South Africa World Cup 2010

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South Africa kicked off the one-year countdown to the World Cup in a ceremony Thursday at a half-complete stadium nestled between mighty Table Mountain and the glistening Atlantic.

South African President Jacob Zuma kicked a ball off a stand at the ceremony and said his countrymen have shown they can rise to the challenge of hosting the first African edition of the football tournament.

"We are ready,'' deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe earlier told business delegates at the World Economic Forum on Africa. When asked to rate the country's preparedness on a scale of one to 10, he replied: "More than 10.'

That assessment is optimistic.

While most international attention has focussed on stadium construction and South Africa's ability to protect fans from its notoriously ruthless criminals, the biggest single stumbling block is lack of transport.

All major airports are being upgraded to cope with the crowds. But plans to create urban rapid bus transit systems to supplement erratic and often dangerous minibus taxis are being fiercely resisted by taxi drivers who have threatened to wreak mayhem if they are ignored. Negotiations between government transportation officials and taxi associations were continuing to try to resolve the impasse, even as construction work continued on the bus lanes.

"It is our biggest concern, no question,'' Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape province, told delegates at the forum.

There are question marks whether there will be enough accommodation for the expected 450,000 fans, and whether South Africa's communications systems will be advanced enough to service the anticipated 15,000 members of the media.

Costs of hosting the 32-team tournament have spiraled way beyond original estimates - about tenfold in the case of stadium construction. And most of the projects were planned and budgeted for when the South African economy was growing. Now it is in recession.

Michael Jordaan, the chief executive officer of South Africa's First National Bank, said the economic benefits of the World Cup were likely overstated. But he said it was the best medicine for the global downturn that has seen South Africa enter its first recession in 17 years.

"It's the best possible time to have investment,'' Jordaan said. "It is the most wonderful thing that we have a deadline. We have to get the stadium ready and the roads. It's very fortuitous that the timing hits us right now.''

The Western Cape alone is spending an additional 12 billion rand on infrastructure that would not otherwise have taken place, Zille said.

"Barack Obama talks about being shovel ready,'' Jordaan said. "We're already shoveling.''

Link to FIFA Official World Cup....... http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html

Should we exercise or not?

The western world is faced with ever increasing signs of people becoming obese; this is brought about by an ever changing lifestyle.

Due to the ever increasing cost of living, people seek to earn more money in order to stand still and the pace of life becomes faster and faster. This creates a situation where they snatch meals and in particular meals of junk food, and when they arrive home in the evening they drop into an easy chair and watch the T.V.

In addition there is the tendency for people to become lazy, taking the easy way out, again by visiting the local burger bar and watching more Television, as the number of programs increase year by year.

This concept, favored by many adults, then is disseminated to their children and we are therefore encouraging a new generation of couch potatoes, and so the circle widens. To add to the down turn, there is less activity in schools than years ago, when teachers and parents used to volunteer time in the evenings to do sport with pupils.

This brings us to the question, as to whether we should exercise regularly and also what type of exercise should we do!

Some form of exercise is of paramount importance in maintaining a healthy life and there are numerous forms of achieving this, in fact, everyone could find a suitable system, if they were of a mind to improve their fitness.

Additionally, it does not necessarily take a lot of time, if they were to research what is available. With the Internet now a big part of our life, it is far simpler to find out about such things, than it was 20 years ago.

What form of exercise should we be looking at?

The first point to consider is how healthy you are at this point in time, and it would be advisable, if you are uncertain, to have a word with your doctor, before considering the route to take.

Even so, whatever you decide to do, it is wise to undertake a very easy entry route into physical exercise. It is also quite easy to find a routine that only takes 7 -10 minutes at a convenient time during the day.

Once you have decided that you want to become fitter and healthier and have embarked on a simple program, and then it is wise to think about the next stage!

This will obviously depend on your age and your overall body condition. Maybe you will want to join a fitness gym, you will certainly receive expert advice and tuition, but perhaps walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill etc., does not appeal to you. Perhaps you will look at taking up a sport that you did at school !

The added advantage of taking up a sport, such as tennis, is that you can join a club and meet many new people, who will make your participation much more enjoyable, you will make lots of new friends and it is also a sociable.

