Sexy and Whatnot Of 2017 Formula One Championship Team Cars

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 07:04:00 -0800

The 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship is neigh! The teams have unveiled their cars for the season in line with 2017 rules and regulations and we await to see whose design conquers motorsports premier event. Melbourne is just under a month away. We weigh in on the cars

Team McLaren MCL32

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: 6th

Engine: Honda RA 617H

Drivers: Fernando Alonso (ESP) 10th in 2016 drivers championship & Soffel Vandroome (BEL) 20th in 2016 drivers championship scoring only 1 point.

New Design Features: Decrease weight and lower center of gravity for improved balance
Aesthetics: McLaren's orange and black theme for its 2017 race car rolls back the years for that irresistible retro feel. Orange, the new black, spews confidence and solidity.
What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: If it were a person, McLaren would be Elon Musk thanks to its knack for the impossible. The desire to take humanity into the 21st century whatever that means and whatever it takes.

McLaren MCL32 © McLaren

Team Hass VF-17

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: Aiming to improve/ at least maintain their impressive debut at 8th.
Engine: Ferrari

Drivers: All new cast of Romain Grosjean (FRA) ranked 13th in the 2016 F1 drivers' championship & Kevin Magnussen (DEN) who joins from rival Renault having made seven points to 16th in 2016.

Aesthetics: This I what I'd call 21st century design. The red and ash grey contrast well to give an impression of the aerodynamic clean finish that new age composite materials can give when used to make a car.
New Design Features: Hass team principle Guenther Steiner offers " You always try to make a faster car, which is normally a lighter car. Now we can put on more ballast and get better weight distribution. The aero is completely new, as are the tyres, so we needed to have some built-in adjustability."
What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: Air Jordan VI

Haas VF-17 © Haas

Team Sahara Force India VJM10

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: 4th, a position that even team principal Vijay Mallya contends will be a tall ask in the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Engine: Mercedes
Drivers: Face of team Force India Sergio Perez (MEX), 7th in 2016 F1 drivers' championship & new recruit Esteban Ocon (FRA) from Mercedes junior team.

Ladies and Gentlemen, apologies for the delay - let's get this day going! @OconEsteban gets his first taste of the VJM10 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/Du62DDl9Bu
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) February 28, 2017

Aesthetics: Keeps with the same lively from the previous season. Probably in cognizance of the work needed to observe the new 2017 regulations.

New Design Features: Sharkfin engine cover and thumb-tip nose as in Sauber, Williams and Renault.

What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: The Life of PI - the movie. There is a finality about it in similar fashion to the masterpiece-ness of the Hollywood blockbuster that is difficult to replicate. Just like team Sahara Force India FIA 2016 Formula One World Championship feat.

Team Ferrari SF70H

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: 3rd. It does feel like it's about time Ferrari won the constructors title
Engine: Mmh! What else?

Drivers: Sebastian Vettel (GER) & Kimi Raikkonen (FIN). At a reported combined annual salary just shy of $70 million, these two need to better their 4th and 6th finish last time out in the drivers' championship.
Aesthetics: Lady in a red dress!
New Design Features: There is the T-wing at the end of the shark fin exectra but we'd rather your take in the noise from that engine

Seb in action in his new Ferrari #SF70H during the first day of testing, today in Barcelona (natural sound) 🙂🏁 #Vettel pic.twitter.com/MLkr7juc1O
— Gianlu D'Alessandro (@Gianludale27) February 27, 2017

What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: On one hand: Those miniature F1 racing cars one had as child and held so dearly to sleep with them in your hand.It reminds us of those posters on the bedroom wall that aided greatly our day dreaming racing down the track in nirvana. On the other: Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari SF70-H at Ferrari SF70-H First Run, Fiorano, Italy, 24 February 2017. © Sutton Images

Team Red Bull Racing

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish:2nd
Engine: TAG Heuer
Drivers:Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 3rd in 2016 F1 drivers' championship & Max Verstappen (NED) 5th in 2016 F1 drivers championship. This duo is expected to strongly challenge for both titles.
Outstanding Design Features: 'Breathing nose'
Aesthetics: Solid Red bull branding follow through. We have come to know and trust the "two red bulls charging at each other in front of a sun-like circle" as denoting strength, speed, aggression and vitality. Whatever the phase of Red Bull brand equity building Formula 1 is; it's pretty successful as demonstrable in RB Leipzig (2nd German Football Budesliga), New York Red Bulls and FC Red Bull Salzburg (1st Austrian Football Bundesliga).
What It This Formula 1 Race Car Reminds Urbane Sports Of: A team on the throes of greatness a' la Frank Rijkaard's 2003-2006 Barcelona. The Dutch legend arrived at a Barcelona (having failed at his last job as manager at Sparta Rotterdam) to win a major trophy since the previous century(1999). A Catalan fan base smarting at losing on David Beckham to Real Madrid managing to land ONLY Ronaldinho. He left having introduced Leo Messi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdez to the world; was a two time back to back La Liga champion and 2006 UEFA Champions League winner.

Red Bull RB13 © David Clerihew/Red Bull

Team Sauber

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: 10th

Engine: Ferrari 2016 specification powertrain enabled early embark on designing the race car as the design team were already familiar with the engine.
Drivers: Marcus Ericsson (SWE) scored no points in 2016 drivers' championship & Pascal Wehrlein (GER) who suffers from a back injury at the throes of the 2017 Formula One season scored one point in the 2016 drivers championship
New Design Features: Team Sauber's technical director gives an insight to how it is designing in the smaller teams "We put greater emphasis on aerodynamic stability as opposed to maximising downforce. Basically, big teams also have an advantage when it comes to major changes in the regulations, but when the cards are reshuffled new opportunities always present themselves as well."
Aesthetics: Blue and silver livery in celebration of Sauber's 25 years in Formula One.
What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: F1 early days. In fact, early days for almost anything when things were handmade.

Sauber C36 © Sauber F1

Team Toro Rosso

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: A respectable 7th running on old technology.

Engine: An upgrade to Renault which takes over from old school Ferrari engines which clearly exceeded expectations.

Drivers: Carlos Sainz (ESP) 12th in the 2016 drivers' championship & Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 14th in the drivers' championship 21 points behind team mate.
Aesthetics: Eerily reminds one of the Red Bull 2017 car though with a more can-like finish. The branding guys at Red Bull surely earn their keep. By the looks of it (pun intended) the striking blue color on this car is another Red Bull branding bespoke piece.

New Design Features: Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost highlighted the teams' efforts to comply with 2017 regulations which nee " wider, longer, lower, faster, noisier (cars) on bigger tires promising more grip, higher cornering speeds and hopefully closer racing."

What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: Team Red Bull Racing's early days in Formula One. We see this car/team as one most likely to spring a surprise in 2017


Toro Rosso STR12 Launch, Barcelona, Spain, 26 February 2017. © Sutton Images

Team Williams FW40

Constructor's Table 2016 Finish: A disappointing 5th down two positions from 2015.
Engine: Mercedes
Drivers: Back from retirement, 11th in 2016, veteran Felipe Massa (BRA) & rookie Lance Stroll (CAN) -the only rookie who will be on the starting grid in Melbourne March 2017.
Aesthetics: Another anniversary car this time celebrating 40 years of team Williams in F1. The FW40 stays true to the throwback predominantly white livery.
New Design Features: Conservative play given that this is the teams' 40th anniversary with aggressive shark fin and subtle sidepods not too dissimilar to other cars.
What It Reminds Urbane Sports Of: Something born out of the Victorian era like tennis, croquet and horse ridding.

The Williams FW40, Saturday 25th February 2017, © WilliamsF1

Team Mercedes- AMG F1

Constructor's Table 2016 Finnish: Three time in-a-row (2014, 2015,2016) Formula One World Champions
Engine: W08 'EQ Power+' EQ stands for electric intelligence

Drivers: Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 2nd 2016 Drivers Championship & Valterri Bottas (FIN) 8th 2016 Drivers Championship

#Mondays 😍 #TeamLH #BarcelonaTest @MercedesAMGF1 📸 x @JamesPBearne pic.twitter.com/2byAjzdpCM
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) February 27, 2017

Aesthetics: Silver theme blunts sharp edges that are unkind to the eye. Reminds one of a spaceship in a 70's flick. Simplicity is true sophistication.

New Design Features:When Mercedes 2017 car was unveiled, unlike its rivals, it didn't have a a fin at the tail of the car. Mercedes- AMG Petronas Motorsports plan was to reveal as it was being tested ahead of Barcelona. Hamilton clocked the fastest time on day 1 of winter testing on this beast whose (now unveiled shorter fin) featured a large cooling duct at the top.

Here he is now... 🙌@LewisHamilton hits the track!

Spot anything different? 😉#F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/DyaldPyjy1
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) February 27, 2017

What This Race Car Reminds Urbane Sports Of: If I was tortured into choosing one product from the bunch, the silver arrow's evolution reminds me of the iconic Mac. In may ways Mercedes- AMG Petronas Motorsport is Steve Jobs' Apple: Winner designs. Star boy appeal in Lewis Hamliton (just as Steve Jobs was to Apple).

Mercedes-Benz F1 W08 Hybrid at Mercedes-Benz F1 W08 Hybrid First Run, Silverstone, England, 23 February 2017. © Sutton Images

Team Renault

Constructors' Table 2016 Finnish: 9th
Engine: Renault
Drivers: Nico Hulkenberg (GER) joins the team from Force India Mercedes with whom he was an impressive 9th in the 2016 drivers' championship & Jolyon Palmer (GBR) 18th in 2016 drivers' championship.
Aesthetics: To us, the most beautiful of cars. There is a hint of black on black with the happiness, optimism and confidence of yellow just in the right amounts to perfectly contrast.
New Design Features: Renault's debut car in design since the motor vehicle's manufacturer's return to F1. The targets are clear: A fifth place finish in the constructors' championship.

What It This Racing Car Reminds Urbane Sports Of: Australia

Additional reporting: Formula1.com

2017 AFCON:What Young Footballers Can Learn From Egyptian Goal Keeper Essam El-Hadary

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Wed, 1 Feb 2017 23:49:00 -0800

Fact No 1: Egypt has been the dominant force in African football. Save for the Ethiopian-Kenyan domination of middle distance athletics, or South African chokehold on African Rugby; you would be hard pressed to find a nation so dominant in a sport in Africa.

Fact No 2: Factors without football, domestic upheaval following the Arab spring of 2011, conspired to keep the Africa’s best football team from the past three subsequent AFCON editions.

These two stubborn facts set the tone for the narrative around Egypt’s participation in this year’s AFCON in Gabon.

رجل المباراة بلا منازع: الأسطورة 👑 pic.twitter.com/Aix2SNdF6n
— Arqam (@ArqamFC) February 1, 2017

Scenario 1: Egypt’s dominance would naturally prompt the neutral to back the other team, the underdog, in any matchup.

Scenario 2: Egypt’s long-term absence from Africa’s premier sporting event casts a shadow of doubt over their dominance tag: as it is often said, past performance is not an indicator of future success.

Taken together, it’s more likely that an Egyptian triumph in AFCON 2017 will be seen as an unlikely sporting triumph rather than an extension of the same old. Countries like companies are inanimate creatures whose tales of triumphs are just but surrogate stories of extraordinary people achieving as part of the collective and as exhibition of individual sacrifices culminating in personal success.

Egyptian goalkeeper hero of the semifinal against Burkina Faso, Essam El-Hadary, personifies this Egyptian narrative in AFCON 2017. On one hand, with four AFCON titles, gunning for the fifth, he is dominance itself and in the eyes of the neutral, should suffer in the hands of the underdog. On the other, at 44 years old, thriving at highest echelons of African football, he is a spectacle in the realm of Rodger Miller. Essam El-Hadary is a living legend; a freak of nature; a remarkable sporting story.

If this were a romance story it would be a tragedy. EL-Hadary’s heroics came at the expense of Africa’s brightest youngsters. By saving both Herve Koffi, Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper who at only 20 years had saved Egypt’s first penalty, and exciting prospect Bertrand Traore' penalties; El-Hadary put a shade on their shine. If Burkina Faso had progressed to the finals , it would have been on the shoulders of these two young men but sports, football, as Arsene Wenger says is cruel.

Nonetheless, both of Burkina Faso’s youngsters can learn from Essam El-Hadary the virtue of being ready. It took an injury to Egypt No 1 in their first AFCON 2017 game for Essam El-Hadary to take to the pitch. Otherwise, he would have been reduced to a relic on the Egyptian bench. Moreover, El-Shanawy’s misfortune was not enough to place El-Hadary on this path to G.O.A.T. He had to remain professional- working on his fitness, keeping his reflexes sharp and his game mode on – all those six years that Egypt was out in the cold.

