Team Profiles
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Australia
Winners of the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy for a record four times, in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007, Australia will be hoping to better its own achievement by winning the 2011 trophy.
It holds a tournament record 29 consecutive World Cup matches without a loss, a streak dating back to 23 May 1999, where it lost to Pakistan during the group stage of the event.
Australia begins its campaign against Zimbabwe at Ahmadabad and the team will rely on the successful captaincy of Ricky Ponting for a fifth title.
With a strong line-up of players including Mike Hussey, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, it will be one of the favourites to win the title.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the hosts of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. It made its CWC debut in 1999 when it surprisingly defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in England.
Arguably the greatest moment in its cricketing history came when it defeated India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and Shakib Al Hasan's men will be looking for more scalps in 2011.
The side will depend on the all-round skills of Hasan and fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, while batsman Tamim Iqbal is expected to be one of the most exciting batters at the event.
Canada
Canada qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 after finishing as runners-up to Ireland at the ICC CWC Qualifier 2009 in South Africa.
It first featured in the tournament in 1979 and its greatest moment of glory came in 2003 when it beat Full Member Bangladesh by 60 runs in South Africa. John Davison also broke the record in that tournament for the fastest century in CWC history.
The side will depend on Rizwan Cheema, Umar Bhatti, wicket-keeper Ashish Bagai and all-rounder Sunil Dhaniram for a good show in the event.
England
England has never won the ICC Cricket World Cup, finishing as the runners-up in 1979, 1987 and 1992.
It has not made the semi-finals of the event, since that tournament in 1992, and suffered a disappointing event in 2007, losing four of its seven games in the Super Eight stage.
The batting unit is looking stronger than in recent years with Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan, while the likes of James Anderson and Graeme Swann will be relied upon for wickets.
India
Cricket fever in India exploded after it won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1983, when 'Kapil's Devils' convincingly defeated the previously invincible West Indies by 43 runs in the final at Lord's.
It is the only time that India has won the event to date, but it did finish as runners-up at the 2003 event. Under the able captaincy of MS Dhoni, who led the side to victory in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, the number-one ranked Test team in the world could very well lay its claim on the 2011 trophy.
The team boasts of a strong batting line-up including maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, while bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan will be relied upon for wickets.
Ireland
Ireland cemented its place as the top Associate team in the world with a nine-wicket win over Canada in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in South Africa in April 2009.
It will be looking to repeat its heroics of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, when it managed to defeat Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Many from the CWC 2007 squad, including William Porterfield, who scored 515 runs in the qualifying event, Trent Johnston, Boyd Rankin and Niall O?Brien still remain, and it will be looking to secure a Quarter-Final place.
Kenya
Kenya shocked the cricketing world with its fairytale run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 event, reaching the semi-finals by victories over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and New Zealand (match forfeited).
The sub-continent also holds special memories for the African nation when it famously defeated West Indies by 73 runs in the ICC CWC 1996 event.
Kenya is capable of staging a few upsets and will rely mainly on the experience of Steve Tikolo, batting skills of Alex Obanda and Collins Obuya, and bowling of Hiren Varaiya, Peter Ongondo and Lameck Ngoche.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands gained a spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 by finishing fourth in the qualifying event in South Africa in 2009.
Not new to the tournament - the Dutch have earlier featured in the 1996, 2003 and 2007 CWCs - Peter Borren's side will be look forward to creating an upset similar to its inspirational four-wicket victory over hosts England in ICC World Twenty20 2009.
Stars to watch out for include Ryan ten Doeschate, Bas Zuiderent, Alexei Kervezee and Edgar Schiferli, who was the leading wicket taker in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2009.
New Zealand
No team will be more desperate to win the ICC Cricket World Cup title than New Zealand, who despite reaching the semi-finals of the 1975, 1979, 1992, 1999 and the 2007 event, have never won the tournament.
The last World Cup saw Sri Lanka thrash the Kiwis by 81 runs in the semis and Daniel Vettori's men will be hoping to lift the curse with a tournament win in 2011.
Key players expected to shine in the tournament include Vettori, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Shane Bond and Kyle Mills.
Pakistan
Pakistan made history when it won its first ICC Cricket World Cup title in 1992. Playing in his final ODI, skipper Imran Khan led his team to an unforgettable 22-run victory over England to claim the trophy. Since then, the closest the team has come to winning the trophy was in 1999, when it suffered an eight-wicket loss to Australia at Lord's in the final.
All eyes will be on Shahid Afridi, who was instrumental in the team's WT20 win, as well as the Akmal brothers? Kamran and Ukmal ? and Umar Gul when it takes on Kenya in its opening game.
South Africa
Having won an ICC event only once - the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998 - Graeme Smith's men will be hoping to improve on its record when it takes on West Indies in its opening game.
The Proteas' success in the tournament extended only as far as the semi-finals of the 2007 event where it was out-witted by Australia by seven wickets at St. Lucia.
The team is not short of talent with the likes of AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, and Herschelle Gibbs, who famously hit six sixes in an over at the last World Cup against Netherlands, relishing the challenge to lift South Africa to world glory.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's moment of glory in the ICC Cricket World Cup arrived in 1996, when the team, led by Arjuna Ranatunga, defeated Australia by seven wickets to claim its first CWC title.
In a repeat of the 1996 event, Mahela Jayawardena led the team to the CWC 2007 final in Barbados, but was defeated by the Australians by 53 runs (D/L method).
