Your opportunity to become involved in the Championship Blind 2011

Next summer, The FA are hosting the 2010 IBSA Blind Football Championship here in the UK for the first time in the competition's history. This will be the biggest disability football event ever to have been held in this country and will showcase the very best blind footballers from across the globe as they compete for the most prestigious prize in the sport. The event will also act as a direct qualifier for the Paralympics in London 2012.

The FA has chosen thePoint4 at The Royal National College for the Blind as the venue for the competition because of the world-class facilities it offers, which means that in the summer of 2010, the eyes of the world will be on Herefordshire.

The sporting event, and the cultural festivals that accompany it, will be an unforgettable experience - for participants, spectators and young people. The legacy it leaves - the difference it could make to the lives of people across the county - will last long after the sound of cheers has faded.

The legacy programme covers the following areas:

• Education
• Tourism and culture (including an opening ceremony)
• Sport and health
• Business and the community

Education

Schools, children's community groups and charities are proving they are ready to seize this opportunity to open children's eyes to a new world of sport. They will be invited to get involved with the Championships in a number of ways:

• By adopting a nation (one of 10 competing countries) and exploring its history and culture. They'll also have a chance to support their 'team' at the Championships through song, art, and creative writing.
• At special events children will be invited to meet the England Blind Squad, and to take part in blind football workshops and enjoy Futsal training on the international standard pitches at thePoint4.
• A special children's pack will provide a health and education tool, promoting the benefits of sport for all sectors of the community, and explaining the specific benefits of disability sports like blind football.
• As supporters and team mascots, through song and dance, children from across the county, and from charities supporting children with sight loss across the UK, will be invited to be involved with the event next August.
• Other opportunities for specific project work around the Championships (media, sport, volunteering etc) are available.

You can download a PDF of our Legacy Programme education pack with information about the growth, development and basics of blind football, the event fixture list and official anthem and much more, or for more information about how you or your school, charity or community group could get involved, contact the Legacy Team on 07872 840698.

Sport & Health

A programme of events over the coming months will promote the benefits of sport for all sectors of the community:

• The Blind Football Academy - the first of its kind in the world - is based at thePoint4 at The Royal National College for the Blind and offers sports men and women who are blind or partially sighted the chance to build football training into their curriculum while studying at the College. As well as providing first class training, it aims to create pathways into national and international competitions for future players. As part of the legacy campaign and the College's commitment to promoting sport and health to all, a road show will be running across the UK offering sports and community groups the chance to access blind football coaching and/or workshops in their area.
• The Legacy Team are also working with Hereford United and Herefordshire FA on a three year project running with the Blind Football Academy which aims to promote disability football across the county and to help establish thePoint4 as a centre of excellence for the sport.
• In conjunction with academic organisations in the region, a special 2010 symposium will look at access to sport for those with a disability, and initiatives for improved provision in advance of 2012.

For more information about workshops and coaching courses, contact the Legacy Team on 07872 840698.

Business & Community

Herefordshire is a county committed to equality and diversity. In partnership with the city council, county council and retail traders around the county, we want the legacy of the Championships to be a greater awareness the impact of a disability, specifically sight loss, in the community and throughout the city. We aim to do this with a whole batch of exciting initiatives for, and involving, businesses and community groups, starting with a series of training days.

On specialist training sessions (available now) businesses and other local organisations can learn about and experience the impact of common eye conditions, and receive sighted guide training. They’ll discover the equipment those with VI can use on a daily basis (to read labels, identify colours, work on computers, liaise with staff), and adjustments they can make to their business (and it can be something as basic as lighting) to support staff in the workplace, and clients and customers they meet each day.

We'll also be inviting businesses to get involved in the Championships via sponsorship, special 2010 initiatives, business expos, cultural events and celebrations.

For more information about the training days, or other initiatives being launched in coming months, contact the Legacy Team on 07872 840698.