El-Hadary had to be ready for this opportunity by battling younger guys, probably shutting out negative talk that his days were over, that he couldn’t do it. Most importantly, El-Hadary had to endure the pain of trying and failing three times over to qualify for this AFCON with Egypt. He took all that in and lived to tell.

Sunday’s 2017 AFCON final opens another chapter in this romantic Essam EL-Hadary story. In earnest, Africa waits!

To Understand The Future Of F1 In The 21st Century, Follow The Money

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:35:00 -0800

Is F1 a one percent(er) sport? A ‘niche’ sport? Admittedly, the drivers’ spacesuits tickle the imagination; the cockpit view immerses the TV viewer; beautiful people at the circuit tantalize; the precision, technological sophistication and coordination of it all make no mistake, is the stuff of dreams.

Sounds all elitist doesn’t it? In redefining this narrative, formula one prides in being the most watched annual sport series in the world: at 500 million of viewers per year, formula one is consumed by a critical mass.

But it doesn’t feel that way. Mass consumption you say? Somehow that number doesn’t sit well some sixty seven years into existence of auto sports’ bespoke piece.

The Formula One Identity Crisis

In many ways, more so after the £6.4bn (US$8.5bn) John Malone’s Liberty Media corporation takeover, F1 in the 21^st century is caught between nostalgia and futurism. By wallowing in this dilemma, formula one is like one of the bible’s foremost women. Akhmatova reveals the psyche of this woman in the poem Lot’s wife:

And the just man trailed God’s shining agent,

Over a black mountain, in his giant track,

While a restless voice kept harrying his woman:

“It’s not too late, you can still look back

For the just man, we have new F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media Corporation. Billionaire John Malone and team promise to lead the sport over the black mountain that Bernie Ecclestone era threatened to morph into. In doing so, they will have to contend with the restless voice harrying up the woman: formula one. For the voice: the skeptics, the thriving parade within the current F1 setup; it all could go horrendously wrong.

F 1 Black mountain era	The Danger to F 1
Secrecy in the contracts that the teams have with the F1 commercial rights holder whereby each team has its own contract with the CRH.	Econ 101: Information asymmetry is recipe for dysfunctional market. While the long tenure of the contracts (2020) serves stability, the secrecy makes renegotiation at complex endeavor.
The profits for the owner are in contrast to the financial struggles of some of the teams and the tracks. Silverstone, for example, struggles to make a profit despite attracting 150,000 fans for the British Grand Prix.	F1 needs to learn from the success of American football contract renegotiations, the NBA owners-player pay dispute, to the simmering talk of a breakaway European league: poorly designed revenue sharing model in sport is counterproductive as it creates a few super teams which in turn decrease the entertainment value leading to loss of fans not just to other sports, but out of sports altogether.
The shareholders of formula one commercial right holders reads as follows: estate of Lehman Brothers- the bank whose collapse sparked the financial crisis in 2008; American private equity fund BlackRock and the Norwegian sovereign fund.	Corporate governance 101: It is always a sign of vitality when the owners of an enterprise have skin in the game. Formula one team have been restricted to an affiliate role within the current setup. Though the trend is for the super rich to own sporting enterprises e.g. PSG, Chelsea & Manchester United; the fan revolt that threatened the future of Manchester United cannot be ignored neither can the feeling among stakeholders that the F1 set up exists to serve only the interests of the owners be understated.

There is hope though. Martin Whitmarsh, former McLaren CEO agrees:

"There comes a time in any enterprising sport where it's time for fresh ideas and fresh views and I think Formula 1 has probably come to that point.”

Fair enough. The 21^st century points towards a different future. In what has been termed as the fourth industrial revolution, enterprise has become fluid and less reliant on laws articulated in business school rule books. The people, processes and products to be managed have undergone a paradigm shift thanks to the advent of the fourth industrial age.

How can Formula One Embrace the Future?

Technology:

The 21^st century is the fourth industrial age where innovation is driven by ubiquitous interconnections; voluminous production and consumption of data; and a dalliance between disciplines that are progressively getting solid. Technology, which F1 remains first in the family of sports in embracing, goes beyond digital interaction to Artificial Intelligence/ Intelligence augmentation.Impressive progress has been made in AI in recent years, driven by exponential increases in computing power in spite of concerns about constraints presented by Moore’s Law. Formula one is at risk of going off track as it is yet to fully embrace the digital information age that precedes the now.

Commercial:

First, we flesh out where the money comes from in formula one. The teams make money from prize money paid out by commercial rights holders:

Commercial rights holders in turn make money from sponsorship deals, television rights, and fees charged to venues for hosting the grand prix.

“Customers” who are they	“Engagement” value creation proposition	“Delivery” value chain	“Monetization” value capture
Sponsors &teams' partners. Sponsors pay to place their logo on the team’s car or garments, or engage with co-branding initiatives with F1 teams.	Sponsorship &co-branding royalties are based on the teams’ individual offerings and the type of visibility the customers want to achieve. It is a taxi business model	F1 teams offers advertising space on the car chassis, the team members’ clothes, marketing materials, use of co-branding, or production and sale of branded merchandise.	F1 Teams set up bespoke contracts with their individual sponsors. They enjoy visibility and in some cases they can advance requests such as selecting one of the team's drivers. Organizations pay in proportion for the visibility obtained (from $1 to $100 million).

In Bratches, Liberty Media Corporation the commercial rights holders have marketing executive who is sure to grow both viewership and value of transactions. While there remains significant headroom for growth, digital media needs to be embraced to realize F1 full potential. However, even with the expected aggressive approach, it is important for the CRH to realize that being a sport, F1 operates and competes in the same plane with other entertainment e.g. other sports, gambling, Hollywood and adventure sports.

Moreover, a European football quickly realized with the enforcement of financial fair play rules, real sustainable growth cannot be found in baking a bigger cake. Real growth in money for F1, like in any other enterprise in the 21^st century, comes by discounting the technology dividend in both the supply and demand sides of the equation. Whichever way formula one goes about this, by consuming technology or by producing technology, real gains can be made in research, development, communication, logistics and by streamlining supply chains.

To achieve this in the complex dealings of F1, thought leaders need to infuse 21^st century thinking whereby customers, be it B2B or B2C, are king more than ever. Relationships will need to be redefined in the search of the elixir that ensures customer expectations; responsively enhances products, nee mutually satisfying collaborative innovation and improved governance.

Visibility:

The last cycle of formula one growth was concentrated in the homes of new money following the commodity boom the last few decades of the 21^st century: Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Turkey and Singapore. In the wake of their takeover of formula one commercial rights holder, Liberty Media Corporation intimated that for future circuits, fans should look to a major event in the US, at a destination city i.e New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas. The new owners need to consider the speed and ease of growth presented by digital media. In a Foreign policy article The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond Klaus Schwab estimates that more than 30 percent of the global population now uses social media platforms to connect, learn, and share information.

Governance

Taking over from Ecclestone, new formula one chief executive Carey set out a vision characterized by: effectiveness and efficiency in decision making with a long term view (three to four years) on the sports’ desired direction. Carey’s vision, the kind we have come to expect from anyone who takes over anything is pretty safe as it encapsulates what we have come to define as good leadership- which when institutionalized becomes good governance.

Nonetheless, Carey’s formula is fossil. Not that we expect him to naively reveal his position ahead of what will surely involve mad deal making, but because even if we gave him the benefit of the doubt the task remains arduous. Why? The one thing we have learn from the election of Donald Trump is that new technologies blur the lines of the physical, digital and biological worlds allowing for misinformation to permeate and third parties to infiltrate a process.

The end product of all this is a graying of the lines between war and peace, cooperation and defection as the sanctity of the contract comes under threat. Even governments at times can’t tell an enemy from a friend. Nonetheless, however tasking, for formula one to march on to the 21^st century, agility should replace the rigidity of top-down approach to regulation.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Dissecting AVBs Depature From Tottenham on 'Mutual Consent'

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 06:18:00 -0800

I am of the red persuasion when it comes to matters soccer in the north of London. Naturally, I should be over the moon with the news coming out of the white corner. Andre Villas Boas has been shown the door. No telling the imprints of Tottenham Hotspurs chairman David Levy’s boot(s) on his backside. Mutual consent is cited in the press release by the London club.

I wonder why they bother to put that in there: Mutual consent. As if, so late in the day, there is a contrary alternative. Besides, the familiar cry of vultures explained the moving shadows over AVB’s head in last night’s presser. Five nil to Liverpool at White Hart Lane, and you and I knew too well of the aroma wafting in from the kitchen clouding the press box. It was not the whiff of burgers and fries meant to feed the angry hungry lot at White Hart Lane that Sunday evening; AVB’s goose had been cooked.

Now this post is not meant to satire. Though parallels can be drawn, it is far removed from the viral online poll carried out by the gooner community where, by a landslide, it was voted that Moyes should stay at Manchester United. A vindication that, for the rivalry to remain tilted in favor of The Arsenal, Moyes had to stay. The Scotts man definitely had the favor of strong-head winds in his drive of the defending EPL champions towards oblivion.

Let’s sweep aside the banter for a while and consider this:

1. AVB had surpassed all previous Spurs managers in league points accrued. He had led them to a record tally of 72 the season last with the bonus of thrashing the likes of both Manchester Clubs along the way. In early December, Tottenham are five points of the last champions’ league spot and only eight of the leaders Arsenal. They are in the knockout stages of the Europa League and play a Capital One cup quarter final in mid-week.

2. AVB did not sell Bale. David Levy’s famed business skills did. AVB did not ship in the truck load of well…..Football director Baldini did. That is his job description. An analogy to this fiasco did it rounds in twitter where it was said that AVB sold an iphone 5 (Bale) and replaced it with a pager, house phone, diary, transistor radio, battery torch and Pentium 3 desktop. As Arsenal proved with Robin Van Persie’s departure and Manchester United with Sir Alex’s departure, you’ve got to limp (at least for a while) when a major cog in your make up is no more.

Nonetheless, that’s spilt milk, no need crying over it. Moving forward:

1. Playing Russian roulette with managers doesn’t breed success unless you are a Russian with oil billions or have got Arab money to wipe the brains off the floor. The Sunderlands, Crystal Palaces and Fulhams might get away with it but not an ‘ambitious’ side. You just have to see what a little stability did to Liverpool.

2. The Lamellas, Ericksens, Paulinhos and Soldados are AVB players. Pity the next manager. Jose the happy one with all his specialness is struggling with the same at Chelsea.

3. It was always going to be a challenging 6,7, 8 new players.

Other permutations

1. Expect a busy transfer market triggered by activities at Chelsea and Tottenham. If not in January then in the summer. Bargains should be available.

2. Has the EPL brand become a monster that will consume itself? Five managers fired barely half way into the season; English sides that participate in European competitions find it hard going on resumption of domestic football (Spurs, Swansea even Arsenal); The absence of a winter break to satisfy the entertainment needs of fans and Tv broadcasts (A real disadvantage on meeting Spanish/German sides in the knock out stages of European football. This is likely to impart heavily on national teams that have a fair quota of their stars plying in the Premier League). All these factors possibly explains the lack of a Ballon d’or winner from the EPL since Ronaldo

Trivia: Of the five English Premier League managers fired so far, two of them: Steve Clark of West Bromwich albion and andre Villas Boas were Jose Mourinho's minions in the technical area in his first spell as Chelsea manger.

Dynamos Overcome in form CAPS United to Claim The Harare Derby

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:26:00 -0700

Twelve hours after Mayweather's cheque day, 30,000 are in their blue, and green with white. 5 dollars a ticket, US dollars, in Mugabe's Zimbabwe.

This is the Harare Derby. Dynamos FC host CAPS United. 21st Century Romans are gathered at the colloseum to cheer on the gladiators. As far as Derbies go, on the box next to fans, its a check.
Now for the controversies, the immortalization of players and finally, the bragging rights. For CAPS United, the new crop, most just an year thereabouts playing for the Green and Whites,a chance to correct the record: CAPS fans wait 53 months on for a victory.

A fast paced game. At 8 minutes, 5 or so half chances shared evenly between the two Zimbabwean sides. Dynamos FC's Pakamisa is already candidate for Villian having missed a sitter. The swahili translation for his name would be something like Cat (paka) Mass (misa-as in the type of mass that takes place in cathedrals)...Just saying.

