FIFA World Cup

Link Love

2011-11-30T22:23:00.003+05:00

Social media for business at Logic is Variable

Bridges at Doodh Patti

Pottry at Dolls Village

Artisans at Thatta Kedona

I ask the Impossible at Light Within
Housing at SPARC

You are Invited at Fine art of Blogging

Socities at Lahore School

Rugby at World Cup Log

Beautiful side of women's World Cup

2011-11-07T14:59:00.000+05:00

he German women's football team has grown in the eyes of many into a recognizable, and, importantly, highly marketable entity. In the run up to the Women’s World Cup, sponsors have been lining up to take a slice.

"The Beautiful side of 20Eleven" - that's the official motto of this year's Women's World Cup. Perhaps it's a fitting slogan for the showpiece tournament of the women's version of the beautiful game, and it's certainly a catch cry that fans and advertisers alike have been buying into.

"We've been working on the World Cup for more than three years and now we're realizing how high commercial demand is," German national women's team manager Doris Fitschen said.

Such is the new-found appeal of women's football, Fitschen says she has been able to put together an entire pool of sponsors for the upcoming event - for the first time in the history of German women's football.

"We have five premium partners and one main partner, all from different sectors," she said.

The new main partner is the Allianz insurance group, which has committed to a working relationship until the end of 2014, far beyond this year's tournament in Germany. Sponsorship consultants like Hartmut Zastrow think this is a smart move by the insurer.

Doris Fitschen Fitschen says the World Cup is a chance to boost the profile of women's soccer

"The women's national team playing at home in a world cup is an unbelievably good advertising opportunity, which is currently in high demand," Zastrow said, adding that he expected media attention to peak during the tournament in June and July.

And key to the efficacy of any advertising deal is exclusivity: Only one company from any sector can sponsor the national team.

The German team's World Cup matches are expected to reach a televised audience of 8-12 million viewers, according to Zastrow. It's a realistic estimate given that around 11 million people tuned in to see Germany beat Brazil 2-0 in the last Women's World Cup final in China in 2007.

"The women's team draws many families and women into the stadium when they play. This is interesting for all manufacturers of mass-produced goods," Zastrow said, adding that the advertising impact depends on whether the footballers can plausibly represent a particular product.

"Traditional women's products would certainly be amongst them, but also cars and bank products - things that the players use in their everyday lives."

Obviously the sponsors want to use the German women's squad to reach as many consumers as possible, but their exact goals vary depending on the industry they're in, according to team manager Fitschen.

"Some just want to get closer to their target audience," she said. "Others want to take advantage of the euphoria and momentum of the World Cup tournament, while others engage in grass roots work and action on the ground, like girls' football tournaments, for example."

Earlier this year the German Football Association (DFB) brought members of the women's national team together in Dusseldorf for two days of marketing activities, including advertising film and photo shoots. Team manager Fitschen said the players succeeded in cultivating a healthy image in their commercials.

"First, we are of course successful. And the players are young, modern, attractive, sporty women," she said.

Marketing expert Zastrow pointed out, however, that individual players in the women's national team are still nowhere near as recognizable as their male counterparts. He adds, though, that the women can bring something new to the table for football in Germany.

Inka Grings (right) with Melanie BehringerThe team attracts a female and family audience

"The so-called group credentials of the team as a whole - with its coach Silvia Neid, who is incredibly popular - are interesting," he said.

This year's World Cup also gives Germany's female footballers an opportunity to shake off an old stereotype. For years the women's team has had a reputation for being "butch." According to a survey by Cologne-based sports scientist Daniela Schaaf, this cliché still persists in the minds of many sports journalists.

Some national players are in same-sex relationships - some openly, like the goalkeeper Nadine Angere, and others not so openly. But this doesn't make a difference to the DFB, according to their manager.

"There is no code of conduct regarding the sexual orientation of players. No one is banned from coming out. I am convinced that there would be no disadvantages for a player," Fitschen said.

Women's football is, in this sense, much more modern than its male counterpart, which is considered by many critics as a sporting bastion of homophobia.

Zastrow says the lesbian cliché isn't much of an impediment to advertisers and sponsors anymore because German society has become more open. Furthermore, the women's national team doesn't present itself in a sexual context.

Fatmire Bajramaj German midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj promotes cosmetics

"The masculine players have their fans, but there are also feminine stars," he said. "That's not a handicap. Sexual preferences are less important nowadays."

As are performances both on and off the field, Zastrow added. Lucrative advertising contracts will certainly await players who make a positive impression at this year's World Cup, but outstanding success on the pitch isn't a prerequisite for players who are media savvy, he said.

Manager Doris Fitschen assesses the marketability of today's national players almost wistfully: "Compared to my time as a player there are a lot more opportunities."

When Fitschen played, it was considered a huge success for a women's team to get an equipment contract with one of the big sports goods manufacturers. Today, individual players are popular marketing partners: midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj advertises cosmetics; her teammate striker Simone Laudehr promotes sports ointment.

"Right now, in the World Cup year, some players have personal sponsorship contracts. This enables them to earn money, which they can live off quite comfortably for now," said Fitschen.

She added that she hoped this would continue after the World Cup: "It is our goal that the Women's Bundesliga and women's football in general gets a boost and is raised to another level."

Author: Jens Krepela / nd

Editor: Sam Edmonds

UK Cleaning Supplies

2011-11-07T14:51:00.001+05:00

Have a look at your workplace. Is it neat and (organized)? Yes, being neat will surely impact your mood and attitude. Being clean is a visual thing, and it is also being able to do more. Organizations that pay attention on cleanliness of their work environment can achieve much more, than those where clutter is the order of the day, every day. That is why any perceptive concern will do all what is possible to have a clean look.

This remindeds me of one of the important and simple ways to keep work place clean and organized by applying 55 principle - one of the Japanese concepts for keeping our work environment clean and safe.

A key to being clean is a determining factor to what time you are most productive. I suggest you leave the cleaning to professional cleaners and concentrate on your work. This is simple and done properly can yield results. Try it out at your place, small or large, and see the results.

Tag cloud: Mop, Mops, Mop head, Cleaning Mop, mopping, Kentucky mop, Liberty mop, cleaning supplies, janitorial supplies, cleaning, hygiene, janitorial, office supplies, office products, cleaning tools, cleaning products, cleaning equipment, washroom supplies, uk cleaning products, floor polishing, polishing floor, window cleaning, window cleaning tools, window cleaning equipment, window cleaning equipment supplies, window washing, window squeegee, squeegee handle, floor pad, floor pads, floor squeegee, bucket, mop bucket, wringer bucket, garbage bin, brabantia bin, recycle bin, rubbish bin, waste bin, refuse bin, dust bin, waste receptacles, cleaning brush, toilet brush, dustpan and brush, sweeping brush, vacuum cleaner, industrial vacuum cleaner, Flat mop, Flat mops, Microfibre Flat Mops, Micro fiber

Fundamental Football

2011-10-26T20:58:00.000+05:00

I feel a bit of a fraud writing this. Despite it being my national sport, I have never, ever been to a professional football match.

There are however, football fans in my family. My husband and father are both long-suffering supporters of under-performing English clubs, and both of my sons have seen me standing shivering in the Sunday morning drizzle, cheering their nifty passes and muddy tackles. I wonder why then, I haven’t been attracted to the professional game?

I have to confess, I realise I have no problem with the sport itself – but I have been influenced by how the sport is presented in the media. The perception of football in Britain is of a sport rife with corruption, loose WAGs, fast cars, flash cash and scandals – and despite myself I have let this determine my interest (or lack of it) in the sport. Desperately seeking justification for my inherent dislike of football, I turned to my husband last night and said – “but what about football hooliganism? Surely here is the dark underbelly of this over-rated sport?” I wondered out loud why anyone would want to be associated with a sport that in Britain had followers who turned to violence and had a history of racism.

Both my father and husband turned on me. Hooligans are not football fans. They are hooligans and nothing more. They are individuals seeking an ideology to attach their violence to. Decent honest football fans reject hooligans – they give genuine fans a bad name.

I think you can guess where I am going with this. Last week some of my readers queried my flippant references to the recovery of war-torn Germany in an attempt to persuade people not to write Pakistan off as a failed state. This week I expect I may rattle a few more cages, as I draw parallels between ideologies of faith and football.

But it’s football I choose to write about. I decided to speak to an expert. Shahid Ameez has a moving relationship with football, that I only discovered today. When he arrived in Britain in 1969 from Pakistan, he spoke no English at all. At school in the home-counties of England, Shahid and his sister were the only Asians in town. Although they were given special English classes – Shahid soon found the very best way of communicating with his new classmates was in the school playground – by kicking a ball around. His passion for the sport never waned. An injury eventually lead him to stop playing, but football is clearly in the heart of this award winning businessman and now Director of Aldershot Town Football Club.

Shahid regrets that more British Asians aren’t involved both as players and managers of football, and in his role as special advisor to the UK based charity, Sporting Equals he hopes to address this. There is some cause for celebration this week as a British Pakistani, Nas Bashir, became the first British Asian ever to earn a UEFA A Pro Licence, as the new manager of Hayes and Yeading.

But Shahid agreed that the media perception of the game was less likely to inspire traditional Asian parents to encourage their sons (and daughters) into the sport, no matter how much talent they displayed – perhaps for the same reasons it didn’t attract me.

Shahid has first-hand knowledge of how sport can be a fantastic leveller. Another organisation, closer to home has also witnessed the power of football to bring about positive change. Cambridge based arts organization Momentum Arts recently worked on the Deloitte Street Child World Cup, connecting arts and sport in a unique way. David Beckham said of the project: “I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality”.

Although I profess as degree of ignorance about the English game, I do know who David Beckham is, and I am no stranger to understanding how this sport has the power to demonstrate resilience.

Two summers ago I was in Baghdad when a series of truck bombs blew up check points in the green zone. The night it happened, when a thousand others were sending dispatches back home about the dreadful security situation, I chose to write a piece in part inspired by Iraq’s passion for football. Sport’s ability to overcome adversity is clear. I had a message yesterday which pointed out that despite the threat of terrorism that has kept many sports away, Pakistan still hosts at least some international football matches. I can already feel myself becoming a bit of a fan.

So perhaps I will take my own advice, ignore the trashy soap opera politics of a sport presented to me in the media and find myself a professional football match to attend. If I can swing a visit to Karachi football club I would be delighted (and I believe they have been to the UK recently), although I fear an autumnal visit in the drizzle to watch either Bristol Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday is on the cards.

Caroline Jaine is a UK based writer, artist and film-maker with a background in media strategy, training and diplomacy. She writes regularly for Muslim Voices and the World Bank blog, and a book about her time in Iraq is being launched in October 2011. More about Caroline’s work and her contact details can be found on www.jaine.info

Wise Sports Betting

2011-10-26T20:20:00.001+05:00

The passion for sports is all encompassing and everyone, particularly the youth and sportsmen, some to be playing and or enjoying one or the other sport. In addition to conventional media, now fans go online and find all sorts of information about the sports, tournaments, fixtures and favorite players. Many are interested in predicting the winner and sports betting. So many Internet sites have come up that cater to the needs of sports fans and keep them updated about what is happening and what is about to happen in the fields to help them.

Have a look at SportsBettingSpot.com - widely known site that covers a wide range of the latest sports betting news, team stats, betting odds, best bonuses, win predictions, tips and tricks - and see what they are offering and how. Also browse through article base that covers everything from Sports Betting Rules to Sports Betting Odds Explained and so much in between.

Neatly laid out site is information rich and covers a whole lot of information that can help make informed decision to predict correctly. I suggest you have a look and learn how to predict a winner in any sport wisely.

Join Thatta Kedona Love

2011-09-08T09:13:00.001+05:00

Thatta Kedona Dolls

Thatta Kedona Radio

New Argentinian team

2011-09-03T10:16:00.000+05:00

At the two full-fledged practice sessions they have had here since arrival, and at the warm-up before Friday's Fifa friendly, Argentina have had that little cat-and-mouse session at the centre-circle. Three players chase the ball while those on the ring try to ensure they don't get to intercept.

It's a delightful little session to sharpen close control and passing under pressure. Short passes along the ground and, if those roads are blocked, over the heads with a chip or a dab. It's a session so full of the flaunting of skills. It's so quintessentially Argentine.

It's as if it's an orchestra piece that they rehearse one last time before the big show. Against Venezuela at the Salt Lake stadium, pregnant with the promise of the first signs of an Argentine rebirth, it all slipped out of tune every now and then. There was even a clear and present danger of Venezuela, who have lost all 17 matches to their famous South American counterparts, actually making history - till Nicolas Otamendi nodded in the only goal of the match in the 67th minute.

But, then, for a nation so obsessed with just one man, it was 'paisa vasool' from the kick-off to the final whistle. Lionel Messi was at his sublime best, feigning, passing, shooting and finally setting up the goal in telling fashion.

Messi, the fountainhead of every promising Argentine move, received the ball with that telling first touch, sent in that left-footer in the blink of an eye. Rafael Romo dived for another of his many saves, but for Messi the move wasn't finished yet. His corner - he took every corner and freekick this day - found Otamendi with telling precision, the defender doing well to twist his torso to find the direction even as he headed the ball into the ground to fox the goalkeeper.

Quintessentially Argentine again!

Amidst the roar of 85,000, did the collective sigh of relief get drowned! As it had been evident over the past few days, no one wanted a departure from the script they had written for themselves. Not even for witnessing a piece of history by their opponents. Messi was on the ball from the first whistle, and it's a shame that many spectators, caught in the long queues at the outer gates of the stadium, missed the early touches.

For quite some time, Venezuela almost seemed resigned to their designated role as second fiddle.

But there were the early signs that they wouldn't be cowered into submission - the quick breaks, the crosses that almost were, the stubborn defending...

Before taking Tramadol

2011-09-03T10:13:00.000+05:00

You may be having excruciating, agonizing and horrifying pain. Think how should I take Tramadol. Wise is to buy any medicine only after consulting a medical doctor. Only a doctor is the best person to prescribe what a patient needs and how much and for how long. Self medication is always dangerous and may have bad health repercussions. Users should then take the drug exactly as advised by their doctors who know better than what is given in general literature about Tramadol given in guides and accompanying literature. Before taking Tramadol, it is always the best to take good care and act on the advice to avoid any serious problems later on.

This goes without saying that shopping online is much cheaper than physically going to store fronts and making a purchase. The cost of physical shopping includes cost of maintaining a store and the staff in addition to so many other over head expenses. The cost will be much lower than buying the same drug from front stores. In addition to getting cheap drug, online shopping saves hassle and time.

Medicines have become very expensive and sometime are overpriced. Many people don't realize this and continue shopping at offline pharmacies that charge bloated prices for medications that you could get at a fraction of the cost if you shopped online. Offline pharmacies know that people aren't rushing to do this though and they continue to take advantage of their customers. I suggest you try online pharmacies and see the difference.

Tramadol US pharmacy services online are now able to give pain sufferers the kind of cheap medication they need to get along better in their lives. There's no reason to pay more for the same medication. It's time to switch over to the online method of shopping and begin enjoying the amazing benefits of ordering Tramadol US pharmacy online services. There's no time to wait and no reason to wait either.

Tramadol is used to treat pain which human body may feel for different reasons including injury, disease, or even, mental disorder. Those who want to buy Tramadol should know all about the drug and how to use?

Those who need the drug in a hurry must have a look at Tramadol us pharmacy and see how they save you money and keep you out of pain. That's the goal and they won't stop until they've done this for you. One shopping experience with an online pharmacy will show you just what the difference is and why you should continue to shop for Tramadol online for as long as you need it.

Universal Product Impex Aprons

2011-08-17T12:14:00.001+05:00

Aprons are a necessary and one of the most useful items. From their beginnings when aprons were first introduced to save dress, aprons, now used for have come a long way. Now aprons are the most universal uniform out there in the market. In fact, all most all types of workers and hose wives use aprons. Aprons have a wide variety in terms of their usage. Aprons are used by nurses, medical practitioners, restaurant staff, mechanics, housewives and by many other for both domestic and professional purposes. Hence we can find aprons made specially by keeping the industry in which they will be used in mind. Aprons are also treated as decorative garments, especially for women.

Depending up on the purpose of aprons, patterns greatly vary. Product Impex offers aprons patterns based on the traditional designs as well as a fashion statement. At product Impex, you can get what you including bib aprons, bistro aprons and bar aprons that are very popular among the restaurant staff and the housewives. However the purpose of these aprons is unique in their own way. Each of these aprons has got their own advantages and equally good. Approach Product Impex and we will provide what you want.

FIFA Hijab Ban

2011-08-15T15:00:00.001+05:00

Jordanians have voiced concern over the International Federation of Association Football’s (FIFA) decision which requires female players to replace their traditional headcover (hijab) with caps.

The recent step taken by the FIFA raised an uproar among the local female players, especially after three players were barred from joining the women’s team in the Round 2 qualifiers for the 2012 Olympics, which was hosted by Jordan.

FIFA has justified its decision by arguing that hijab threatens to cause a choking injury and allowed players to cover their hair with specially designed caps which covers their head to the hairline, but which does not extend below the ears to cover the neck, an outfit that is not accepted in Islam, players and clerics say.

In addition, according to FIFA’s Article 4, players are not allowed to wear clothes representative of religious and political symbols, and can penalise players for doing so.

Abeer Nahar, one of the players who could not join the team, said that she was shocked when she first learned about the development.

“Our culture does not accept this. Hijab, the way we wear it, is a red line in our community,” the 20-year-old told The Jordan Times in a recent interview.

Nahar pointed out that female players who choose to wear the traditional headcover will not think of replacing their hijab as it is a priority in Islam and her community.

“FIFA should respect our culture,” she noted.

Her colleague Misada Ramouniah agreed with her, noting that FIFA’s step gave them two options: either to respect their religion and their families’ wish by leaving the women team, or simply take off their hijabs and play according to FIFA’s terms.

“It is a hard choice since we had the honour to play in the national team and achieved good results for Jordan, but at the same time we cannot ignore our culture and religion,” the 28-year-old footballer said.

Describing the decision as harsh, Nahar’s father, Mahmoud, said: “I will not let my daughter take off her hijab to play football. Hijab is sacred,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The new cap, which was recommended by FIFA, violates Islamic teachings, said Ziad Hudeib, an imam at Amar Ben Yassir Mosque in Sweileh.

“Islam stipulates that women are allowed to show only two parts of their body, their faces and hands,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that the new cap is not acceptable since it does not extend below the ears to cover the neck.

The step carried out by FIFA will also impact the future of female sports in Jordan, according to Amman Club President Mustafa Afouri, who expected the decision to discourage female players from joining teams that compete in FIFA’s tournaments.

“Jordanian society has its own tradition and they will not let their daughters take off their hijabs, so we will miss lots of gifted players,” he said, adding that 50 per cent of his players wear hijab.

Jordan women’s team former player Maysa Jbarah explained that the absence of the three players was one of the reasons behind the team’s disappointing results recently.

“They are important players who contributed to the success of the team during the previous competitions,” she noted.

Khalil Salem, Jordan Football Association’s secretary, said that the association has appealed to FIFA to cancel the decision.

“HRH Prince Ali explained recently that he will find a solution to resolve the controversy,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Saturday.

Recently, Prince Ali, the new FIFA vice president, promised that he will work with the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA to find a solution that respects the rules of the game and culture at the same time.

The players expressed hope that the issue will be resolved soon so that they can join their teammates again.

“I am confident that Prince Ali will put an end to this issue,” Nahar said.

Product Impex Swimwear

2011-08-15T15:00:00.000+05:00

A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn while engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing. A swimsuit can also be worn as an undergarment in sports that require a wetsuit such as water skiing, scuba diving, surfing, and wakeboarding. Swimsuits are also worn when there is a need to display the body, as in the case of beauty pageants or bodybuilding contests. Glamour photography and magazines like Sports Illustrated's annual "swimsuit issue" feature models and sports personalities in swimsuits.

There is a very wide range of styles of modern swimsuits, which vary in relation to body coverage and materials. In western culture, men's swimsuit styles include boardshorts, jammers, swim trunks, briefs or "speedos", thongs, and g-strings, in order of decreasing lower body coverage.

Women's swimsuits are generally described as one-piece, bikinis, or thongs. A recent innovation is the burqini, favored by Muslim women, which covers the whole body and head (but not face) in a manner similar to a diver's wetsuit. These are an updated version of full-body swimwear, which has been available for centuries, but conforms with Islam's traditional emphasis on modest dress. In Egypt, the term "Sharia swimsuit" is used to describe full-body swimwear.

At Product Impex we offer swimsuits and a whole lot more. Have a look and see what is on the offer.

Who will win

2011-07-26T12:53:00.000+05:00

During the recent world cup, one could see the passion for sports at its peak. Particularly the youth and sportsmen wee completely absorbed in the sport. Passions for sports have changed overtime. In addition to conventional media, now fans go online and find all sorts of information about the sports, tournaments, fixtures and favorite players. Many are interested in predicting the winner and sports betting. Though there is a lot of controversy on betting yet, so many Internet sites have come up that cater to the needs of sports fans and keep them updated about what is happening and what is about to happen in the fields to help them.

Have a look at Sports Betting and see what they are offering and how. Also browse through article base that covers everything from Baseball Betting Articles to Sports Betting Tips and Tricks and so much in between.

My Sports Clothing

2011-07-19T09:27:00.000+05:00

Oly a player can appreciate the importance of good sports equipment and sports clothing. With so much of a choice available to choose from (colors, material, brands, designs and prices) in stores and online, let us start with the best in the field.

At JKL SPORTS they offer an unrivalled and unique range of sports equipment to cater for a variety of sports enthusiasts from the first time amateur to the full time professional. Their sports equipment and sports clothing is taken from a number of high class manufacturers. JKL SPORTS ensure stock levels with the season, so for example we will ensure stock of cricket equipment is at a high level during the summer months. Year on year they are adding to our range of equipment and sportswear.

I particularly liked their sports footwear section. Have a look at a huge range of sports footwear, from boxing footwear to rugby Footwear on display at the site. What is more, the range of sports footwear is constantly updated, ensuring to cater to the needs of the latest sports gear! Best is that their prices are very affordable. Their Rugby Boots are already on my wish list. Also I would like to own some of their accessories for my own golf. Try JKL SPORTS and have an enriching experience.

Product Impex - Your One Stop Shop

2011-07-19T09:08:00.002+05:00

With Internet becoming one big market for everything from shopping online to business opportunities and entrepreneurship, lines between virtual world and real world are fading fast. Doing things online without any boundaries is not only fun but also a convenience. It saves time and money in more than one ways. Online shoppers can see more, compare and find good deals sitting home. That is not possible for those who go and shop on ground. How can you visit each and every store to find what are they offering? That is why it is one of the fast growing trends as the world is becoming more connected every day. Prodct Impex is a case in point here.

