Thursday, September 30, 2010

UC Berkeley to cut 5 sports teams to lower costs

BERKELEY (AP) — In its latest move to cut costs, the University of California, Berkeley, is eliminating five of its intercollegiate sports programs, including its championship men's rugby team, officials said Tuesday.

Cal's baseball, men's and women's gymnastics, and women's lacrosse teams will no longer represent the university in intercollegiate competition after this academic year, officials said.

The men's rugby team, which has won 25 national championships since 1980, will move into a new category called "varsity club sport," which officials say will allow the team to continue playing and competing on campus but become financially self-sustaining.

Reducing the number of intercollegiate teams from 29 to 24 will save an estimated $4 million a year and affect 163 of the school's more than 800 student-athletes, as well as 13 full-time coaches.

After the teams are eliminated, the university will continue to honor promised scholarships to the affected students or help them transfer to other schools if they want to pursue their athletic careers, officials said.

UC Berkeley administrators said they decided to cut the five teams after considering a variety of factors, including cost, student diversity, impact on donations and compliance with Title IX, the federal law that requires gender equity in school sports and other activities.

"Clearly, this is a painful outcome after months of deliberations, analysis and the examination of every viable alternative," UC Berkeley director of athletics Sandy Barbour said in a statement. "I deeply regret the impact this will have on so many valued members of our community."

UC Berkeley is the latest public university in California to cut sports teams after the state slashed funding to higher education to close its massive budget deficit.

In April, UC Davis announced it was eliminating four of its 27 intercollegiate sports programs — women's rowing, men's wrestling, men's swimming and diving, and men's indoor track and field — this academic year. Those program cuts affected about 150 students and seven coaches.


 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Taiwanese basketball fan lives her dream

FEATURE : Taiwanese basketball fan lives her dream


By Chris Wang
CNA, WITH STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010, Page 19

Nancy Liu has often woken up during the past six months not knowing where she was. All she knew was she was somewhere in Europe ?X and that??s exactly how she wanted it.

Liu is an uncommonly dedicated sports fan, even by basketball junkie standards. She quit her job and visited 33 European cities in 63 days from March to May to watch professional basketball games in person.


??I love the swishing sound of a basketball going through the net. And I??m uncomfortable if I don??t play basketball for two or three days,?? said Liu, who started playing basketball in the fifth grade when she attended an international school in Beijing.


Already familiar with the American basketball scene, including the professional NBA and the college game, Liu said her passion for the sport took her to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to explore an area she was less familiar.


Liu quit her job at an international trading company and started to map out her plan to visit as many European teams and leagues as possible.


Helped by the many friends she made while volunteering at various local sporting events, including the Jones Cup basketball tournament, the Kaohsiung World Games and the Taipei Deaflympics, Liu arranged about 70 percent of her itinerary before departing on what she called ??A Basketball Dream ?X Ballin?? Europe.??


The basketball-loving girl, who majored in applied chemistry at Taiwan??s National Chiao Tung University, began her basketball pilgrimage by attending a Swiss professional league game in Geneva less than 24 hours after arriving there.


In the following two months, the journey took Liu to numerous cities in eight countries ?X Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece.


In all, Liu attended 25 games and watched 50 teams play in various European domestic leagues, as well as the Eurocup Finals and the Euroleague Final Four ?X both top-tier European basketball competitions.


Liu estimated that, on average, she slept less than three hours a night during her stay in Europe and visited as many as three cities in a day.


After the two-month trip, she spent three months in Beijing working as an intern at NBA China and returned to Taiwan for one day before resuming her travels.


This time she visited Turkey for the 2010 FIBA Men??s World Championship and attended all of the tournament??s games, while getting to see her favorite player ?X Rudy ­Fernandez of Spain ?X play in person.


To save money during her European travels, Liu said she spent all but one night staying at friends?? places and ended up spending only around NT$200,000 on the trip.


??Most of my budget was spent on transportation ?X flight tickets, train tickets and bus fares,?? Liu said.


She also had to overcome ??the unthinkable?? in Europe, such as a French railway strike and the disruption of European air traffic by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland that left European skies filled with an impenetrable ash.


Newspapers in Serbia and Greece gave extensive coverage to her ambitious trip, Liu said. She was also interviewed by FIBA during the World Championship.


Liu recalled that her parents expressed concern about the trip when she first brought up the idea, but her father finally gave the ­go-ahead because ??he didn??t want me to miss the opportunity to realize my dream.??


Her European trek has not brought her dream to an end. If anything, it was only the beginning of loftier ambitions, including a return to Europe for next year??s European Championship, which will be held in Lithuania next summer.


Liu??s dream now extends beyond watching basketball games.


??I want to be involved in and initiate basketball-related non-government organization projects which inspire children and the underprivileged through the sport,?? said Liu, who described herself as being broke and is looking for a job to support her future plans.


??Basketball has been the inspiration to lift myself out of bed every morning since I was 13. I hope that the sport ?X and my journey ?X would be an inspiration for other people as well,?? she said.


 


 

California to cut five varsity sports, including baseball

The University of California announced Tuesday it will drop five varsity sports, including baseball, after this school year as part of an effort to substantially reduce the university's subsidization of its athletics program.The move constitutes one of the most dramatic sets of athletics cost-cutting measures for a school with an elite-level program. It comes amid an economic crunch that has led to drastic reductions in state higher-education funding in California — reductions that have been occurring while the Berkeley campus' financial support of its 29-team athletics program has steadily increased. That support went from $7.4 million in 2007-08 to $8.1 million, plus a $5.6 million loan, in 2008-09, to $12.1 million in 2009-10.

"This is not sustainable for our campus," chancellor Robert Birgeneau wrote in a letter to the Cal community. ". .. The situation has raised heated debate about the size and cost of our Intercollegiate Athletics program among many of our campus constituencies."

The cuts are scheduled to save $4 million in the 2011-12, the university said. The decrease in teams from 29 to 24 will affect 163 of the school's more than 800 athletes, as well as 13 full-time coaches. Even with the cuts, Cal remains one of the Bowl Subdivision's broadest programs. The average number of sports in FBS is 20.

Cal was ninth in last year's Learfield Sports Directors Cup competition, which measures the overall competitive success of athletic departments.

In the past year, two separate campus task forces – one appointed by Birgeneau, one by the faculty senate – examined Cal's athletics program and independently arrived at similar recommendations, including the need for the campus to significantly reduce its financial support.