11 minutes in and Dynamos count 5 goal scoring opportunities. This derby, too much action. A diffucult one for a blogger to do a minute by minute match report. Breathless stuff. İmpressive wing play from both sides early on.

18' Dynamos FC's Russel cuts in from the left. The blue army thinks it's a penalty; it is a yellow. Controversy? Not yet it seems.

Dynamos with a home team display for much of the first half although they appeared to hurried. İt would have been understandable the first quarter of the game as they went in search of the proverbial 'early goal'. İn the mid sections, it looked more of misplaced aggression as speculative shots flew and flew.Just as it started to seem that Dynamos would rue the wasted.possesion, Oscar Machapa strikes.

38' on the clock and it's a beauty. The dreamy stuff that happens when a right back's play reminds you of an in cutting winger: Hit hard and low, rising on the trajectory to nest just under the upper left far corner.

The celebratory dance? Have got to learn that in the few hours that remain before Sunday night Rumba at the local pub.
Another derby and a former player haunts and taunts his old team. This Machapa fellow has never lost a Harare derby.

40' For all intents Pakamisa, Dynamos have to bag this derby: Another spurned chance having broken clear on the right channel with only the keeper to beat.
Wish to have been a fly on the wall that CAPS dressing room as they now pass with some purpose after the break. Dynamos content to play on the counter.

54' Muskwe on for Maglas. Muchiso in for Chungwa. The CAPS coach shows his hand early on. The game's pace has cooled off. Posibbly the effects of the Harare sun catching on.

61' Kawiga comes on to save Pakamisa from villian status. The Dynamos coach has a reputation of a master tactician. This move, will it prove to be one of compassion? Only if CAPS make good of their relative dominance this second half.

70' a CAPS corner and limping Dynamos keeper spills it. A lot of Dynamos legs, backs and butts blocking the desperate attempts of the handful of CAPS players. The perfect goal mouth mlee. A penalty shout. No goal, yellow card for CAPS United's Muskwe

75' Murape for Bogere. Dynamos go for experience to wrap this one up.

77' Fiyado comes on for CAPs hoping to stem Dynamos destruction of their 10 game unbeaten run.Problem is Dynamos are dynamite at home having not lost once in the past 30 games at the Rufaro stadium.

Here on, it is a dull game. A chess like fair. CAPS press, Dynamos stand firm hustling and clearing on foward with the efficiency of the port of Singapore. No real pentration for CAPS with the patient passing game failing to unsettle Dynamos.

The quiet of apprehension is replaced by the belief of the Dynamos fans who now revert to type: Songs, gyrating of the hips, claps, feet stumping capped with the din of Vuvuzelas.Just as the curtains start to fall, the Dynamos keeper requires some treatment,CAPS fans vote with their feet their frustation evident when empty bottles, cabbages, cans and type are turned into missles, littering the pitch.

The derby is disprupted. Ugly scenes. The referee blows and it's a wrap. Now, to that dance and Rumba night.

Gabaleko Inspires Western Stima Past Tusker to KPL U-19 Glory As Questions Linger Over Kenyan Youth Football

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 04:57:00 -0700

2013 KPL Under 19 Champions Western Stima

Three minutes past the hour before noon, the shrill of the center referee's whistle pierces the chilly Nairobi air at Tusker's Ruaraka ground.

If Thika superhighway, that leads to this KPL under 19 tournament final is clogged with traffic, it probably Nairobians going about their business, least bothered.

Contrast this come sunday with the sea of red and green heading out for the 'mashemeji' derby gyrating and dancing to the African orchestra of isikuti, tingiti and vuvuzela; you get a sense of the place of youth football in Kenya.

The sizable crowd would probably be an upgrade--a handful-- if either of the youth teams that face off in Kenya's biggest day on the football calendar on Sunday-- AFC Leopards 'ingwe' or Gor Mahia 'Kogalo' -- had made it to the final.

But it is two corporate sponsored sides that fight it out for the 300,000 prize money: Tusker sponsored by the Diageo majority owned East African Breweries Limited and Western Stima bank rolled by the Nairobi Securities Exchange listed Kenya Power and Lighting Company.

As is the trend with the senior league, the crowd pullers are the mismanagement bedeviled community sides. Ingwe at least made it to the semis losing out to Tusker. A feat if the happenings at the unveiling of the DSTV/GOTV sponsored tournament are acknowledged.

As is everything, the youth are the roots that yeild the fruits. KPL and DSTV did their part in watering the roots by harnessing collections from DSTV Top 8 tournament to finance the KPL under 19 tournament. Not enough by the organizers own admissions, but nonetheless a noble take more so in light of the troubles of Europe's NextGen Series.

On the other side of the scale, the clubs were left exposed. With no functional football academies, it is widely reported that the scramble was on to sign talent on loan from for the pitiful spattering of football academies that dot the city.

Even Western Stima who lead the final with a goal at the break, field a side largely drawn from Kenyan secondary school powerhouse Kakamega High school team The Green Commandos. Six players we are informed. Yes, it is currently the school holidays in Kenya but what about the preceding weeks at tournament kick off when school was in session?

What consideration for the future of these young lads. Is it a simple "Go play a tournament. Hope you get signed by a Kenya Premier League side on a pitiful contract"---- Keep in mind that the majority of these players are in their final years of O level study with months to national examinations of great bearing on their futures-- If there is a contract, who advised the young lads? Who guided them through the complicated contract process? If any are below the legal age, were their guardians involved?----

What a skewed trade off! What choices to bestow on these young shoulders. What a gamble on our Nations future!

This begs questions on football structures in Kenya. What exactly is the arrangement between the school and KPLC? What of the players welfare? Therein lies a whiff of child labor dare we say.

More questions. Consider this: Come the final, and the trend repeats itself as senior coaches on the touchlines puppeteer the junior coaches.

Now, that is damn worrying! Elementary youth football development places an absolute on the qualifications and pedigree of professionals who handle such precocious talent.

We can't picture an Arsene Wenger, Pep or Jurgen Klopp shouting out instructions at a youth tournament. Spectator? Yes. Back room consultations between the coaches of the two set ups? Yes. Puppeteer-ing? NO!

Suck it up you might say. TIA you might add. Justify your banter by throwing about known names in world football like Victor Wanyama of Celtic, his elder brother UEFA Champions league winner Macdonald Mariga and Dennis 'the menace' Oliech.

Forgetting the sound family support that makes Mariga and Wanyama the success they are. Contrast that with the bountiful talent not fully exploited in Oliech's case, troubles that could be traced here.

It is our prayer that the talent of Western Stima's Laban Gambaleko on display here gets to shine in such cathedrals such as Old Trafford and Santiago Bernabeu.

That the likes of Micheal Olunga, Charles Adika, Kevin Okoth, Vitalis Okumu and Micheal Abor do not seep into the cracks into football abyss.

Granted, the world of football is filled with heart wrenching tales of shattered dreams and destroyed lives. We just need not to fodder it. We shouldn't parry it on through acts of commission or omission.

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To the KPL fraternity, time for a full time Under 19 league? Maybe a PPP model involving the Ministries of Edcation, Ministry of Sports and companies who have already shown a hand in youth sports like Brookside Milk and Airtel would do the trick

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To Kenyan universities, the cue has been set by the likes of Kenyatta University and Nairobi University through offering sports scholarships.

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Western Stima run away with the under 19 KPL title thrashing Tusker 4-0. Laban Gabaleko our player of the tournament. At 6 '2 the strikers skill and technical acumen is on point. A goal and two assists in the final capping a fine performance. As expected, the lad is still raw on the edges but he packs a full one with all the right ingredients to make a lethal striker.

Goals

Laban Gabaleko (20)

Charles Adika (60)

Kevin Okoth (76)

Micheal Abor (79)

Montolivo Shines But Fiorentina Battle back To Claim Draw Against Milan in Champions League Spot Battle

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 7 Apr 2013 06:14:00 -0700

I understand lunchtime kick offs aren’t a familiar tradition in Serie A . Fiorentina hosted Ac Milan in one of the few deviations from the norm and in the warm Florence sun, the opening exchanges were pretty much a Sunday football local team affair. Misplaced passes, lethargic runs and a rather quiet crowd content to while away the Sunday afternoon. Except, of course, when Montolivo got on the ball.

That man, Montolivo, the story of how friend turns foe. How hero turns villain. Of how allegiances swiftly change in football, with a flip in circumstances. For his case, it was a change of jerseys. First, the Italian international hustles Pizzaro on the ball.

Deep into his own half and facing his own goal, Pizzaro appears to shrug off Montolivo’s undue attention and as he makes the turn to change defense into attack, an unfortunate slip gifts the ball to Montolivo. An onrushing keeper and a composed Montolivo combine to give Milan the opener. He celebrates. The jeers from the stands quieted.

Fast forward to the start of the second half and ten man Fiorentina are playing with much purpose. Adversity has a way to bring out the best in a man. To a man, Fiorentina felt hard done by the referee. Card after card as Ac Milan played to the gallery. It all culminated some seven minutes, give or take, to the end of the first half when last man Nenad Tomovicgot sent off after El Shaarawy rather easily tumbled in a tussle for the ball.

However, with the constant jeers from the partisan crowd, it was the the other man facing adversity who shinned like a diamond. A brief spell of control by Milan. Montolivo works his way to the right wing, under pressure; he unexpectedly makes a low cross into the area. It’s only his teammate, former Arsenal man Flamini, anticipating. The Frenchman delicately side foots the ball into the bottom left. Goal two for Milan. Flamini’s first of the season.

‘Milan sinks Fiorentina in Florence’. ‘Fiorentina’s Champions League hopes dented by Milan’. At this point, I imagine those would have been the headlines on the back pages of Italian dailies. Two goals down, ten men, a stefan Jovetic substituted at the end of the first through injury and an in form Ac Milan, there seemed to be no way back for Fiorentina. That, until

65:14 Ljaijc with an expected weaving run down the right into the box is clipped, or appears to have been clipped, penalty. The Serbian sends Abbiati the wrong way; Goal and Fiorentina have a life line. 2-1

72:01 In swinging cross from the left and Juan Cuadradodelightfully controlled it, skipped past Mattia De Sciglio got hacked down. Unlike the first, this one’s a clear penalty. Pizzaro dispatches and with that, villain turns hero.

2-2 it is, game on we thought. The remaining 28 mins were a typical Italian affair. Counter attacking football with a psychological edge. More yellow cards and exaggerated fouls. Milan had a shout for penalty that was turned down. In the end, a deserved 2-2 draw. We are pretty sure Florence is celebrating.

Kenya Bags First Win in HSBC World Series Dubai Leg

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:45:00 -0800

Kenya’s splendid start to the 2012/13 IRB World Series continued with a 12-5 comeback victory over Scotland at the ongoing HSBC sevens in Dubai. After a first half characterized by sloppy give-away in possession as Scotland pinned Kenya in their own territory, The Morans , took to stride head coach Mike Friday’s half time call to up the pace and get it on with the leg work.

Collins Injera struck twice after the break. First center post converted try was a dummy run as he cut in on the weak side of the tracking defender while the second was one of sheer power as he bulldozed in his opposite number. With the two, the Kenyan leads the points log with 10. In the end, Kenya’s superior tackling success rate, 100% to 78%, saw them through to the buzzer.

Next up for Kenya is Spain at 13:58 with the Iberian side having lost to Fiji 14-0 in their first game. Will it be more for Injera?

English Premier League Transfer WishList

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:20:00 -0700

Proud to introduce the inaugural A.S. I Sportswire English Premier League transfer wish list, cum transfer dream team, cum shadow Premier league Team Of the Season 2011/12

Goal Keeper: Krul,

Defenders:        Walker, Heitinga, Jagielka, Bale

Midfielders:               Tiote, Sigurdsson
                        Holliet, Dempsey, Pikillton

Striker:                   Robin Van Persie

1.Tim Krul (Newcastle)

The Newcastle keeper epitomizes the Newcastle diagnosis: Average player turned above average thanks to team power. His tiff with Van Persie during the Emirates encounter that ended 1-2 in the gunner’s favor remains his moment for the season for me. Such brashness, in the books of A.S.I Sportswire is a sign of pure ambition and and a healthy dose of self confidence. These are mental attributes tell of the kind of attitude needed by a player to prosper at a bigger club.
2.Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

The currently injured Kyle Walker, was his peer’s pick for the Young Player of The Year, made it to the premier league team of the year and was a year ago, in the UEFA European Under 21 Football Championship team. His missing out on the Euro’s on account of his injury has hit the headlines just as his White Hart Lane heroics dominated British backpages; when he hit that screamer of a winning goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

Anyone shopping for a right back with premier league experience can’t look over him. We reckon 2011/12 UEFA Champions league winners, Chelsea, might be interested given the unflattering displays by their current personnel. With Tottenham missing out on Champions League football, the vultures start circling on the lilies.