Explore Product Impex – a wholesales store that offers wide range of products (Garments, Aprons, Salt Products, Towels) – and you will find a new world where you will be able to do so much just with a mouse click. At Product Impex we are already trading with different American, European, Middle East markets. In addition to offering our customers competitive products with high quality and low price we answer your quires promptly, deliver as per the promises, listen to you, deal with complaints promptly. We will go an extra mile to help our customers to keep our relationship. We pride in best values and offer best customers services.

Let us meet now!

2011-07-16T11:25:00.000+05:00

What used to happen face to face can now be done online. The terms like friendship and being social are taking on a whole new meaning. Find a chat room and likeminded people to chat with and get close and may be to settle with. There are so many purposes.

In this age of fast communication, most people in the world are looking for friends on the Internet. This surely is true for those who have integrated the Internet into their lives and are looking for suitable online hangouts or chat rooms. This has given birth to sites and Internet chat services. Now there are different Internet chat rooms, each with their own niche, style, features, costs and requirements. I also am on some of the sites where I can chat with strangers and have a chance to know them a little better in the process.

iMeetzu.com is one of the best websites that allows you to meet and chat with strangers online, similar to Omegle and Chatroulette. However, iMeetzu.com also adds a social network so that users can save their favorite new friends. Like many others, I have been paying attention to chat sites. iMeetzu.com is a very vibrant community. Have a look who all are there. May be you find some likeminded people to know them better.

Income protection direct

2011-07-15T09:21:00.002+05:00

I think buying insurance has to be an informed decision. One should do a little home work before buying a policy. While doing my own research I found that xlife is one of the best places to start. Try them before buying insurance policy. They offer different types of policies including income protection direct. Call them today and you can save up to 20% on your first year’s income protection premium. Why not try them.

Zephyr Paintball Experience

2011-07-12T09:26:00.001+05:00

We all have have had our time to shoot with paintball guns. This one of the most interesting outdoor that keeps young people engaged in healthy activities. Given my interest, I was looking for Paintball Guns when I came upon Zephyr Paintball Coupons and was pleasantly amazed to see the huge collection and wide range and the prices. I suggest those who are looking for paintball gear must start at Zephyr Paintball – leading name in extreme sports industry including paintball gear. Zephyr Paintball carries a complete line of the most sought after paintball gear and airsoft gear at the lowest prices anywhere on the web. Also take advantages of zephyr paintball coupon code.

Zephyr Sports is one of the leading sports items providers. Zephyr Sports has paintball and airsoft gear with low prices; zephyr paintball coupons in adition to free shipping on paintball guns, paintball goggles, airsoft equipment and gear. The company has a history. Zephyr Sports was founded in 2003 as an internet retailer focusing on the sport of paintball. In 2005 they expanded to carry airsoft equipment as well. Zephyr Sports carry a complete line of paintball guns, paintball goggles, hats, hoodies, jerseys, paintballs, paintball field gear and accessories for the sport. Dye, JT USA, Kingman, Tippmann, PMI, Empire, Zap, Nelson, Maddog Designz, Proto, Pure Energy, Smart Parts and Worrgames represent just a few of the paintball brands we carry. Zephyr Sports offers a smooth and hassle free internet buying experience with every purchase. If you haven't tried us yet, ask some of your friends and you're sure to find another satisfied customer. Feel free to give us a call at 877-814-4297 to become another satisfied Zephyr customer. Also visit their Forums and information rich Blog and you will find a whole lot of wonderful and like minded community there. You can interact with them and share your Zephyr Sports experiences and or talk about shooting and other things of common interests.

Explore neatly laid out, uncluttered and resource rich Zephyr Paintball site and see what all is on display and learn about zephyr paintball coupon codes. Products are listed methodically and it is easy to find what you may be looking for. Search function is also efficient. There are enough details with each item and imagery is good that helps you make informed online shopping experience. In case you have a question, call Zephyr Paintball and leave the rest to them. Hey are the best.

Business to business trad solution

2011-07-12T08:42:00.000+05:00

Product Impex is a comprehensive business-to-business (B2B) trade solution provider offering one-stop trade services to international buyers who are interested in purchasing directly from Pakistan. The products at Product Impex include aprons for paramedic to restaurant staff, beachwear and sports socks for men, women, kids, overalls for work and play, towels, edible salt and wide range of salt products.

Product Impex provide clients with an efficient and manageable procurement process covering every phase of the international supply chain and streamlining trade channels. That is why we stand out as one-stop, customized end-to-end trade solution provider serving international buyers. Product Impex also understands the reservations you may have regarding purchasing via the internet. That is why Product Impex has taken extra steps to make your experience hassle free and safe. If you encounter a problem at any time during your transaction, Product Impex is happy to help you resolve it or reply to any queries you may have.

Product Impex invites you to discuss with us about your specific needs and we will offer our best advice on the nature of product or a solution that might suite your own unique settings. Feel free to reach us for consultation sessions. We are always approachable.

Product Impex aprons in global market

2011-07-06T13:04:00.001+05:00

Trading is one of the oldest business but modern communication technologies have given birth to the global trade cycle, commonly referred to as ‘global supply chain’ or ‘physical and financial supply chains,’ which represents the various stages of the buying and selling process among trading partners anywhere. Product Impex is trading as a part of global supply chain. You visit the website, you will find a whole lot from Salt, and Salt Products, to Aprons, Beachwear, Towels, Sports Socks, and Work wear from some of the best manufacturers in the industry.

We have collaboration with leading manufacturers that gives us control across large trading partner networks and also in the manufacturing process. Which is why we offer our clients custom products like aprons with your unique design and or message printed on front or back?

Product Impex put much emphasis behind having a fancy growth strategy but we sure understand that our growth is really the growth of our clients. We are wholesalers and we know our growth is attached with the growth of our retailers and whom they sell and how much. That is why we think globally and put all our energies behind making our clients by offering them the best and cost effective.

FIFA women’s World Cup

2011-06-28T15:26:00.000+05:00

Hosts and defending champions Germany got their women’s World Cup campaign off to a flying start on Sunday as they beat Group A rivals Canada 2-1 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium while France struck the only goal of the opening match to win against Nigeria on June 26th 2011. -Text and Photos by AFP

Amy Rodriguez

2011-06-23T09:29:00.000+05:00

On Sunday, June 26 the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup is set to begin in Germany with the U.S. Women's National Team looking to capture their first title in over a decade.

The tournament is set to be one of the most competitive ever, with a number of teams hoping to win a title, including the two-time defending champion German Women's National Team led by forwards Birgit Prinz and Inka Grings, as well as goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who will be striving to win their third-straight cup.

The last time I was as excited about America's chance at the FIFA Women's World Cup, though, was in 1999 when Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Kristine Lilly, Carla Overbeck, Christie Pierce (now Rampone), Julie Foudy, Briana Scurry, and Brandi Chastain went on their wild ride through a 16-team field that culminated in Chastain's amazing tournament-winning goal.

That goal, along with goalkeeper Briana Scurry's crucial save of a spotkick by China's Liu Ying that immediately preceded it during the penalty shootout of the championship game had me, as well as millions of fans around the world in tears, and I'll be looking for just those kind of thrilling moments during this year's FIFA Women's World Cup.

There are numerous players on the American team to watch, including the only remnant of that 1999 title team and now team captain, defender Christie Rampone, along with goalkeeper Hope Solo, midfielders Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, and Heather O'Reilly, and inimitable forward Abby Wambach; who has scored an unbelievable 118 goals for the team in her career.

Those 118 goals (in just 157 caps) are third behind only Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130) in the history of the U.S. Women's National Team, and therefore demand Wambach be a player to watch. However, the one player on the team I'll be keeping an eye on the hardest is her heir-apparent at the forward position, Amy Rodriguez.

While just 5-4, the 24-year-old Rodriguez is a real dynamo, and knows what it's like to win titles. I believe she will be a real key to America going all the way in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup to capture their third championship, and I wouldn't be surprised if she kicks the tournament-winning goal ala Chastain.

Born in Beverly Hills, California, Rodriguez attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. During her high school days she was a Parade All-American in 2003 and 2004 and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005.

After high school Rodriguez attended the University of Southern California where she played for the Trojans from 2005 to 2008; helping USC win an NCAA Women's Soccer Championship her junior year in 2007.

She's played professional soccer with the Boston Breakers and Philadelphia Independence of the Women's Professional Soccer league, but it's been her appearances for the U.S. Women's National Team that have caught my eye, including her stints with the U-17, U-19/U-20 and U-21 teams.

Looking like Kristen Bell out on the soccer field, Rodriguez simply provides a burst of energy to every team she's played for, and was a wonderful addition to the American squad.

An injury to Wambach prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics saw Rodriguez called up to replace her, and she didn't disappoint, starting four of five games at the games, scoring against New Zealand, and assisting on Carli Lloyd's game-winning goal in the first period of extra time in the Gold medal match to clinch the championship.

While she has only 17 goals for the U.S. in 65 caps, and some might believe 23-year-old forward Lauren Cheney with 14 goals in just 42 caps will challenge her as the best forward on the National Team for years to come, I believe Rodriguez has it in her to eventually captain the team, and certainly enough to help lead them to a victory over any and all challengers during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

So, I would suggest you keep your eye on Amy Rodriguez, because she just might be the one everyone's interviewing when it's all said and done.

Ephedra diet pills

2011-06-23T09:26:00.000+05:00

Being overweight is a physical as well as social problem. No one wants to be in the problematic situation but unfortunately people are. Some gain weight due to inactivity, some due to lifestyle and some may be obsess genetically.

Diet pills are one of the best weight loss solutions for weight loss available today. Millions are using different pills, diet plans and or other products to cure themselves. Given the demands, wide range of pills are available. Problems is how to choose the best one. More so when the supplement industry is constantly changing at a very fast rate.

I suggest, anyone having obesity problem should start at store.femnutrition.com and find out which one is the diet pills best work for them. They carry several type of Ephedra diet pills and best thing is that they offer low prices and fast shipping. The information they have on neatly laid out site will help you make informed choice.

If you are also fighting a problem of losing weight, you too should start at Ephedra diet pills and benefit from what it can do. Site is users’ friendly and offers a lot of help at one place. Explore it and make wiser decisions about which of the diet pill to use to cure.

I liked Eph Burn 25 that is AE lab’s newest product that provides 25 mg of Ephedra per capsul. It incorporates the most effective weight loss formula ever developed without the added hype of unproven ingredients. In short, EphBurn25 ECA Stack will help you burn fat and keep it off. When used as part of a weight loss plan that incorporates a reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity, it's guaranteed to be a valuable and highly effective addition to your weight loss plan! Try the product and achieve your goals.

PayPal Alternative

2011-06-16T10:32:00.000+05:00

Free Merchant Account Advisor - one of the free and trusted name - is playing important role in promoting the use of Credit Card Processing, Merchant Accounts, Accept Credit Cards, Online Credit Card Processing, Merchant Credit Card Processing, PayPal Alternative, Credit Card Processing Companies, Credit Card Processing Services, Accept Credit Cards Online, Business Credit Card Processing, Merchant Accounts, High Risk Merchant Accounts and Offshore Merchant Accounts.

What to do where PayPal is not available. Best thing is to look for merchant accounts - best PayPal Alternative. Thanks to Free Merchant Account Advisor – a free service that helps business owners find the best merchant account out of so many that are available out there. Use the service and find out the best for your needs.

Look around and you will agree that world is moving towards online and paperless economy. One can already see that businesses are already accepting different options for payment. Transactions through credit card, machines and merchant accounts are not only safe for everyone involved but also convenient, fast and error free. But question is that which one is the best merchant account for your particular needs? How to choose one?

I recommend that all businesses need to have a look at the neatly laid out site and get expert advice before making a decision to Accept Credit Cards Online or to open high risk merchant accounts. See what all they are offering and how they can help you. Browse browse through their users’ friendly site. Better still let them take care of all your concerns relating electronic payments. They offer the best advice.

Pakistan’s First International Social Media Summit

2011-06-14T12:48:00.000+05:00

Surf in style

2011-06-14T09:44:00.000+05:00

Surfing is one of the most popular outdoor activities around the world. Summer has set in and everyone is planning to spend some time to chill out at the beach and try out surfboards. Life at beach is a style in itself. White sand, sea waves, cool breeze and crowd of likeminded people around; that is my idea of enjoyment.

Given my interest, I was looking for some surfboards and hoodies online when I came upon Surfdome.com –one of the UK's largest suppliers of surfing and other beach oritentated clothing styles. Aptly named store cater to wide variety of tastes and needs when it comes to shopping for lifestyle brads. They carry huge selection of the world’s most popular lifestyle brands including surf clothing, outerwear, holiday gear, accessories and equipment for all ages and from all your favourites. Just have a look at the huge bikinis collection displayed at one place. They offer everything from classic two-piece bikini, surf bikinis to one piece swim suits you may be looking for. Their bikinis are incredibly versatile pieces of beach wear, and with their massive range of hundreds of bikini tops and bottoms, I am sure you can find the perfect pieces for any beach occasion. Stay tuned because they keep adding more.

Whether you are travelling to the beach or the mountains, you must start at Surfdome.com. The site is neatly laid out and it is easy to find what you may be looking for. All items are neatly listed. You can shop by department or by category. Shopping online is secure and they also offer different payment options including PayPal. They also have free delivery options, promos and comps as well as gift vouchers.

Explore the site and find out what is on the offer and how while you are planning your surfing time. Surfdome.com is the best place to equip you for the occasion.

Heaven on Earth

2011-06-06T17:24:00.001+05:00

No, it is not in mountains. Read here and find out.

Fifa crisis

2011-05-26T09:41:00.000+05:00

The decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in the desert of Qatar was always going to generate some heat. Since Wednesday the allegations of impropriety that have dogged the host nation decision last December now extend to Mohamed bin Hammam's presidential campaign.

Bin Hammam – like Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma and the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid campaign before him – has issued a categorical denial of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Sepp Blatter says Fifa "anxiously awaits" evidence of venality by the accused, the president refusing to rule out the "alarming idea" of a re-election to determine the 2022 World Cup hosts.

Whatever the truth, Blatter has evidently yet to acknowledge that the danger the corruption allegations pose is not to the 2022 World Cup alone but to the very institution of Fifa, and international football itself. For as the steady erosion of Fifa's moral authority continues on Blatter's watch, unseen in the background is a far more powerful threat, one that is preparing to seize the moment to achieve its long-frustrated aims.

Club football has always been in conflict with Fifa. The international match calendar gets in the way of league fixtures. A manager's rhythm is disturbed by mid‑season tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and by the staccato interruptions of friendly internationals. To cap it all, players whose wages are maintained by the clubs during international "duty" risk returning tired, injured or both. Viewed through the eyes of the clubs, international football is parasitic.

International football is, of course, as much a part of the game as promotion and relegation. Over 150 years of football history, these have been the game's inviolable traditions. Yet traditions alone do not make money and there is now a new breed of football club owner who has invested billions in an alien sport chiefly for its prospects for profit.

Malcolm Glazer at Manchester United, John W Henry at Liverpool, Stan Kroenke at Arsenal and Thomas DiBenedetto at Roma have a common experience of sports investment in the United States. In contrast to the European model, the business of sport in north America is viable. There are no cliff-edge events like the loss of income that accompanies failure to qualify for the Champions League. There are no international iterations of their sports. Instead there is security of tenure in a closed, cartel league.

"Fifa will soon face a very serious crisis with the clubs," said one senior football figure in response to Wednesday's round of allegations of impropriety within the world governing body. "These new guys know two things: the first is that you can't run an open league and the second is you need a salary cap. It points to a closed European league."

Those who envisage this – and there are household names working to deliver the project even now – see it as a competition that would run in parallel with the clubs' existing domestic commitments. For now that outcome is impossible. There are simply not enough weeks in the year. But as Fifa's corruption scandals undermine its legitimacy, its capacity to protect the old world order over football shrinks.

Some say that at a time when European monetary union relies on a closer political union on the continent, international football that reinforces borders is an uncomfortable distraction. Europe's politicians and financiers might prefer to facilitate a game that concentrates only on cities, not sovereignties. Certain clubs feel that Europe's judges will favour them if they refuse in future to release their players for internationals. A European court award for payment of player wages would bankrupt Fifa. Seizing their chance, clubs are preparing to argue the world body is morally bankrupt already. [by Matt Scott]

Porsche Clothing

2011-05-25T22:06:00.001+05:00

Being a fan I love Porsche merchandise. I was looking for Porsche Clothing online when I came upon Flying Lizard Motorsports – a place where online shoppers can find cool Porsche merchandise from actual Porsche Motorsports teams that compete in auto racing circuits such as the American Le Mans Series. I was so glad to find that Porsche Shirts that was on my wish list already.

Flying Lizard Motorsports has competed in the American Le Mans Series GT class since 2004. The team has finished in the top three in the ALMS GT2 drivers' and team championships every year since 2004. In 2010, Flying Lizard No. 45 drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long won a hard-fought battle for the GT drivers' championship. In 2009 and 2008, the team swept all ALMS GT2 titles: drivers' championship (Bergmeister and Long in 09, Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler in 08); Flying Lizard won the team championship; and Porsche won the manufacturer championship. In 2009, the Flying Lizard No. 44 Porsche also won the Michelin Green X Challenge championship.

I suggest all fans looking for Porsche Apparel must start at Flying Lizard Motorsports and se what all is on the offer. Better still try them for coming up Circuit de la Sarthe.

FIFA Academy Myanmar

2011-05-24T12:35:00.000+05:00

The head of world football's governing body on Tuesday said Myanmar could play a "very active role" in the sport in Asia after he opened a new soccer academy in the country.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, on his first visit to Myanmar, opened the academy in Mandalay ahead of a meeting on Wednesday with premier Thein Sein, who is also president-elect in the new army-dominated parliament.

"Football cannot exist alone without the political and government support and therefore it's absolutely necessary that I'm going to meet your prime minister," Blatter told a press conference.

"I would say that Myanmar can play a very active role ... let's say at first in ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), then in Asia," he said, referring to when Myanmar's footballers were Asian soccer champions in the 1960s.

Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Myanmar Football Federation, told AFP that Blatter's visit was "essential for the development of our football standard".

Football is Myanmar's most popular sport and now has its own league with about 100 players on monthly salaries ranging from 300,000 kyats (300 dollars) to one million kyats.

Senior General Than Shwe ordered regime cronies and businessmen to be the owners of professional soccer teams in the league in January 2009, offering incentives such as gem and jade mines, according to a leaked US cable from that year.

A follow-up cable noted that the Myanmar strongman's grandson is himself a footballer for the Delta United team owned by Zaw Zaw, whose companies are subject to US sanctions.

Zaw Zaw was described as "one of several mid-level cronies actively attempting to curry favour with the regime and to use his government ties to expand his commercial enterprises".

According to one embassy source kept anonymous by the whistleblowing website WikiLeaks, Zaw Zaw and Than Shwe's grandson came up with the idea of a professional soccer league "but had to obtain the senior general's support first".

Myanmar, military-ruled since 1962, held its first election in 20 years in November but this was widely dismissed by Western countries as a sham to cloak ongoing military rule.

A new parliament opened in January, dominated by the military and its proxies, who voted for retired general Thein Sein to be president. Via

Real Salt Lake has come a long way

2011-04-24T13:17:00.000+05:00

Grahame L. Jones

Watching Real Salt Lake play should be mandatory for every soccer coach or would-be coach north of the Rio Grande.

South of the river, they already know how to play the game. It comes more naturally there than it does here. On this side of the divide, it more often than not seems book-learned and, as a result, is sometimes stale, sterile and stupefying, soccer as a paint-by-numbers exercise.

This is not a blanket condemnation. There are exceptions. The 1998 Galaxy under then-coach Octavio Zambrano was one of them. The 2006 and 2007 Houston Dynamo under Coach Dominic Kinnear was another.

There are others, but the brightest, most hope-giving exception of all in recent years has been the grand experiment going on in the shadow of the Wasatch mountains.

Somehow, some way, the folks in Salt Lake City have gotten it right. It didn't happen overnight and there were uncomfortable bumps along the way, but the team that had the chutzpah to call itself Real when it was founded in 2005 is unquestionably playing the best-quality soccer to be seen in English-speaking North America.

It was playing that way in 2009 when it won its first Major League Soccer title, moving the ball around with ease, confidence and purpose, and it is still playing that way. Other teams might have the big names; Real Salt Lake has the style.

By Wednesday night, it might very well be the champion of all of North and Central America and the Caribbean. Coach Jason Kreis and his players need only a victory or a scoreless or low-scoring tie at home to achieve that feat.

Home, of course, means Rio Tinto Stadium in suburban Sandy, where Real Salt Lake is unbeaten in its last 37 games in all competitions.

"It's the stuff dreams are made of," Kreis told the Salt Lake Tribune in the wake of the team's last-gasp 2-2 tie against Monterrey in Mexico in the first leg of the regional final Wednesday.

Dreams, indeed.

If Real Salt Lake is crowned CONCACAF champion — becoming the third MLS team to win that title after D.C. United in 1998 and the Galaxy in 2000 — it would be heading to the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

There, the champions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America and Europe would lie in wait, meaning the possibility of a game against the likes of Barcelona or Manchester United or Real Madrid, assuming less-illustrious but no less worthy Schalke '04 does not surprise the other three European Champions League semifinalists along the way.

In other words, a positive result Wednesday night in Utah would thrust owner Dave Checketts' Real Salt Lake onto the global stage.

So how did it get there? How did a club that did not exist seven years ago become a real, honest-to-goodness soccer team so fast? More important, how did it learn to play the fluid possession and passing game so well?

Real Salt Lake is not Barcelona, not by a long, long shot, but its soccer is as attractive as it is effective and it should be the blueprint for others to follow.

Before the game against Monterrey in Mexico, Kreis went so far as to mention Barcelona by name, not that he was drawing any comparisons. He was simply making a point.

"I believe that one of the best defenses you can have is a team that is very good with the ball," the former top-notch MLS striker said. "Barcelona, the number of attacking players they put on the field is extremely high, and they're able to do that because they have the ball for 70% of the game."

Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser was an assistant to Kreis for four years and helped build the Real Salt Lake team and forge its style and identity. Patience, signing players who are intelligent and comfortable on the ball, and settling on a system and sticking to it were crucial, Fraser said. But it did not happen overnight.

