Footballpure Part Olympics
Olympics: China Insists Gymnasts Were Old Enough to Compete
The Chinese deputy sports minister has insisted that all of the women's gymnastic team were old enough to compete
China's deputy sports minister has once more insisted that all the members of the Chinese gold-medal winning women's gymnastics team were old enough to take part in the Olympics. Cui Dalin has blamed the confusion on a paperwork error that occurred when He Xenin, who won two gold medals at the Games but now faces accusations of competing while underage, transferred from a local team to the national team last year. "Last year at the all-city competition, He Kexin moved from one team to another and during the process of registering during the move, there appeared this age discrepancy," Cui said during a news conference. "So it was the appearance of a mistake in the process of transferring teams that the misunderstanding appeared. However, I can right here accurately say that the ages of the members of our gymnastics delegation entirely conform to the requirements for participation in the Beijing Olympic Games." The Chinese government news agency, Xinhua, identified He as a 13-year-old during China's Cities Games last year. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible for the Games. He was part of the team that beat the United States to take China's first women's team Olympic gold in gymnastics and also won individual gold on the uneven bars. The International Gymnastics federation are currently sifting through paperwork, passports, ID cards and and family residence permits to determine whether the Chines gymnasts have broken the rules. The process has proved slow so far and there is no deadline for the investigation. "The international federation has required the delivery of birth certificates and all the documents like family books, entries in schools and things like that," the IOC president Jacques Rogge said today. "They have received the documents, and at first sight it seems to be OK."
By Guardian Unlimited
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วันจันทร์ที่ 25 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
วันพุธที่ 13 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Footballpure Part Irish
Footballpure Part Irish
Ireland United - The Way Forward For Irish Football?
By: Patrick Omari
The Premier League format that emerged in England and that was later replicated in Scotland has been a resounding success. In 1992 the top tier of English football broke away from the Football League and has flourished with the backing of Sky TV. Scottish clubs followed suit in 1998 to form the Scottish Premier League (SPL), with Setanta Sports currently providing improved terms to extend their deal.
A sports marketing firm, Platinum One, has unveiled plans for an All-Ireland Premier League. This is an attempt to provide an upturn in the fortunes of the beautiful game in Ireland. Many clubs, on both sides of the border, are struggling to survive due to poor attendances and sponsorship. Recently, Sligo Rovers, Cobh Ramblers and Galway United have all revealed that they are suffering financial difficulties.
Most concerning is the current plight of Sligo Rovers. A club statement warned on July 15th that "It is a matter of fact that if Sligo Rovers Football Club do not raise substantial funds by the end of August 2008 the club will no longer exist in football." This is a town that has previously boasted a passionate football tradition and a strong fan base. But club officials have resorted to admitting that they're struggling to get paying fans through the gates, and if they don't manage to conjure up a small fortune in the next month then Sligo Rovers will cease to exist as a football club.
It is important to consider that the financial problems being experienced by Irish football clubs are not peculiar to Ireland. The high profile demise of Gretna in the Scottish Premier League highlights a more global problem, with at least three clubs from the English leagues on the verge of extinction.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recognises that the financial problems have been brought on by over-ambitious chairmen, who over-extend themselves financially in their bid to bring success to their club. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the FAI have brought in a cap on players' wages, which should not exceed 65 per cent of a club's income. The salary cap could have the potential to restore a more financially stable league, but can the clubs afford to wait a season or two to find that out?
A United Irish League would result in removing the running of domestic football at the top level from the FAI and the Irish Football Association (IFA). The proposals include running the league under a five year license, which would be granted by the FAI and IFA. The league would be funded through sponsorship and television deals. The propose that infrastructure of the clubs could also be improved by unlocking government grants for stadium improvements.
The FAI's chief executive, John Delaney, recently declared that he was in favour of the idea in principle, but he felt it was "divisive" at the current time and said he remained committed to the association's own plan to develop the League of Ireland in its present form. The IFA have refused to enter initial discussions and chief executive, Howard Wells, has stated that the timing would not be right as the IFA was currently revamping its own league.
The plans for a United Irish League were created by Fintan Drury, chairman of Paddy Power and director of Anglo Irish Bank. The league would run alongside the Premier Leagues in England and Scotland and consist of ten clubs- seven from the republic and three from the north. Drury has invited Bohemians, Drogheda United, St. Patrick's Athletic, Galway United, Limerick 37, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers from the republic. Invites have also been issued to Linfield, Glentoran and Derry City from Northern Ireland. Drury sent a 62 page proposal to all the clubs and hopes the league could launch in August next year.