3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

The ‘tappers’ are it. Barcelona’s Dani Alves recently spoke well of the Welshman, and we all know what that means: when Barcelona players start talking about another player. He would definitely fetch more than the 10million Euros that Tottenham paid for him in the summer of 2007.

His season starts are as average as Theo Walcott’s for a player so much talked about: 9 goals from 123 shots and 8 assists in 32 appearances.

The center backs are an interesting one. The pair come from Everton and has been subject for transfers come every summer. A.S.I Sportswire would love to see them remain in Everton just because we love what Moyers is doing there. The two have helped marshal the leagues 4th tightest defense that had allowed only 38 goals, counting the four conceded, as by the time of that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford that threw the title race open.

4.Johhny Heitinga (Everton)

The 28yr old is a full Netherlands international and featured prominently in the European qualifiers. Interesting to see if the Dutch win the Euros, and Heitinga heads back to Everton.

5. Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Terry-Cahil looks the automatic pick for England in the Euros. Jagielka might augur for a move considering the gloss that playing in big games against the likes of Messi has done to Cahill’s international career.

6. Tiote (Newcastle: Defensive Midfeilder)

The ping pong game is already on when it comes to Tiote. The Ivorian insists that he is staying, but It would be hard to see how he would turn down a move to Manchester United or Chelsea now that Newcastle has failed to make the Champions League dream true.
The downside is that the Ivorian could be away again at the African Cup of Nations in January 2013 for a maximum two months as Africa’s premier completion shifts calendar dates.

7.David Hoilett (Blackburn: Attacking midfielder)

Age 21, at a club that failed to fight relegation, with seven goals and 5 assists from 30+ premier league appearances, pretty much sums it up. According to premierleague.com, 77% of his attacking activity happens in the box; a significant statistic considering he has been used mostly as a wide player at Blackburn.

The Canadian International fits the bill for a Spurs and Liverpool kind of buy. However, according to widespread internet transfer rumor reports; the gunners are said to be in for him. With Blackburn being the soap opera show it was, and subsequently facing the axe from top flight football; the likelihood of one of its’ better players not being there to participate in Championship football is quite real.

In terms of his professional development it might be wise for himself to bid his time in lower league football, get in more playtime, smoothen the edges, build up his cred and make the move to a bigger club during the January transfer season.

8. Clint Dempsy (Fulham: Attacking Midfielder)

As with every hot prospect every transfer season, Arsenal are apparently interested; but a return of 16 goals from 134 shots, 6 assists from 34 appearances from a midfielder in a team that finished outside the European places would tickle any manager. If Arsenal do sign him, he would probably do an an Arteta. If Fulham hold onto the American international and part time you tube rapper, it would be a massive plus for them.

Clint Dempsy Rap Video: 'Don't Tread'

9. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea: Attacking Midfielder)

The Iceland international on loan at Swansea from TSG Hoffenheim alongside Newcastle’s Cisse are the stars of the January transfer season. At 22 years, Swansea can underlay their ambitions by reviving their botched January bid

With a goal to game ratio of 1:2 (7 goals in 15 games from 61 shots) and 2 assists, the rumors that he could be headed to the Emirates or Old Trafford would be welcome to both sets of fans following the trophy-less campaigns just ended. He loves the ‘Cesc area’ ghosting in and around the opposition box as the most forward midfielder in the team, can pick a pass and good defensive play.

10: Van Persie (Arsenal: Forward)

Arsenal’s worry here: wages (read: current EPL Champions Manchester City), the fact that Alexis Sanchez doesn’t look any part Barcelona material and just about anything else you will read about in the papers.

11. Pikillton (Norwich: Forward)

He did better than a Koscienly-by passing Championship football all the way to the top flight from lower league side Brighton. In 28+ appearances, Pikillton has netted 8 times with 1 assists. Of the eight goals, was the spectacular opener at White Hart lane as Norwich overrun the lilies in one of their sizable upsets the past season.

Premier League Transfer Wishlist 'B'

Kyut (Liverpool: Attacking Midfeilder)

Kyut is the Toyota of football players. At his age, the more likely move would be one back to Netherlands, although he is a leading candidate of a Benayoun- Arsenal kind of deal considering his age defying work rate.

Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City: Forward)

Mancini is an interesting one : A treat it is now that Manchester City has bagged the premier league. His press conferences are sheer journalist delight. He definitely is Italian. Consider his Balotelli gamble and Teves affair. But our pick has to be his loaning out of Adebayor.

It’s hard to come round how he can semi-peddle the Togolese. A player, whose performances gave Tottenham the dream of Champions League football; a player with 14 league goals to his name, placing him just above the stellar company of Ballotelli and Dzeko , but head and shoulders above his direct competitors with 11 assists, outstanding team play and commitment.

Internet reports indicate that Adebayor and Tottenham are deep in negotiations as we speak.

Steven Fletcher (Wolves: Forward)

The Scotland international’s 10 league goals failed to save woeful Wolves from relegation. He would be a hot pick for any of the bottom half teams, especially the likes of, QPR and Aston villa.

Demba ba (Newcastle: Forward)

The Senegalese wants PSG and doesn’t hide it. Oh, he even wants Real Madrid: seems to us a player angling for a move while their stock is still hot. Sadly, this aspect of his manner reminds us of that other side of his compatriot,

Banan (Aston Villa: Midfeilder)

Little has been seen of the youngster. The glimpses though paint an interesting picture. Banan looks set to have a good 2012/13 season under a different manger and under a new system. Whether this is going to happen at Aston Villa is another question altogether.

Coloccini (Newcastle: Defender)

Coloccini was set to be the Captain who led Newcastle, for the first time ever, as a Champions League side. In spite of his workman like performances this season, a move looks unlikely.

Premier League Manager Transfer WishList

Roberto Martinez (Wigan )

Director of Wigan’s ‘Great Escape’ miniseries. In talks with Liverpool, the Spaniard was voyeuristic in his execution of strategy as Wigan beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in succession. His choice of an attacking 3-5-3 formation at certain stages of the matches with these English football giants was sheer delight.

Brandan Rodgers ( Swansea)

Looks set to continue his work at Swansea having brushed off Liverpool’s advances. His side has been the surprise package and has pleased with their possession football. As the AVB experience at Chelsea taught the football world, it might prove too costly for a team to try teach old dogs new tricks: he fits like a glove to Swansea and may fail to effectively impart his football philosophies at another stable.

AVB

Andre Villas Boas. Somehow, everyone outside Chelsea is willing to lend excuses rather than abuses when
asked of their take on AVB’s reign at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese draws so much sympathy from many yet, once he left and his deputy leads the team to a FA Cup and Champions League double.
Liverpool are eyeing him, seemingly in support of the widely held view that AVB by accepting the Chelsea job was walking into a private member’s club. A decision that is somewhat akin to unknowingly and voluntarily being part of a fraternity, whose culture you have no clue of and worse still trying to impart your values there.

Formula 1, So Much For Ke Nako

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:24:00 -0700

Ke Nako Image: aysoworldcup

“Waka Waka ehe waka waka ehe” that tune, the soundtrack of the time. The time for Africa it was said. Big things were going to go down, down South. Even bigger things expected of the continent as fortune, rather too optimistically, like a drop of ink in a glass of water diffuse its arrival announced by the din of the Vuvuzelas.

Ke Nako time for Africa. The much awaited time when the land of lions,elephants and giraffes would sit with pride, shake up the corporate world and with heads held up high cease being the problem and provide solutions to prevailing global situations. You see, the gloom in the world markets like malaria and Aids had been infectious. Spectating on from its perennial designate position- the sidelines- was Africa.

Lost to the audience catching on the on goings in the Euro zone and Americas was what the big deal was about being unemployed or having no home to rest your weary body. To some, it was just short of an ill placed joke the only amusing thing were the names being floated around Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, funny names for a bank they thought.

The pundits on the tube told us that this gloom, these social problems were born of the global economic meltdown. Problems that in the homes of the spectators were bread and butter issues. Not so though was hosting the world's most watched event, the world war without bombs: The FIFA World Cup. Thus every reason for the 800 million inhabitants of the mother Continent to sing along to Shakira's rendition of the tune they knew of so well 'Waka Waka' after all, it was Ke Nako.

Everything said it was Ke Nako. For once CNN , BBC (just to name names) spoke well of the dark continent. Nonetheless as they say, even good things come to an end. Some premature end this was as way before Barcelona,pardon me, Spain were crowned champions of the South Africa 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup, reality had reared it's ugly head disrupting the African hosted party.

The problem was not with the host as 'haters' had gone waxical about in the run up to the event, but with the caterers (multinationals from lands beyond keen to grab the marketing opportunity that big sport graciously offers) as sections of the party goers started to feel discriminated, served scrapings from the bottom of the pot or missing out on rations all together.

Forget the nonesence noise about the Vuvuzelas and the subsequent preemptive bans from European stadia , forget the ticket prices out of reach for the thousands whose homes had to make way for the multi dollar stadiums, think the young ones whose potato chips had to find their way from their grasp into dustbins just because they had been fried by the wrong brand.

All the same all taken in stride in lieu of the symbolism of the time. In South Africa, lay hope and hope is one thing hard to rubbish. Kenya started dreaming of the Olympics in a few decades just to sample some of the high of the moment. At the very least, the return of Formula 1 to South Africa. Such is the sense of family in Africa . Your brother is still your brother even if sibling rivalry best defines the relationship.

When Ghana failed to progress into the semifinals of the world cup in a fashion that typifies the African situation, the disappointment was shared from the cape of good hope all the way to Alexandria. When the 2011/12 Formula 1 calender was released just recently, the glaring miss was a difficult pill to swallow for Formula 1 enthusiasts across the continent. So much for Ke Nako

March 11-Bahrain
March 18-Australia
April 1-Malaysia
April 11-China
April 22-Korea
May 6-Turkey*
May 20-Spain
May 27-Monaco
June10Canada
June17-United States
July1-Valencia,Spain
July 15-GreatBritain
july 29-Germany
August 5-Hungary
September 2-Belgium
September 9-Italy
September 30-Singapore
October 14-Japan
October 28-India
November11-AbuDhabi
November 25-Brazil
* Subject to confirmation

**Coming Soon: Russia
***Hopefully this Africa- Kyalami circuit South Africa? Libya- rebirth of the Tripoli grand prix? Nigeria?

In the media blitz surrounding the African World Cup, a cornered Bernie Ecclestone had this to say:

"When we speak about the Formula 1 World Championship, we are aware that Africa is missing. We had talks a couple of years ago and almost reached a deal but at the moment they are so wound up with the football World Cup - there was not much point in talking."

To me a dismissal rather than a note of hope “...so wound up with the football World Cup- there was not much point talking!” with all due excuse me Mr Ecclestone. Nonetheless, in a miniscule way you have a point. You see too much talking has always been the problem. Talking in conferences, capacity building workshops and the likes. Maybe it's time for a hush and then some action. Till then for Africa Formula 1 back to the reserved seats in the sidelines as is norm.

Kolo Toure Doping Saga: In His Defense A Can Of Worms

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:28:00 -0700

Image Gunnersphere

Any parent would be proud to have two have nee two world beaters. Top athletes at the top of the game, rubbing shoulders with the best in their sport and sharing the occasional beer after a well fought out duel on the sporting arena away from the television cameras. Likewise it is a pride of a nation whenever those breed of the fruits of its soil fly the flag on the world stage. For a continent like Africa seen to be the world's basket case, it is always a joy when one of the brethren overcomes malaria, malnutrition, prejudice, poverty and its brothers and makes it.

Understandable it is therefore that Uruguayan hero Luiz Suarez draws disgust courtesy of his cheating hand that kept the goal that could made the Black Stars of Ghana the first African nation to make it to the semifinals of World Cup right here on African soil in the 2010 South African edition. What is even harder for the public to understand is how such unsporting behavior, such blatant cheating in the full light of the floodlights of Soccer City stadium could fail to draw personal liability.

Maybe it's on account of such happenings and on the back of tales passed down generations- most notably the suspect manner in how Cameroon was officiated out of another milestone way back in the 1990 Italy edition- that the six month ban imposed on former Arsenal ' The Invincibles' team member, now former Manchester City captain, Ivorian national team automatic pick Kolo Toure; after his 'B' sample failed the doping test, has been met with muted reaction in most of Africa.