In addition to baseball, which Cal has had since 1892, men's and women's gymnastics, women's lacrosse will be discontinued. Men's rugby will become what Cal is calling a "varsity club" sport. (Rugby has existed as a varsity team at Cal since 1882, but Cal is the only NCAA Division I school at which the sport has such status.)

The only Football Bowl Subdivision school to have had comparable cuts, according to Cal research, is Rutgers, which sliced six teams after the 2006-07 school year. Washington, Arizona State and UCLA are the only Pacific-10 Conference schools to have eliminated any teams in the past 20 years, and none of those schools eliminated more than three. When the conference expands to 12 schools in 2011-12, Cal and Colorado will be the only ones without baseball.

Cal has been to the NCAA baseball tournament 10 times, most recently in 2008. The Bears last won an NCAA baseball title in 1957.

In a news release, the university said it plans to reduce its financial support of athletics to approximately $5 million a year by the 2013-14 school year.

The rest of the gap is expected to be covered by increases in revenue from a new conference media contract and other increases in revenue the athletics department will have to generate. Altogether, Cal expects athletics revenue to grow to $69 million in 2014 from $57 million in 2010 and expects expenses to grow to $74 million from $69 million in 2010.

In addition, the university said, the $5.6 million loan to athletics department is scheduled to be repaid in yearly installments of $560,000.

Calling these "very painful decisions" for Cal, athletics director Sandy Barbour said schools across the country are going to "need to take a very, very hard look at what they are spending (on athletics) and why."

A USA TODAY analysis of college sports finance data earlier this year found the following:

— FBS athletics programs drew a greater percentage of their revenue from student fees and their schools' general funds in 2008-09 than they had in any of the previous four years.

— Counting only revenue generated by the athletic departments — including money from ticket sales, donations, radio/TV and marketing rights payments — the number of schools able to cover their athletic expenditures fell to 14 in 2009, down from 25 the previous year.

— At more than three dozen FBS schools in university systems that have seen drops in state funding for higher education in the last five years, overall athletic expenses have risen by about 29%.

"I know this was an extremely difficult decision for Cal given their tremendous commitment to a broadbased sports program, which has been one of the largest in the country," said Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott. "Unfortunately, today's announcement highlights what is at stake due to the significant financial pressure schools and athletic departments are under. It also reinforces the importance for our conference to continue an aggressive effort to increase support and opportunities for our schools and student-athletes in the future."

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Cal cuts baseball, rugby, three other sports

Cal’s varsity baseball team has struck out.


The University of California, Berkeley, will cut its baseball program and four other varsity sports to save money.


Cal has been agonizing this year how to cut its budget by millions of dollars. These cuts, it said, will save about $4 million in the first year after the move.


The school’s also cutting men’s rugby, which has won the national crown 25 times. Men’s and women’s gymnastics and women’s lacrosse will also be eliminated.


Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said the rugby team’s record means it will continue to get some support from the university, including help recruiting athletes and via access to sports medicine and training facilities.


Cal will have 24 varsity sports after these five are cut. Of its 800 student-athletes, 163 will be affected, 38 of them in baseball, 61 in rugby, 34 in gymnastics and 30 in lacrosse.


 

Chelsea, Arsenal notch up wins

Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, left, jumps over a tackle by Marseille's Andre Ayew. Photo / AP

English sides Chelsea and Arsenal both bounced back from Premier League loses to continue perfect starts to the Champions League.


Chelsea eased by French side Marseille 2-0 at Stamford Bridge while Arsenal needed two late goals to win 3-1 away at Partizan Belgrade.


First-half goals by John Terry and Nicolas Anelka were enough to secure a second win for Chelsea.


Terry flicked in a corner in the seventh minute and Anelka added the second with a disputed penalty in the 28th.


The English champions, who had lost two matches in a row coming into the game, were poor after the break but still hit the post twice, through Alex and Michael Essien.


It was Chelsea's second successive group win - after a 4-1 win at Zilina - and it stays top on goal difference from Spartak Moscow, which also has six points from six.


Marseille remains without a point after two games, having lost to Spartak 1-0 two weeks ago.


Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci scored two late goals to help Arsenal beat 10-man Partizan Belgrade.


Arsenal converted its first chance in the match with Jack Wilshere surging ahead and delivering a backheel pass to Andrey Arshavin, who drilled the ball home past Partizan goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic in the 15th minute.


But Cleo tied the score in the 33rd from the penalty spot after Arsenal defender Denilson handled the ball inside the penalty area. Arshavin then missed a penalty for Arsenal, before Chamakh made it 2-1 in the 71st by slotting in his own rebound after hitting the bar with a header. Squillaci sealed the victory on a close-range header in the 82nd.


In other matches nine-time winner Real Madrid took control of its group with a 1-0 victory over Auxerre as AC Milan was held to a 1-1 draw at Ajax.


Substitute Angel Di Maria scored in the 81st minute to clinch Madrid's second straight win, giving the Spanish side a two-point lead over Milan in Group G.


In Group E, leader Bayern Munich rallied to beat Basel 2-1.


First Round


Group E
FC Basel (Switzerland) 1, Bayern Munich (Germany) 2
AS Roma (Italy) 2, Cluj (Romania) 1


Group F
Spartak Moscow (Russia) 3, Zilina (Slovakia) 0
Chelsea (England) 2, Marseille (France) 0


Group G
Ajax (Netherlands) 1, AC Milan (Italy) 1
Auxerre (France) 0, Real Madrid (Spain) 1


Group H
Braga (Portugal) 0, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 3
Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) 1, Arsenal (England) 3


-AP


 

Team Canada soccer players return with Homeless World Cup Fair Play Award

They represented Canada and fair play in their own homeless way.


Yes, Canada’s homeless soccer stars played the Canadian way – it’s not whether you win, it’s how you play the game.


So the Team Canada football team came away with the only trophy that really mattered to them – the 2010 Homeless World Cup Fair Play Award.


“It was the best experience of my life, except for having a baby,” said a jet-lagged Richard Mountain, just off the plane from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “Our neighbours were Korea, Italy, Norway, Poland and Cambodia – we became best friends.


“But the highlight for me was playing with the Brazilian kids on the beach – they’re wicked.”


Striker Peter Chow liked the pre-game spectacle almost as much as the game – particularly New Zealand’s fearsome Maori haka and Canada’s pre-game native chant.