With plenty of talent in the squad, which includes the likes of Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakeratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara and the spin attack of Muttiah Muralidaran and Ajantha Mendis, the team has every opportunity to reclaim the trophy once again at home.
West Indies
Once considered to be invincible in the game, West Indies will be looking to history for inspiration if it has to win the 2011 event.
Winners of the first two CWC events in 1975 and 1979 at Lord's, the West Indies have much work to do if they want to emulate those two great sides.
Led by the swash-buckling Chris Gayle, who can rip apart the best bowling attack, the team has several key players including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo who have the potential to capture the trophy.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is known to create upsets in the ICC Cricket World Cup as it did against Australia in 1983, England in 1992, and India and South Africa in 1999.
In the ICC World Twenty20 2007, it also delivered one of the biggest shocks in the competition when it achieved a stunning victory over Australia.
Some from that WT20 side still remain and the likes of Tatenda Taibu and Charles Coventry will be relied upon for runs, while Ray Price has established himself as an excellent bowler.
Labels: Teams
posted @ 12:27 PM,
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FIFA Fake World Cup Tickets on the Internet
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Mark Bridge
Thousands of fake or bogus tickets for the football World Cup this summer in South Africa are being sold on websites including Gumtree for many times their face value, an investigation by The Times has found.
Fifa, the competition organiser, said that sellers were seeking to profit from fans desperate to get to the now sold-out England group games, semi-finals and finals.
The Metropolitan Police central e-crime unit said: “Tickets will only be issued in South Africa for the World Cup. So anyone claiming to be able to supply tickets will be either supplying counterfeit tickets or nothing will be received.
“Given that tickets for the World Cup can only be collected in South Africa, it appears that any site offering tickets will have criminal intent.”
The World Cup: where art, fashion, sport and culture come together
Fifa confirmed that it would not issue paper tickets until a few weeks before the competition starts — supplying them to the original applicant at collection points in South Africa. It said that if tickets listed for sale at sites other than Fifa’s are not fakes, they must have been allocated to other names, and should not be resold.
Fifa said: “Genuine tickets are sold online exclusively via the official website Fifa.com. A special team from Fifa’s legal affairs division is working with international authorities to monitor the internet for such illegal offers and to take action to combat them.”
Nevertheless, companies in Britain and overseas are openly reselling tickets for sold-out matches at a hefty mark-up.
Fifa’s rules state that tickets may only be used by the ticketholder named at the time of purchase, whose name will be printed on the ticket. Some resellers may attempt to have the name changed to the new buyer’s by abusing Fifa’s ticket transfer policy. This permits name changes for non-commercial reasons, such as illness.
The seller behind the first World Cup ticket listing that The Times viewed on eBay, the auction website, admitted to this. “kobi5842” wanted a starting bid of $3,400 (£2,223) or a “buy it now” price of $5,400 (£3,531) for two tickets to the World Cup final with a total face value of $1,200. He wrote: “I will try my best to personalise the tickets to the buyer of this auction, but I won’t refund the sales amount in case Fifa does not agree.”
This user’s account was suspended by eBay for suspected fraud after our intervention. However, he was back online at the time of writing, with a “100 per cent positive” feedback rating. eBay said: “In accordance with English and Welsh law, eBay UK strictly prohibits the resale of tickets to the Fifa World Cup. We do not allow anyone to list or purchase such tickets on eBay.co.uk and we prevent users from bidding on or buying tickets from sellers outside of the UK.”
No such measures were in place at Gumtree.com, the listings site, where The Times found “Mark” offering “VIP Suite” tickets to all England matches, and various others, for £2,500 each. He posted two mobile phone numbers and an e-mail address as contacts. Another user claimed to have “bought lots of tickets trying to ensure I gained a good selection of games”, leaving 22 for resale.
Gumtree said: “We were alerted to a small number of ads which have now been removed, and we have updated our detection technology... we always do our very best to prevent ads selling football tickets from appearing on the site.”
England fans hoping to buy valid tickets should go to Fifa.com on April 15 when returns may be available. Tickets are still available as part of travel packages from Fifa-approved tour operators.
Fans pay dearly
$895 (£587) — the amount Global Tickets in Manchester is selling category 1 tickets for England v USA for, against a face value of US$160 (£105)
Source: worldcupticketservice.com
posted @ 1:15 PM,
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K. D. A. Scheme Number 1
Friday, February 26, 2010
Why? Cosmopolitan Karachi is the leading business, political as well cultural center of Pakistan. It is still the gateway to Pakistan to the country and everything (ok, almost everything) starts in Karachi. Karachi has developed in all dimensions over past six decades but K. D. A. Scheme Number 1 remains its unique, prominent, prestigious address. Drive around on Amir Khusro Road - a 100 feet wide picturesque, Beautiful and triple tree lined road– and you will see the palatial houses of Pakistani’s rich and famous.
Historically, no one wants to sell a property situated on Amir Khusro Road. Out of total 18 houses, only six have been sold in the last half century. Best thing is that there is one house for sale. You can’t miss the house that is on sale. The only corner house is next to the famous Karachi American School, is west open and dominates the whole neighborhood from a vantage point.
