Stories about Sport from June, 2009
South Africa: To vuvuzela or not to vuvuzela?
Discussions about the popular instrument called the vuvuzela blown by South African football fans have dominated the blogosphere since the beginning of Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, which ended last week. Journalists, TV viewers, coaches and some foreign players called for a ban of the instrument during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The debate is as loud as the instrument itself.
India, Pakistan: Diplomacy Lesson From A Tennis Duo
Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan highlights the bond between the India-Pakistan Tennis duo Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi and Prakash Armitraj who are playing together in the Wimbledon. They are one of the finest examples of citizen diplomacy in promoting goodwill and improving perceptions between the two nations.
Russia: Crackdown on casinos and gambling
Eternal Remont discusses the Russian government's current crackdown on the country's casinos and gambling industry.
Israel/Palestine: Travels With A Surfboard
Jesse Aizenstat is an American surfer who has been visiting Israel and Palestine – and he has carried his surfboard everywhere: “Walk from the Jerusalem bus station to the Muslim Quarter. This took about a half-hour; perhaps more because of inquisitive strangers questioning my sanity for bringing a surfboard to...
Pakistan: Cricket Diversity
Cricket is more than a game in Pakistan and is played everywhere; on the streets, on a beach, on varandah, on the roof and what not! Owais Mughal at All Things Pakistan lists different forms of cricket played in Pakistan.
Jamaica, Barbados: Updates on H1N1
Yardflex.com says 19 Jamaicans have been infected with the H1N1 virus, while Barbados Underground cautions that Swine Flu can't be blamed for everything.
Czech Republic: No Olympics in Prague
Due to the economic crisis, Prague has abandoned plans to host the 2016 Olympics, CzechFolks.com reports.
Pakistan: Cricket On Twitter Trending
Teeth Maestro reports that some Pakistani bloggers launched an e-rally using Twitter in support of their national Team in the Twenty20 World Cup Final. The result was evident as #PakCricket appeared at no. 8 on Twitter trending as Pakistanis followed the game and celebrated their victory over Sri Lanka.
Belarus: A game of pointed questions
LJ user Devushka iz vostoka [RUS] asks for directions for this summer's first game of “Tochka”. The question may seem as a paradox, as directions is really what this game is all about. Two opposing teams are set to the task of finding a specific place, and in the process...
Bahrain: Female Lifeguards?
Following a tragedy in which a child drowned, Bahrain Taxi has concluded that the fact that family groups prefer not to use male lifeguards means that Bahraini women should train as lifeguards.
Bahrain: Making Changes
This week two Bahraini bloggers announced their intention to make some changes in their life: Flymenian has a new routine, and Mahmood wants to lose weight.
Caribbean: Following the path of the Caribs
Since the beginning of 2009, French West Indians have questioned their identity, their national heritage and their present-day situation in different ways. Kintamingo Ema, a Martinican blog, presents an initiative which mixes a social insertion, historical and archeological project with an identity quest. Dubbed "Kintamingo Ema, sur le chemin de nos ancêtres" (Kintamingo Ema, following the path of our ancestors), the project was launched by Association Karisko , an association focusing on social integration.
Kazakhstan: The road ahead is murky for “Astana” cycling team
Dina says that the latest news about “Astana” cycling team – the pride of Kazakhstan's elite – are still about its financial problems, which have been haunting the team since April.
Confederation Cup: Egypt beats World Champions Italy in Football Victory
Egypt moved closer to reaching the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup after a famous 1-0 win over Italy, the world champions. After the match, many Egyptians took to the streets loudly beeping their car horns at midnight. Streets became crowded after traffic was light during the match. Young men were seen hanging from the windows of moving cars, cheering and waving Egyptian flags. Tarek Amr reviews messages on Twitter during and after the match.
India: Failure Is Not An Option
India, the defending champion, was out of this year's Twenty20 World Cup cricket tournament early. No wonder the cricket crazy nation is buzzing with the discussion “what went wrong”. Blogbharti summarizes some bloggers’ reactions.
South Africa: Bafana needed Bernard Parker
The Supersport commentator and blogger, Mlambo, writes about the Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa: “The new no 17 Bernard Parker’s 20th minute goal and 12 minutes later dazzling run and shot that required Glen Moss to pull out his best save of the evening was just what I, millions...
Iran:'Football players support protest movement’
IranRiggedelect twittered that BBC reported that ‘six members of the Iranian football team have used a televised match to protest about the presidential election result. They were wearing green wristbands, thought to be a symbol of their support for the opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi’.
Burkina Faso: Rugby Star From Burkina Faso
Do you know the rugby hero from Burkina Faso? “Burkina Faso is not usually known for its success at rugby. However…In France's 22-27 defeat of the All Blacks in New Zealand on Saturday, one of the stars of the French team was a Burkinabe called Fulgence Ouedraogo.”
Kazakhstan: Football Mission Impossible
Dina reports that the England national football team’s arrival to Almaty, Kazakhstan, brought obvious excitement, but the final score was below expectations of the fans.
Jamaica: Sportsman of the Year
Abeng News Magazine reports that Jamaica's Usain Bolt has been voted World Sportsman of the Year.
Kazkahstan: Football Saturday
Adam reports on the preparation to the football World Cup qualifier match between Kazakhstan and England.
