On October 27th and 28th the FIS (F
Action, Snow, And The Alps – Winter Sports World Cups Set Off
Posted by – November 13, 2008
Capturing the Essence of Sport – Dubai Sports City
Posted by – October 13, 2008
Already a popular destination for all types of sporting events from closed season training to international tournaments, Dubai Sports City has firmly established Dubai as the number one sporting destination in the world. Given its proclivity for being the biggest and the best, the ambitious Dubai Sports City property development comes as no surprise; it is but a natural progression for this Emirate.
The center piece of Dubailand, the world’s largest theme park and tourism destination, you can expect nothing but the best in terms of sporting facilities as well as the residential and commercial freehold Dubai property available at this purpose built city.
Check It Out!
With its comprehensive range of avant-garde sporting facilities, Dubai Sports City is what dreams are made of, whether you are a sportsperson actively participating in sporting tournaments or a spectator soaking up the thrills of the sport.
Sprawled across 50 million square feet of land within Dubailand, Dubai Sports City is home to state-of-the-art venues, each of them designed and built in accordance with the stipulations laid down by the global governing bodies for the relevant sports.
Take a look at what Dubai Sports City has to offer athletes and spectators from all over the world:
A 60,000 seat multi-purpose outdoor sports stadium for football, rugby and all types of track and field events. A 10,000 seat indoor arena for basketball, volleyball, indoor hockey, ice hockey, netball and handball. It also doubles up as an entertainment center for shows and concerts. A dedicated cricket stadium with a capacity of 25,000 A field hockey venue for 5,000 spectators An Olympic size swimming pool Multi-functional, state of the art 3,000 square meter gymnasium A sports rehabilitation clinic World-class sporting academies that offer training programs are customized to suit participants of all ages and abilities
There’s More…
In addition to all of the above, Dubai Sports City will also host:
The world’s first, purpose-built Manchester United Soccer Schools facility The International Cricket Council’s own Global Cricket Academy A Butch Harmon School of Golf; the only one outside of the United States David Lloyd Tennis Academy The Dunes, a plush 18-hole championship golf course, designed by none other than Ernie Els, international ambassador of golf. Nothing but the best for Dubai Sports City.
And More…
In addition to the splendid sporting facilities, the Dubai Sports City property development also boasts superlative residential and commercial developments including the world-class medical facilities and international schools along with ample leisure facilities, hotels and shopping opportunities. A sports-themed retail mall is the primary shopping destination complemented by numerous retail shops, boutiques and plazas.
The commitment to a healthy, relaxed lifestyle is evident everywhere; from the multitude of open parks and lush greenery to the waterway of canals that runs through its center and the well-being and lifestyle country club, the Next Generation Club.
At the Heart of Dubai Sports City – Sport
Capturing the very essence of sport, Dubai Sports City is truly a place where legends are made and sport is life.
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata — the Freewheeling Youth of the Sports-Car World Matures
Posted by – August 11, 2008
Mazda has done it again. First, they reinvigorated the sports car market a decade and a half ago with the introduction of the Miata for 1990. Then the company followed that up with a redesigned version that was good enough to make Miata the biggest-selling sports car in history.
Now, for 2006, they’ve topped that with a third-generation Miata that’s as sophisticated as far more expensive sports cars, despite keeping its reasonable low-20-thousand-dollar price tag.
Compared to the two previous versions, the 2006 MX-5 Miata is a little larger in most dimensions, and gains about 50 pounds. It continues with its four-cylinder engine but now it’s a 170-hp 2.0-liter instead of a 142-hp 1.8.
Slipping into the interior, it’s obvious that Mazda’s junior sports car has grown a bit. Instead of the window sills having a sort of elbow-height feeling, you now feel as though you’re sitting low in the car, instead of sitting on it. Along with the cabin’s extra room comes a more upscale look to the interior. Although still not exactly plush feeling, the new Miata replaces its predecessors’ retro spartan style with a somewhat more opulent look. The leather seats are both easy on the eyes and posterior. The convertible top has a cloth surface and a glass rear window, and it folds neatly into a smooth bunch that latches down to form a smooth profile without a separate cover.