"I look at that group and in my first half a year with Real I think we won like four games, lost nine and tied three," Fraser said. "We lost seven in a row when I first got there.

"It's a process, for sure. Look at where they are today. They're fantastic. They're so good in every position and so deep. They've done a great job of putting a team together.

"They're a very good team and they're not where they are in the Champions League because of luck. They deserve to be there. To be quite honest, they're very much in the driver's seat at the moment."

Fraser talked about Real Salt Lake having "a lot of gritty and determined players," but there are also a lot of skilled players, including Argentine midfielder Javier Morales, "one of the best foreigners ever to play in the league," Fraser said.

Add to that the abilities of Kyle Beckerman — who will sit out the crucial game Wednesday because of a suspension — Andy Williams, Fabian Espindola, Will Johnson, Alvaro Saborio, Jamison Olave, Nick Rimando and all the rest, and it is clear why Real Salt Lake is where it is.

It is a team that is a pleasure to watch, not because of what it wins, but because of how it plays, and, really, that is all that matters.

grahame.jones@latimes.com

Young girls flock to FIFA superstar Marta

2011-04-24T13:16:00.000+05:00

Eily Hallagan and Emma Saubermann sat in the stands at Sahlen's Stadium Friday afternoon waiting for the Western New York Flash to finish practice. The girls, who play for the Under-11 Pittsford Mustangs, were getting ready for a free soccer clinic with about 280 other girls led by the Flash players.

Friday was the first local team appearance for Rochester's first professional women's soccer team, and many eyes were focused on Marta, the Brazilian superstar and five-time reigning FIFA World Player of the Year.

When asked how much they knew about Marta, the girls from Pittsford could not tell a lie.

"My Dad (Peter) said she's better than Abby Wambach and Abby's parents live by us, so I'm a big fan," said Eily, 11, a forward just like Marta and Wambach, the United States national team star.

Indeed, most players and fans from the Rochester region know more about Wambach, 30, because she grew up in Pittsford, starred at Our Lady of Mercy High and has been a force for the Americans even before her winning goal gave them Olympic gold in 2004.

But Marta Vieira da Silva, 25, is here.

In Rochester.

Although based near Buffalo in Elma, Erie County, the team will play its nine home matches here. That is, in part, because of the city's tradition of supporting soccer and its stadium, the 5-year-old facility that has been called PAETEC Park (2006-08), Marina Auto Stadium (2009-10) and was renamed Sahlen's Stadium in February after the company signed a 10-year naming rights deal.

Buffalo-based Sahlen's meat packing company owns the Flash.

"They play really intense," Erin Tersegno, 13, of Webster said while watching the Flash practice. "They're always moving, it seems. They never give up."

The Flash are in Women's Professional Soccer, the six-team league considered the world's best. It also includes Wambach's magicJack squad (formerly Washington Freedom). Wambach plays here May 22 and July 20. WNY won its season opener, 2-1, on Sunday at Boston.

Marta didn't arrive until Monday because of visa issues. She's expected to be ready for Sunday's match at Atlanta. [Via]

House Painting

2011-04-04T21:51:00.000+05:00

We need to have our home painted at least once in a year. This has been out routine since we moved from rented house to own home. Every time we want to get the home painted unleash a chain of events; closing most of the things, covering and then resetting every thing after the paint.

Best way to get the hose pained is to hire a capable painter service who can do the job professionally and quickly. If you need a painter. Start at Westpro Painting is - a North Shore based painting company serving North and West Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby. Best thing is that their eEvery project is fully insured with WCB with 1 million dollars liability insurance.

Approach (Call 778 898-9512 for a free estimate.) painters Vancouver - and get free estimates. Their best practices include a 5 year guarantee with all their work, payment upon completion when you are completely satisfied.

In addition to residential and commercial, indoor and outdoor painting, house painters Vancouver offers a wide range of services house painting to dry wall services.

Explore the site and see what they offer and how. Better still engage Painters Burnaby and have an stress free painting exercise where ever you need.

Blatter is outworn

2011-04-03T12:43:00.000+05:00

The president of the Asian Confederation Mohamed Bin Hammam has justified in the German press his decision to run for the presidency of the Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) believing that the current president, Joseph Blatter, was " outworn ".

"There is no vision for FIFA, there is nothing, Blatter is worn. An example of technology on the goal line, there is no new approach from FIFA. I see no creativity from Blatter," said Bin Hammam to the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung published Saturday.

"Football has developed in such a way that no president can still bring something new after eight years in office (...) For the good of football nobody should stay 15 or 20 years at the head of Fifa, he added, promising, if elected, to make only two terms.

The president of the Asian Confederation (AFC), aged 61, also revealed he had "asked last year Michel Platini to be a candidate."

"He asked me some time to think, then he said he had not completed his mission as head of UEFA," said Qatari businessman head of the AFC since 2002.

"I hope now that Platini is going to stay neutral, I will tell him," he said.

The electing congress to Fifa will take place on June 1 in Zurich (Switzerland). Blatter, 75, has served since 1998.

Sports Betting

2011-04-03T12:32:00.000+05:00

During the recent cricket world cup, one could see the passion for sports at its peak. Particularly the youth and sportsmen wee completely absorbed in the sport. Passions for sports have changed overtime. In addition to conventional media, now fans go online and find all sorts of information about the sports, tournaments, fixtures and favorite players. Many are interested in predicting the winner and sports betting. So many Internet sites have come up that cater to the needs of sports fans and keep them updated about what is happening and what is about to happen in the fields to help them.

Have a look at Sports Betting - widely known site that covers a wide range of the latest sports betting news, team stats, betting odds, best bonuses, win predictions, tips and tricks - and see what they are offering and how. Also browse through article base that covers everything from Baseball Betting Articles to Sports Betting Tips and Tricks and so much in between.

Poonam Pandey to bare all if India wins FIFA World Cup

2011-03-31T13:52:00.000+05:00

Model and aspiring actress Poonam Pandey, who is part of a popular calendar, announced that she will bare all if the Men in Blue lift the World Cup. Poonam follows the likes of lingerie models Larissa Riquelme of Paraguay and Luciana Salazar of Argentina who had vowed to go nude if their football teams won the Fifa World Cup. Poonam says, "I'm a cricket fanatic and I'm a diehard supporter of my nation. India needs a lot of support and this is my way of supporting the team."

On being asked if this is an attempt to get publicity, the model insists, "Absolutely not. I'm confident of my body and I'm doing this to excite our boys to play better." Poonam wants to contact the team and strip in front of them in their dressing room. She added that she does not have qualms about undressing in the stadium, if law permits, and after permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Dolls Project

2011-03-31T13:33:00.000+05:00

The idea behind the Dolls of the World took birth in Pakistan when Thatta Kedona - a self help project - started in small Punjab village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka in Pakistan and NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AeFeA) was registered in 1999. The rest is history as they say.

AeFeA has grown multidimensional over time. Now AeFeA cooperates with six local NGOs all over Pakistan from Karachi to Hunza and in many countries around the globe. In Pakistan, the project also enjoys cooperation of prestigious educational institutions – Bahaud Din Zakriya University Multan, Indus Valley School for Art and Architecture, Karachi, School of Visual Art, Lahore, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi – interested in heritage, culture and or agriculture.

Women from other countries heard about the success of the project in Pakistan through DGFK newsletters and other media channels as well as through word of mouth (mostly from diplomatic corps housewives) and invited Dr. Senta Siller - Mother of Dolls - to start similar projects in their countries. In Cameroon, three independent NGOs -- Akwatinnighah (1998), Akaanhong (2002) and Center of Appropriate Technology in (2001) are working where over 90 persons are involved in handicrafts and appropriate technology with support from Bamenda University of Science Technology, Bamenda.

Tanto Mejor Por La Paz, Saboya is working in Colombia in cooperation with four independent local NGOs or similar organizations since 1999. Over 60 persons are busy in handicraft with collaboration from Dept of Environment Technology National University in Bogate and AeFeA.
Besides, AeFeA has networked with International Dolls Museum Flateyri and University of Reykjavik in Iceland and Benaki Museum Greece. In UAE-Dubai, AeFeA is participating in Global Village Expo every year since 2001. In Germany, besides most German senior experts coming to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, Dolls of the World project has support from Institute for Planning and Consulting, Potsdam.

This international community of like minded people has come a long way. Sky is their limit.

Tags: Networking, Doll Makers, Thatta Kedona, Dr. Senta Siller

India v Pakistan: What the papers are saying

2011-03-29T10:40:00.000+05:00

Thom Gibbs

The Deccan Chronicle paints a picture of the fervour of fans desperate to see the game: "Hundreds of eager fans stood in long queues at the Punjab Cricket Association ground on Monday in a final, desperate bid to find a ticket for the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final. Sai Das, a resident of Mohali - the venue for Wednesday's marquee clash between the bitter rivals - was on the verge of tears as he described his ticket travails.

"I live in Mohali and to think that I have not been able to get a ticket kills me," said the 22-year-old student as he walked away from the queue of hundreds snaking round the edge of the PCA Stadium.

"I have been coming here for the last three days but the ticket counters open and close in minutes. They have no pity on us. The officials are only giving away tickets to VIPs."

The Daily Times picks up the baton: "A tiny north Indian city has overnight become a hottest tourist destination, drawing Prime Ministers, corporate czars, showbiz celebrities and passionate fans for what is touted as the “mother of all cricket contests”.

Nothing gets bigger in this part of the globe than a cricket match featuring India and Pakistan, who fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

The rivalry would be renewed in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Mohali in the state of Punjab and the city administration is already bracing for a logistical nightmare."

The Times of India reports on cricket entering the political sphere in Pakistan: "Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan lashed out at interior minister Rehman Malik for his warning to the Pakistan team against indulging in match-fixing during their crucial World Cup semi-final against India in Mohali.

The cricketer-turned-politician hit out at the minister's statement and said he should better keep a watch on himself as he was absconding a few days back. 'I would rather watch Rehman Malik than the cricket team. I am serious. He was absconding. My worry is not the cricket team but it's him'."

Dawn runs a story about Shahid Agridi's despleasure with the media offering in India: "Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi accused the Indian media on Monday of conducting a negative campaign against his team before Wednesday’s eagerly anticpated World Cup semi-final in Mohali.

“There is so much negativity in the Indian media. There is nothing positive to watch on the channels and we are just sticking together as a team and it is just the hotel and ground for us,” Afridi told a Pakistani news channel.

The Hindu previews the clash between Sachin Tendulkar and Umar Gul: "The maestro, just one short of a historic 100th century in international cricket, is running hot.

"Years fall away when Tendulkar conjures timeless classics in the cauldron. Tendulkar has 379 runs in seven matches at 54.14 at a strike rate of 95.94 in the competition. If the legends build another monument in the semi-final, Pakistan could be in trouble. In this context, talented seamer Umar Gul's duel with Tendulkar might have a huge bearing on the eventual result.

"Gul is running in with rhythm, bowling with control and incision. Crucially, he had the ability to create breakthroughs, work his way past defences. The magic delivery that castled V.V.S. Laxman in the Lahore Test of the 2004 series is fresh in memory."

The News International details the extent of the security measures in force: "With the fever touching the skies ahead of Pak-India semi-final, the mother of all matches, in Mohali, Indian government was taking all possible security measures to secure the Wednesday's encounter to be attended by the top leadership of both the countries.

"Anti-aircraft guns have been placed and Mohali has been declared a no-fly zone. Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are on standby for air surveillance and fighter jets at Ambala."

Compaign Season

2011-03-24T08:27:00.000+05:00

For the first time in a decade, there is a power struggle at the top of FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. Sepp Blatter, the 75-year-old Swiss who has been the organization’s president since 1998, will be challenged June 1 by Mohamed bin Hammam, a 61-year-old Qatari.

Old pals to the extent that bin Hammam provided transportation for Blatter to jet around the globe for his inaugural rise to the leadership, they will now show how divisive two men can be in pursuit of personal glory.

“Football is corrupted by all little devils which exist in the world,” Blatter said in a speech to European delegates this week. “Don’t forget that football is a game, and that when one is playing, he always tries to cheat a little bit. We have the task of bringing together the adventure we started. We want to ensure a better future for our youth.”

As ever with Blatter, the rhetoric vacillates between bluster and truth.

He is a septuagenarian portraying himself on the side of youth. His reference to the devils is a reminder of the corruption that was uncovered last year by journalists during the bidding process that eventually handed the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. It might also be interpreted as a better-the-devil- we-know message to the FIFA electorate.

There are 208 national associations, each with one vote. Blatter, through his methods of generating billions of dollars through the World Cup every four years and distributing much of it to the national associations, has fed the electorate exceedingly well. The less affluent associations, especially, live off the handouts.

They get even more from the Goal Bureau, which started the year after Blatter was first elected president. Coincidentally, bin Hammam is the chairman of the bureau, which doles out hundreds of thousands of dollars for projects like soccer fields or association headquarters to countries based on need.

Michel Platini, the French former player who this week was re-elected — with no opposition — to another four-year term as president of the European soccer body, UEFA, is deputy chairman of the Goal Bureau.

And Platini is the third player in this ring of global governance.

Blatter courted Platini in Paris this week by stating that this would be his final term if he were re-elected. Bin Hammam wooed Platini by saying, at the UEFA Congress, that the FIFA presidency should be at most a two-term job.

So should Platini, 55, wish it, he could be the next president of the world game, with the blessing of either of the two contestants he backs in June.

Platini, of course, has his hands full, with 53 nations in Europe, and with the Champions League. He says, now, that achieving “financial fair play” on his own continent, for clubs and countries, is mission enough.

Yet he sits on the FIFA Executive Committee, and his ideas have long influenced Blatter and are beginning to shape bin Hammam’s, too. So we have three men in the ring. Only two are fighting, although nominations remain open until next Thursday.

But the relationships both Blatter and bin Hammam seek around the nations exceed soccer.

“Football has become a political matter,” Blatter said a few weeks ago.

“Football has become a monster, but it’s a positive monster. It’s my philosophy to drive the expansion of football, and the next regions we need to conquer would be China and India.”

His platform is, essentially, more of the same. Blatter trounced his last challengers, Lennart Johansson of Sweden in 1998 and Issa Hayatou of Cameroon in 2002, despite allegations of calamitous financial mismanagement.

Today, nothing could be further from that situation. FIFA extracted a huge financial windfall from the World Cup last year in South Africa, a personal triumph for Blatter. FIFA’s current surplus, money in the bank, is $1.28 billion.

Bin Hammam, a businessman who heads the Asian Football Confederation, has been inside FIFA’s main committees for 15 years. Yet he proposes changes on finance, on the executive structure, on goal-line technology and on regional allocation to spots in the World Cup tournament.

His major financial pledge is to double the four-year share handed out to all 208 member associations, from $250,000 to $500,000. Also, financing of Goal projects for underdeveloped lands would be increased.

As to FIFA, he promises administrative reform. The 24-man executive committee would be replaced by a 40-member (thus far all men) board.

A transparency committee would be set up to monitor the governing body, although bin Hammam argues vehemently that FIFA is not corrupt.

“We are maybe not transparent enough for the people outside,” he said.

Challenged about the six FIFA members who were suspended last year for discussing bribes for votes, he replied: “I don’t think these people were motivated by their own interest. None of them asked money for themselves — for their federations, but not for themselves.”

Nevertheless, both candidates promise zero tolerance for corruption.

As they fly around the continents, attempting to drum up support for campaigns that sound largely similar, outsiders might be forgiven for asking: Why change? Why now? Blatter promises safe hands, bin Hammam talks of clean hands.

Bin Hammam suggests it is time for fresh blood. Blatter reminds national associations about who gave them their dollar handouts and who is still building up the bank balance in a global recession. The devil is in the details between former allies now playing their end game.

Platini or Blatter

2011-03-20T13:38:00.000+05:00

By Harry Harris

Michel Platini is being groomed to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in four years' time, according to ESPNsoccernet sources within football's corridors of power.

Michel Platini, Sepp Blatter

GettyImagesMichel Platini appears likely to back Sepp Blatter this summer

Blatter has been in control of world football for 13 years, and plans to stay for a further four, and then back UEFA president Platini for the role after standing down. That will be in return for Platini backing him in this summer's election - uniting Europe's vote behind Blatter against Mohamed Bin Hammam.

An ESPNsoccernet source said: "Of course Bin Hammam has the Asian vote, which is one third of the vote, but Blatter has his traditional stronghold of votes, which will make it tight, very tight, but a lot depends on Europe and Michel Platini.

"Europe will matter most in tipping the balance and there is a strong feeling that Blatter will gain the support of Platini and that Platini will then become Blatter's choice to succeed him in four years' time."

It has long been thought that the English Football Association would support any credible challenge to Blatter, in retribution for the abortive and humiliating defeat in the 2018 World Cup bid. There have been anonymous FA sources quoted, to that effect, in reliable news outlets.

It has emerged that, at the FA's Executive Board meeting just hours before Bin Hammam's announcement of his candidacy, the FA was playing a diplomatic game, and will not go against Blatter under new chairman David Berstein's careful international strategy.

When it was reported recently that the FA will back Bin Hammam, an email was dispatched to Blatter explaining that this was not the case. "It is a policy of sitting on the fence and seeing which way it goes," ESPNsoccernet was told.

Privately, the FA believes a change would be better than sticking with Blatter, but there is no chance that this will be FA policy.

Bin Hammam has openly been courting Platini's support and has previously stated that if he didn't run for the highest office in football he would support Platini. He was quoted as saying: "I told him that if he runs he'd have my full support. That remains the case. I am happy with [support in] most confederations but I don't know about Europe and how they will deal with my candidacy.

"Europe is the core of football. I would like now to make a real assessment in Europe."

The FIFA presidential election is due to take place in Zurich on June 1, with Blatter going for a fourth term as president, the position he has held since succeeding Joao Havelange in 1998. Blatter trounced UEFA president Lennart Johansson 111-80 at the FIFA Congress in Paris and succeeded Havelange who had retired after 24 years in the job.

The FA backed Blatter's presidency in 1998, but in 2003 supported Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, who was well beaten by Blatter with a landslide 139-56 vote victory. Analysis of the votes afterwards indicated that not all of Europe backed Johansson and Africa was split in its support of Hayatou.

The 61-year-old Bin Hammam is in danger of losing the vote against the 75-year-old Blatter, if Europe is persuaded to back Blatter.

Pakistan bundle out Australia for 176

2011-03-19T23:31:00.000+05:00

A devastating bowling and fielding display by Pakistan saw Australia dismissed for just 176 in Colombo on Saturday - their lowest World Cup total since 1992.

Pacemen Umar Gul (3-30) and Abdul Razzaq (2-8) exposed the untested Australian batting after Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat on a seemingly flat pitch, which had traces of grass.

All the other bowlers chipped in with one wicket apiece as only Brad Haddin (42), Michael Clarke (34) and Steve Smith (25) offered resistance in a match where the winner will top Group A.

Pakistan, the last team to beat Australia in a World Cup way back in 1999, pressured Australia from the start and did not relinquish their grip as the defending champions lost their last seven wickets for just 59 runs.

Pakistan, who opened the attack with left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman from one end, forced an early breakthrough when paceman Gul bowled opener Shane Watson with a sharp incoming delivery for nine.

Haddin added 63 for the second wicket with Ricky Ponting (19) before Pakistan struck twice, with Mohammad Hafeez removing the Australian skipper off a miscued cut, caught by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.

Umpire Marais Erasmus of South Africa turned down a vociferous appeal before Pakistan successfully overturned the verdict on review to leave Australia 75-2.

Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz then had Haddin caught behind by Kamran in the 24th over. Haddin hit three boundaries and a six during his 80-ball knock.

Pakistan then took four crucial wickets in the space of just 30 runs to reduce the Australians to 147-7.

Cameron White was smartly run out by Misbah-ul-Haq when the batsmen tried to steal a quick single, before Razzaq bowled Clarke.

Pakistan removed dangerman Michael Hussey (12), caught off a miscued drive at short mid-wicket off Rehman, who finished with 1-34, and Mitchell Johnson (nought) was the next to go.

Gul removed Jason Krejza and Brett Lee cheaply to wrap the Australian innings for their sixth lowest World Cup total.

Pakistan left out Shoaib Akhtar, who on Thursday announced he would retire but brought in Umar Akmal for opener Ahmed Shahzad.

University of Gujrat Convocation 2011

2011-03-17T12:57:00.000+05:00

The University of Gujrat Second Convocation 2011

The University of Gujrat Second Convocation 2010

Hawk-Eye near agreement with FIFA over goal-line technology tests

2011-03-15T10:45:00.000+05:00

By Kevin Coulson

The final frontier for goal-line technology could be upon us – with Hawk-Eye hoping to start trials in the Barclays Premier League next season.

On March 5, FIFA decided that it would allow another year of testing for systems which, if successful, would make 'goals' that referees fail to award a thing of the past.

It follows the uproar in last year's World Cup after millions of England fans saw a Frank Lampard shot cross the line against Germany, only for the referee to allow play to carry on.

Controversy: FIFA have been searching for a solution to the chaos that reigned during the World Cup

None of the 10 companies that were invited to test for FIFA recently were able to comply with the stringent criteria for approval – that a decision must be reached within 1sec and be 100per cent accurate.

Crucially though, Hawk-Eye, the company that has revolutionised the cricket and tennis worlds with its review system, was not involved as they needed a stadium for their tests.

But the British firm have been assured they are still part of the process and the system’s inventor Dr Paul Hawkins is confident they will be able to start testing soon.

He said: 'We will speak to FIFA over the next week or so to get the detail, but it looks positive I think.

'Obviously we have to understand how they are going to test but I think there is a will there and hopefully we can learn from them and also advise on our experience in other sports as to the way [forward].

'It got as far as it could get three years ago when we had a system set up at Reading that worked in all instances.

Solution: The Hawk-Eye system is already widely used in tennis and cricket

'This plan with the Premier League is to put it into three stadia, and have it as a blind trial for six months to understand any teething problems and just to make it really a bit more mature.

'Once [FIFA] previously decided to finish testing they didn’t want to go ahead with it and there wasn’t a commercial reason for carrying on and putting it into stadia. And also they actively said that no goal-line technology is allowed to be put into stadia so we would have been breaking IFAB rules.'

But now FIFA appear to be on board with secretary general, Jerome Valcke, saying: 'The decision is, do we extend the tests, which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for? Maybe we will do the next tests in England and in a stadium.

'If something is working then why not? [FIFA’s president] Sepp Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that’s working we have to accept it.'

Praying for answers: FIFA President Sepp Blatter is a fierce critic of technology in the game

Although the plan is not to extend tests beyond 2012, if they are successful Blatter says the technology would be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil if approved in time. And with Hawk-Eye being taken over by technology giants Sony last week it is surely looking bright that the issue will be resolved.

Hawkins, who is not sure which venues will be used in the testing yet, added: 'We can now put it into stadia – that’s my working assumption. Now they actively want to do it, but it’s not to actually be used for matches.

'We’ll have the technology there to be used for our own purposes or be sent to an independent person in the stands so they can monitor the progress of the system.

'Obviously we would never be able to release anything to the press, so if there was, in whichever stadium we put it in, a controversial goal then we would have to keep that to ourselves.

'Our hope is that we can install it in an English stadium. My hope is we will be able to install, realistically it will be next football season.'

Next President FIFA

2011-03-13T09:06:00.000+05:00

Lord Palmerston's oft-quoted observation that "nations have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests" goes double for the often murky world of international football politics. The lesson of the past 13 years at Fifa has been that running for presidency is a high-risk, expensive pursuit and that, in the end, Sepp Blatter wins.

But the charismatic Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam, a youthful 61, has been watching and waiting for his chance ever since he ascended to the gilded elite of the Fifa executive board in 1996. During that time he has often played a key role in maintaining Blatter's powerbase but recognises that, with Michel Platini, the Uefa president, potentially targeting 2015 for a tilt at the Fifa job, it could be now or never.

The Asian Football Confederation president has learned from Blatter's pragmatism and eye for the long game. A battle two years ago to hold on to his Asian powerbase in the face of a challenge from Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, backed by the Korean Chung Moon-joon, was characterised by lurid personal attacks from both sides, including a threatened decapitation and alleged mafioso behaviour.

Shortly afterwards they made up in an attempt to plot a potential challenge to Blatter. But the Fifa president has already seen off the independent-minded Hyundai scion Chung, surprisingly evicted by his own confederation this year with Blatter's backing.

Blatter has long known that, if there is to be a challenge, it will be from the east – and probably from Bin Hammam. A largely self-made multimillionaire businessman, he was in on the ground floor of the rapid growth in Doha during the 1970s and 1980s. His Kemco group of companies, encompassing construction, real estate and drilling divisions, was taken into his sole ownership in 1985.

He now devotes most of his time to football, like many others he saw in football a route to global influence and has been president of the AFC for nine years. During that time he has tilted the balance of power towards the Middle East and changed the face of football in the region – largely using Europe as his model.

Perhaps unsurprisingly Bin Hammam's background contains the key ingredients for success in an oil-rich Middle Eastern state: close links to the ruling royal family and a background in business.

He claims to have been a football fanatic since childhood and was elected president of the Qatari club Al Rayyan, a position he held for 15 years from 1972. The club's success – albeit in a country that still has little appetite for football – opened up new doors, including stints as president of the Qatari Volleyball Association and Qatari Table Tennis Association. That may sound inconsequential but anything that might offer a route to International Olympic Committee or Fifa positions – seen as key for advancing the interests of ambitious, fast-growing nations – is prized. Across much of Asia and the Middle East, royal, political and sporting influence is heavily intertwined.

For the ambitious Bin Hammam, four years atop the Qatari FA from 1992 provided a route on to the Fifa executive committee in 1996 – in no small part due to Blatter's patronage. He was believed to have played a key role in funding Blatter's 1998 campaign for the presidency and again in 2002, leaving the grateful Swiss beholden to him. As Blatter toured the world touting for votes, with particular focus on Africa, in a private jet funded by the Saudi royal family, Bin Hammam was a familiar sight at his side.

But the pair fell out in 2009, when Bin Hammam believed Blatter reneged on an agreement to stand aside after two terms as president. Since then the pair have been building support and trying to undermine each other.

A frequent sight at international football gatherings, Bin Hammam combines the urbane modernity of the region's dash for expansion with adherence to tradition. He more than tolerates the questions of journalists, assidiously courting them if he feels they can be of use, but only on his own terms.

In an interview with the Guardian two years ago, Bin Hammam set out his philosophy, aligning the AFC with the growth of the global economy: "Within 20 years, Asia is going to lead world football. We have 3.7bn people – even if you only attract the interest of the Asians, you'll have two-thirds of the world's population. Asia also has a strong economy. Think about India, China, Japan, the Middle East."

On his blog, in true heir-to-Blatter style, he wrote: "I am fully committed to steering football into all nooks and corners around the world, to spread its vibrant cheer across the planet, to utilise the game's beauty as a catalyst for social change and, finally, to enshrine its elevating experience as a way of life."

Nor does he lack for self-confidence. In the wake of Qatar's extraordinary victory to host the 2022 World Cup, he posted a letter from his son Hamad on his personal site: "I am the luckiest person in the world to be your son … I would be lucky to be, not half the man you are, but quarter of the man you are," it read.

Another key factor will be the attitude of the Qatari royal family to Bin Hammam's bid and wider geopolitical considerations in the Middle East. Some of the region's royal families, now under pressure from popular protests, that tend to dominate positions of power are said to resent the fact that a non-royal has assumed such a key role.

Even before he helped to deliver the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, Bin Hammam was considered the third most powerful man in the sport and has forged powerful links with the biggest forces in club football, including the Premier League's Richard Scudamore. He was one of those who initially torpedoed the ill-conceived "game 39" plan, but has since said he would "welcome" competitive English matches in the region.

Bin Hammam was not a member of the Qatari bid team for 2022 but without his influence inside the executive committee room the bid to take a small but rich nation with little footballing heritage and next to no infrastructure would have had no chance of success – even allowing for its huge budget.

Having lit the fuse just over a year ago on speculation that he would stand, he has spent the time since calibrating his chances of success. Bin Hammam will present himself as a bold reforming candidate, promising changes in the name of transparency and good governance. He understands how to play the media, is active on his blog and on Facebook.

But some will question whether someone who has been at the heart of the Fifa machine for 15 years can really offer a new broom. He was also one of the most virulent in his criticism of the British media's investigations into corruption during the World Cup bidding process. Others will feel that anyone but Blatter will represent progress.

Thatta Kedona

2011-03-12T23:41:00.000+05:00

The cluster of mud and brick houses in the plains of Punjab, Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (aka dolls village) looks like a typical Pakistani village about 80 kilometres away from Lahore and 40 kilometres from Indus civilization ruins in Harappa. There is no gas or telephone in the village. No asphalt roads lead to it. Yet it is different, the beautiful dolls and other handicrafts made by the village folks are collectors' delight all over the world. Influencers from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought by the German volunteers can be seen in the village together.

The dolls made in the village are on display in international doll museum in Iceland, prestigious galleries and showrooms in Pakistan and abroad. TGD village doll project was one of the 767 worldwide projects presented in the "Themepark" at expo 2000 in Hannover (Germany) as an example of thinking of twenty first century. Earlier, the dolls from Pakistan participated in international toy fair in Nuremberg. These dolls show how culture goes beyond simple work of art and becomes collaboration among applied and natural sciences as well as other forces that affect our lives.

Thatta Kedona is a project, first of its kind, in rural area where handmade quality dolls and toys are crafted using all indigenous material and traditional designs based on cultural and folklore themes. The workmanship of the dolls and toys has acclaimed international recognition and clientele through their participation in numerous international events, exhibitions, fairs and display at International Doll Museum Iceland and Deutsche Gesellschafr zur Foerderung der Kultar, Germany. These toys are the embodiment of dreams, hopes and most of all self-reliance of the hands, which breathe a part of the soul into them.

How all this started? A Pakistan studying in Germany, Amjad Ali who is a native of village TGD invited his German teachers Dr. Senta Siller to visit his village back home. Dr. Senta Siller along with Dr. Norbert Pinstch came to the village where they were presented a doll made by a local woman. Dr. Senta Siller was impressed by the doll and liked the natural and simple village life. She decided to work for the village; established NGO Anjumane-e-Falah-e-Aama and started community based Woman Art Centre in TGD in 1992. The aim of this centre is to involve local womenfolk in productive, creative and healthy income generating activities. For men Dr. Norbert Pintsch established Technology Transfer and Training Centre (TTTC). This created awareness and built confidence among the village folks and they started making dolls and toys on self-help biases that are marketed all over the world. The village and its residents are benefiting in the process.

This is a holistic project. Handicraft is in the spot on the stage but the project has a cultural philosophy. Education, science, agriculture, hydrogeology (drinking water project), appropriate technology, public health, economy (marketing, distribution), tourism and communication, are all in practice.

TTTC is concentrating on improved agricultural techniques and other suitable jobs for men. Also, carpenters, blacksmiths and tailors in the village are profitably involved in production for the TTTC for men. On Dr. Norbert Pintsch's arrival in Pakistan this time (November 2007), Nation took a chance to ask him about goals, the motives and motivations.

"The goals of the project are self-help activities at a grass roots levels, holistic village development, empowerment of women, income generation, and literacy and vocational training, says Dr. Norbert Pintsch. The philosophy working behind this selfless work is "preservation of cultural heritage, reduction of migration to cities by creating additional income in the village and future is in the rural areas," he added.

Dolls from Pakistan in authentic attires of the specific tribes, communities and areas and thematic toys tempt tourists and diplomats. They collect these dolls as a souvenir of the time they spent in Pakistan. "During last seven years, the Pakistani dolls have travelled in suitcases of our client to 40 different countries. They (dolls) sit in the ambassadors' residences not only in Islamabad, but accompany them to the next and second next posting. I have met TGD dolls in the Japanese ambassador's home in Jakarta and also in the German embassy in Damascus," tells Dr. Norbert Pintsch with pride and pleasure. "Part of the artists go where ever the dolls go," says a young artist. Each doll has a small plate attached carrying the name of the doll maker.

Doll making is one of the oldest and popular folk art in Pakistan. Simple stuffed dolls are made for children particularly in rural areas where people are still striving for the attainment of basic needs. The main difference of previous doll making and the modern techniques taught by Dr. Senta is that she has introduced variety in size and shapes and dresses them in colourful costumes with attentions to details. This has resulted in high quality soft toys to cater to demands of the gift market.

Work of Dr. Norbert Pintsch and Dr. Senta Siller has not only moved the people of area but also raised a spacious and simple building for the Women Art Centre and TTTC with the help of different donors. Now there are as many as 120 women from the age of 24 to 40 working in both the centres making dolls dressed in regional (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan, Balochi, Kashmiri and Kalash) embroider costumes, miniatures, hand knitted shawls tin rickshaws and other toys and earning their living. They are making their own lives better and strengthening their families. "They (the women) are moving towards true equality and independence" says a doll maker who has twelve year of schooling, is married in this village and working in the Centre.

Village TGD is changing. The relative prosperity has beginning to show. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. The Centre has provided furniture and other equipment to the primary school in village and opened a well equipped health care centre. An annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best houses are selected in three different categories.

This seems to be one of the unique and best self help project anywhere in Pakistan.

Afridi hints at changes for remaining matches

2011-03-10T08:51:00.002+05:00

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Wednesday urged his team to learn the lessons of the 110-run defeat against New Zealand.

The Black Caps rode on a brilliant unbeaten 131 by Ross Taylor to post a challenging 302-7 before Tim Southee removed the top order with a burst of three early wickets to bowl Pakistan out for 192.

“There were quite a few lessons to be learned from the defeat, especially those chances we gave to Taylor and when you give such chances to a player like him he makes you pay,” said Afridi.

Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal let Taylor off twice in the same Shoaib Akhtar over – once when the batsman was on nought and then on eight – allowing two straightforward chances to slip past him.

Afridi said his bowlers were poor in the death overs when New Zealand plundered 139 runs off the last 10 overs.

“I think the way we started with the ball was good, but then the missed chances maybe demoralised the bowlers and they were very poor in the end,” said Afridi.

Afridi hoped his top order batsmen will show improvement in the next game, against Zimbabwe on Monday.

“Our top order did not work well although we have given them the time to settle down and this was the first time we were chasing. We need to learn how to bat while chasing,” said Afridi.

“Taylor took the game away from us although the bowlers had reverse swing.

But the way he played was brilliant and he took the game away from us,” said the Pakistan captain.

Pakistan now have six points from four matches, second in Group A behind New Zealand who also have six points but a better net run-rate.

Co-hosts Sri Lanka (five points from four) and Australia (five from three) are third and fourth respectively.

Afridi hinted Kamran’s younger brother, Umar can be handed the gloves, if needed.

“Keeping with Umar is very much an option and we might try it in the next game,” Afridi told GEO tv in Pakistan, of the same option which team used against South Africa in a one-dayer last year.

He also defended Kamran’s hard work.

“If you see Kamran train, he puts in a lot of hard work. I don’t know why luck deserted him. He is also upset about his performance and he realizes it too.”

FIFA politicking World Cup qualifying spots

2011-03-06T10:39:00.000+05:00

The inner machinations of football politics have risen to the fore once again. In what has mainly gone unnoticed by the Australian football media, the FIFA Executive convened on Thursday to decide the continental allocations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA has decided to change the format of the half playoff spots. Whereas for 2010 an AFC team played an OFC team, and North played South America, for 2014 a ‘random’ draw will be conducted in July to determine which confederation plays each other.

The two confederations who stand to be affected adversely through this determination are Asia and Oceania. Simply put, both were blindsided by CONCACAF politicking.

On Wednesday, CONCACAF’s American Secretary General, along with fellow FIFA Executive member and CONCACAF president, Jack Warner, proclaimed to the world that they deserved an upgrade from their existing 3.5 places to a full 4 spots.

“From both a sporting and political perspective we believe we warrant the extra half-place… politically, we have the number of countries to warrant it and our countries’ performances in the World Cup have demonstrated that we deserve it,” he said.

They wanted the status quo to change in their favour. Could you blame them? A mediocre Central American team like Costa Rica, Honduras or Panama, or Caribbean Island such as Trinidad or Jamaica do not stand a chance at qualifying against a South American team. However, this was a mere smokescreen.

Blazer would have been well aware the possibility of him stealing a spot from Africa, Asia or South America was slim, but he knew his teams stood a much better chance of qualification if the route through South America was augmented.

But this article is not about whether CONCACAF deserves more representation in Brazil, nor the quality, or lack-there-of in CONCACAF (frankly, I’m of the firm belief that outside of the USA and Mexico, there is very little footballing quality or a nation with a significant population in that confederation; their 3.5 should be reduced to 3 or 2.5 births). This article is about the lack of foresight shown by Asia and Oceania’s football politicians.

With no disrespect intended to New Zealand or Oceania, each Confederation would see their candidate having a 65-95 per cent chance of qualifying against the Oceania champion. The fact that New Zealand qualified against Bahrain was an anomaly. Bahrain themselves should not have been the Asian candidate.

A 95th minute winner was needed in Tashkent from a bullet Mahmoud ‘Ringo’ Abdulrahman freekick; another Ringo freekick against Uzbekistan in Manama; and a scrappy goal off a set-piece against Qatar in Manama to get to the AFC playoff.

Here, the stars aligned in stoppage time for Bahrain, where they went behind in the 91st minute against Saudi, only to score an away goal winner in the 94th minute in Riyadh to get to face New Zealand. Kiwi scenes of euphoria would not have been so if Bahrain converted their 50th minute penalty in Wellington, or if they had their scoring boots on in Manama where they botched chance after chance.

The continent that faces Oceania would fancy their chances; conversely the continent that faces South American opposition tends to quiver in their boots, hence the great demand by Blazer and co to change the status quo.

Mohammed bin Hammam and David Chung (PNG President of Oceania) must see the change as a setback. Mohammed bin Hammam had the opportunity to go to the Executive meeting in Zurich and offer an olive branch to Oceania. The final Asia qualifying round consists of 10 teams in two groups of five.

In every single pre-determined match day, one team has a bye. Asia could have and should have welcomed the winner and runner-up of the Oceania Nations Cup into the final round of AFC qualifying. New Caledonia or Solomon Islands would almost certainly finish last in their groups, while New Zealand would have to show remarkable consistency over 10 entire games, and would not be favoured to finish higher than third.

The benefits for Oceania here would have been the opportunity to get two teams theoretically into the World Cup. The main benefit for Asia would be a virtual guarantee of five teams qualifying for Brazil, without having to make a single change to the existing qualifying format or matchday schedule. But common sense did not prevail.

Bin Hammam chanced his hand that the status quo of the AFC/OFC playoff would remain. It did not. Now an Asian team faces the nigh-on-impossible task of an away trip to South America as a distinct possibility.

David Chung dispelled the notion that the route for Oceania was now harder in the New Zealand press: “They’re all hard. Anyone who says that playing through the Asian route is easy has got rocks in their heads. It was tough and the boys will tell you it was, and they overcame that.”

Naturally, David, the route to the World Cup for any of your teams is incredibly difficult, but clearly you would much rather the prospect of a playoff against Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Iran or Saudi rather than Uruguay, Chile, Columbia or Ecuador.

Class Reunion

2011-03-06T09:52:00.000+05:00

Lahore School Alumni Meet Up, also at Khabarmana, Lahore School, Logic is Variable

When Canada gets women's World Cup

2011-03-02T15:44:00.002+05:00

It’s all but official. Canada will host the 2015 Women’s World Cup after their lone opposition for the bid, Zimbabwe, dropped out of the race Tuesday. But the Canadian Soccer Association isn’t celebrating yet.

“(Canada) has not been awarded the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli. “FIFA has reiterated that each bid stands on its own merit and we will continue to respect the process as established by FIFA.”

The official FIFA announcement will be made Thursday from Zurich, Switzerland.

The CSA presented their bid-book to FIFA mid-February and came out of the presentation feeling entirely optimistic about their chances of hosting the 2015 tournament. Last week, Montopoli said being named host would be a “great victory for the CSA” and re-iterated they will be on-site in Zurich for Thursday’s announcement.

Although the potential Canadian host cities have not been named, Toronto isn’t believed to among them. Toronto and the GTA are hosting the Pan-Am Games July 2015, with many of the dates seemingly conflicting with the traditional Women’s World Cup calendar.

Potential host cities include Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax or Moncton. Proper stadiums would have to be built in the latter locations, with federal dollars contributing to costs and construction.

The 2015 Women’s World Cup will be bigger and busier than ever before, with the tournament expanding from 16 to 24 teams and from 32 to 52 matches.

Canada had originally bid for the 2011 Women’s World Cup, losing out to Germany. Canada and Germany were the only two countries making official bids for 2011. With Canada the last country standing this time around, FIFA has to be concerned by the lack of interest among nations to host women’s soccer’s marquee event.

Canada opens the 2011 Women’s World Cup June 26th against host Germany in Berlin.

Mess over 2022 World Cup

2011-02-25T09:06:00.000+05:00

This is getting ridiculous. Qatar’s head of state, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani (try saying that ten times fast with a mouth full of cornflakes) has told reporters that a public vote would now be taken to find out if the people want the World Cup in 2022 at the height of their muscle-melting summer (June-July) or the comparatively cooler winter (Jan-Feb).

You’d have thought this whole thing would be a non-issue, well in advance of the Qataris even bidding to host the thing.

But no, here we go on the seasonal merry-go-round once more.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter had initially said that the Cup might be moved to winter, presumably to placate European teams who don’t want their players being fried alive in 50-degree celsius mid-day heat.

Then it went back to sticking with summer, as that’s how it’s always been – which sounds entirely sensible to me. Especially when there was all that talk about Qatar’s bid including supposedly fanciful air-conditioned stadiums and all that.

As reported on The World Game online, the Sheikh spoke during a visit by David Cameron, the British Prime Minister.

Worse was to come.

The Prime Minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al Thani (try saying… no, maybe not) announced to the world in a Nicholas Watt article for London’s Guardian that he knows nothing much about anything to do with football, really.

“I do not know the rules,” the PM said.

“I like sport, of course, but I am not involved.”

Hmm. I think most politicians of a country attempting to host the world’s biggest single sporting event would have ducked out of the palace for a quick scan of “The Complete History Of The FIFA World Cup” from the local library before making a statement like that one.

According to the World Game, only three weeks ago, Blatter had presumably confirmed it would be summer – and no more ifs, buts or maybes about it.

A month before that, it was going to be in the northern hemisphere winter.

“I am not in favour of one or the other,” Blatter added helpfully, according to The World Game on February 7.

“I think, for the time being the matter is on ice.”

It sounds like no-one knows what’s going on any more. Either Blatter or someone on the Qatari organising committee needs to play the www.zipit.com game popularised by Austin Powers movie villain Dr Evil.

Getting back to it all being on ice, however, now there’s an alternative World Cup worth thinking about; why not have it all on ice.

Maybe that was what El Presidente Sepp really meant? It would certainly eradicate the seasonal argumentativeness altogether.

On ice – indoors, devoid of any other climatic concerns. How about Pluto? That’s made of ice, isn’t it? Not accepted as an official planet, now, though.

That wouldn’t get past the FIFA Executive Committee – when a world isn’t a proper world you can’t hold a World Cup there. Closer to home we must look.

The Arctic Circle? There’s plenty of ice there. And cold summers, too. The polar bears might try to stage a few pitch invasions, Qatari security staff may have their work cut-out in that department, and what with all those arctic ground squirrels, too.

Let’s try the other end of the world, then, the Antarctic. There’s no less than 60 venues available, with accommodation on-site as well.

Half of them would even be open during the high tourist season of summer. Perfect for the Cup, then.

And if the ticket prices are too expensive for most fans, FIFA could always bus in a load of Emperor penguins for the day.

Watchdog Vows to Take Football Fight to FIFA

2011-02-24T11:55:00.000+05:00

A group of former Indonesian football officials said it was planning to send representatives to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland to expose corruption in the domestic league.

Indonesia Football Watch, which also counts lawmakers and journalists as members, was established on Wednesday with the objective of “showing concern for the current state of football in the country.”

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker Sumaryoto, former chief of the Indonesian Football Association’s (PSSI) provincial branch in Central Java, was named chairman.

IFW founder Max Sopacua, a Democratic Party legislator, is the group’s deputy chairman.

Max said they would form a special team to meet with officials of world football’s governing body in Zurich and reveal “the true nature of Indonesian football.”

He said they were looking to hold the meeting before the PSSI leadership election on March 26.

“We will explain to them the state of the game during the term of PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid,” Max said on Wednesday. “We’ll tell them that Nurdin has been twisting FIFA’s own rules to serve his own purposes.”

Nurdin is nearing the end of his second term at the helm of the PSSI, which sanctions the mainstay Indonesian Super League.

His leadership has been largely considered a failure, with the country underperforming in international competitions and corruption allegations tainting his eight-year reign.

Frustration with Nurdin has boiled over in recent weeks, as he prepares to run for an unprecedented third term as the association’s chairman.

