After almost a year ago, I was in Barranquilla, Colombia with Professor Liosh Alzate and the athletes of the Colombian footvolley team. It was a wonderful adventure that I am proud to showcase to the world in an 8 minute documentary entitled, Perfecting the Footvolley. Many thanks to the executive producer Yuvonne Bowens, editor Steve Young, Freedom Heights Studios, and, of course last but not least, Liosh Alzate, Gregory Hamburger, Katia Silvera, Ronald Orzco, James Jimenez, Omar Otero Ochoa, Adrian David Guerra Parejo and Cristo Anaya Sanches.
When sportswriters draft their career plans, it is safe to assume that becoming the head honcho of a sports governing body does not enter the equation. However, Grant Wahl's recent actions may be just the catalyst to raise the bar for many of his peers.
Wahl, a sportwriter for Sports Illustrated, has publicly announced his bid to become the President of FIFA, the highest post in the international soccer world. It sounds like a tall order, and quite a long shot for an American guy who has never held an executive post in any national soccer association. Nevertheless, Wahl is hoping that the level of discontent within the global soccer community for Sepp Blatter's leadership decision will be just the ingredient to validate his chances.
To be formally considered for candidacy, Wahl needs to secure 1 nomination from a FIFA Association country by the April 1st deadline. He hopes that his positions on transparency, shirtless celebrations, instant replay and female inclusion in the FIFA governing body will allow him to cross the first obstacle to obtaining the post.
Out of the 208 FIFA Association countries, which do you think would consider giving him a public nod for the opportunity to run? We look forward to hearing your thoughts. In the meantime, enjoy this Grant Wahl for President video.
A new season is set to commence for the Sierra Leone Premier League on February 26th with 14 clubs slated to compete for the league's top spot. In leading up to the kick off, the league office has received a financial boost from Africell.
Africell, a West African telecommunications company, has agreed to become the title sponsor of the league with a pledge of $23,500 USD. This is not the first foray of the company in soccer sponsorship as the company serves as a sponsor for the Gambia National Soccer Team.
There is a quote from one of my favorite movies, Akeelah and the Bee that goes something like this, “there are 50,000 teachers all around you.”
Although this was a piece of advice given to Akeelah, a little girl who was preparing for her moment in the spotlight at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I believe this piece of wisdom rings true for those of us who are working to reach our highest potential in soccer, futsal, footvolley or freestyle.
While training with Coach Eric Parada and the open men’s team Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões Futebol Clube, I had the pleasure of learning from and playing with Euclides Cabral. Cabral is a highly accomplished futsal player who helped his club accomplish the impossible-climbing the ranks from the 4th division to the top national division in Portugal in less than 4 years time.
In this first clip, Cabral agrees to serve as one of our 50,000 and provides us with some excellent advice—and its sprinkled with some great footwork by a few of the guys at Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões. Enjoy!
In the second part of our exclusive interview with Tom Kundert of PortuGoal.net, the editor explains some of the initial challenges he faced in the beginning stages of the soccer news site.
When Dale Vince took over as owner of the Forest Green Rovers, few knew how far reaching his dietary preferences would be. It wasn’t too long before everyone found out.
The boss, who doesn’t partake in meat or dairy products, issued an order to his players forbidding them to eat red meat. It was a decision aimed to improve the health and performance of the players.
Now, this policy has extended to the fans. The cottage pies, burgers and sausages are no longer an option at half time. Sustainably produced chicken and fish accompany lentil burgers on the new menu.
As a man who made his fortune in alternative power, Vince hopes that these dietary changes will not only improve everyone’s palette’s but make the Blue Square Bet Premier club more environmentally friendly.
Top of the morning to everyone! If you are anything like me,there are just some national teams that you look forward to watching. Portugal is one of those teams for me. Ronaldo, Nani, Liedson and crew are a few of the names that come to mind.
I am a firm believer that talented players come from a talented environment. With that notion, I had the good fortune of connecting with Tom Kundert. He is the editor of Portugal's definitive english language site, Portugoal.net. Take a look at the first installment of our conversation, where you will learn how a humble beginning now attracts over 300,000 unique readers each month. Enjoy!
In an effort to combat against the increasing rate of youth obesity in the state of Nevada, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is partnering with Las Vegas’ Neusport Football club for the Get Fit 3v3 Soccer Challenge on February 13, 2011. The event organizers are hoping to encourage kids ages 7 to 14 to become physically active and empower them to make healthy lifestyle choices now and in the future.
The Get Fit 3v3 Soccer Challenge will feature up to 160 teams with a maximum of six players on the roster. Each team is guaranteed three games, which last 24 minutes (with 12-minute halves).
If you know of a player or team in the area that may still be interested in participating, go to https://www.gotsport.com/forms/app/?EventID=14869.
Mobile application developer, AppTech Corp is providing a service that will link professional soccer recruiters with players in emerging markets worldwide. The company has completed the first phase for developing an app for a soccer development academy located in Parana, Brazil.
The initial rollout includes a website and app called www.silviowalenga.com, which features the premiere Brazilian goal keeper. The website and app provides player information, stats and video of players who are candidates for international soccer opportunities.
After a review of the first phase, AppTech Corp is in negotiations with several European clubs and recruiters. The company predicts that they will be able to generate revenue from their soccer apps during the first half of 2011.