Arsenal fans remember the shock when Arsene Wenger chose the Sheik's petrodollars over the dedication, handwork and 'die-for-the-badge' attitude that Kolo Toure put in week in week out for Arsenal even when it became more apparent that age was catching up with the defender. For some it was good business as Kolo Toure had without doubt done his bit for Arsenal and it would have been selfish of Wenger's to deny the Ivorian the call of a new challenge and the well known perks that come with being a Manchester City player- probably not bad boy Mario Balotelli but definitely Kolo Toure deserved all that.

When Yaya Toure was spat out by super Barcelona after years of service comparable only to his brother, to well wishers, it was a football fairy tale when the Toure brother's reunited at Manchester City. Though Yaya's move was more about the money the Ivorian would be making as a Manchester City player bringing to fore what Arsene wenger labels as financial doping in football, it is the other Toure's doping calamity that has left a stink.

In a paper “Doping in Sport: From Strychnine to Genetic Enhancement, It’s a Moving Target” Gary I. Wadler then a associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University School Of Medicine notes “ Competition, at its most basic level, appears to drive athletes to do whatever it takes to win. Perhaps the need to win at all costs is a Darwinian response, an adaptive mechanism..” As a sports fan it is often hard to forget the pressure on the shoulders of our favored athletes.

Taking the case of Yaya Toure for instance, the noise has only quieted down on account of his impressive end of season form where his contributions to Manchester City's first cup in over half a century were taken to be worthwhile paybacks for the monies that he takes home as the game's top earner. No telling the pressure on his brother's shoulders when he chose to take, as he puts it in his defense, his wife's slimming pills

Doping is as old as sports Wadler quips “Even as long ago as the 3rd century B.C., the Greeks, inventors of democracy and the Socratic method, were known to ingest hallucinogenic mushrooms to improve athletic performance. In the Roman era, gladiators used stimulants in the famed Circus Maximus (circa 600 B.C.) to overcome fatigue and injury, while other athletes experimented with caffeine, alcohol, nitroglycerine, opium and even the potent stimulant, strychnine.”

On the day that Barcelona face Manchester United at Wembley in the 2010/11 Champions league final, it is worth noting one of the star attractions-super Messi- were it not for a defined medical reason could be said to have benefited from doping.

The Messi legend goes that Barcelona acquired the services of a player who Wenger reckons that hisexploitss in the modern game could only elicit one responsee: Kneeling down- as the Catalan outfit were the only team interested in the young exceptionally gifted yet puny player (on account of a genetic deficiency in growth hormone) , who could afford the treatment that the now 21st Century god of football desperately needed.

So dicey is this doping in sports affair that even the definition of what doping is remains problematic. Others argue for the need to demonstrate intent on the athletes part which as Wadler notes is problematic as “notion that we can actually assess one’s intent, both qualitatively and quantitatively” is futile leaving room for the use of “surrogate measure, the testing of bodily fluids, especially urine, has become a marker for assessing intent.”

That said, did Kolo Toure INTEND to gain unfair advantage by taking his wife's slimming pills? Qualitatively? As one of his fans, probably not. Quantitatively? The 'B' sample says it all. Worth noting is that in the eyes of his fans, probably the qualitative measure counts more than any quantitative measure thus the n muted repose and overwhelming public opinion in his support. Nonetheless, those six months ought be enough to hit the gym.

My father oftened told me the truth is often simple. The simplest of explanations oten bear the truth. Though Kolo Toure's defense was as simplistic as they come, as Wadler notes “ It’s a struggle between the manipulators versus the investigators and each side’s armaments grow more advanced each day.”

FIFA ELECTIONS Time For Sepp Blatter To Go?

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:15:00 -0700

On June 1st one month after the world marks Labor day; as Kenya marks 48 years of internal self-rule following her gaining of independence from the United Kingdom; on the day that Arsenal battle Manchester United at the Emirates in one of the game's most passionate rivalries, in Zurich, another contest will be decided.

FIFA Headquarters in Zurich Image: Hoogen Sport

Incumbent Sepp Blatter for the first time in 12 years has a credible challenge in the head of the Asian Football Confederation, Bin Hammam, for a post that almost became synonymous with the 74 yr old Swiss; The FIFA presidency. In this match-up, the upcoming FIFA elections are finally generating the ad o that befits the influence of the what could easily be termed to be the world's most powerful autonomous body save for the United Nations.

Being The Godfather of a game popularly thought to have originated in the English midlands thereabouts a century ago, that today is a global movement is a momentous issue. Sample this, at the mere threat of a ban from participation in FIFA sanctioned football events, otherwise larger than life Presidents tuck in their tails, tow the line lest they are made to look like mere tribal chiefs.

The appeal of football borders on religion. As it was once said, religion is the opium of the poor; football happens to be the dope of the masses. Every week thousands congregate in stadia across the globe, millions more via live television and a couple more on the Internet just for the fix.

This global popularity of the beautiful game makes that the FIFA presidency surpass simple sports management, touch on the geopolitical and even has a say on how the world revolves and rotates.
It is said that money makes the world go round. As you already know, what a ready market the football family is. Sponsorship deals, advertising and merchandise make football a multimillion industry.

Thus, a Don Corleone reference of the FIFA presidency serves especially taking note of the numerous occasions where the workings of FIFA have been too Sicilian. No doubt the appeal of football has much to do with the well oiled structures and pristine organization running from the FIFA congress headed by an elected president right down to the grassroots. In places like Nyamira; places that you and I have never heard of through branch chairmen of affiliate local national football associations of the 120+ countries FIFA member countries.

An impressive reach that FIFA has nonetheless, some say the workings of FIFA are too much of a one man show especially so as over the four term reign of the incumbent. They argue as much as the different confederations are the roots that hold up the tree, it appears that the stem, roots and branches suck the roots and not the reverse where the roots feed the top.

While local affiliates and regional groupings like UEFA bear the difficult task of running the game, bringing the masses to the games and keeping them there; when it comes to the major decisions they are just but lame ducks. Take the case of the football debate that has refused to go away- goal line technology. Going by the tones of the discussions, one may be mistaken to think that were it not for Sepp Blatter, goal line technology would have been a forgone conclusion.

Or the recent proposal by none other than Sepp Blatter to have the 2018 Qatar World Cup in winter to avoid the sweltering heat of summer in the Arabian desert. Lest you forget, loud grantles are still being heard in the football world over the decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Qatar and 2022 edition to Russia. It is such decisions that may have spurred Bin Hammam to suggest a term limit :“I genuinely believe eight years is enough for every president to focus on football....after that, he’s looking after everything else other than football.”

Understandable comments from the man hoping that the democratic fever causing dis-ease in the Middle East catches on in Zurich as the audit on the impact that spreading the game to Africa in 2010 South Africa will have on the African game turns unhealthy outcomes. While the Brazil 2016 World Cup edition forecast looks gloomy, not forgetting only trace net gains from the 2002 South Korea and Japan edition on the Asian game.

Keen to ride on the disgruntled voices from the smaller footballing nations like the 40 votes rich CONCACAF region, Bin Hammam the head of one of Sepp Blatter's nobler projects- The FIFA GOAL Beaureu project is promising to increase disbursements to member nations to as much as half a million dollars. Peanuts if you ask me considering the colossal funds FIFA has a say on.

Being of this world, FIFA is not immune to some of the evils that embarrassingly still remain a problem in the 21st Century. While the 'say no to racism' ,'fair play' campaigns and the like are pleasing to the ear, they have been noted in some quarters to be largely political slogans. Corruption is still a vermin in FIFA like in any political organization (remember the aftermath of the host awarding process of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup editions). Bin Hammam being the good politician he is, is promising to rid FIFA of corruption.

On this task and the more immediate one that takes place in Zurich on the 1st of June, I wish him luck With the immediate future of the global economy in Asia's hands, a new world will indeed open up if the 46 Asian votes in the FIFA congress manages to push their man through. Some possibility but as they say in Korea, 'You think flowers and the sun don't exist just because you don't see them?'

Li Na, China's Proud Daughter, Asia's Leading Light, A 21st Century Tennis First

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:34:00 -0800

If she was a world beating athlete- almost invariably conditioned in the high altitude training camps that dot the western slopes of the Great Rift Valley thereabouts the equator, my current locality-she would have been received by scores of jubilant fans, proud ululating relatives, the odd placed politician keen to enrich their personal brands, a gourd of Mursik and Isikuti dancing troupe.

Li Na Celebrating her win over Venus Williams in 2008 Beijing Olympics Women's Quarter final. Image : Xinhua/Wang Yuguo via xinhuanet.com

She would be carried shoulder high, hoisted politician style on a top- of-the- range four wheeler, she would occupy herself with waving to fans as the vehicle caravan slowly snakes through city streets on the journey to her rural home

Once the long caravan- replete with Matatus full of singing folks from the village who had made the several hour journey to the airport to welcome home the world beater- nears the precincts of her home town, 'her people' would join the parade and in a slow march of jubilant dance she would be lead to the awaiting feast: A tented affair in an open field complete with a shaded raised dais for the Mheshimiwas-VIPs.

The oxygen thin air of higher altitudes would be thick with the aroma of Nyama Choma –meat roasted over open fire- courtesy of the scores of slaughtered bulls, sheep and goats. The village feasts and fetes their all achieving daughter. The bigger the feat, the bigger the feast.

Speeches. Tearful parents, proud coaches and once again the rot of a politician ridding on the moment. Bellies full with Pilau- a Swahili coastal spiced rice and meat delicacy- minds planted with dreams and hearts full of joy. A beautiful day. A historic moment shared and witnessed by all.

Highly unlikely though that the feted athlete would be a tennis star in this part of the urban global village . A middle-long distance runner perhaps. Even more unlikely that this jubilant affair- most recently accorded to 2010 IAAF Male Athlete of The Year David Rudisha following his Usain Bolt style world record breaking exploits over 800 meters in 2010- awaits Li Na in far off Wuhan, China.

Yes, China is celebrating. Asia celebrates too. Tennis celebrates even more. In Li Na, a beginning timed to perfection. With the 21st Century still in the bud, it is an exciting time as is the case every other 100 years or so. A period with an 'anything can be achieved' mentality.

A new century, a new way of doing things seems to be the overriding mantra: Just ask Pres. Obama and you will understand why just the other day, on the tails of the state visit by his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Pres. Obama in his State of The Union Address bravely urged America to wake up from the slumber. To out-innovate, out-think and basically outmaneuver the likes of China lest the 21st Century is claimed and she joins the list of Fallen Kings.

In many ways, Li Na's triumph over world number 1 Carolina Wozniacki in the Australian Open women semi-final embodies the bright light that the orient east has been so far this 21st Century. The tournament-burdened by the floods that have wrecked parts of Australia affecting harvests in the worlds largest food exporters-represented some welcome news from down under.

When the man expected to bring that bit of cheer, Raphael Nadal, bowed out at the quarter final stage under the double assault of a tender hamstring and compatriot Roger Ferrer, as the Chinese say it almost got as dark as the bottom of a lamp.

Current tennis world number one, Nadal, having claimed 'The Old World Triple' in 2010: Italian Open, French Open and Wimbledon was expected to one better than tennis great Bjorn Borg by laying claim to four major tournaments at the same time.

When 28yr old took to the court in Melbourne Australia few expected the moment ahead. Especially with her loss of the first set to a confident Caroline Wozniacki, who just days earlier had spoke of her fine form, not only warning her rivals but also effectively stating it would take extraordinary effort to beat her. Only the very good had a chance if any.

What chance did Li Na have? The girl who at 9 (one more over the lucky Chinese number) made the switch to tennis from badminton. Her coach at the time advised that her aggression, power, quick reflexes and arm strength would be more lethal in the tennis court. He current coach cum husband, Jiang Shan, snores too much she tells us.

In the high of the proverbial 15 mins of fame, she does that: A dose of humor. A joke that many might find slighting . Yet I am informed, that is the Chinese way. A high A dose of humor to spice life. A people with a funny bone not troubled at laughing at thy self.

