World Team Tennis, an innovative, three-week-long professional league in the United States started by legendary womens player Billie Jean King, is still going strong in its 36th season in the United States. And the team in the nations capital, the Washington Kastles - led by Venus and Serena Williams - has been tops in the league this season. Like the others who are competing this month in the league, they not only play but also give back to the game.
When they are not competing for Grand Slam tennis titles, American stars Venus and Serena Williams spend a lot of time giving back to the game, conducting free clinics for young children. That is a regular part of match days in World Team Tennis.
Venus said it gives her a good feeling when she sees the high interest level, especially among ethnic minority children.
Its great to see young people playing in general, but also seeing young African-Americans playing tennis is fantastic, too. But I think my main focus is just young people playing and mostly doing positive things with their lives, she said.
Younger sister Serena agrees.
You know its really cool. You come out and you help the kids or you watch them play, and you never know what one kid or two kids, or however many kids, you can ultimately influence, said Serena.
World Team Tennis officials say they hope these clinics can spur continued growth of the sport.
Venus and Serena have another sister who lives in Washington, and Serena said playing for the Kastles here in the nations capital is a bonus
I love playing for the Kastles, and I love playing for the city, and I love the city. And its so beautiful, and now were right on the water. So its just amazing playing in an amazing stadium and its great, said Serena.
After playing downtown in a temporary stadium last year, the Kastles home venue, which features a unique multi-colored court, now is on the Potomac River. And it has been filled to capacity for all of their games this season.
At one match, even first lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters came out to cheer the home team.
World Team Tennis features men and women in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, and has its own scoring rules and regulations.
Venus Williams likes that aspect of the league.
Every game counts, so even if you dont win your match, if you get some games for your team, ultimately that can lead to a win for everyone. So everyone has to contribute an equal part, and thats what really makes it unique, she said.
Serena Williams said she enjoys being her older sisters teammate.
She doesnt necessarily give me advice. We just go out and do our best and try to play well for the Kastles. Were both really excited to be playing for the same team, said Serena.
And the Washington Kastles, which also features doubles specialist Leander Paes of India, has been the best this season in World Team Tennis, becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth by winning their first 13 matches.
Young African Striker Danny Mwanga Excels in MLS
(Published on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:23:58 GMT)
Striker Danny Mwanga, 20, is reaching his potential with Major League Soccers Philadelphia Union. Mwanga is second on the team in goals with five and ranks in the top 10 in MLS in combined goals and assists. He is a key reason why Philadelphia - in only its second season - is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
High Expectations
Success for Danny Mwanga was expected when he was picked first overall in the 2010 MLS Draft. The then teenager from the Democratic Republic of Congo was the Unions first-ever draft pick and so far is making the teams scouting department look like savvy professionals.
As anticipated, the former Oregon State University All-American has carried his collegiate success to the professional level. Mwanga had seven goals last year in his first professional season and already has five in the 2011 campaign. After recording only one assist in his first seven appearances this season, the striker has had five goals and two assists in his last 10 matches. The hot streak has vaulted him among the leagues leading scorers this season.
I was just trying to do even better than I did last year, said Mwanga. For a rookie [in] my first year, I think I did good, and a lot of people told me I did good. But at the same time, for me personally, I knew I could do better, and I know that I can still do a lot better than I am doing now. So just looking at the last year, I just wanted to improve on that year and do even better than I did last year. I think that was kind of like motivation for me coming into this season.
Transition to Pro
Mwangas growth as a player from the college to the professional ranks has been remarkable. The former Pac 10 Conference Player of the Year while at Oregon State has become a scoring threat who does not shy away from big moments. And the coaching staff and veteran leadership in Philadelphia have done wonders for his game.
Yeah, theyve helped me a lot, Mwanga added. Obviously as a young player there are games where things dont really go your way. Sometimes you just tend to - you know - just put your head down and kind of get discouraged, but those are the times that the coaching staff did a good job trying to keep your heads in the game and trying to be focused. And then some veterans as well do the same thing. Even if they are not really going to tell you what to do, by just watching what they are doing, you know, watching their mentality during games week in and week out. Just watching what they are doing and looking at what they are doing is helping me a lot.
Union head coach Peter Nowak says Mwanga has performed well considering the high expectations.
I think there was never a question of his form, there was always a question as what we need as a team from the moment. Hes the guy that can change the game completely from one minute to another. I think as a young player you always get some, you know, especially after the season he had last year, that you have some pressure on your shoulders that he needs to handle. In some capacity those expectations, you know, its difficult for them to handle it. So I think its important right now for him to just recognize that, you know, listen, sometimes these games are hard and Im not going to score. It doesnt really matter, Nowak said.
The success that Danny Mwanga has carried over from his rookie season is all the sweeter now that the Union is among the leagues best teams.
Yeah, its a lot of fun. I mean, last year I was scoring a couple goals and the team wasnt doing so good. But this year, its not just about me and [Sebastien] le Toux. You can see the whole offense is doing great, Mwanga noted. Everyone is contributing in the teams success, and then on top of that, were sitting at the very top of the Eastern Conference. So I think its a great season so far and Im really enjoying it. Right now Im just trying to work even harder and harder. Im trying to get better to help the team do even better than we are doing right now.
After the mid-season break for the MLS All-Star game, the Philadelphia Union and its Congolese striker Danny Mwanga are hoping to continue their success when they resume their MLS season July 29 against the Chicago Fire.
US Olympic Medalist Commits Suicide
(Published on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:12:42 GMT)
U.S. Winter Olympics medalist Jeret Speedy Peterson has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police in Salt Lake City, Utah, said the 29-year-old Peterson called Monday night to tell them where he was and that he was going to commit suicide. He was found dead shortly thereafter in a mountainous area of Utah called Lambs Canyon.
Peterson was arrested last Friday for allegedly speeding and drunk driving on a road in the neighboring state of Idaho. His attorney filed a not-guilty charge on his behalf for both crimes.
Peterson won the silver medal for aerial skiing at last years Vancouver Olympics, performing an extremely difficult move called the Hurricane that he invented. It featured three flips and five twists.
The three-time Olympian had a troubled life. He was sexually abused as a child, lost his sister to a drunk driver and witnessed a roommate commit suicide. He was sent home from the 2006 Turin Olympics after an alcohol-fueled bar fight. The aerial skier had finished seventh at those Games.
He quit the sport after that and did not go through treatment or rehabilitation. But he returned to competition the year before the Vancouver Games, won the second World Cup meet he entered, and again qualified for the Olympics.
Britain Begins One-Year Countdown to London Olympics
(Published on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:31:50 GMT)
Britain launched the one-year countdown to the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London Wednesday with a day of festivities in the British capital and other cities around the globe
A huge countdown clock was unveiled in central London. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge issued a formal invitation to all 202 nations with teams to send their athletes to Britain.
World champion swimmer Tom Daley inaugurated the aquatics center with the first dive into the swimming pool.
In New York, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis unveiled a countdown clock at the United Nations. Countdown clocks were also dedicated in New Delhi and Beijing.
Britons and Canadians in Washington ran a ceremonial Olympic torch relay six kilometers from the Canadian embassy to the British embassy
In Pakistan, the British High Commissions tennis team competed in a mixed doubles match with top Pakistani players. The British Embassy in Romania threw a street party in Bucharest
British diplomats In Uzbekistan staged a mini-Olympics for teenagers, and in Brazil they held a tea party at the official residence in Brazilia.
Bob Bradley Out as US Soccer Coach
(Published on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:40:19 GMT)
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced that Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the U.S. Mens National Team.
U.S. Soccer said it will have a further announcement on Friday.
Federation president Sunil Gulati said in a press release Thursday that it is always hard to make these decisions but they felt it was the right time to make a change.
U.S. Soccer had rehired Bradley to a second four-year contract only last August, less than two months after the team lost its second round match to Ghana at the World Cup in South Africa.
