The first Islamic Countries' Sports Solidarity Congress for Women was initially held on October 1991 in Tehran with participation of invited representatives from 20 Islamic Countries.
This congress was inaugurated by President Hashemi Rafsanjani's opening address in offer to preliminarily study the true status of Women Sports in the Islamic Countries and to set up a suitable framework for their sportive competitions according to principles and concepts of Islam.
In the second congress, organization of the first Islamic Countries' Sport Solidarity Games for Women as well as the relevant events were discussed by the representatives of seven Islamic Countries.
Finally, the Third Congress which was held on October 20-21, 1992, approved the organization of the Islamic Countries' Women Sport Solidarity Council and its different committees and at the same gathering, the Executive Board members were elected.
The outcome of these three congresses, was the planning of a full and comprehensive program for Islamic Countries' Women Sports Solidarity Games which its first edition was successfully held in February 1993
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
ASIAN GAMES
The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia . The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia ( OCA ) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ). Medals are awarded in each event, with gold for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition which started in 1950.
Competitors are entered by a National Olympic Committee ( NOC ) to represent their country of citizenship. National anthems and flags accompany the medal ceremonies, and tables showing the number of medals won by each country are widely used. In general only recognised nations are represented, but a few non-sovereign countries are allowed to take part. The special case of Taiwan was handled by having it compete as Chinese Taipei , due to disagreements over the political status of Taiwan
Competitors are entered by a National Olympic Committee ( NOC ) to represent their country of citizenship. National anthems and flags accompany the medal ceremonies, and tables showing the number of medals won by each country are widely used. In general only recognised nations are represented, but a few non-sovereign countries are allowed to take part. The special case of Taiwan was handled by having it compete as Chinese Taipei , due to disagreements over the political status of Taiwan
Ancient Olympics
A few Arcadian deserters came in - men who had nothing to live on and wanted employment; they were taken to Xerxes and questioned about what the Greeks were doing. There was one Persian in particular who put the question, and he was told in reply that the Greeks were celebrating the Olympic festival, where they were watching athletic contests and chariot-races. When he asked what the prize was for which they contended, the Arcadians mentioned the wreath of olive-leaves which it is our custom to give. This drew from Tritanaechmes, the son of Artabanus, a remark which proved his true nobility of character-though it made Xerxes call him a coward; for when he learned that the prize was not money but a wreath, he could not help crying out in front of everybody, God heavens, Mardonius, what kind of men are these that you have brought us to fight against-men who compete with one another for no material reward, but only for honour !
Olympic Games
On 6 April 1896 at Athens, King George I of Greece opened the Ist Olympic Games of modern times. An audience of over 60,000 had gathered in the city's newly refurbished Panathinaiko Stadium to witness the opening ceremony. The Games had been reintroduced, after a gap of 1503 years, on a much larger scale this time, inviting the whole world
History of National Games
The father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had a great love for sports and fully released the vital role it played in the development of Nations and inculcation of discipline among the masses.
In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi the Quaid-i-Azam said to the first President of Pakistan Olympic Association Mr. Ahmed E.H. Jaffar :
"Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defence - the defence of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan - the defence of the ideology of Pakistan."
In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi the Quaid-i-Azam said to the first President of Pakistan Olympic Association Mr. Ahmed E.H. Jaffar :
"Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defence - the defence of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan - the defence of the ideology of Pakistan."
Introduction to Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Sports Board was established under the Ministry of Education through the Sports (Development and Control) Ordinance, 1962 as a corporate body for the purposes of promoting and developing uniform standards of competition in sports in Pakistan comparable to the standards prevailing internationally, and regulating and controlling sports in Pakistan on a national basis.
Subsequently, in July, 1977 with the creation of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the administrative control of the Pakistan Sports Board was transferred to it.
The Board has a General Body, with its Headquarters at Islamabad. The General Body consists of 35 members. It lays down the policy and 12 members Executive Committee implements this policy.
Pakistan Sports Board being the supreme body of sports monitors the activities/affairs of National Sports Federations affiliated to it and ensure proper utilization of annual and special grants given by the Board. The annual grants are released to the National Federations to meet their day to day expenses whereas special grants are meant for participation and holding of international sports events. These grants are allocated/approved by the Executive Committee of Pakistan Sports Board keeping in view the popularity of games, achievements of international level and activities of the Federations. At present, 40 National Sports Federations are affiliated with the Board. Each Federation is responsible for promotion and development of its respective game/sports.
Subsequently, in July, 1977 with the creation of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the administrative control of the Pakistan Sports Board was transferred to it.
The Board has a General Body, with its Headquarters at Islamabad. The General Body consists of 35 members. It lays down the policy and 12 members Executive Committee implements this policy.
Pakistan Sports Board being the supreme body of sports monitors the activities/affairs of National Sports Federations affiliated to it and ensure proper utilization of annual and special grants given by the Board. The annual grants are released to the National Federations to meet their day to day expenses whereas special grants are meant for participation and holding of international sports events. These grants are allocated/approved by the Executive Committee of Pakistan Sports Board keeping in view the popularity of games, achievements of international level and activities of the Federations. At present, 40 National Sports Federations are affiliated with the Board. Each Federation is responsible for promotion and development of its respective game/sports.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Fit Murali returns to Test squad
Muttiah Muralitharan has returned to Sri Lanka's Test squad for the series against New Zealand after recovering from injury. However the selectors have retained his replacement left-arm spinner Rangana Herath as well as Ajantha Mendis. Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who also missed the series against Pakistan because of injury, and his replacement Tillakaratne Dilshan were named in the 15-man squad.
Dilshan kept against Pakistan before getting injured in the third Test and consequently missing the ODI series.
Herath's selection means the pressure is on the under-performing Mendis, however Sri Lanka could decide to pick three spinners against New Zealand, who have been traditionally weak against slower bowlers. The form of their fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara, also in the squad along with Dammika Prasad, makes that an unlikely possibility.
The fringe players Surav Randiv, Suranga Lakmal and Kaushal Silva have been dropped.
Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Rangana Herath.
Dilshan kept against Pakistan before getting injured in the third Test and consequently missing the ODI series.
Herath's selection means the pressure is on the under-performing Mendis, however Sri Lanka could decide to pick three spinners against New Zealand, who have been traditionally weak against slower bowlers. The form of their fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara, also in the squad along with Dammika Prasad, makes that an unlikely possibility.
The fringe players Surav Randiv, Suranga Lakmal and Kaushal Silva have been dropped.
Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dammika Prasad, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Rangana Herath.
Tourists get batting practice in drawn game
New Zealand's batsmen managed to get their eye in on the final day of the tour game, which ended in a draw as expected. All of them barring Craig Cumming got starts though only Ross Taylor - who impressed yet again, after making 75 in the first innings - scored a half-century.
SLC Development XI resumed on 324 for 9 and lasted just 15 deliveries. Their bowlers then made consistent inroads into the tourists' innings, preventing any major partnership from taking root; the 58-run stand for the fourth wicket between Taylor and Tim McIntosh was the highest. McIntosh, the opener, scored a sedate 43 to make up for his duck in the first innings while the others got their runs at a fair clip, earning a good percentage of their runs in boundaries. Seekkuge Prasanna, the legspinner, took 2 for 52 to finish with five in the match, and was supported by offspinner Suraj Randiv, who also captured a brace.
After being bowled out for 297, and relying a lot on the lower order to get them there, New Zealand put in a better display with the bat this time. But their inexperience against Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath could present them a serious challenge in the first Test in Galle, which begins on August 18.
SLC Development XI resumed on 324 for 9 and lasted just 15 deliveries. Their bowlers then made consistent inroads into the tourists' innings, preventing any major partnership from taking root; the 58-run stand for the fourth wicket between Taylor and Tim McIntosh was the highest. McIntosh, the opener, scored a sedate 43 to make up for his duck in the first innings while the others got their runs at a fair clip, earning a good percentage of their runs in boundaries. Seekkuge Prasanna, the legspinner, took 2 for 52 to finish with five in the match, and was supported by offspinner Suraj Randiv, who also captured a brace.
After being bowled out for 297, and relying a lot on the lower order to get them there, New Zealand put in a better display with the bat this time. But their inexperience against Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath could present them a serious challenge in the first Test in Galle, which begins on August 18.
Dilshan ready to take up opening role
Sri Lanka are likely to go in with a new opening combination for the first Test against New Zealand beginning on Tuesday in Galle. Having sat out the limited-overs leg of the recently concluded home series against Pakistan due to injuries, Tillakaratne Dilshan is likely to feature at the top of the order on his return.
Dilshan, 32, had fractured his right index finger and underwent several stitches above his left eye on the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at the SSC. But following his 68 off 60 balls while opening for Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI against the New Zealanders in the tour game in Colombo, he is likely to replace Malinda Warnapura as Tharanga Paranavitana's opening partner.
"The selectors told me to have a knock here [in the tour match] as opener and I got a great opportunity to bat in the middle facing the new ball," said Dilshan. "It was good practice for me I am now ready for the Test match.
Dilshan, 32, had fractured his right index finger and underwent several stitches above his left eye on the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at the SSC. But following his 68 off 60 balls while opening for Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI against the New Zealanders in the tour game in Colombo, he is likely to replace Malinda Warnapura as Tharanga Paranavitana's opening partner.