Tourism & Culture

Herefordshire will be welcoming hundreds of guests from all over the country, and all over the world during the Championships. It is a county with a population wanting to embrace, welcome and work with different cultures and people whatever their ability or disability.

As we countdown to the big event, we'll be announcing a programme of arts events and community celebrations to mark the 2010 Championships and to help welcome national and international visitors.

The Legacy Team will also be working with the local tourist industry in their bid to embrace, welcome and work with different cultures and people whatever their ability or disability. We'll be bringing news, in future months, of a number of initiatives to improve access and promote equality, and to showcase all the county has to offer.

For more information about future events and initiatives, contact the Legacy Team on 07872 840698.

Read more...

Blind football basics and tournament history

Blind football is played on a solid surface, generally indoors, with a football containing bearings so that it makes a noise when it moves. Each team consists of five players; outfield players are classified as B1, which means that some may have some light perception, although eye shields are worn during games to counter this; goalkeepers are sighted, but cannot leave their area. In blind football, there are no offside rules.

The international governing body for blind football is the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA), which was established in Paris in 1981. The organisation is responsible for a number of sports, including football; this is overseen by a Technical Director, Carlos Campos, with other members being elected from each county's own association. The current elected member representing England is Tony Larkin, Manager of the England blind team.

On a national level, the game is governed by British Blind Sport.

The Blind World Championship is held every two years, with European Championships and World Games also held on a two year cycle. This means that the National Team will play in major championships every year. The blind team is eligible to compete in the Paralympics every four years, subject to qualification and resolving the 'Great Britain' debate.

Past competitions and winners

• 1998: Paulinia, Brazil (winners: Brazil);
• 2000: Jerez, Spain (winners: Brazil);
• 2002: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (winners: Argentina);
• 2006: Buenos Aires, Argentina (winners: Argentina);
• 2010: Hereford, England.

There has been one major international tournament staged in England for the blind team - the 2003 European Championships, held in Manchester. There has also been an Open European National Tournament held in England, also in 2003, in Hereford.

Read more...

Brazil lifted the IBSA World Blind Championship

Latest news:
Brazil crowned champions

Brazil lifted the IBSA World Blind Championship for the 3rd time with a stunning win over a resilient Spain team.

Brazil lead one nil at half time through Alves with a further second half strike from Goncalves ensuring that the trophy once again went back to South America.

In the third place play off England failed to convert chances against China losing by 1 goal to nil.

The tournament concluded with the award presentations as follows:

Fair Play Winners – (Presented by Major of Hereford, Cllr Anna Toon) – Japan

Golden Boot – (Presented by Gordon Banks on behalf of The New Football Pools) - Antonio Martin (Spain)

Player of the tournament – (Presented by - Roger Burden, Acting Chairman of The FA) - Jefferson Goncalves (Brazil)

Young Player of the tournament – (Presented by - Colin Chaytors, Chairman of the Disability and Equality Advisory Group) - Feng Ya Wang (China)

Goalkeeper of the tournament – (Presented by Carlos Campos, President IBSA Futsal Sub Committee) - Alfredo Gonzalez (Spain)

Read more...

CWG deadline extended , The new excuse — rain

The spell of rain that has lashed the Capital in the last week has resulted in the extension of deadline for finishing up various technical works linked to the Commonwealth Games. The earlier deadline was August 31. This was decided at the Empowered Group of Ministers on Commonwealth Games on Thursday/

Briefing reporters after the EGoM, Union Sports Secretary Sindhushree Khullar said, "The deadline for all technology-related work has been extended by a few days because of delays caused by rain."
The EGoM also discussed the opening and closing ceremonies and installation of the much-delayed overlays at the event's venues.

The issue of taking adequate steps to control dengue also came up in the meeting.

Because of delay by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to complete the flats in Vasant Kunj — where Games officials were to be accommodated - the GoM has now asked the DDA to look for alternate arrangements.

The Organising Committee on Thursday also cleared Rs 1.75 crore to help the Indian Weightlifting Federation pay a doping fine to the International Weightlifting Federation, enabling national players to participate in the Commonwealth Games.