The Americans struggled as hosts in last months Gold Cup regional tournament. They lost to Panama for the first time ever, beat tiny Guadeloupe by only 1-0, and gave up a 2-0 lead in losing to rival Mexico in the final, 4-2.
Bradley completes his five-year tenure as head coach with a record of 45 wins, 25 losses and 12 draws. Among his accomplishments were leading the team to the 2007 Gold Cup title and a second place finish in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Ugandan Baseball Team Strikes Out on US Visas
(Published on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:58:32 GMT)
It could have been one of the inspiring and heartwarming stories that make sports so endearing. Instead, the fate of a youth baseball team from Africa is mired in controversy
The baseball team from Kampala, Uganda, was set to become the first African squad to come to the United States and compete in the Little League World Series. Instead, the players have been called out before ever taking the field.
Little League Baseball Vice President of Operations Patrick Wilson said it was a U.S. State Department decision.
We were notified today [Friday] that the team would not be issued a visa to travel to the United States, said Wilson.
U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the decision is unfortunate.
I can assure you that Consular officers examined each of these individuals and accorded them every consideration under the law. You know, this is a very difficult situation, he said.
Toner would not go into specifics about any individual case, but said the decision was made after the players went through the interview process.
They look at all appropriate data - place of birth, date of birth, etcetera, and take all that into consideration, he said.
Little League officials say the State Department told them the visas were denied because of discrepancies on the applications. And a State Department official told reporters there were questions about the ages of the players
To participate players must be 11 or 12 years old. Little League Baseballs Patrick Wilson said documents submitted by Ugandas Reverend John Foundation Little League appeared to be in order.
Its an unfortunate occurrence that the team was denied their visas. Were going to take a couple of steps back and evaluate what happens next, said Wilson.
Each year, eight teams from the United States and another eight from around the world come to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League World Series.
This years tournament is set to start August 18, possibly one team short.
Klinsmann Ready for Challenge of Coaching US Soccer
(Published on Tue, 2 Aug 2011 00:47:50 GMT)
Former German football star Juergen Klinsmann met with the media for the first time Monday since being named head coach of the U.S. Mens National Soccer Team last Friday
Juergen Klinsmann told the large media gathering in New York City that he will rely on his international experience and his knowledge of American life to help him try to improve the U.S. national team.
Klinsmann has lived with his family in California for 13 years and had been considered previously for the job. After U.S. Soccer last Thursday fired coach Bob Bradley with three-and-half years remaining on his contract, it turned to Klinsmann, who was able this time to get the terms he wanted. It was not necessarily salary, which has not been revealed, but how much control he would have over the development of the mens national programs below the senior level.
First and foremost, Klinsmann said he needs to get to know the U.S. players. Obviously, you know, it will take me a couple of weeks or a month to analyze most of the players and also to see what is coming through the ranks in the younger teams and then go from there. I am extremely happy that I got this opportunity and to move things, hopefully, in the right direction, he said.
Klinsmann will face an immediate test, as he must select a team to face U.S. arch rival Mexico in a friendly match in Philadelphia next week. The August 10 game was on the U.S. teams schedule long before he took over as coach. Its going to be a challenge, absolutely. You know its a lot to do, basically calling up the players now, getting a squad together, knowing that its not going to be so easy since a lot of players have had their (off-season) breaks. Some of them havent even played a game yet in the new season in Europe, but thats all just part of the job, he said.
Klinsmann, who turned 47 on Saturday, said he will rely on U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati, Chief Executive Dan Flynn, former U.S. team players Claudio Reyna and Tab Ramos as well as other advisors. I also would like really to meet some people here in the U.S. soccer environment that I dont know yet and see, you know, if theres maybe some common philosophies, some common ground to work together in future times. I need that time to make sure that I gather the right people with me, he said.
Klinsmann said he is pleased with the growth he has seen in the U.S. professional league, Major League Soccer, and said it has the opportunity to help develop the game even more. Its been a very busy last 10 or 15 years for soccer in this country and its great to see that. Its a good foundation that is laid out now from all the people who have worked so hard over the last 10, 15 or 20 years. Now the question is to analyze, you know, where we are right now and how can we improve it even further, and find ways to get the players even more chances to become better, he said.
Klinsmann said that since he was named U.S. coach last Friday, the reaction from his home country Germany, from Europe and from the rest of the world has been amazing. He says there has been an overwhelming number of calls, e-mails and text messages. A lot of people from overseas are looking toward the United States with interest and with curiosity to see whats going on there, you know. And a lot people Ive talked to throughout the last couple of years theyve really gotten more into looking at the U.S. as a potential soccer nation. And that again raises the bar and makes the game even more popular in this country and I think this is great, he said.
As a player, Klinsmann led Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and to the European Championship in 1996. As coach, he guided his nation to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup. His new coaching assignment runs through the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014, and he will begin the task of trying to get the United States there in regional qualifying that begins early next year.
Tiger Woods Back in Action After Nearly 3 Months
(Published on Thu, 4 Aug 2011 21:28:32 GMT)
Former world number-one golfer Tiger Woods of the United States is back in competition after an 11-week break to heal injuries to his left leg.
Woods teed it up Thursday at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, and finished his first round at 2-under-par-68. He said he hit the ball really flush and that the hardest part was controlling the distance.
Woods is tied for 18th, six shots behind leader Adam Scott of Australia who fired a brilliant 8-under-par 62.
This had been the third-longest layoff of Tigers career, during which he fired his longtime caddie, saying it was time for a change And on Monday he dropped to number-28, his lowest world ranking in 14.5 years.
It has been more than 20 months since Tigers last victory, was which at the Australian Masters, shortly before he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs that led to his divorce.
Woods is playing a Firestone course where he has been quite successful. He has won seven times there, matching the most he has won on any course as a pro. However, he was at his low point on the course in the Bridgestone Invitational last year when he finished 78th in an 80-man field. Before that, Woods had never finished out of the top five on the course.
Woods last played May 12 when he withdrew from the Players Championship in Florida after nine holes after aggravating a strained left knee and left Achilles tendon.
While sidelined he missed two majors - the U.S. Open and the British Open. He called his return fun and added that he has missed the competition.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP..
Chinas State-Backed Athletes Face Tough Challenges in Retirement
(Published on Fri, 5 Aug 2011 14:51:10 GMT)
Chinese sports stars such as retired National Basketball Association player Yao Ming and tennis star Li Na have made their mark for China on the global stage, rising up from the countrys rigid state-run sports system to success in the international arena. However, not all of Chinas athletes are so fortunate. In fact many, who begin training at a young age, and have known little other than their sport, find it hard to make a living once they leave the court or gymnasium behind
Zhangs story
Recently in China, the plight of Zhang Shangwu, a retired gymnast and former world champion captured the publics attention and sympathy.
Zhang won gold medals for his performance on the rings at the 2001 World University Games in Beijing. But that ended up being his career peak. He later spent time in jail and last month he was found begging on the streets of Beijing.
Zhang retired from gymnastics a year after he failed to make Chinas 2004 Olympic team. After retiring, he was reportedly given compensation and a pension of around $6,000. Down on his luck, two years later and in poverty Zhang says he sold his gold medals for around $10. Not long after that, he was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for stealing.
Not uncommon
Fan Hong, a former administrator at the Chinese Sports Ministry and swimmer who is now a professor at the University College Cork in Ireland, says Zhang is not an exception and many athletes face the same problem.
She says that while the Chinese government has made efforts to try to improve the situation, there are still a large number of elite athletes - especially from minority sports - that face such challenges.
Its good for them to get Olympics medals, but when they retire its not really very popular for them to get a sponsorship and endorsement from the business community. So that is a real challenge, Fan explained.
In China, there are thousands of athletes who rise up in the countrys state-run sports system from a young age - focusing all of their energy and time on the prospect of winning a gold medal at the Olympics
There have been many other reports of former Chinese athletes selling their gold medals to make ends meet.
