Mihir Bose's Blog, page 52
June 27, 2013
Why world football should learn from the Americans
Those in Brazil who are now so angry about staging the 2014 World Cup should blame their fellow South Americans, the Colombians, for making it such a high profile political event.
It was the Colombians in 1973 who both invented modern football World Cup bidding and linked it to politics. Seeking the 1986 World Cup, they entertained a visiting FIFA delegation lavishly and at a reception the president of Columbia, Dr Borrero, made it clear that hosting the competition would prove Colombia had arrived as a nation. "It is in everyone's mutual interest to demonstrate to the world that a country such as ours is perfectly competent to put this challenge to its sports administration, thus conveying all other nations just how capable it is of organizing an event of this magnitude in 1986." The Colombians then made declarations that have been echoed by Brazilian politicians, indeed any politician seeking the World Cup: "If it is necessary to construct new stadia, we shall do so with the people's backing in the knowledge of the Colombians' love of football."
It was the Colombians in 1973 who both invented modern football World Cup bidding and linked it to politics. Seeking the 1986 World Cup, they entertained a visiting FIFA delegation lavishly and at a reception the president of Columbia, Dr Borrero, made it clear that hosting the competition would prove Colombia had arrived as a nation. "It is in everyone's mutual interest to demonstrate to the world that a country such as ours is perfectly competent to put this challenge to its sports administration, thus conveying all other nations just how capable it is of organizing an event of this magnitude in 1986." The Colombians then made declarations that have been echoed by Brazilian politicians, indeed any politician seeking the World Cup: "If it is necessary to construct new stadia, we shall do so with the people's backing in the knowledge of the Colombians' love of football."
June 26, 2013
Why world football should learn from the Americans
Insideworldfootball
Those in Brazil who are now so angry about staging the 2014 World Cup should blame their fellow South Americans, the Colombians, for making it such a high profile political event.
It was the Colombians in 1973 who both invented modern football World Cup bidding and linked it to politics. Seeking the 1986 World Cup, they entertained a visiting FIFA delegation lavishly and at a reception the president of Columbia, Dr Borrero, made it clear that hosting the competition would prove Colombia had arrived as a nation. "It is in everyone's mutual interest to demonstrate to the world that a country such as ours is perfectly competent to put this challenge to its sports administration, thus conveying all other nations just how capable it is of organizing an event of this magnitude in 1986." The Colombians then made declarations that have been echoed by Brazilian politicians, indeed any politician seeking the World Cup: "If it is necessary to construct new stadia, we shall do so with the people's backing in the knowledge of the Colombians' love of football."
Those in Brazil who are now so angry about staging the 2014 World Cup should blame their fellow South Americans, the Colombians, for making it such a high profile political event.
It was the Colombians in 1973 who both invented modern football World Cup bidding and linked it to politics. Seeking the 1986 World Cup, they entertained a visiting FIFA delegation lavishly and at a reception the president of Columbia, Dr Borrero, made it clear that hosting the competition would prove Colombia had arrived as a nation. "It is in everyone's mutual interest to demonstrate to the world that a country such as ours is perfectly competent to put this challenge to its sports administration, thus conveying all other nations just how capable it is of organizing an event of this magnitude in 1986." The Colombians then made declarations that have been echoed by Brazilian politicians, indeed any politician seeking the World Cup: "If it is necessary to construct new stadia, we shall do so with the people's backing in the knowledge of the Colombians' love of football."
June 25, 2013
Lewis Hamilton has all this talent but it’s been squandered and lost, says Damon Hill
Evening Standard
The 1996 champion has a warning for Lewis Hamilton, thinks that the success already achieved by Sebastian Vettel is ‘ridiculous’ and urges Bernie Ecclestone to invest some of F1’s riches in Silverstone
Hill . . . on Lewis Hamilton
Lewis, nurtured as a prodigy by his father, Anthony, and Ron Dennis [of McLaren] has a great story to tell. The question is how will the story turn out? Where is Lewis’s career going? He is mercurial, got all this talent but somehow it’s squandered and lost. When is he going to get it back? Will he maximise his opportunity? He’s moved to Mercedes. He’s not 30 but he’s getting close [28]. The clock is ticking for Lewis.