“They had their fearsome eyes and intense looks, and we had our power and spirit in our voices,’ said the six-goal scorer. “It was their First Nations against our First Nations.”


Coach Alan Bates, a UBC resident doctor, was proud the team didn’t get a single card for fouling the other teams.


“It was awesome – there was so much happening every day, so many games,” said Bates. “The guys were great at meeting people, making tons of friends, and we got quite a fan base. They were great ambassadors for Canada.”


The sportsmanlike team was singled out to come back with their sporting spirit intact to the 2011 Homeless World Cup in France.


 

Sugary sports drinks not as healthy as thought

The flavoured and sports beverages containing sugar are not as healthy as believed.

Researchers at the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at The University of Texas have suggested that children who extensively engage themselves into these drinks are putting their health at risk.


"Children and parents associate these drinks with a healthy lifestyle despite their increased amount of sugar and lack of nutritional value," said Nalini Ranjit, principal investigator of the study.


Researchers examined the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, unhealthy and healthy foods and physical activity levels of 8th and 11th grade students to determine the relationship between beverage consumption and other behaviours.


Sugar-sweetened beverages are drinks that contain added caloric sweeteners such as sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, including a large variety of carbonated and noncarbonated drinks but excluding 100 percent fruit juice.


"Sports drinks have been successfully marketed as beverages consistent with a healthy lifestyle, which has set them apart from sodas.


"However they have minimal fruit juice and contain unnecessary calories," said Ranjit.


Study results have suggested there is a popular misperception of flavoured and sports beverages being consistent with a healthy lifestyle, despite their sugary content.


Researchers in the study found that 28 percent of Texas children are consuming sugar-sweetened beverages three or more times a day. Among boys, the average daily consumption of soda increased from 8th to 11th grade while consumption of non-carbonated flavored and sports beverages remained steady.


Soda consumption in girls remained steady from 8th to 11th grade and consumption of non-carbonated flavored and sports beverages declined substantially.


"High levels of consumption of these beverages have the potential to increase weight gain.


"Drinking just one can of soda or other sugary beverage a day could lead to more than a 10-pound weight gain in a year," said Ranjit.


The study would appear in the October issue of Pediatrics. (ANI)


 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Red Olympic mittens making Canadian comeback

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — The hottest souvenir of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is back with a new look.The wildly popular red mittens have been relaunched by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Hudson's Bay Company with a new design. The first edition that sold about 3.5 million pairs included a white Maple Leaf on the palm and the Olympic rings on top.

The new set features a much larger Maple Leaf that wraps around each hand and the word "Canada" on the cuff.

Canada's Olympians are banking, literally, on the new version of the $10 mitts being as popular as the first, which generated $14 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification.Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.

 

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Only few athletes pulled out of games, says Mike Hooper

The Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Hooper on Saturday said that only a small number of athletes have withdrawn themselves from the Games.

He said that some athletes have pulled out for variety of reasons, security concerns, health concerns with dengue, conflicting sporting events, injury. But it is not as though hundred athletes have withdrawn.


He added that he is satisfied with the security arrangements at the Games venues.


"With the deployment of 80,000 police, 7,500 paramilitary, 3,000 commanders, lot of hi-tech stuff, I mean, it may well be that some people will perceive the security environment a little bit oppressive, but it's safe and secure, and that's what we want to have, safe and secure. I'd rather that than there be any incidents in and around Games venues," said Hooper.


He added that he is pleased with the cleaning up of the Games village, but maintained that it should have been done well in advance.


"Clearly there are still concerns that the team leaders out there at the Village are voicing them daily and ... fear to acknowledge there has been good progress over the last three-four days. All of this should have been done way in advance and been ready for them. It is very frustrating that we are where we are," said Hooper.


"But we have to accept that and get as much done as possible in the next couple of days. Deploy, as Mister Fennell asked the cabinet Secretary, and, I believe, as Government of India is now responding, deploy whatever is necessary to put things right," he added.


The Games are due to commence on October 3 and end on the 14th.


India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states. (ANI)


 

Brain injuries raise questions about future of football

Owen Thomas wasn't an NFL superstar. He didn't even play for a big U.S. college team. But now, months after his passing, the way the young defensive lineman died is casting a shadow over football and raising questions about the sport's very future.


The 21-year-old Thomas played for the University of Pennsylvania, a school known more for academics than athletics. The popular athlete hung himself in April, just a couple of weeks after being named a team captain.


His suicide shocked his family, who say he showed no signs of depression before his death. There was further shock when it was revealed last week that Thomas had died with signs of a brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy.


CTE is a brain condition that is caused by repeated hits to the head and concussions. It leads to behavioural changes, including erratic behaviour, dementia, depression and, sadly, suicide. Doctors who examined Thomas's brain say he showed mild -- but definite --signs of the condition.


Repeated blows to the head and questions about their long-term effects are nothing new to sport. Indeed, CTE is also called dementia pugilistica, or "punch-drunk syndrome," a term used for years to describe the behavioural changes seen in boxers later in life. The dementia that has afflicted countless boxers through the years, including Floyd Patterson, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis, is thought to have derived from "punch-drunk syndrome."


In recent years, researchers have zeroed in on the distinct brain markings of CTE in former NFL players. It's been identified in more than 20 deceased players. Recently, autopsies on former Philadelphia Eagle Andre Waters, who committed suicide, and Chris Henry, who died after falling off the back of a truck during a domestic dispute, also revealed CTE.


Mike Webster, a legendary centre for the Pittsburgh Steelers, suffered for years from amnesia, dementia and depression. The Hall of Famer ended up homeless and died at the age of 50. He too was diagnosed with CTE after his death.


Last year, Reggie Fleming, a hard-nosed NHLer from the 1960s and 1970s became the first hockey player diagnosed with CTE. His son told the New York Times that his father had struggled with emotional problems following his retirement.


What makes Thomas' death and diagnosis so disturbing is that unlike former players like Webster and Fleming, he was so very young.


Dr. Charles Tator, a University of Toronto professor of neurosurgery, who has long researched brain and spinal trauma, says it's only recently that doctors have begun to take seriously the long-term effects of concussions.


"During my early career, a concussion was felt to be quite innocent. In fact, we used all kinds of words to describe them, like "dings" and "bell-ringers". But in, oh, the last 10 years I would say, doctors are starting to think of concussions as brain injuries," he told CTV.ca.