No preparation
Chinas move from a centrally planned economy to a market economy over the past two decades has made life tougher for former athletes. Analysts say educational background and professional capabilities now play a bigger role in hiring decisions, and so elite athletes who spent their youth focused on sports are uniquely disadvantaged.
Fan Hong says before the 1990s, when athletes retired they would find employment as a coach or another job through the government. From then on, the governments policy was for the sports ministry to keep looking after athletes, but focus more on helping them find jobs on their own.
They provide some opportunities for athletes to go to university after the retirement, and then there are some special policies for those elite athletes, Fan said. For example if you are a gold medalist at the Olympics, or if you have achieved the top three places in international sports events, [and] you could go to university without the same requirements or scores.
Fan says sports commissions also provide athletes with some money to set up businesses or to find jobs after retirement, but not everyone is always taken care of.
Conflicting stories
In Zhang Shangwus case, he says he had a falling out with his coach when he was disqualified from the national team and that his coach refused to help him get into a sports college.
A report from the state-run Xinhua news agency told a different story, however. Xinhua quoted his coaches and provincial sports officials as saying they tried to help Zhang and that he had violated the rules of the team that he was on at the time. The report said Zhang failed to change his ways after repeated efforts from his coaches and team leaders.
Hu Xingdou, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology says regardless of what may have happened with Zhang, the system needs to change.
Objectively speaking, these people did not have much of an education growing up, noted Hu. It would be difficult to train them for different jobs. The country should provide these retired athletes with a more comprehensive social protection program, so that these people who have contributed so much to the country can comfortably retire and have some type of a safety net.
Change of luck
But for individuals like Zhang Shangwu, it may already be too late for such changes to help them at all. Luckily, in his case there has been an outpouring of job opportunities following media coverage of his story. In late July, Zhang began working for a wealthy Chinese businessman, Chen Guangbiao, who offered him a job as a personal trainer for himself and his employees.
I think that in this society there are many young people like Zhang Shangwu. There are many who need our love, who need people with a sense of social responsibility to help them, Chen said
Chen says that in addition to helping Zhang find a job, he will try to help him meet a girlfriend and maybe even settle down and start a family.
Ice Hockey a Hit in Beijing
(Published on Mon, 8 Aug 2011 19:33:46 GMT)
When one thinks of the sports in which China excels, swimming, gymnastics or track and field usually come to mind. But ice hockey While the sport may not have as big a following as soccer or basketball, there are an increasing number of youngsters who are learning about slap shots, hat tricks and teamwork.
Flying Tigers
Nestled in a newly built neighborhood on the northwest side of Beijing, high up on the fourth floor of a massive shopping complex, is one of this citys newest ice rinks. It is also the site of an ice hockey camp for young, talented players.
For several weeks last month, the Flying Tigers hosted a summer camp for these young players. Most were from Beijing, but some came from as far away as Hong Kong and the northeastern province of Heilongjiang.
Initially coming to China where hockey isnt their main focus, I was very impressed with the skill level of the kids right from the 04-05s, right up to the big kids, said Kevin Masters, one of several coaches flown in from Canada. The specifics of the skating and the individual type skills are absolutely comparable to what we see back home in Canada.
Supportive parents
And where there is ice hockey - a sport that requires a lot of time and money - there are always ice hockey parents cheering their kids on and giving pointers.
VOA - W. Ide
Zhou Jianwei, whos eight-year-old son is a goalie, says ice hockey helps kids learn about teamwork.
When my son started playing ice hockey, we had just seen the movie Transformers and he thought goalies look like Transformers with all of their pads on and because of that it was his favorite position, said Zhou Jianwei, whose eight-year-old son is a goalie.
Zhou says that in China, where many families have only one child, his son is learning more than just a sport.
Many kids [in China] lack a sense of teamwork and what it means to work hard for what they want to get because their parents have taken care of everything for them. But since hes started playing ice hockey, hes slowly begun to understand how to work together with his teammates to accomplish a goal and gained a sense of how [in society] people need to help one another to get things done, Zhou said.
Chinas colder northeast provinces are largely considered the home of ice hockey in the country. And, a large majority of the players on Chinas national ice hockey team grew up there.
New ice rinks
Now, with new rinks in Beijing, that is starting to change. Local hockey organizers note that the number of U16 or 16 year-old ice hockey players in Beijing is likely to surpass the number of players in the northeast in the next season or two.
The reasons, they say, are because more families in Beijing can afford ice hockey, which is an expensive sport, and because the northeast is opening up to other sports, which is taking players away from the ice.
Cao Zhennan says her father played hockey while growing up in the northeast and helped to get her son interested. She says the lessons her son learns from ice hockey far outweigh any future prospect of making the national team or playing more competitively.
Ice hockey is a fast and physical sport, its a really a fun sport, Cao said. On top of that, hes a boy and we got into the sport hoping it would help him become more courageous. It (ice hockey) also gets more interesting as the kids learn how to work together and make a lot of new friends.
Charlie, an 11-year-old, who plays right wing, says his friend Abiyasi got him interested in the sport a year-and-a-half ago. Charlie says the sport has other benefits besides keeping him away from computer games.
I think its fun. Its good for my health and its not boring! Charlie said.
More teams
Mark Simon, vice president and head coach of the Beijing Imperial Guard Hockey Club, one of several teams in the Beijing Junior Hockey League, says team rosters have been growing in recent years.
A group of us, our club and a few others started a league in 2008 and 2009 with four teams, which included about 50-60 players, Simon said. Now, last season in 10-11, we had about 25 teams, so about 300 players, 300-350.
Simon, an ex-banker from Montreal who started playing ice hockey at the age of five, says he left his gear in Canada when he first came to China. Several years later, he works for a company that builds rinks in Asia.
He says that as far as Asian cities go, Beijing is quite spoiled.
To have four full ice sheets is quite rare, noted Simon. And that is one of the reasons ice hockey is growing here a lot more quickly than in places like Hong Kong. Hong Kong has got a huge hockey following, a lot of kids playing, but they are very limited by the number of ice surfaces they have.
Just getting started
Lane Moore, another coach who is helping out at the Flying Tigers camp, says ice hockey is just getting started in Beijing.
With their development of new rinks, new ice surfaces, the numbers in Beijing are going through the roof and I am hearing in Shanghai it is the same way and I just think the potential for ice hockey in China is going to keep going, Moore said.
Both he and Kevin Masters say they never expected to be running an ice hockey camp in China, and certainly not on the fourth floor of a shopping mall. But they say the publicity from curious shoppers helps build interest in a sport that they say is quickly on its way from a novelty to the mainstream.
Nyad Ends Cuba to US Swim
(Published on Tue, 9 Aug 2011 20:29:24 GMT)
U.S. endurance swimmer Diana Nyad has ended her second attempt in 33 years to swim from Havana, Cuba to the Florida Keys.
After nearly 30 hours in the water, the 61-year-old athlete abandoned her effort Tuesday because of asthma, shoulder pain and battering wind and waves. The swim was expected to take 60 hours and cover 166 kilometers. Nyad was swimming without a shark cage
Instead, she was protected by an electronic field from equipment towed by kayakers to repel the predators. Five other boats, along with a 45-person support team, accompanied her. Nyad swam without a wetsuit or special equipment
She had called the swim a symbolic moment for increasing understanding between Cuba and the United States, which do not have formal diplomatic relations. Nyad said she does not intend to attempt the swim a third time.
While expressing disappointment at the outcome, Nyad said she does not regret trying to complete the journey. She attempted the same feat back in 1978 when she was 28 years old, but ended it because of high winds and rough seas.