"The selectors told me to have a knock here [in the tour match] as opener and I got a great opportunity to bat in the middle facing the new ball," said Dilshan. "It was good practice for me I am now ready for the Test match.
Tendulkar suggests free Test tickets for kids to save game
Sachin Tendulkar has suggested a plan to revive interest in Test cricket, which has been dwindling especially in India where matches against Australia in Mohali and Nagpur failed attract packed crowds, by letting children into stadiums for free.
"I started playing cricket when I was five years old," Tendulkar said at a book launch in Mumbai on Tuesday. "But the first time I watched a Test in a stadium was when I was 10. India was playing the West Indies. It is clearly ingrained in my memory and that is one experience no kid will forget. The more we invite kids to the game, the more the sport grows."
He suggested that one stand at every Test ground be kept free on weekends for schoolchildren. "We could have the toppers - either in academics or in sport - from various schools coming in to witness Test cricket. If it turns even 10% of those kids into Test cricket fans, it will be great for the game."
With the permanent addition of the IPL to the calendar, and the compulsory Twenty20 fixture per tour, boards have been forced to cut down on Tests.
Sanjay Manjrekar, the former India batsman who was also present at the event, said it was difficult for spectators to maintain interest over five days. "I think people still love to see the exciting facets of Test cricket - four bouncers in an over or a gully and four slips - but it is difficult to retain their interest for seven hours in a day and five whole days," Manjrekar said. "The masses will eventually decide where the game goes."
"I started playing cricket when I was five years old," Tendulkar said at a book launch in Mumbai on Tuesday. "But the first time I watched a Test in a stadium was when I was 10. India was playing the West Indies. It is clearly ingrained in my memory and that is one experience no kid will forget. The more we invite kids to the game, the more the sport grows."
He suggested that one stand at every Test ground be kept free on weekends for schoolchildren. "We could have the toppers - either in academics or in sport - from various schools coming in to witness Test cricket. If it turns even 10% of those kids into Test cricket fans, it will be great for the game."
With the permanent addition of the IPL to the calendar, and the compulsory Twenty20 fixture per tour, boards have been forced to cut down on Tests.
Sanjay Manjrekar, the former India batsman who was also present at the event, said it was difficult for spectators to maintain interest over five days. "I think people still love to see the exciting facets of Test cricket - four bouncers in an over or a gully and four slips - but it is difficult to retain their interest for seven hours in a day and five whole days," Manjrekar said. "The masses will eventually decide where the game goes."
Strauss wants Flintoff to 'go out in a blaze of glory'
All England fans want Andrew Flintoff to depart with the Ashes at the conclusion of his 79th Test © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Andrew Flintoff Andrew Strauss
Series/Tournaments: Australia tour of England and Scotland
Teams: England
Andrew Flintoff did not bowl during England's final practice session at The Oval on Wednesday, but whereas at Headingley that might have been taken as cause for alarm, this time around it is nothing more than a precaution. On Thursday morning, barring a late and unexpected set-back, Flintoff and his dodgy right knee will front up for England for one final time in Test cricket, with the Ashes on the line and his legacy up for grabs.
"He's looking very promising to be fair," said England's captain, Andrew Strauss. "The swelling's gone right down on his knee and he bowled really well yesterday. Obviously he's particularly motivated to play in this Test match. Things are looking good on that front. We just have to be absolutely certain tomorrow morning that it doesn't react, but at this stage it's looking very, very positive."
In Leeds, Flintoff wanted to play but was over-ruled by Strauss and Andy Flower, an unpopular decision for the allrounder and one that became more serious as Australia levelled the series at 1-1 in three days. Strauss spoke to Flintoff about his frustration, which seeped out via his manager the day after the Headingley defeat, and "it's not an issue between us".
"You can understand why he'd be disappointed," Strauss said. "It's his last couple of Test matches so he's dying to play. I spoke to Fred after the Headingley Test match, and we both know where each other stood on that matter. Some of the stuff that has been said has been quite a long way off the mark, to be honest. I'm certainly very excited to have him back in the team for this Test match. He's determined to do well for the team, and I know that he is as motivated as anyone to do well for England this week
Related Links-->
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Players/Officials: Andrew Flintoff Andrew Strauss
Series/Tournaments: Australia tour of England and Scotland
Teams: England
Andrew Flintoff did not bowl during England's final practice session at The Oval on Wednesday, but whereas at Headingley that might have been taken as cause for alarm, this time around it is nothing more than a precaution. On Thursday morning, barring a late and unexpected set-back, Flintoff and his dodgy right knee will front up for England for one final time in Test cricket, with the Ashes on the line and his legacy up for grabs.
"He's looking very promising to be fair," said England's captain, Andrew Strauss. "The swelling's gone right down on his knee and he bowled really well yesterday. Obviously he's particularly motivated to play in this Test match. Things are looking good on that front. We just have to be absolutely certain tomorrow morning that it doesn't react, but at this stage it's looking very, very positive."
In Leeds, Flintoff wanted to play but was over-ruled by Strauss and Andy Flower, an unpopular decision for the allrounder and one that became more serious as Australia levelled the series at 1-1 in three days. Strauss spoke to Flintoff about his frustration, which seeped out via his manager the day after the Headingley defeat, and "it's not an issue between us".
"You can understand why he'd be disappointed," Strauss said. "It's his last couple of Test matches so he's dying to play. I spoke to Fred after the Headingley Test match, and we both know where each other stood on that matter. Some of the stuff that has been said has been quite a long way off the mark, to be honest. I'm certainly very excited to have him back in the team for this Test match. He's determined to do well for the team, and I know that he is as motivated as anyone to do well for England this week
England bat, Onions left out
Andrew Strauss won his fourth, and arguably most crucial, toss of the summer and chose to bat first, as England prepared to launch their bid to regain the Ashes in a must-win final Test at The Oval.
With Andrew Flintoff passed fit to play in his final Test, having missed the debacle at Headingley, Strauss opted to retain the extra pace of Steve Harmison over the diligent full length of his Durham new-ball partner, Graham Onions. Monty Panesar had been mooted as a potential second spinner, but missed the cut, with Stuart Broad keeping his place after his six-wicket haul at Leeds.
Strauss's decision to bat first means that the debutant Jonathan Trott could be in action sooner rather than later, though ideally not too soon for England's purposes, seeing as he is slated to come in at No. 5. Nevertheless, with Australia resisting the urge to tinker with the side that bowled England out for 102 on the first day of the fourth Test, the same four seamers will be bearing down on their opponents, with Stuart Clark retaining his place ahead of the spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
Compared to the scorching hot day that London enjoyed on Wednesday, the first morning of the decisive Test has dawned somewhat cloudy, which could suit Australia's seam attack. There is a threat of rain over the first few days, although none in the immediate vicinity, but whereas in this same fixture four years ago, England's players and supporters actively encouraged the heavens to open, this time they will want nothing but fifteen uninterrupted sessions to enhance their chances of reclaiming the urn.
With Andrew Flintoff passed fit to play in his final Test, having missed the debacle at Headingley, Strauss opted to retain the extra pace of Steve Harmison over the diligent full length of his Durham new-ball partner, Graham Onions. Monty Panesar had been mooted as a potential second spinner, but missed the cut, with Stuart Broad keeping his place after his six-wicket haul at Leeds.
Strauss's decision to bat first means that the debutant Jonathan Trott could be in action sooner rather than later, though ideally not too soon for England's purposes, seeing as he is slated to come in at No. 5. Nevertheless, with Australia resisting the urge to tinker with the side that bowled England out for 102 on the first day of the fourth Test, the same four seamers will be bearing down on their opponents, with Stuart Clark retaining his place ahead of the spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
Compared to the scorching hot day that London enjoyed on Wednesday, the first morning of the decisive Test has dawned somewhat cloudy, which could suit Australia's seam attack. There is a threat of rain over the first few days, although none in the immediate vicinity, but whereas in this same fixture four years ago, England's players and supporters actively encouraged the heavens to open, this time they will want nothing but fifteen uninterrupted sessions to enhance their chances of reclaiming the urn.
Durban's Ambition Exceeds World Cup
DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - Durban's stadium will be one of the most dazzling in the 2010 World Cup but the brash port's ambition soars even higher, like the spectacular arch spanning the arena with a view across the Indian Ocean.
Intensely competitive with the more famous tourist mecca of Cape Town along the coast, Durban is pulling out all the stops to ensure nobody forgets it when the soccer World Cup is over.
Grimier but also more African than sophisticated, Europeanised Cape Town, Durban -- which will host seven matches including a semi-final -- markets itself on its miles of sandy beaches and the year-round warm weather that makes it a winter playground for South Africans.
City officials aim to turn Durban into Africa's capital for sports, entertainment and other events and make no secret of their ultimate target -- to host the Olympics.
Intensely competitive with the more famous tourist mecca of Cape Town along the coast, Durban is pulling out all the stops to ensure nobody forgets it when the soccer World Cup is over.
Grimier but also more African than sophisticated, Europeanised Cape Town, Durban -- which will host seven matches including a semi-final -- markets itself on its miles of sandy beaches and the year-round warm weather that makes it a winter playground for South Africans.
City officials aim to turn Durban into Africa's capital for sports, entertainment and other events and make no secret of their ultimate target -- to host the Olympics.
