Let's Wake Up!

Welcome to the milestone 10th edition of "KEEP IT SIMPLE" blogs. So without wasting much time lets just get straight into the sporting subject that is concering Brand India's image - the Common Wealth Games.

Now that the commonwealth games are ljust 9 days away the preparations are really going down to the wires. Honestly, I am more than a little confused about whether to support the games or not.

In 2008, Pune - a city in Maharashtra hosted Commonwealth Youth Games and we saw tremenduos development in the city. The journey from Mumbai to Pune which was earlier 5 hours is just about 3 hours today. The magnificent Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City at Balewadi boasts of state-of-art infrastructure and the notable feature of this event was that the competition venues of all sports events and the Athletes Village were located in one single complex. The event was held successfully.

Earlier in summer, apart from a few major roads which were still dug, a few flyovers which were still under construction, the organizers thought that they will easily complete before the D-Day. Govt. stepped in, did some inspection and requested the CM of Delhi to fasten the work. A few months ago, the reports of corruption and scandals broke out that heavy machinery were bought and cheaper amounts and accounted for crores of rupees. Media created a furore and rightly so. Once again the Govt. stepped in and helped Kalmadi to come out clean. The CWG boss visited the Games Village in Delhi and in his report he said that "the preparation is far from over, but we all are working towards achieving one common goal." A few days back some more events took place viz., an Australian carried RDX and showed that security can breached easily and then we had the roof collapsing at one place, a bridge at some other place. So a common man asks these questions - What problems are the organizers facing? Who are responsible people to fix them? Are we just a 1 sport nation? Are we ready as a nation to host any such events?

I will try answering these to the best of my knowledge.

Q) What problems are the organizers facing?
A) It could be a lot of things - support from Govt. in terms wages for unions/workers (most of them who are from backward classes), the corruption that exists in the heirarchy where every top manager wants to have his share of commission and profits. Secondly, it has been raining incessantly in Northern parts of India,The rivers and dams are over flowing causing deluge in many places. This adds to possibilities of outbreak of epidemics and all the hygiene related problems. Thirdly, the Ayodhya case hearing & growing inflation rates and opposition party calling country wide agitation programs are not helping Govt. to focus on one single issue at a time.

Q) Who are responsible to fix them?
A) Well, it should have been the responsibility of the organizers and the State Govt to ensure that all went smooth. Leadership, Ownership & Accountability are the words one must follow in this situation. Yesterday, PM has stepped in for the nth time and has set a 24hr deadline to clean up the Games village. But then, I tell myself that some of these jokers, which basically means the top guys in the organising committee and the civic administration and their political masters, have had 7 years to get things ready, and delayed things deliberately to create panic so that no question asked funds are released. So they deserve no mercy. And then again, the thought creeps up. Why should the nation be embarrassed for the folly of these individuals, especially when we know that those responsible for the mess are thick-skinned?

Q) Are we just a 1 sport nation?
A) This country hosts IPL every year; whenever it comes to cricket, sponsors invest huge money and all the arrangements for the event happen so smoothly that there's never a need for Govt to step in. The preparation for 2011 Cricket WC is in full swing and most of the stadiums have already been rebuilt and used once in domestic tournaments. We also hosted the Hockey World Championships in Hyderabad 2 years amidst all the bomb scares and terror threats in India. When we talk about architectural designs, in Mumbai we have one of the finest bridges a.k.a Bandra Sea-link, Lewis Hamilton drove his Mercedes McLaren on this very bridge. I would like to believe that we are drifting from the image of being a cricketing nation and we can provide a grand stage to all other sports played across the world.

Q) Are we ready to host any such events?
A) Yes. I think this CWG, Delhi is just an one-off affair where things have gone wrong. If it was any other city, may be things would have been better. Basically what is happening is that all these are being done just because some worthies thought all this is needed in an international city, without a clue as to how it is to be executed. There is science behind tactile tiles, or the angle at which disabled friendly ramps are to be built, for example, but it’d be churlish to expect that anyone is even aware of these aspects. It hurts. It really hurts. How we are being milked can be gauged from the fact that most of those involved in the implementation of these projects have spent considerable amount of taxpayers’ money on overseas study tours to learn implementation of such projects. In the absence of any feedback or accountability, one just ends up spending a lot of money with almost zero benefit.