Australian swimmer Susan Maroney completed the swim in 1997 with the help of a shark cage. Maroney was 22-years-old at the time.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
American Football Making Foray Into India
(Published on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:39:36 GMT)
American-style football is seeking an entry into India. But it is unclear whether a country that has a single-minded obsession with cricket will take to this all-American sport.
Thats because although American-style football ranks among the top favorites in the United States, it has virtually no following in India.
Eight teams representing Indias largest cities will kick off the EFLIs inaugural season next November in the western city of Pune. The organizers say there is huge potential in a country of 1.2 billion people
Sports analysts in India are not so sure.
Football commentator Novy Kapadia in New Delhi sees the launch of American-style football in India as an attempt at globalizing the sport. But he says it remains to be seen whether the rough and tumble sport will excite Indians, for whom it is an area of darkness
This is really a surprise, a bolt from the blue, Kapadia says. There has never been attraction towards American football, neither is American football watched a lot on television. Also, genetically and physically it is a game for much stronger people and does not really suit the Indian physique.
The EFLI will have to begin from scratch, training both players and coaches. But it has big plans. It will add new teams in each season for 10 years, or until it has 52 teams representing all Indian cities with a population of over one million.
The organizers say they are confident of finding a niche population that will be interested in a sport that is part of the American way of life.
Sports commentator Kapadia says American-style football is entering India at a time when other sports enterprises, such as Formula One auto racing, are also eyeing the countrys huge middle class
The world is seeing India as a market, and I think the sporting world has caught on a bit late, he says. But theyve seen that even a 200 million middle class is larger than most countries in Europe. This consumer middle class, which is increasingly getting globalized, exposed to satellite television, English speaking, who like to be associated with global brands, just the same reason Formula One is coming into India, is probably the reason why American football is coming.
American Football will have to compete with cricket, the sport that has a nationwide following. Crickets Indian Premier League, which launched in 2008, has been a spectacular success and has turned into a multi-million dollar business.
Investors in EFLI include the former coach of the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brandon Chillar.
US, China Basketball Game Erupts in Melee
(Published on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:22:20 GMT)
A goodwill game between a Chinese basketball club and a U.S. collegiate team turned ugly Thursday in Beijing, when players from both teams exchanged blows and the U.S. team withdrew from the contest to the safety of its locker room.
The U.S. coach, Georgetown Universitys John Thompson, pulled his players off the court with about 9:30 left in the 4th quarter, with the hotly contested game against the Bayi Rockets tied at 64. The Washington Post, with a reporter present, said the retreat came after players from both teams threw punches and tackled one another. It said spectators threw water bottles at the American players and an unidentified man threw a chair at one of the U.S. athletes
A photograph from the China Daily showed three uniformed Chinese players and a fourth individual kicking a Georgetown player as the fallen athlete tried to get up off the court.
The game comes as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is visiting China to discuss economic relations between the two countries. Biden did not attend Thursdays game. Biden, however, attended a Georgetown game the day before, watching the U.S. team win against another Chinese club team
There was no immediate comment from Chinese officials. In Washington, a State Department official called the event unfortunate. Georgetowns coach Thompson issued a statement calling the game a contest between two great teams played at a very competitive level. The statement said we sincerely regret that the situation occurred.
The Washington Post report said the brawl erupted after a Georgetown player took exception to a hard foul from a Rockets player and the two exchanged shoves. Witnesses were also quoted as saying police made no attempts to break up any other skirmishes that preceded the game-ending melee.
Georgetown was scheduled to depart Beijing for a game in Shanghai Friday, but it was not clear whether the team would complete the final five days of its tour.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
In U.S., Cricket Stages a Comeback
(Published on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:03:21 GMT)
At first glance, the grass playing field at Mountain View Alternative High School in Centreville, Virginia, looks like any playing field at any high school in the country. But for a Sunday in August when most schools are usually still, there was a lot of activity, and the stifling air rang with a mix of Hindi and the occasional English cries of Six! Awesome shot! Good running, man!
Only they werent playing football, basketball or track and field. They were playing cricket, a sport which was last popular in the U.S. more than 150 years ago, but is seeing a dramatic resurgence as immigrant groups, particularly from India and Pakistan, grow.
This particular match was between Ashford Cricket Club (ACC) and the Willow Cricket Club, two teams out of 32 that comprise the Washington Metro Cricket League (WMCL), one of several leagues in the DC area and one of 45 leagues nationwide officially recognized by the USA Cricket Association (USACA).
Theres not enough room for all the people who want to play, said Hitesh Panchal, the captain of ACC and one of the founders of the WMCL. There are just not enough places to play.
The players in the WMCL are largely from the Indian subcontinent. Some are U.S. residents, some citizens and some here on temporary H1B employment visas. Many work in the computer field, said Panchal. Theyre of all ages, some are married and others are bachelors, but they all share a deep love of the sport.
Growth Potential
According to John L. Aaron, the Executive Secretary of USACA, there are 20,000 league players in the U.S. and likely 200,000 recreational players.
He thinks cricket has huge growth potential as well, saying there are millions of people living in the U.S. from countries where cricket is popular, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
Its growing in two important areas, Aaron said. You are seeing people from countries where cricket is not played starting to play, and more importantly, its being handed down to the children of immigrants from countries where cricket is played.
While there are no cricket version of Little League yet, Aaron didnt rule out the possibility.
Aaron said that during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, which was held in the West Indies, more people in the U.S. watched than in any country other than India, where cricket is a religion unto itself.
Despite the increase in popularity, the United States is a long way from competing at a world-class level with countries such as India, England, Bangladesh, Australia, Pakistan, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa, the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) that vie for the World Cup every four years.
The U.S., for now at least, remains a second-tier, associate member of the ICC. However, with the recent growth in popularity, some of the worlds top teams have started coming to the U.S. to play exhibition matches.
For example, in May of 2010, the New Zealand and Sri Lankan teams played two, one-day matches at the only ICC-sanctioned cricket stadium in the U.S., which is located at the Central Broward Regional Park in Florida.
There was good attendance, said Aaron. There were quite a few Americans who were not familiar with the sport, and they were asking a ton of questions.
Cricket in the U.S.
It has been a long time since there was this much interest in cricket in the United States.
It was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in 1844, the U.S. was the first country ever to host an international cricket match, which was against Canada. In fact, its said to have been the first international sporting event ever.
But after a brief heyday in the mid-19th century, cricket began to be pushed off the American sports radar by baseball, a derivative of Cricket often called Americas pastime. Baseball was seen to lack the aristocratic air of cricket and could be played anywhere by anyone.
It remains largely baffling to most Americans, but its fairly easy to understand if you know a little about baseball and have someone explain the rules. Youll quickly learn that six is an all-important numbersort of the cricket version of the homerun in baseball, but worth six points instead of just one.
Serious Competition
While there were no spectators at the WMCL match, the league is serious enough to have come up with $10,000 to invest in the pitch, a specially prepared turf strip in the middle of the field where most of the action takes place. The league also maintains a very thorough website, complete with team and individual statistics as well as player profiles.
WMCL matches arent played with a regular cricket ball, but instead with a modified tennis ball. Panchal said this was to avoid potential liability as well as to make the game playable without the protective gear required when using the very hard, leather ball. Some leagues do play with a regulation ball, Panchal said.
The WMCL matches are highly competitive and taken very seriously by the players. As in baseball, when one team is batting, the other takes to the WMCL version of a baseball dugout, in this case, a couple of picnic tables in the shade by the field. From there, they shout encouragement to their batsmen. On the field, theres more than a little trash talk, said Panchal.
Players are also not afraid to verbally clash when they feel a call doesnt go their way.
Two controversial calls by the umpires cleared the benches, and while it never got close to trading blows, heated words were exchanged.
Cricket is not taken lightly.