Tator says many questions about concussions still need to be answered, most notably: how do repeated head blows turn into a degenerative brain disease like CTE?


"That is the question. Nobody knows the answer to that question. And that's why it's important for researchers to study this carefully, and that's why the Boston group has jumped on this very aggressively," he says.


Tator is referring to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, created in 2008 by Boston University researchers and the Sports Legacy Institute. They've been examining the brains of former athletes, including NFL players, to better understand CTE.


What's interesting with Owen Thomas is that although he had played football since grade school, his family says he was never once diagnosed with a concussion.


That raises even more troubling questions: Is it possible that even head trauma milder than a concussion could lead to CTE? Or was Thomas actually being concussed and feeling pressured to ignore the signs?


TSN commentator Matt Dunigan knows well the pressures football players place on themselves. The former CFL quarterback suffered 12 documented concussions through his 14 years with the league. The end finally came when he suffered four big hits in one game.


Dunigan tells CTV.ca he knew after the first two hits that his career was over. And yet he went back on the field for another series, sustaining two more hits that finally "drove the nail in the coffin."


He says players at the college and professional level are highly competitive athletes who don't want to have to stop playing.


"As an athlete or a competitor, that's what you do for a living. You get to the point where you perform at a level of excellence, physically and mentally. You're working your tail off to keep your body as its highest possible level and you try to ride that out as long as possible," he says, in his well-known Texas drawl.


Today, more than a decade after that last game, Dunigan still lives with memory loss, headaches and other effects from all those hits to his head.


"The ability to speak properly is an ongoing challenge for me. To this day, 14 years later, I still deal with post-concussion syndrome and its effects. And that is why working for TSN has been such a blessing. It's great medicine; it forces me to be concise, precise and clear with my thoughts," he says.


Dunigan says that when he retired in 1996, there was awareness of concussions, but no guidelines or protocols for returning to play. He says he is heartened to see the NFL making changes in the last year and finally taking concussions seriously.


"I think the game is taking steps in the right direction. The medical field and those involved in all levels of the sport are starting to understand this and take it seriously and move in the right direction, which is good for everybody," he says.


Others are less optimistic.


Former Chicago Bears safety Matt Bowen recently wrote a column in the Chicago Tribune to say that as a now-retired, 35-year-old father, his football legacy of daily crushing headaches makes him question whether his seven years in the NFL were worth it.


He suggests players have far too much at stake to admit to concussions and risk being sidelined for weeks.


"Without the guaranteed contracts we see in Major League Baseball or the NBA, NFL players will continue to sacrifice their health and their future by playing through concussions," he wrote.


"No one wants to sit out and no one wants to become a ghost — that player who can't practise or can't play, who is tucked away in the training room while someone else is out there on that field stealing your money and your future."


Other football columnists worry that as the light begins to shine on just how dangerous football concussions are to young players, the very fate of the game could be in jeopardy.


"If the NFL, NCAA, and other football bodies do not take serious action right now to combat the constant, destructive head trauma that is as much a football staple as the extra point, the sport could face a massive decline in popularity and relevance over the next 20 to 30 years," wrote The Atlantic sports columnist Jake Simpson earlier this week.


As for Owen Thomas, his death is already bringing about changes for younger football players. This week, his mother, the Rev. Kathy Brearley, testified before a U.S. House committee that's drafting legislation to require high schools to develop plans for concussion safety and management and increase student and parent awareness of their dangers.


 

Bulgarian Volleyball Nationals Defeat China at World Championship

Bulgaria: Bulgarian Volleyball Nationals Defeat China at World Championship
Bulgarian volleyball star, Matey Kaziyski. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian national volleyball team has started with a victory its participation in the World Championship in Italy.


The Bulgarians, led by Italian coach Silvano Prandi, defeated China by 25-14, 25-19, 25-22 in their first group match.


Prandi has stated he was content with the good start at the World Championship, but has also criticized the game of his players.


"We are happy about the victory, this is the most important thing. However, in general, it was not a display of good skills. Both teams made a lot of mistakes. The good news is that we won. But I hope we will play better in the next game," he said.


However, the captain of the Bulgarian team, Vladimir Nikolov, has stated that the defeat over China was not achieved easily.


"We know we are a good team. Physically, we feel great. There was a tension in the match against China and they played a great third game. It is good that we will face France after a good victory because the match against them will be difficult," he said.


Both Nikolov and one of the top Bulgarian volleyball players, Matey Kaziyski, scored 14 points.


Kaziyski has expressed his gratitude towards the fans, which supported the team in Torino, Italy.


"I am surprised by the Bulgarian fans, they were amazing. We made a very good first step in the championship. I expect a very good match with France and a victory for Bulgaria," he said.

Friday, September 24, 2010

New NBA Jerseys Meant to Absorb Less Sweat

Filed at 7:03 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Dwight Howard proudly recalls making a 3-pointer during the last All-Star game.

It must have been the shirt.

The NBA is rolling out new uniforms, a lighter model tested during the All-Star game, and Howard says they'll improve his performance.

''It's just like the shoes,'' the Orlando Magic center said. ''The lighter the shoes, the faster you are, the higher you may jump.''

The new uniforms, called the NBA Revolution 30, were introduced Wednesday by the league and Adidas at the NBA Store. The company says the uniforms are 30 percent lighter and will dry twice as fast as previous uniforms.

The old uniforms became so heavy once wet that some players changed uniforms at halftime. In the new model, Adidas changed the numbers from a dense material to a breathable mesh.

''I actually thought when I first got them on that the jerseys had a cooling system on the inside to keep your body cool, something like an air conditioner in your jersey,'' said Howard, who has an endorsement contract with Adidas. ''That's what it feels like.''

The Revolution 30, made from 60 percent recycled materials, was tested over four years and will debut this season.

''Our goal at Adidas is to help make athletes stronger, lighter, and faster, whether you're playing in the finals or a pickup game with your friends,'' Adidas vice president of global basketball Lawrence Norman said in a statement. ''The new NBA Revolution 30 uniforms incorporate the best in design and technology to create the most advanced basketball uniform system.''

Howard is one of the NBA's strongest players and among the most athletic centers. Superman could be even better now with the equivalent of a new cape.

''One small thing can be the difference,'' he said.