COAS Open Squash Championship : Ranking players move into semis
All top seeds, men and women, advanced to the semi-finals of the 7th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Open Squash Championship at the Mushaf Squash Complex here on Wednesday. Aamir Atlas, Farhan Mahboob, Mansoor Zaman and Yasir Butt made it to the last four-stage in the men’s singles. The women’s quarter-finals winners were Maria Toor, Saima Shoukat, Muqaddas Ashraf and Zoya Khalid. In the men’s semi-finals on Thursday (today), Aamir will meet lanky Yasir while Mansoor will be up against Farhan. In the women semi-finals, Maria will face Zoya and Saima will challenge Muqaddas
Pakistan win hockey series vs England
Pakistan hockey team edged out England 3-2 in the second international at the West Midlands town of Cannock to take unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Thursday evening.
The host team came close to levelling the match in a inspired second half performance, but the South Asian team held off the challenge to emerge victorious.
Pakistan, preparing for the World Cup qualification after a string of mediocre performances in the recent past, shot into the lead early in the 13th minute through Muhammad Waqas.
It was a feisty first half that saw temporary suspensions for Glenn Kirkham and Saijad Anwar. Pakistan went into the interval with a two goal advantage following goals from Muhammad Waqas and Muhammed Imran who netted in the 22nd minute.
Abdul Haseem Khan added a third in the second half before James Tindall and Matt Daly struck within four minutes of each other to reduce the margin as Pakistanis held on to their lead.
The host team came close to levelling the match in a inspired second half performance, but the South Asian team held off the challenge to emerge victorious.
Pakistan, preparing for the World Cup qualification after a string of mediocre performances in the recent past, shot into the lead early in the 13th minute through Muhammad Waqas.
It was a feisty first half that saw temporary suspensions for Glenn Kirkham and Saijad Anwar. Pakistan went into the interval with a two goal advantage following goals from Muhammad Waqas and Muhammed Imran who netted in the 22nd minute.
Abdul Haseem Khan added a third in the second half before James Tindall and Matt Daly struck within four minutes of each other to reduce the margin as Pakistanis held on to their lead.
Hockey trials for regional teams begin
The trials to select regional teams for PHF Junior Under-18 Super Hockey League started in Karachi, Larkana, Quetta, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan and Islamabad on Tuesday. “The trials for picking up players for Lahore Badshahs will start on Wednesday (today) here at the National Hockey Stadium at 5:00pm,” said a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). He said players born after January 1991 were eligible to take part in the trials. “Players from Lahore, Sahiwal, Okara, Kasur, Nankana and Sheikhupura will appear in the trials at Lahore,” the spokesman added. Team manager Khalid Rasool and coaches Anjum Saeed, Muhammad Sarwar, Muhammad Rasheed and Shahid Aslam will observe the trials. The Junior Super Hockey League will be played under floodlights from September 1-18 at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi. The event will be played under a new format: there will be three halves each of 25 minutes in every match while prize money of Rs 2 million will be
distributed among notable teams and players of the league.
End.
distributed among notable teams and players of the league.
End.
Brazil stay top of FIFA rankings, Canada the biggest climbers
Brazil stayed top of the FIFA rankings despite not playing any matches in July while Spain and Netherlands remained in second and third places respectively. The United States missed out on a chance to move into the top 10 when they lost 5-0 to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, FIFA said. The result left them 12th while Mexico, despite moving up three places, are still a disappointing 30th. Canada were the biggest climbers as they leapt 26 places to 66th. Australia (16th) are the highest-ranking team from the Asian confederation while Africa’s best side are 18th-placed Ivory Coast.
India alter tri-series schedule for an extra day's rest
India will start the Sri Lanka one-day tri-series with back-to-back matches on September 11 and 12, according to the revised tournament schedule. It was previously reported that India will play its first match against New Zealand on September 10.
Nishantha Ranatunga, secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), confirmed that the schedule was tweaked "long ago" following a BCCI request. "Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand had no objection," Ranatunga said.
India will now play New Zealand on September 11, followed by a match against Sri Lanka the next day.
The BCCI refused to discuss the schedule but it does give Indian players an extra day's gap after the Indian board's new one-day corporate tournament ends on September 8. Almost all the players in the Indian squad for the Sri Lanka series will appear for their respective private employers in the Indian board event.
Nishantha Ranatunga, secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), confirmed that the schedule was tweaked "long ago" following a BCCI request. "Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand had no objection," Ranatunga said.
India will now play New Zealand on September 11, followed by a match against Sri Lanka the next day.
The BCCI refused to discuss the schedule but it does give Indian players an extra day's gap after the Indian board's new one-day corporate tournament ends on September 8. Almost all the players in the Indian squad for the Sri Lanka series will appear for their respective private employers in the Indian board event.
Australians face tough choices after victory
And, now, the selection headache. Australia turned in a clinical and collaborative bowling performance against the England Lions on Sunday, but with no individual radically advancing his cause, the make-up of the tourists' line-up for the fifth Test will remain a mystery for several days yet.
Brett Lee was statistically the best of the Australian bowlers in Canterbury, removing both openers and skittling Liam Plunkett later in the day for figures of 3 for 37 from 16 overs. It seems highly unlikely, however, that his performance will be enough to convince selectors to part ways with one of the four incumbent fast bowlers who propelled Australia to victory inside three days at Headingley last week.
Lee, in his first competitive outing in six weeks, began inauspiciously on Saturday evening but increased in pace and intensity on the second morning. His endeavours were rewarded with the wickets of Joe Sayers and Stephen Moore before lunch - the latter to a brilliant, diving catch from Simon Katich at point - but Lee reserved his highlight-reel moment for Plunkett. Unleashing a fast, full delivery, Lee scythed through Plunkett's defences to splay the stumps, then watched on as one of the bails was pilfered by a souvenir-seeking seagull and flown to a nearby roof. "We were trying to see if he was going to eat it," Nathan Hauritz said. "I've never seen anything like it."
Brett Lee was statistically the best of the Australian bowlers in Canterbury, removing both openers and skittling Liam Plunkett later in the day for figures of 3 for 37 from 16 overs. It seems highly unlikely, however, that his performance will be enough to convince selectors to part ways with one of the four incumbent fast bowlers who propelled Australia to victory inside three days at Headingley last week.
Lee, in his first competitive outing in six weeks, began inauspiciously on Saturday evening but increased in pace and intensity on the second morning. His endeavours were rewarded with the wickets of Joe Sayers and Stephen Moore before lunch - the latter to a brilliant, diving catch from Simon Katich at point - but Lee reserved his highlight-reel moment for Plunkett. Unleashing a fast, full delivery, Lee scythed through Plunkett's defences to splay the stumps, then watched on as one of the bails was pilfered by a souvenir-seeking seagull and flown to a nearby roof. "We were trying to see if he was going to eat it," Nathan Hauritz said. "I've never seen anything like it."
England bat, Onions left out
Andrew Strauss won his fourth, and arguably most crucial, toss of the summer and chose to bat first, as England prepared to launch their bid to regain the Ashes in a must-win final Test at The Oval.
With Andrew Flintoff passed fit to play in his final Test, having missed the debacle at Headingley, Strauss opted to retain the extra pace of Steve Harmison over the diligent full length of his Durham new-ball partner, Graham Onions. Monty Panesar had been mooted as a potential second spinner, but missed the cut, with Stuart Broad keeping his place after his six-wicket haul at Leeds.
Strauss's decision to bat first means that the debutant Jonathan Trott could be in action sooner rather than later, though ideally not too soon for England's purposes, seeing as he is slated to come in at No. 5. Nevertheless, with Australia resisting the urge to tinker with the side that bowled England out for 102 on the first day of the fourth Test, the same four seamers will be bearing down on their opponents, with Stuart Clark retaining his place ahead of the spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
With Andrew Flintoff passed fit to play in his final Test, having missed the debacle at Headingley, Strauss opted to retain the extra pace of Steve Harmison over the diligent full length of his Durham new-ball partner, Graham Onions. Monty Panesar had been mooted as a potential second spinner, but missed the cut, with Stuart Broad keeping his place after his six-wicket haul at Leeds.
Strauss's decision to bat first means that the debutant Jonathan Trott could be in action sooner rather than later, though ideally not too soon for England's purposes, seeing as he is slated to come in at No. 5. Nevertheless, with Australia resisting the urge to tinker with the side that bowled England out for 102 on the first day of the fourth Test, the same four seamers will be bearing down on their opponents, with Stuart Clark retaining his place ahead of the spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
Sri Lanka march to semi-finals in style
Sri Lanka's bowlers once again made up for their batsmen's inability to post a large total by slicing through New Zealand at Trent Bridge, securing a 48-run victory to cement their spot in the semi-finals of the World Twenty20. New Zealand challenged the target of 159 briefly but Ajantha Mendis turned the game Sri Lanka's way by dismissing Ross Taylor and Scott Styris within the space of four balls.
New Zealand began their chase brightly with Aaron Redmond biffing 20 runs off Sanath Jayasuriya's first over, the second of the innings. He blasted the ball past mid-on, carved it over cover, blazed another through extra cover before smacking the final over the long-off boundary. The versatility of the bowling, though, meant New Zealand's batsmen had to keep their wits about them and no one was able to stay long enough to cause significant damage.
