Stories about Sport from April, 2007
India: Incompetent Cricket Council
Almost as good as chocolate is rather miffed with the ‘Incompetent Cricket Council’. “With Australia having pretty much won the tournament (Sri Lanka needed 63 runs required from 18 balls with 7 wickets down!!), the batsmen were offered light (i.e. they could walk off because they couldn’t see anything). Australia...
Sri Lanka: Cricket and LTTE
LTTE choses to attack on the day that Sri Lanka played for World Cup. Vindicated13 says “Last night all us Sri Lankans both at home and away came together to support the home team and suffered the contemptible brunt of cowardice of “freedom fighters” as they call themselves, who tell...
Guyana: Sarwan New W.I. Captain
Voice of Guyana International is thrilled that Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan is “being entrusted with the arduous task of taking West Indies cricket forward”, following former captain Brian Lara's recent retirement from the sport.
Taiwan: Taiwan Refuses Olympic Torch
Michael Turton blogs about the refusal of Olympic Torch by Taiwan government, as local politicians regarded the route as “domestic”.
Cayman Islands, Jamaica: Interesting Cartoons
Writing from the Cayman Islands, Mad Bull posts three cartoons drawn by the Jamaica Gleaner’s Las May that he thought “were either funny, or interesting, or funny AND interesting, all at the same time.”
Argentina: The Maradona Rumor Mill
Juan Pablo Meneses of the Crónicas Argentinas [ES] blog, which compiles all things Diego Maradona, discusses the latest death rumor that caused quite a false alarm stir, which has become such a common occurrence in Argentina. He finishes with, “why does Maradona die so often?”
China: Olympic Politics and Protests at the Roof of the World
The Granite Studio brought into focus Beijing's plan to include the summit of Mt. Everest as a stop for the Olympic torch. Some Tibetan activists staged a protest at the roof of the world in response to such move.
Caribbean: Farewell to a cricketing legend
In the early ’90s, the West Indies' dominance of the international cricket scene entered its long decline. There were fewer victories to celebrate, fewer exceptional demonstrations of the brilliance to which West Indian fans had become so accustomed. And when there were bright spots, they often came courtesy of one man: Brian Charles Lara. Lara played his last ever international cricket match in Barbados on April 21, 2007, in front of thousands of fans and visitors. The Caribbean blogosphere pays tribute to the man some consider the greatest cricketer of all time.
Sri Lanka: An unlikely Cricket Fan
The World Cup makes an otherwise indifferent person a cricket fan. “I was surprised by my own enthusiasm because honestly I still don't care much for the sport. It being the World Cup it was only natural that I rooted for the home team. I can't exactly point out how...
Barbados: Analysing 2007 CWC
Adrian Loveridge, guest authoring at Barbados Free Press, believes that “as the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) event draws to a close, with the hosting of the final in Barbados on 28th April, it is perhaps now time to analyse in-depth, exactly what economic benefits it has brought to the...
Trinidad & Tobago: Lara is Out!
Following his team's victory over Bangladesh yesterday, beleaguered West Indies Cricket Captain Brian Lara has announced his retirement from the sport. Caribbean Beat Blog was shocked at the news, but West Indies Cricket Blog “felt a pang of sadness when the inevitable happened. We all knew this day was coming...
Ukraine, Poland: Euro 2012
The beatroot and Vilhelm Konnander write about problems facing Poland and Ukraine as they are beginning to prepare to host Euro 2012.
Ukraine: Kyiv Developments
Foreign Notes and Ukrainiana run brief summaries of the recent developments in Ukraine; Abdymok.net posts a picture of riot police near the Central Election Committee: it may appear that Kyiv has begun to resemble Moscow.
Barbados: Cricket Legends Give Back
Cricket Legends of Barbados, an organisation which boasts famous names like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes and Wes Hall, is lending its support to former team-mates who have fallen on hard times. My Barbados Blog links to the full story on BBC Sport.
Guyana: Do The Chicken!
The Jolly Spectator reports that the enthusiastic, fun-loving attitude of Irish cricket supporters (not to mention their team's unique dance moves) have made the Irish the darlings of the Caribbean: “Said Irish Captain Trent Johnston of Guyana, Barbados, and Jamaica, ‘I think the locals have warmed to us.’ Why? Perhaps...
Brazil, Argentina: Soccer and Safe Sex
Sex and Soccer meet in Latin American as two soccer giants face off in Latin America, prompting some amusing advertisements.
Ukraine, Poland: Euro 2012
Ukraine and Poland will be hosting Euro 2012, Siberian Light reports: “Just over half of the matches in the tournament will be played in Poland but, to compensate, Ukraine will host the final of Euro 2012 in the Kiev Olympic Stadium.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Anamunthodo Freed
Anita Anamunthodo, mother of four-year-old Amy who was raped and beaten to death in Trinidad last year, was yesterday freed on six charges of willful neglect and child abandonment. Francomenz notices parallels between what happened in that case and journalist BC Pires’ diagnosis of a general West Indian malaise.
Kazakhstan: Kokpar
It's variously alled buzkashi some places, ulak in others, and “goat polo” to foreigners grasping to understand the sport. In southern Kazakhstan, they call this sport, which involves teams on horseback trying to get a goat carcass into goal or across a goal line, “kokpar.” Michael Hancock describes a match
Hungary: Euro-2012 Bid
Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar and Pestcentric look at the chances that Hungary/Croatia's bid has in tomorrow's Euro-2012 vote in Cardiff.
Africa: Africa plays on
Annansi Chronicles on Puma and soccer in Africa: “Along with their sponsorship last year, Puma launched a targeted campaign in support of African football which included a huge press event with notable African personalities including Akon, a book “The African Game” by Nigerian photographer Andrew Dosunmu, a music CD, “Africa...