Its fun, competitive and also a good workout, said Ganesh Gopal, whose DC Yorkers team took to the field in the next match. Why else would I spend almost five hours on a weekend for the game
In the end the Willow Cricket Club edged out ACC 143/8 (Overs: 20.0) to 102/10 (Overs: 16.5). ACC was closing the gap, but one of their batsman was called out on a controversial play. Panchal, like any competitor, blamed the loss at least partially on the poor quality of the umpire.
US, China Goodwill Basketball Match Ends in Brawl
(Published on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:56:03 GMT)
A brawl during what was supposed to be a friendly U.S.-China basketball match is threatening the positive image Washington and Beijing are trying to create during Vice President Joe Bidens visit to China.
The purpose of the exhibition basketball match was to foster goodwill. Instead, online videos of the game showed an all-out brawl between the two teams - the Georgetown Hoyas and the Bayi Rockets.
Amateur video footage showed a bench clearing melee in the fourth quarter with the score tied. Players from both teams punched and kicked each other. The game was then called off. As the Georgetown team walked off the court, video showed spectators booing and a few throwing cups at the players.
Brook Larmer wrote a book on Chinas best known basketball player, called Operation Yao Ming. He was not at the contentious match, but saw video afterwards.
I dont want to get too involved in a partisan fight or discussion, but I think the Chinese team was unbelievably quick to jump off the bench, he said. The precipitating incident was an elbow, an elbow from one of the Georgetown guards. You have to take into account that this happened after lots and lots of pushing and shoving, and name calling, and trash talking, and even a Chinese player getting in the face of the American coach.
Georgetown is a University team from Washington D.C. The Bayi Rockets of Shanghai play in the Chinese Basketball Association, Chinas top professional league.
Larmer notes that the Bayi Rockets is the Peoples Liberation Armys team and used to be the centerpiece of the Chinese governments state-run sports system.
Basketball was one of their [PLAs] last [sports] strongholds and theyve faded from the limelight, and now theyre just a middling team that has a reputation for being a little overly pugnacious, Larmer explained.
AP
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, left, accompanies his U.S. counterpart Joseph Biden to review an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, August 18, 2011
Thursday nights brawl took place at the same time visiting Vice President Joe Biden was across town banqueting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, who is expected to become Chinas next president. The two countries have been working hard to present the relationship as a very good one.
Larmer points to the chaos as a wasted opportunity to build better ties through sport - in which basketball diplomacy could have replaced ping pong diplomacy.
You dont want to say that its a metaphor for U.S.-China relations, because it certainly isnt, but it does bespeak some of the tensions underlying these games that are supposed to be just friendly, he added.
Larmer says he is concerned by what he describes as a disturbing trend of more violence in Chinese basketball games - both within the national league and supposedly friendly matches with players from other countries.
Chinese players fought even more violently last year, in a goodwill match against a team from Brazil. Following the dust-up with the Brazilian team, some of the Chinese teams coaches were fined and the players sent to sportsmanship classes, but, as Larmer notes, no player was suspended.
Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Unites Divided Serbia
(Published on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:09:37 GMT)
Serbians weary of seeing the worlds media focus on their countrys recent wartime past are uniting in praise of a new national hero, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic trained as a young boy amid the chaotic breakup of Yugoslavia, rising to become world tennis number one and favorite for the U.S. Open. But the recent arrest of two former wartime generals has provided another reminder of the conflicts that tore the Balkans apart in the 1990s.
Tennis coach Jelena Gencic is putting two young players through their drills at a rundown court on the edge of Belgrade. Gencic lived through seven decades of her countrys turbulent history. She is hailed as the person who discovered Serbias biggest sporting star. Gencic describes the moment they first met.
I saw one little boy just behind the fence, watching, watching, watching all morning, said Gencic. I come to him and ask him, OK boy, do you know what we are doing here Yes, I know. You play tennis. Oh. Whats your name Novak Djokovic. Very clear. Very strong.
Djokovics image adorns buildings in Belgrade. His every match is watched avidly in sidewalk cafes. It was not an easy route to become number one in the world.
Just as Djokovic was discovering his talent for tennis in the early 1990s, Yugoslavia began its bloody breakup. His teenage training years took place against the backdrop of the Kosovo conflict and NATO bombing raids on Belgrade.
Coach Gencic describes how she dodged the bombs to keep Djokovic playing tennis.
I listened to the radio. Theres a bomb here in Banitsa. OK, next day, we shall play here. No! Why here Because tomorrow the bombs will hit another side of the city, she said. Thats what happened. When I listened in the morning to where the bombs were, so we would go in that part of Belgrade to practice tennis.
As Djokovics triumphs put Serbian tennis on the map, the country has been in the spotlight for very different reasons.
The arrest in May of former Bosnian Serb general Ratko Maldic and in July of former Croatian Serb general Goran Hadzic have been painful reminders of the countrys brutal past. Both are accused of committing war crimes during the Balkans conflict.
Ljiljiana Smajlovic is president of the Serbian Journalists Association. She said there is anger at the way Serbia is simplified in the worlds media.
In the sense that Djokovic is someone that we look up to and were happy that the world sees us in a better context than it has in the past, and at the same time there is resentment... Mostly when people think of Serb war crimes, I think its in terms of the resentment that they are played up so much in the West and its not in terms of, God, are we going to face up to our past said Smajlovic.
The arrests of Mladic and Hadzic were meant to boost Serbias hopes of joining the European Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned Belgrade, however, that it needs to make progress in talks with Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
Smaljovic said Serbs are growing tired of EU demands.
I see some trouble ahead in this lack of hope almost. This feeling that were being told theres no alternative all the time. Hearing that theres no alternative is not something that makes your heart grow fond, she said. Because transition has been, for the most part, that you lose your job and then you never find a job as good as that one.
Belgrade does not seem like a city stuck in its past. The annual beer festival is just one of many events to have emerged in the last decade that attract visitors from across the globe
But the lack of interest among young people in Serbias recent history concerns Miljenko Dereta, director of the non-governmental organization, Civic Initiatives.
We had a survey recently because we have a youth program, and we were shocked by the lack of information they have, said Dereta. They didnt know there was a war in Bosnia, incredibly. They didnt understand why the Hague tribunal is judging only the people from this region because they didnt have the basic information it was formed for this region.
Back at the tennis club on the outskirts of Belgrade, Gencic is mentoring the next generation of Serbian stars.
At 12 years old, they were only just born when the NATO bombs were falling on Belgrade. They have one aim - to emulate their hero.
Novak Djokovic, said one young player when asked which player inspires.
Novak Djokovic, replied another.
Like millions of people across Serbia, they will be following every step of Djokovics attempts to win his first U.S. Open title. He is the one person, it seems, who unites this country - the new face of Serbia.
Athletic, Muslim, Fashionable - a Tale of the Sports Hijab
(Published on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:56:58 GMT)
Female Muslim athletes who observe a strict Islamic dress code sometimes face the question of whether they will be allowed to participate in major competitions -- with their heads and most of their bodies covered. Now, one Iranian-Canadian woman is marketing a product to change that. It complies with the requirements of many major sports, and its fashionable, safe and comfortable -- while still meeting Islamic requirements.
An Olympic hopeful faces a small obstacle
Seventeen-year-old Zeinab Hammoud has a brown belt in Taekwondo, and dreams of one day making it to the Olympics. But unlike her sister, Rana, Zeinab chooses to wear the Islamic headscarf, or hijab
This became a problem four years ago. The teams hard work, passion and hopes were dashed when the Taekwondo Federation of Quebec expelled them from a tournament in 2007. The reason: their hijabs were considered unsafe. I was really disappointed because I trained really hard for that tournament. When I found out we were expelled I lost all my motivation to continue, Hammoud said.
Civil rights supporters and sports enthusiasts around the world were enraged. Elham Seyed Javad was one of them. In my opinion every individual, no matter their religion, should have the same rights as anyone else in society, he stated. I mean, sports was made to re-unite people.