I can't put a price on the value and the pleasure I get from having a look, and knowing that everything from security to ultimate urban amenities are taken care there. If you want to, have a look - a video is nicely made and gives a feeler of the environ of the house.
posted @ 5:30 PM,
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The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be the tenth Cricket World Cup and will be hosted by three South Asian Test cricket playing countries: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It will be Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a Cricket World Cup. The World Cup will use cricket's One Day International format, with fourteen national cricket teams scheduled to compete. The World Cup will take place during February and March 2011, with the first match being played on 19 February 2011.
Labels: ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
posted @ 10:12 AM,
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FIFA to Tame Billion Dollar Transfer Market
It's a market worth $1 billion each year and involves thousands of professional players moving across borders to find new employers. And until now what little regulation existed has been confused and open to abuse, but that is about to change.
FIFA is making its new online transfer register a requirement for most leagues later this year, fundamentally altering how players ranging from Cristiano Ronaldo to unknown Latin American teens can move to new teams in different nations.
The system is remarkably easy, with clubs signed up to a Web-based network required to match the details of any international player transactions and upload proof of payment, identification of agents involved and other documents to confirm a player's new employer.
The transfer monitor has been a long time coming.
FIFA says years of poor oversight has led to rogue agents "owning" their clients and controlling their destinies, illegal payments between clubs and companies, and even money laundering through transfers of fictitious footballers -- practices that FIFA hopes its new system will stamp out.
"The transfer market is one of the last places on the planet where you have billions of dollars and no one is really checking," said Mark Goddard, head of the FIFA anti-corruption program. "It has basically been a jungle with no oversight, and that is changing."
Goddard and other FIFA officials explained the system to journalists in Zurich, outlining its advances in terms of speed, accountability and clarity compared to the current confusion of paper documents and faxes that have long been the basis of international transfers.
The network went online in 2007 and most major leagues have been using it during the last couple of transfer windows. From October, over 3,000 football clubs in nearly 150 nations will be required to log the details of each player either sold or purchased in an international deal or have the transaction blocked.
World football's governing body has been eager to tighten transfer regulations after discovering that many deals involved unlicensed operators taking a commission. Its Zurich headquarters has also been deluged in paperwork during peak trading times as buying and selling clubs faxed details of their deals, sometimes with information that didn't match.
Goddard highlighted the advantages of the new system, which has already registered 4,000 transfers since 2008:
--Transfers will have to be agreed on time, with the Web-based system closing as the window for deals expires. This will help avoid the last-minute confusion that has been a source of debate in moves such as Andrei Arshavin's switch to Arsenal last year.
--Third-party "owners" of players, such as Anglo-Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian who controls the "economic rights" to Argentine stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, would be unable to hold up a transfer as they seek their own compensation.
--Minors will be better protected from moving internationally without their parents' approval.
--Clubs will be able to seal transfers faster, as an English and a Scottish club proved last month by registering a deal in just seven minutes.
--Auditing will be significantly easier, as FIFA staff and national football officials can inspect deals from anywhere in the world with a simple login password.
--And transactions involving fictitious players, a common money laundering technique, will be harder to get away with as players' identities would first need to be established.
"The system was designed specifically with money laundering in mind," Goddard said. "Anecdotal evidence tells us that it is probably quite a massive problem. We know of transfers of imaginary players by third parties and other groups using football in order to wash it and turn dirty money into legitimate funds."
Teams found breaking the rules will be punished, Goddard said. FIFA will monitor transfers, he added, but declined to say how many staff and how much money it would devote to tracking down cheats.
For all its benefits, the register will not apply to transfers among clubs in the same nation, and details of transactions will not be shared with the public.
"This is not a silver bullet that will solve everything," Goddard said. "But we want to make sure that it is the clubs that get the money, and most importantly that it is the football value of the player that is being bought, not his marketing or commercial value that is being sold through third parties."
posted @ 8:46 AM,
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FIFA Deals
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Global Brands Group, the exclusive worldwide Master Licensee of FIFA, today signed a four year deal with retail magnate Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC). The company delivered a strong retail plan and pledged that in 2010 it will open 14 FIFA Official Stores in four key regions in the Middle East and North Africa: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Egypt; Lebanon, Syria and Jordan; and the GCC (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar). In addition, a number of 2010 FIFA World CupTM Official Event 'Shop in Shops' will be opened across the Middle East during the FIFA World CupTM period this year.
Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC) is currently responsible for approximately 70 international fashion brands across the Middle East and employs over 4,000 people in this sector. The company, which turns over SAR2 billion a year, will be opening three FIFA Official Flagship Stores in 2010. Riyadh will be the first place in the world to have a FIFA Official Flagship Store and further FIFA Official Flagship Stores will follow in the Middle East and North Africa over the next four years.
These will be exceptional retail spaces, all over 1,000m² and set in prime retail locations. The FIFA Official Flagship Store retail experience aims to connect fans around the world to FIFA's rich heritage reflecting the dynamism of football since 1904. The FIFA Official Flagship Store experience promises fans an innovative and entertaining in-store football experience. The stores will stock Official FIFA Collections, event merchandise and products from FIFA Commercial Affiliates. FIFA Collections is FIFA's football lifestyle apparel and accessories range designed with a unique signature fusing football, fashion and culture.
Alongside the FIFA Official Flagship Stores, the group will open a significant number of additional stand alone stores, and these will be in the format of freestanding stores. The stand alone stores will range in size from 75m2 upwards and they will be located in prime shopping malls. Simon Hawkins, SVP & GM, FIFA & Football Business Unit, Global Brands Group, said: "It's a very exciting time for us.
Since we signed our agreement with FIFA, we have been working closely with them and are delighted to confirm Fawaz Alhokair and Company as our partner for this phase of our retail programme roll-out. It is a testament to the power of the FIFA brand that we have signed a deal with a retail partner of such magnitude. We are confident in the Fawaz Alhokair and Company's ability to fulfil the aggressive roll-out plan the company has presented to us. This plan will guarantee that football fans in the Middle East region can continue to engage with the FIFA brand long after the 2010 FIFA World CupTM finishes in July this year."
Thierry Weil, FIFA Director Marketing Division, said: "We are pleased about the conclusion of the agreement between Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC) and Global Brands Group, which will develop the FIFA Brand retail business within the Middle East region. This assignment is important for the development of the FIFA Brand and ensures that FIFA merchandise reaches as wide an audience as possible."
The agreement with Global Brands Group is endorsed by Chairman, Dr. Fawaz A.Alhohair and the CEO of the Fawaz Alhokair and Company (JSC), Mr. Simon Marshall. Fawaz A.Alhokair, Fawaz Alhokair Group Chairman commented:
"This agreement is an important strategic development for our group, as we seek to expand our presence in the sports sector. We are proud to host the global launch of FIFA Official Flagship Stores in our country. A separate business unit will be established within our company to ensure dedicated resource is given to our partnerhip with Global Brands Group."
Labels: FIFA
posted @ 10:45 AM,
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FIFA Online
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
EA Sports has revealed FIFA Online, a free-to-play, web-based PC title "aimed at football fans, not just gamers".
The title, which goes into closed beta next month with open beta kicking-off in the summer, was unveiled to journalists by EA Sports top dog Peter Moore, at an event held at third-rate Premier League stadium Stamford Bridge.
FIFA Online uses the FIFA 10 engine and takes advantage of the full FIFA database, including content for the forthcoming World Cup title, covering 30 licensed leagues, 500 teams and 15,000 players. Three game modes will feature - World Cup, League and Versus - plus a simple 'mouse-play' control for n00bs and "adaptable difficulty".
Moore said that while FIFA already reached 10 million gamers, he wanted to snag more of the 2 billion global football audience, and FIFA Online would appeal to those who can't afford a console or an HDTV, and don't have a top-spec PC. The game has been built to run on "average spec laptops".
The publisher hopes to build a big online community and promised events linked to real matches. "It's a living game," according to line producer Aaron Blunt, and "critical to the growth of EA Sports," in Moore's words.
Moore said his ambition was for everyone be able to have "a sports experience regardless of platform or budget". Hopefully one a bit better than his experience as a Liverpool fan this season.
FIFA Online's open beta is scheduled for June.
posted @ 8:57 AM,
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FIFA Fears
Monday, February 22, 2010
By Rob Harris
FIFA is concerned that players at the World Cup could use undetectable stimulants derived from traditional African medicines that aren't currently banned substances.
FIFA medical committee chairman Michel D'Hooghe told The Associated Press on Sunday that he wants the World Anti-Doping Agency to analyze some African plants that could give athletes an unfair advantage.
"I have a big concern - and I can confess that. We were learning a lot about the traditional African medicines and we are not sure what all of these products contain," D'Hooghe said. "I think some products are not detectable. This makes it difficult. They can deliver stimulation and diuretic activity."
D'Hooghe said he became aware of the extent of the issue at FIFA's medical conference this weekend in Sun City ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, which starts June 11.
"We received a lot of examples, going from things that we know but also going into absolutely unknown things for me. If I don't know the names, how can I know what they contain," D'Hooghe said of the plants. "This is certainly a challenge for WADA ... this could be a big challenge for football because we try to live in a football world without doping.
"If we don't have control over these specific traditional medicines, then we can't say we have control over all the medication in football."
In many African countries, plants provide the main source of medicine. Umhlabelo, made of dried leaves from the Nidorella plant, can help heal bones and muscles. The Hoodia plant is used as an appetite suppressant but also provides an energy boost.
"More and more governments are legalizing the use of traditional medicines, and that will compound the situation much further." warned Gurcharan Singh, a member of FIFA's medical committee.
South African team doctor Ntlopi Mogoru says some plants, usually found in tropical African countries like Ghana, can produce steroid byproducts that are not on WADA's list and aren't picked up in doping tests.
"There is no way of knowing. That's where the problem is," Mogoru said.
"In Africa, a lot of players use traditional medicines and, unfortunately because of WADA, there are no tests to detect those things and it becomes a bit of a problem for doping in the whole world. It's from the players' cultural backgrounds.
"Some cultures will believe if you take one of these traditional medicines it enhances your performances. Some of them might be taking this medication knowing that the side-effects enhance performances, but the primary intention was just to heal, for example, hemorrhoids. They can't be detected by the tests and they are not illegal."
Cameroon team doctor Prof. Guillaume Atchou advises his players not to take them but believes it is a challenge for all sports.
"The athletes think eating traditional medicines and taking traditional plants is a very good thing and we have no way to control these practices," Atchou said. "They shouldn't take them because I know these doping substances aren't right for them, but how do we find these substances in African plants. They are not detectable."
D'Hooghe thinks the US$30 million spent annually on 33,000 doping tests could be better spent on youth education since there are only about 10 positive results.
D'Hooghe said he believes there is "no doping culture" among the 260 million footballers worldwide.