Read more...

PSU pullouts will be made up through private sector: Kalmadi Read more: PSU pullouts will be made up through private sector: Kalmadi - Top Stories -

NEW DELHI: Some of the top PSUs may have pulled out of the Commonwealth Games in the wake of corruption allegations, but Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi is unperturbed, saying he is confident of making up the deficit through the private sector.

Kalmadi said sponsorship deals in most mega events come at a late stage and the OC is expecting to get a lot of sponsors in the coming days.

Asked if he was worried by the pullout of sponsorship money by the PSUs, Kalmadi said, "Some PSUs have withdrawn but we have to make up for it by going for private sponsorship. I am confident we will raise money in excess of target."

"I am sure private sponsorship will come. We have got response from some (private sponsors). We have around 40 days left in the Games and most of sponsorship come in last two three months. So next one month we are going to make a big effort," he said.

Kalmadi said the Games will still turn out to be revenue neutral as the OC expects to meet all the financial targets.

"Our money comes from sponsorship, TV revenue, ticket sales and merchandise. TV revenue, we are expecting to collect 50 million and we have already reached 30 million. Because of all this hullabaloo, advertising for the CWG is in focus and all the TV channels are taking part," he said.

"It is going to be a world class coverage. SIS Live, a wing of the BBC, along with Doordarshan, is doing live telecast and the world will watch. About three billion people are going to watch the Games.

"We have raised around 700 crore money and have got Rs 1000 crore from the government. It is going to be a revenue neutral Games," he added.

Kalmadi said he was responsible for only the conduct of the Games for which the government has given the OC Rs 1600 crore and not for construction delays.

"We are responsible for the 1600 crore we have got. Out of the 1600 crore, Rs 200 crore goes as taxation, 200 crore for rental of the OC building, 100 crore for the salary of the staff, another 100-150 for other things. So actually my budget is just Rs 1000 crore for organising the Games.

"My job is to bring all the people from other countries, look after their catering and stay in India, look after all the 17 sports which are going to happen and they go back in one piece. We have done in a transparent manner. I am responsible for that 1000 crore," he added.

Read more: PSU pullouts will be made up through private sector: Kalmadi - Top Stories - Commonwealth Games - Events & Tournaments - Sports - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/commonwealth-games/top-stories/PSU-pullouts-will-be-made-up-through-private-sector-Kalmadi/articleshow/6438342.cms#ixzz0xilMDUNj

Read more...

Scotland name athletes for Commonwealth Games

(News Sport) - Swimmer Robbie Renwick is among 191 athletes named to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

David Carry, Caitlin McClatchey and Hannah Miley will also feature for the Scots in the pool at the Games which run from 3-14 October.

Diver Grace Reid, at the age of 14, will be the youngest competitor representing Scotland in India.

Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said being selected was the "first step on the journey".

The Scots will have athletes competing in 16 out of 17 disciplines in Delhi, with only netball unrepresented.

The Olympic cycling silver medallist Ross Edgar is among the 108 Scotsmen taking part and 83 women will also represent their country.

The number of athletes taking part shows an increase on the 166 Scots athletes who competed in the Melbourne Games.

Veteran bowls champion Willie Wood is set for a record eighth appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

The 72-year-old, who will be joined in India in October by 2006 winner Paul Foster, has previously won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

Badminton singles bronze medallist from Melbourne Susan Egelstaff will be leading the charge for badminton, along with bronze medallist on high bar Adam Cox from gymnastics and track cycling bronze medallists Kate Cullen and James McCallum.

Cavanagh praised the athletes for rising to the high standards required to book their place on the plane to Delhi.

"Making the team is just the first step on the journey, now will come the real test for the athletes of performing to their potential in Delhi.

"With just 46 days to go until the start of the Games I wish everyone all the very best with their final preparations and I look forward to watching them in action in October."

Read more...

ARE WE READY?