Athletic fashion
Javad was an industrial design student at the time, so she decided to take on the problem as one of her school projects. At the time, in 2008, when I decided to take on this project, the international federation of Taekwondo didnt allow its athletes to wear anything under the helmet. So my professor didnt think there was a point of pursuing it. But my point was, the rule is there because nothing has been invented that is appropriate, she explained.
Javad spent countless hours with the Hammoud sisters taekwondo team and with pattern maker Latifa Boukenda, to make the best product possible. This was a very exciting project for me. Ive worked in fashion for many years but this was special because it was beyond fashion, she said. It had a more human and social aspect to it. helping young women blossom and follow their athletic dreams.
Ultimately, they hit upon a design that worked, and a fabric that was stretchy, breathable, and dried quickly. Called a ResportOn, the garment was an immediate hit.
Even Zeinabs sister Rana, who chooses not to wear the hijab, was impressed. I just tried the Resport hijab and the hair was inside so it doesnt come out and its very comfortable so you can play without trying to put your hair inside all the time, she noted
Rules reconsidered, changed
Javads invention came at an opportune time. A year later, in response to pressure from the taekwondo community, the World Taekwondo Federation changed its rules to allow for head-coverings
The Montreal Muslim Taekwondo team was able to compete again.
I was in the stands and got teary-eyed because since the very beginning my goal was to be able to see the girls on the mats again. When it happened it was like someone gave me the world, Javad stated.
Javad thought she was just helping Zeinab and her teammates. But when an investor approached her about marketing the product, things changed dramatically. In January, her sports hijab became available to athletes all over the world. She has been busy ever since. My days start at 2am when my phone goes off with an email from an athlete from the other side of the world. I turn it on and read the email, get happy and go back to sleep, she said.
While there are other sports hijabs on the market, Javad believes hers has some advantages. Those include a built-in t-shirt that keeps it from pulling loose, and an opening at the back that allows easy access for wearers to adjust their hair.
World Series Provides Economic Boost to St. Louis
(Published on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:28:52 GMT)
The ultimate games in professional baseball, the World Series, can provide an economic boost to cities that host the championship. The St. Louis Cardinals route to this years World Series, where they face the Texas Rangers, is helping the Missouri city get through difficult economic times.
In the city of St. Louis, Missouri, Cardinals baseball is king. The team generates money and attention for the city, and attracts a loyal fan base, including supporters like Beth Nelson.
Nelson, an account clerk at St. Louis City Hall, and her husband, also a city employee, saw a drop in their pay over the last two years, the effects of mandatory unpaid days off to help the city balance its budget.
The furloughs Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay instituted two years ago affected all city employees, including him. When you have a big budget crunch, unfortunately it really does impact the employees, said Slay.
Slay was preparing for more furloughs when the Cardinals made a comeback in the final weeks of the regular season. They made the playoffs and hosted some of the post-season games, which brought more money to St. Louis from ticket and concession sales taxes.
With one World Series game, we get - conservatively - about $500,000 in extra revenues directly into the city, noted Slay.
More people spending money in the city to watch the post-season games also helps souvenir vendors like Mike Burch.
The regular season wasnt all that good, but for all of us down here downtown with the hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, its really been a boost for us much needed, said Burch.
It was also a boost for Beth Nelson and her husband. Thanks to the Cardinals post season run, Mayor Slay wont be furloughing city employees.
Everybody that you talk to that works for the city of Saint Louis knows that its directly because of the Cardinals going on the post season is why we dont have to have furloughs this year, said Nelson.
They are definitely saving jobs in the city of Saint Louis and theyre certainly helping families under tough economic times, explained Slay.
Slay says furloughs could return if the economy does not improve, but Beth Nelson is hopeful.
Maybe the Cardinals will go on the World Series next year, too, said Nelson.
The Cardinals reached the post season seven times since Slay assumed office in 2001. Hes hoping the Cardinals make an eighth run at the title in 2012.
Libyans Celebrate First Football Victory Under New Flag
(Published on Sun, 4 Sep 2011 01:20:15 GMT)
Hundreds of joyful Libyans gathered in the capital, Tripoli, late Saturday to celebrate the national football teams first victory since anti-Gadhafi forces toppled the long-time Libyan leader and forced him into hiding
People cheered and fired off celebratory gunshots in Tripolis central Martyrs Square which, until recently, the Libyan government had used for mass demonstrations in support of the former leader, Moammar Gadhafi.
The Libyan team, playing under a new flag and singing a new national anthem, won its 2012 African Nations Cup qualifying match in Cairo against Mozambique 1-0, taking Libya to the top of Group C. Rabi al-Lafi scored the only goal of the match.
Kenyan Wins NYC Marathon Mens Race
(Published on Sun, 6 Nov 2011 12:53:58 GMT)
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya has won the New York City marathon mens race setting a new course record
Mutai finished the race in a record two hours, five minutes and six seconds smashing the previous record of Ethiopias Tesfaye Jifar set ten years earlier. Fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai came in one minute and 22 seconds later. Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia was third.
Earlier this year, Geoffrey Mutai made history after running the fastest marathon time ever recorded to win the Boston Marathon mens race. The win, however, is not recognized as a world record due to course issues.
In the womens division, Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia came in first with a time of two hours 23 minutes and 15 seconds. She was followed just four seconds later by Ethiopian born Buzunesh Deba and Kenyan Mary Keitany, who many projected to win.
Some 45,000 runners participated in the 42-kilometer race through the five boroughs of New York.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
Boxing Icon Smokin Joe Frazier Dead at 67
(Published on Tue, 8 Nov 2011 07:36:39 GMT)
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier, who was known for his personal and professional battles with Muhammad Ali, has died after a brief fight with cancer at the age of 67.
The youngest of 12 children, Frazier was born in 1944 into a working-class family on a farm in the racially-segregated southeastern U.S. town of Beaufort, South Carolina. Frazier dreamed of becoming a prize fighter from an early age, watching boxing matches on his familys black-and-white television.
After fighting as an amateur for several years, Frazier won a gold medal for the United States at the 1964 Olympic Games. But Smokin Joe Frazier really made his name in the 1970s during his epic rivalry with boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Frazier became the first man to beat Ali, winning the heavyweight title in 1971 in a dramatic, 15-round unanimous decision at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. Dubbed the fight of the century, an estimated 300 million people worldwide viewed the match, which left both men hospitalized.
After Ali responded with a 12-round victory in 1974, the two men met in the Philippines for the famed Thrilla in Manila, considered to be one of the most famous sporting events in history. After battering each other for 14 rounds, Frazier was forcibly held back by his trainer after nearly being blinded by Alis punches. Ali later said the match was the closest thing to dying that he had ever experienced.
The no-nonsense Frazier was often overshadowed by Alis more aggressive and charismatic personality. Frazier resented being verbally attacked by Ali, who referred to him as a gorilla and accused Frazier of being too accommodating to the white-dominated society
The two men remained bitter enemies for decades. But in later years, Frazier came to forgive Ali, saying he felt no bitterness against him for his attacks outside the ring. Ali also later apologized, saying the insults were only meant to promote the fights.
Ali said in a statement late Monday that the world has lost a great champion, and that he will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.
Fraziers aggressiveness, close-range style and devastating left hook compensated for his relative small size. He weighed just 93 kilograms - considered small for a heavyweight boxer.
Frazier retired in 1976 with a record of 32 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw
The boxing icons family said late Monday that he died in his adopted hometown of Philadelphia - one month after being diagnosed with an advanced form of liver cancer.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Venezuela: Vehicle Used in US Baseball Player Kidnapping Found
(Published on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:54:56 GMT)
Officials in Venezuela say they have found the vehicle used by armed men to kidnap Venezuelan national and U.S. Major League Baseball player Wilson Ramos from a home in the city of Valencia Wednesday night.
Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami Thursday told reporters that police found the abandoned vehicle in a nearby town and that locating it will allow authorities to speed up the entire investigation. Aissami also said authorities will spare no effort to rescue Ramos, a 24-year-old catcher for the Washington Nationals.