Li Na though typifying a humorous people embodied sport. Commenting on the ever evolving monster- doping- writer George Will gets to the heart of sports in the following words : “A society’s recreation is charged with moral significance. Sport - and a society that takes it seriously - would be debased if it did not strictly forbid things that blur the distinction between the triumph of character and the triumph of the chemistry”

Li Na's courage, determination and as she offers; a strong mind is the character that George Will so exalts. Li Na rescued a game that hang on one match point to claim a 3-6 7-5 6-3, victory over a grueling two and a half hours of gripping tennis action in Melbourne. Notwithstanding, the lessons learned over a injury plagued tennis career that begun in 1999, the year Li Na turned pro.

Though she is yet to win the 2011 Australian Open- thanks to the awaiting challenge of Grand Slam final experienced Kim Clijsters- in her triumph, Li Na became the first Chinese/ Oriental Asia woman to reach the finals of a major tennis tournament. A historic match that the host of Chinese and Asian talent she hopes to inspire to the highest levels of the sport should draw inspiration from.

Li Na : Tennis Career Snapshot

Highest World Ranking: : SINGLES- No. 7 as at 31st January 2011
: DOUBLES- No 54 as at 28th August 2006

1999: Turned Professional.

2000: Top player in ITF circuit with 52 wins that year-she currently holds 19 ITF single titles. Li Na capped the success with admission into WTA circuit where Li Na won her first WTA doubles title in June at Tashkent.

2002: April, Dinan, France against Zuzana Ondraskova Li Na losses in what is to be her her last match before a 25 month hiatus. It's unclear if it the two years were spent studying at university, or was occasioned by unnamed health conceern.

2004: Li Na becomes the first Chinese woman to win a WTA event when she triumphs over Martina Sucha- backed by Chinese support- in the September Guangzhou tier III tournament.

2008: Following a rib injury that kept Li Na of the tennis court for close to six months, Li Na returns to win the January 2008 Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts, making this her second out of four career singles WTA titles.

2009: US Open quarter finals losing to the World number 1 Serena Williams 6–4, 6–7(1), 2–6. She had bowed out at the same level in the Grand Slam stage both in 2006 and 2010 at Wimbledon.

Arsenal Catches a Manchester United as Chelsea Goes Down with a Case of Malaria

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Fri, 3 Dec 2010 07:08:00 -0800

Fifteen games in and looking at the Barclay's English Premier league Table, you'd have to rub your eyes just to make sure it's not a mirage.

Image: socerlens.com

Nothing peculiar with Manchester United leading the table two points clear of second placed Chelsea. Or with Arsenal being third only on goal difference, +15 compared to Chelsea +19. Manchester City clinches the final Champions League spot three points behind Arsenal with Tottenham breathing down their necks just a point away goes quite according to script.

The astonishing part is the little mater that the league leading team has drawn half of its games played so far. The second and third placed teams, Chelsea and Arsenal, have an identical record having lost four games and drawn two in just 15 games. Such statistics bring forth the fact that things are not that ordinary this 2010/2011 Premier League season.

The English premier league has become somewhat an affair akin to a formula 1 race.

Depending on the track, the conditions, team decisions and luck, any of the drivers at the start of the race can win the race. Similarly, dependent on the venue, manager decisions and luck, any of teams in the top flight English division can win the match.

Looking at it, I don't think the phrase 'upset' quite applies anymore. Consider this: Is Chelsea's defeat at home to Sunderland an upset? Or are home Arsenal's defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle up sets? What of West Bromwich Albion's come back at Old Trafford to earn a draw?

Two of Arsenal's defeats came at home after seemingly having the respective match under control commanding a two goal advantage at the break. Fist it was the unlikely West Bromwich Albion resurrection then a Garth Bale inspired second half comeback which gave Tottenham their first London derby away win in 13 years.

Both matches ended with a 3-2 Arsenal loss. The manner of these defeats reminds one of Manchester United early season woes when they threw away leads most notably at Everton away and West Bromwich Albion at home.

Bizarrely, the past few seasons, Arsenal was the team among the top three that drew the most matches- part reason for their continuing seven year wait for Premier League success. Now it appears it's Manchester United's turn to suffer the draws bug.

Chelsea's woes appear to be beyond Didier Drogba's recent bout of malaria which saw a dip in his form if the observations of teammate Malouda are to be believed. If it is, then it must be of the highly virulent complicated type complete with cerebral symptoms; occasioned by the larvae of the dangerous p. falciparum species blocking low caliber cerebral vessels of the London outfit's decision making organ.

The wisdom behind the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti's assistant is yet to dawn on the rest of us. Simply put, Ray Wilkins was the 'premiership guy' considering his wealth of experience. Why Roman Abrahamovich chose to relieve him off his services is lost to many.

The disgruntled voices coming from Chelsea Technical Director who has indicated his desire to quit at the end of his contract in the summer is another cause of concern especially in light of the intense competition for talent among European clubs and Leagues.

Competition is the rightful answer to this apparent seismic shift in power among the European football clubs. How else can one explain the changed topography of the English premier league log?

Unlike the US National Football League (NFL) where a non -performance based revenue system has enabled smaller teams be more competitive as they are availed with funds strictly earmarked for development of team quality, the different nature of the European scene sees the top performing teams retain most generated revenues, while collectively bargained revenue sources like Tv broadcasting returns are shared in hierarchical fashion.

The amount received by each team depends on the teams final position in the league.

The effect of these two systems has resulted in different scenarios. In The NFL, every team stands a chance of being competitive as the shared revenues enable them attract and retain quality players who might have otherwise been hoarded by the larger teams as sparingly used squad members.

The European leagues skewed distribution of revenues sees the emergence of elite teams, who among themselves dominate the competition year in year out. In England there is the Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool foursome. In Spain,there is the Barcelona- Madrid hegemony while in Italy, the San Siro clubs and AS Roma are the roosters in that fiefdom.

In an effort to compete, clubs in Europe have increasingly injected funds to enable them attract star players who make the difference. For instance, Barcelona in spite of trouble in its books spent 25 Million to acquire Mascherano from Liverpool in the summer. The Catalan club was ready to spend another reported 35 Million to lure Arsenal's captain Cesc Fabregas, had the London club not fought so bravely.

In another example, Manchester United's star Wayne Rooney was recently subject to speculation to a move to filthy rich neighbors Manchester City.

Moreover, smaller clubs not to be out done, are spending resources which they may not have. A look at lower tier teams shows an increasing ability of the teams to attract top talent.

For instance, one of the scorers in Sunderland's 3-0 win at the Bridge was Ghanaian star and African world cup hero Asamoah Gyan. Peter Odimwinge another experienced Nigerian international was in the squad that tormented Arsenal at the Emirates.

One of the premier league's all time stars, Robert Pires recently joined Aston Villa on a short deal, the premier league signing of the 2010/2011 season saw Dutch star Van dar Vaart make his move from Real Madrid to Totenham while decorated William Gallas made the switch from Arsenal to Tottenham.

All this not considering the wads of dollars splashed by the Sheikh at Manchester City.

The monies spent by the lower tier teams has certainly shaken up the competition a bit even though it is still the traditional power teams that harbor a realistic chance of winning the premier league.

The danger of such spending lies in the possibility of business going bad as liabilities outweigh returns, a fact that the G14 is cognizant of in it's proposal on new financial rules.

The proposal by 18 of Europe's most powerful football teams (G14) seeks to bar teams which fail to spend within their earnings from participating in elite European competitions like the Champions League. This G14 proposal aims to somewhat level the ground as teams will be allowed to spend only what they earn.

Till this proposal comes into effect, the roller-coaster league currently on show in England may just be a clone of yet to come times. Damn exciting times indeed!

When Nations Are At War But Shed No Blood: The Stretching Of Truth, Empty Chest Thumping & Machinations In Bidding To Host A FIFA World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Wed, 1 Dec 2010 12:20:00 -0800

Update 03/15/2017: Russia won the 2018 FIFA World Cup bid while Qatar's preparations for the $220Billoin 2020 FIFA world cup are on course despite accusations of human trafficking and inhumane working conditions.

Who is The Fairest Of Them All?

The fourth estate is just one of the players making sure its weight is felt in the intense competition among countries bidding to host the next two world cups: 2018 and 2022

Bidding nations- England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium for 2018, and Qatar, Australia, South Korea, United States and Japan for the 2022 edition- are engaged in a mad media blitz.

Most efforts are to the positive, however some like the British press spotlight on improprieties in FIFA, are curiously unsettling nerves among bearers of the decision

Bidding to host a world cup is a public relations exercise. It's a PR exercise like no other, with geopolitical implications and some significance on world trade.

The Business Of The FIFA World Cup

The 21st Century if anything, can be termed as the era of globalization.

It is in the 2000's that regions previously on the fringes of global trade such as Brazil, India, China, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea and co have become global leaders.

The world is increasingly becoming aware of itself in all matters from trade to culture in this century.

Take for instance that in 2010, for the first time in the history of the crown competition in football, following a change to a rotation policy by the game's governing body FIFA which aims at taking football to the world; Africa's largest economy, South Africa, successfully hosted the 19th Edition of the FIFA World Cup.

In such a world, where capital moves so freely. A world where capital moves to occupy niche environments which allow it to flourish best by returning maximum profits, countries become much more than just political units. They become brands.

The race to the privilege of playing host to a World Cup is a full blooded marketing clash. A marketing campaign full of the usual intrigues: intense lobbying, accusations, counter accusations, allegations and obnoxious pompous self praise.

Hosting the World cup is a source of National pride. Just like hosting any large event, sporting or otherwise, it is a way of a people to announce their arrival or reaffirm their positions in the global matrix .

Many a times, hosting an event as huge as the World Cup could be the perfect fix for a sluggish economy as it implores investment in infrastructure and security. Little wonder then that countries invest colossal amounts of public resources in strategically positioning themselves globally.

Some like Spain , the reigning FIFA World Cup and Euro cup champions, look to ride on their recent domination of global soccer in a joint bid for the 2018 world cup along neighbors Portugal.

Co-branding, you might call this joint bid.

Not only do the two countries boast of such great football names like Eusebio, Luis Figo, Pep Gurdiola, Jose Mourinho,Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, David Villa, Raul Gonzales,Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, and Simao Sabrosa ; on offer in the Spain/Portugal FIFA World Cup bid is a chance for lovers of the game to enjoy the beaches and resorts along the coasts of these two countries.

The Soft Power of Football

English premier League star, Arsenal's Russian froward Andrei Arshavin, is the image behind Russia 2018 world cup bid. If anything, Russia has positioned itself in such a way that a world cup in Russia presents an opportunity for the pursuit of FIFA's geo-political goals such as abolishing racism in the modern game.

Right along Russia's 2018 bid and South Africa's successful bid for 2010, the 2022 Qatar bid carries similar weighty geopolitical implications. As already seen with South Africa, hosting a world Cup in these countries provides football with a platform for acting as a unifying force in similar fashion to the way Mahatma Gandhi utilized football in his early days of political activism against apartheid regime in South Africa.

In the midst of competing for football honors, central, leftist, right-wing and other political, religious and ideological inclinations are blurred, offering a chance to utopian ideals of one world.

Moreover, just like the World Cup in South Africa helped deconstruct some of the economic and social misconceptions on Africa, the Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018 bids similarly offer a chance of further integrating these regions into global trade.

The prospect of a Green World Cup & The Promise Of Growth of Football in The Americas

Going green is not only the cool but responsible thing to do in the 21st century. Though global consultations on: how to reduce greenhouse gas levels; bolster sustainability efforts through a global carbon credit trading system and instituting a universally accepted way of punishing heavy polluters without choking global trade have been slow, the Netherlands/ Belgium 2018 bid could prove to be a timely shot in the arm.

Positioning itself as the greenest world cup ever, the Netherlands/Belgium 2018 bid is also not short on World cup history with legendary Dutch star Ruud Gullit leading the bid. Though both nations are great footballing nations, their joint bid is viewed as small in business thus making them lowly ranked outsiders.

If the right to host the 2018 world cup is awarded to this low momentum Netherlands/Belgium 2018 joint bid, FIFA gets to clean up its image, largely tattered thanks to British Media, by crossing a new milestone in transparency.

A strong brand history is in favor of Australia's and USA's 2022 world cup bids as both nations have in the past successfully hosted global sporting events with immense success. In the same breath as the recent 2008 Beijing Olympics, the first Olympics of the 21st century, Sydney 2000, was arguably among the best ever held.

The last world cup that took take place in the USA happened amidst supporter apathy as football was still in its infancy in America. Despite this, World Cup USA 1994 holds the record of the highest stadium attendance ever. Since then, football has grown to great proportions in America with visible success for the USA national team.

In addition, football stars like Arsenal great, ex-Juventus and Barcelona forward, Thierry Henry; ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and England national team captain, David Beckham, currently ply their trade in Major League Sides.