Labels: Medicines, Stimulants, World Cup
posted @ 10:18 PM,
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FIFA's Cheap Tickets For South Africans
World football body FIFA said yesterday it has increased the number of cheapest World Cup tickets to get more South Africans into stadiums at Africa's first World Cup during June and July.
According to the Johannesburg Saturday Star, FIFA slashed the price of at least 30 per cent of category 2 and 3 tickets, which cost up to 840 rand (110 dollars/ 80 euros), to 140 rand.
"We made clear right from the start of ticketing that we aim to increase the number of Cat (category) 4 tickets to up to 20 percent," FIFA said in a statement yesterday. "This does not affect the already sold tickets."
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said this week that the football body was targeting 20 per cent ticket sales to South Africans.
"We will increase the number of category four tickets because we cannot have a situation where the FIFA World Cup is in South Africa and people cannot see matches," said Valcke.
FIFA yesterday said the recategorisation meant that more tickets will be allocated to the cheapest category out of the seats currently available. "It is not about dropping prices. The prices are not touched. The price for category 4 start at R140 for group games," the organisation said. "How many it will be is still to be decided in details."
A total of 2.1 million tickets of 2.9 available have been sold for the tournament with seats at only 24 of 64 fixtures remaining.
South Africans have bought 898,170 tickets, followed by 121,190 in the United States and 98,056 in the United Kingdom.
Local fans had expressed unhappiness about the high cost of tickets and the rigid online application process, which has resulted in low sales in the country.
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said this week he was worried ticket prices were scaring away fans for the world's most watched sporting event and asked tour operators to cut costs to help fill South African stadiums.
Labels: South Africa, Tickets
posted @ 10:16 PM,
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Football Scores
The world stage is set for football lovers for the biggest event in history of the game top teams from all over the world are going to battle to prove their worth, for many, once-in-a-lifetime experience. This has created a milieu where users are particularly interested in livescores and football odds comparison features. That is where World Sports Network (WSN) comes in.
Explore World Sports Network site and see what they are offering and how. The in-depth reviews, breaking football news, previews and the best livescore and odds coverage online for hundreds of competitions around the globe makes WSN an important destination for any football fan.
WSN compares odds from all major bookmakers to show you the best odds for every match that matters. Picking winners has to be an informed decision and users can get the required information at WSN.com.
Use information rich and neatly laid out site WSN.com and stay in the know of the matters.
posted @ 10:10 PM,
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About FIFA Money
Saturday, February 20, 2010
By Andisiwe Makinana
Securing financial returns was the priority and the main reason the City of Cape Town implemented the first phase of the Integrated Rapid Transit System (IRT) along the West Coast, rather than in the city's poor south-eastern areas, which include Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
This was confirmed by a top city council official who told the provincial parliament's standing committee on finance and economic development this week that the city's justification was that it wanted to see a financial return.
The executive director of economic and social development and tourism, Mansoor Mohamed, told the committee this week: "To put it bluntly (it was) to minimise the cost and burden on the ratepayer."
He said the city was blaming it (the prioritisation of middle-to upper-class areas) on an agreement with Fifa, which said Phase 1 must be put in place before the World Cup.
"We can hide behind that and say: 'Sorry, it's the ROD (record of understanding)', but really what it is, is purely a matter of finance.
"It's what the city can afford in terms of its envelope, and the least likely negative effect on the city's finances, because ultimately people will have to pay for it," said Mohamed.
"So the consideration taken into account when implementing the IRT is where is the likelihood of getting people from private to public transport... and clearly the corridor between Cape Town and along the West Coast (where) it's middle class, congested and needs to move over to public transport, will pay for itself sooner rather than later.
"These are the projections that were made... for financial reasons."
Mohamed added that the same principles had been used in the broadband network, "which we believe is still wrong".
"In the city centre everybody is laying fibre-optic cables, but nobody is laying them in the places like where I come from in the Cape Flats.
So I can't connect with cheap mobile calls or landlines. It's so prohibitive, so costly.
"And we all know if that were to be improved, the economy would be stimulated to such an extent that we cannot even imagine."
He said his department had submitted a report on why the laying of fibre-optic cables needed to be accelerated, and again the answer was that it was a cost issue.
"Personally I think it's wrong to do it that way because the government's role is not necessarily to reduce the costs of the private sector, but to put out our resources towards making more economic inclusion. That's our humble opinion."
Earlier in the same meeting, the head of the city's economic information and research, Jeremy Marillier, told the committee that in developing the city equitably, "you can't have, as we currently do, poverty concentration in the south-eastern areas like Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha".
Read more here
posted @ 10:53 AM,
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VIP ticket sales for World Cup down 50 PCT
Friday, February 19, 2010
Only half of the VIP tickets for the World Cup have been sold four months before soccer's biggest event kicks off in South Africa.
FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said only 2.1 million tickets have been sold for the tournament, which has a capacity of 2.9 million.
The biggest problem has been with "hospitality" programs, where ticketing agencies make the bulk of their profits by selling spots in luxury booths at significantly higher prices.
Valcke blamed the disappointing performance in the VIP sector on the economic crisis. Price gouging and security fears over South Africa are also causing many fans to forgo the World Cup.
Last year "was the worst period to sell hospitality programs," Valcke told reporters at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich. "I'm sure that it impacted at least by 50 percent the potential."
