Brazil the samba nation, from South America, power house of soccer in the world will be hosting the world in 2013 Confederations Cup, World Cup 2014 and the Olympics in 2016

SAMBA NATION

Brazil have invested hugely towards hosting these tournament, private investors also partners the government of Brazil in ensuring the billions of dollars spent in organizing these tournament will  in turn boost the economy of the nation, create employment for youths in the country.

Home grown policy of sponsorship, branding &tourism is also an advantage of revenue generation to all national teams and clubs in the country as corporate organization want to be identifying with the Samba Country.

Brazil capital budget for the World Cup excluding the cost of security is estimated to be around 15 billion. Visitors will be trooping into the Country to have a feel of the Samba Nation; approximately, over 600,000 foreign visitors are expected in the sports fiesta coming up in Brazil which will boost tourism during World Cup alone, while 3 million nationals will be following the tournament around the country.

Stadium construction and renovation 2.1 billion dollars. Urban Mobility 3.9 billion dollars.

Hotel sector 573million dollars. Airports Renovation (Tourism Sector) 401 MILLION dollars.

Private sponsorship towards 2014 world cup in branding the national team is worth 30million per

Year. Financial Institution (Banks) has a portfolio rights with total estimanation of 55million per year in Brazilian football sponsorship deals with Brazilian clubs.Telcommunication accounts for approximately 20% of sponsorship deal worth 320million dollars backing of Rio Olympic Games, 80 million investment in 2014 World Cup.15million per year sponsorship deal of the Brazilian National team. Clubs in the Samba Nation also enjoys Brand exposure on jerseys; boots etc.The samba country will be experiencing a major economy growth and infrastructural development.

Power shift in Sports Business is the hallmark of the yellow and blue country from the South American

Continent of Brazil The Samba Nation.

The crunch time is getting hotter, in a week that saw two Spanish clubs eliminated from the champion’s league, the Special One committing is future to Madrid, the Chosen One calling it quit with Barcelona, after defeat to Chelsea.   Allianz Arena comes alive    May 19 the grand finale between Chelsea and Bayern Munich which mark the climax of this season Champions League.

The Special One after failing to beat Bayern

Africa version of the Champions League (CAF Champions League) takes center stage this weekend across the continent sixteen teams go in search of qualifying into the group stage, with former five winners also involve in the race of lifting the cup .The winner of the second round ties is guaranteed the sum of 400,000 dollars ,Al-Hilal (Sudan) host AS Chlef of Algeria, MAS of Morocco play host to former champion Zamalek of Egypt, reigning  champion Esperance of Tunisia  willing be slogging it out with Dynamos of Zimbabwe ,while Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia welcome AF Amadou of CIV, Stade Malian of Mali would be logging horns with AL –Ahly of Egypt, Sunshine Star of Nigeria travels  to keep a date with Djoliba of Mali,in Ghana it would be Berekum Chelsea hosting Coton Sports of Cameroon while TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo  plays Al-Merreikh of Sudan. The defending champion will have to fight till the end in retaining the trophy something   their European counterpart Barcelona fails to replicate.

Pep reacts after defeat to chelsea

However, the era of monopolizing soccer is gone; there are no more underdogs in soccer, the curtain    of European soccer reaches it peak May 19, the curtain of Africa club soccer opens.

Glamour, excitement, epic encounter a night that witness soccer artistry at its best.

Penalty missed, center back of both teams got injured, red card to captain, scoring chances begging to be converted, magnificent saves, and spectacular chip above Valdes ,the back breaking injury time goal from Torres  climaxed a night to remember in world soccer.

Jubilation after defeating Barcelona at camp nou

The elimination of Barcelona from the champions league calls for reflection, for a side that started on a high this season, beating every opponents that comes their way suddenly broke down when its matter most loosing 3 consecutive games something that last happened way back Feb 2003.The world footballer of the year yet to score against the blues. Barcelona philosophy is free flowing game, create opening through the middle for goals but failed to break down the strong resilience wall.

The dismal show of Barcelona lately, indicates the need to have a PLAN B (in the defense) because going forward is never the problem of  a club like Barcelona, their weakest link is the back line that enjoy joining  the attackers thereby giving  room for their opponents to hit them on a counter.