The 1996 champion has a warning for Lewis Hamilton, thinks that the success already achieved by Sebastian Vettel is ‘ridiculous’ and urges Bernie Ecclestone to invest some of F1’s riches in Silverstone
Hill . . . on Lewis Hamilton
Lewis, nurtured as a prodigy by his father, Anthony, and Ron Dennis [of McLaren] has a great story to tell. The question is how will the story turn out? Where is Lewis’s career going? He is mercurial, got all this talent but somehow it’s squandered and lost. When is he going to get it back? Will he maximise his opportunity? He’s moved to Mercedes. He’s not 30 but he’s getting close [28]. The clock is ticking for Lewis.
June 21, 2013
Channel 4’s tricky task of taking on the BBC
You would not think Clare Balding would ever take second place to anybody. But just as Channel 4 was finalising this year’s Derby coverage the producer, Carl Hicks, heard that the Queen would arrive at Epsom the very moment Balding was due to start coverage of the race meeting.
I am standing at the back of the special studio the Channel has constructed at the finish line and watched Hicks rehearse Balding through her opening lines. This shows her on a top of a bus interviewing a grandfather, father and grandchild. It is supposed to reflect the three generational Derby story: the favourite, Dawn Approach, having had father – New Approach – and grandfather – Gallelio – win the Derby.
I am standing at the back of the special studio the Channel has constructed at the finish line and watched Hicks rehearse Balding through her opening lines. This shows her on a top of a bus interviewing a grandfather, father and grandchild. It is supposed to reflect the three generational Derby story: the favourite, Dawn Approach, having had father – New Approach – and grandfather – Gallelio – win the Derby.
June 18, 2013
Ed Dunlop: Sir Henry Cecil was a great, I’ve just been lucky
Ed Dunlop is not much given to regret but, as he arrived for the start of Royal Ascot today, he confessed to a feeling of enormous sadness. For the first time since he came to the Royal meeting as a 17-year-old with his father John, a former champion trainer, he will not see Sir Henry Cecil.
The Newmarket trainer tells me: “I knew him since I was a boy. He was a great friend of my father and godfather to my younger brother Harry [another trainer]. He was without a shadow of a doubt the greatest trainer, along with Vincent O’Brien.”
The Newmarket trainer tells me: “I knew him since I was a boy. He was a great friend of my father and godfather to my younger brother Harry [another trainer]. He was without a shadow of a doubt the greatest trainer, along with Vincent O’Brien.”
June 11, 2013
Allan Border: I’ll piggyback Beefy round Piccadilly Circus if England beat Australia 5-0
Captain who sparked old enemy’s Ashes dominance explains why he believes this summer’s series will turn out be a lot closer contest than people expect
Evening Standard
Should Sir Ian Botham’s forecast of a unprecedented 5-0 England whitewash of the Ashes come true, then Piccadilly Circus will be the site of the spectacle of the summer.
“Look,” says Allan Border, Australia captain for three Ashes series’ victories between 1989 and 1993. “I’ll piggyback Beefy round Piccadilly Circus if England beat Australia 5-0. England deserve to be favourites. But Botham’s 5-0 just won’t happen, it’s going to be a lot tighter.”
Evening Standard
Should Sir Ian Botham’s forecast of a unprecedented 5-0 England whitewash of the Ashes come true, then Piccadilly Circus will be the site of the spectacle of the summer.
“Look,” says Allan Border, Australia captain for three Ashes series’ victories between 1989 and 1993. “I’ll piggyback Beefy round Piccadilly Circus if England beat Australia 5-0. England deserve to be favourites. But Botham’s 5-0 just won’t happen, it’s going to be a lot tighter.”
June 7, 2013
Can Mourinho make us fall in love with Chelsea?
Insideworldfootball
Jose Mourinho has nothing in common with Richard Burton. But the Portuguese, like the great Welsh actor, is about to discover what it means to go back to your first love. And, while not even the most devoted Stamford Bridge fan will argue that Chelsea is football's Elizabeth Taylor, the way Mourinho has expressed himself in recent weeks, leading up to return, leaves no doubt that his great love for the west London club almost matches that of Burton for Taylor.