Valcke also said South Africa would not get 450,000 visitors as it had predicted. He said the number could be as low as 350,000, but he didn't have a precise estimate.
FIFA has worked hard to make the World Cup more accessible.
Valcke said world soccer's governing body negotiated lower plane tickets with some airlines, bringing the price of a round-trip flight from New York to Johannesburg down to $2,000 during the World Cup from a normal charge of $3,000.
To prevent empty seats stadiums, seats once designated for traveling Europeans, Americans and other soccer supporters are being switched to a lower-price category for South Africans. This will hurt profits but will also help realize FIFA's goal of ensuring that at least a fifth of spectators at the tournament will be locals.
The lower ticket sales don't hurt FIFA because the organization reached a deal with marketing firm Match Services AG seven years ago for this World Cup and the next one in Brazil in 2014, Valcke said. South Africa's organizing committee has broken even.
Still, Valcke acknowledged that things would need to be changed at future World Cups.
One suggestion he said would surely be studied was selling tickets directly to fans, instead of through ticketing agencies. FIFA would then require ticketing booths around the world, Valcke said, which he said would be part of a new "flexible" approach to selling seats.
Valcke promised that the World Cup would be safe at all venues, and although he noted South Africa's crime problems, he said they couldn't compare in any way to the breakaway region of Angola where Togo's team was attacked last month at the African Cup of Nations.
To better ensure the safety of teams, fans and media, FIFA was organizing a meeting next month that brings together the police chiefs and heads of security from all 32 teams playing in South Africa. The host country will also be represented by intelligence officials.
Valcke also stressed that the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, slated to host the final, would be completed by March 15.
"It's not fun not to have your main stadium now," Valcke said. {#}
Labels: Tickets
posted @ 8:53 AM,
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Over 2 Million Tickets Sold for 2010 FIFA World Cup
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A representative of Match Events Services, Mr Pascal Portes has given the assurance that there are enough tickets available for intending fans for the 2010 South FIFA World Cup and that over two million tickets of various categories have so far been sold.
He said the ticket sales has been extended to May this year with online sales and paper application forms available for fans who have no easy access to internet facilities.
Mr Portes, who said this at a press briefing on the 2010 FIFA World Cup presentation in Accra on Monday, explained that the sales would be on first-come first-serve basis and called on interested fans to contact accredited FIFA Tour Operators for the necessary directives.
He explained that the Black Stars- Germany opening match would cost 2,328 dollars while all the Ghana Group matches would cost 4000 dollars including air ticket, accommodation and transportation.
Abedi Pele Ayew, FIFA Football Committee member said Africa is blessed to showcase to the whole world, the highest level and the soccer prowess of the continent following the successful hosting of the Under 20 in Egypt, Under-17 in Nigeria and FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
He said it is therefore a challenge to the whole of Africa to ensure a successful tournament and to prove that the continent deserves to host the Mundial and called for collective support for the success of the big event which must be accomplished.
Abedi Pele said the presence of fans and the press forms an integral part of the game of football and it for the media to showcase the sport as the passion that must meet the people's demand and attention.
"It is the greatest thing we have ever had on the African continent and we must congratulate members of FIFA for a good work done by ensuring that the World Cup is being hosted for the first time on African soil".
He noted that members of Africa's ex footballers are impressed with the performance of the new crop of players who have shown that they have matured and are genuine replacement of the talents and are poised to make the necessary impact.
Anthony Baffoe, a former Black Stars player and international football icon, said former footballers who plied their trade abroad are impressed with the continued exploits of such players as Didier Drogba, Micheal Essien, Samuel Eto'o Fils, Frederick Kanoute, Rigobert Song, Mikel Obi and others who have continued to carry the African torch high.
He said it is gratifying that Africa players are no more bench warmers but play integral roles in their clubs and predicted that Ghana has the chance of progressing at least to the semi-finals.
Randy Abbey, a management member of the Ghana Football Association said football is not only a passion of the country but it is also more than a religion or belief and that most Ghanaians and the African continent believe it is Africa's time and cannot wait for the beginning of the Mundial to show case the African talent.
Source: GNA
Labels: Tickets
posted @ 9:28 AM,
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Chevy Accessories at CARiD
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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Thanks to CARiD.com that they offer best Chevy parts and Chevy truck accessories at the best prices. Have a look at what is featured on CARiD ad see what they are offering and how. Better still, ask them to provide what you need. Hope is that you will have best experiences as CARiD.co has best customers’ care and customers’ policies.
Another best thing is CARiD price match. They offer one of the best price match guarantees on the market to date. Contact their sales offices directly via telephone for price protection and they will do the rest. Explore CARiD’s neatly laid out resource rich site and choose what all you need for your Chevy. CARid.com has all possible Car Accessories, Truck Accessories and more.
posted @ 4:22 PM,
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Salman and John
It's a well-known fact that Salman Khan is quite gung ho about the FIFA World Cup and is going to be visitng South Africa around the time. Of course, he's going to make it at various games in various cities. A sport enthusiast himself, it's no wonder that Sallu, who is the first to be a part of any charity soccer match is excited about the international event.
Now, what's interesting is that actor John Abraham, too, is expected to be at the football matches. After doing a movie on soccer titled 'Goal' for the sheer love of the game, John, we are told is keen to watch the event real time and in real space!
Now if the two rivals - Salman and John - come together in the same box, we wonder what they'd do. For starters, let's hope they're supporting the same team. That could be a good bonding point. But if not, this rivalry is only going to get worse and the plot is going to thicken. Let's wait and watch who will score the goal in this match between animosity and friendship!