These mistakes for Delhi event will make us better prepared to host world events in future. Just some basic training and awareness will result in creation of better civic facilities, complement this with putting right people for right job at right time will ensure India's status of a growing economic power will flourish even more and bring joy to the masses in the country.

I am sure, you all are aware of what is being done and have an opinion on how it should be done and I would love to hear them. I can only hope this will somehow help in future. It is easy to give up and live with the rot, but then that is taking the easy way out and we don’t want that. Future is always bright.

Technology, Human Errors and Administrators!

Welcome to 9th edition of Keep It Simple blogs. Today I am discussing a serious issue of Technology and Human Errors in Sport. Well, you might have already read a lot about use or misuse of technology on other blogs as well. But we have'nt really yet come to a conclusion. WHY??? What's stopppping us humans from making use of advanced technologies created by us humans for betterment of life???

Controversies are part and parcel of any sport and they add a bit of spice to the contest, no doubt. But we must ensure that it doesnt cost an individual or team's fortune for a bigger cause. Just mention to the Irish about 'Henry' OR ask Lampard 'Why could he not score against the Germans?' You will surely get your answers there. How far and fast have the admins moved to change all this? I think so far we have covered a distance of 2mm @ speed of 0.00004 mm per light year.

I will recount two incidents on the weekend from Stoke vs Tottenham game and India vs Sri Lanka game.

Stoke vs Tottenham Spurs:
Did the ball go in? Yes.
Was referee or linesman in right place to view the incident? Yes.
The Result? Stoke denied a point. May be or may be not, Spurs could have scored a 3rd which we'll never know.
Why was there not much of a fuss after this game? Probably lesser known teams. It is just a league match, it may balance off in course of 38 games.

India vs Sri Lanka:
4 umpiring decisions went against India. Umpires were from Sri Lanka and Pakistan none of who have got a great umpiring record broke the spine of Indian batting. The match was of utmost importance to Indians, win it and qualify for the finals. Yes, the rest of the batting was patchy but was largely due to pressure caused by erroneous umpiring.
The Result? Indian suffered another humiliating defeat and are on brink of exiting from the tri-series cup.
Indian fans Reaction: The reasons umpires Dharmasena & Rauf declared them as "Out" were probably due to excessive appealing from Lankans OR to take revenge of the Randiv incident.

What Next? Do the refs own up the responsibility? When will administrators do something to save the integrity of the sport? Or should we fans take everything in stride and carry on thinking it's not our job to change the system?

Said it before as well and saying now again to the FIFA and ICC Chiefs - Technology is there, bloody well USE IT just like you would use condoms when bedding your precious prostitutes; before your prestige will be at stake.

Go Technology!

A New Season, But will it be the same old stuff?

Chelsea and Manchester United played out the traditional curtain raiser for the season 2010-11. Red Devils lifted the FA Community Shield with ease by slotting 3 goals past the hibernating Chelsea defence.

Since the world cup, some teams have been busy looking for managers, some teams have been busy retaining their most valuable players and fighting off tipp-tappy media and some teams have been finding it difficult to sell players whilst all teams have built upon their squads and had decent pre-season camping outside of UK.

Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas have committed atleast one more year of their professional lives to their respective clubs by quoting "for the love of the fans." But in reality, did they have a second option? NO. So with 5 days to kick off the new season, I wonder we have to ask the question "Will it be the same old stuff?"

Aston Villa havent been able to add significantly to their squad, but are on verge of losing James Milner who was their best player last season but could'nt run half a mile on the pitch in South Africa. Since many of their players did not play world cup, they will be having fresh legs early in the season and may be leading the tables as well.

Tottenham Spurs have an experienced manager who knows how to deal with pressure and with attraction of playing in Europe for the first time will at some stage be in a dilemma of sorts on which cup to concentrate.

Roy Hodgson's first job at Anfield will be to lift the spirits up in the team and especially their captain who had a forgetful winter in Africa. Liverpool may actually do well this season as compared to last, but they are in desperate need of a good first team striker to partner Torres & Ngog!