New Zealand began their chase brightly with Aaron Redmond biffing 20 runs off Sanath Jayasuriya's first over, the second of the innings. He blasted the ball past mid-on, carved it over cover, blazed another through extra cover before smacking the final over the long-off boundary. The versatility of the bowling, though, meant New Zealand's batsmen had to keep their wits about them and no one was able to stay long enough to cause significant damage.
Afridi fifty seals title for Pakistan
It wasn't the edge-of-the-seat final that would have signed off the ICC World Twenty20 in style, but that won't matter to Pakistan who gave their nation a something to savour amid troubled times. From the moment Tillakaratne Dilshan, the tournament's top-scorer, fell in the opening over Pakistan had a grip on the match. Shahid Afridi, who emerged as their trump card, guided his team home in the 19th over with an unbeaten 54, and it was left to Younis Khan to raise the trophy in what he later announced would be his final Twenty20 international, in front of a sea of delirious Pakistan supporters.
Pakistan won't be playing at home for the foreseeable future, but the following they have had at this event has reinforced the notion that England can be a surrogate home. The masses were cheering from early on as Abdul Razzaq - a great individual comeback-story among the team's resurgence - claimed three key wickets in his opening burst to leave Sri Lanka on 32 for 4. They never looked back despite the best efforts of Kumar Sangakkara.
Pakistan won't be playing at home for the foreseeable future, but the following they have had at this event has reinforced the notion that England can be a surrogate home. The masses were cheering from early on as Abdul Razzaq - a great individual comeback-story among the team's resurgence - claimed three key wickets in his opening burst to leave Sri Lanka on 32 for 4. They never looked back despite the best efforts of Kumar Sangakkara.
The World Cup A brief history
The first attempt at any kind of world championship was in 1912, when a three-way series was arranged between the then current Test playing nations, Australia, England and South Africa. Dogged by poor weather, the experiment was dropped and not repeated until 1975, when, following the success of domestic one-day competitions, the six Test-playing nations (England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India and Pakistan) were joined by Sri Lanka and East Africa in the first World Cup in England. A resounding success, the tournament was repeated in 1979 and 1983 in England, before moving abroad, maintaining a four-year cycle. The next tournament takes place in the Caribbean in 2007. A brief history of previous tournaments follows. Martin Williamson
1975 World Cup in England
1979 World Cup in England
1983 World Cup in England
1987 World Cup in India and Pakistan
1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
1996 World Cup in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
1999 World Cup in England
2003 World Cup in South Africa
1975 World Cup in England
1979 World Cup in England
1983 World Cup in England
1987 World Cup in India and Pakistan
1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
1996 World Cup in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
1999 World Cup in England
2003 World Cup in South Africa
ICC and PCB optimistic after World Cup talks
The ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board are hopeful of an early resolution to the disagreement over the allocation of 14 matches of the 2011 World Cup originally scheduled for Pakistan, after the two parties made good progress during discussions in Dubai. ICC president David Morgan and the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt confirmed that the parties will meet again at a future date, which is yet to be confirmed.
"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Ijaz this morning and we had a very positive 90-minute meeting," Morgan said. "We are making good progress on the issues of dispute between us.
"On the basis of today's meeting I am confident we can bring this matter to resolution in the near future so that we can all focus on the key objective for the ICC and all its members - the staging of a successful ICC World Cup in the Asian subcontinent in 2011."
Pakistan was stripped of its rights as co-host in the aftermath of the attacks on touring Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March. Following the decision, the World Cup secretariat was moved from Lahore to Mumbai. Pakistan were hopeful of hosting their games in neutral venues - in the UAE - but the ICC rejected that possibility. Pakistan threatened legal action and the PCB had stayed away from a meeting of the World Cup organising committee on July 14 in Mumbai. They also denied claims of boycotting the tournament under instructions from its government.
"I am grateful to David for taking the time to meet with me this morning and I am very encouraged by the discussions we have had," Butt said. "The PCB is keen to settle this matter out of court as soon as possible and I believe we are making good progress towards doing exactly that."
"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Ijaz this morning and we had a very positive 90-minute meeting," Morgan said. "We are making good progress on the issues of dispute between us.
"On the basis of today's meeting I am confident we can bring this matter to resolution in the near future so that we can all focus on the key objective for the ICC and all its members - the staging of a successful ICC World Cup in the Asian subcontinent in 2011."
Pakistan was stripped of its rights as co-host in the aftermath of the attacks on touring Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March. Following the decision, the World Cup secretariat was moved from Lahore to Mumbai. Pakistan were hopeful of hosting their games in neutral venues - in the UAE - but the ICC rejected that possibility. Pakistan threatened legal action and the PCB had stayed away from a meeting of the World Cup organising committee on July 14 in Mumbai. They also denied claims of boycotting the tournament under instructions from its government.
"I am grateful to David for taking the time to meet with me this morning and I am very encouraged by the discussions we have had," Butt said. "The PCB is keen to settle this matter out of court as soon as possible and I believe we are making good progress towards doing exactly that."
PCB denies claims of World Cup boycott
The PCB has denied claims of considering a boycott of the 2011 World Cup under instructions from its government. The Pakistan board had stayed away from a meeting of the World Cup organising committee on July 14 in Mumbai, where the possibility of holding Pakistan's matches at a neutral venue was ruled out and the decision to allocate the concerned games to the three other co-hosts, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, was reconfirmed.
"No such thing or option [of a possible boycott] has ever been discussed within the board or with the government," Saleem Altaf, the PCB's chief operating officer, was quoted as saying by PTI.
Pakistan was stripped of its rights to host the 2011 World Cup in the aftermath of the attacks on touring Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March. Following the decision, the World Cup secretariat was moved from Lahore to Mumbai. However, Altaf was hopeful of Pakistan's status as a co-host being reinstated, or the possibility of playing its games at a neutral venue still considered, as a consequence of negotiations with the ICC. "We are open to discussions and we want a solution to this issue because we feel moving the matches out of Pakistan was not justified at all," he said. "But no, we have not discussed any option about boycotting the tournament if we didn't get our share of matches back.
"We are trying to convince our partners in the World Cup and the ICC how important it is for Pakistan to host the World Cup matches and that process will continue," Altaf said. A commitment towards holding talks to reach their desired conclusion was also expressed by the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday.
"No such thing or option [of a possible boycott] has ever been discussed within the board or with the government," Saleem Altaf, the PCB's chief operating officer, was quoted as saying by PTI.
Pakistan was stripped of its rights to host the 2011 World Cup in the aftermath of the attacks on touring Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March. Following the decision, the World Cup secretariat was moved from Lahore to Mumbai. However, Altaf was hopeful of Pakistan's status as a co-host being reinstated, or the possibility of playing its games at a neutral venue still considered, as a consequence of negotiations with the ICC. "We are open to discussions and we want a solution to this issue because we feel moving the matches out of Pakistan was not justified at all," he said. "But no, we have not discussed any option about boycotting the tournament if we didn't get our share of matches back.
"We are trying to convince our partners in the World Cup and the ICC how important it is for Pakistan to host the World Cup matches and that process will continue," Altaf said. A commitment towards holding talks to reach their desired conclusion was also expressed by the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday.
PCB keen on UAE venues despite ICC snub
Pakistan will continue to suggest Dubai and Abu Dhabi as surrogate home venues for the 2011 World Cup and also pursue its legal case against the ICC who, they say, unlawfully stripped Pakistan of its right to host matches in cricket's premier tournament.
ICC officials on Thursday reaffirmed that in light of the Lahore terror attacks, Pakistan will not be hosting any games - though they do stand to benefit financially as co-hosts. More pertinently, the ICC also said that the option of neutral venues - which Pakistan had been pursuing - had also been rejected.
"There is no question of a fifth country," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said. "The board has considered that and decided that 14 matches that were allocated to Pakistan should take place in the other three host countries - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh."
But Ijaz Butt, PCB chairman, said the option would be discussed again at a meeting of the ICC's central organizing committee (COC). The ICC has asked the COC to meet and report back to the governing body on how Pakistan's share of matches will be divided among the rest. "Without having the full ICC release in front of me, I can say this much that we will make an effort [on trying Abu Dhabi and Dubai as neutral venues] and that remains our suggestion," Butt told Cricinfo.
ICC officials on Thursday reaffirmed that in light of the Lahore terror attacks, Pakistan will not be hosting any games - though they do stand to benefit financially as co-hosts. More pertinently, the ICC also said that the option of neutral venues - which Pakistan had been pursuing - had also been rejected.
"There is no question of a fifth country," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said. "The board has considered that and decided that 14 matches that were allocated to Pakistan should take place in the other three host countries - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh."
But Ijaz Butt, PCB chairman, said the option would be discussed again at a meeting of the ICC's central organizing committee (COC). The ICC has asked the COC to meet and report back to the governing body on how Pakistan's share of matches will be divided among the rest. "Without having the full ICC release in front of me, I can say this much that we will make an effort [on trying Abu Dhabi and Dubai as neutral venues] and that remains our suggestion," Butt told Cricinfo.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Kjetil Andre AAMODT
Three months before the Albertville Olympics, Kjetil André Aamodt was hospitalised with mononucleosis. He was so ill that he lost 11kg and had to be drip-fed. Remarkably, he returned to training two months later, and six weeks after that he won the super G to become Norway's first Olympic Alpine medalist in 40 years. He also won a bronze medal in the giant slalom.