Max said he believed the recent unprecedented wave of nationwide protests demanding that Nurdin step aside would leave him no choice but to abandon his plan to seek re-election.

“Those protesters, they are the voice of our country, the ones who are concerned over the current state of football and where it’s headed,” he said.

“They have sacrificed time with their loved ones to be here in Jakarta and take part in the protests,” he added. “I believe Nurdin will listen to their voices and resign.”

Hundreds of people continued to arrive in the capital on Wednesday to take part in protests that began the previous day.

They gathered at PSSI’s main office at Bung Karno Stadium to demand a revamp of the association, beginning with Nurdin’s resignation.

They said they would not leave the sports complex until the PSSI chairman stepped down.

“They’ve damaged football and it’s clearly time for them to go,” Priyanto, a fan of top-flight East Java club Persibo Bojonegoro, said of the association.

The demonstrators blockaded the PSSI office and put up a banner declaring, “Revolusi PSSI Harga Mati,” which translates as: “We stand firm. We’re all for a revolution.”

“We are not supporting any candidate running for chairman in the PSSI election,” Priyanto said. “We just want to see improvements, and the protests will continue until such changes are made.”

About 200 officers from the Tanah Abang Police stood guard while an armored vehicle was put on standby during the protests.

“We are ready to respond if things get out of control, but I hope that there will be no chaos,” Tanah Abang Police Chief Adj. Sr. Commr. Johanson Ronald Simamora said.

Similar protests were held in a number of other cities across the country, including Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, where dozens of protesters reportedly burned pictures of Nurdin.

Douala

2011-02-24T11:53:00.000+05:00

Douala is the capital of Cameroon’s Littoral Province and the largest city of the country. Most people know Cameroon, by Douala, in other words it is the identity of the country. Besides that, Douala also has another significant importance in the region as it is home to Cameroon’s largest port and its major international airport “Douala Airport”. Both airport and the “port” serve as gateway to not only Cameroon but also a connecting point for neighboring countries such as central Africa, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

In 1986, Douala became a Sister City of Philadelphia and Akhisar, Turkey mainly because it is the largest port in West Africa and the unofficial economic capital of the Cameroon. The richly diverse population that represents more than 130 ethnic groups in Douala was last estimated 1,448,300. The name “Douala” has its origin from early 17th century and it is believed that it was actually named after a tribe that settled in the coastal area of Cameroon.

Being the biggest port in the region, Douala serves as commercial capital of the country. Consequently, it handles most of the country’s major exports, such as oil, cocoa and coffee, timber, metals and fruits. This also makes Douala the richest city in the whole CEMAC region (Communauté Economique et Monetaire de l’Afrique Centrale), consisting of 11 African countries. Other countries, member of CEMAC are Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. On an overall basis, the CEMAC region is rich in mineral resources, with oil and gas exports accounting for almost 80 per cent of the West African region’s total exports, however, despite the abundance of natural resources, the majority of the population in the member states still lives in a below poverty line conditions. The key institutional bodies of CEMAC, such as the Conference of Heads of State, the Council of Ministers and the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) are also based in Cameroon.

For a tourist, Douala is an excellent location situated on an estuary of the River Wouri that represents a delightful mosaic of colorful markets, historic churches and museums unfolding vibrant and rich African history. Also one prominent attraction is the equatorial forest on Douala’s outskirts that serves as a sanctuary for dozens of species of birds, animals and plants. X-posted from CAT

Ronaldo retires

2011-02-15T08:43:00.002+05:00

Three-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldo announced his retirement from football on Monday in an emotional press conference which brought an end to his 18-year career.

The 34-year-old former Brazil striker, who in 2006 became the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, cited injury and a lack of fitness as the reasons behind his decision to end his contract with Sao Paulo-based club Corinthians.

"As you can imagine and you heard during the whole weekend, I'm here to (confirm that) I'm closing my career as a professional player," the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid star told reporters at a press conference.

Ronaldo, who has struggled with his weight in recent years, also revealed that he has hypothyroidism -- an illness which affects the body's metabolism.

Ronaldo retiring but not leaving

"Four years ago at Milan I discovered I was suffering from a complaint called hypothyroidism, which slows down your metabolism, and to control it I would have to take some hormones that are not permitted in football because of anti-doping (rules)," he said.

"The pain made me anticipate the end of my career. My career was beautiful, was wonderful. I've had many defeats but infinite victories."

Has Rooney joined the ranks of football's immortals?

Ronaldo has won the World Cup twice, in 1994 and 2002, and his 15 goals in football's premier tournament is a record.

The two-time Copa America winner played for some of football's most-famous clubs, and also had spells at PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan during his 13 years in Europe.

My career was beautiful, was wonderful. I've had many defeats but infinite victories

--Ronaldo

Happy Birthday Boys

2011-02-14T09:58:00.000+05:00

In our regular Sunday feature, we bring you the names of some of the best-known figures on Planet Football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.

13. Luisao (30) celebrates a milestone birthday today. The Brazilian joined Portuguese top flight outfit Benfica back in January 2004, after starting his career in Belo Horizonte with Cruzeiro. However, although he has 42 international caps, the tall centre-back has yet to appear at the FIFA World Cup™ finals. He played every game for Brazil at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, but coach Dunga opted not to nominate him for the global showdown the following summer.

14. Kevin Keegan (60) is a living legend of the game in his home country of England. The versatile striker spent his illustrious playing career with the likes of Liverpool, Hamburg and Newcastle United. He represented the Three Lions at the1982 FIFA World Cup, but major honours with his country were never forthcoming.

15. David and Philipp Degen (28) rate as the best-known Swiss sporting twins of all time. David has plied his trade on home soil with Young Boys Berne since 2008, whereas his brother Philipp signed a loan deal with Stuttgart last August after failing to make the breakthrough with Liverpool.

16. Angelo Peruzzi (41) spent his entire career in Italy. The keeper became a Serie A legend after spells with Roma, Hellas, Juventus, Inter and finally Lazio, where he hung up his gloves three-and-a-half years ago. He was a member of the Squadra Azzurra at two major tournaments, with contrasting outcomes: UEFA EURO 1996 was disappointing for the Italians, but the 2006 FIFA World Cup ended in triumph.

17. Giuseppe Signori (43) belonged to a previous generation of Italian stars, although he was on the losing side when the south Europeans fell on penalties to Brazil in the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final in the USA. A diminutive figure at just 5"7, the striker’s success was based on explosive pace and sublime technique. The best spell of his Serie A career came with Lazio, where he went for goal from 1992 to 1997. He last played competitively in 2006 for Hungarian outfit Sopron.

18. Roberto Baggio (44) is the third Italian to feature on our birthday roll of honour this week, although he too remembers the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final for al the wrong reasons, as it was his missed penalty which ultimately sealed Brazil’s triumph. The Divine Ponytail, so-called for his trademark hairstyle and his Buddhist beliefs, also represented his country at the 1990 finals on home soil, and the 1998 edition in France. Baggio’s clubs included Juventus, both AC and Inter Milan, and finally Brescia, where he called time on his playing career in 2004. In August 2010, he joined the Italian FA as Technical Director.

19. Enzo Scifo (45) rates as one of the greatest players ever to emerge from Belgium. The gifted playmaker represented the Red Devils at a total of four FIFA World Cup tournaments. He spent his club career at home in Belgium, with later spells in Italy and France. After hanging up his boots, he took the reins at Belgian top flight outfit Excelsior Mouscron from 2007 to 2009.

Ghana Back Out Of Bid For Two FIFA World Cups

2011-02-11T09:34:00.002+05:00

By K.N.S Mensah

According to the Ghana News Agency west African country Ghana are no longer interested in hosting the 2013 FIFA Under-17 and 2014 Women’s Under-17 World Cups.

The report quoted a source within government to have attributed the sudden withdrawal to limited time and budgetary constraints.

Ghana would have been required to build two new stadiums as well as upgrade the existing four to FIFA standards if they had pursued the bidding process and won.

Denmark and the United Arab Emirates would now be contending for the hosting rights that would be announced in March.

The U-17 side of Ghana won the 1991 tournament in Italy and Ecuador 1995 but have failed to qualify for the last two editions of the tournament.

Qatar to Pay for World Cup Out of Pocket

2011-02-11T09:30:00.000+05:00

Qatar’s government will pay for the 2022 World Cup simply out of its own cash flow.

Qatari bid leadership celebrate their World Cup win in Zurich on Dec. 2. (Getty Images)

Reports from the United Arab Emirates say that oil and gas projects in Qatar are expected to yield $130 billion in surplus over the next five years, only $70 billion of which will be needed for infrastructural improvements ahead of the month-long tournament.

"All government-sponsored projects will be cash funded," International Bank of Qatar managing director George Nasra told The National.

That includes a new rail system, roads, airport, deepwater port and a causeway connecting Qatar with Bahrain.

The host country also plans to build nine stadiums and renovate another three.

Assuming the World Cup remains scheduled for the hot summer months, all must be air-conditioned per Qatar's bidding plans.

Nasra’s assessment is in line with analysis made by Standard & Poor’s in a December report.

"We expect most of the infrastructure will be financed via revenues from the oil and gas sectors," S&P credit analyst Luc Marchand was quoted by the Abu Dhabi daily.

Zidane: Bid Backing About Football Growth

Bid CEO Hassan al-Thawadi unveiled Zidane as a surprise bid ambassador during FIFA's inspection visit in September. (WFI/J.Corbett)

Zinedine Zidane says his support of Qatar 2022 wasn’t about the money.

Instead, the French football legend told L’Equipe on Wednesday, he backed the bid because of a desire to spread football throughout the Middle East.

The 38-year-old, who also holds Algerian citizenship, is the greatest footballer of Arab-extraction of all time and was unveiled in September as a surprise ambassador of the oil-rich nation's bid.

Zidane admitted Wednesday he was paid millions of dollars by the bid committee, but nowhere near the $13 to $17 million floated by various media since Qatar’s Dec. 2 triumph.

Bernstein Backs Premier League Boss

Newly appointed Football Association chairman David Bernstein is coming to the defence of his Premier League counterpart.

Premier League boss Dave Richards was portrayed as a potty-mouthed bully Tuesday by former FA chairman David Triesman. (Getty Images)

"Sir Dave Richards has been extremely co-operative,” he told BBC Sport.

“There are of course natural tensions [in the game]. But there's a mutuality of interest where the good of the national game is in all interests.”

Bernstein’s backing comes on the heels of a Tuesday hearing before a Parliamentary select committee investigating English football management during which former FA chief David Triesman tore into Richards, who he portrayed as a potty-mouthed bully.

"My experience is he will put his point politely in board meetings but discussions outside are extremely aggressive discussions, really aggressive discussions, points are made in a very colorful manner,” Triesman said of Richards.

“I wouldn't use that language. This is a very, very macho sport. I think some people have cultivated what they think of as being the language of the dressing room as appropriate everywhere."

Transfer System Passes First Test, FIFA Says

FIFA’s newly implemented Transfer Matching System is thus far a success.

Though its use was mandated for all international transfers back in October, the January 2011 window marked its first real test, one TMS general manager Mark Goddard says the online software passed with ease.

“At the peak of the window there were 115 member associations who were open for business”, he was quoted by FIFA.com.

“In basic terms, that means that more than half the football planet was using our system, and we’re very pleased that we had no operational issues.”

The system, complete with a countdown clock to the moment a window closes, accounted for 2,451 transfers in January with a combined value of $320 million.

“The implementation of the system is a big step-change in the way that international football transfers are conducted, and we won’t be resting on our laurels,” Goddard said.

“Next month we will start another series of workshops and visits to gain feedback from FIFA’s member associations to see if we can improve things further.

By INSIDER’s Matthew Grayson

FIFA international calendar

2011-02-09T09:23:00.000+05:00

Europe's top clubs have expressed "major concerns on how world football is governed". Following their general assembly in Geneva, the 136 clubs of the European Club Association rejected Fifa proposals to expand the international calendar and registered their anger at a lack of consultation over whether to hold the Qatar 2022 World Cup in the winter. Fifa has added eight dates for international fixtures to the calendar, including the current round of friendlies.

"I wouldn't say we are at war – the clubs are very patient – but we have our limits," said the Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell.

Umberto Gandini, a Milan director and vice-chairman of the ECA, said: "There is not a national team manager or a club manager who is happy there is an international friendly match tomorrow. It's just nonsense. We suddenly realised that Fifa can alter the international calendar when they like."

The Manchester United chief executive, David Gill, who is on the ECA board, said the debate over whether to move the 2022 World Cup had not been dealt with correctly.

"There has been concern obviously in the way this debate has manifested itself," he said. "That is the view of more than 100 clubs and the European leagues. This is a major thing that will have ramifications for club football for three seasons. For it to happen in that way was somewhat surprising. This is an issue that has not been dealt with correctly."

The ECA announced a set of "new basic principles" it would like to see in place regarding the international calendar. It proposed a maximum of one international tournament per player per year and national team "periods" instead of single dates.

Michele Centenaro, the ECA general secretary, said: "The ECA primarily questions the way Fifa reaches decisions heavily affecting club football without the involvement of the clubs themselves and believes that modern football needs democracy, transparency and certainty of rules."

The intensifying club v country row could have ramifications for this summer's Fifa presidential race. The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, who has argued passionately for the primacy of international football, could be challenged by the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Experience rural life

2011-02-09T09:20:00.000+05:00

Located on the offside, between Okara and Faisalabad, 45 Minutes eastward of Harappa.

100 % EXPERIENCE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE PUNJAB,- A PROGRAMME OF ABSOLUTE CONTRASTS !

NO Swimming Pool - NO Alcohol - NO Buffet - NO Bus - N O ...!

Pre-condition for Participation: Covered skin, Respect for the traditional culture !

- Last war of freedom in the Punjab in 1857, Murder of Lord Berkeley by
the Kharel tribe of TGD
- Region of the best buffaloes of the world as well as cattle thieves;
- AFA / TGD at the EXPO 2000 in Hannover and EXPO 2005 in Aichi
- AFA / TGD silver medal for the dolls project IWSA/UNESCO 2004
- “TV-Programme”: channel ONE-sunset, channel TWO-moonshine and stars

Handicraft production of dolls in traditional dresses of provinces and minorities at the Women Centre

Models of Rickshaws and other metal toys at the Men Centre.

Best time for visits: March and October (as there is no air-conditioner in summer and no heating in winter)

Local Boarding and Lodging is available for visitors @ Pak. Rs. 250 per person per day.

Registration for Transport Lahore - Village:

M.Ilyas, AFA, Showroom Lahore, 0303-7 35 69 86

Registration for Self-Transport: Mr Farooq Ahmad, AFA, Man. Director Men Centre 0300-417 43 60

Mrs Farzana Zahoor, AFA, Man. Director Women Centre 0321-697 21 05

Other Information here and in this site

Super Eagles tumble in FIFA ranking

2011-02-03T09:29:00.000+05:00

Tunde Eludini

The Super Eagles dropped eight places in the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday. The Eagles, who were ranked 32nd last month, now occupy the 40th position.

At this time last year, the Eagles were ranked 15th in the world, but a poor outing at the World Cup followed with other dismal performances has seen the team lose ground. The fall is also due to Nigeria’s inability to play quality friendly matches when it is not engaged international competitions. The Super Eagles are usually idle at periods when other national teams are busy playing friendly matches.

Despite the dip in fortune, the team is still ranked 4th in Africa, behind Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

Missing out

According to FIFA, one of the yard sticks adopted in ranking teams is the outcome of games from friendly matches at periods when international competitions are not on the football calendar.

Only recently, a proposed friendly match with Guatemala billed for February 9 in the United States of America was put on hold as organisers failed to seal an agreement with their opponent. The football federation has however announced that the Eagles will take on fellow West Africans Sierra Leone on the same date in Lagos.

African Ranking

While the Super Eagles will be ruing their fall, current African champions, Egypt were the worst hit in the February ranking. They fell from their previous enviable 10th position to the 33rd spot in the world. The Pharaohs consequently lost out on the continent’s top spot; a position they had consistently held for the past twelve months.

According to FIFA, Egypt’s slump, which puts the North African country in 3rd place on the African ranking, was due to the significant devaluation of the points won a year ago at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

The Black Stars of Ghana are now the highest ranked African team; they occupy the 15th spot in the world, followed by Côte d’Ivoire who are eleven places behind in the 26th spot on the world ranking.

Asian on the rise

There were no changes at the summit of the global ladder with the top nine teams maintaining their positions, but Japan (17th, up 12 places), who became Asian champions for a fourth time in Doha, have re-entered the top 20 after being absent for almost five years.

The Samurai Blue are now the highest-ranked Asian team as well as being the third team - after hosts Brazil and world champions Spain - to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.

The just concluded AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 had a significant impact on the latest edition of the ranking.

Qatar 2011 finalists Australia (21st, up 5 places), as well as semi-finalists Korea Republic (32nd, up 7 spots) and this month’s highest climbers Uzbekistan (77th, up 31 places), rose in the ranking. Other Asian teams on the rise include Iran (44th, up 21 places), Jordan (84th, up 23 places), Iraq (88th, up 10 places) and Qatar (90th, up 15 places).

FIFA Folly

2011-02-02T09:29:00.000+05:00

Japan were crowned football champions of Asia this weekend, defeating Australia during extra-time in Saturday’s close fought Asian Cup final, having eliminated the region’s other footballing power South Korea on penalties in the semi-final. The tournament was also the first major test of Qatar as a major tournament host since FIFA’s surprise decision late last year to award the 2022 World Cup to the rich Gulf state.

Sepp-BlatterThe organisers had been quick to get their excuses in early ahead of the tournament, pointing out that, beyond expats, very few overseas supporters would travel to west Asia for the regional tournament. South Korea’s passionate ‘Red Devils’ fans were expected to number in the tens rather than hundreds of fans. So the tournament didn’t test Qatar’s ability to handle a mass influx of visiting fans.

But it is perfectly fair to use the tournament to gauge the level of popular interest in international football in Qatar itself, with the nation hosting Asia’s premier continental tournament for the first time ever, so soon after being catapulted into the global spotlight as future World Cup hosts.

Would Qatar demonstrate a passion for the game to justify FIFA’s decision? No. The Asian Cup was the tournament of empty seats.

The average attendance was just 12,667 across the 32 games. For group round games not involving the hosts, the average attendance was a paltry 8,199, and even this was much boosted by ex-pats cheering on countries like India. Defending champions Japan played Saudi Arabia watched by just 2,022 supporters, and both China and Australia played in front of fewer than 4,000 fans. Even Iran versus Iraq – usually one for the neutrals – attracted only 10,478: the only time either country played in front of a five-figure crowd in six matches.

Not even the host nation’s games played to capacity crowds. More than 37,000 watched the opening tie in the 50,000 seat Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, yet the stadium was almost empty by the end as thousands left the ground with half an hour to go. Qatar’s crowds fell to under 31,000 by the time Qatar were playing China and 28,339 for the final group game, on which their progress in the tournament depended.

The Japan-South Korea semi-final attracted only 16,171 suppporters, while a half-capacity crowd of 25,000 watched the Australian semi-final. AFP reports that these attendances were boosted by the organisers getting thousands of schoolchildren into the ground following earlier criticisms of empty, atmosphere-less stadia.

The final saw a similar official crowd (37,174) to the opening match, though bizarrely, having attracted a fairly decent though not sell-out crowd, the organisers managed to lock supporters with tickets out, citing security concerns over the attendance of a Royal family, and blaming fans for not turning up earlier: “There was a big crowd outside… The tickets have been issued for six months & [but] people are waiting until the last minute and they want to come to the stadium.”

The Qatari organisers have a very well resourced PR effort. They have claimed that that they sold a higher proportion of the tickets to their (smaller) stadiums than in previous Asian Cup tournaments, but couldn’t then persuade ticket-holders to turn up to the games. It is difficult to see how this improves the outcome, except in showing that an over-reliance on getting corporates to take tickets failed to generate a crowd.

It is true that the Asian Cup does not always attract big crowds, though the Qatari organisers exaggerate this point. It is fair to point out that the 21,000 average attendance for the tournament in 2007 was much boosted by having four host nations, with other crowds no better than in Qatar. However, the 2004 tournament in China had an average attendance of over 31,000, with an average over 26,000 for games not involving the hosts. Of course, Qatar has a much smaller population.

But the rationale for a World Cup venue that is difficult for travelling fans to get to must be that there is strong local interest in the game.

It is obvious that Qatar will have little need for additional stadia after 2022. The plan is to expand current venues, and then to build eight iconic new stadia with capacities over 40,000. Dismantling the upper tiers of these stadia and shipping them to Africa was pitched to FIFA as a “sustainable” solution.

Still, both FIFA and the Asian confederation have been quick to declare the event a great success.

FIFA may at least be relieved that the Qatar team exceeded expectations on the field, having not previously won a match in the Asian Cup finals since 1988. After losing to Uzbekistan, they did manage to beat China and Kuwait to qualify in second place from the weakest of the first round groups – the only one to contain no country with recent experience of qualifying for a World Cup – before a surprisingly creditable 3-2 defeat by Japan in the knockout stages.

That Uzbekistan went on to lose 6-0 to Australia in the semi-final highlights the gulf between the three Asian confederation sides – Japan, Australia and South Korea – capable of being competitive in the knock-out stages of the World Cup and the rest.

There have been previous World Cup hosts who would not otherwise have been close to being top seeds in the draw, such as the USA in 1994 and South Africa in 2010. In Qatar, FIFA have gone further by, for the first time, choosing hosts who would have had next to no chance of even qualifying for the tournament on merit.

There are now arguments within FIFA over whether the World Cup hosting should be shared by other nations in the region.

The most controversial suggestion has been FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s proposal that the 2022 World Cup should be moved to the winter. The status of the proposal is unclear, but the kite was flown deliberately and it would be unwise to rule out the idea that FIFA may return to it. While the summer temperatures were another difficulty for the Qatar bid, supporters around the world would not want the tradition of a summer World Cup shifted to the winter, also requiring the rescheduling and disruption of the football season for two years.

So there may be much more controversy to come over the Qatari World Cup. A decision to move the tournament to the winter might yet even finally provide the spark for an effective challenge to the unaccountability and misgovernance of FIFA.

Forest finalise Findley deal

2011-02-01T10:28:00.000+05:00

American forward Robbie Findley has been cleared to complete his move to Nottingham Forest.

The United States international has successfully secured a visa, allowing him to put pen to paper with the Reds.

He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the City Ground.

Forest have also received clearance from Fifa to snap up Findley, who arrives as a free agent.

The 25-year-old parted company with Real Salt Lake last year, at the end of the MLS season.

He agreed a switch to Forest once the January transfer window opened and can now look forward to joining the Reds' promotion charge.