Ramos had been visiting with family at a private home in Valencia when several men went to the residence and snatched him. Ramos was in Venezuela to play with his winter league team, the Aragua Tigers. Investigators say there has been no word from his captors.
Major League Baseball and the Nationals issued a joint statement Thursday, saying their foremost concern is with Ramos and his family and that our thoughts are with them at this time. The statement said Major League Baseballs department of investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter and that there will be no further comment.
Relatives of major league players have been kidnapped in recent years in Venezuela.
The mother of former player Ugueth Urbina spent more than five months in captivity until she was rescued in 2005.
In 2009, the son and brother-in-law of Major League Baseball catcher Yorvit Torrealba were kidnapped but released a short time later. Also that year, the mother of now-retired pitcher Victor Zambrano was rescued, three days after she was abducted.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
Venezuela Charges 8 Suspects in Ramos Kidnapping
(Published on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:31:56 GMT)
Venezuelan officials say eight suspects have been charged in the kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos in his native country, less than a week after he was rescued.
Officials say six suspects directly involved in Ramos kidnapping face weapons charges after he was taken at gunpoint outside his parents house in Valencia last Wednesday.
Prosecutors are charging two other suspects as accomplices for providing Ramos alleged kidnappers with food.
Two days after his kidnapping, Venezuelan security forces rescued Ramos in the mountainous region of Montalban
Ramos told the media the forces who freed him in an exchange of gunfire did a great job.
The baseball star told Venezuelas Globovision television that his abductors had not harmed him physically, but had greatly hurt him psychologically. He said he would start playing baseball again as soon as he felt better
Ramos had recently returned to his homeland to play with his winter league team, the Aragua Tigers
Relatives of U.S. major league players have been kidnapped in Venezuela in recent years, but not players themselves.
Roller Skating Becomes Popular US Sport for Women
(Published on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:39:33 GMT)
Roller derby was once a popular sport for men and women in the United States until it fizzled out a few decades ago. Then, about ten years ago, it was revived in Austin, Texas, as an amateur sport for women. Since then, it has spread all over the U.S. The Texecutioners, the roller girls from Texas, where the sport was reborn, competed this year in the national roller derby championship in Denver.
It may not be a professional sport, but these players are no amateurs. The Texecutioners from Austin, Texas took home the bronze at the national championship in Denver
During a warm-up before the winning game, player Molotov M. Pale from the Texecutioners explained why she was drawn to the sport.
It was a lot of really smart, creative women with all this buzzy energy to be almost revolutionary. I mean it was people wanting to change things and restructure things and very DIY and do it yourself and I wanted to capture that energy, that incendiary energy that lights things up, she said
In roller derby, two teams have five players each who race in the same direction around a track.
Each teams fastest player, called a jammer, aims to skate past opposing team members called blockers. When the jammer passes a blocker she earns a point
It often ends in bruises. The players, many wearing hot pants, are up to it.
Molotov M. Pale says when roller derby re-emerged around ten years ago it had a lot of personality.
There was a lot of individuality and style, and people created these amazing personas. And thats still very present, and you see that everywhere, but it has also taken a shift toward a more mainstream sport and less of a sub-cultural sport, she said.
The sport is becoming more mainstream. Today, more than 1,000 leagues from around the world play roller derby, and a team can be found in just about every corner of the United States.
Suzy Hotrod is one of the star players of the New York team, the Gotham Girls, winners of the national competition
She says today athleticism is key to roller derby.
Roller Derby is an amazing thing for women, she said. Its super about strength and female empowerment and being confident, being an athlete. This is where everyone can come and still play sports and feel the community and be athletic and its really changed my life.
Elite Sailors Circle Globe in Volvo Ocean Race
(Published on Wed, 7 Dec 2011 22:44:08 GMT)
One of the toughest, most grueling events in sports offers no prize money, only a trophy. Its challenging, thrilling and dangerous. And takes a long time.
The Volvo Ocean Race is a marathon sailing event that began Oct. 29 and will not end until next July. Its 11th edition is taking elite sailors and their multi-million dollar yachts on a journey of more than 39,000 nautical miles around the world, in temperatures ranging from -15 to +40 degrees Celsius.
The six Volvo Open 70 yachts all have 11-member international crews, and represent United Arab Emirates, China, France, Spain, New Zealand and the United States.
The commitment to this lengthy event means none of the sailors will likely vie for gold at next years London Olympics.
The crew of the Spanish yacht Telefonica features three past Olympic gold medalists. One is Iker Martinez, who skippered Telefonica to victory in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa.
Were happy, thats something very special for us, he said. We tried already in the last two editions [of the race] and it didnt happen as we wanted, but we learned a lot every time. So this is very important for the team. Were now very happy.
The opening leg took boats west toward the island of Fernando De Noronha off Brazils coast before heading south across the Atlantic to Cape Town.
In second place after that first leg is Camper. Sponsored by the Spanish footwear brand, its crewed mostly by New Zealanders. The lone South African member, Mike Pammenter, smashed his face when he was washed down the deck by high seas.
Puma was in the lead at one point in the race, but lost its mast and fell to fifth.
Nobodys hurt, nobody was even close to hurt, and then some clear heroics from the crew, said Pumas American skipper Ken Read. Well live to fight another day, I promise you that.
And there are many days yet to come during passage to eight more ports of call. Future stops include The United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, Brazil, the United States, Portugal and France, with the race finishing in Galway, Ireland, in early July.
In-port races are being staged at each stop, the closest spectators can get to the action without actually being aboard one of the boats. The second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race is expected to take three weeks, with the sailors aiming to arrive in Abu Dhabi on January 1 of the New Year.
Journalist Overcomes Cancer to Realize Dream
(Published on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:08:44 GMT)
Landing a job as a sports journalist is extremely competitive in the United States. It is often perceived as a glamorous life - just hanging out with, and interviewing, athletes and coaches. But for one sports journalist - who has spent more than 10 years working in the field - it is less about the glamorous life than about just being able to do what he loves.
Sports lovers follow their teams intensely, and dream of meeting their favorite players. For most it remains only a dream. But Iranian American Arash Markazi, 31, has fulfilled his dream, working as a sports writer for the prestigious sports television network, ESPN.
I love writing. I always loved to write. And when I was younger I loved to play sports too and then obviously at a certain point of time I realized I wasnt going to be much taller than 56 (1.7 meters). And then I realized I wasnt going to play sports, I could write about sports, said Markazi.
But the road has been bumpy for Markazi. More than 10 years ago, while working for his college newspaper, he was given the worst news possible
I had done a story about a basketball player that had Hodgkins. I didnt even know what it was. I had to do research. The parents were crying and I said, this is exactly why I got into sports journalism so I wouldnt have to cover stories like this. I didnt want to talk about kids getting cancer or anything like that. And then lo and behold, like a year later I get the same kind of cancer, Markazi recalled.
Cancer did not deter him. After a strong recovery, Markazi landed his dream job with Sports Illustrated magazine in New York City. Then, his cancer came back. He spent his recovery time making plans.
When I was in the hospital I made a list of the games I wanted to go to and the events that I wanted to cover because I couldnt just think about my current situation, Markazi added.
And he did just that. Now, he has checked off all the events on his list. When he is not traveling the world, he covers the local teams in Los Angeles. But at this point in his career and after recovering from cancer twice, he looks at his job from a different perspective.
I remember when I was younger I would cry when my team lost. But now, it really doesnt matter to me who wins the game. I just want a good story. When Im at a game Im rooting for the guy who never played to get in the game and to write about him, Markazi explained.
As much as Markazi enjoys his job and the friends he has made, cancer has put things in perspective for him. After two grueling recoveries, he says he lives with a constant reminder of how precious life is.
