Common Wealth Gains?

Just 61 days are left for the XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi. But, instead of hearing how the atheletes are preparing and their prospects of winning medals, new allegations about corruption, leaky stadiums, incomplete infrastructure, budget overflow and other shits are making news. So, its no surprising that the poor are getting alienated - being evicted in the name of making the Capital clean. The games is being used as another medium to fill the already filled pockets of the few chosen elites. I fear this event may just turned out to do more bad than good to this country.

PS:-
"Desh Mera - from Indian Ocean - Peepli live". A song describing India - the lyrics of this song is quite fascinating. You can take it either way.

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Of Jabulani Zakumi Bafana Bafana Waka Waka

And like all good things come to an end, the FIFA World Cup 2010 also ended with Spain being crowned the champion much to my dismay (being an ardent Netherlands supporter). But I must admit that the better team deservedly won. Many would not approve the Oranje team's approach in the final but taking into consideration what was at stake, its quite understandable. Moreover, its a man's game.The logic was simple - do not allow Spain to play their natural game. The Oranje nearly succeeded in their approach of brute force and tackles. Had Arjen Robben succeded in putting the ball into the net of a sitter, the result would have been different. But it was Iniesta who provided Spain the crucial lead with only 4 minutes left in the extra time added. It was the goal that sealed Spain fate as the Eighth country to have lifted the cup ever.

Well, this WC would be remebered for many things. First of all, Paul the Octopus for rightly predicting the winners. In the process, he has made fans all around the world but, at the same time, there are foes who have been suggesting many interesting octopus recipe.Secondly, Shakira for "Waka- Waka". And who can forget the ever popular Maradona for his comments and gestures on the field. And there was the Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme's promise which she finally fulfilled. Moreover, its a victory for South Africa, who proved wrong to those who had earlier doubted its ability to host the Football WC.

Btw, I forgot to mention the Vuvuzela which become synonymous to celebrations of joy. And of course, the world now got familiar with "Jabulani - the ball", "Zakumi - the Mascot" and "Bafana Bafana - the boys" will have to wait for another four year for Brazil.

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Its time for Africa - 2010 Football World Cup

The 2010 FIFA football world cup is in its final stage with only 4 teams left. What wonders me is the effect of this world cup on this Cricket frenzy country. Almost everyone seems to have engulfed in it. And the advantage of being an Indian is that you have the options of 32 teams to support for. And when your favourite team loses, you can always change for another team. If I were to pick two teams among those who have already been knocked out, that would be Japan and Ghana. The way they have carried themselves in this tournament has been amazing. Relying simply in their strengths with a strong belief that they can do it. With the whole Asia behind Japan and the whole of Africa supporting Ghana, it has been tremendous.
Sports can bring changes and believe me, it can do wonders. For instance, take the example of Manipur which is constantly in the news for the 2 months long blockade affecting every facets of life. But due to the World Cup fever , it is reported that the rate of crimes and conflicts have been reduced drastically in this troubled state.And coming to the question of who will lift the cup, I would say it would be either the Germans or the Dutch.

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Of an IPL evening

Nearly 40,000 people gathered for the 3rd IPL edition league match between the CSK (Chennai Super Kings) and the Mumbai Indians that happened last Tuesday in Chennai . On that account, I took a break from the office for the evening and went straight to the stadium. It was a typical Chennai evening - hot and humid, but there was no lack of enthusiasm in the crowd.
Although CSK won the match comprehensively, there were few things that I noticed.

1) Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has a huge fan following all over the country. Every time he was in the act, the crowd goes wild. Its truly unbelievable how this man carried the expectation of millions for more than 2 decades. Though majority of the crowd was supporting the home team, but in their hearts of heart, they were cheering this man. It was the hot weather and not the opponent that got him out. And there was this guy who had painted his body with the India flag and with the name of his idol. People say he use to go to every match that Tendulkar plays. Luckily, I manage to click this one. I have heard of mad fans. I have seen one.

2. " Bollinger Bollinger?" - the crowd cheering for an Australian bowler. Truly, he is Chennai's adopted son. Hayden and Hussey too had their share of cheers.

3. The Cheerleaders dancing on some Tamil numbers throughout the match. Poor girls. Many a times they wondered what the song was all about. In the end they had stopped caring if their movements were in sync with the music.

4. And I was cheering for the CSK religiously. I have embraced this place. Haven't I ?


PS:-
Its time the media especially the news channels needs to prioritised things. This whole Shoaib-Ayesha-Sania crap have been utilising most of the bandwidth. I sometimes wonder how they can keep telecasting about the menu of the wedding, what Sania would wear on her wedding and all other craps amidst the unfortunate Maoist massacre incident. And even watching an IPL match on Set Max is a pain. Its like watching little cricket in between the advertisements.

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The Epic final: Nadal tames Federer

The match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Wimbledon's final was special in its own genre. Many believe that it was the greatest match ever played in the history of Tennis Grand slams. Nothing could stop Nadal from becoming a Champion. Even the Rain God was on the other side.
It was a competition between Federer's genius and Nadal's muscle power. Beating your opponent in his own hunting ground is never easy. But Nadal has done that and he deserves it. In no way Federer look out of his form. Every now and then he consistently displays his midas touch. Federer is a born genius. Its amazing to see how he carries himself. He is one of the most loved sportsperson in the world. He hardly shows his emotions. It would be interesting to see how Federer goes from here. He still looks strong. I believe he would come up strongly from here. But then Nadal has raised his standard. It is not Federer who is degrading but Nadal who has raised himself to his opponent's level. It was the confidence in himself that Nadal relies on. Last year Nadal was on the other side. He was the one who was defeated.But this time he is the King and Federer is on the other side. Flushing Meadows is waiting for them for another epic clash.It would be interesting to see how Federer tries to regain his supremacy and Nadal will be there flexing his muscle.

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DLF IPL Twenty20 - An image of present India

The summer season is on with the mercury rising above 40 degree Celsius but the energy levels are also high. One could only visualize it with the way the DLF IPL Twenty20 tournament is on its course. Cricket is more than a sport in India. Everyone in India seems to be involved with this sport in one way or another. This avatar of cricket is enormous in the sense the amount of money that has been put into it. People who are associated with each team are no ordinary individuals. They include successful film stars and industrialists who have excelled in their respective fields. The way the tournament has been conducted has to be appreciated. The auction of the players was one of its kind in India.
But one question pops up "Will this format of the game going to dilute the original essence of Cricket?". Well, the gurus of cricket always felt that Test Cricket would retain its place what so ever happens.Only time will tell us the answer to this question. It would be hard for someone to watch a One day match or even worse a Test match after this IPL revolution. One cannot simply forget the amount of enjoyment in a Twenty20 match. In almost 4 hrs of the match, you could experience everything from good cricket being displayed to the dancing tunes being played. The Cheerleaders add glamour and encouragement to the viewers. There is hardly any dull moment in the whole match.
Truly speaking, there has also been a good amount of Cricket being played. The players have taken it seriously which has made the tournament successful.The DLF IPL Twenty20 is truly an image of present India. A country with immense resources of youth and energy.The World is taking keen interests in the developments happening in India... IPL Twenty20 is just the beginning...................

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