Stories about Sport from June, 2012
Jamaica: Guts & Glory in Olympic Trials
“Once again Jamaica has a monopoly on the fastest men and women in the world”: Annie Paul reports from the Jamaican Track and Field Olympic Trials.
Trinidad & Tobago: Bloggers Discuss Warner & Cabinet Reshuffle
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has been alluding to some major changes in government ministers' portfolios for some time now; last night, details of her Cabinet reshuffle finally came. Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on their blogs as well as on Twitter and Facebook: the most heated discussion appeared to be over the new appointment to former FIFA Vice-President Austin “Jack” Warner as Minister of National Security.
Zambia: Will Zambia Score Boardroom Victory Against Sudan?
Zambian netizens have been hoping and praying for a boardroom victory against Sudan from the time it became known that Sudan, which beat Zambia 2-0 in a world cup qualifying match in Khartoum on 2 June, used an ineligible player.
Ukraine: Marko Dević's “Ghost Goal”
On Facebook, in the past two hours, over 4,800 users have ‘shared’ and over 2,900 have ‘liked’ the screenshot of the “ghost goal” by Ukraine's Marko Dević in today's Euro 2012 game against England. The screenshot was posted by Korrespondent, a Ukrainian news site and magazine, and over 400 comments...
Poland, Ukraine: A Euro 2012 Roundup
Notes and musings on issues related to the Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine: at Polandian – here, here, and here; at Memory at War – here; at Raf Uzar – here; at Politics, Economy, Society – here; at The Pipeline – here.
Russia: Twitter Hashtag Targeting Putin Trends Worldwide
Last month, a Russian hashtag was briefly among the top worldwide trends on Twitter. This remarkable hashtag, written in Russian Cyrillic and 30 letters long, has been used to criticize President Putin and mock popular national events. Augis Barkov reports.
Sri Lanka: The Colombo Fun Ride
The Puppeteer participated in the “Colombo Cycle Fun Ride 25km”, a public cycling event organised by the Pedal Pushers cyclist group, and shares her experiences.
Poland: Football Fans Clash Ahead of Poland-Russia Game
Over 180 people were detained due to clashes that broke out between rival Russian and Polish football fans in Warsaw on June 12. Anna Gotowska reports.
Trinidad & Tobago: Message to “Sir Viv”
B.C. Pires shares his take on cricketer Denesh Ramdin’s message to former West Indies captain-turned sports commentator, Sir Vivian Richards: “If a player holds up a piece of paper to Sir Viv in the commentary box, I see it only as the fowl cock-and-them coming home to roost.”
Panama: Hoping for a Historic World Cup Qualification
Panama has had a great start in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and now Panamanians are beginning to dream, using Twitter to show their hope and joy. Panama has never qualified for a World Cup in the CONCACAF area group.
South Africa: No Pain, No Gain
Learn about No Pain, No Gain campaign in South Africa: “SANGONeT's Executive Director, David Barnard, will run 750km across three deserts on three continents in 2012 in celebration of SANGONeT's 25th anniversary, to raise R1 million in support of SANGONeT's work and to create awareness about the work of NGOs...
Ukraine: “Friendly” Euro 2012 Grassroots Initiatives
These “friendly” grassroots initiatives are meant for those football fans who are traveling to Ukraine for Euro 2012, which begins today: Friendly Ukraine, an umbrella “community of friendly and hospitable people [who] offer free help to our guests: accommodation, transfers from airport to city, guidance, translation and information services” (RFE/RL...
Turkmenistan: The Karate-Chopping, Record-Breaking President
In Turkmenistan, the state-controlled media tirelessly praise President Berdimuhamedov and the 'achievements'. Many Turkmens use news forums and social media to say what they really think about their leader and his accomplishments.
Uganda: Netizens Show Support for National Team on Twitter, Facebook
The Ugandan national team will be in Angola this weekend to start their 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The match will take place on the same date Ugandans celebrate the Uganda Matyrs' Day. The Uganda Cranes almost made a historic comeback to the Africa Nations Cup tournament last year after 33 years. Using Twitter and Facebook, Uganda show their undying support for the Cranes:
Côte d'Ivoire: Controversy as Manager of National Football Team Replaced
Ivorians reacted with surprise and indignation following the shock announcement of a change at the head of the national football team. The controversial change was announced on May 28, 2012 by the Ivorian Football Federation. The inexperienced Sabri Lamouchi was named trainer and manager of the Côte d'Ivorian national A Team, replacing the successful François Zahoui.
Poland, Ukraine: Euro 2012 and Racism
Football fans across Europe have been presented with quite a list of reasons not to travel to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012, which is scheduled to begin in a week. The newest item recently added to this extensive and diverse negative publicity menu is racism.