Chelsea have lost their key midfielders in Ballack and J Cole. In fact they have also lost Belleti and Deco. To me it seems they will be short in midfield as the season progresses and will get beaten more often than they ever have been in their winning seasons.

Man City have enough money to start a league of their own, but because of the new FA rule of 25 man squad, Mancini's going to have to trim a few quality players in order to satisfy greed of those few who joined very recently from well to do clubs.

Arsenal are the only team who have'nt lost a game in pre-season. However, with that said it wasnt the best pre-season as lots of goals were conceded, some early and some late. A good goal keeper signing has become very much a pre-requisite for this season. As far as a center back is concerned, I think Wenger should sign an experienced defender who has atleast 250+ games on his CV in their domestic leagues. Any European experience will be an added advantage.

Certainly the Man Utd fans think its their birth right to win every title cometh every new season. They have made decent purchases buying Hernandez and Smalling. Unfortunately for them, Hargreaves has again got injured but they still seem to have enough firepower in them to launch an attack to get back the title they lost by a mere point. But ofcourse they will have SAF, Fergie Time and Own Goal as tools that will assist them to be on track whenever they are in spot of bother.

Clubs like Newcastle United, Everton, and Bolton to finish in top half of the table. Blackpool, Wolves and West Brom will be relegated again and one of those will set a record for lowest points.

Though Arsenal are my favorites and I would like them to win the PL, I think it would be only wise I tip Man United to win another title this season. (This to please my friends, but God knows my predictions are always wrong :D)

Here are my predictions for the looooooooooooooong season!


1) Manchester United
2) Arsenal
3) Manchester City
4) Chelsea
5) Liverpool
6) Tottenham Spurs
7) Aston Villa
8) Everton
9) Newcastle United
10) Bolton Wanderers
11) Stoke City
12) Fulham
13) Sunderland
14) Birmingham
15) Wigan Athletic
16) West Ham United
17) Blackburn Rovers
18) West Brom
19) Wolves
20) Blackpool

Whaddya think?

His STORY in MARKETS!!!

The stock market is like a beast creature in itself; at times it makes sense and sometimes no one can explain why it acts the way it does. What is clear is that, over the long run, the stock market will climb faster than any other traditional investment scheme. With that said, it may also happen that the value of the stock gets whacked and economy goes downhill. The story is true in case of our football’s transfer markets also. I’ll try to explain my views below.

Okay. For the beginners, stock market is driven by supply and demand. The stock market is really just a big shopping mall where everyone goes for buying and selling, we also know this mall as an Exchange. If the stock is getting its first look into the market place, we call it as IPO or a Primary Market. Then we move into Secondary Market where stocks are traded after initially being offered in the Primary Market and/or listed on the Exchange. At somewhat advanced stage we also deal with derivatives in secondary markets where the shares are bound by contracts. These contracts can be settled by various types viz. Futures and Options. Now since trading involves money matters between two or more individuals, it always will happen that one person turns out to be over smart than the other; hence we need a regulatory body that can keep an eye such details that all dealings happen within specified time frame abiding all rules that govern the stock markets.

Many football clubs across Europe have setup their coaching academies for young kids across the world. Those who can afford send their children to play football to these schools or else you have to be an exceptionally cute looking kid to be picked up by a reputed visionary coach for a big club to pay for your coaching. As a young boy with ambitions, you join your local academy and you make your parents feel proud of you. You play freely and make friends with a fellow short South American who tells the big club to pay for his illness and somehow help him grow in height. With each year passing by, you make more friends and destroy the U14 teams with slick passing movement and scoring ability. You like being called one of the teenage sensations; but you forget you are being watched by the world and you innocently land yourself in a MARKET.

As your formative years come to end, you are being picked up by a Top 4 club in UK. The new UK life likens the youth in you and you happily accept the offer and get called yourself a Gunner. After being on sidelines and playing multiple FA Cup and League Cup games, you prove yourself as a man ready for the next challenge in PL. After the departure of Patrick Vieira, you get a chance to wear the #4 jersey and establish as midfielder of the PL in seasons to come. In one of the Champions League games, you just tamed your nemesis on his ex-ground and the Arsenal Fans appreciated the show. The legends departed, the seniors cried on the pitch, the young legs got injured as season reached its climax. Wenger sensed that Arsenal needed a new leader on the pitch and he handed the armband to the playmaker. A few high moments that defined the last season were double strike against Aston Villa, a solo run goal against Spurs and numerous assists throughout the season with the killer pass to his friend from native country in the World Cup of 2010. That early reputation has now turned into fame and has an attractive price attached with it.