Findley arrives in English football with a respectable MLS scoring record behind him and 11 international caps, including an appearance against England at the 2010 World Cup.

Law Firm Marketing

2011-02-01T10:24:00.000+05:00

With exponentially growing usage and reliance on the web, powerful web presence has become vital for every savvy business, organizations and individuals and practicing lawyers. Simply put, everything depends including Law Firm Marketing upon top natural search ranking. How to be in top search results?

Lawyer Marketing is a specialized job better handled by experts in the field. If you are a lawyers or a law firm websites and are looking for attorney advertising to be one of the top 3 natural search rankings for your most important and powerful keywords, have a look at attorney advertising. Better still choose your domain name, make your offer online and complete the process all online and start using your top 3 ranked domain name.

Law firm advertising is a neatly laid out and users friendly website and it explains the process in complete details. Have a look at their frequently asked questions page and learn why buy a top 3 ranked domain name from privileged names? What is the value proposition? Does PrivilegedNames.com offer SEO maintenance work after the top 3 ranking guarantee expires? How does all this work and a whole lot more? It will help you make informed decision. I suggest each lawyer website or a law firm website must give Attorney Marketing a try.

FIFA Project

2011-01-28T09:05:00.002+05:00

Pomp and pageantry characterized the inauguration of the 3rd FIFA Goal Project at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram yesterday.

The beautiful edifice, a restaurant and a kitchen, is the FIFA project III, after building a head office for the GFA in Accra in 2002, with the main project being the technical centre in Prampram.

The special guest of honour, the Vice President of Ghana, expressed the wish that the facility will serve the intended purpose, of supporting soccer in the country.

Preceding the vice President's speech was a brilliant appellation by one of the four supporters groups which drew applause from people who had gathered for the occasion.

He suggested that policies and programs should be factored into the programs of the FA, in their quest to develop the talents of footballers.

The vice President praised FIFA profusely in advance, for the 4th Project and the initiative to support soccer on the continent and Ghana in particular.

'As we develop the talents of our footballers, their education should be given the needed attention so that they will have something to fall on when they retire. The days when professional footballers were considered as drop outs are over,' he added.

The President of the GFA, Mr. Kwasi Nyantakyi, explaining the FIFA Goal Project revealed that it is money set aside for the construction of facilities as technical centres, pitches, head offices, e.t.c, and FIFA ensures that they are fully utilized by the beneficiaries.

He expressed profuse thanks to FIFA boss, Mr. Sepp Blatter and his team for their assistance and colleague FA heads, who were present to lend their support.

The FIFA Development Officer for West Africa, Sampon Kablan praised Ghana for its exploits in soccer, and serving as a shining example. He expressed the wish that the facility will help to support soccer in Ghana.

Zambia FA boss, Kalusha Bwalya and his colleagues, in separate interviews revealed that they were here to lend their support to Mr. Nyantakyi for making the continent proud.

The FIFA Goal Project is aimed at bridging the gap between the developed and advanced European countries, and the under developed nations in Africa, Asia and South America, to bring parity.

In 2003, the GFA and FIFA signed a US$ 400,000 deal for the construction of the Ghanaman Soccer School of Excellence in Prampram, under strict FIFA monitoring and periodic reviews of work.

About 35 African countries, affiliated to FIFA have benefited from the Fund, although some are yet to quality due to the stringent qualification marks set by FIFA.

Writing on the wall for Blatter?

2011-01-25T09:14:00.000+05:00

Powerful Asian soccer federation head Mohamed bin Hammam today fired a broadside at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, saying it was time for the embattled chief to go.

Speaking exclusively to the Associated Press, bin Hammam said that Blatter had been with the organization for too long and implied that the Swiss leader was hurting FIFA’s reputation.

The interview was overtly political as bin Hammam is testing the waters for his own presidential campaign after helping to steer Qatar to the shock landing of the 2022 World Cup. However, Bin Hammam’s comments are also the first public sign of discord in FIFA since the end of the Joao Havelange era, and perhaps evidence that Blatter may have made a major political misstep with his handling of the World Cup bidding process.

Bin Hammam is not a saint, by any stretch. He continues to defend the two ExCo members who were caught soliciting bribes on camera prior to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and has long decried the media’s investigations into FIFA corruption. It’s something of a stretch for him to suggest that replacing members will clean up the cesspool -- while continuing to insist that the folks with their hands caught in the cookie jar are clean. But, the Asian Federation head has a point -- Blatter is increasingly looking like damaged goods on the world stage.

Blatter took office under a cloud in 1998, beating UEFA head Lennart Johansson in a campaign that was marred by allegations of bribery (one member, Farra Ado of Somalia, has said he was offered $100,000 for his vote). Financial mismanagement has been a consistent theme of recent years, with one of FIFA’s former staffers, Michel Zen-Ruffinen, claiming that Blatter covered up nearly $100m in losses by their now defunct marketing partner ISL (that case was settled in Swiss courts).

Lawsuits have also been a fixture. One major case saw FIFA lose a suit filed by MasterCard in an American court over breach of contract.

Blatter is also notorious for impolitic and odd pronouncements. He once said female footballers should wear more revealing outfits (after once claiming that the future of the game was “feminine”), tried to force through a player rationing plan that contravened European law, and explicitly blamed the media for uncovering clear evidence of corruption under his watch. He is also known for his fierce resistance to any sort of replay technology, despite his own, unflattering statements about his referees.

However, under Blatter, FIFA has staged three World Cups in this new century, events which both spread the game's crown jewel to Africa and Asia. For a while, there was enough money flying around for folks to think of Blatter as the eccentric uncle who happened to make everyone a mint.

This past year might have changed all that. The South African Cup, which was Blatter’s personal baby, hit all the wrong notes. There were dreadful performances on the field, atrocious officiating, and serious questions about the morality of having an African country spending massive amounts of money on infrastructure.

It was a major black eye for FIFA and fiscal disaster to boot, with the governing body having to pour a billion dollars into the competition. Despite South Africa’s loud protests to the contrary, the fact is the Cup was a hard sell at the gate, and FIFA’s official hospitality company declared bankruptcy shortly afterward. The Cup finished darkly -- the final itself was one of the poorest and roughest in the history of the tournament.

The latest allegations of corruption might have been the last straw. Blatter’s response was seen as ineffective and paranoid, and even he was forced to admit that holding the bidding for two World Cups at the same time -- ostensibly to increase “marketing opportunities” -- was just an invitation to collusion.

In bin Hammam, Blatter might have met his match. The Asian Fed chief has apparently been clearing the decks. It is rumored that he engineered the unseating of long-time Korean powerbroker Chung Mong-Joon in this month’s AFC election for Jordanian delegate Ali bin Al Hussein. While bin Hammam has publicly said he supported the South Korean, it’s difficult not to note that Chung’s loss removed a major player from the presidential race. Chung had once challenged Blatter previously, and was widely expected to run; with him out of the Asian congress, he is now ineligible to hold FIFA’s top office.

And considering that the president looks more like a piñata than a leader with each passing day, perhaps a change at the top wouldn’t be the worst thing. Certainly, some football fans around the globe would delight in the removal of their bete noire.

The real question is: Is there anyone out there with clean hands and modern ideas who would be better?

Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the UEFA Champions League and European football.

Declaration on 2018 World Cup

2011-01-24T10:19:00.000+05:00

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is certain the 2018 World Cup is in good hands and joined Russian officials in signing a formal declaration Sunday that awards the soccer tournament to Russia.

Russia has never organized a World Cup and has an enormous amount of work to do to get ready. Besides building stadiums and hotels, Russia will need to upgrade airports and roads to transport 32 soccer teams and millions of visitors to 13 cities spread across much of its vast territory.

Blatter was less focused on the organizational challenges than on his greater vision of bringing soccer to largely uncharted territory such as Russia and Qatar, which was awarded the 2022 World Cup.

"Football is more than just kicking the ball," he said at a news conference after the signing ceremony. "It is also important to connect different nations, and our philosophy this time was to give the World Cup to territories that had never hosted it."

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko picked up on the theme in thanking FIFA for choosing Russia over countries that already have much of the necessary infrastructure in place.

"FIFA is not just a football organization," he said. "It develops the world and it goes to new countries."

Blatter met Saturday with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has promised that Russia would follow through on its commitments to spend tens of billions of dollars on new stadiums and infrastructure.

Football for Health in Namibia

2011-01-22T13:06:00.000+05:00

FIFA's chief medical officer Prof. Jiri Dvorak is in Namibia to kick start the implementation of the FIFA Football for Health initiative in Namibian schools.

The initiative is aimed at educating children and young adults in a football environment to improve their knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviour towards different diseases.

Dvorak said that FIFA had analysed the health risk factors that were faced by people.

“We have analysed and identified the most important risk factors negatively influencing health and we decided to use football and the momentum of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to go to the schools and educate the children on how to live a healthy lifestyle,” Dvorak said.

“Its not only the non communicable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis that are posing a health risk but also the communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity that are worrying the government of Namibia,” he added.

Eleven simple messages on prevention, all based on scientific facts, were each linked to a specific football action and to a football celebrity.

“For example sanitary health is addressed by teaching the children to wash their hands. This was paralleled with defending in football and we are using the best defender in the world, Carles Puyol,” he explained.

The other messages that the program teaches are; playing football regularly, respecting girls and women, protecting yourself from HIV, avoiding alcohol and drugs, using treated bed nets, drinking clean water, eating healthy, vaccination, taking prescribed medicine and fair play.

Dvorak on Thursday met with the Minister of Education, Abraham Iyambo, the deputy Minister of Health, Petrina Haingura and the Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sport, Culture and National Youth Service, Dr Vetumbuavi Veii.

“The Minister of Education said that Namibia is excited about the program and that they want to be part of this legacy of the World Cup 2010 in Africa and that the country would contribute to the success of the legacy,” Dvorak said.

He also added that the Minister of Education would want to implement football as part of the school curriculum.

“Between now and the 22nd of March, the NFA (Namibia Football Association) and the Education Ministry will identify 11 schools that will take part in a pilot project at the beginning of the winter term in May,” Dvorak said.

“If the pilot is successful then we will implement the program to all the schools in January 2012.”

“We as FIFA will provide the finance and the materials. We will also secure the training of all the teachers in the country,” he continued.

The pilot programmes are already under way in South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe.

Get a degree online

2011-01-22T13:02:00.002+05:00

One of the finest created by this modern attention age is online education. Now anyone with a connected computer can get education and excel in any chosen field. For people who are already working, online education is one the perfect ways to excel in their life and career. And it is easy to find online college that suite your needs?

Those who are in search of a suitable college, degree or a program must have a look at eLearners.com – a site that guides students to find online educational resources. Better still, use their site search and find what you may be looking for. Simply enter your interests and requirements and they will match the choices available to you. I tried to find best colleges for MBA and was amazed to see the choices they offered.

Candidates consider many things when they choose a college, such as their personal interests, the strength of programs offered, and their own talents and abilities, future employment prospects. Ranking of the educational institution also factor into the decision. You can find all this and much more at eLearners.com.

Neatly laid out and information rich site eLearners.com is users’ friendly and uncluttered. It has everything a student who is looking for a good college needs to find out. I suggest you explore the site and see what they are offering and how. This will help you make one of the most important decisions in your future life and career.

New work ethics

2011-01-21T09:12:00.000+05:00

FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Hussein, half-brother of Jordan's King Abdullah II, plans to introduce "new work ethics" in Asia, he told AFP in an interview on Thursday.

"We want to introduce new work ethics, not ones based on coming from above, but through working hand in hand with the national associations," said Prince Ali, who on January 6 unseated South Korean Chung Mong-Joo as FIFA vice-president.

"This is very crucial because sometimes when it comes to work and development and football, they will take a model, let's say a European model, and they want to implement it completely on the continent."

The prince has become the youngest member of the FIFA executive committee at the age of 35 after rallying Arab support behind him.

"We have different countries, different societies, different economic backgrounds," he said.

"We have to build things on a case-to-a-case basis. We want to fulfill that," he added, calling for promoting football because "it's good for your economy, socioeconomic development as well and for the health of the population."

The son of the late King Hussein and late Queen Alia, Prince Ali has been president of his domestic football federation for a decade and holds the same role at the head of the increasingly-influential West Asian Football Federation.

He said his election was "very tough".

"But the reason we won was reaching out to national associations," added the prince, who said he plans to come up with a programme "based on their (the national associations) hopes."

Asked about if the 2022 Qatar World Cup should be held in the winter, Prince Ali said he thinks "the host country has the right to do it the way they want."

"But at the same time there is a lot of politics going on at some of the upper levels. However, let's talk in terms of practicality, I am not a politician," he said.

"So, personally, I will think in terms of what's best for our fans and our players. And so I see no reason why not to have it in the winter... However, if deals have been made, then it's fine and you can do it in the summer. I think Qatar has the ability to do it in the summer."

In December, Qatar was controversially awarded the right to host the tournament despite summer temperatures in the Gulf emirate soaring to well over 40 degrees Celsius.

Concerns have been raised about the health impacts of playing in such searing heat, as well for the fans following the action, and FIFA president Sepp Blatter said winter would make more sense.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer, a FIFA executive committee member, and England coach Fabio Capello are among others who have voiced support for a switch of dates.

UEFA president Michel Platini is also said to be sympathetic to the idea, with January temperatures hovering between a more comfortable 20 and 30 Celsius.

"I am sure Qatar will be for all the region when it comes to the World Cup. I think that also they would embrace us and we are there to help," said the prince.

He praised Blatter, 74, who has announced that he will seek re-election as president for another four-year term at the world governing body's congress in June, saying his job was not yet complete.

"On a personal level, I have a tremendous respect for him. I have worked a lot with him in the past. Hopefully we will do some in the future," said the prince.

"I think he has done a great deal for football... I hope in the next four years, he hopefully does a great deal for football and I want to be part of that. My position is clear; we all support him in the coming elections."

Asked about his sports heroes, the young prince said he has been a fan of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali since childhood, but he also likes Argentina's Lionel Messi and Japan's Keisuke Honda.

"If I talk about my hero now, I would say there're two of them: (Jordan's team players) Odai Saify, who... has been a workhorse in our team, and goalkeeper Amer Shafeia, who has been an absolute star," he said.

He said he is proud of Jordan's achievements at the Asian Cup in Qatar after the kingdom drew with three-time champions Japan, then beat Saudi Arabia and Syria.

"We have the youngest team in the Asian finals, but we have a lot of injuries, which is unfortunate right now," he said.

"We have a very tough game coming up on Friday with Uzbekistan. It's quite difficult but at the end of the day they will do their best." AFP

Pak Cricket

2011-01-19T10:41:00.000+05:00

Owais Mughal

After drawing second test match of the series against New Zealand, Pakistan has won their first Test Cricket series after a gap of 4 years and 2 months. bari der ki mehraan aate aate! But can you imagine Pakistan going for a draw under Imran Khan from a position where 66 runs were needed off 11 overs (NZ actually end up bowling 14 overs) and 6 wickets were in hand. Imran would have gone for a match result in such situation whereas Misbah chose the safe result of a draw from such position today and Pakistan scored only 18 runs in the last 14 overs. It will definitely look good on his resume’ and he may also even get World Cup captaincy over from Shahid Afridi tomorrow. Now despite the decision to go for the draw I should mention that Misbah is still commendable to have scored 6 fifites in his last 6 innings. Him and Younis Khan held the whole batting line together in this test match.

Anyways – despite this draw, Pakistan has finally won the series. Pakistan’s last Test series win was against West Indies in December of 2006. Following is the summary of Test series results since Pakistan won it the last time.

(1) 2010-11 Pakistan v New Zealand in NZ (1-0) (Jan 19, 2011)

(2) 2010-11 Pakistan v South Africa in UAE (0-0)

(3) 2010 Pakistan v England in England (1-3)

(4) 2009-10 Pakistan v Australia in Australia (0-3)

(5) 2009-10 Pakistan v New Zealand in NZ (1-1)

(6) 2009 Pakistan v Sri Lanka in SL (0-2)

(7) 2008 Pakistan v Sri Lanka in Pakistan (0-0)

(8) 2007-08 Pakistan v India in India (0-1)

(9) 2007-08 Pakistan v South Africa in Pakistan (0-1)

(10) 2006-07 Pakistan v South Africa in South Africa (1-2)

(11) 2006-07 Pakistan v West Indies in Pakistan (2-0) (Dec 1, 2006)

Indian World Cup Team

2011-01-18T11:24:00.000+05:00

1. M S Dhoni [Captain & Wicket Keeper]

2. Zaheer Khan

3. Munaf Patel

4. Ashish Nehra

5. R Ashwin

6. Harbhajan Singh

7. Yusuf Pathan

8. Sachin Tendulkar

9. Virender Sehwag

10. Praveen Kumar

11. Gautam Gambhir

12. Piyush Chawla

13. Virat Kohli

14. Suresh Raina

15. Yuvraj Singh [Via]

Income power of your blogs

2011-01-18T07:38:00.000+05:00

If you wish to learn about the income power of your blogging efforts, read the following post and learn how you can make money by blogging in Pakistan:

There is no more secret to making money online

Easy ways to make money online in Pakistan

Making Money by blogging in Pakistan

Fifa and the judges

2011-01-17T09:09:00.000+05:00

GUNTER HIRSCH -- remember that name. It should be recorded in the annals of football history, but it's unlikely to be.

Hirsch, a 67-year-old German lawyer and judge, became the first person to willingly step off FIFA's gravy train last week when he resigned from its ethics committee -- on a point of principle no less.

In the letter he wrote to the president of FIFA's Ethics Commission, he stated that "the events of the past few weeks have raised and strengthened the impression that responsible persons in FIFA have no real interest in playing an active role in resolving, punishing and avoiding violations against ethic regulations of FIFA."

Whew! That's telling them. After suspending and fining six individuals for corruption in the past year, FIFA probably thought that would calm things down for a while, but Herr Hirsch isn't fooled.

With the Germans and the English in agreement on this, is there any chance of a 'putsch' at the top of the FIFA leaderboard? No, we didn't think so either, but it does no harm to ask the question.

* * * * *

IN marked contrast to FIFA, which reacts to any sort of government interference in a national association by suspending them, the entire Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) board will resign to defuse a row with the country's military regime that threatened funding for the Rugby World Cup.

The government had threatened to withhold three million Fiji dollars (€1.25 million) in grants for this year's World Cup unless the board quits following an official probe that found the FRU mismanaged a fundraising lottery.

Sports minister Filip Bole, whose government seized power in a bloodless 2006 coup, said the board agreed to step down at a meeting last Thursday and the FRU would elect new officials at the end of February. In a statement on the government website on Friday, he said funding for Fiji's campaign in New Zealand could now be released.

The row centres on a lottery the FRU organised in late December, which Fiji's Commerce Commission found had been improperly run. The consumer watchdog found more than 155,000 of the 350,000 Fiji dollars raised in the lottery was missing and funds were used for improper purposes, including sending an FRU official to the Hong Kong Sevens in March last year.

Maybe we should get them over here to find out what has happened to all the funds raised in this country which are supposed to be used for sports funding.

* * * * *

Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy's natural talent isn't just limited to sport -- the sharp shooter has now turned his hand to rapping. Recently, the Presentation Primary School in Tralee released a 21-track album called Little Stars and Donaghy features as a guest performer on the song titled Star Rap.

* * * * *

the website, An Fear Rua, came up with an interesting question recently when they asked if their readers could name five hurlers who played in the All-Ireland championship and share their names with types of fish. The famous five are Paul Codd of Wexford, Liam Salmon of Galway, Mick Roche of Tipperary, Ned Rea of Limerick and Dick Lyng of Wexford. But our favourite was the poster who came up with a sixth -- Clare's 'Fingers' O'Connell.

* * * * *

One of Cork's most promising young hurlers Brian 'Bud' Hartnett is seeking a transfer from junior club Russell Rovers to Midleton.

But Hartnett, who was one of Cork's minor stars last year, scoring 1-14 in the quarter-final of the Munster MHC against Tipperary, may have to miss out on 96 weeks of cllub hurling to go ahead with the move.

Ten days ago, Hartnett scored 1-2 for a Cork Development Squad against Davy Fitzgerald's LIT. He is a brother of former Cork player, Kevin, who still plays with Russell Rovers.

It is expected that his transfer application will be presented at the first county board meeting of the year on January 25. If Russell Rovers object to the move and the player is determined to press ahead, he will have to spend a spell on the sidelines.

Seán Ryan, Marie Crowe

and Fergus McDonnell

ssport@independent.ie

From D G Khan

2011-01-17T09:03:00.000+05:00

By S A J Shirazi

There were many things on my schedule when I travelled from Multan to Quetta by road instead of rail: to see the tomb of Ghazi Khan, to visit famous Fort Monro and familiarize myself with this less travelled rout to Quetta.

For those who take their chance for the first time to the city, it might sound too good to be true but Dera Ghazi Khan (D G Khan) in the past was known as Dera Phullan Da Sehra — ‘land of flowers’. “The canal skirted its eastern side, fringed with luxurious gardens of mango trees, while ghats lined the bank, thronged in summer by numerous bathers.

Ghazi Khan Mirani son of a Baloch chieftain Haji Khan founded the city on his own name on the tract between Suleman Range and River Indus in 1474. Bannu-Dera Ismail Khan-Jacobabad, famous trade route of the ast ran through the city. It developed into a very beautiful and prosperous city of that time. Till 1758, eighteen princes of the Ghazi Khan’s family successively ruled the city and bore the names of their ancestors”, wrote Mr. Bruce in his account in 1869. Kalhoras, Durranis, Mughals, Abbasis and Sikhs also exercised control over the city before it fell to the British.

Mighty River Indus had been steadily and gradually shifting its course westwards for a long time. D G Khan remained on the mercy of the River and great floods occurred in 1812, 1833, and 1842. It was completely washed away in 1856. The River now flows over the site of ancient dwelling.

The founder Ghazi Khan Mirani would not be able to recognize the ‘new’ city that was planned by British engineers on the principle of ‘Grid Iron Pattern’ - all roads and streets meeting at right angle - and built on present location between the period from 1900-1910 about 15 Kilometres downstream on the bank of Manika Canal near the tomb of Ghazi Khan Mirani.

Let us just assume it: D G Khan was a great town on the bank of Indus in fifteenth century. Does the town even exist? Yes, only in history books. Many things combine to show that D G Khan was a gem in the time gone by.