A Bit of Philanthropy in Qatar's 2020 FIFA World Cup bid

However, Qatar 2022, just edges ahead of these strong USA and Australia 2022 bids as the Arab nation has leveraged it's brand on strong social responsibility: Some of the new stadia to be built as part of Qatar's bid are to be dismantled and relocated to needy regions of the world once the event concludes.

Japan's and South Korea's bid for rights to host the 2022 World cup are backed by strong investments in infrastructure just like England's bid. However, these Asian nations remain outsiders as the sponsoring governments have not backed the bids to FIFA's satisfaction.

Hesitant Japan and South Korea, A confident England

Hesitation on the part of the Japanese and Korean governments makes the brand convey an unclear message which scares investors. The World Cup is no different. This situation does not augur well with their World Cup bids, especially considering the bad publicity brought on by the boiling and spilling of tensions between the Koreas and Japan's sluggish economy.

On the other hand, England's bid for 2018 is backed by a strong delegation of the Kingdom's foremost gentlemen: Social icon David Beckham, Prime minister David Cameron and soon to be wed Prince William have arrived in Zurich a few hours ahead of the crucial vote to push the England bid.

The three lions as the the three English ambassadors have been dubbed, will attempt to sooth hurt egos in FIFA's decision making organ over tea and champagne. All in an attempt to temper the effects of the fiasco brought about by British media expose on corruption in FIFA.

The England 2018 bid is emerging as a challenger to Russia's strong case. The success of the English premier league and its claim to be the motherland of football work hugely in its favor.

On Thursday December 3rd 2010, two of the most important decisions concerning the world's favorite sport, football, will be made in Zurich Switzerland. The next home of the sport's premier show piece will be for all to know, thereby marking the midpoint rather than the culmination of power play, perception manipulation and a host of business deals.

Guide to Weekend Football: English Premier League Matches, Preview and Soccer Talk

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 09:18:00 -0700

The big match this weekend is the Manchester City v Arsenal game at Eastlands. Chelsea look set to extend their lead at the top when they host Wolverhampton wanderers. Manchester United should abandon the draws and the Rooney saga and get their 2010/2011 campaign on the roll. Tottenham need to avoid a loss not only to prove that they have the mantle to carry out a challenge on twin fronts- especially after their loss to Inter Milan in midweek. While West bromwich Albion at home to Fulham should seek to keep their dream season going after impressive results against Arsenal and Manchester united. For a full guide to the Barclays premier league action read more:
Guide to Weekend Football: English Premier League Matches, Preview and Soccer Talk

Liverpool Sale To Boston Red Sox Owners, New England Sports Ventures, Set After Judge Ruling

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:00:00 -0700

LONDON:
If football clubs were generals, Liverpool Football club would be the most decorated amongst the ilk competing in England. With 18 league titles and triumph in 5 European cup finals, Liverpool FC ought to be the embodiment of success.

However, as the English saying warns: ' Do not Judge the book by the cover '; on the books, Liverpool football club is in debt to a tune of some 200 million pounds owed to the Royal Bank Of Scotland. In the pitch, following its worst league start in over half a century, Liverpool lies among the top three clubs that stand to be relegated from the English top flight- in the Harry potter world scenario that the 2010-2011 season of Premier League were to somehow prematurely end now.

This is the situation as the two men from the land of soccer-not football- leave following an English courts ruling to back the decision of the Board of Liverpool Football club to sell the club to new owners, in an effort aimed at averting a case similar to the Leeds United debacle or the more recent Portsmouth FC fall into financial administration+/- relegation to the lower echelons of English Soccer.

Hicks and Gillet are the villains in this football epic. The two American billionaires took over Liverpool football club in 2007 betting on leveraged financing to help realize the Merseyside dream of a new home, more world class players to add on to the enigmatic captain Steven Gerard and a loaded trophy cabinet.

Withered Dreams: The Proposed Liverpool Stadium. Image courtesy of architecturelist.com

A global recession later and a shift in the dynamics of English football finances that saw half of the football clubs in the premier league being foreign owned, that Merseyside dream turned into drifting log to a shipwrecked sailor. Away it went, as financial trouble sucked Liverpool further into the abyss of the open sea. The lack of success in the pitch since the dramatic 2005 Istanbul triumph over Ac Milan in the UEFA champions league final just served to confound Liverpool's troubles as the much needed performance linked television revenues suffered a blow.

Sensing that they were walking alone, Hicks and Gillet sought to sell the club. After a whirlwind of claims of various parties interested in restoring the glory days of Liverpool circulated in the press, it emerged that New England Sports Ventures that is partly owned by New York Times Co and owns the Major League Baseball side Boston Red Sox had offered 300 Million pounds for Liverpool.

Boston Red Sox, an iconic sporting brand in America, much like Liverpool in English soccer, had been in a situation much akin to that facing Liverpool not long ago. New England Sporting Ventures rescued the Major Baseball league side from demise and were planning to replicate their success with Boston Red Sox in English soccer.

The Liverpool board, English premier league and by extension the British government -courtesy of their ownership of The Royal Bank Of Scotland that occurred in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, approved the impending deal that would see the debt settled and set plans of a new Liverpool stadium and football revival on the way. Current Liverpool co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillet Jr, moved to court to bar the board from selling citing the apparent undervaluation of the club and questioning the authority of the board to initiate the sale talks.

High court Judge Christopher Floyd in his ruling lifted the one stumbling block that looked set to bring some reprieve to the Anfeild faithful. With their street protests and you tube video campaigns, it appears that Liverpool fans will have to settle for half a loaf rather than the more desirable situation where they would have loved to control the club.

Once the deal is confirmed as expected, the singing shall move from the streets back to the terraces of Anfeild to create that famous suffocating atmosphere for opposition teams. The Kops have done their bit in resolving board room battles. Now its time to cheer on the reds as they battle their way up the premiership table. Hopefully, with the impending New England Sports ventures deal, it will not be a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire nor one of the known devil being better than the unknown angel.

Chelsea Vs Arsenal Preview

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 3 Oct 2010 07:45:00 -0700

Ask Arsene Wenger and he will tell you that its has been the financial muscle of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, Manchester United that has kept the trophy cabinet at Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Groove, squeaky clean. You can say Arsenal picked a wrong time to be in transition.

Roman Abromovich stepped in from the cold of Russia and with the tactical nous of Jose Mourinho, soon later enabled Arsenal's London rivals their first premiership trophy in 55yrs. Chelsea was hot again, not only in having a sexy name but also

This solid background has seen Chelsea claim their first double ever in 2009/2010 season with their triumph in both the league and FA cup. By then Mourinho was long gone, Avram Grant and Luois felippe Scolari had stopped by, but the seeds he had sown in the shape of Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank lampard and six time Fa Cup winner Ashley Cole were still bearing fruit.

Former AC Milan boss was in charge for the double. You can't accuse him of feeding off the fruits of the Jose Mourinho tree, as he has managed to do something that none of the host of mangers in charge of the Roman army has done: He has manged to produce a brand of soccer that someone can travel to go and watch.

If you were to ask Arsene wenger again of the state of his West London Rivals- Chelsea, he will tell you that Roman Abramovich's experiment had paid off at least in the short term. Looking at Chelsea's trophy cabinet, it is creaking under the weight of three English premier league titles, two FA cups and Two Carling cups.

Looking at the state of their accounts however, the picture is inverted in Arsenal's favour. Profits breaking sport financial records has been the norm at North London. In West London, the news has been about cutting losses. Maybe North London needed that- something to brag about- as the cups have deserted Arsenal since that FA cup win on penalties in over Manchester United in the 2004/2005 season. But things are changing

A look at Chelsea's bench today as they host Arsenal for the game of the season so far at Stanford Bridge will reveal a few names to you. Probably you might know of exciting Frenchman Gael Kakuta courtesy of the protracted transfer that saw the European Governing body UEFA fine Chelsea and even suspend them from taking part in transfer activity for a short spell a couple of years back.

The only new face in Arsenal's lineup maybe the 18yr old Jack Wilshere. The rest as Arsene Wenger points out are experienced internationals. Yes, they may be young at age, but the footballing hours under their belts make them some of the most experienced footballers anywhere on the globe.

How things have changed. Or really?

Berbatov 3 : 2 Gerrad, Manchester United Edge Out Liverpool In Thriller

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:04:00 -0700

It is strange how fast things turn. From a drab cagey match that with every passing minute seemed to be less fun than watching paint dry, the premiership blockbuster between Manchester United and Liverpool exploded quite late on into an exciting encounter. At its culmination, Dimitri Berbatov the 30 million pound plus deadline transfer signing who had withstood much criticism since his big money move from White Hart Lane to rainy Manchester, answered his critics with a a performance that only a footballer of his genius can pull..

Sir Alex claims that there is a genius about this forgotten man of Old Trafford. It's easy to agree with the Scot man as no other footballer could have made it appear so simple as he perennially does it. From being labeled lazy, slow and sometimes wasteful; tonight and for the week to come at the very least, Dimitri Berbatov is the most loved man in the red half of the city of Manchester, in the swathes of Manchester United supporting masses in Shanghai, Seoul and other cities in the orient. Down to the religiously soccer mad faithful in sub- Saharan Africa who followed the match via a public product in some shack at a minimal fee of an equivalent of a few $US cents.

Berbatov did it three times. Twice with is head and one audacious one over his head.

Sluggish defending by Torres allowed Berbatov to wrap his head around a Ryan Giggs corner to give Manchester United a lead just before the break.. The Old Trafford faithful had to wait for slightly over 40 nins to get this piece of action to distract them from the rain was pouring. It was a half dominated by careful marking on the part of Liverpool and a cautious approach from Man United resulting in at best at a host of corners for the home team.

Nani's fierce shot from just outside the six yard box rattled the cross bar before a long ball towards the channel found him again (Nani) . His outstanding contribution bore fruit having lost his marker Koschensky, a Fulham import brought in by Roy Hodgson, Nani controlled the ball and floated it into the box over Wayne Rooney's head but some how onto the thigh of the huge Bulgarian. Berbatov in his characteristic deft touch allowed him to bring the ball under his control and looped a shot over his head, past a bemused Pepe Reina with his back all this time facing goal. This, I might add is contender for the goal of the season.

Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool

At this point Liverpool with a deep playing Steven Gerrad and a largely isolated Torres looked dead and buried.. This season Liverpool's top scorer, 21 yr old David Ngong, came off the bench and out went out a largely anonymous Maxi Rodriguez in an attempt at adding some bite upfront.

However, it was the man Ngong came to support,, the lethal Fernando Torres, who proved to be the tormentor when his ball through the legs of the shaky Evans saw the Man United young defender sliding tackle catch his legs in the area. World cup final referee Howard Webb rightly pointed to the spot for the penalty. Gerrard however did not do a " Asamoah Gyan " as Rosicky had on Saturday in Arsenal's game against Sutherland, he coolly dispatched the ball hitting the back net after sending Van der ser the wrong way.

With this kick by Stevie G, the game came alive again. as Liverpool particularly, Joe Cole, who was strumming the creative play from the center of the pack found new purpose and it was not long before Torres struck again, this time it was right back John Oshea who caught him as he chased a rather purposeful through ball. Howard Webb flashed a yellow , pointed the spot 12 yards out were the free kick was to be taken from. Steve Gerrard took over a gain the honors of taking the free kick.

Oshea was lucky to get away with a yellow but, a poor wall made by almost the entire bunch of the 11 united out field players allowed Gerrard to sneak in the second for Liverpool..

2-2 it was, a scoreline that Sir Alex Ferguson later during the post match interview described as a travesty considering how tame Liverpool's rather tame demeanor that Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford. Six minutes from time, Berbatov, again rose higher than Carrager in the box, his majestic header giving Man United the winner. Forward to the nineteenth title Manchester United Moved as the rose to tie points with second placed Arsenal one point behind Chelsea who were yet to play their fifth game of the 2010-201 Barclays premiership campaign against the newly promoted whip boys Blackpool.

For Liverpool however it was another unconvincing display, as the slid to 16 the in the table with only one win so far in the neighborhood of the Blackpool's of the a league. Quite a travesty for England's most successful club.. It appears that the Liverpool faithful will have to wait a little longer for that elusive 19th title.

Stat Attack

Berbatov became the first Manchester United player since 1947 years to score a hat trick in this fixture.