At the 1994 Lillehammer Games, Aamodt earned silver medals in the downhill and the combined and a bronze in the super G.
At the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Kjetil André Aamodt won two gold medals, one in the Super G and the other in Alpine combined.
He became the first Alpine skier in Olympic history to win seven career medals. Fourteen years after his title at the Albertville Games, Aamodt was still going strong in Turin in 2006, where he won the gold medal in the super G event. With eight medals, he is the athlete with the most Olympic titles in Alpine skiin
At the 1994 Lillehammer Games, Aamodt earned silver medals in the downhill and the combined and a bronze in the super G.
At the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Kjetil André Aamodt won two gold medals, one in the Super G and the other in Alpine combined.
He became the first Alpine skier in Olympic history to win seven career medals. Fourteen years after his title at the Albertville Games, Aamodt was still going strong in Turin in 2006, where he won the gold medal in the super G event. With eight medals, he is the athlete with the most Olympic titles in Alpine skiin
Gabriela ANDERSEN-SCHIESS
Gabriela Andersen-Scheiss was a ski instructor in the U.S. state of Idaho when she represented Switzerland at the 1984 Olympics. Twenty minutes after the winner, Joan Benoit, crossed the finish line, the 39-year-old Andersen-Scheiss staggered into the stadium, suffering from heat prostration. Her right leg was stiff and her left arm was hanging limply by her side. While spectators gasped in horror, doctors noted that she was perspiring - a good sign - and they let her continue. For 5 minutes and 44 seconds, she lurched along the final lap around the track, occasionally stopping and holding her head. Finally she fell across the finish line and into the arms of waiting medics. Andersen-Scheiss placed 37th. Remarkably, she recovered rapidly and was released by medical personnel only two hours later
Shizuka ARAKAWA
At the age of five, Shizuka Arakawa went to skating school. Her motivation was simple: wearing pretty outfits! Very quickly, she developed a passion for skating, and she decided to sacrifice all her free time to training. At the age of eight, she was already able to perform a triple salchow. The young girl from Japan thus won five editions of the national championships, three times as a junior and twice as a senior.
In 1998 in Nagano, Shizuka Arakawa participated for the first time in the Olympic Games, at the tender age of 16. Japan had high hopes for her. The Emperor and Empress of Japan even came to see her performance. She finished thirteenth in the final rankings.
Four years later, she was not present at the Salt Lake City Games. The skater finished second in her national championships and was not included in the Japanese Olympic team. In spite of this, Shizuka Arakawa was successful in other championships, such as the Four Continents and NHK Trophy. In 2004 in Dortmund, she became women’s world figure skating champion.
In 2006, after a year-long period in which she almost ended her career, Shizuka Arakawa took part in the Turin Olympic Games. A new coach and a new programme brought out a new, invigorated Shizuka. The short programme was a real wager for the Japanese skater. She performed a noteworthy sequence to Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu”, finishing third, neck-and-neck with the two favourites, Sacha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya. They were only 0.7 of a point apart.
On 23 February 2006, she performed a perfect long programme. Accompanied by Puccini’s “Fantasy for Violin”, she performed a splendid Ina Bauer, her characteristic figure. Her programme was marked by simplicity and by the perfect control she had of it. She played it safe, however, and left out some of the figures planned, a choice which would end up being worthwhile. At the same time, her two direct rivals fell and were relegated to second and third place. Shiizuka obtained a score of 191.34, gaining herself the top step of the winner’s podium in Turin.
Thanks to this performance, she took back the only Japanese medal from these Games: the first one in figure skating since Midori Ito’s silver medal at the Albertville Games in 1992, and Japan’s first gold medal in figure skating.
In 1998 in Nagano, Shizuka Arakawa participated for the first time in the Olympic Games, at the tender age of 16. Japan had high hopes for her. The Emperor and Empress of Japan even came to see her performance. She finished thirteenth in the final rankings.
Four years later, she was not present at the Salt Lake City Games. The skater finished second in her national championships and was not included in the Japanese Olympic team. In spite of this, Shizuka Arakawa was successful in other championships, such as the Four Continents and NHK Trophy. In 2004 in Dortmund, she became women’s world figure skating champion.
In 2006, after a year-long period in which she almost ended her career, Shizuka Arakawa took part in the Turin Olympic Games. A new coach and a new programme brought out a new, invigorated Shizuka. The short programme was a real wager for the Japanese skater. She performed a noteworthy sequence to Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu”, finishing third, neck-and-neck with the two favourites, Sacha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya. They were only 0.7 of a point apart.
On 23 February 2006, she performed a perfect long programme. Accompanied by Puccini’s “Fantasy for Violin”, she performed a splendid Ina Bauer, her characteristic figure. Her programme was marked by simplicity and by the perfect control she had of it. She played it safe, however, and left out some of the figures planned, a choice which would end up being worthwhile. At the same time, her two direct rivals fell and were relegated to second and third place. Shiizuka obtained a score of 191.34, gaining herself the top step of the winner’s podium in Turin.
Thanks to this performance, she took back the only Japanese medal from these Games: the first one in figure skating since Midori Ito’s silver medal at the Albertville Games in 1992, and Japan’s first gold medal in figure skating.
Donat ACKLIN
Gustav Weder and his brakeman, Donat Acklin, made their Olympic debut in 1988, placing fourth in the two-man bobsleigh. By 1992 they were the favourites to win gold or silver. However, after the first two of four runs, they were in only fifth place. The next day, Weder and Acklin roared into first place for their first Olympic championship. Later they joined with Lorenz Schindelholz and Curdin Morell to add bronze medals in the four-man event. Two years later at the Albertville Games, Weder and Acklin found themselves trailing Reto Götschi and Guido Acklin (Donat’s younger brother) after three runs. On the final run, they edged ahead of their teammates to win by five hundredths of a second and thus become the first repeat winners of the two-man bobsleigh event. In the four-man contest, where they were joined this time by Kurt Meier and Domenico Semeraro, Weder faltered slightly at the end of the first run and ended up in fourth place. However, he was able to win each of the remaining three runs and earn silver medals for his team. Weder was such an intense competitor that he videotaped every metre of every run he raced on and studied the videos for hours.
Muhammad ALI
Before boxer Muhammad Ali became one of the most famous people in the world, he was Cassius Marcellus Clay, a brash and friendly 18-year-old who travelled to the 1960 Rome Olympics to compete in the light heavyweight division. He won all four of his fights easily. In the final he defeated three-time European champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski.
Clay turned professional and, in 1964, he stopped Sonny Liston to win the World Heavyweight championship. Over the next four years he defended his title nine times.
He converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. After he refused to be drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, he was stripped of his title and did not fight again for 3 ½ years.
Ali regained his title in 1974 by knocking out George Foreman. He defended his championship ten more times before losing to Leon Spinks, whom he then defeated seven months later.
Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a professional record of 56 wins and 5 losses.
In 1996, Ali was chosen to light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics. He has devoted much of his life to humanitarian affairs. In 1998 Ali was honoured with the United Nations Messenger of Peace award.
Clay turned professional and, in 1964, he stopped Sonny Liston to win the World Heavyweight championship. Over the next four years he defended his title nine times.
He converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. After he refused to be drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, he was stripped of his title and did not fight again for 3 ½ years.
Ali regained his title in 1974 by knocking out George Foreman. He defended his championship ten more times before losing to Leon Spinks, whom he then defeated seven months later.
Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a professional record of 56 wins and 5 losses.
In 1996, Ali was chosen to light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics. He has devoted much of his life to humanitarian affairs. In 1998 Ali was honoured with the United Nations Messenger of Peace award.
MISSION OF THE IFs
The IFs have the responsibility and duty to manage and to monitor the everyday running of the world's various sports disciplines, including for those on the programme, the practical organisation of events during the Games. The Ifs must also supervise the development of athletes practising these sports at every level. Each IF governs its sport at world level and ensures its promotion and development. They monitor the everyday administration of their sports and guarantee the regular organisation of competitions as well as respect for the rules of fair play.
The IFs may, of course, formulate proposals addressed to the IOC concerning the Olympic Charter and the Olympic Movement in general, including the organising and holding of the Olympic Games; give their opinions concerning the candidatures for organising the Olympic Games, particularly concerning the technical capabilities of the candidate cities; collaborate in the preparation of the Olympic Congresses; and participate in the activities of the IOC commissions.
In order to discuss common problems and decide on their events calendars, the summer federations, the winter federations and the recognised federations have formed associations: the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of International Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which also includes other sports federations.
The IFs may, of course, formulate proposals addressed to the IOC concerning the Olympic Charter and the Olympic Movement in general, including the organising and holding of the Olympic Games; give their opinions concerning the candidatures for organising the Olympic Games, particularly concerning the technical capabilities of the candidate cities; collaborate in the preparation of the Olympic Congresses; and participate in the activities of the IOC commissions.
In order to discuss common problems and decide on their events calendars, the summer federations, the winter federations and the recognised federations have formed associations: the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of International Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which also includes other sports federations.
THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS (GAISF)
The General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), founded in 1967, groups together the International Sports Federations and various associations with the aim of defending world-wide sport, becoming better informed and making themselves known, and cooperating and coordinating their activities. Its aim is to create a forum which brings together all the sports bodies once a year for an exchange of views on subjects of common interest. Its mission is to maintain the authority and autonomy of its members, promote closer links between its members and all sports organisations, coordinate and protect common interests and collect, verify and disseminate information
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE IOC RECOGNISED INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS (ARISF)
Founded in 1983, the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations has several aims, namely:
- to act as a spokesperson, and to defend and coordinate the common interests of its members whilst maintaining their authority, independence and autonomy. However, the Rules of the Olympic Charter prevail and no ARISF rule can go against these principles,
- to determine the consensus of the member federations on questions of common interest in relation to the Olympic Movement,
- to ensure the largest possible participation in the Congresses, programmes and projects of the International Olympic Committee (IOC),
- to decide on nominations of ARISF representatives on commissions of the IOC and/or other international sports organisations.
- to act as a spokesperson, and to defend and coordinate the common interests of its members whilst maintaining their authority, independence and autonomy. However, the Rules of the Olympic Charter prevail and no ARISF rule can go against these principles,
- to determine the consensus of the member federations on questions of common interest in relation to the Olympic Movement,
- to ensure the largest possible participation in the Congresses, programmes and projects of the International Olympic Committee (IOC),
- to decide on nominations of ARISF representatives on commissions of the IOC and/or other international sports organisations.
Australia advance in Water Polo penalty shootout
Australia's Sam McGregor nailed the final shot of the shootout after the game was locked at 10-10 at full-time and 13-13 after two periods of extra-time.
The shootout began with both teams missing their first attempts but scoring the next two.
Australian goalkeeper James Stanton then blocked the next shot by Leonardo Sottani and brought the crowd to their feet.
Australia's Robert Maitland and Italy's Luigi Di Costanzo converted and then McGregor scored the winner.
The match took unusual turns with both teams scoring four consecutive goals each before the next team would retaliate.
Italy began the game 2-0 with Australia fighting back to finish the first quarter 4-2 ahead. The second quarter was all Italy (5-1) but the third period Australia shut Italy out 4-0 to take the lead 9-7.
Italy's Alessandro Calcaterra was top-scorer with six goals, three from the final quarter to force the game into extra-time.
As the leading scorer with 22 goals, his skills will be needed in the 9-10 play-off on August 24.
The shootout began with both teams missing their first attempts but scoring the next two.
Australian goalkeeper James Stanton then blocked the next shot by Leonardo Sottani and brought the crowd to their feet.
Australia's Robert Maitland and Italy's Luigi Di Costanzo converted and then McGregor scored the winner.
The match took unusual turns with both teams scoring four consecutive goals each before the next team would retaliate.
Italy began the game 2-0 with Australia fighting back to finish the first quarter 4-2 ahead. The second quarter was all Italy (5-1) but the third period Australia shut Italy out 4-0 to take the lead 9-7.
Italy's Alessandro Calcaterra was top-scorer with six goals, three from the final quarter to force the game into extra-time.
As the leading scorer with 22 goals, his skills will be needed in the 9-10 play-off on August 24.
Men's Water Polo Day 8 Preview: Hungary chasing history at Men's Water Polo finals day
(BEIJING, August 23) -- Italy and Germany open the day's activities with the play-off for 9th and 10th place. Both high-flying teams in past years, they have under-performed in Beijing 2008 but will be keen to finish on a winning note.
Australia and Greece clash for 7th and 8th place. Both are happy to be in the top eight but harboured hopes of a higher finish. Australia beat Greece 12-8 in preliminary play.
World champions Croatia and outgoing world No. 3 Spain will fight it out for 5th and 6th place at 13:00. Croatia were unlucky not to be in the semifinals, missing out by a goal to Montenegro.
Balkan neighbours Montenegro and Serbia clash in the bronze-medal match. The teams won the Budapest 2006 World Cup playing as a united Serbia and Montenegro.
Hungary, chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Gold medal and ninth in total, will play surprise finalists United States of America in the final. Hungary are the sentimental favorites, while the US have the nerve and flair to take the game.
Australia and Greece clash for 7th and 8th place. Both are happy to be in the top eight but harboured hopes of a higher finish. Australia beat Greece 12-8 in preliminary play.
World champions Croatia and outgoing world No. 3 Spain will fight it out for 5th and 6th place at 13:00. Croatia were unlucky not to be in the semifinals, missing out by a goal to Montenegro.
Balkan neighbours Montenegro and Serbia clash in the bronze-medal match. The teams won the Budapest 2006 World Cup playing as a united Serbia and Montenegro.
Hungary, chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Gold medal and ninth in total, will play surprise finalists United States of America in the final. Hungary are the sentimental favorites, while the US have the nerve and flair to take the game.
Team USA beats Spain for Men's Basketball gold
The United States won this game by its smallest margin of the tournament, but it wasn't so much the score that made this the closest match of the Beijing Games for the Athens bronze winners. Spain effectively protected the paint and delivered on offense inside and outside to keep the US squad on its toes throughout the gold medal match.
Spain was able to lead by as much as five points halfway through the first period, and reached 82 points by the end of the third quarter, which is as much as they netted against the US team in the preliminary match they lost 119-82. After Team USA returned to the lead with 2:58 left in the first period it never lost the advantage -- but the all-star NBA squad was also never able to relax.
Foul trouble early on had Dwight Howard, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant benched only four minutes into the game, and forced the team to play as conservatively as possible on defense. It was high-pressure defense that led the US team to a swift victory over Spain in the preliminary. Spain, meanwhile, demonstrated why it was the best defensive team in the tournament, especially when at the end of the first half both teams were scoring equally in the paint.
After two quarters, Dwayne Wade already had 21 points, with three baskets made behind the arc, as did Spain's Rudy Fernandez who netted a total of 13 points in only 8:57 minutes of play. Spain also ran into foul trouble in the first half, where several players including Fernandez had three personal fouls. Coach Mike Krzyzewski did a better job of protecting his players so that no US men went to the half with more than two strikes against them.
In the third quarter, Spain came within four points at 71-67, but hot-shooting Fernandez's personal foul tally also crept up to four. When the US side failed to widen the four point gap, Krzyzewski went to a timeout and the team returned with a fast break from Carmelo Anthony off a Chris Bosh rebound and assist. Fast breaks were another feature of the United States' preliminary victory over Spain, and Spain until now was able to keep them to a minimum. By the time the game ended, however Team USA took 16 fast break points compared to two from Spain.
The fourth quarter began 91-82, but a dunk by Pau Gasol followed by another big three-pointer from Fernandez made Team USA feel the heat at 91-89, and they went to a timeout with 8:13 minutes left on the clock. Two buckets from Bryant and Howard, with a shot behind the arc from Deron Williams in between, and the United States got back its cushion at 98-89. Fernandez and Bryant took turns sinking undefended three-pointers, but at 3:10 minutes Spain suffered a setback when Fernandez reached his fifth foul and exited the game at a score of 107-99.
Spain was able to lead by as much as five points halfway through the first period, and reached 82 points by the end of the third quarter, which is as much as they netted against the US team in the preliminary match they lost 119-82. After Team USA returned to the lead with 2:58 left in the first period it never lost the advantage -- but the all-star NBA squad was also never able to relax.
Foul trouble early on had Dwight Howard, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant benched only four minutes into the game, and forced the team to play as conservatively as possible on defense. It was high-pressure defense that led the US team to a swift victory over Spain in the preliminary. Spain, meanwhile, demonstrated why it was the best defensive team in the tournament, especially when at the end of the first half both teams were scoring equally in the paint.
After two quarters, Dwayne Wade already had 21 points, with three baskets made behind the arc, as did Spain's Rudy Fernandez who netted a total of 13 points in only 8:57 minutes of play. Spain also ran into foul trouble in the first half, where several players including Fernandez had three personal fouls. Coach Mike Krzyzewski did a better job of protecting his players so that no US men went to the half with more than two strikes against them.
In the third quarter, Spain came within four points at 71-67, but hot-shooting Fernandez's personal foul tally also crept up to four. When the US side failed to widen the four point gap, Krzyzewski went to a timeout and the team returned with a fast break from Carmelo Anthony off a Chris Bosh rebound and assist. Fast breaks were another feature of the United States' preliminary victory over Spain, and Spain until now was able to keep them to a minimum. By the time the game ended, however Team USA took 16 fast break points compared to two from Spain.
The fourth quarter began 91-82, but a dunk by Pau Gasol followed by another big three-pointer from Fernandez made Team USA feel the heat at 91-89, and they went to a timeout with 8:13 minutes left on the clock. Two buckets from Bryant and Howard, with a shot behind the arc from Deron Williams in between, and the United States got back its cushion at 98-89. Fernandez and Bryant took turns sinking undefended three-pointers, but at 3:10 minutes Spain suffered a setback when Fernandez reached his fifth foul and exited the game at a score of 107-99.
Spain survive, US and Argentina eliminated at Davis Cup
LONDON: Juan Carlos Ferrero was the unlikely hero for champions Spain as he rode a wave of patriotic fervor to salvage their Davis Cup hopes on Sunday.
While Ferrero was spurred on by a frenzied crowd to ensure Spain squeezed into the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Germany, there was no escape route for Davis Cup heavyweights United States and Argentina who were both unceremoniously dumped out.
The Americans, champions a record 32 times, had to win both Sunday's reverse singles to reach the last four but Marin Cilic brought a swift end to their challenge when he beat James Blake 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to give CrAt least Juan Martin del Potro had made sure Argentina's contest against the Czech Republic would go down to the wire when he trumped Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first reverse singles to level the tie at 2-2 in Ostrava.