One of the most exciting buildings of the past is the tomb of Ghazi Khan Mirani. The tomb was built in fifteenth century on an octagonal plan, like shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan, with battering walls and corner turrets. Standing in front of the tomb, dismayed, I could feel the depredation and vandalism that would have few parallels. Dome and upper story of the tomb have vanished. The main entrance to the chamber of the tomb is in the East with two smaller doors in the northern and western directions are stripped of the gates. There are 11 mud graves inside the tomb and a graveyard has spread around the tomb. The walls are pitted. The pitchi cari and calligraphy inside the tomb is also fading. The slabs of stone painted with floral and geometric designs are falling. Once magnificent and imposing tomb is now sinking in ground. No body comes to lay flower or pay respect to the dead Baloch Sardar. In the past it had also been used to keep the animals. Relics of the tomb are certainly precious.

Unfortunately, currently, D G Khan, more than any other Pakistani city, lacks sensitivity to its heritage. The condition of temples, dharam shalas and gao shalas is even worse. Most of them have been converted into residential quarters, some are being used as waste receptacles and from few others even the bricks have been taken away. “To retain the heritage and history of the city, at least two temples situated east of Tounsa-D G Khan Road and whatever is left of Ghazi Khan’s tomb should immediately be declared as protected monuments”, says Hashim Sher Khan, a social activist who has written to many national and international agencies including UNESCO for this purpose, “but to no avail” he adds. D G Khan of Waderas, Sardars and Tumandars and patriots like Sher Muhammad who made world Pakistani as part of his name seem to be on its way to decline.

Hashim Sher Khan says, “Dera Ghazi Khan is the cultural capital of Pakistan. It is not only geographically situated on the junction point of all the four provinces but is also a place where their cultural traditions meet”. Besides legendary hospitality, the most famous cultural symbols I encountered in the city during my stay are hamachas and tabaqs.

A son of the soil, Dr Ghulam Fareed once narrated a tale about his childhood to Raza Ali Abdi (BBC). The tale reads, “Big charpoys (coats) are found in every nook and corner of the city. These coats serve as open drawing rooms in the localities. There was one big coat in front of our house too. The day I left D G Khan for higher studies, I saw people sitting on that coat: talking, relaxing, and sharing. I saw the same people sitting, doing same things, once I returned from England after 15 years. Only they had gone a little old.” D G Khan is famous for big charpoys locally known as Hamachas throughout the country.

Another thing for which D G Khan is famous is tabaq meaning cooking utensil with wide mouth. Nanbais prepare meat and beef dishes in these utensils. British traveller Alexander Bern who came to D G Khan in 1936-37 wrote that there were 1597 shops in the city out of which 40 were of nanbais. Once the new city was inhabited, the nanbais also migrated and set up their shops in Pathar Bazaar. Now most of them have developed and converted their shops in modern eating joints but you can still find any thing from Nalli Nihari for breakfast to Siri Pae for dinner if you like. The only difference is that Tabaqs are made of cast iron instead of clay these days. Names of Ustad Allah Yar, Ustad Qader, Ustad Allah Ditta and Ustad Muhammad Siddique who were the best Tabaqis of their times are still remembered with respect.

As per the legend, the throne of Prophet Hazrat Suleman (A S) once landed on the hill range known as Suleman Range. Next to the city on the route to Quetta is Fort Munro Peak in Suleman Range. The first thing that came to my mind after turning on a rocky road to Fort Munro from village Khar (or Kharar) was a famous couplet that was composed by poet Mustafa Zaidi who was once a Political Assistant in Fort Munro. The poet lived here soaking up the scenery and isolation while contemplating his own future and love life. He composed, “Inhe pathroon pe chal kar agar aa sako to aao, mere ghar ke raste main koi kahkashan nahin hey”. The going on the road these days is bad that gets worst in case of a light shower. Later, I also visited the library that was established by Mustafa Zaidi but now it has been converted into an office of some government department. By the way, who wants to read these days?

Where can I buy Tramadol?

2011-01-16T12:57:00.000+05:00

Human beings suffer from different types of pain in their bodies. Some keep suffering in silence and some other look around and find help. One can consult doctors and treat their pains and live healthy. Given the advances in medical science, every problem has a cure. How to find an effective cure is what matter?

I myself have had a back pain and my doctor told me to live with this pain. That is difficult though. Given my own quest, I keep looking for new solutions online. Searching for some good pain reliever, I came upon canyoubuytramadolonline.com. Tramadol is a synthetically made medicine that claims to relieve pain and it is usually prescribed to help with moderate to severe pain. Tramadol is from a class of drugs known as opiate agonists that work by altering the manner in which the body senses pain and we human feel it. Wherecanibuytramadolonline.org has information including where to buy.

This goes without saying that any medicine should only be taken with consultation of the competent doctor who after finding out the clinical history of the patient can prescribe proper medicine, dosage and the period. Then patients should take the drug exactly as advised by their doctors who know better than what is given online guides and other accompanying medical literature. Medicines interact as per the condition of the patients therefore wise is to take care and act carefully and avoid any serious repercussions later that may prove dangerous. Still, if you need, you can buy at cheaptramadolwithoutprescription.org.

Choice is yours. There is a lot of information about Tramadol and its possible side effects available online. My suggestion is that you learn all about the drug and how it should be used and under what condition and make an informed health decision.

Rift with winter 2022 World Cup idea

2011-01-15T09:53:00.000+05:00

There are signs of a rift within the elite of world football over the timing of the 2022 World Cup after Sepp Blatter, the head of world football's governing body FIFA, said that it would be unfair for the finals in Qatar to be played in the heat of the region's summer season.

"If you ask me the percentage to play in their winter, it is definitely over 50%. It means this is more than just a probability to play in winter time," Blatter said in an exclusive interview with CNN's Pedro Pinto.

"It is for many reasons. For the spectacle of the tournament, for the football and also to protect the players and also the spectators."

Blatter's statement was in direct contrast to the opinion of Mohamed Bin Hammam -- the Doha-born FIFA Executive Committee member and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief who has been touted as an eventual replacement for Blatter.

Hammam told British broadcaster Sky News on Thursday that he disagreed with calls to move the tournament to a different time of year.

"I'm really not very impressed by these opinions to ... change the time from July to January - it's actually premature, you know, it's people's opinions and they're just discussing it on no basis or no ground," he said.

"It's not up to one, two or three members of FIFA to talk about changing the time without getting the real stakeholders' opinions.

"I know that football in Europe has quite a history, it is quite a business involving a lot of financial, media, marketing - a lot of things," he said.

"It is unfair to these people that we talk about changing the calendar or the time without their full consultation and their full approval and their full agreement - I'm actually not happy to see that happening without the real stakeholders' part of this discussion."

However, Blatter maintained that a winter World Cup was a valid option despite the fact that it would coincide with the fixture list of most major domestic leagues in Europe.

"If you look at some of the big leagues in Europe, then some of them already have a winter break.

"Where there is a will, you can change the international calendar for that year. This is a possibility because there are still 11 years to go before that tournament."

By moving the tournament to the cooler months of year the soccer competition, which traditionally has been one of the most watched events in television history, could also clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics.

However, despite endorsing proposals for Qatar to host the World Cup finals in the winter, Blatter revealed he was more concerned about the country's human rights issues and, in particular, the fact that homosexuality is illegal in the emirate.

Blatter continued: "If the principles of human rights will not be respected, then this could be a problem.

"We will push Qatar to make sure the World Cup will be played in such conditions that other World Cups have been played and that human rights are respected."

Last month Blatter caused controversy in a press conference when he advised homosexuals who were travelling to the tournament to "refrain from sexual activities", a statement he has since apologised for.

FIFA have come under sustained criticism in recent weeks, following the decision to award Russia and Qatar the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively, but Blatter maintains that the FIFA voting process is correct.

Blatter also confirmed that he would now be willing to give the green light to goal line technology in football.

The 74-year-old had previously resisted moves to introduce technology to football, but has now softened his approach following continued calls for match officials to be aided in the modern game.

"We have tested 17 different goal line systems and four or five of them will go to the International Board [the body that draws up the rules of the game] to have a further look at them," said Blatter.

"A proposed testing period will then take place with a selected number of companies, prior to the International Board's general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, on March 4-6, when the next steps of the process will be determined.

"If one of these systems is accurate and immediate and not too complicated, then I think goal-line technology has a good chance to be accepted," added Blatter.

Replying to the statistic that nine out of 10 CNN readers believed the voting process needed changing, Blatter asked for the CNN audience to help find a solution: "This 90% of people should give us a proposal of how to do it better.

"The FIFA congress decided that it must go to the Executive Committee and by a secret ballot. It is transparency according to Swiss law," he added.

"But you have a college of voters who vote more with their heart than they vote with their head." [CNN]

Air Arik offers cheap flights to Lagos from London

2011-01-15T08:08:00.000+05:00

Travelling is a lifestyle and a trend. Growing human activities has resulted in increase in travel for business, pleasure and or leisure. This growth has given birth to increase travel service that facilitate you and help you get tickets, save money on airfares, hotel accommodations, hire cars and airport transfers at different destination around the world.

I have been travelling whenever I could. Given my own interest, I try to keep a watch better services, newer services and cheaper services to get tickets. I use the info for my writings and also try them when I need to. Travelling to Africa by Arik Air is one of my new finds.

Pure competition is one of the best factors that have created great choices for frequent travellers. Every airline is trying to do its best in offering lowest fare, luxury and comfort to attract passengers. Arik Air is a case in point here.

While searching for cheap flights to Lagos from London and quality services to destinations in Africa, I came upon flights to Lagos from London – a travel company that can take care of all your travel needs. They supply low cost flights from hundreds of Airlines to over 500 travel agents in the United Kingdom. BTW, if you can’t find your required route, call them and leave the rest to them.

Art on Wheels

2011-01-14T20:41:00.003+05:00

Creative people do wonderful thing to express themselves. A graphic designer has come up with a novel way of using discarded pens instead of binning them: He sticks them to his car. Costas Schuler has spent more than five years covering his treasured car in over 10,000 pens from around the world. The designer, from Forestville, California, painstakingly glued the pens all over the inside and outside of his beloved 1981 300SD Mercedes Benz after collecting them from businesses, doctors' surgeries, friends and family.

The father of four wanted to show people different purposes for discarded pens instead of billions of them being wasted each year going to landfill. His unusual hobby is the subject of a website with thousands of fans and has resulted in Costas receiving pens from around the world.On one occasion, a group of orphan boys sent Costas used pens from Mozambique, in Africa, to stick on to the car. In return he sent them packs of new pens.

Costas said: 'A friend of my mine gave me the car in 2000 after my old one broke down. I found a book in the library about car art and was immediately fascinated by the art form. 'I hatched an idea to make my own art car and then thought about completely covering it in pens.

'Everyone uses pens and eventually they get stolen, lost or thrown away. So when I first started collecting them I had no problem asking, and people had no problem donating them for a crazy art project. 'It took me five years of going around, setting up collection drops for pens and painstakingly sticking them to the car with silicon glue.

'It's my only form of transport and I use it every day. Most people stop and talk to me about it, it's difficult getting out of a car park!

'People wave at me when I drive by, honk their horns and light up with a big smile.' Costas added: 'I've had pens sent to me from all over the world, including Australia and England. 'I like to get out and talk more about recycling, art, and inspiring others to follow their dreams and visions for their life.'

Related: Art on Wheels

Sports equipment

2011-01-14T19:47:00.000+05:00

Sports are played and enjoyed by millions all over the world in different cultures. Passion for games has created great demand for sports equipment like Soccer Nets, Soccer Rebounders and Soccer Backstops. I was looking for soccer equipment online when I came upon Jaypro – company that offers wide range o f sports equipment in the world including soccer goals, volleyball net systems, basketball backstops, field hockey and lacrosse goals, physical education equipment and much more.

Jaypro is one of the leading suppliers of sports equipment. What is more, Jaypro products are designed with a strong emphasis on safety, innovation, and durability. All of our products are designed to provide you with years of top quality performance. Have a look at Jaypro and see what they are offering for you and how you and your young soccer players can improve their skills and enjoy playing more with our selection of portable soccer goals.

Have a look at scoreboards and folding goal posts in soccer section. Best about folding their patented Ultimate Folding Goals is that they are completely portable, folds for storage and are lockable to prevent unauthorized use. Jaypro also offer a large variety of official size goals, club goals, youth and practice goals. In addition to goals, Jaypro also offer many field accessories and training tools.

Given my own passion for Soccer some of Jaypro Soccer equipment is already on my wish list. Have a look and see what they are offering.

U.S. women release roster for Four Nations

2011-01-14T10:04:00.000+05:00

U.S. women's national team coach Pia Sundhage named 23 players to the squad Thursday for the 2011 Four Nations Tournament in China later this month.

With the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer in Germany, the tournament is a key part of Sundhage's preparations. The Americans plays Sweden on Jan. 21, Canada on Jan. 23 and China Jan. 25.

Sixteen players from the squad that qualified for the World Cup by winning a two-leg playoff series against Italy were named to the team, including goalie Nicole Barnhart, midfielders Lori Lindsey, Yael Averbuch and Megan Rapinoe, defenders Stephanie Cox and Becky Sauerbrunn, and forwards Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan and Amy Rodriguez.

This will be the USA's eighth trip to the Four Nations Tournament, but first since 2008. The U.S. has won the event six times. During its 21 all-time games in the tournament, the USA is 13-2-6, with one loss each to China and Norway.

Following is the complete U.S. roster:

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (out of contract), Ashlyn Harris (Western New York Flash).

Defenders: Rachel Buehler (Boston Breakers), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (out of contract), Christie Rampone (out of contract) Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington Freedom), Brittany Taylor (Sky Blue FC).

Midfielders: Yael Averbuch (Western New York Flash), Shannon Boxx (out of contract), Tobin Heath (Sky Blue FC), Meghan Klingenberg (North Carolina), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat), Kelley OHara (Boston Breakers), Heather OReilly (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Philadelphia Independence), Lindsay Tarpley (out of contract).

Forwards: Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Sydney Leroux (UCLA), Alex Morgan (California), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence).

Fly by Arik Air

2011-01-14T07:23:00.000+05:00

Traveling has become a lifestyle. Growing human activities has resulted in increase in travel for business, pleasure and or leisure. This growth has given birth to increase travel service that facilitate you and help you get tickets, save money on airfares, hotel accommodations, hire cars and airport transfers at different destination around the world.

I have been traveling whenever I could. Given my own interest, I try to keep a watch better services, newer services and cheaper services to get tickets. I use the info for my writings and also try them when I need to.

Best thing that helps passengers in this age is great choices they have and pure competition between air services in the market. Every carrier is trying to do its best in offering lowest fare, luxury and comfort to attract passengers. Arik Air is a case in point here.

While searching for cheapest and quality services to destinations in Africa, I came upon Airk Airlines – a travel company that can take care of all your travel needs. They supply low cost flights from hundreds of Airlines to over 500 travel agents in the United Kingdom. I was interested in flights to Accra. If you can’t find your required route, call Air Arik (0208 150 6727) and leave the rest to them.

I love Pashmina

2011-01-12T10:57:00.003+05:00

I am a big Pashmina fan. Even the name (that comes from pashm in Persian) sound musical to me and I love that gauzy weave. Just touching soft and warm Pashmina tells you what it is! Pashmina products are all time trendy and stylish. People of class from all over the world use these products - shawl, scarf and many more.

Given my interest, one of the best places I have found to shop for Pashmina is Spencer's Pashmina. Neatly laid out and user’s friendly site has a great collection of Pashmina products. Explore and find what they are offering and how. They have something for everyone. Imagery of the products is good and it gives a feeler of how one will look wrapped in one of those shawls.

What is more, their custom dye option makes them stand out from the rest. Ask for color you want and Spencer's Pashmina will deliver exactly the same.

Some of their shawls are already on my wish list.

Player of the Year Award

2011-01-11T09:29:00.000+05:00

Brian Straus

It's hard to argue with anyone who claims that Lionel Messi is the best soccer player in the world.

But was he the player of the year?

For the first time since it was introduced in 1991, the FIFA player of the year award has gone to someone who did not lift the World Cup the preceding summer. Fifty-eight goals in 54 club matches can make people forget about one disappointing tournament.

So, despite missing out on both the World Cup and UEFA Champions League finals, Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or on Monday over Barcelona teammates and World Cup champions Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

The award is voted upon in equal proportion by national team coaches, captains and one journalist from each FIFA member.

Messi received 22.65 percent of the votes cast, compared to 17.36 percent for Iniesta and 16.48 percent for Xavi. It's Messi's second straight triumph. Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho also have won two in a row.

"I'm happy, but I didn't expect it because everyone had been talking so much about Xavi and Andrés," Messi told FIFA.com.

"They also deserved it for the wonderful year they had. They won the World Cup, which usually goes a long way to deciding who wins this award, and they both had big parts to play in that. That's why I thought one of them would be going up to collect the trophy. It was a wonderful surprise."

Perhaps the Spanish pair split the vote among those who felt a World Cup winner was deserving. After all, there's not much to separate the two gifted playmakers, and Messi's gaudy stats certainly have something to do with the immense talent in the Barcelona midfield.

Which is what makes awards of this kind so frustrating. They often raise more questions than they answer, since the criteria for selection is never really clear.

This year, the voting was an affirmation of Barcelona's success and style of play -- one famous for intricate passing and movement that involves most of the side. Singling out one player as the cog or architect of that system, however, runs contrary to its spirit. Barça plays the ultimate team game, and Messi wouldn't enjoy his success without the artistry of Xavi and Iniesta, among others.

If the award is bestowed for sheer talent, then Messi's a fine choice. Probably the right one. But what about winning (something other than your league)? What about doing more with less, with raising your own game and that of your teammates to achieve something beyond expectations?

Aren't those important as well? Did Messi fulfill those criteria?

It depends on the voter.

The American journalist with the honor of voting was Paul Kennedy of Soccer America. If FanHouse had a vote, we'd have been tempted to go with the player who finished fourth in the balloting, Wesley Sneijder.

The Dutchman joked at the awards ceremony in Zurich that the highlight of his year was his marriage to Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen. We can't blame him. But his accomplishments on the field were nearly as impressive. While FIFA coach of the year recipient José Mourinho has received much of the credit for Inter Milan's European triumph last May, Sneijder was the championship catalyst.

It was Sneijder who played a huge role in engineering the semifinal upset of mighty Barcelona, and for his work, he was named UEFA's midfielder of the year.

But it was South Africa where Sneijder really shined. Running the show almost on his own for a side far inferior to Spain, Sneijder inspired the Netherlands to a quarterfinal upset of Brazil and a 6-0-0 run to the final. It's a whole lot easier to imagine Spain winning the World Cup without Xavi or Iniesta than it is to imagine the Dutch in the final without Sneijder, who was the competition's joint top scorer with five goals.

Xavi, Iniesta and Messi combined to score two.

It's relatively easy to make an argument for any of them (or even Diego Forlán, the World Cup golden ball and UEFA Europa League winner), and in the end, these awards are simply popularity contests. They are not absolute. It's impossible to begrudge Messi any trophy that comes his way, but there are plenty of very valid reasons why it could have gone to someone else.

The beaten finalists certainly had no problem with it.

"He is one step above us all. He's the best player and there can be no argument. This is also a prize for the Barça youth team set up and I am proud to be a part of that," Xavi told the club's Web site.

"He is a worthy and deserved winner," the diplomatic Iniesta said of his teammate.

Worthy? Yes, this year and for probably several to come.

Deserving? No, not this time. Messi is the most talented piece of Barcelona's spectacular attacking puzzle, but he stumbled on the biggest stage. There are other players who accomplished more in 2010.

For the record, here's how the American contingent voted:

U.S. coach Bob Bradley: 1 - Xavi, 2 - Sneijder, 3 - Messi.

U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra: 1 - Xavi, 2 - Iniesta, 3 - Sneijder

U.S. journalist Paul Kennedy: 1 - Xavi, 2 - Messi, 3 - Sneijder

Qata 2022 World Cup

2011-01-10T08:32:00.001+05:00

Drive three miles north from the cluster of skyscrapers in Doha’s West Bay and the buildings give way to an expanse of desert being reclaimed by construction, the horizon broken only by cranes.

Drive a further two miles on Tarmac pockmarked by an endless stream of construction traffic and the road stops altogether. Beyond the security barriers lies a vast site that in 11 years time will be a new conurbation, extending the Greater Doha area to a sprawl 25km across. At its heart, thanks to Fifa’s decision last month, will be the 86,000-seat Lusail Iconic Stadium.

The only guide to what the city will look like is a billboard on the side of the road, featuring an artist’s impression of a verdant cityscape, palm trees and parks separating rows of elegant towers and residential complexes.

It clearly predates Qatar’s sensational victory in Zurich as there is no stadium on the drawing. Perhaps someone will be along shortly to paint one in.

If only the reality of delivering a World Cup in a desert city state were so straightforward.

The dusty expanse where Lusail will one day stand encapsulates the challenge Qatar has accepted in bidding for the World Cup, and the monumental gamble Fifa’s executive committee has taken by choosing to come here. Plenty of successful World Cup bids have promised new stadiums, but this is the first one that needs to build the host city first.

Why 14 Fifa executive committee members chose to vote for Qatar despite the manifest obstacles, and how they were persuaded, is a question yet to receive a satisfactory answer.

Fifa being Fifa, it may never emerge, but now the tournament is committed to a peninsula, smaller than the Falkland Islands and hotter than Hawaii, the question Qatar would prefer us to concentrate on is, ‘Why not?’

Qatar’s supporters are prone to accuse their doubters of Eurocentrism, and blame scepticism on a failure to appreciate that the global centre of gravity in sport, as with much else, has shifted east.

This ignores the fact that no one is questioning Qatar’s soaring ambition, simply the probity of the decision and its credibility as a host. There is much to admire during a week in Doha, but questions over what appeared a preposterous decision from a distance are not all allayed by a week on the ground.

Qatar’s dynamism, resources and ambition are not in doubt, and no nation has punched higher above its sporting weight in landing football’s ultimate prize. The scale of the task is immense, however, and the appetite of the population for football unconvincing.

Fifa provided a guide to the challenges in its own technical inspection, the most obvious of which was climate. Qatar campaigned to host in June and July, when, if the temperature reaches the seasonal average of 40C, it is illegal for labourers to work outside between 11am and 3pm.

Fifa’s inspectors were sceptical, warning of a “health risk” and that the solution — solar-powered air-conditioning at stadiums and training sites – was unproven technology. That issue may be resolved by the apparently inevitable move to winter, but the challenge does not stop there.

As well as one city and nine completely new stadiums, Qatar is committed to build a new airport, an entire public transport infrastructure from scratch including a metro and rail network, $20 billion-worth of new roads, a bridge to Bahrain, 54 team base camps, up to 32 training centres and half of the unspecified hotel itinerary required to accommodate spectators. All in a decade.