Labels: Fans, FIFA, John, Salman
posted @ 9:41 AM,
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Secure a Seat
Watching your favorite sport star in action in the field, screen star in theatre and or pop star in a concert is a fun and joy. But keeping track of the events and buying tickets is an overwhelming task. Sometime you have to wait or stand in long queues to get the ticket. Worst still, at times it becomes difficult to get the seat to watch the event.
Thanks to ACheapSeat.com that they have made getting seats easy and cheaply. They offer premium seating to events without waiting on hold or standing in line. Have look at the resource rich sit and see what all they are offering and how they give to their customers’ an access to tickets that do not go on sale to the general public. You can also browse through different seating sections and prices and secure seat you like.
I tried Wachovia Center Tickets and found Wachovia Center Schedule and Dates at favorite an indoor arena and a lot of useful information. I suggest fans must read through information to understand buying ticket before making a purchase. This will help you make informed decision. Similarly I looked for Jeff Dunham Tickets and Jersey Boys Tickets . I suggest you explore the neatly laid out site and secure a seat at your favorite events.
Labels: Events, Seats, Tickets
posted @ 9:32 AM,
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FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Lima, Peru, today following a stop in Cordoba, Argentina, as part of a world tour that brings the coveted prize to 83 countries.
The president of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), Arturo Woodman, and a group of former and current Peruvian footballers received the 18-carat, solid gold trophy in a ceremony at Lima's Jorge Chavez Airport.
On Wednesday afternoon, Peruvian President Alan Garcia will welcome the FIFA 2010 World Cup Trophy Tour at a 18:30 ceremony at the Government Palace.
A total of 10,000 people will have the opportunity to view the FIFA World Cup trophy on Thursday at Lima's Parque de la Exposicion, from 9am-9pm (local time), before it heads north to Venezuela.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will travel 83 countries in 225 days, covering 138,902 kilometers in the process, before arriving in South Africa ahead of the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup.
posted @ 9:35 AM,
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Lack of Respect for Africa
Saturday, February 13, 2010
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hit out at the critics who have commented on the security situation in South Africa, claiming that they have a lack of respect for Africa as a continent.
Blatter has made it clear that he believes Europe to be part of "the Old World" of prejudice as concerns over security and high travel and hotel costs become ever more apparent in the media.
"Every year 11 million tourists go to South Africa and nobody says they should not go there," he said. "It's a kind of anti-Africa prejudice. I think there is still in the so-called Old World a feeling that 'why the hell should Africa organise a World Cup'.''
Blatter also maintained that Europe is responsible for taking the best players out of the continent and blamed a lack of respect.
''Colonialists over the past 100 years have gone to Africa and taken out all the best things - and now they are taking all the best footballers. There's no respect," he added.
Some senior figures in the game have spoken out about South Africa's security concerns, with Uli Hoeness, the president of Bayern Munich, claiming the decision to give South Africa the World Cup was "the biggest wrong decision" FIFA has made and Phil Brown, the Hull City manager, stating that the terrorist attack on the Togo team put a question mark against this summer's finals.
However, Blatter said: "It is a nonsense to combine what has happened in Angola, a terrorist attack for political reasons, and mix it up with the World Cup in South Africa."
FIFA are concerned that the latest batch of 400,000 tickets, which are now on sale, will not all be claimed as the fears of European hard-core football fans over safety and costs grow. {# }
Labels: FIFA, South Africa
posted @ 11:00 AM,
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Brief History of the Opening Ceremonies
Friday, February 12, 2010
The three-time World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali had been to the Olympics before — as a gold-medal–winning athlete at the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. In 1996, he returned, despite being in a noticeably advanced stage of Parkinson's Disease and lit the torch to start the events.
View Brief History of the Opening Ceremonies
Labels: Opening Ceremonies, Sports
posted @ 10:18 PM,
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RTM plays host to FIFA World Cup
Thursday, February 11, 2010
One of the world’s most anticipated sporting event this year will kick off in South Africa on June 11, and Malaysians can watch it all from the comfort of their homes for absolutely free!
RTM announced that it has been appointed the licensed broadcaster for the FIFA World Cup 2010 event with matches being telecast over TV1 and TV2.
Utusan Airtime managing director Adi Satria said RTM is excited to be the official broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as it will enable more Malaysians to watch this global event without paying a premium price for it.
RTM will be airing a total of 24 live and 11 delayed telecasts of matches throughout the one month of competition, including the opening match between South Africa and Mexico on June 11.
As for the other matches not aired by RTM, the station will make up for it by broadcasting daily highlights of the 64 matches played throughout the event.
In anticipation of the upcoming event, RTM will be running a 100-day countdown with one-minute-long capsules screened throughout the day on both stations, featuring highlights from previous World Cup tournaments.
Also scheduled for screening are FIFA’s magazine programme on South Africa and highlights of its activities as well as RTM’s own interactive programme and game show.
The station has also acquired a number of movies, drama series and children’s programmes related to football.