Overall, the cabin pleases in both design and execution. There’s a subtle, high-quality feel to it that speaks of cars costing far more than our tester’s $25,000 sticker price.
Firing the engine up brings forth a sporty purr that’s maybe a tad more subdued than Miatas past, but nonetheless satisfying. Once rolling, planting your foot into the gas yields one of the bigger delights of the new Miata. The engine feels somewhat stronger than its power rating might imply, providing gutsy acceleration at low speeds and very nice passing power without downshifting. It never feels high-strung or fussy.
Complementing that pleasure is the shifter. Traditionally a strong suit of Miatas past, the new version continues to be noteworthy. Although not quite as pleasingly mechanical feeling as before, the shifter is precise, with appropriate springing and well-defined gates. Tying it all together are pedals that are well spaced for easy heel-and-toe downshifts.
Once acclimated to the new Miata’s basic control personality, it’s time to tackle some twisty roads. And you’ll quickly find that this aspect of the new car is where the new Miata differs the most from its predecessors.
While the generation-one and -two Miatas were well known for having low handling limits and almost toylike tossability, the new Miata feels heftier, more serious, and obviously more capable. In earlier Miatas the idea of slipping and sliding the rear end was as obvious and basic as putting the top down on a sunny day — Miata practically begged for such exuberance behind the wheel.
The new Miata responds to such tail-happy shenanigans with all the control and communication of Mazda’s earlier little sprites. But now the car just doesn’t seem to ask for it with such a strong voice. This version’s vastly higher grip and more potent engine instead make it happier with high corner-entry speeds and smooth, even steering-wheel inputs.
Those things said, this Miata is really happy in that environment. Whereas previous Miatas tended to have a wild, freewheeling personality on winding roads, the new version hauls through turns as if locked onto rails, with minimal body lean and very high limits that aren’t as easy to upset.
It’s still terrific fun. It’s just a little different kind of fun.
It’s clear that Mazda has once again crafted a true little gem of a sports car. There’s not a squeak or rattle to be heard, the engine has a smooth, almost exotic personality, and the driving controls are precise and solid. You find yourself double checking the sticker to see if this is really a $25,000 sports car — plenty of rivals costing $15k more than Miata don’t get these things much (if any) better.
As for how this new Miata design overall compares to its predecessors, picture a guy that was loveable but slightly over-eager in college. Now he’s been out in the real world for few years and maybe gotten a graduate degree.
He’s not really the same guy anymore, but he commands more respect. And he’s still a whole lot of fun to be around.
Why Soccer is the Most Popular Sport in the World
Posted by – July 9, 2008
Except the USA and a few other countries, Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.
How and why this ball game has become so popular?
The first reason is tradition – in many countries over the years, many rivalry, traditions and community relevance were raised. A lot of soccer clubs has fans with the same religion, political opinions or history. This is why for those people it is much more than a game – it is about tradition, dignity, pride, joy and glory. Those fans share happiness, disappointments, wins, loses, joy and tears, Bad times on one hand and great times from the other.
Not like other ball games as basketball, Baseball, Handball etc… Soccer has a very few highlights peak during the game. Most of the matches have between 2-3 goals, and the game could turn around sometimes in 5 minutes. That’s why Soccer seems to be more romantic than other sports.
In the Major countries, especially the less developed, you can see kids from very young age play with the ball trying to score goals. You can see the passion on their eyes, and the longing to the ball. You will not see them on the street playing volleyball or Tennis.
Then they grow up and share the passion with their families and children.
In my onion, there is no beautiful sight in the sports world, like a joyful crowd after a goal in a crowded big stadium. Some researches even say the filling of a fan after his team scored a goal is equal to an orgasm during sex.
Because of the mentioned reasons and many more, Soccer is the most popular, exciting and fascinating Sport in The world.
Calling all Sports Entrepreneurs – The World Seeks Your Knowledge!