I think you might have already guessed the name by now, this is about Cesc Fabregas! His story in the transfer market has been very much like that of equity in stock market. The Gunner Fans can cheer for now as Catalonian Chief has expressed defeat in pursuit of Fabregas. Although I feel UEFA could have pitched in earlier and would have made the law breakers pay a hefty fine. But Barcelona being Platini’s favourite club they escaped without any punishment. (Subject to argument later)

But as I said, this is market and it can take its cruel twist anytime. Till then gear up with your FFL teams and watch who’s new on the market post world cup and who is past his sell by date?

Cheers!

WHAT A CONUNDRUM FOR A FOOTBALL FAN!

The semi finals of the World Cup 2010 saw range of emotions flowing from the football fans across the world. The players and the management involved on the match day were probably more tensed than ever as history beckoned on each one of them. Buoyed by the expectations from the fans, the captains of the team led from front; Gio Bronckhorst – a veteran of 3 world cups let one fly from his left boot for the goal of the tournament. Diego Forlan proved why he is still one of the deadliest strikers of the football. He tamed the Jabulani and beat the Dutch keeper with flight and swerves in the air. Carles Puyol, though he’s not leading the team but marshals the back line of Spain side with same vigour as for the Catalan team. His bullet header crashed into the German net and dashed the hopes of millions of German supporters. Philippe Lahm waved generously at the crowd and graciously accepted the defeat.

Not many were surprised by the Netherlands win, but that match went close up to 70 mins until Wesley & Robben show put Uruguay’s defence to mat. A few of my colleagues were absolutely sure about Germany thumping Spain based on the tournament form. The match was played exactly as I had dreamt about with Torres dropping off to bench and Pedro providing width. The pass until death philosophy worked its magic for the first time for Spain in this edition. This intricate style took the life out of young ethnic Germans and they eventually lost the plot. What followed was the outburst from fans. Spaniards are now called a boring team! Some fans have run out of excuses and are ordering for the “Soup of Octopus!”



Two days later we see another Nostradamesque prediction from ‘Psychic Paul’ that it would be EURO 08 repeat. I have been supporting Spain since exodus of Zinedine Zidane from France in 2006. In Euro 2008, the Dutch displayed striking football and I fell in love with their game play too.
At the start of 2010 World Cup, I had 3 wishes:
1) A Gunner to lift the trophy.
2) Netherlands or Spain to win.
3) Cesc Fabregas to stay with Arsenal for another season.

Now is the time to make a call – Van Persie’s Holland or Cesc’s Spain? With Barca continuing their pursuit of Fabregas and him too pledging of his Catalan blood as if it being of the “purest quality”… It prompts me to choose “The Netherlands”

Hup Holland Hup!!!

The Last Four

Ever since June 11th, ma life's been hectic watching footie. I had been thinking of penning down notes after the group stages where I wanted to abuse the French, Italians and the English badly. But the games flew thick and fast and I found no time to do it. Then, I thought of writing again after the pre-quarters to highlight FIFA's growing negligience towards introducing the simplest of goal-line technologies in their sport. Well I finally found time today, to write this piece of article to talk about Germany's prowess & my thoughts on how semis will unfold.

Meself was nevva a German fan, but I asked one of my friend to start following football by watching the way Germany play and it has been a delight watching them give footballing lessons to proud egoistical nations like England and Argentina. "Blitzkreig" is a famous word in world war history and this German team symbolizes their attacks on the opposition by that word.
Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have all been scoring goals but one player that stands out is BASTIAN SCHWEINSTIGER. He's strong on the ball, controls the pace of the game in midfield and sets up those goals for the team. He's playing like Zidane's 1998 & 2006. He's been well supported by Ozil and Khedira who are barely as famous and rich as players playing in established clubs. Germany have hit the jackpot by having a excellent domestic setup run by good administrators and they are reaping the rewards. On the current form, they are favorites to lift the World cup 2010.