Make certain, whatever you decide to do, that the club is not elitist and that everyone can partake, irrespective of ability.

Other easy forms of exercise, which are equally rewarding, are walking and hiking; find a local group who go on guided walks etc., Join a swimming club, this again is one of the best forms of workout; if you can't swim and feel a little embarrassed, seek private lessons, an understanding coach will arrange these at of peek times.

There are forms of exercise that we can all do if we put our mind to it; take up an allotment, digging is a great form of exercise, providing you don't over do it initially, and the rewards of your own produce makes it very worthwhile.

Even doing the housework, vacuuming etc., is better than nothing.

It is extremely important to make a change and start regular exercise - get to it!
If you would like to consider a home fitness workout; you will be helped continuously and program updated to suit your needs and make it fun!

DON'T MAKE AN EXCUSE... DO SOMETHING !

Sports Heroes: Best role models?

It is easy for kids to admire professional athletes who stand out in their sport. This admiration often takes the form of “hero worship” and gives kids someone to mimic in their path to adulthood. Just like their heroes, most kids can easily see themselves making the winning score or receiving the praise and lifestyle that comes with success. Many parents encourage this behaviour through buying jerseys and seeking autographs.

Professional sports are a form of entertainment just as television programs are. Like actors and actresses, professional athletes become celebrities and gain additional exposure for the things they do away from the game - blurring the line between performance and lifestyle. Parents can not always control what kids know about their favorite players. As personal celebrity becomes intermixed with professional accomplishment, kids can begin to mimic an athlete’s personal actions and mannerisms as well as an athlete’s professional skill. Kids can become confused about what it is they are trying to imitate.

However, as recent news accounts only reconfirm, professional athletes do not always make the best role models. A professional player’s conduct away from the game is often unknown. Most fans do not really know a player’s morals, ethics, work habits, and respect for teammates or for fans. Thus, most parents do not really know if they want their child to grow up mimicking the life choices of a specific professional athlete.

For kids who want heroes and parents who want role models, there can be conflict. One way around this conflict is for parents to begin distinguishing between admiration for a player’s abilities and admiration for a player. For example, saying that a professional player is a great athlete is different than saying a professional player is a great person.

Parents can help focus their children’s attention on players whose community actions are admirable even if the player’s game actions are not at the superstar level. Helping kids understand the difference between a player as a person and a player as an athlete is the key to providing the right role models for children.

The most talked about myth !

The Most Talked About Myth....English Clubs Don't Have English Players ..

The media loves talking about how the big clubs in England are the destroyers of English football. The doom and gloom mongers love to portray Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, as four clubs who have abandoned the notion of having English players in their sides, instead opting to buy fancy, expensive foreigners. This has become so much of an issue that FIFA president Sepp Blatter is thinking of ways to fix the problem - possibly by going as far as forcing teams to field a certain number of “homegrown” players.

Is my debate, however, merely a figment of the media’s imagination? Or is the failure of the English national team really because of its biggest club sides not fielding English players? I’m afraid that at the end of the day, English clubs - the big four included - are doing exactly what they need to do, and the FA is not taking care of its own matters.

To dispel this myth, let’s look at the key players of the top four clubs in the Premier League. First up are champions Manchester United. United are known around the globe for their famous youth academy, and most recently for the success of the class of 1992. David Beckham, Brothers Phil and Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt led the way for a new generation of young English stars. The core of this group led United to many Premier League titles and FA Cup titles, with a Champion’s League trophy thrown in there as well.

Today, Gary Neville - an Englishman - captains the side while Ryan Giggs - from Wales, but who has been with the club for years and years - co-captains and lifted the Champion’s League trophy this year. Paul Scholes - another Englishman - is the main man in midfield who keeps the team ticking. In addition, Rio Ferdinand is the rock in central defence for the club and is effectively the leader of the side. Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick are key members of the squad as well as they fill in the center of midfield. Wes Brown is a dependable squad member too. And oh yes, don’t forget England’s number one striker Wayne Rooney, who also plies his trade at Old Trafford. Youngsters like Fraizer Cambell and Danny Simpson are also progressing through the ranks. United are not ignoring English talent.