It made me appreciate life a lot more. I think the one thing when people meet me, they say You are really happy. Why are you always so happy And I say, Because I woke up this morning. And Im living and Im breathing and Im talking to you right now. Its odd for someone in their 20s to be happy because they woke up in the morning and theyre alive, Markazi said.
Being courageous enough to pursue a passion, strong enough to fight cancer twice, and just happy about breathing may be odd for a man so young. But Arash Markazis humble outlook on life and contagious smile are exactly what has helped him overcome lifes challenges.
India Fans Hope for Cricket Victory in Australia
(Published on Wed, 4 Jan 2012 14:31:53 GMT)
The boisterous Swami Army is gathering in Sydney for the second cricket test to support India in their clash with Australia.
The supporters group was founded by Australian-born Indians, who have mixed their enthusiasm for sport with an appreciation of music from Bollywood, the Indian movie industry that is based in Mumbai
Indias Swami Army has commandeered part of the Sydney Cricket Ground, festooning its section with flags and banners. The noise of hundreds of Indian fans reverberates around this famous old stadium, which is celebrating its 100th Test match
Although they may lack the numbers of Englands Barmy Army, the Indian contingent is no less passionate.
The Swami Army was set up about eight years ago by a group of friends in Melbourne and Sydney, Sumit Grover, one of the groups founding members, said. We used to travel around to watch the games and from there we formalized the Swami Army this year to make it a big Indian cricket supporter group.
Indian supporters have worked with Australian cricket authorities to allow members of the Swami Army to sit together at matches. Their aim is to follow their team through the good times and bad.
Amit Grover, another of the groups founders, says it has members in several countries. The Swami Army has gone global. We have regiments set up in the U.K., U.S., Singapore, UAE, so this isnt just an Australian phenomena, he stated. It is going to be worldwide and global.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar is chasing a milestone on this tour of Australia; the 100th time he has scored 100 runs in an international match, a feat never achieved before. So far his team has struggled, losing the First Test in Melbourne and was skittled out for just 191 in its first innings here in Sydney.
Still the fans are keeping the faith. Cricket is a religion in India, you know, one fan said. Like, you dont stop supporting your religion when things get tough. You know, things get tough on the field and we just get louder and prouder. So we absolutely love our cricket and well never stop loving it.
Swami is a Sanskrit word that means teacher or guru. Members of the Swami Army say they are committed to bringing a bit of Bollywood glamour to the world of international cricket.
Cricket is popular in both India and Australia, which are former colonies of Britain, where the game developed. Test matches are played over five days. Each side has eleven players and bats twice, although shorter forms of the sport are well-liked by supporters.
Game of Jai Alai Struggles to Attract US Fans
(Published on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:29:26 GMT)
Jai Alai might be the fastest ball sport in the world - or the fastest ball sport failing to gather a crowd. It was born in Europes Basque country and transported to the United States, where, for a time, it was a popular betting sport, especially in Florida. But jai alai is struggling to bring in the fans, despite the high dangers involved in playing.
Jai Alai is not childs play. The ball weighs about 150 grams and flies at high speed around a playing court, called a fronton.
That speed is dangerous and it is what powers the sport
Long time player John Silvia says the speed of the ball is what first drew him to jai alai
The ball averages about 140 miles an hour [about 225 kilometers per hour]. It kind of comes at you like a snake in the air, so it is very difficult to catch. Its very exciting, very fast. I love it!, Silvia said.
The players catch and throw the ball with a wicker basket glove called a cesta wrapped tightly around one hand.
That, and the ball itself, are features of the game that hark back centuries to the games origins
The rules have also changed very little over the years. Players have to keep the ball in motion by hitting it against a wall
If a player lets the ball go out of bounds or bounce more than once, he is replaced by the next player in line.
The game used to be very popular in many parts of the United States
My mom took me when I was a kid to watch, and ever since then I was hooked. The guys were running around and jumping up the wall, and the crowd was screaming when they made good catches. And I was just very excited to see it; I always wanted to do that, Silvia said.
During its heyday during the mid-20th century, frontons could be found across the country
Fans turned out by the thousands to be entertained by the sport
And betting helped make it popular.
Today, Florida is alone in retaining a fan base.
And even here, it is on the wane.
Most bettors have gone elsewhere, says long-time fan Rob Craig
Nowadays, a lot of times you come and its a very empty building, very few players. I think the sport just hasnt invested a lot in rebuilding itself. There is a lot of new competition in the area. There is gambling, there are casinos, there are slots. Its just one of those things where the sport needs to make a true investment and invest into itself, Craig said.
Manager Simon Jackson says Orlando Jai Alai is trying to do that. He says one aim is to help people understand the game more clearly.
What we are trying to do is explain the sport in its fullest to give people better understanding and help them with their wagers, which is part of what this sport is about. So we are trying to get out more information so that people are not scared, Jackson said.
Jackson says he would like to see the game recapture its popularity. And he says, he believes that can be done with proper marketing and public education.
Equatorial Guinea to Host African Cup Amid Widespread Poverty
(Published on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:28:36 GMT)
As the African Cup of Nations kicks off in Equatorial Guinea, January 21. Human Rights activists are sharply criticising the country for pouring millions into the football, soccer, tournament amid widespread poverty. With poor press freedoms and one of the worst human rights records in the world, some are asking can Equatorial Guinea justify putting on a show for the worlds media
With the 28th African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, human rights campaigners, event organizers and media people are asking if this repressive nation is capable of dealing with the arrival of hundreds of foreign journalists.
Sports reporters from around the world arrived this week in the capital Malabo and match venue, Bata, to cover the three-week football, soccer, event, co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and neighboring Gabon
Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang, who has been in power for 33 years, says he views the games as an opportunity to sell the countrys image
But repression has been a hallmark of Obiangs rule - with political opponents and the press routinely subject to harassment. Human Rights Watch says torture also remains a serious problem.
Lisa Misol of Human Rights Watch believes Mr. Obiang simply wants photo-op images to showcase the country in a positive light - but doesnt want the truth to come out about poverty levels.
The government of Equatorial Guinea and President Obiang himself seem to be convinced that, because they have thrown so much money to build such impressive monuments and buildings, that if they invite foreigners to come see them they will get good coverage. And yet they are very nervous with any journalists who show interest in telling the story of the poverty that still exists in the country - so thats when they react very strongly, Misol said.
The Obiang government has undertaken a massive building spree in preparation for the sports event, financed by oil revenues. New buildings include a $77 million presidential guesthouse and an $830 million conference center, resort and artificial beach.
Much of the construction is for the enjoyment of the countrys tiny elite and foreign guests - but the lavish spending offers little apparent benefit to the majority of the population.
Statistics about poverty levels in Equatorial Guinea are notoriously scant, as the government does not update records. But World Bank figures put three quarters of the population below the poverty line. Misol says the statistic is surprising.
Thats astounding in a country that has some of the highest wealth per capita on the planet. Its a very tiny country with a small population and enormous oil revenues, noted Misol.
Journalists who have tried to report in the country on political and development issues before now have been arrested, made to delete footage and deported.
Philipe Nanga is a Human Rights Activist in the region. He says the African Cup of Nations is an opportunity to highlight the problems in Equatorial Guinea.
The situation is serious, he says. It is a country where people are beaten up, pushed around and hunted like dogs. He says, it is a country where foreigners are refused; you cannot work there
Human Rights Watch says it is not calling for a boycott of the games. But instead it wants journalists to see behind the story and try to cover the less air-brushed side to Equatorial Guinea.
To the contrary, its useful for people to go to the country. We are just trying to encourage everyone who attends - including sports journalists - to open their eyes to whats behind the new stadiums and the monuments and the presidential palaces and look for the poverty that is extensive in the country and report on what is really going on there, Misol added. As a chance to shed a light on the terrible contradictions of life in Equatorial Guinea
The Africa Cup of Nations competition continues until February 12.
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