Although Del Potro won both his singles rubbers, the Czechs proved that the Davis Cup was more than a one-man show.
Radek Stepanek had been troubled by a knee injury but appeared to be in a trance as he barely put a foot wrong in a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan Monaco to condemn the 2008 runners-up to a 3-2 defeat.
"It is unbelievable... I did not have energy to spare and tried to collect one point after another," a dazed Stepanek said.
While the Czechs will travel to Croatia for the semis in September, Spain will be eager to make home advantage count again when they host Israel, who completed a 4-1 win over Russia.
Astonishingly, former world No 1 Ferrero could be missing from the line-up as he was only drafted into the team as a last-minute replacement since world No 2 Rafael Nadal and 22nd-ranked David Ferrer were both out injured.
Such is the depth in the Spanish team, Ferrero was playing in the competition for the first time in four years and he made sure his appearance would be a memorable one since Spain were in danger of suffering their first home defeat in 16 ties.
Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber survived a stirring Fernando Verdasco fightback in the first reverse singles to win 6-4, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6, 8-6 in Marbella to level the tie at 2-2.
But captain Albert Costa's gamble to play Ferrero in the decider instead of Tommy Robredo, who lost in straight sets to Kohlschreiber on Friday, paid off as the 29-year-old dispatched Andreas Beck 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
As Beck shovelled the ball long on match point, the capacity crowd jumped to their feet and Ferrero leapt into the air before he was hoisted on to team mate Feliciano Lopez's shoulder for a lap of honour.oatia an unbeatable 3-1 lead
While Ferrero was spurred on by a frenzied crowd to ensure Spain squeezed into the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Germany, there was no escape route for Davis Cup heavyweights United States and Argentina who were both unceremoniously dumped out.
The Americans, champions a record 32 times, had to win both Sunday's reverse singles to reach the last four but Marin Cilic brought a swift end to their challenge when he beat James Blake 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to give CrAt least Juan Martin del Potro had made sure Argentina's contest against the Czech Republic would go down to the wire when he trumped Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first reverse singles to level the tie at 2-2 in Ostrava.
Although Del Potro won both his singles rubbers, the Czechs proved that the Davis Cup was more than a one-man show.
Radek Stepanek had been troubled by a knee injury but appeared to be in a trance as he barely put a foot wrong in a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan Monaco to condemn the 2008 runners-up to a 3-2 defeat.
"It is unbelievable... I did not have energy to spare and tried to collect one point after another," a dazed Stepanek said.
While the Czechs will travel to Croatia for the semis in September, Spain will be eager to make home advantage count again when they host Israel, who completed a 4-1 win over Russia.
Astonishingly, former world No 1 Ferrero could be missing from the line-up as he was only drafted into the team as a last-minute replacement since world No 2 Rafael Nadal and 22nd-ranked David Ferrer were both out injured.
Such is the depth in the Spanish team, Ferrero was playing in the competition for the first time in four years and he made sure his appearance would be a memorable one since Spain were in danger of suffering their first home defeat in 16 ties.
Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber survived a stirring Fernando Verdasco fightback in the first reverse singles to win 6-4, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6, 8-6 in Marbella to level the tie at 2-2.
But captain Albert Costa's gamble to play Ferrero in the decider instead of Tommy Robredo, who lost in straight sets to Kohlschreiber on Friday, paid off as the 29-year-old dispatched Andreas Beck 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
As Beck shovelled the ball long on match point, the capacity crowd jumped to their feet and Ferrero leapt into the air before he was hoisted on to team mate Feliciano Lopez's shoulder for a lap of honour.oatia an unbeatable 3-1 lead
Federer, Nadal return to action
MONTREAL: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal return to tennis after long absences today at the Montreal Masters with top seed Federer playing just three weeks after the birth of his twin daughters.
The Swiss is happily on a roll after winning the French Open for the first time and Wimbledon for the sixth.Nadal's story is a polar opposite as the Spaniard has been forced to rest his tendinitis-plagued knees for nearly two months after being forced out before Wimbledon due to the injury and being deposed as French Open champion.
Neither man can predict the outcome at the first major event since Wimbledon ended five weeks ago, when Federer moved deeper into the record books with his 15th Grand Slam title, earned at the expense of Andy Roddick.
Nadal went through what looked to some is an uninspiring training session after arriving in Canada following weeks at home on the island of Mallorca with his practise time extremely limited.
The Swiss is happily on a roll after winning the French Open for the first time and Wimbledon for the sixth.Nadal's story is a polar opposite as the Spaniard has been forced to rest his tendinitis-plagued knees for nearly two months after being forced out before Wimbledon due to the injury and being deposed as French Open champion.
Neither man can predict the outcome at the first major event since Wimbledon ended five weeks ago, when Federer moved deeper into the record books with his 15th Grand Slam title, earned at the expense of Andy Roddick.
Nadal went through what looked to some is an uninspiring training session after arriving in Canada following weeks at home on the island of Mallorca with his practise time extremely limited.
Chinese strikes 2 golds in swimming worlds
ROME: Chinese swimmers swept two titles out of five at stake on Thursday to raise their swimming gold tally to three at the world championships in Rome.
Zhao Jing shattered the women's 50m backstroke world record with a time of 27.06 seconds to win the world titZhao Jing of China celebrates after setting a world record in the women's 50m backstroke swimming final at the World Championships in Rome July le
Zhao Jing shattered the women's 50m backstroke world record with a time of 27.06 seconds to win the world titZhao Jing of China celebrates after setting a world record in the women's 50m backstroke swimming final at the World Championships in Rome July le
Woods again rules at Firestone as Harrington slips
AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Tiger Woods won a record seventh WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title on Sunday, overhauling Padraig Harrington with a sizzling burst of scoring before benefiting from a late collapse by the Irishman.
The American world number one fired a five-under-par 65 on a breezy, humid day at Firestone Country Club to clinch his 70th PGA Tour victory, and fifth of the year, by four strokes.
Trailing playing partner Harrington by three overnight, Woods took control by covering the front nine in a spectacular five-under 30 on the way to a 12-under total of 268.
The Irishman regained a one-shot cushion with three holes remaining before his title bid unraveled with a triple-bogey at the par-five 16th after the duo had been put on the clock for slow play.
The American world number one fired a five-under-par 65 on a breezy, humid day at Firestone Country Club to clinch his 70th PGA Tour victory, and fifth of the year, by four strokes.
Trailing playing partner Harrington by three overnight, Woods took control by covering the front nine in a spectacular five-under 30 on the way to a 12-under total of 268.
The Irishman regained a one-shot cushion with three holes remaining before his title bid unraveled with a triple-bogey at the par-five 16th after the duo had been put on the clock for slow play.
Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe in first ODI
BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe) (AFP) - Bangladesh crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the first of three one-day internationals at the Queen's Sports Club here on Sunday.Zimbabwe, put in to bat after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field, were restricted to 207 before Mohammad Ashraful's third one-day century lifting the tourists to the win.The hosts' Mark Vermeulen scored an impressive 92 returning after five years in the wilderness.The left-arm spin bowling of Ray Price was in particular meat and drink to Ashraful, who continually smacked him to the boundary.The seamers were also unable to cope as Ashraful took his one-day career total beyond 3000 runs.Bangladesh arrived in Zimbabwe having won the Test and ODI series in the West Indies.The second match is on Tuesday and the third on Friday.SCOREBOARDZIMBABWE: H Masakadza c Mushfiqur b Syed Rasel 0M Vermeulen run out (Raqibul /Rasel) 92C Chibhabha c Mushfiqur Rahim b Nazmul Hossain 7B Taylor lbw b Shakib Al Hasan 20C Coventry c Mahmudullah b Ashraful 19S Williams lbw b Mahmudullah 6S Matsikenyeri c Naeem b Mahmudullah 9E Chigumbura b Shakib Al Hasan 20P Utseya b Nazmul Hossain 14R Price b Nazmul Hossain 11A Cremer not out 1EXTRAS: (b5, lb2, nb1) 8TOTAL: (all out; 47.5 overs) 207Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Masakadza), 2-25 (Chibhabha), 3-74 (Taylor), 4-110 (Coventry), 5-125 (Williams), 6-145 (Matsikenyeri), 7-178 (Vermeulen, 8-183 (Chigumbura), 9-204 (Price), 10-207 (Utseya)BOWLING: Syed Rasel 9-1-32-1Nazmul Hossain 6.5-0-29-3 (1nb)Shakib Al Hasan 10-2-42-2Enamul Haque jnr 10-0-43-0Mahmudullah 8-1-39-2BANGLADESH: Tamim Iqbal c Coventry b Chigumbura 63Junaid Siddique c Cremer b Chibhabha 21Mohammad Ashraful not out 103Raqibul Hasan not out 11EXTRAS: (w12, nb1) 13TOTAL: (2 wickets; 34.3 overs) 211Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Enamul Haque jnrFall of wickets: 1-30 (Junaid Siddique), 2-167 (Tamim Iqbal)BOWLING: Chigumbura 7-0-33-1 (3w)C Chibhabha 6.3-0-50-1 (1nb)P Utseya 6-0-31-0 (1w)R Price 7-0-48-0 (6w)A Cremer 5-0-30-0 (1w)H Masakadza 3-0-19-0Result: Bangladesh won by eight wickets - lead series 1-0Toss: Bangladesh, who chose to fieldUmpires: A Saheba, R TiffinTV umpire: K BarbourMatch referee: J Srinath
Pakistan end series with crushing win
COLOMBO (AFP) - Skipper Younis Khan led the way as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 132 runs in the fifth and final one-day international here on Sunday.Younis top-scored with 76 and Misbah-ul Haq hit an unbeaten 73 to steer Pakistan to 279-8 after they won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.Teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer grabbed 4-28 and Rana Naved took 4-44 as Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 147 in the 35th over to record their second successive win after Friday's 146-run success.Sri Lanka, however, clinched the one-day series 3-2, after winning the Test series 2-0.The rivals, who contested the World Twenty20 final in England in June when Pakistan won the title, will play a T20 international here Wednesday in the last match of the tour.The half-centuries from Younus and Misbah helped Pakistan recover from the first-ball dismissal of Kamran Akmal, who was given out leg-before off Nuwan Kulasekara despite getting an edge on the bat.Younus put on 69 for the third wicket with veteran Mohammad Yousuf (43) and 83 for the fourth, with Misbah before being bowled by seamer Dammika Prasad in the 37th over.Misbah stepped in to keep the scoreboard moving after the captain's dismissal, adding 60 for the seventh wicket with Rana Naved, to carry Pakistan past the 250-run mark.Kulasekara was the most impressive bowler, with three for 46 from his 10 overs.Sri Lanka's reply began on the wrong foot when Upul Tharanga edged the third ball of the innings to Umar Akmal at second slip before a run had been scored.Wickets tumbled regularly after that to reduce the hosts to 74-8, the only notable contribution in the top order coming from Mahela Jayawardene, who made 31 before being caught behind off Aamer.Thilina Kandamby (42 not out) and Malinga Bandara (31) delayed the end by adding 71 for the eighth wicket, before Shahid Afridi claimed the last two wickets.
