Archive for May, 2010

2010 World Cup Predictions

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

It is investigated that Argentina, Brazil, Spain are labelled as favorites.

And the soccer experts predict that at least one African team will go a long way, for they will be playing on their continent. As for a sleeper team, it may falls into Ivory Coast. While Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was recently named coach, hasn’t necessarily realized his reputation as a super coach globally in recent years (England and Mexico), he could be the man who grasps the chance. It would not be a surprise if Ivory Coast reaches at least the quarterfinals.

The South Africans could be the weakest home team in the history of the World Cup. They will need some backup to get out of the opening round, whether it is from inside factors or a well-timed referee’s decision.

Who will the finalists be?

It’s easy to think of Brazil. They have a host of talents, and the Coach Dunga understands that pragmatic play wins at the international level.

Then there’s Argentina, which barely entered the tournament. But ignore the qualifying. The World Cup is a brand new territory. Maradona’s antics will divert some criticism toward his talented but underachieving team. Now if he chooses the right players and makes Messi to be Messi and Tevez to be Tevez, this could be one aggressive team. Maradona has to remember that Argentine team is not about him alone but about 23 players and playing well and winning.

Who will the Golden Ball go to?

He finally puts forward the criticism of not being able to play well for the national team, providing that Maradona uses him properly and guides the team wisely

The World Cup Fever Increases

Monday, May 17th, 2010

In a few hours from now the world satellites would be focused on South Africa where the 2010 FIFA soccer world cup will be hosted. A lot of television stations and football lovers would direct their attention to the various stadiums that would host the world’s most famous sports fiesta.

South Africa is fully set, all the stadiums are ready to host the world, the roads are in good shape, the hostels are ready, security is beefed up, the world is assured of constant and uninterrupted power supply and good reception. The fever is already spreading to neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia etc and other Africa countries as well; everywhere you go you hear people discussing the world cup.

With the kind of facilities of ground, we can expect something better than Germany 2006, in terms of organization, hosting, reception, etc. South Africa is prepared to make Africa proud since this is the first world cup to be hosted by the continent.

The question on everyone’s lip now is who would be crowned the new world cup champions by July 11th 2010? The favorites to win the world cup include Brazil, Argentina, Spain, England, Netherlands, and Italy. But we must not also not rule out experienced countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote’d'vore, South Korea and the U.S.A. Brazil with skillful players like Kaka. Julio Caesar, Malcon, Robinho, Louis Fabiano, Lucio, etc are clearly the favorites, especially having won the last edition of the confederation cup in South Africa. Spain also with players like Puyol, Fernando Torres, Cechs Fabregas, Raul Gonzalez, David Villa, Xavi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, etc are highly favoured to win the tournament.

Another country from which much is expected is England; parading the likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, John Terry, David James, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wright Philips, etc Couch Fabio Capello stands the chance to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament.

Argentina which parades the current world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi, Higuain, carlos Tevez and lots of other talented players also stands a chance to lit the trophy come July 11th, 2010.

One thing is obvious; the world would be treated to one month of soccer artistry, mature football, coupled with moments of anxiety, celebration of great goals, great misses, and wonderful saves by agile goal keepers and sometimes penalty shoot outs. Hooliganism may surface, but it should be promptly controlled, so as to make the world enjoy the beauty of the game. We look forward to South Africa with both enthusiasm and anxiety

Track & Field Athletics

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Track and Field is a competition consisting of a variety of running, jumping and throwing events. Dating back to Greek Olympiads as well as those of other civilizations, ancient Track and Field Athletics offered a competitive display of tactics necessary for use in war.

Today’s track and field events are split into categories. The throwing events are the discus, shot put, hammer throw and javelin. Running events compile short dashes and sprints, medium length races (400-5,000 meters) and long races like half marathons and marathons. There are also four jumping events: the long jump, high jump, pole vault and triple jump.

Generally, athletes participate in one event or two similar events (high jump and pole vault, discus and shot put, etc.). There are athletes, though, that pride themselves on their all-around skills.

These multi-sport men compete in the 10-event decathlon. The International Olympic Committee and other governing bodies recognize a 7-event heptathlon for women, though there is a movement towards the decathlon for female Olympians, as well. Both styles of competition are split into two days: the decathlon consists of the 100 meter, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400 meter run on the first day, and the 110 m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meter run on day two. The heptathlon’s first day consists of the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meter runs and the second day has only 3 events: the long jump, javelin throw and the 800 meter race.

Track and Field contests have multiple events running simultaneously. Events run on the track have curved start lines so that the athlete at the widest part of the track runs the exact same distance as he on the innermost, shortest lane. While competitors are racing on the track, other events are taking place on the field. The throwing and jumping events are done one at a time, with the best scores being recorded. The winner is the person who throws or jumps the highest/farthest at the end of the day.

Preparatory Training For Aspiring Football Players

Monday, May 10th, 2010

They say that football is the world’s national sport. Although you may find it debatable it can’t be argued that football is indeed loved by many worldwide. In fact many people are aspiring to be a professional football player that they start training when they are still very young. Moreover, a lot of sports institutions are offering football training for free and there are also paid services. Football is not just wearing football boots and learning all the tips and tricks and you’ll be a great player. It requires practice, drills, and other stuff to make you really good in this sport.

Many parents enroll their kids in football training providing their kids will all the football gears like football boots and supporting them both morally and financially. This is alright if you are among the parents who earn above the average. According to some feedback, good football training doesn’t come cheap. For those parents who are in a budget here are some tips, training routines, exercises, and drills to kick off your kids’ football training so you don’t have to spend for the basic learning and enroll them later on in intermediate and advance levels. This will allow you to save money and even spend more time with our kids.

Before you begin the training and drills, make sure that you have the necessary equipment like football boots. These equipment will not only make learning football faster for your kids but these will also protect your kids from any possible sports injuries football my give. You have to note though that this is normal. Football after all is one of the many physical contact sports.

The first thing that you may want your kids to improve on is their speed. Speed is very important in football. Before you start developing your kids’ speed, make them wear football boots first. There’s a number of affordable yet durable football footwear in the market. Jogging early in the morning and sprinting for fifteen to twenty minutes is a good start of improving the basic skills needed for football. You can do this in your backyard or around the park. In addition, doing these exercises in the morning is better than any other hours of the day.

Muscular endurance is also needed in football especially if your kids are interested in playing as defense in football. This early on train them or make them get used to wearing football boots, these are very essential football footgear that must not be taken for granted. To improve muscular endurance a combination of fast passed running and some routine exercises that focuses on the arms and legs are needed.

Lastly, strength must also be improved to be good in football. This can be achieved by simple weight exercises and stretching before and after. Whatever of these trainings and exercises you may want to employ