View the original article here

Gold Coast break goal drought

Gold Coast players celebrate with John Curtis after he scored the match-winner against Newcastle. Photo / Getty Images

Former Manchester United defender John Curtis ended Gold Coast United's record home-game goal drought with a stunning left-foot shot in the dying stages of Wednesday night's A-League clash with Newcastle at Skilled Stadium.

In front of only 2091 spectators - only 54 more than their record low set last Sunday - Curtis broke free down the right hand wing and slammed a shot from the top of the penalty box which bounced off the cross bar and into the net to give the home side a 1-0 win.

The goal also brought an end to a 584-minute home-game goal drought - the worst in NSL/A-League history.

Until Wednesday night, the record was held by Preston which went 497 minutes between home-game goals in 1991.

Just like they did last Sunday against the Central Coast Mariners, United dominated the play but failed to set up quality shots.

Instead United's forwards were guilty of blazing away from outside the penalty box almost in hope that one of their hackneyed attempts would find the net.

First Andrew Barisic had a wild attempt from some 30m in the sixth minute and Jason Culina also threw caution to the wind with a couple of prayer kicks outside the penalty box.

The only genuine chance and well thought out attempt by United in the first half was in the 13th minute when Steven Fitzsimmons found an unmarked Robson at the top of the penalty box.

Unselfishly, Robson crossed to Barisic who was streaming in down the wing and inside the penalty area, but his shot was lame and lacked direction and slammed straight into Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy.

United looked more dangerous when they switched play and used Adama Traore to bring the ball into their attacking half.

The Jets, who were saved from folding by mining magnate Nathan Tinkler, lacked creativity and seemed content on stonewalling United in the first half.

After the break, they were far more potent and were able to shut down a lot of United's midfield forays.

The Jets' aggressive approach almost paid off in the 61st minute when the ball pinged around the penalty area between Ruben Zadovich, Nikolai Topor Stanley and Jobe Wheelhouse and was kicked clear only a metre from the goal line.

Just five minutes later Zadovich had the best chance to score when he was clear just inside the penalty box.

His well struck right foot shot was brilliantly saved by United goalkeeper Glen Moss.

- AAP


View the original article here

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks at top of Carmelo Anthony's trade wish list

Updated: September 22, 2010, 1:38 AM ETBy Chad Ford and Marc Stein
ESPN.com

Carmelo Anthony's wish list starts with the New York Knicks, but that's not the only trade destination he's targeting.

Sources briefed on the state of Anthony's ongoing push to be dealt by the Denver Nuggets told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Chicago Bulls are a firm 1A on his list. This is partly attributed to the fact that the Bulls are much closer to assembling the sort of package Denver would want in return for its franchise player than the Knicks.

Over the last 72 hours, sources said, Anthony's representatives -- headed by agent Leon Rose -- have been ramping up the pressure on the Nuggets to complete a deal with the Knicks or the Bulls before training camps open leaguewide next week.

Sources say that Denver officials, however, are not inclined to rush into anything. ESPN.com reported Sunday night that the Nuggets, in recent days, have been telling interested teams for the first time that they are willing to field offers for Anthony after resisting such inquiries for weeks.

Anthony Anthony

But even as the Nuggets have opted to see what sort of haul can be had for their high-scoring forward, there remains strong sentiment within the organization to slow the process down in hopes of mounting one last campaign to win back Anthony's support.

The Nuggets, sources said, are clinging to the hope that Anthony might reconsider his trade-me stance once he starts hearing some Denver-friendly voices upon reporting to camp after weeks of isolation from the organization.

Anthony will be greeted by the likes of head coach George Karl and trusted teammate Chauncey Billups trying to convince the 26-year-old that his current team is not far away from a return to contention in the Western Conference and that the foundation of the group that reached the West finals in 2009 should not be scrapped.

Yet sources say that the message from Anthony's camp to the Nuggets has stayed consistent: New York and Chicago are the preferred landing spots, with New Jersey and Houston also still in the conversation.

The Nets remain a viable option because of their planned move to Brooklyn and because the Nets have what several rival executives believe to be the deepest cache of assets to satisfy Denver's trade demands in its worst-case scenario.

Though the Rockets are the fourth known team in the Anthony sweepstakes, multiple sources close to the situation insisted Friday that Houston is not making guard Kevin Martin part of the discussions. The Nuggets, sources maintain, would expect a combination of expiring contracts, future first-round draft picks and at least one marketable young talent if they ultimately concede that Anthony must be traded between now and the February trading deadline.

The Nuggets have offered Anthony, who can become a free agent next July, a three-year extension worth $65 million.

ESPN.com reported Monday that the Nets are widely regarded in NBA front-office circles as the frontrunner for Anthony. New Jersey is reportedly willing to package No. 3 overall pick Derrick Favors with the expiring contracts of Troy Murphy and Kris Humphries and at least one future first-rounder.

It's believed that the Nets, though, would insist on Anthony agreeing to a contract extension as part of the trade -- as Kevin Garnett did when Minnesota sent him to Boston in the summer of 2007 -- before they agree to surrender assets such as Favors and draft picks.

The Bulls could theoretically trump any New Jersey offer if they were willing to include center Joakim Noah as part of a deal for Anthony. Sources with knowledge of Chicago's thinking, however, have maintained for days that the Bulls are strongly against the inclusion of Noah, revealing instead that Chicago has offered a package featuring Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and one future first-rounder.

Playing alongside former Team USA teammate Amare Stoudemire in New York is thought to hold the greatest appeal to Anthony, something Stoudemire openly discussed earlier in the summer. The Knicks, though, simply lack the draft picks to sweeten a package that sources say would be centered around Eddy Curry's expiring contract and either Danilo Gallinari or Anthony Randolph -- but not both of those young players.

The Knicks, Bulls and Nets all stand to benefit from Denver's determination to send Anthony out of the Western Conference if it decides there is no alternative apart from trading him, but sources close to the process note that a third team would almost certainly have to be recruited to help facilitate a deal.

Reports have persisted for weeks that Anthony, wielding the hammer of his potential free agency in the wake of the defections of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami, wants out. ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported Aug. 16 that it was "a matter of when, not if, Anthony and the Nuggets will go their separate ways."

But Anthony has not made any such declarations publicly, announcing Tuesday night via his Twitter feed: "Everyone has [their] own opinion. It's funny. It cracks me up."