A team that has qualified to semis by virtue of "Hand of God" is the only South American team left at this stage of the tournament. With two World Cup titles to their name they are the dark horses to lift the title. Diego Forlan is their most recognized player and he works his socks off every match to ensure they do not get drubbed by the opposition and the young Luis Suarez who has scored one of the goals of the world cup will miss the clash against the Dutch.

Viva Espana!!! The chants can be heard from the Spanish fans who cheer every pass that gets played into path of David Villa. The striker who moved to Barcelona is showing his class to the rest of the world and currently favorite to win the Golden Boot. But, coach Del Bosque will not be satisified with that, he's here to claim the big prize and Spain still have a lot to do to justify their pre-tournament favorites tag. El Nino has not been sharp and they should try his look alike Llorente in game against Germans. The short passing game looks good to eyes but one mistake and Germans are lethal on counter.


Finally, I speak about my team that I picked at the start of the world cup - The Netherlands. Men in Oranje must be high on confidence after beating the world favorites Brazil in intense quarterfinal match. Who would have thought they will turn the tables on Brazil after going a goal down in just ten minutes of the first half? Ofcourse I knew they would! ;) The DUtch are doing an efficient job and are on a 24 match unbeaten streak, a national record. They havent exactly produced Total Football for which they are known, but its been giving them the results wanted. I have been banking upon the trio of Robben, Sneijder and RVP to lead the Dutch to their first ever World Cup victory. Hup Holland Hup!!!



I do not want to jump the gun and give my bold predictions for semis, I will rather sit back, have fun and watch the events unfold themselves.

Cheers!

World Cup Parties

Good days are coming soon. Football is returning on the telly again and we all will be praying, celebrating, cherishing, sulking or whining depending on the outcome of the game. Yes, and some of us will be bragging and blogging about the teams assigned to us by Mike.

Everybody needs a reason to party and events like World Cup give us chance to get together with Family, friends and relatives. If you've decided to host a World Cup party, then you'll need to get everything right, otherwise it might not just your team that loses out.

Here's 11 what you need to remember.

1. You'll want somewhere large enough to hold all your friends in comfort. If you're holding it at your home, then you'll want to make sure that all your valuables are out of the way of your TV.

2. You'll want to invite all of your friends to your world cup party, so that they can enjoy the football with you. Why not plan ahead and invite them now, so that there's plenty of time for them to swap work shifts as necessary.

3. Your guests will need somewhere to sit, so you'll have to have plenty of chairs, or large cushions for everyone. Maybe you've got enough seats already, or perhaps you'll have to buy some specially.

4. A large TV is essential, and if you haven't got one big enough for everyone to see, then you'll have to get one. You might want to go for a projector, and have the image displayed on one of your walls rather than on a dedicated screen.

5. You'll need to arrange freebies of that particular day's matches with jerseys, flags, posters & vuvuzela; so you can really soak up the atmosphere of South Africa.

6. You'll need plenty of food to keep your guests going between matches, and during half time. You might want to have a buffet, encourage guests to bring their own food, or arrange a takeaway.

7. You'll want your guests to bring their own drinks, so that you don't spend a fortune on drinks that nobody likes. One advantage of guests bringing their own, is that if they run out, it isn't your fault!

8. Ideally, you'll want someone to bring food and drinks to you, so that you don't miss any of the action.

9. Maybe you'll share goodies/sweets if your team wins, or maybe you'll just sulk if they lose. You'll want to have something planned in case you need cheering up after the game.

10. After a party involving food, drink and fantastic football, you'll hopefully have plenty of people to help you to tidy up afterwards. It's amazing how many people have things to do, and need to be elsewhere as soon as there's cleaning up and washing up to be done.

All in all, it can be too costly time to hold a World Cup Party at your home. Even if you don't buy a bigger TV, and your guests cannot bring their own food and drink, you can still hang out at pubs and each one from friend's circle can take turns in sponsoring the food and drinks bill. However, as the World Cup only occurs every 4 years, you'll want to make the most of it.

Now you know what sort of things you need, you'll be able to plan the perfect World Cup party, and enjoy the match even more.

I will be celebrating Oranje month meself and also brag about Denmark. Up the Dutch & Danes!!! ;)

On your mark, Get Set Go...