Agony of defeat to chelsea at camp nou

He that is standing should take heed less he fail that is the name of the game shift in  club soccer who will play Chelsea come May 19 ? As for Barcelona well done, there is always another day; the blues could this be their year under a caretaker coach again? Or would it be Mourinho   era to be 3times lucky? What about Bayern dreaming of lifting the cup on home soil right? Which ever way it promises to be a grand finale at the Allianz Arena comes May 19.

El Nino back breaking celebration

Sports is a mega business  and countries  are leveraging to tap from in  boosting their economy by building first class sporting facilities that would attract foreign investors, clubs and countries as well.

Preparing for any major competition is also an avenue in generating cool money without sweat as teams tend to make use of the best facilities for adequate preparation for a major competition to enhancing their performance. Sports without  the basic facilities is a mere child play no wonder FARO CAMP in Portugal is  Heaven on Earth ,teams  across the globe especially from Africa have adopted FARO CAMP as their new home for preparing for any major tournament which in turn enriched the host community and the country GDP. One begins to wonder and ask question about the grant given by FIFA to countries that took part in the world cup while other countries are investing in modern day  facilities that would later  turn to tourist centre and enriching their pockets as well, the little we have we give out .If we can look inward and channel  our resources towards building modern facilities, it will help a long way and also cut down cost of travelling to camp outside the shore of our country which in return will boost our economy as well as attracting other  countries to come down here for camping

Facilities

For the Love of the Game

When the soccer governing body introduced age grade competition, the motive and intention was to catch   them   young, building and discovery young talents that will eventually turn to super star for their respective clubs and countries.

What   is currently making waves now is AGE CHEAT players wanting to reap where they did not sow its sad to note that this illegal practice is common in South America, Africa and part of Asia. If grooming for the future is the name of the game, then the factor of wanting to win at all cost for short term glory must be put to an end .Coaches, Soccer administrators must be ahead of the game in curbing the virus named AGE CHEAT and the only way to achieving a good and formidable result is to go back to grassroots and soccer academy spread all over where raw stars resides; instead of wanting to achieve success through the back door.

Real Champion starts from humble background built on sincerity, discipline, commitment, hardwork, and dedication with the zeal to excel couple with proper management and nurturing of raw talents leads to result oriented future of soccer that can stand the test of time

RED CARD FOR INCORRECT DECISIONOfficiating is part of the game; the man in the middle is saddle with the responsibility of making an unbiased call or decision as the case maybe in a soccer match. Lately, they have been calls from soccer pundits as regards refereeing decision on games. Split seconds of incorrect decision by referees could cost much in determining where the pendulum swings.

The past week in soccer has truly revealed

Officiating is part of the game; the man in the middle is saddle with the responsibility of making an unbiased call or decision as the case maybe in a soccer match. Lately, they have been calls from soccer pundits as regards refereeing decision on games.  Split seconds of incorrect decision by referees could cost much in determining where the pendulum swings.

The past week in soccer has truly revealed that goal line technology is important to enhance the game and also reduce human errors that have seen clubs and countries paying dearly for an offence they did not commit.

Lawn Tennis is one sport soccer should emulates, if a wrong call is made, with the aid of goal line technology it would afford the officials in making the right decision. Human errors are normal but can also be curbed with the introduction of goal line technology. If fair play is the name of the game then there should be room for equal playing ground.

FIFA the power house of soccer must raise the bar so as to avoid regular reoccurrences as goal line technology is needed in modern day soccer. Remember Lampard    disallowed goal against Argentina?

Something urgent should be done to save the beautiful game of soccer

that goal line technology is important to enhance the game and also reduce human errors that have seen clubs and countries paying dearly for an offence they did not commit.

Lawn Tennis is one sport soccer should emulates, if a wrong call is made, with the aid of goal line technology it would afford the officials in making the right decision. Human errors are normal but can also be curbed with the introduction of goal line technology. If fair play is the name of the game then there should be room for equal playing ground.

FIFA the power house of soccer must raise the bar so as to avoid regular reoccurrences as goal line technology is needed in modern day soccer. Remember Lampard    disallowed goal against Argentina?

Something urgent should be done to save the beautiful game of soccer

messi with 3 trophies

Age is nothing but a number, it has nothing to do with years spent so far, but it entails Maturity, Character and self discipline that comes with hard work , achievement with a winning  mentality.