Next up are Chelsea, who finished in second place last season. When you think of Chelsea, what comes to mind? Chances are you have an image of John Terry at some point in his career either bleeding as he proudly wears the team’s kit or crying because his beloved team just lost (cue images of his penalty miss in the Champion’s League final). If it’s not John Terry that comes to mind, surely it’s Frank Lampard. Lampard has been a staple in the English national team for a few years now and has become an integral part of the Chelsea side that won two Premier League titles. These two players combined mean that Chelsea rely very heavily on an English core. That’s not enough for you, Mr. Blatter? How about Chelsea’s best winger - none other than Englishman Joe Cole. Cole is one of England’s most technically gifted players and was the scorer of England’s nicest goal at the 2006 World Cup. After the tournament, though, Cole sustained a long term injury. Who fills in for Cole when he’s hurt? None other than Englishman Shaun Wright-Phillips. Okay, SWP does not get much playing time, but another English international does: Ashley Cole. Cole is a certain starter in the Chelsea lineup and is one of the best attacking left backs in the world. He has made the left-back spot his own for the English national team and continues to ward off the threats of foreigners taking his spot at Chelsea. Chelsea are not ignoring English talent.

Next in line in this observation is Liverpool. Like Chelsea, Liverpool’s captain and star performer is English. Steven Gerrard was brought up through the Liverpool youth system and is often credited with being the reason that the Champion’s League trophy has found itself in Liverpool in the past few seasons. The team is built around Gerrard, so it would be impossible to say that the club don’t rely on English talent. I’m sure Mr. Blatter’s response would be to say “okay, so the midfield is reliant on one Englishman. So what?” Well, the defense has been led by another English player for years now. Jamie Carragher is Mr. Consistency for Liverpool and has played a crucial role for a long time now. There’s no denying that without the versatile English defender, Liverpool would not be half the defensive unit that they are. In addition to these two key components, Jermain Pennant has been seeing an increase in playing time recently. While his career took a slight dip in form, Pennant is doing his best to make sure he becomes one of the club’s important members. Liverpool are not ignoring English talent.

Finally, Arsenal round out the top four clubs to look at. Perhaps it is Arsene Wenger’s squad that the media and Sepp Blatter look at when they say that Premiership clubs ignore English talent. Too many times last season we saw an entire Arsenal starting eleven with zero English players. It’s hard to include one in the side when the only notable English player in the first team is Theo Walcott, who is largely raw talent. Besides him, the only other English player who makes cameo appearances in the side is Justin Hoyte. While he could become an English international one day, he’s not yet at the stage where he can make an impression on club or country. For now, Arsenal remains the only side in the big four that blatantly ignores any and all English talent. The blame, however, can largely be put on manager Arsene Wenger as he chooses to pay lower prices for overseas youngsters that he can groom into stars.

So, what is the conclusion of all of this? English clubs are not ignoring English talent. In fact, as you can see in this article, the two most successful sides actually base their teams around the most Englishmen. Manchester United clearly rely on English talent the most, and they are the most successful side since the inception of the Premier League and two-in-a-row reigning champions. Chelsea have more English players than both Liverpool and Arsenal, and they are consistent title contenders now.

Also outside the "top four" other clubs like Aston Villa are also producing home grown talent...Curtis Davies, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry were all in the England squad to face Germany recently. I don't remember the last time they had four in the squad but it's testament to the good work Martin O'Neill is doing at the club.

Instead of placing the blame on the big four clubs and saying they ruin the English football system, why don’t some in the media and other critics take a look at the facts? Clubs who do ignore homegrown talent are being left behind, and it is their loss. Instead of trying to force rules upon clubs, why not let them realize that it is their own bad management that is leaving them behind? If Arsenal want to ignore English talent and languish behind Manchester United and Chelsea then let them! Mr. Blatter, there is clearly no reason to attempt to implement “rules” defining how clubs must structure themselves. Over time the cream always rises to the top, a written rule does not change that situation.

Below is a link to the FIFA World Ranking.

http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=eng/ranking/gender=m/index.html

Hand-Eye Coordination

Have you ever thought that you are good at controlling a ball and have good "hand-eye" coordination? Maybe you can keep a football up for a while in the park or at training .... Catching a ball with one hand, juggle with two balls....