Posted by – May 1, 2008
All too often the word “Entrepreneur” is thrown around quite loosely and can be associated with anyone who starts their own business. I have often being called an entrepreneur due to the fact that I have created and built several online web sites, written and published my own eBooks and built a successful online business.
However, like many sports fans, athletes and coaches, I just wanted to share my knowledge and expertise with fellow tennis coaches around the world. An Entrepreneur I am not, more like a keen sports fan who had something to share and found a way via the power of the internet to successfully do this.
Could you become a sports entrepreneur? Well, if you have a passion for sports, some experience in your chosen sport and feel that you have something to share with other sports fans then there may just be a market out there waiting for your help. You could share your coaching tips and advice, proven training methods, new ways to practice a certain skill, new drills for your sport, a new fitness program, “How to” tips and so much more.
You will find “experts” on the web proclaiming that they have the secret to running faster, jumping higher, being mentally stronger, getting stronger and bigger and so on.
So what are the ways that you can share your knowledge with the world and make some money as well? Below are some ideas that cost very little money to do and some are even Free!
(1) Write your own eBook:
An eBook is simply a PDF or electronic book that you can write in a word document, convert for free to a PDF eBook, then sell it online and get to keep all of the profits without sharing them with a greedy publisher! You could write an eBook about how to lose weight, how to improve your speed, how to improve your mental toughness, how to coach soccer, an ebook with hundreds of drills for your sport, an ebook comprised of interviews with famous athletes or coaches and so on! I have already found ebooks with these exact topics covered so you will need to find your own niche. Clickbank is the most popular site to sell and promote eBooks.
(2) Build a member based website.
There is no better way to build a loyal customer base and share your knowledge than via a subscription based web site. A member based web site is basically comprised of articles, ebooks, videos, interviews and related resources that focus on a specific topic. Global Sports Coaching is an example of a tennis member based web site.
(3) Create your very own DVD or CD.
With today’s technology it is very simple to create your own video. All you need is a video camera (your own or borrow one) and then convert or save that footage to a DVD. I have seen DVD’s and CD’s on how to run faster, on teaching tennis, baseball coaching, stretching exercises, how to throw free throws in basketball, football plays and so on. YouTube is a prime example of how popular videos are.
(4) Write your own blog!
There are many free blogging software programs out there such as Wordpress or Blogger that allow you to create your own blog. You can then write articles, share your knowledge, promote your other products etc. How do you make money from a blog? Well, the most common ways are by placing Google Adsense or affiliate programs in your blog. These are free to do. There are bloggers out there who have made a small fortune from their blogs.
(5) Sign up for Affiliate programs and make money by promoting someone else’s products.
You don’t have to make any cold calls or sell their products directly. You just simply have to place an affiliate link on your site, send them to the affiliate’s web site and if the viewer buys a product you will receive a commission for it. There are affiliate programs such as Commission Junction, Linkshare, ShareaSale and Commission Monster that can provide you with links to many of the best affiliate programs. Once again these programs are free to sign-up for.
(6) Create your own product
. Have you created your own product, sports coaching aid, some new fitness equipment, piece of sports equipment, or training aid that can improve an athlete’s game? Then all you need to do is test your product, price it, promote it and sell it via your web site, on eBay or via an affiliate program.
(7) Become a Guest Speaker.
Many clubs, businesses and sporting corporations seek experts in their field to go and speak to their employees. It could be to motivate them, share your knowledge with them, advise or be a coach to them, or just to share some funny stories with them that you may have accumulated throughout your sporting career.
(8) Write your own newsletter full of free tips and advice, articles and resources for a specific topic.
You can also write product reviews that contain an affiliate link from which you can make money from. If your newsletter grows then you may attract businesses who will want to advertise in your newsletter. Newsletters are a great way to build your own list of customers from which you can then sell or promote your own products.
There are many more great ways to use your sporting knowledge and experience to make a living from. Choose something that you believe in and make sure that what you are selling is worth the price you are asking for it. Your reputation is very important, especially on the internet. Just remember that many ideas involve the internet as this is a way to reach a global market. Anyone with a computer in any country is a potential customer!