The SPL has the Old Firm derby, and the English Premiership has Sky's Grand Slam Sunday, maybe the Irish United League would offer the traditional north/south rivalry which could capture the public's imagination.
Ireland United - The Way Forward For Irish Football?
By: Patrick Omari
The Premier League format that emerged in England and that was later replicated in Scotland has been a resounding success. In 1992 the top tier of English football broke away from the Football League and has flourished with the backing of Sky TV. Scottish clubs followed suit in 1998 to form the Scottish Premier League (SPL), with Setanta Sports currently providing improved terms to extend their deal.
A sports marketing firm, Platinum One, has unveiled plans for an All-Ireland Premier League. This is an attempt to provide an upturn in the fortunes of the beautiful game in Ireland. Many clubs, on both sides of the border, are struggling to survive due to poor attendances and sponsorship. Recently, Sligo Rovers, Cobh Ramblers and Galway United have all revealed that they are suffering financial difficulties.
Most concerning is the current plight of Sligo Rovers. A club statement warned on July 15th that "It is a matter of fact that if Sligo Rovers Football Club do not raise substantial funds by the end of August 2008 the club will no longer exist in football." This is a town that has previously boasted a passionate football tradition and a strong fan base. But club officials have resorted to admitting that they're struggling to get paying fans through the gates, and if they don't manage to conjure up a small fortune in the next month then Sligo Rovers will cease to exist as a football club.
It is important to consider that the financial problems being experienced by Irish football clubs are not peculiar to Ireland. The high profile demise of Gretna in the Scottish Premier League highlights a more global problem, with at least three clubs from the English leagues on the verge of extinction.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) recognises that the financial problems have been brought on by over-ambitious chairmen, who over-extend themselves financially in their bid to bring success to their club. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the FAI have brought in a cap on players' wages, which should not exceed 65 per cent of a club's income. The salary cap could have the potential to restore a more financially stable league, but can the clubs afford to wait a season or two to find that out?
A United Irish League would result in removing the running of domestic football at the top level from the FAI and the Irish Football Association (IFA). The proposals include running the league under a five year license, which would be granted by the FAI and IFA. The league would be funded through sponsorship and television deals. The propose that infrastructure of the clubs could also be improved by unlocking government grants for stadium improvements.
The FAI's chief executive, John Delaney, recently declared that he was in favour of the idea in principle, but he felt it was "divisive" at the current time and said he remained committed to the association's own plan to develop the League of Ireland in its present form. The IFA have refused to enter initial discussions and chief executive, Howard Wells, has stated that the timing would not be right as the IFA was currently revamping its own league.
The plans for a United Irish League were created by Fintan Drury, chairman of Paddy Power and director of Anglo Irish Bank. The league would run alongside the Premier Leagues in England and Scotland and consist of ten clubs- seven from the republic and three from the north. Drury has invited Bohemians, Drogheda United, St. Patrick's Athletic, Galway United, Limerick 37, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers from the republic. Invites have also been issued to Linfield, Glentoran and Derry City from Northern Ireland. Drury sent a 62 page proposal to all the clubs and hopes the league could launch in August next year.
The SPL has the Old Firm derby, and the English Premiership has Sky's Grand Slam Sunday, maybe the Irish United League would offer the traditional north/south rivalry which could capture the public's imagination.
วันศุกร์ที่ 8 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Footballpure Part World Cup 2010
Footballpure Part World Cup 2010
World Cup 2010 : New Horizons for African Football
By: Peter Beckham
Early reports show that even at this early stage, South Africans are more than eager to formally welcome and host the FIFA World Cup 2010. After losing the 2006 bid to Germany, the date of May 15, 2004 marked history when it was announced that it is time for South Africa to be the first ever African country to hold the much revered World Cup series and to be the 16th country to do such.
There will be two main stadiums in Johannesburg to be used for the event. Built in 1987, Soccer City is the venue for the first game. The stadium has a capacity of 94,700 people and is large and majestic enough to act as the springboard for the exciting tournament. Currently, renovations are under way to make sure the stadium is at the best it can be by 2010. Being constructed is an encircling roof while being developed are new changing room facilities and floodlights. The upper tier will also be extended around the stadium.
Another main stadium to be used for the 2010 World Cup is Ellis Park, just a few minutes away from Johannesburg City Center. Built in 1982, Ellis Park is a world class, integrated stadium that offers only state of the art features, facilities and security. The stadium is also being improved to be ready by 2010. Among the current developments under way is the construction of new upper tiers to increase the capacity of 10,149 seats to 60,000.