CWG 2010, CWG Gallery,Commonwealth Games 2010, Commonwealth Games 2010 issues,Commonwealth Games 2010 pictures

Read more...

CWG misses yet another deadline: Ticket sales

NEW DELHI: Last Friday, the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games had announced with great fanfare that physical ticket sales to the public would commence on August 25.

And so, Pushpender Sharma, a student and an athlete, reached OC headquarters at 9am sharp to buy a ticket. Nine hours later, he still hadn't got one.

"Officials at the OC headquarters sent me to the Central Bank, Parliament street branch. The tickets were not available there either. They told me to come back at 3pm, then I was told to return at six. This is no way to treat people who wish to be a part of the CWG," fumed Sharma. He wasn't the only one complaining.

Officials at various outlets of Central Bank of India and Hero Honda - the OC's official ticketing partners - admitted that many customers turned up in the morning, but had to go back disappointed. Said B S Harilal, assistant general manager at Central Bank of India (Parliament Street), "We kept sending people back through the day. More than 100 people turned up at our branch. We had to inform them that tickets were not available and they would have to return at 3pm. Finally, at 7 pm, we were able to sell tickets."

The scene was repeated across almost all the outlets designated by the OC for ticket sale. TOI, which visited around 10 sites, saw empty counters and disgruntled customers at every site.

Read more...

Semenya heading to Commonwealth Games in India

JOHANNESBURG — Caster Semenya will return to major competition at the Commonwealth Games in India after she was included in South Africa's team on Wednesday.

The country's Olympic committee, SASCOC, selected the 800-meter world champion as one of 32 athletes, swimmers, cyclists and rugby sevens players added to South Africa's initial 115-strong team for the Oct. 3-14 games in Delhi, which was announced last month.

"I'm very happy to see the return of Caster Semenya to duty for South Africa," SASCOC president Gideon Sam said. "We have observed her progress closely since the IAAF cleared her to run and it's good to hear her say that she's focusing all her efforts on the Commonwealths."

Semenya has won all three of her comeback races since she was cleared to run by world athletics body, the IAAF, following an 11-month break because of a gender dispute.

She beat a strong field at the ISTAF meet on her return to Berlin on Sunday to continue her winning return to the sport, although public comments by at least two athletes, questioning Semenya's eligibility, have reignited the debate over the teenager's gender status.

"We are not bothered by those comments," Athletics South Africa acting head Ray Mali told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "We are all excited that she is back in the team. I watched the meet in Berlin on Sunday and was quite happy to see the way she was received by the crowd.

"Caster is back and the world has accepted Caster is back."

Mali added Semenya's preparations for the Commonwealth Games were going very well. She ran 1 minute, 59.90 seconds at the ISTAF meet, the first time she ran under two minutes since her return.

"The fact that she's unbeaten in her three races thus far and has improved her time on each occasion is good news for our medal effort in New Delhi," Sam said.

Semenya will run later this week at the Diamond League final in Brussels and at two meets in Italy in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

Read more...

Read more...

Now Kalmadi Alleges that Every paisa has been accounted

Now Kalmadi Alleges that Every paisa has been accounted

Refuting the allegations of irregularities in hiring AM Films and AM Cars and Vans for various services during Queen’s Baton relay launch function last October in London, Kalmadi said the documents showed the communication with the high commission on the issue last year but these weren’t made available to the Press.

Choosing to go public in order to project the affairs of the OC as transparent, an angry Kalmadi claimed that ‘‘every pie in the OC has been accounted for’’. He added: ‘‘The fact that the OC has sought a VAT refund of 61,419 pounds from the UK government shows that we have nothing to hide.’’

According to the Times Now report, the alleged irregularities came to light during a scrutiny when OC asked for a VAT refund in March 2010 for payments to AM Films.

Kalmadi said the budget for the launch of the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi on October 29 last year was approved by the executive board of the OC and the necessary permissions for incurring the expenditure in foreign currency were taken from Reserve Bank of India. ‘‘All the remittances were made against this clearance and no payments were made after October 30, 2009,’’ he said.