Chasing Redbull:: Vettel On Pole in Hungary As Formula One 2010 Season Reaches Halfway Mark

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sun, 1 Aug 2010 01:46:00 -0700

RB6:Image credit: Red Bull Racing, Sourced from SIDEPODCAST F1.com

" We look at the on-board footage and we just laugh, Jensen and I think it's insane how fast they go....our car is the best it has ever been at this circuit. But those guys..I don't know what they are doing because it is incredible the pace they have."

The words of current 2010 formula one driver's championship leader- Lewis Hamilton, perplexed at the dominance the Red bulls have had in qualifying. Vettel's pole position in Hungary, the race that marks the end of the first half of the 2010 formula one grand prix season, makes it six consecutive times that Red Bull has occupied pole position. Mark Weber, the other half of the 2010 Red Bull driver team, admitted that he only had his team mate to beat for pole position.
Taking second spot on the starting grid, Weber underscored the dominance that the Red Bull team has had with the car that Sebastian Vettel describes as both a wonderful car and a pleasure to drive.Mark Weber ruing his failure to get the better of the inter-team rivalry, aptly summed it up,

|We knew it was going to be between the both of us and there wasn't the chance for the other other guys to have a crack at us guys today. It was going to be pretty tight between us like it was in Barcelona, so whoever did the quickest lap between us two was going to get pole|

Picks On How the Hungary Race Starting Grid lined Up

POLE: Sebastian Vettel [ Red Bull ]
   Mark Weber [ Red Bull ]
   Fernando Alonso [ Ferrari ]
           Fellipe Massa [ Ferrari ]
           Lewis Hamilton [ Mclaren Mercedes ]
           Nico Rosberg [ Mercedes ]
   Vitlay Petrov [Renault ]
   Robert Kubica [ Renault ]
           Pedro de la Rosa [ BMW Sauber ]
10th: Nico Rosberg [ Williams ]
           Jensen Button [ Mclaren Mercedes]
   Rubens Barrichello [ Williams ]
   Adrian Sutil [ Force India ]
   Micheal Schumacher [ Mercedes ]

Beyond The race

Controversy still trails Ferrari following Fernando Alonso's controversial win in Germany where Fellipe Massa slowed down to let his team mate pass for the win. The questions this time is about possible use of banned move-able aerodynamic devices. Mclaren and Mercedes have logged complaints over F10 and RB6 which appear to have front wings that have circumvented this rule. Once again, It is all about down-force.
Fellipe Massa is back to the track in which he almost lost his life following an accident in which he suffered a skull fracture.
Despite failing to achieve perfect balance with the MP4-24, Jensen Button is no stranger to climbing up the bean stalk, in his own words " I suppose you can say we have just got to be brave"

Down Memeory lane: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Netherlands vs Spain

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:21:00 -0700

Stand UP for the C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S. Image courtesy of thestar.blogs.com

The final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, the wizardry of Spain vs the Orange of the Netherlands, should go down as one of the greatest finals.

Yes: The entire 120 Mins.

For on that day at Soccer City Johannesburg, the world was treated to a festival of what soccer/football is, can be and what it ought not be.

Yet, in those short 120 Mins, the extravaganza managed to squeeze in one of the most taxing quagmires facing Sepp Blatter and all those involved in governing the world's most watched event and most followed sport...

Should goal line technology be introduced? Does a third referee 'big brother', you might call him, have a place in the centuries old game. A game in which Sepp Blatter reckons that "human error is part of ?

These questions, still beg for answers.

All considered, little wonder then; that in spite of the Netherlands making it a hat- trick of World Cup final disappointment, the second ranked footballing nation- according to the latest FIFA world rankings, felt like, and were treated as winners by the jubilant euphoric Dutch population on their return from the finals.

Thinking about it, it is an open secret in the round world of football, the immense influence that the Dutch brand of 'Total Football' has had on the game of the winners on the night- Spain.

World Cup Quote of the day

"I bought one and went to test it, " offered former Lyon man Juninho. " The ball requires a little practice, but it is delicious, It's a poor excuse"

Brazilian Juninho lambasting those vocal about the love-to-hate Jabulani ball. Among many things including Brazil's & France's failures at the World Cup.

***Keep checking for A.S.I Sportswire's soon to be published FIFA 2010 South Africa Souvenir e-book, that will be available for FREE download on this site***

More articles on FIFA 2010 World Cup

Clash of the Titans: Netherlands vs Spain

Arsenal's All time Top scorer Henry On going MLS, " this marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life "

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:33:00 -0700

Imagine, being feted as the greatest while still very much doing what you are being celebrated for. I am not talking about winning FIFA World player awards, being top scorer in the World's most famous league or even on numerous occasions earning the respect of fellow professionals and being awarded the PFA award.

These are, forgive me, ordinary everyday awards that gifted players are expected to pick somewhere along their career. After all they are meant to do just that:- Award the exceptionally gifted among the bunch.
What I have in mind is the coveted honor of being recognized as one, a player, who defined the history, path , essence and ideals of a football club. Among your peers are others who are long gone- the ilk of Cliff Bastin and Liam Brady.

The above image, part of Arsenal's ' Arsenalization' project carried out last year (sometime in October 2009) in an effort to make the new home of Arsenal football at Ashburton Groove have the 'feel of home' of the previous home stadium at Highbury bears testimony to this.

Thierry Henry, France's top scorer and the holder of a similar record with his 226 goals in Arsenal colors finally left Spanish side Barcelona and signed a several year deal with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls in a move that underlines the continual rise of American soccer, which in now boasts of stars like David Beckham and London Donovan.

For a player blessed with blistering speed, but who refused to carry the ubiquitous tag of only being 'a pacy forward', it is not hard to see why his services and experience are still needed even at the prime age of 32.

His first task? A preseason match against Champions League finalists and Arsenal's North London rivals- Tottenham Hotspurs on 22nd July 2010.

Valencia, European Grand Prix: Ferrari's Alonso Plots to stop Mclaren's Hat trick with revamped F10

noreply@blogger.com (lt) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:52:00 -0700

As the estimated Billions are delighting at the display of soccer at the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Business leaders, prominent personalities in the fields of science, art & all that lies in between, gather in Cape Town -South Africa's 'mother city"- for the inaugural Fortune 500/ CNN/ Time Global Forum that seeks to discuss the changing role of Africa & other emerging economies in today's globalized economy.

In Valencia, the air is warmer at this time of the year, perfect conditions to enjoy the third European Formula 1 Grand Prix.


Ad2010 European Grand Prix - Friday Valencia Street Circuit, Valencia, Spain 25th June 2010. Jarno Trulli, Lotus T127 Cosworth. World Copyright: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic ref: Digital Image _26Y1547 d caption. Image courtesy of Flickr.

The star studded
Spanish team seeks to over come Chile if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the knock out stages of the ongoing 2010 World Cup.

As David Villa, the new recruit in Barcelona's equally impressive, less obnoxious and even less talked about galatico project, runs through the paces in South Africa, in an attempt to find the perfect balance between athleticism, skill and intelligence- in the hope of redoing the spectacular as he did with his wonder opening goal against Honduras-; Valencia, the city he left prior to the 2010 World Cup kick- off to join Xavi Hernandez & Co. at Barcelona, prepares to welcome back one of its favorite sons Fernando Alonso.

Formula 1 vs World Cup

Parallels can be drawn between Ferrari's double champion, Fernando Alonso's, quest to claim top honors at the European leg of the 2010 F1 championship in Valencia this weekend & Spain's national team "small" matter of qualification into the second round of FIFA 2010 World Cup finals.

European Champions, second in the FIFA world team rankings, headed by the only coach to attain success with the first galaticos project at Barcelona's nemesis Real Madrid and boasting of talent that only a few national teams can attempt to match, Spain's lukewarm jab at the 2010 World Cup has sent the team back into strategy.

Conversely, the Italian team at Ferrari, equally need to up their game following Mclaren's dominance over the two past F1 2010 circuit races in Turkey and Canada.

Maintaining tradition is a tremendous task., to appreciate this, ask Ferrari.

With their dominance as the top constructor in the F1 constructor's championship, double trouble in the form of former champions Fellipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, Ferrari's management in similar fashion to the Del Bosque headed team at the helm of Spain's World Cup team, had to improve on their product.

Fernando Alonso has somehow managed to push the F10, landing a top four finish behind the Maclaren's in both races. Lewis Hamilton leads the driver's championship with 109 points, three ahead of teammate Jenson Button in an order similar to the Mclaren 1-2 finishes at the last two races. Mark Weber's third position, three points behind the reigning F1 drivers champion, belies RedBull's strides this year at least in car design and engineering.

Rear Diffuser

With its low lying exhaust pipes, RedBull has managed to set the pace this year as this layout improves on aerodynamics as the exhaust fumes & the diffuser combine to provide maximum down force a critical factor in gaining speed.

As is with tradition, the envy of the other team's engineering departments has metamorphosed into emulation, Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault have all announced plans to unveil their own versions of this technology.
Pundits & F1 engineers have given their estimations on the speed gains of blown diffusers to range at 0.4-0.6 secs gained per lap.

Ferrari F10 Revamp

Speaking in Valencia ahead of the start of the European F1 circuit, Alonso had this to say about the improvements on this year's Ferrari car, named The F10

"We are happy with the job done, we arrive here in Valencia with a good package in our car but we remain very calm about our expectations. We know the other teams were not watching TV in the last few weeks, everyone will bring updates here and hopefully ours is a little bit better than the others."

The Canadian leg of the 2010 circuit brushed off the claims that F1 is a rather dull sport thus explaining the more global appeal of sports like soccer. Tom Cary of The Daily Telegraph couldn't have said it better.

“That is not to say the F1 is without merit as a spectacle. From humble beginnings (Bahrain) this season has got better and better; the racing more exciting, the technical nuances more intriguing, the human drama more compelling. After the race in Canada – where there were an unprecedented 60 overtaking moves thanks to the high Tyre wear and wildly differing strategies – team principals were queuing up to say how brilliant it all was.

Fernando Alonso couldn't agree more citing his impressive performance in a race that brought out the best in strategy, team management & driver capability.

"Tomorrow [Friday] we'll have a better answer, we expect to have some steps in the car top make it a little bit quicker, but as I said before, all the other teams will also bring some new parts here. The most important thing is to confirm that we are as competitive here as we were in Canada. We need to keep improving the car; this is a job we need to keep doing until Abu Dhabi. There is a long way to go."

In similar vein, in the world of soccer, a common saying quips " that it is not over until the fat lady sings".

Spain have to overcome Chile this Friday evening if Spanish ambitions of winning a World Cup is to be realized. Facing a final before the final, Del Bosque may be tempted to go for a more pragmatic approach with the aim of securing a victory, be it a less desirable one nil victory, but a victory nonetheless.

The soccer on the pitch will be less of the fluid, orchestra like game we have come to be so accustomed to from the Spanish lads. It will be a match full of tactics and counter tactics, embodied by timely execution of skill and the verve to exploit your opponents weaknesses.

Conversely, though dubbed as one of F1 true racers, Fernando Alonso will seek to break his duck at home and win the European Grand Prix.

Going by his recent form, & driven by nationalistic pride, as he attempts to ascend the Valencia leg up the F1 circuit hierarchy following its mundane showing over the last two years, his win if it happens, may be short of the spectacular.

The high octane display of Canada may lack in this Valencia race but just like in the World Cup, winning is of essence.

To borrow from another saying that has heavily done the rounds in the world of soccer, " In soccer, anything can & does happen ".

I bet after Canada, the same can be said of formula one.

Valencia Formula 1 European Grand Prix Quick pointers

About: A young circuit, it was integrated into the circuit two years ago when Fernando Alonso was World Champion.

Location: Valencia Harbor area.

Track : 57 lap race on a cuircuit 5.419 Kms long with 25 turns. Circuit runs in a clockwise direction.

Record Time: Timo Glock's 2009 1:38.683

Select Driver's comments ahead of race:

Motorsports / Formula 1: World Championship 2010, GP of Europe, 01 Jenson Button (GBR, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes), Image courtesy of Flickr DJH Morecambe.

"Even though it's a street circuit, it's got quite a different feel to other street tracks like Monte-Carlo or Singapore. For a start, it's quite a bit faster - there are some low-speed corners with some fairly unforgiving walls at the apex, but there are also some high-speed changes of direction and some long straights, so it's quite an interesting place set-up-wise. It's not as if you completely rely on down-force, there's a trade-off, and that should suit our package."

Jensen Button of Mclaren

History at stake

Lewis Hamilton attempts a hat-trick of number one finishes. Three times he has been in this position, will he be fourth time lucky?