It must be said that the entrustment of the FIFA World Cup 2010 to South Africa couldn’t have had a more perfect timing, happening in a period where African football is steadily rising in both quantity and quality, especially considering its difficult beginnings. In the early days, football in South Africa has been affected by a harsh system of racial segregation. South Africa’s constitution prohibited racially mixed teams to compete in global tournaments and could only send either all-black or all-white teams.
Meanwhile, the history of football in Africa as a whole has been a deep story that doesn’t involve games alone but a lot of magic, racism, money, and complexity. Football games were not just mere games but also reflected such uneven poverty in Africa through money in the form of income to players. Everything was highly monetized and the system was frowned at by European countries. Nevertheless, the complex system of African football continued to push on and the overall style was often characterized by a showy, individualistic kind of game instead of a team effort.
The recent years showed much evolution in African football, along with the rise and global recognition of African football players like Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Pienaar is a South African midfielder of the Bafana Bafana (South African Soccer Team) who moved to Germany and the Borussia Dortmund team in 2006. Meanwhile, Mokoena is the captain of Bafana Bafana and was the youngest player ever to play for the team.
One thing’s for sure: regardless of the outcome, the FIFA World Cup 2010 would truly mark another history for the long evolution of football in Africa.
World Cup 2010 : New Horizons for African Football
By: Peter Beckham
Early reports show that even at this early stage, South Africans are more than eager to formally welcome and host the FIFA World Cup 2010. After losing the 2006 bid to Germany, the date of May 15, 2004 marked history when it was announced that it is time for South Africa to be the first ever African country to hold the much revered World Cup series and to be the 16th country to do such.
There will be two main stadiums in Johannesburg to be used for the event. Built in 1987, Soccer City is the venue for the first game. The stadium has a capacity of 94,700 people and is large and majestic enough to act as the springboard for the exciting tournament. Currently, renovations are under way to make sure the stadium is at the best it can be by 2010. Being constructed is an encircling roof while being developed are new changing room facilities and floodlights. The upper tier will also be extended around the stadium.
Another main stadium to be used for the 2010 World Cup is Ellis Park, just a few minutes away from Johannesburg City Center. Built in 1982, Ellis Park is a world class, integrated stadium that offers only state of the art features, facilities and security. The stadium is also being improved to be ready by 2010. Among the current developments under way is the construction of new upper tiers to increase the capacity of 10,149 seats to 60,000.
It must be said that the entrustment of the FIFA World Cup 2010 to South Africa couldn’t have had a more perfect timing, happening in a period where African football is steadily rising in both quantity and quality, especially considering its difficult beginnings. In the early days, football in South Africa has been affected by a harsh system of racial segregation. South Africa’s constitution prohibited racially mixed teams to compete in global tournaments and could only send either all-black or all-white teams.
Meanwhile, the history of football in Africa as a whole has been a deep story that doesn’t involve games alone but a lot of magic, racism, money, and complexity. Football games were not just mere games but also reflected such uneven poverty in Africa through money in the form of income to players. Everything was highly monetized and the system was frowned at by European countries. Nevertheless, the complex system of African football continued to push on and the overall style was often characterized by a showy, individualistic kind of game instead of a team effort.
The recent years showed much evolution in African football, along with the rise and global recognition of African football players like Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Pienaar is a South African midfielder of the Bafana Bafana (South African Soccer Team) who moved to Germany and the Borussia Dortmund team in 2006. Meanwhile, Mokoena is the captain of Bafana Bafana and was the youngest player ever to play for the team.
One thing’s for sure: regardless of the outcome, the FIFA World Cup 2010 would truly mark another history for the long evolution of football in Africa.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 3 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Footballpure Part Fantasy
Footballpure Part Fantasy
Fantasy Football - Trouncing Your Buddies
By: Chris Campbell
Fantasy football fans will be scouring all the usual suspects for football facts, predictions, myths, legends and lies during the preseason. Not just because football fans are info junkies, but because they plan on trouncing their coworkers, neighbors, and in-laws in the next season of fantasy football leagues. Crazy fools that they are will probably find nothing but reams and reams of statistics. So unless they all received a PHD in statistical analysis during their drunken college years, they really wont be any further ahead then you my dear reader. Becuase, we are not going to be taking statistics here, instead we're unveiling the deepest darkest secrets of winning football fantasy leagues. And you my dear reader will be able to mount a masterful trouncing of all your coworkers, neighbors, and in-laws during the next fantasy football season.