“The significant construction work involved merits consideration,” wrote Fifa’s inspectors with considerable understatement.

Even once the construction work is completed, delivering the tournament will be an unprecedented challenge. Qatar is proposing to host a World Cup in the space required for an Olympic Games, with 10 of the 12 stadiums clustered in a 25km radius.

The alluring prospect of spectators watching three games a day could founder on basic logistics. Imagine fans attending successive games at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and Wembley.

The government insists all this is achievable, with many of the projects already planned as part of a development planned aimed at transforming the peninsula by 2030.

Given Qatar’s natural gas resources and the evidence of the past decade, few doubt the infrastructure challenge will be met.

The towers of central Doha have soared out of the desert in less than a decade, with more to come judging by the foundations excavated seemingly on every unoccupied block.

Their rise has been accompanied by an investment in sport and culture that has earned Qatar a reputation as the most progressive and outward looking of Gulf states. The World Cup will take this political, economic and social experiment to another level entirely.

The government’s commitment to sport is certainly genuine. The Aspire Academy, built for the 2006 Asian Games, is a world-class facility used by scores of leading European clubs. Bayern Munich trained there this week.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played in the ATP event in the city, and the 16-team Asia Cup began on Friday, Qatar’s biggest ever sport event. So far.

Even Pakistan’s accused cricketers are having their case heard here.

Given the planned transformation, the Asia Cup, using four modest stadiums, three of which will be transformed for the World Cup, provides only a limited guide to what to expect in 2022.

It has offered an early warning of perhaps Qatar’s biggest challenge: the apparent indifference of the local population to football. There were 3,000 empty seats at the 40,000-capacity Al Khalifa Stadium for the opening, with many more vacated when a poor Qatar side went 2-0 down to Uzbekistan with 20 minutes remaining.

Even with tickets ranging from £1 to £26, early matches not involving the hosts have been largely ignored by Qataris, and tickets were available for all games including the final yesterday.

China v Kuwait officially attracted 7,423 (though my estimate would have put it at half that) with the majority of those supporters of the two sides.

Japan’s draw with Jordan drew 6,255 in a 19,000-seat venue, though Syria v Saudi Arabia drew an impressive 15,700. Asia Cup veterans say these are good crowds for the tournament, but World Cup capacities start at 40,000.

Plainly, building a football culture and a team worthy of a World Cup is just as challenging as constructing the venues. Of the 1.6million population just 300,000 are Qataris, a shallow pool from which to find a new generation of players and supporters.

If Qatar cannot fill the stadiums, foreign fans will have to, but they will find the absence of street culture on the city’s six-lane boulevards.

Doha’s Soukh Waqif, rebuilt twice in the past decade (first to make it look modern, then to make it look old again) is a charming exception, but it is one destination in a city that proposes to host fans of 32 nations.

Anyone visiting today would find a hole in the heart of Doha where the new national convention centre is being built. In 2021 this will host the World Cup draw, and a year later it will be Fifa’s temporary home.

Today it is screened from view by a huge banner sponsored by an oil company which reads: “Inspiring Qatar. The new global sports capital.”

Five weeks ago that was an empty slogan. Qatar has 11 years to prove it has substance. [Source]

All posts tagged ‘2010 FIFA World Cup’

2011-01-08T11:59:00.000+05:00

After almost five years of service, Electronic Arts is shutting down its online servers for The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II.

While the PC version’s servers were taken offline last week, Xbox 360 players have until Jan. 11 to use the game’s online services and collect those last remaining Achievements.

EA says it has to shut down the servers due to the expiration of the Tolkien license. But some players say they aren’t too pleased with the way it was handled.

“EA shutting [Middle-earth] down is a real kick in the shins,” said a longtime player named Darkfire in an e-mail to Wired.com. He has played the game for years, he says, and the online modes were “never inactive, even as the servers shut down.”

EA is also killing a handful of other online games, including The Sims Carnival, and stopping server support for a number of sports games. Titles as recent as the Wii and PSP versions of Madden 10 and 2010 FIFA World Cup are losing their online modes in February.

News of Electronic Arts shutting down online servers may seem ironic after its proclamation last month that single-player games are finished, but the company says it didn’t have enough people playing those particular games.

“The EA Sports games scheduled for shutdown … represent roughly 1 percent of all peak online players across all EA titles,” read a statement on the company’s website.

EA did not respond to Wired.com’s requests for comment.

Auto parts catalogues

2011-01-08T11:07:00.000+05:00

With Internet becoming one big consumer market, shopping online is not only fun but also a convenience. It saves time and money in more than one ways. Savvy shoppers can see more, compare and find good deals sitting in the comforts of their homes. That is not possible for those who go and shop on ground. How can you visit each and every store to find what are they offering? That is why everyone starts at the internet to look up for anything from auto parts to bathroom accessories and everything in between. And that is why it is one of the fast growing trends as the world is becoming more connected every day.

Given the demand, so many general directories and catalogues of interesting web listings and resources have come up that are playing important role to promote the trend to shop online. They are useful resources for consumers as well as for businesses to showcase their services and products. And if you are a marketer or producer, you can suggest your own category online. It is easy and simple

I was looking for Honda Auto Parts online when I came upon Kwika.org – fast growing index (new listings and articles are continuously being added). Have a look at their listing and see what all they have there and how you can take advantage of the information gathered there. Given my own interest in auto parts, I explored Ford Parts and Nissan Parts and was amazed to see the resources that I found there. I suggest you too have a look and see what they are offering and how those listing can help you make informed shopping decision to buy just about anything.

I have already book marked Kwika.org for my future reference. I suggest you have a look and try.

Qatar stumble to opening defeat

2011-01-08T09:45:00.000+05:00

The 2011 edition of the AFC Asian Cup kicked off on Friday at the Khalifa Stadium, with a spectacular party featuring fireworks and laser-light displays illuminating the skies of the Qatari capital of Doha.

The opening ceremony began with a speech by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, before the spotlight shone on an elderly gentleman and child who addressed the Qatari ruler. As part of the stunning laser-light show that followed, a football pitch was traced out, onto which the flags of the 16 competing nations were projected.

Next up were fireworks exploding all around the stadium, in a glittering pyrotechnic display which lasted for several minutes and wowed the watching spectators. Yet the home fans’ awe soon turned to disappointment when hosts Qatar were beaten by Uzbekistan in the tournament’s opening game.

The match

Qatar 0-2 Uzbekistan, Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Friday 7 January 2011

Not even the most pessimistic of Qatari fans would have expected the Annabi to make such a bad start to the tournament, particularly with the vast majority of the 37,000 spectators packing the stadium giving vociferous support right from the off. Yet it was Uzbekistan who started the brighter and dominated proceedings early on, very nearly taking a 7th-minute lead when Alexander Geynrikh’s shot rattled the crossbar.

The hosts, for their part, had to wait until the 39th minute for their best chance, with Fabio Cesar curling a free-kick against the right post. However, that was as good as it got with Uzbekistan opening the scoring in the 58th minute via a stunning strike from Odil Ahmedov, whose shot struck the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net. And with 14 minutes remaining Server Djeparov capitalised on a defensive mistake from Qatar to make it 2-0, thus setting the seal on an unexpected win for Uzbekistan and a stuttering start for the host nation.

The star

Server Djeparov, Uzbekistan

Voted Asia’s best player in 2008, Djeparov played a pivotal role in midfield for the Uzbeks. The creator of several chances for strikers Alexander Geynrikh and Maksim Shatskikh, the 28-year-old also made 41 completed passes and three interceptions. The most important of these came in the 76th minute, when he intercepted a loose back-pass from substitute Khalfan Ibrahim before beating Qatar keeper Qasem Burhan with a first-time shot.

The stat

51 – The number of passes made by Uzbekistan midfielder Ahmedov during the game, which worked out as 13 per cent of his team’s total. Also the scorer of a thumping goal for his side, Ahmedov and Co’s opening victory will give them a huge boost in a group which also contains China PR and Kuwait.

What they said

“We’re very happy to win the game but I'm very sorry for the Qatari people because this was a big celebration for them, but that’s football. I’ve watched the Qatari team before and I know how they play. So we planned to play like this and everything went according to plan. We got the three points today and we are happy now but we must not relax. We will enjoy this now but tomorrow we will start looking to the next match. The fact that we beat Qatar today will help us in our next game,” Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov.

“Today is a very bad start for our team. We wanted to play well for the people, for everybody but we played a very bad game today. I'm sorry for the fans, for everybody but sometimes it is very difficult to play well right from the start of a tournament, particularly with the pressure on the players. Sometimes the opening game is very difficult; it's not the first time a host team has lost their first game. It is important to protect the players. If there is a problem, a mistake, it's down to me,” Qatar coach Bruno Metsu.

Switch to electronic cigarettes

2011-01-08T09:39:00.000+05:00

Electronic cigarette (also called e cig) is a wonderful utility. Simply put, it is a battery-powered tool that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by heating a nicotine-chemical solution into a vapor. It is one of the best alternatives to smoking. In addition to nicotine delivery, this vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco, smoke, or combustion is actually involved in its operation. Most electronic cigarettes are reusable devices with replaceable and refillable parts. A number of disposable electronic cigarettes have also been developed.

The e cig is an electronic device that contains only a small amount of ingredients as compared to the chemicals found in traditional cigarettes. Best thing is that ingredients consists of flavoring additives to create many flavors such as menthol, tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, cappuccino, apple, strawberry, cherry, and more as per the taste of any smoker. And smokers can also control the amount of nicotine intake by using cartridges with low, medium, high and zero nicotine levels.

Given the benefits, use of e cigs is increasing exponentially. It is recommended for smoke shops, restaurants, bars, night clubs, gift shops, corporate events, parties, or retail stores and chains.

While looking online, I came upon eCigs.com – one of the leading resources for eclectic cigarettes. I was amazed to see what they offer including vapor king eclectic cigarettes. I suggest those who are interested in the best electric cigarettes must start at eCigs.com and see what they are offering and how switching to e cigs can save a smoker a large amount of money as compared to the high priced conventional packs they are using.

eCigs.com is a uncluttered website and that explains everything about e cigs and offers best shopping experience online. They have different options for payment including PayPal. They have best customers service practices. I suggest try them and have an enriching experience.

Gala programme in store

2011-01-08T07:41:00.000+05:00

The sense of anticipation is growing, with the first ever winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or set to be unveiled in Zurich on Monday. Brought about by the fusion of two prestigious titles in the FIFA World Player of the Year award and France Football magazine’s Ballon d’Or, the honour will crown a gala evening celebrating the game over the past year. As ever, FIFA.com will be there to bring you all the latest news and interviews from early in the afternoon onwards.

The event will kick off at 14.00 CET with a press conference involving nominees for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football awards. Fatmire Bajramaj, Marta, Birgit Prinz, Pia Sundhage and Silvia Neid (editor’s note: Maren Meinert cannot attend) will share their thoughts on being shortlisted for their respective prizes, reflect on the year gone by and look forward to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™. You can watch this press conference live on FIFA.com.

Afterwards, the FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year will be named and that ceremony will also be streamed live on FIFA.com, followed by the men’s press conference at 15.00 on the dot as candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award have their say. Lionel Messi will undoubtedly recall his joy at claiming the player’s title for 2009 while Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Vicente del Bosque are sure to savour another glance back at Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ triumph.

All concerned will then take advantage of a break in proceedings to change into evening dress for the Gala itself, allowing FIFA.com to publish quick summaries of the two press conferences for anyone who missed the live video.

Between 16.30 and 18.00, Zurich’s lucky inhabitants and any fans having made the trip to the eastern Swiss town will be able to get a glimpse of the stars on show as a red carpet is unfurled in front of the city’s Kongresshaus. It will be a unique opportunity for a close-up look at the players, coaches, former icons and previous award winners present, and once again FIFA.com will be on hand to conduct interviews and bring you a taste of the building atmosphere.

With the entrées out of the way, at 19.00 the stage will finally be set for the main course – the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, which will be streamed live on FIFA.com. In addition to the titles mentioned above, a whole host of further honours will be bestowed, not least the FIFA Presidential Award and FIFA Fair Play Award, while the FIFA FIFPro World XI will reveal the year’s 11 best players as voted by their peers and the FIFA Puskas Prize will reward the scorer of the finest goal of 2010 according to FIFA.com users.

After the show, which is scheduled to end at 20.00, the players and coaches will speak with the press, and unsurprisingly FIFA.com will be there yet again to record their reactions. As usual, you will be able to read the evening’s winners give their first impressions almost as soon as they have spoken their minds.

Once the action-packed day has ended, it will then be time for the protagonists to catch their flights home and for the decor to be packed away at the Zurich Kongresshaus. On FIFA.com, meanwhile, it will be the moment for all of you to tell the world your thoughts on the inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala.

Buy Social Media Fans and Followers

2011-01-06T11:44:00.004+05:00

Give me real Facebook fans, targeted Twitter followers and interested YouTube viewers and I can convert them into customers. Every business can do that. The only problem is that it is difficult and time consuming to gather people on your social media outlets where you can interact with them meaningfully. Bust thing is that you can buy targeted audience. Thanks to BuyFansToday.com that they offer you can buy Facebook fans, twitter followers and YouTube viewers.

Savvy businesses are already using social media as a marketing tool and are taking advantages of huge social media potentials. Social media users’ base is breaking down barriers between businesses and customers’ base and is converting people into buyers.

BuyFansToday.com can help you gather real human traffic to your YouTube video, Facebook and or Twitter pages. The directed traffic will actually watch your videos, and interact with you on other social media sites and will be interested in what you are saying about your concerns.

BuyFansToday.com is a leading social media promoter where you can buy Twitter followers. Have a look and see what they are offering and how they work. I suggest you buy YouTube views or buy Twitter followers and it will be a well spent money. Try it and you will be buying success.

Number one loan service

2011-01-06T09:43:00.004+05:00

What to do when some unforeseen eventuality comes up that is beyond your control? Your credit card is maxed out and you do not have time to get loans from banks due to their lengthy procedures. And you also do not want to borrow from friends and or family members. Loans may be the only alternative?

Growing needs and surprises in life sometime create a situation when people need some hard cash quick. This demand has created loan services that offer quick loans to users who need it. Now personal loans have become the need of the day for many people.

Selecting and using reputed loan service is overwhelming sometime. Wise is to do some personal research and find out what suites the needs on most suitable terms and then make an informed decision. Looking online I came upon AmericaOneUnsecured.com site that offers small business loans.

If you are looking for loan service, I suggest you explore and see how they work. I liked this way of doing business. That is what makes AmericaOneUnsecured.com a quick help in need. I also suggest that anyone who needs a cash advance must select the source by reading different opinions from the users who have already used them. This will enable you to make more informed decision.

A passion for women’s football

2011-01-04T11:13:00.000+05:00

When France clinched the FIFA World Cup™ title on 12 July 1998, key midfielder Christian Karembeu was able to celebrate accomplishing the dream of a lifetime. It was an intensely emotional moment for the players, and the euphoria spread to the stands as well, where Karembeu’s then girlfriend, the Slovakian model Adriana Sklenarikova, got swept up in the excitement despite her limited association with the game.

Now, 12 years on from that famous day, she and Christian are married and football remains a central part of their lives. Although her husband has hung up his boots, having amassed an impressive haul of medals, it is Adriana who is increasingly immersing herself in the sport. A women’s football ambassador as well as a patron of the French women’s team, it was in recognition of her active role that she was invited to take part in the Official Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ in Frankfurt on 29 November.

FIFA.com caught up with the beautiful game’s most glamorous standard-bearer to talk about women’s football, France’s ambitions and much more besides.

FIFA.com: How did it feel to have the destiny of 16 teams in your hands?

Adriana Karembeu: It’s an incredible feeling. My husband had already taken part in draws and I felt nervous for him each time. Then all of a sudden it was my turn! But I love moments like these. It’s exciting; it’s the moment where everything gets decided. The whole world is watching and getting restless. I’m happy to have taken part in the event and decided the fate of the teams.

What are your ties with women’s football exactly?

I became an ambassador and I immediately felt passionate about it. I admit that I didn’t know much about women’s football before, and I didn’t realise it wasn’t particularly developed in France compared to Germany or the United States. It’s a bit of a shame. It’s been around for 40 years and lots of people have fought hard to promote it, but it’s still not enough. This year, we’ve launched an ambitious publicity campaign and the reaction to that has been very good. We’re becoming more and more visible, getting lots of people visiting our websites and more and more girls are joining clubs. I hope that’ll continue and that my own small contribution will count for something.

We’re becoming more and more visible, getting lots of people visiting our websites and more and more girls are joining clubs. I hope that’ll continue.

With a few months to go before the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011, what are your thoughts on the standard of the France team?

I know there are teams to avoid, like Germany, USA and Brazil, but France did well in qualifying, with 11 wins from 12 games. That’s a superb record. The girls have learnt a lot since 2003. We didn’t qualify in 2007, but since then several female players have been through Clairefontaine [France’s national technical centre] where they’ve picked up a lot in terms of tactics and technique. That bore fruit during the qualifiers and now, with Bruno Bini in charge of the side, we’re aiming very high.

Will you be travelling to Germany to watch any FIFA Women’s World Cup games?

There’s a good chance, yes. I can’t wait because France will be involved in some big games. The girls are ready after all the important matches they’ve already contested. Technically and physically, they’re among the best around. I can’t wait to see how we perform in a big tournament.

You are Slovakian but when you refer to the France team, you say “we”. Are you fully in the French camp now?

(Laughs) Of course. I’m their patron and I feel very involved. They’re like my own daughters, so I say “we” because we’re a family in a sense.

Moving from one France team to another, what did you make of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™?

It’s still a fairly painful episode for me, as it is for every France supporter. From a French point of view, everyone has very bad memories of that competition. We mustn’t forget what happened in South Africa because we often learn from our mistakes and difficult moments, but we have to move forward and look ahead. Given what we experienced in 1998 and 2010, it’s fair to say that the France team can provide both highs and lows. France loves football and loves its national team. We need to tell ourselves that these things happen. It happened to us, we’ll learn from it, we’ll grow and we hope to live through what we experienced in 1998 all over again.

Now that your husband has retired, who is your favourite footballer?

It’s not the same from a personal point of view any more. Watching football when Christian was on the pitch was like watching a hero, a warrior. I’m not capable of having that same feeling and admiration for another player, but that doesn’t stop me from recognising how talented the great players are. There are lots of them, but I’d have to put Lionel Messi a little bit above all of them. He’s got incredible talent and makes everything he does look easy, plus I’m convinced he’s very nice as a person.

What is it like being married to a professional footballer?

I never really noticed the difference between the life of a footballer’s wife and the life of a woman married to someone doing pretty much any other job. Aside from a few technicalities, such as not being able to go away for weekends – although, with my job, I couldn’t really do that either – I never really noticed that my husband was a footballer. He didn’t bring football home with him. He practically never spoke about it and I appreciated that. He didn’t put his work at the heart of our life together. That’s important in a family. I had my job, he had his, and our private lives were more about family than work. I was never his assistant, nurse or physio. I was just his wife.

Nowadays, he’s no longer playing while you have taken an active role in football. How has he reacted to that? Is he worried you might become more famous in the game than him?

(Laughs) It’s incredible; I didn’t plan on this at all. I really don’t know what he thinks about the situation. It all happened so quickly that we didn’t have time to really discuss it. I can only think back to one day, when he saw me at the French Football Federation and said: “What are you doing here?” It was very funny. It happened quickly but it hasn’t really changed anything in our daily lives. I’m surrounded by people I’ve been close to since 1998, so they’re a family, really. He can rest easy though, because I don’t think there’s much danger of me stealing his place as a football star! [Via]

Blatter vows FIFA anti-corruption body

2011-01-03T10:43:00.002+05:00

An anti-corruption committee will be established to police FIFA, the world soccer governing body, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Sunday.

Blatter told the Swiss newspaper Sonntags Zeitung he will move personally to establish a committee whose task will be "to ensure there is no corruption at FIFA."

"This committee will strengthen our credibility and give us a new image in terms of transparency," Blatter said.

The soccer chief said its members will include seven to nine members "not only from sport but from politics, finance, business and culture."

Blatter confirmed he himself would not be on the committee in order to maintain its independence.

The move comes after Nigeria's Adamu was suspended for bribery last year -- the first FIFA executive committee member ever to be so disciplined. He was banished from the committee for three years and fined $10,700, but says he will appeal.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T22:16:00.002+05:00

As I say Happy New Year to all my friends and readers and greet the start of the next year, here is the list of articles the characterized 2010 through my blogs. These articles reveal how I will remember 2010.

I am sure some of these articles will allow you to relive the memories of the past year while some others will let you how I was right (or wrong) when I wrote them. List is long. I suggest you have a cup of Doodh Patti, sit back and while you say farewell to year 2010.

Social Media in the Attention Age
Blogging in Rage
Identity Access Management
Cyber World is Not in Safe Hands
Plagiarism, Prove it!
Chaudhry Norbert Pintsch and the Appropriate Technology
Why telecommuting trend is not picking up
Art for Allah
The Nizam Sahib, I think I know
What Are Criminals Made Of?
Changing Chitral
Pakistan blogging era
Thatta Kedona reach out
Calling Pakistan marketers and advertisers
How to make money online in Pakistan
Sanjh story
Flood and the Taliban
Pakistan Flood 2010
Pakistan economy
Harrapa
Jalal HB on Fine Art of Blogging
Mud architecture in Pakistan
Revival of Mud Architecture in the world
Summer camp in Gupis
Pakistan cricket
Changing outlook

Easy ways to make mony online

2010-12-30T11:36:00.000+05:00

How easy, read it here.

Business printing

2010-12-28T15:19:00.000+05:00

Printed words are permanent in nature. Simple business cards, booklets or a broachers reflects on your business and or yourself. An attractive business card will not only include necessary information, but will say much more about what you are and what you do. The style and quality will convey your message very strongly.

All those who are looking for efficient and quality printing services must start at Print Express – experienced printing house that offers all printing solution a business might need.

Print Express has been doing printing job for last 25 years. That is why Print Express guarantees print that will have an impact and hold attention of everyone. Print Express that they offer easy, professional and quality printing solutions at one place.

Have a look at the printing service they are offering and also see how fast they deliver the printing jobs. In addition to full range of color printing, their other areas of expertise are recycled printing, business documents, copying and duplicating, poster (in/and outdoor), and designing.

Explore the site and also go through their blog and testimonial section and learn what their happy users have been saying about them. This will help you make informed decision. Better still, ask Print Express for the finest quality printing and have an enriching experience.