As the often used saying goes “You too can Profit from Your Passion.”
How Did the World’s Biggest Sports Wear Brands Come About?
Posted by – April 22, 2008
In this article we’ll look at the histories of the world’s largest sports wear brands, which have developed in some cases over many, many decades.
Nike
Nike is a brand that started out in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbon Sports. It changed its name in 1978. Nike is headquartered in Oregon and is reputed to have a turnover in excess of 18 Billion dollars and has over 30 thousand employees. The world Nike comes from the Greek word for ‘victory’, something that any sports brand would like to be associated with. Nike also has venturesin Golf and owns other sports brands including Umbro, which used to be a UK firm.
Reebok
Reebok is a sports wear brand that began life in Cheadle, England in 1890. While it maintains its roots with the UK through the sponsorship of the Reebok Stadium – the football ground of Bolton Wanderers – it is actually owned by German sports wear giant Adidas. It specializes in sports footwear as well as many other sports clothing products and accessories. The brand headquarters is now in canton, Massachusetts. It makes most of its sports wear in China and sells most of its products in the USA.
Adidas
Adidas is a German owned sports firm that also comprises Rockport and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf. It is famous for its three stripe logo, which it puts on much of its sports wear. It designs and manufactures running shoes, t-shirts, shorts, toiletries and a variety of other items sued in a plethora of sports around the globe. It has a revenue of 10 Billion euros, and a rather healthy profit margin of 642 million euros. It employs nearly 39 thousand people around the globe – it has manufacturing facilities in many different countries.
The company is famous for having been founded by two brothers Adi and Rudi Dass. Adi began the company following his return from World War One. His brither joined him later, making shoes in their mother’s laundry room. Both were members of the Nazi party and were making 200000 pairs of shoes before the outbreak of World War Two.
These are just some of the world’s most famous brands of sports wear, a story which has shaped, to a certain extent, the way we live our lives; not only in sport but in daily life too – as a lot of sports clothing has become a part of normal life too.
Nations of the World – Sports & Women!
Posted by – March 13, 2008
Burma
Did you know- Burma -or Myanmar- came in second place in the Women’s Weightlifting World Championships in Thailand, behind the People’s Republic of China. Burma -under one of the world’s most brutal dictatorships- had won 510 points, ahead of several nations, among them India (508), Russia (336) and Japan (249).
Chile
Did you know- Chile’s athlete Marlene Ahrens Ostertag, two-time Pan American medalist, came in second place in the women’s javelin throw, behind Inese Jaunzeme (USSR), at the 1956 Olympic Games in the Australian city of Melbourne. She was born on July 27, 1933, in Concepción, Chile. By 1959, she became the first non-American to win a Pan American title in the women’s javelin throw.
Colombia
Did you know- Maria Isabel Urrutia is the most important athlete – male or female-in Colombian history. Why? By September 2000, the nation’s weightlifter Urrutia made history when she won the gold medal in the women’s 75-kilogram category at the Sydney Summer Olympics, sparking off celebrations in the South American republic.
Cote d’Ivoire
Did you know- By 2004, Miss Miriam Bah (Cote d’Ivoire) came in fifth place in the women’s 57-kilogram category at the Olympic Taekwondo Tournament in Athens (Greece).
El Salvador
Did you know- The Salvadoran squad won the bronze medal, behind Bermuda and Puerto Rico, in women’s softball in the Central American and Caribbean Games in the Colombian city of Medellin in 1978.
Palau
Did you know- On July 10, 1990, in Saipan (Northern Marianas), the Island’s athlete Anelize Emiliano established a new record of 13.2 seconds in the women’s 100m. Palau, located in Oceania, is one of the smallest members of the Olympic family.
Papua New Guinea
Did you know- By 1965, Papua New Guinea, an ex-British colony in Oceania, competed in the Women’s Softball World Cup in Melbourne (Australia).