Football Winning Ways
You don't have to be a big time winner in previous football fantasy leagues to win this season. Your about to benefit from the experience of past fantasy football winners right here, and right now. Strategically, tactically, and otherwise, information is knowledge. So if this is your first time at fantasy football, read on, and prepare to exercise your winning ways.
Digging for Distance
Don't just go for the big names in the fantasy football draft. Sure enough the top ten obvious players will go fast and everyone will be looking to get as many of these guys as they can. But that's easy, giving a little more thought and making smart choices with the second and third stringers will really build a football team with depth. That way, when your stars do down, and you can bet at least one of them will, you'll be prepared. Keep on eye out for up and comers, who haven't hit their full potential, or maybe just haven't been given a chance to show their stuff because of stronger players ahead of them. It's smart drafting for depth that separates the men from the boys in this game.
Devilish Little Details
Once the teams are stacked, stay on top of things, and pay attention to the little stuff. A great deep team, like the one you should have picked will be a handful to manage. So many good player to choose from and properly assign. Everybody team matches up differently against other teams, and the same can be said for players. Every player and team has their own strength and weakness. Consider everything. Not just how well a player did last week, but how well a player did, who they played for, what conditions they played under, and how those considerations will factor into this weeks games. Fantasy football, just like real football, is won by playing smart and taking calculated risks when the setting is right.
A Player To Be Named Later
to the table, and see if you can make a good season, a great season. Trading for the coming weeks games, is just as important as trading for the rest of the season. If someone can help you this week, go for it, and dump them later. It's not like your really uprooting the poor Trades are important to. If your team is deep and you've got more good players then you can handle (yea right), then maybe it's time to bring your negotiating skills smuck and dragging his kids out of the best private school in the country.
Let The Good Times Roll
And hey, remember it's just a game. Fantasy football can be fun for everyone, beginners and pros alike. It's not about the money, it's about crushing your closest friends. Oh yea, and the fantasy football grand prize winner money helps to.
Fantasy Football - Trouncing Your Buddies
By: Chris Campbell
Fantasy football fans will be scouring all the usual suspects for football facts, predictions, myths, legends and lies during the preseason. Not just because football fans are info junkies, but because they plan on trouncing their coworkers, neighbors, and in-laws in the next season of fantasy football leagues. Crazy fools that they are will probably find nothing but reams and reams of statistics. So unless they all received a PHD in statistical analysis during their drunken college years, they really wont be any further ahead then you my dear reader. Becuase, we are not going to be taking statistics here, instead we're unveiling the deepest darkest secrets of winning football fantasy leagues. And you my dear reader will be able to mount a masterful trouncing of all your coworkers, neighbors, and in-laws during the next fantasy football season.
Football Winning Ways
You don't have to be a big time winner in previous football fantasy leagues to win this season. Your about to benefit from the experience of past fantasy football winners right here, and right now. Strategically, tactically, and otherwise, information is knowledge. So if this is your first time at fantasy football, read on, and prepare to exercise your winning ways.
Digging for Distance
Don't just go for the big names in the fantasy football draft. Sure enough the top ten obvious players will go fast and everyone will be looking to get as many of these guys as they can. But that's easy, giving a little more thought and making smart choices with the second and third stringers will really build a football team with depth. That way, when your stars do down, and you can bet at least one of them will, you'll be prepared. Keep on eye out for up and comers, who haven't hit their full potential, or maybe just haven't been given a chance to show their stuff because of stronger players ahead of them. It's smart drafting for depth that separates the men from the boys in this game.
Devilish Little Details
Once the teams are stacked, stay on top of things, and pay attention to the little stuff. A great deep team, like the one you should have picked will be a handful to manage. So many good player to choose from and properly assign. Everybody team matches up differently against other teams, and the same can be said for players. Every player and team has their own strength and weakness. Consider everything. Not just how well a player did last week, but how well a player did, who they played for, what conditions they played under, and how those considerations will factor into this weeks games. Fantasy football, just like real football, is won by playing smart and taking calculated risks when the setting is right.
A Player To Be Named Later
to the table, and see if you can make a good season, a great season. Trading for the coming weeks games, is just as important as trading for the rest of the season. If someone can help you this week, go for it, and dump them later. It's not like your really uprooting the poor Trades are important to. If your team is deep and you've got more good players then you can handle (yea right), then maybe it's time to bring your negotiating skills smuck and dragging his kids out of the best private school in the country.
Let The Good Times Roll
And hey, remember it's just a game. Fantasy football can be fun for everyone, beginners and pros alike. It's not about the money, it's about crushing your closest friends. Oh yea, and the fantasy football grand prize winner money helps to.
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