Besides the World Cup, other prominent sporting events which will be aired on TV1 include the Thomas Cup in May, the 2010 Sukma in June and also the 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in October. {#}
posted @ 9:14 AM,
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Real Salt Lake hosts a FIFA 10 Tournament
Monday, February 8, 2010
So what are RSL fans supposed to do in the offseason? Well today they play in a FIFA 10 video game tournament, a tourney that included fans, players and even some staff members. It was a great crowd of not only those playing but a number of fans showed up to watch the action as well. In all about 250 fans showed up in all and not only was it a great time for the players, there were some season tickets sold and over 100 tickets for the first match sold as well.
I really believe events like this give fans a great chance to meet the players they cheer for on a personal basis and that is part of RSL's "Fan for Life" campaign.
The action is still going on, but I will get you the info on who wins the tournament and a pair of season tickets for the 2010 RSL season. {#}
Labels: FIFA
posted @ 10:28 PM,
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At DIRECTTV, users can choose from five different programming packages – Ultimate entertainment packages, The Ultimate HD Package, For the TV Fans on the Go, TV Lover’s Package, Basic Entertainment Package and Family Entertainment. DIRECTV is not only a better choice but also cost effective. What is more, they are offering great discount now. You can get DIRECTV for around $ 1 a day and save $26 per month for whole year.
See what Direct TV is offering and how. Users can also find If you still have a question, call them at (888-409-4351) or complete an online form and they will call. You can leave rest to them.
posted @ 10:16 PM,
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WorldCup Tickets
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Tickets for the World Cup semi-finals and final, as well as two of England's first round matches in South Africa, have sold out, FIFA said on Friday.
FIFA said there were no more tickets for England's matches against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23.
Tickets for the match between world champions Italy and Paraguay in Cape Town on June 11 and Brazil and Portugal in Durban a fortnight later have also sold out.
The final phase of World Cup tickets sales will open on Tuesday with more than 400,000 seats still available.
Fans have until April 7 to bid for tickets for 53 of the 64 matches at the tournament, which runs from June 11-July 11.
The fourth phase of sales is again to be conducted over the internet, and also for South African residents at bank branches, but this time will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
World soccer's governing body said it had sold 585,175 tickets, some 70 percent to local residents, in its third sales phase, which closed last month and which was drawn on a lottery basis and allocated this week.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Justin Palmer)
posted @ 11:08 AM,
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China's Yingli Green Energy At 2010 FIFA World Cup
Friday, February 5, 2010
Another reason we know Chinese solar companies mean business: When they can throw more than $100 million at sponsoring a sporting event.
Chinese solar panel maker Yingli Green Energy made history today by becoming the first green energy company to sponsor the 2010 FIFA World Cup, GreenEnergyReporter reports.
Although the amount of the endorsement is unknown, “tier one” sponsorships start above the $100 million mark. Other sponsors include McDonalds, Budweiser and the Indian-owned Satyam IT services company.
As part of the deal, Yingli gets global marketing rights, including ticket and board advertising, and the right to showcase its solar products in the fan zones. The company logo will also be featured next to the World Cup Official Emblem. {#}
Labels: Green Energy
posted @ 9:52 AM,
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Zambia FIFA Rankings
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Zambia has moved 11 places up on the FIFA world monthly ranking following an impressive outing to the recent Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
According to the latest FIFA rankings released yesterday, Zambia leapt into 14th placing from 17 on the continental chart with a much improved stake globally on 73rd from 84th place.
The development is attributed to Zambia’s results at the Africa Cup of Nations that produced a 1-all draw with Tunisia, a 2-3 defeat to Cameroon, a 2-1 triumph over Gabon before losing 5-4 on penalties to Nigeria in the quarterfinal of the tournament.
Record-setting African champions Egypt have wrestled the African top slot from Cameroon who dropped into third place with Nigeria assuming the second position while Cote d’Ivoire occupy fourth place with Ghana completing the top five bracket.
Egypt managed to climb 14 places to tenth place on the global chart.
This is not only Egypt’s highest-ever position in the ranking, but also the second-highest of any African team since the introduction of the ranking. They have only been bettered by Nigeria, who reached fifth place in April 1994.
However, Malawi who produced the major upset at the competition beating World Cup finalists Algeria 3-0 at group stage are the biggest movers with 17 places to 82nd place.
Spain continues to top the global rankings with Brazil, Netherlands, Italy and Portugal making the top five.
Continental table
Country Africa World
Egypt 4 to 1 14 to 10
Nigeria 3 to 2 22 to 15
Ivory Coast 2 to 4 16 to 22
Cameroun 1 to 3 11 to 20
Ghana 6 to 5 34 to 27
Algeria 5 to 6 26 to 31
Zambia 17 to 14 84 to 73
South Africa 18 to 16 85 to 81
Angola 20 to 19 95 to 88.
posted @ 9:50 AM,
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FIFA World Cup 2010 Schedule and Fixture
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The 19th FIFA World Cup will take place between 11 June and 11 July, 2010 in South Africa. 32 teams qualified for the final tournament including host South Africa and defending champion Italy.
THE NINETEENTH FIFA World Cup will take place between June 11 and July, 11, 2010 in South Africa. 32 teams qualified for the final tournament including host South Africa and defending champion Italy. The official mascot for the FIFA World Cup 2010 is Zakumi, an anthropomorphic leopard with green hair.
The FIFA Organising Committee approved the procedure for the Final Draw on December 2, 2009. The group draw was staged in Cape Town. During the month long biggest event of Football 64 matches will be played at 10 different stadiums of South Africa.
Labels: FIFA, Fixtures, Schedules, World Cup 2010
posted @ 10:17 AM,
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