Yet Anthony did add in a follow-up tweet: "When I know something ... you guys will know something."

Chad Ford and Marc Stein are senior NBA writers for ESPN.com.


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Kylie Huerta commits to Eastern for basketball

September 21, 2010 at 7:12 PM

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Posted by Sandy Ringer

Kylie Huerta, who helped Kentwood win the 2008-09 Class 4A state girls basketball championship as a sophomore, has made an oral commitment to play at Eastern.

"I took my unofficial visit there and just really loved it," the 5-foot-2 guard said Tuesday evening.

Huerta averaged 19 points, 4 assists and 3.4 assists as a junior last season as Kentwood reached the 2010 state quarterfinals, where they lost to Mead of Spokane. She was voted the co-MVP of he South Puget Sound League 4A North Division with Mercedes Wetmore, who led Auburn Riverside to the state title and is now at Washington. Both Huerta and Wetmore were on the 2010 Star Times All-Area team.

Huerta played with the Spokane Stars this past summer and said she considers Spokane a second home now. Eastern is only about 10 minutes away.

Kentwood returns all but one starter from the 2009-10 team and is expected to be among the contenders for the 4A state title.


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Oz discus champ withdraws from Delhi CWG citing health, safety fears

Citing concerns over health and security in Delhi, Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels has withdrawn from the country's Commonwealth Games team.

Samuels, who claimed gold in the discus at last year's world championships in Berlin, informed Australian team officials of her decision this afternoon.

Her coach, Denis Knowles, said Samuels' withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games was "not an easy decision" and was due in part to Sunday's shooting of two Taiwanese tourists in Delhi and the recent outbreak of dengue fever there.

Samuels has become the first athlete to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games on account of health and or security fears, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Her move comes on the same day that senior New Zealand officials raised the prospect of pulling their team out of the Commonwealth Games due to the poor state of the athletes' village. (ANI)


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Top British athletes pull out of Delhi Commonwealth Games

English athletes Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey have all pulled out of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games over security concerns and injury woes.

World triple jump champion Idowu has concerns over security preparations for the Games, whereas Ohuruogu and Dobriskey both have injury worries.

All three were due to defend their Commonwealth titles in Delhi, The BBC reports.

Idowu wrote on Twitter: "Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal."

Ohuruogu, the Olympic 400m champion, said she did not want to risk aggravating a muscle problem after suffering cramp during training.

Dobriskey, who hails from Kent, won the 1500m at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, but has been troubled by a leg injury.

In a statement on her official website, Ohuruogu said: "I am disappointed... but the last thing an athlete wants is to re-risk injury to the same muscle." (ANI)


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Sophomores power Assumption past Male 4-0

Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:00 AM By Jason Frakes jfrakes@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal

The record isn't up to Assumption High School soccer standards, but the Rockets are starting to show signs that they'll once again contend for a Seventh Region title.

Assumption's Jenna Gerstle, left, tries to control a pass during Tuesday night's game against Male. (By Matt Stone, The Courier-Journal) Sept. 21, 2010

Assumption got goals from four sophomores and recorded its second shutout in as many days in a 4-0 victory over visiting Male on Tuesday.

The Rockets are ranked No.16 in the state but are just 4-8-2. That includes a 1-6-2 mark against top-25 teams.

"We knew it was going to take us awhile to get organized defensively, and we've had a remarkably difficult schedule," said coach Kenyon Meyer, who lost nine seniors from last year's 14-8-2 squad. "We've been extremely competitive in every game we've played except the first Sacred Heart game (a 4-0 loss on Aug.29)."

Assumption finished 1-2 in last week's Lady Knights Challenge Cup at Lexington Catholic, beating No.23 Woodford County 2-0 before falling to No.1 Sacred Heart 2-1 and No.3 Manual 3-1. The Rockets whipped Atherton 10-0 on Monday.

"I thought we took a step against Sacred Heart, and I thought we took another significant step tonight," Meyer said. "(Male) is a team that has played pretty well, so this is a great result for us."

Male (6-6-1) played with Assumption for the first 30 minutes before the Rockets finally got going. In the 33rd minute Christen McAllister fed a nice pass to fellow sophomore Dee Dee Sliter, who was running through the middle of the field. With Male's Holly Naurt coming toward the ball, Sliter kept charging and put it past the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.

"The goalie almost had it in her hands, and I just kept going right through it," said Sliter, a member of the Assumption basketball team who did not play soccer as a freshman.

Said Meyer: "That was just raw power."

The Rockets broke it open with three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Brandy Orthbecker's shot from the left wing made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute, and McAllister made it 3-0 on an assist from Rebecca Schwager in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later Morgan Riggs scored on an assist from Sliter, making it 4-0.

Sophomores Riggs (eight) and McAllister (six) are the Rockets' top goal scorers this season.

"We have an extremely strong sophomore class, and I think they've been led by upperclassmen who have been through the battles," Meyer said. "They're starting to come together."

Assumption outshot Male 22-9. The Lady Bulldogs managed just four shots on goal.

"For some reason we got really tired," Male coach Nikki Schulze said. "I think we're one of the fittest teams in Louisville, but we didn't show it tonight. ...

"When we're on, we're a very dangerous team. Tonight we were very off against a very good team, and the score showed it."

Meyer has 2½ more weeks to continue bringing his young team together before postseason play. The Rockets have lost to Sacred Heart in the Seventh Region final the past four years, and most observers expect the teams to meet for the title again next month.

"I'm always concerned that losing can be contagious," Meyer said of his team's early struggles. "But we've got a lot of extremely confident players, and they never doubted themselves for a moment."

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046.


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Angry Canada hints at pulling out of Games

Canada Tuesday hinted that it is ready to pull out of the Commonwealth Games if India quickly fails to fix the problems - lack of preparedness at venues and fears about security.

The Canadian contingent was to start arriving in the Indian capital from Friday for the Games which start Oct 3.

Taking Indian organizers to task, Canadian officials strongly hinted that if all the problems are not fixed before the arrival date of their athletes, the country might pull out of the Games.

Apart from issues of security and site preparedness, what has heightened Canadian anxiety is the collapse of a pedestrian bridge near Jawaharlal Stadium - the main venue - injuring 23 people Tuesday, the shooting of two Taiwanese nationals by suspected terrorists and rising dengue cases in Delhi.