Normally, in such situations, both parties to the remarriage make declarations of how much they have learnt from their previous mistakes. In this case there has been no such pronouncements. In the closed world that Chelsea have adopted - they are not alone, Arsenal regularly provide master classes on how to be the Kremlins of English football - we would not expect any great statements from them. But in the way Mourinho has expressed himself there are clear indications that in this, his second coming, the Special One will approach his job very differently.
Jose Mourinho has nothing in common with Richard Burton. But the Portuguese, like the great Welsh actor, is about to discover what it means to go back to your first love. And, while not even the most devoted Stamford Bridge fan will argue that Chelsea is football's Elizabeth Taylor, the way Mourinho has expressed himself in recent weeks, leading up to return, leaves no doubt that his great love for the west London club almost matches that of Burton for Taylor.
Normally, in such situations, both parties to the remarriage make declarations of how much they have learnt from their previous mistakes. In this case there has been no such pronouncements. In the closed world that Chelsea have adopted - they are not alone, Arsenal regularly provide master classes on how to be the Kremlins of English football - we would not expect any great statements from them. But in the way Mourinho has expressed himself there are clear indications that in this, his second coming, the Special One will approach his job very differently.
June 4, 2013
Rugby World Cup: I’d like to think that when people look at 2015, they will instantly think rugby, says chief Debbie Jevans
Evening Standard
Debbie Jevans is already getting a little tired of hearing that her job as chief executive of the 2015 Rugby World Cup must be a doddle compared with being director of sport for London 2012.
Jevans stepped into the role last October and in her first interview since then she tells me: “People keep coming up and saying, ‘Oh, it’s got to be easier. You had 26 sports to organise [for 2012] versus one sport now’.
Debbie Jevans is already getting a little tired of hearing that her job as chief executive of the 2015 Rugby World Cup must be a doddle compared with being director of sport for London 2012.
Jevans stepped into the role last October and in her first interview since then she tells me: “People keep coming up and saying, ‘Oh, it’s got to be easier. You had 26 sports to organise [for 2012] versus one sport now’.
May 30, 2013
FIFA and football could learn about democracy from the Olympics
Insideworldfootball
During the London Olympics last year much was made about how much football could learn from the Olympics. Sepp Blatter, FIFA's president, speaking at Wembley just before Team GB played Brazil, was asked whether the world's most popular game could learn from the world's greatest sporting event.
"Absolutely," he answered, "At the beginning of the game, [the behaviour] is okay in football. But, at the end, we still have problems to bring the players together. [This is] because the losing team will not come to shake hands because they have lost. This is a pity. In the other games which I have witnessed in these Olympics, at the end of the match they are all coming together."
During the London Olympics last year much was made about how much football could learn from the Olympics. Sepp Blatter, FIFA's president, speaking at Wembley just before Team GB played Brazil, was asked whether the world's most popular game could learn from the world's greatest sporting event.
"Absolutely," he answered, "At the beginning of the game, [the behaviour] is okay in football. But, at the end, we still have problems to bring the players together. [This is] because the losing team will not come to shake hands because they have lost. This is a pity. In the other games which I have witnessed in these Olympics, at the end of the match they are all coming together."
May 28, 2013
Alan Kelly: The mob were just 20 yards from our families
Alan Kelly will coach the Republic keepers at Wembley tomorrow but, 18 years ago, he watched from between the sticks as England fans went on the rampage in Dublin
Evening Standard
England have not played the Republic of Ireland for nearly 20 years but Alan Kelly knows how significant it is when the two countries meet.
“Playing England has an extra edge,” says the Republic’s goalkeeping coach ahead of only the 15th meeting between the nations at Wembley tomorrow night. “The past history between England and Ireland and what that brings to such an occasion can’t be escaped.
Evening Standard
England have not played the Republic of Ireland for nearly 20 years but Alan Kelly knows how significant it is when the two countries meet.
“Playing England has an extra edge,” says the Republic’s goalkeeping coach ahead of only the 15th meeting between the nations at Wembley tomorrow night. “The past history between England and Ireland and what that brings to such an occasion can’t be escaped.
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