He claimed that the executive board of the OC cleared a budget of Rs 13 crore for the function and only Rs 6 crore was spent. ‘‘We saved money from the function budget,’’ he asserted.

Rebutting the allegation that the OC transfers 25,000 pounds every month to AM Films for costume design, Kalmadi said, ‘‘It is all false and baseless, fabricated, prejudiced, frivolous and vindictive propaganda. These transactions do not exist.’’

‘‘OC appointed Jack Morton Worldwide through a global tender process as the event management company to organize the Queen’s Baton Relay launch ceremony in London. It also appointed South Asia Academy, UK, to organise the cultural programme during the launch,’’ Kalmadi said in his statement. ‘‘AM Cars and Vans a company empanelled by the high commission of India in London was appointed for all the transportation requirements on the rates approved by the high commission,’’ Kalmadi claimed.

His statement said that on October 23 last year, during a meeting chaired by Tim Owen, Westminster City Council, and attended by the officials of Metropolitan Police, London Traffic Control Centre, London Fire Brigade, ambulance services and Buckingham Palace officials, they were told that additional items like mobile video screens, portable toilets, ambulances, barricades etc. had to be placed at the launch site without which the authorities would not allow holding of the programme.

‘The OC agreed to arrange all the items and video screens were procured from AM Films Ltd at 146,868.80 pounds. AM Cars and Vans offered to help through its associate company, AM Films Ltd. Both companies delivered all the requirements to the OC’s satisfaction. The money to AM Films was paid through bank transfer from Delhi with due approvals. The other items like mobile toilets and barricades were got through AM Cars and Vans,’’ Kalmadi said.

Asked why a company was not chosen for these jobs through a tender as is usually done, Kalmadi claimed the OC was asked to arrange for these things at a short notice and there was no time to float a tender.

Read more...

New Zealand diplomats fear terror attack ahead of Commonwealth Games

New Zealand diplomats fear terrorists will attack a "soft target" in India ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, according to cables reported in a newspaper on Thursday. One of the cables, obtained by the Dominion Post under the Official Information Act, said: Environment could be overshadowed by some form of soft target attack such as the recent attack on the German Bakery in Pune, which would be unsettling and capture media attention."

A bomb attack at the bakery Feb 13 killed 17 people, including four foreigners, and injured 65 others.

New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Mike Stanley this week told the country's 195 athletes and 100 officials selected for the Games Oct 3-14 to continue preparations to go.

However, he told the paper that the committee would pull out if security was "not appropriate."

"At a point in time, we're going to have to say: 'Are we comfortable to have a team going to Delhi?' That time is not now, but that is certainly a decision we will take when we get people on the ground in India," Stanley said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the New Zealand government was treating security arrangements for the games very seriously.

A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said that sporting bodies involved would decide whether athletes should travel to India, but the government was keeping them advised of developments and there was high-level liaison with the police and top officials.

Read more...

PM calls meet on Commonwealth Games

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of a spate of controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a meeting with the ministers concerned this evening to review preparations for the mega event to be held in October.

The meeting will be attended by Sports Ministers M S Gill, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and others involved, official sources said.

The meeting assumes significance in view of questions being raised over the state of preparedness for the sports event and allegations of corruption surrounding it.

Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi is in the eye of a storm because of the allegations.

The Prime Minister's action came a day after the Congress top brass, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, deliberated on the matter at the meeting of the party's Core Group.

During the discussions in Parliament on the Games this week, there were suggestions that the Government appoint a high-level committee on the lines of the one formed during the 1982 Asian Games which was headed by late Rajiv Gandhi with the then Sports Minister Buta Singh working under him along other officials. However, the Sports Minister had turned down the proposal.

The BJP yesterday demanded that the Prime Minister speak on the issue failing which it would press for suspension of Question Hour in both Houses of Parliament on Monday.

Read more...