In a teleconference Tuesday with Canada's advance team of sport and security officials in Delhi, Commonwealth Games Canada president Andrew Pipe said, 'This would have been an opportunity for India to shine.

Instead, I think, it risks considerable international embarrassment unless some of these deficiencies can be addressed.

'It is not as if the Indian government has been unaware of these problems - and that is, I think, the source of so much frustration on the part of many of us.''

In an angry tone, he said, 'Personally, I am deeply disappointed with the reactions of the Indian government and the organizing committee. They reflect, it seems to me, a certain level of indifference that borders at times on the intransigent - and they have been glacial in responding to the concerns that have been raised by colleagues and I for weeks and, indeed, months leading up to these Games.

'We're addressing an extremely challenging situation and monitoring developments very closely.'

The National Post newspaper quoted Scott Stevenson, Commonwealth Games Canada's (CGC) director of sport, who reached Delhi last week to prepare for Team Canada's arrival, as saying, 'We are deeply concerned that the condition of the residence facilities is not at all what we expected, nor anything like what was promised.

'Beyond the major cleanup required, there are other issues with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, Internet access, and mobile telephone coverage,' said Stevenson, adding that Canada is 'committed to staying in the village - and only the village.'

He added, 'We recognise that the monsoon rains have made things more difficult for workers here. But the current conditions are unacceptable and we have formally requested that the Commonwealth Games Federation and the organizing committee get these issues resolved prior to the athlete arrivals that begin on Friday.'

Expressing his 'serious concern' over safety, security and site preparedness, Canadians Sports Minister Gary Lunn also said, ``It's going to take a lot of work (by India) to rectify' these problems.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)


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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Riley Nelson out for the season

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 9:40 p.m. MDT

PROVO — BYU's two-quarterback experiment came to an abrupt halt Tuesday with the news that junior Riley Nelson has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury — an injury that coach Bronco Mendenhall said was originally sustained during fall camp.

That opened the door for Jake Heaps to become only the second true freshman straight out of high school to start for the Cougars. His debut as a starter comes Saturday against Nevada (4 p.m., The mtn.).

"It's a great opportunity. It's unfortunate what's going on (with Nelson). But it's a time when I've got to step up and I've got to help this team the best that I can. That's what I'm going to try to do. The guys are rallying around me," the 19-year-old Heaps said after Tuesday's practice. "Being the quarterback at BYU is a special opportunity. It means a lot to me. I'm going to work as hard as I can and do everything I can to do this thing right."

He's said he's looked forward to becoming the starter at BYU for a long time.

"That's why I came here. I didn't come here to take half of it or not be the guy," Heaps said. "I came here to hopefully be the guy and when the time was right to lead the team, right now it happened. It was under unfortunate circumstances but it's an exciting opportunity for me."

After splitting practice reps, and playing time, with Nelson to this point, Heaps will now take almost all of the reps and snaps.

"It's been tremendous for my development and for my opportunity to grow," he said. "I feel myself getting better as each rep goes. We've got a lot of improvement to make. There's a greater opportunity for me to go out there and show what I'm capable of and give everything I have to this team and show everybody what kind of quarterback I can be."

With Heaps securing the starting role, sophomore James Lark now becomes the backup QB.

The coaching staff has been impressed with Heaps since he arrived on campus last winter. "I think he's very confident and he's looking forward to the chance and now it's an opportunity for him to get a ton of work," Mendenhall said. "We've always liked Jake's talent and the potential there. I liked two options and I was hoping to continue a complement of some sort along the way. Now there is one."

Asked if Heaps is prepared for this role, Mendenhall replied, "Who knows whether he's prepared or not? It's a freshman playing football. If there's anyone that is prepared, his experience to this point has led to me feeling very comfortable. I believe in his potential. It's just a matter of catching up on experience and playing football. He's very capable. It's just going to be decision-making, experience, execution, and just playing ball."


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Businessman saves Newcastle Jets

Ben Kantarovski of the Jets is tackled during the round seven A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Perth Glory. Photo / Getty Images

Local businessman Nathan Tinkler has stepped in to take-over the Newcastle Jets for the remainder of the A-League football season.

Football Federation Australia have handed the A-League licence over to Tinkler after determining that the club and its owner Con Constantine do not have the ability to meet the club's short or long-term obligations.

The FFA has entered into an agreement with Tinkler for this season with an option for him to acquire the licence for the long-term.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley says it's regrettable that Constantine can no longer maintain his ownership of the club

Buckley says Constantine has been the key figure in the establishment of a proud and successful club with the high point being its premiership win in 2008.

- NEWSTALK ZB

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Some Oz athletes still feel it's safe to attend Delhi CWG

Some of Australia's Commonwealth Games athletes have said that they still fee it is safe to attend next month's XIXth Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, despite security and terror threats.

Swimmer Geoff Huegill and divers Matthew Mitcham and Alex Croak told the Daily Telegraph that they are still going to the Games despite upgraded travel warnings.

Huegill said everyone, including athletes and spectators "should keep their wits about them" and follow advice from authorities including DFAT and Commonwealth Games officials.

"This is going to be the first time I'll go to Delhi... hopefully it wont be my last. I think everyone should keep their wits about them. Follow DFAT's guides on security and safety. We don't plan on things going sour and if they do that will be the decision of the Comm Games Association," Huegill was quoted, as saying.

Mitcham told readers he felt "100 per cent safe".

"There is always a back up plan... DFAT and Aus Comm Games Assoc. are all over it. I feel 100% safe," he added.

When quizzed by more than 2600 readers, they all said they were not concerned about terror threats.

"It's not on my mind... my focus is on the pool. We have security looking after us, DFAT informing us and I can only trust them on their reports," Huegill said.

When asked what would force them to withdraw, Croak said: "a whole lot".

"I agree with Matt and Geoff. We are there for competition and there is no point focusing on something that is completely out of our control. If we are focusing on it, then there is no point of even going as we will not perform at our best," Croak added.

The concern for the athletes safety has risen after a footbridge near the venue of the Games opening ceremony collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, sparking fears that India will not be able to host of the Games successfully.

Other Commonwealth Games teams from New Zealand, Canada and America have also criticized the athletes facilities after arriving early in Delhi.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd also urged Australians to pay close attention to a travel alert warning of a "high risk of terrorist attack" in New Delhi during next month's event, which runs from October 3 to October 14. (ANI)


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Australia seeks answers from India over Games Village

Concerned over the adverse reports on the Commonwealth Games Village in Delhi, the Australian government is seeking answers from India and Commonwealth Games officials over security and hygiene issues.