Well think again... these videos show us all how it's done... I've been on the Internet searching out some wonderful, amusing and entertaining videos...

Football Juggling with thanks from Reyra Football....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4mC_rbNYXI&fmt=18


Amazing Ball Gymnastics....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNnLFQ9dRF4


Basketball...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyloH5NjOQ8


Insane Ball Tricks... (My favourite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIeRSx8581o

So why don't you practice some ball skills and one day you may end up on uTube yourself !

Strangest Sports Ever ?

Depending on an individual’s perspective, some sports outside professional leagues can be classified as weird. North Americans and the French do not understand cricket and even a few South Americans haven’t even heard of hockey. The following sports go beyond the boundaries of unusual sports when it comes to rules and equipment.


Man verses Horse

If you thought the sport had anything to do with strength, then you’re wrong. The annual Man Versus Horse Marathon requires stamina and agility. Taking place in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells, the marathon puts human contestants up against mounted horse contestants. The event started in 1980, when a landlord decided to hold the event after hearing two men arguing about whether or not an individual could beat a horse in a cross country race.


Where Love Is The Key To Success

First introduced in Finland, wife carrying is an actual sport where male competitors race while carrying a female teammate. The objective is for the male to carry the female through a special obstacle course in the fastest time. Major competitions are held in Sonkajarvi, Finland, Monona, Wisconsin and in Marquette, Michigan. Talk about tough love.



Going For A Different Kind Of Swim

Even though it does seem kind of gross, bog snorkeling is a sporting event where competitors swim in a water-filled trench cut through a peat bog. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers and can only complete the course by swimming with their flippers and not using traditional swimming techniques. The World Bog Snorkeling Championships take place every August Bank Holiday in a dense peat bog near Llanwrtyd Wells, in Wales.


Putting Your Best Toe Forward

A popular activity for children, toe wrestling is now a competitive sport. The World Toe Wrestling Competition first started at a pub in Derbyshire, UK in 1976. Locals thought it would be a great idea to hold a competition where individuals lock toes together and force their opponent’s foot to the ground. The organizers applied in 1997 to get the sport included in the Olympics, but unfortunately, it was not accepted.



Another Use For Those Fists Of Steel

Despite not being well-renowned in the media, fistball is an old sport that’s practiced all over the world. Like tennis and volleyball, the purpose of the sport is to hit the ball with your fist or arm and place it in the opponent’s half where they won’t get to it. After passing the net, the ball may be contacted up to three times (bounces are allowed) by the five players on each team.
The sport is played indoors and outdoors and is featured in The World Games.

Taking Underwater Sports To The Next Level

Octopush (also known as underwater hockey) is a non-contact sport where two teams compete to maneuver a puck across the bottom of a swimming pool and into “goals”. Just like hockey but underwater, the game has actually become popular in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Reinventing A Childhood Sport

Even though it’s not entirely unusual, the fact that there is a kickball league is fun, yet weird.

The popular playground game has now become a competitive sport with the creation of the World Adult Kickball Association.

Combining Paw & Pawn

If you’re looking for a sport that combines using your strength as well as intelligence, then chess boxing is for you. The sport is a combination of boxing and chess with the different games alternating after each round. A match between two individuals lasts up to eleven rounds, starting with a four minute chess round and followed by two minutes of boxing. The sport is governed by the World Chess Boxing Organization whose motto is: “Fighting is done in the ring and wars are waged on the board”

Finding Out Who's Faster: You Or Cheese

Cheese rolling is probably one of the simplest sports out there. From the top of hill, a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled and competitors chase after it.

The first individual across the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins (the cheese of course).

Competitors aim to catch the rolling cheese but this rarely happens as it has a one second head start and can reach speeds up to 112 km/hr. In 1997, the cheese took a wrong turn down the hill and accidentally injured a spectator:

Beaten by a Whisker

Facial hair can certainly make a man more masculine, but a competition? The World Beard And Moustache Championships is a biennial competition where men show off their extraordinary beards and moustaches. Categories include Dali moustache, goatee and full beard freestyle.