A case study is Lionel Messi, current world footballer of the Year who against all odd refuse to give up on is dreams ,truly is an epitome of all of these attributes and qualities of wanting ,willing to give is all to both club and country whenever duty calls putting into consideration his age.

In world soccer today, the name LITTLE LIONEL MESSI is a threat to defenders, as young as Messi he has won everything football got to offer except the World Cup which he strongly believes to lift before he quits soccer.

messi with cup

After a cross examination of LIONEL MESSI, the name TOM SAINTFIET comes to mind, the 39yrs old Belgian has just been appointed as Technical Director to all the National teams of Nigeria. Before now, little or nothing was known of Tom Saintfiet who played the game of soccer before becoming coach of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

The appointment of Tom Saintfiet by the body in charge of soccer in Nigeria came as a surprise to many soccer pundits in the country, but the board decided to pinch their tent with the Belgian.

The man in question admits the task is not going to be an easy one, he also insists it has noting to do with age but ability to deliver on the job. The journey man Belgian, will be earning the sum of 20,000 dollar monthly (3.2 million naira)with such an amount, he must be able to justify his worth like Messi on the field of play bringing his technical input to play  imparting  our National teams, directing them to the pathway of glory. MR TOM SAINTFIET welcome to Nigeria, is not about age but ability to transform your technical inputs towards building Nigeria soccer.

Mr Tom Saintfiet

Amobi   Okoye   the true son of the soil ,a Nigerian by birth based in the United State  of America ,with  a foundation known as AMOBI OKOYE FOUNDATION visited the Country with his crew from the States to the teach  students how to play the game of American Football a message he has been spreading over the years in Motherland Nigeria and Africa.

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His visit this year to the continent of Africa took him to Rivers State, in the South-South region of Nigeria to further preach the gospel of what he strongly believes in (American Football) reaching out to the youth  through education and sports. The students were all drilled by the coaches and Amobi   himself, he also visited South Africa for this same course of reaching out to children teaching, empowering them and also popularizing and ensuring the sports is acceptable in South Africa.

He will be coming back in June, with his crew to Rivers State Nigeria, to  fully establish is Foundation with Rivers State Government partnering , they have giving him the backing  of the good people of Rivers State .

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His coming will witness the take up of the sports in the states as coaches; technical staff from America would all be on ground to take students the rudiments of the game both in the classrooms and on the field. Plans are also in the pipeline to bringing sports kits investors to the country to manufacture kits of the sports right here in Nigeria.

Soccer the only sports that make sports fan stay glue to their TV set for 90mins full of action, thriller, and suspense.

The likes of Inter Milan, Arsenal, Man United, Man City all bow out in the year competition, while Benfica and surprise team of the tournament Apoel is enjoying the biggest ride since the inception of the Champions League.

No club would want to get out of the competition having come this far and also considering the huge monetary reward from Uefa   I guess Inter are disappointed due to their elimination from the tournament, and have parted ways with their coach Claudio Raniere , the former European champion are just a shadow of themselves the club is not even sure of European competition next year.

Allianz Arena

Soccer pundits are already tipping another EL-CLASSICO final in Alliance Arena Germany, the road is still too far yet close for Apoel and Benfica . Jose Mourinho Real Madrid travels to Cyprus , Roberto Di Mattieo  and his Chelsea crew would  be taken a step further to the final as they trade tackle with  Benfica, in a place for the semis, Barcelona travel all the way to  the red and black side of Milan, while Bayern Munich  will be playing Marseille  it’s the crunch stage of the tournament as teams will give their all to the last in ensuring they  lift the cup which is meant for only  ONE CLUB many are called few are chosen it will all go down to the wire.

serena cup

Serena Williams made a home comeback after a long injury lay off in the ongoing WTA tour in Miami by crushing China Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-3 in the season round. Former World number one and 13 time grand slam winner ,broke her opponent four times on the way to a one sided match, the tournament marks her first appearance since Australian Open in January this year. The 5 times winner of Miami WTA has not played in the competition since 2009 due to illness and injury. The African American will now face Roberta Vinci next in a quest to lay her hands again on the title. Meanwhile, former world number one, Kim Clijsters also booked her place into the third round with an easy win over Julia Goerges,other players that have made it through to the next stage are Danish Caroline Wozniacki, Russian Maria Sharapova, while Jelena Jankovic is the major upset in the second round as she humbly bows out of the competition to Germany Mona Barthel