Women's Football - Mission and Goals
Mission FIFA promotes the development of women's football and pledges to support women's football financially and to give women players, coaches, referees and officials the opportunity to become actively involved in football. FIFA is helping to popularise the game by increasing public awareness and conducting information campaigns as well as overcoming social and cultural obstacles for women with the ultimate aim of improving women's standing in society.
Goals
To promote and develop women's and girls' football in the member associations;
To improve the infrastructure of women's football in the confederations and member associations;
To increase the proportion of women and girls playing football at the grassroots, in schools and at amateur and professional levels;
To constantly improve the quality, the organisation and the expansion of FIFA women's football competitions;
To create conditions for more women to occupy technical and managerial positions in football, including the domains of refereeing, coaching, medicine, media and administration;
To organise coaching and training courses for female players, coaches, referees, doctors and officials;
To establish and publicise a coordinated international match calendar for women's football;
To analyse and monitor technical developments in women's football;
To organise women's football symposia and conferences.
Goals
To promote and develop women's and girls' football in the member associations;
To improve the infrastructure of women's football in the confederations and member associations;
To increase the proportion of women and girls playing football at the grassroots, in schools and at amateur and professional levels;
To constantly improve the quality, the organisation and the expansion of FIFA women's football competitions;
To create conditions for more women to occupy technical and managerial positions in football, including the domains of refereeing, coaching, medicine, media and administration;
To organise coaching and training courses for female players, coaches, referees, doctors and officials;
To establish and publicise a coordinated international match calendar for women's football;
To analyse and monitor technical developments in women's football;
To organise women's football symposia and conferences.
Sports governing bodies
World governing bodies of various notable sports:
The Olympic Games: International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Baseball: International Baseball Federation (IBAF), but several countries/regions have their own professional bodies with rules variations, including Cuba, US/Canada, and Japan
Basketball: International Basketball Federation (FIBA), but national pro leagues may diverges from its rules, as in the US
Cricket: International Cricket Council (ICC)
Cue sports governing bodies are divided by discipline:
Carom billiards: Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB)
Pocket billiards (pool): World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)
Snooker and English billiards: World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA or World Snooker)
Football variants have many governing bodies, with widely divergent rules:
Association football (soccer): International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)
Gridiron football is divided in into US and Canadian rules and bodies
Rugby football is divided into two "codes" or sets of rules, union and league
Australian-rules football: Australian Football League (AFL)
Gaelic football: Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
International-rules football: A conference of the AFL and GAA
Golf has no single governing body, but is devided nationally/regionally.
Ice hockey: International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Motor racing:
Car racing: International Federation of the Automobile (FIA)
Motorcycle racing: International Motorcycling Federation (FIM)
Motorboat racing: International Motonautical Union (UIM) and others, depending on boat type
Tennis: International Tennis Federation (ITF)
The Olympic Games: International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Baseball: International Baseball Federation (IBAF), but several countries/regions have their own professional bodies with rules variations, including Cuba, US/Canada, and Japan
Basketball: International Basketball Federation (FIBA), but national pro leagues may diverges from its rules, as in the US
Cricket: International Cricket Council (ICC)
Cue sports governing bodies are divided by discipline:
Carom billiards: Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB)
Pocket billiards (pool): World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)
Snooker and English billiards: World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA or World Snooker)
Football variants have many governing bodies, with widely divergent rules:
Association football (soccer): International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)
Gridiron football is divided in into US and Canadian rules and bodies
Rugby football is divided into two "codes" or sets of rules, union and league
Australian-rules football: Australian Football League (AFL)
Gaelic football: Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
International-rules football: A conference of the AFL and GAA
Golf has no single governing body, but is devided nationally/regionally.
Ice hockey: International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Motor racing:
Car racing: International Federation of the Automobile (FIA)
Motorcycle racing: International Motorcycling Federation (FIM)
Motorboat racing: International Motonautical Union (UIM) and others, depending on boat type
Tennis: International Tennis Federation (ITF)
Sports minister asks PCB to promote cricket in small areas
MIRPUR KHAS: Federal minister for sports Pir Aftab Jilani said that now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has no dearth of funds so it should also pay attention towards promoting cricket in small areas.He was addressing at the opening ceremony of the fifth National Bank Inter-District Twenty20 Cricket Tournament, held here at the PCB ground.Pir Aftab Jilani said that the National Bank, being a national bank, has rendered valuable services towards sports.He said that only eleven districts of Sindh are registered with the PCB while the board has no shortage of funds after winning the Twenty20 World Cup. It should therefore also give attention to the promotion of cricket in the interior Sindh besides taking care of administrative matters of cricket.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sociology of sport
The motivations for participating in sport and being a spectator are studied in sociology.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Quotations about Sports
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures. ~Earl Warren
Every sport pretends to a literature, but people don't believe it of any other sport but their own. ~Alistair Cooke
If only Hitler and Mussolini could have a good game of bowls once a week at Geneva, I feel that Europe would not be as troubled as it is. ~R.G. Briscow
Every sport pretends to a literature, but people don't believe it of any other sport but their own. ~Alistair Cooke
If only Hitler and Mussolini could have a good game of bowls once a week at Geneva, I feel that Europe would not be as troubled as it is. ~R.G. Briscow
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sport
Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determinant of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sport is commonly defined as an organized, competitive and skillful physical activity requiring commitment and fair play. Some view sports as differing from games based on the fact that there are usually higher levels of organization and profit (not always monetary) involved in sports. Accurate records are kept and updated for most sports at the highest levels, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in sport news.
The term sports is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports.
Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty pageants and bodybuilding shows, because in the former the activity performed is the primary focus of evaluation, rather than the physical attributes of the contestant as in the latter (although "presentation" or "presence" may also be judged in both activities).
Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition.
Although they do not always succeed, sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship, standards of conduct such as being respectful of opponents and officials, and congratulating the winner when losing.
The term sports is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports.
Sports that are subjectively judged are distinct from other judged activities such as beauty pageants and bodybuilding shows, because in the former the activity performed is the primary focus of evaluation, rather than the physical attributes of the contestant as in the latter (although "presentation" or "presence" may also be judged in both activities).
Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition.
Although they do not always succeed, sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship, standards of conduct such as being respectful of opponents and officials, and congratulating the winner when losing.
Terminology
In British English, sporting activities are commonly denoted by the collective noun "sport". In American English, "sports" is more common. In all English dialects, "sports" is the term used for more than one specific game. For example, "football and swimming are my favorite sports", would sound natural to all English speakers, whereas "I enjoy sport" would sound less natural than "I enjoy sports" to North Americans.
The term is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports. Air sports, billiards, bridge, chess, motorcycle racing, and powerboating are all recognized as sports by the International Olympic Committee with their world governing bodies represented in the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations.[1]
The term is sometimes extended to encompass all competitive activities in which offense and defense are played, regardless of the level of physical activity. Both games of skill and motor sport exhibit many of the characteristics of physical sports, such as skill, sportsmanship, and at the highest levels, even professional sponsorship associated with physical sports. Air sports, billiards, bridge, chess, motorcycle racing, and powerboating are all recognized as sports by the International Olympic Committee with their world governing bodies represented in the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations.[1]
History
Sport has existed for several thousand years. As the world population continues to increase and technology improves in areas such as transportation, communication, medicine, and sports equipment, sport will continue to evolve and involve more and more people across nearly all parts of the world.
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