Peru
Did you know- Under the direction of Akira Kato (Japan), the Peruvian women’s volleyball squad came in fourth place, behind the USSR, Japan, and South Korea, in the First World Cup in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay in late 1973.
Puerto Rico
Did you know- The Puerto Rican squad came in 12th place, among 24 nations, in the FIVB World Championships in the early 2000s, ahead of Japan (local team), Dominican Republic, and Poland.
South Africa
Did you know- On July 6, 1969, South Africa’s swimmer Karen Muir, a white athlete, set a new world record of 1:05,6 in the women’s 100-meter backstroke. Because of the nation’s apartheid policies, Miss Muir -like many world-class athletes from South Africa- could not compete in the Olympics and African Games.
Uganda
Did you know- By 1984, Uganda’s athlete Ruth Kyalisisima set a new African record of 57.01 seconds in the women’s 400m.
Uruguay
Did you know- At the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), Deborah Gyurcsek (Uruguay) took the bronze medal in the women’s pole vault (track & field).
Jaguar E-Type — Favorite Feline of the Sports-Car World
Posted by – February 12, 2008
It was pure lust on wheels. Jaguar’s voluptuous E-type had car enthusiasts’ tongues hanging down to their knees when it was introduced. And to this day the car commands head-spinning attention whenever it makes the scene.
First conceived in 1956, the E-Type was originally intended as a replacement for the Coventry, England firm’s mighty D-Type endurance racers. Jaguar quit racing shortly after the E-Type’s development began, but work on the car continued nonetheless, culminating in a production roadgoing version introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1961. Offered as a two-seat coupe or convertible, it was an immediate hit.
Among the car’s revolutionary features was independent rear suspension, a first for Jaguar, at a time when almost all streetable sports cars still used a more primitive solid-axle setup. But the E-Type’s most compelling claim at the time was its speed. The car’s smooth aerodynamics and 265-hp 3.8-liter inline six allowed it a top speed of 150 mph — strictly the domain of race cars and ultra-pricey exotics back then. Although not cheap, the E-Type offered such thrills for far less money than similar-performing machines.
To ensure the E-Type’s continuing sales appeal, Jaguar gave the car a succession of changes over the years. The 3.8-liter six was replaced for 1965 by a 4.2-liter version that had more torque. The following year, a 2+2 bodystyle was introduced. In 1971, Jaguar launched the final iteration of the E-Type, powered by a 314-hp 5.3-liter V12. The last of the 72,507 E-Types left the plant in early 1975.
Today, experts invariably list the E-Type as one of the world’s most beautiful cars. Combine that appealing design with the car’s pleasing road manners and sporty smooth exhaust purr, and you’ve got one of the finest sensory delights known to man.
World E-Sports Masters 2009
Posted by – January 26, 2008
World E-Sports Masters 2009 will take place between 12-20 of December in China. This event has been one of most anticipated tournaments for both Counter-Strike and Warcraft 3 over the past years. The organizers pick the best teams at the moment, thus ensuring a quality competition. The event will feature eight teams from both games, fighting for a prize pool over $100,000.
The fact that Warcraft 3 is dominated by Asian players isn’t a secret so the list containing only 2 european players out of 8 didn’t surprise anyone. The list features players like Sky, InFi, Fly100, Grubby, Lyn, Moon, SocceR and Happy.
The Counter-Strike list contains an equal number of both European and Asian teams. We will see the likes of fnatic, Power Gaming, world champions AGAiN, and H2K from Europe and WeMade Fox, Tyloo, Wnv.cn and Titans from Asia.
The tournament system will be 2 groups of 4 players/teams with the first two from each group advancing to the next stage. Here a best of three single elimination format will be applied.
It will be interesting to see the WCG Finalists battling one another once again, especially after the unfortunate event at the WCG 2009 Final, where Loord said nasty things about GeT_RiGhT and his teammates.
All in all, a great event awaits gaming fans all over the world in just three weeks time. Be sure not to miss it because it will probably be one of the last major event of this year.