The Australian government is concerned over dengue outbreak, the shooting of two men on a tourist bus and the collapse of a new footbridge that injured 23 people.

Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib said that team officials, who are in Delhi, have raised 'grave concerns' about hygiene and cleanliness in the Commonwealth Games Village where the athletes are to stay.

'We are concerned and we are seeking more information from the high commission and asking them to have discussions with their Indian counterparts,' Arbib was quoted as saying by ABC Sport.

'The Commonwealth Games Federation has written to the Indian government regarding the village and also regarding preparations for the Games, so obviously we await further information from the federation.'

Australia's discus world champion Dani Samuels, and three top British athletes have pulled out over security and health concerns.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite says he would support any athlete who withdraws from the Games.

'We have said all along ... it's a decision of each of the athletes whether they come to the Games or not,' he said.

'I think I understand why Dani Samuels decided not to go. She contacted us and told us and we accept that, and (she) probably will not be the last one. I'm sure we'll potentially get others that decide for the same reasons.'

But Crosswhite says the Games should not be called off.

'We should be thinking about the athletes. If you call a Games off, the athletes never get to compete,' he said.


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Oz Sports Minister warns about more athletes pulling out from CW Games

More Australian athletes can pull out from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games over safety fears and a bridge collapse that has raised concerns about the event.

Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib said Games officials expected more competitors to follow women's world discus champion Dani Samuels.

Citing concerns over health and security in Delhi, Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels, who claimed gold in the discus at last year's world championships in Berlin, had withdrawn from the country's Commonwealth Games team.

Arbib said Australia's Games chief Perry Crosswhite was expecting further pullouts in a blow to Games organisers' hopes that athletic prowess could overcome controversies including corruption and a filthy athletes village.

"He didn't have any information about any other athletes but he thought there could be a number more who made that decision," Arbib told Sky News, adding Australia would restrict athletes' visits to public places.

Australia this week warned of a "high risk of terrorism" during the Games after unknown gunmen on a motorbike sprayed a tourist bus with pistol fire, wounding two Taiwanese holidaymakers on Sunday, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

On Tuesday, the Commonwealth Games Federation blasted the official athletes' accommodation as uninhabitable with rubble in doorways and malfunctioning toilets, along with urgent electrical problems.

Thousands of workers have been working round the clock to finish sports facilities and the athletes' village, as well as to clear up piles of building rubble that still litter large parts of Delhi. (ANI)


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Canada, other 70 nations don't plan to skip Delhi CWG just yet

Canada and the other 70 nations who are members of the Commonwealth have said that their sport federations have no plans just yet to skip the XIXth Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3 to 14.

Though there are concerns about security, hygiene and Games' facilities, Canadian Commonwealth Games officials said there is no plan yet for Canada or any of the 70-plus Commonwealth teams to skip the Games, or to move them to another place.

"We are monitoring hour-by-hour the progress and safety of the buildings where athletes are to be housed in New Delhi when they start to arrive Sept. 24," the Globe and Mail quoted Andrew Pipe, president of Canada's Commonwealth Games Committee, as saying.

Canada plans to send 255 athletes, 51 coaches and 52 staffers for the Oct. 3-14 event.anadian Commonwealth sport director Scott Stevenson, said "Completion of the village has left something to be desired, but everything on the international side of the fence and training venues on the grounds have been absolutely spectacular."

For three years, local newspapers have warned that the Commonwealth Games were in trouble. Speaking at a news conference in Delhi, Lalit Bhanot, secretary-general of the Delhi CWG organizing committee, said the authorities understood the concerns shown by some member countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

He, however, suggested that the complaints could be due to "cultural differences."

"Everyone has different standards about cleanliness. The Westerners have different standards, we have different standards," he added.

Bhanot said the situation was "under control" and that he was "sure and confident" that cleaning in the residential areas would be complete by the time teams start arriving Thursday. (ANI)


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Verizon Wireless $50 Off New Activation

September 7th, 2010- Store: , Verizon Wireless Online

Verizon Wireless has a new campaign that helps you take $50 off your new activations. If you are planning choose Verizone as wireless connection provider then keep in mind that you need to enter the coupon code given below to be eligible for this Verizon Wireless discount. We are going to share more Verizon Wireless coupon codes in future , so stay connected to get more coupons for Verizon Wireless.

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Saks Fifth Avenue 25% Off Special Bargain

September 7th, 2010- Store: Saks Fifth Avenue

You have no reason not to enjoy the deal you will get from Saks Fifth Avenue which is very popular store among you. The worst thing about deal that you don’t want to see is that the deal expires tonight. That’s why you have to hurry up not to miss this one.

But, don’t worry, if you can not catch it, because we will be sharing fresh coupons from this brand for you. Now, that’s all!

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Target Super Savings For Sept 30

September 7th, 2010- Store: Grocery, Target

The previous deals we shared for August has just expired. And you see new ones for September. There are lots of deals as many as which can not be count one by one.

September 30 is the last day, however after it ends, you will see more publised coupons for the coming months. Good bye for now!

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Yankee Candle $10 Off September Campaign

September 7th, 2010- Store: Yankee Candle

For now, we could have only $10 off coupon to share with you, but we are searching to find more, $10 off coupon will most probably satisfy you, till you get the new promotions. The campaign is valid for purchases over $25.

September 25 is the last chance to utilize. For any other request, just feel free to write e-mail us.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Michaels Extreme Campaign For Art Lovers

September 7th, 2010- Store: Michaels

As usual, there are many more printable coupons to share from the source of arts and craft : Michaels. However, we will not post thme at once, because they are so many. We have choosen the one that we think you visitors like most and enjoy.

If you don’t want to miss the 40% Off deal, you have only 5 days from today. 11 September is the last day.

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Timberland 20% Off $100 + Online Discount Code

September 7th, 2010- Store: , Timberland Online

Want to buy fashionable Timberland shoes and sweaters for upcoming fall and winter? Actually I want the same thing and lets save money from our online Timberland orders. The coupon code for Timberland I’m about to share takes 20% off your online orders totalling $100 or more, again, we are supposed to enter Timberland coupon codes at checkout. Now, click reveal code below to view Timberland coupon code and check us back soon for new Timberland coupons.

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