The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Black armbands, tributes for “hero” Nelson Mandela Posted: 06 Dec 2013 07:14 AM PST Heavyweight boxing legend Ali said Mandela "taught us forgiveness on a grand scale" as athletes and officials from Australia to Brazil and at home in South Africa expressed their sadness. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter called Mandela "one of the greatest humanists of our time" and Tiger Woods said he had been inspired by South Africa's anti-apartheid hero. In Sun City north of Johannesburg, golfer Ernie Els hailed the former South African president as an "iconic leader". "You cannot say anything bad about the man. He fought for what he believed in, went to prison for so many years and came out to lead our country up until now," said the South African champion, who wore a black ribbon when he went out to play in the Nedbank Golf Challenge. "He was the father of our country and our continent. It's just very sad that he had to go. He was 95 and led a full life but a lot of that wasn't spent on what he was so good at because he was away for so many years." Australia and England's cricketers held a minute's silence before play in the second Ashes cricket Test in Adelaide, and later donned black armbands. Ali, in a statement from the Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, paid tribute to South Africa's first black president, who led the country peacefully out of apartheid rule after spending nearly three decades in prison. "He made us realise, we are our brother's keeper and that our brothers come in all colours," said Ali, a towering figure in America's civil rights movement. "What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge." Brazilian football legend Pele said on Twitter that Mandela was "one of the most influential people in my life." "He was my hero, my friend, and also a companion to me in our fight for the people and for world peace," he added. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach called Mandela "a great friend and a hero of humanity". "His attitude towards sport can make us proud - proud at his understanding of the potential of sport to bring inclusion," Bach said. Blatter, who is attending the 2014 World Cup draw in Brazil, said he and Mandela had "shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football (and sport generally) to unite people in peace and friendship". New Zealand's rugby board hailed Mandela's "far-reaching" influence on sport after he inspired South Africa to victory over the All Blacks in the 1995 World Cup final. Mandela famously appeared at the final in Johannesburg wearing a Springboks jersey - a stark symbol of white South Africa - in an act that electrified the stadium. "We have lost a champion for our game, a leader whose inspiration ensured the Rugby World Cup in 1995 was a remarkable time for our sport and whose influence on sport has been far-reaching," said New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew. International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "I was honoured to be with him during the historic days of Rugby World Cup 1995 and saw his incredible impact on his nation and his people. His wisdom, intelligence and sheer presence was a wonder to behold." Woods, the world's number one golfer, recalled having lunch with Mandela in 1998, the year after his first Masters triumph. "It was one of the most inspiring times I've ever had in my life," said Woods. "I don't think any of us probably here could have survived that and come out as humble and as dignified as he did." South African golf great Gary Player called Mandela "our beloved Father of the South African nation". Football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham sent tributes, while Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton posted a picture of himself with Mandela on his Facebook page. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson called Mandela a "great man" and a "true fan" of boxing, which was a sport he pursued as a young man. - AFP, December 6, 2013. |
| Teams await World Cup draw fate, FIFA face down fears Posted: 06 Dec 2013 06:59 AM PST Friday's draw will follow a ceremony starting at 1600 GMT (midnight, Malaysian time) and will involve some complex juggling to separate as far as possible teams from the same continent. But some of the eight groups will have to contain two European sides, with the Old Continent having 13 of the 32 qualifiers. The presence of all eight former champions - only surprise package Bosnia will be making their debut - could produce some ultra-tough groups. Brazil could theoretically face two European former champions in the shape of, for example, France and Italy. England coach Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, indicated where a team plays could be more important than whom they face as the team drawn second in Brazil's group faces a marathon travel schedule and having to play in sweltering heat in the north. Those considerations mean European teams are likely to struggle while a South American side is likely to triumph, England legend Geoff Hurst predicted. "There has to be some realism for the European team," said Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final win over Germany and will assist in Friday's draw. "Brazil must be looked upon as favourites. Anyone wanting to win will have to beat Brazil to do it." Despite fears over stadium delays, a host of stars insist Brazil will rise to the challenge. "Everyone wants to come to the World Cup, where they will see the passion of Brazilians for football," said Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil's 2002 final win over Germany. "A month's delay won't jeopardise things. There is no chance an arena won't be ready -- all will be ready for the World Cup." Ronaldo also admitted the draw will be crucial. "I think the rankings tell us who's the best right now. Being a traditional powerhouse doesn't mean to say you're going to win the World Cup," said the man who scored 15 goals in World Cup finals. "You have to play good football and have a bit of luck too. Some of the big names aren't seeded and that's because they haven't performed that well over the last couple of years." Last week's fatal accident at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, in which two workers died, forced organisers to put back the stadium's completion date. But FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted he was confident the venue would still be able to host the opening match on June 12. That would mean the stadium will have to undergo testing less than two months before the kick-off of the game which will feature the hosts and five-times world champions. "We have received information it should be ready in mid-April," Blatter told reporters at the draw venue in Costa do Sauipe, north-eastern Brazil, in a final briefing before the eight groups are drawn. "For the time being there is no Plan B," Blatter added, though secretary general Jerome Valcke later urged caution ahead of April's tests. Aside from Sao Paulo, Curitiba is also running behind schedule and set for February completion while Cuiaba is on course for a late January finish, forcing FIFA to drop an initial firm December deadline for the completion of all 12 venues. "All FIFA can do now is ask God, Allah, whoever, that no more accidents shall arise in connection with the World Cup. That is all we can do and we hope the reconstruction can start as soon as possible," said Blatter. The Arena Corinthians stadium's fatal accident was the third to occur at World Cup venues in Brazil. Valcke told AFP that FIFA had resolved to look at the overall glass as half full over venue delays, particularly in the context of Sao Paulo. "The fact (a stadium) is not ready on December 31 but on January 15 is not fundamentally a problem," said Valcke. "But if it's not January but March 15 it's more of a problem. That gives you less time to be sure things are working." Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950 but in those days there were only 13 teams and none of the mass media coverage which accompanies the modern game. The stadium delays and a price tag of an estimated $11 billion have fomented public unrest and pressure groups have called for public protest of the kind which accompanied last June's Confederations Cup rehearsal. Luis Fernandes, Brazil's deputy minister of sport, told AFP that "given the delay we shall have to accelerate preparations. It is too early to say how this will affect (Sao Paulo). "Before the accident it was 97 percent complete. According to the information we have there was no significant damage to the structure." Fernandes added that relations with FIFA had improved since Valcke caused a storm by suggesting on an early visit that Brazil needed a "kick up the backside". He explained Brazil did not wish to be "ordered about - but at the same time recognises society's interest in celebrating the World Cup. "Once FIFA recognised the importance of the Brazilian government for the event's success relations vastly improved." - AFP, December 6, 2013. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider : Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan