All About Skype: Revolution in VOIP

Skype is now one going to be one of the leading VoIP service providers in the telecommunication world with their ever growing users around the world. They provide services in almost all of the countries in the world. They initially attracted people through providing high quality pc to pc talking service with an excellent quality for free. Now, they can make a position in the telecommunication and VoIP market introducing some other services which are absent in other service providers.

For free services Skype can offer a video calling system where both the persons will see each other while talking with through webcam. The service will not cost a single penny to the users and the quality would be best comparing with other VoIP companies. It is true that some other companies like Yahoo have already came up with this service but the quality of video and voice will differentiate Skype from other existing companies. While people will get the better quality then they will definitely go for the better and within a short period of time users will rush for the Skype’s video talking. It would be the main attraction among the users.

Here, Skype can introduce a quality webcam for the Skype users with a lower price and they can easily make people understand that this camera will ensure a better quality for video talking. It is noteworthy that, currently Skype has 200 products in which 100 are Skype certified which have a good demand in the market and people believe in Skype products as it provides quality products.

So, it is very clear that Skype, through this service, can provide the best service comparing other companies for the same price level. From this point of view I think Skype bosses can go for “The same for less” positioning strategy for their service areas.

Moreover, Skype can also make their position in their value added services. For example, with the accordance of SkypeOut, the authority of Skype can add an extra feature of video option which means that when a person will call to a landphone or mobile phone both of the persons will be able to see each other. Here, a question comes that how a person talking over the land phone will make him available to see for the person sitting in front of the computer as there is no video option with land phone sets.

Let me be first to provide a bit of explanation regarding this matter. As Skype certified products have a great demand in the market then it is possible to market a new product using the brand name. Moreover, if that product gives some extra benefits or has some additional features compared to same category of products of different companies available at the market then the product must have some demand from its initial stage of being marketed. From this point of view, Skype can introduce a land phone set with a built-in camera through which the person talking from the Skype account will also be able to see that person. People will attract with this phone rather than the traditional one as with this new phone set they will have access to video conferencing from anywhere through just telephone sets. In the same way, Skype can also market a mobile phone which will also provide same service for video talking.

In this way, Skype will get much popularity through this product because when people will be introduced with this product and its additional feature in the market then they will come to know about Skype and its services even if they have no idea about Skype beforehand.

Using this technology, businessmen will have access to video conferencing even when he or she is out or in move for their work. If this service is given for free with SkypeOut service then it can be a market positioning for the value added services of Skype and the cost of SkypeOut is very cheap comparing with other VoIP services of different VoIP companies.

So, it is very clear that, through this service, Skype will provide better quality and also for the same price level which also stands for “The same for less” positioning strategy.

Skype is clearly the market leader in VOIP. The growth of the software is spectacular and it is continuing to grow. Many companies now use Skype in their communication around the world. The rapid expansion of Skype has changed the telephone world and many big telecom companies may feel threatened from Skype in future. On the other hand, Skype has not been able to be considered as a viable alternative to the PSTN telephone system. Skype is not under threat from the big telecom companies but in future some of the big telecom companies may address the market segment on which Skype is working.

Skype has one clear advantage over the big telecom companies. Skype is expanding very fast. Because Skype is Internet based it can cover the entire world easily. For example, if a big telecom company wants to cover Asia, Europe and America then it has to spend a lot of money and open a lot of offices in many cities. On the other hand, to get the service of Skype, you just need an Internet connection. Broadband Internet is now becoming a common thing in many countries. Even in Bangladesh, we have better internet now than just 2 years ago.

On the other hand, the main disadvantage of Skype is that it is Internet based and you need some technical know how to use Skype. For using a telephone or mobile phone, you do not need any technical knowledge.
So, Skype officials have to keep these factors in mind while developing a strategy for dealing with big telecom companies. Skype should not go after big telecom companies right away. Instead, it should make its position very strong in the VOIP market. Millions of Internet users still do not use Skype and many of them do not know about the benefits of Skype. So, Skype officials should take a strategy to inform these users. On the other hand, Skype should integrate many of the features of PSTN so that many telephone users get interested about using Skype.


Skype has some deal with other companies with partnership relations. In 2004, they had partnership deal with hardware companies Plantronics and Siemens Mobile, and software company Global IP Sound and the Internet service provider PC home online. For getting feedback in the hardware and software sector, Skype made those partnership relations with the companies.

Partnership deal can be needed for feedback in terms of investment or in other problems like technological problems. Most big companies in the world have some partnership deal with some other companies rather than individual. As the world is getting closer day by day, it is badly needed for the multi-national companies to have partnering relations with some other companies. Considering these things I think Skype should go for partnership deal realizing the places it needs feedback.

Skype is still a VOIP service provider company and it could not enter in the PSTN based telecommunication sector or in the traditional telecommunication sector. For entering in this segment of the market, Skepe should be developed in its technology otherwise it is not possible for them and in doing so, another company can provide help in getting into this market which is very necessary to have for a new company of this sector. Though many will say that partnership has some negative aspects too such as having conflicts in future, hard to keep privacy, but its positive sides can easily overthrow the negative aspects.

Having a partnership is also very useful for building a brand for a particular product. Advertisement can be made through partnering. Different kinds of partnership are available from which a company can choose its best partnership strategy considering its needs and demand. So, no doubt, partnership can turn some extra revenue for the company and it can have effects on the company for a long time. Here, it is noteworthy that at present, Skype has six types of partnering ways who are indirectly helping the company to make revenue.

Market is always competitive and here each of the company is to struggle to survive. More the company can provide superior value to its customers, more they will make revenue. In order to make some additional superior value, companies are to come up with new products or develop existing products.

I think, for grabbing a greater market share the Skype should focus on those services offered by other companies because people will use Skype for a better calling quality but for other services like chatting in different chat rooms, which is available in yahoo service, users will go for other service providers. So, for those users, Skype should come up with this chatting option in different chat rooms of different places.
They can also introduce video calling with a good quality for free so that users will be more interested to Skype as they are with the calling quality. In this way they can market some other product which can be made exclusively for this video purpose which also deserves to have a good quality. So, it is a good way to make some extra benefit marketing a new product in the market. Another product can be appropriate for Skype is video conferencing with land phone as well as mobile phone so that a person can have a conference any time. For this, Skype can also come up with a new land phone set with a built in camera. If the quality of the video is good then, no doubt, it will make a boom for Skype.

Skepe is mainly making revenue some of its value added services like SkypeOut, SkypeIn, Skepe Voicemail and Call Forwarding. These services are not free but these are available for a low cost. Among these services users sometimes face some problems regarding some of the problem especially in the call forwarding. Some users have complained that the caller who called him have seen a message “the user is offline” though the call was forwarded. Another thing is that at present, it is mandatory to have the Skype software in both the computers to make a call but if this software can make available with the windows system then the number of user would definitely be increased.

So, through introducing new product and developing the existing product Skype can make a good amount of revenue which is helpful for any company. With an excellent market growth, Skype has potential to make flourish in this market.

Skype is now the market leader in the VOIP market with an excellent market growth. In 2004, it has 20 m registered users which are now more than 55 m and everyday more than 150,000 people register to Skype which indicates a great turnover for the company.

The company is providing many services for free so in future the company may face some financial problem. It is also true that they are earning revenue through some value added services like SkypeOut, SkypeIn, Call forwarding and Voicemail. Moreover, as Skype is based on Peer 2 Peer technology its marginal cost is also very low which let the company offer some free services with best quality on which the company is positioning.

To avoid this kind of problem, Skype should go for a liberal pricing strategy. In this way they should charge some for the services otherwise in future if they increase the prices the users can get shock which will not be a good thing to happen for the company. However, if they charge some form now then it will not seem to be illogical in future.

As Skype is making money based on P2P technology and it is going to make a monopoly market which will never be let go free without any challenge. May be US government or any private institution will investigate and research for this technology and will make a counter product or service and for example I can name the Kazza software. Besides, other countries will also go for this technology as it is making boom in the VOIP telecommunication system. So, the Skype bosses should always have a look to the companies and countries in the world.

Though Skype is now the market leader, it will be a big challenge to survive in top as other companies in the market will try to make some way to disrupt their revenue. Another thing is that, big telecommunication companies can also try to make software like Skype in order to have the same amount of revenue as Skype is now making.

So, it will definitely be a great challenge for Skype to sustain themselves in the same position they now exist. Of course, they should go for some strategy to avoid the problems and survive in the market.

World Cup Cricket 2007: Who will be the Winner?

This is surely a million dollar question. There is too much at stake. Last time, Australia captured the crown. This time, it will not be a bed of roses for them.

Cricket: Top Ten Fielders

In Cricket, fielding is a very important thing. A run saved is a run scored and a catch missed means a match is lost. Specially, these days, fielders can contribute a lot in helping a team to win. When it comes to fielding South Africa, Sri Lanka and Australia are good while India and Pakistani players are terrible in fielding. Here, I have made a list of ten of the greatest fielders. Some of them do not play anymore but they charmed the fans with their catches and run outs.

Ricky Ponting:

Ricky Ponting is one of the best batsmen in the history of world cricket. This talented batsman is now the captain of world champion Australia. As a captain he won the last world cup for Australia in 2003 in South Africa. With his batting skill he also serves his team as an excellent fielder. He is very speedy in running and his accuracy is something special in his cricketing career. He is also specialist in catching. Statistics shows that he has more than 100 catches in both Test and ODI cricket. He has 123 and 114 catches in Test and ODI cricket respectively and in both types of cricket he stands in the top ten list in terms of catching record.

Jonty Rhodes:

Jonty Rhodes is the cricketer who made people recognize fielding as an art and he is the greatest artist in this art. He is undoubtedly the one of the best fielder in the history of cricket. In the field his acrobatic movement was something unbelievable and real entertainment for the spectators. His could serve his team through his diving power, catching power and above all throwing capabilities which, for sure, save many runs for his team. Jonty is the only player who has 5 catches in a ODI match. Though he got chance in the team as a Batsman, he soon became familiar with his trademark diving and extraordinary fielding capacity.

Besides, his batting record is also very good but his batting career could not come into limelight because of his fielding performance. He has over seven thousand runs in ODI cricket and over five thousand runs in test cricket. Rhodes has 105 catches in his ODI career and he also bagged 34 catches playing just 55 test matches. He ahs made many picturesque performances in which Inzamam ul-Haq’s run out in 1992 world cup is special and it deserves to be included in the golden history of cricket as one of the best pictures ever seen in the cricket field. I am quoting some lines regarding that run out from southafrica.info:

Swooping onto a ball from his position at backward point, Rhodes raced ul-Haq, who had ventured down the pitch, to the crease, beating him, with his right arm holding the ball and extended like Superman, with a dive that knocked all three stumps out of the ground. The pictures were shown around the world and a legend was born.

Image Link: southafrica,info/ess

Regarding this talented cricketer, cricinfo says:

Rhodes worked harder than anyone else in a team of hard workers, frequently delaying the team bus at the end of practice for one more round of reflex catches hit from ten metres or less. Nobody has ever fielded better in the key one-day position of backward point, where he leapt like a salmon, threw off balance, and stopped singles by reputation alone.

Jonty Rhodes has been another name of fielding and I ma sure his name will be remembered till the game cricket remains alive.


Mohammad Azharuddin:

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin is also known as a skilled fielder besides his talented batting. He is best known for his accuracy and catching capability in the sleep position. Though it is true that he more famous and one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket, he still holds the record of having highest number of catch in ODI career. In ODI cricket Azharuddin bagged 156 catches and in test cricket 105 catches which also stands in the top ten list of most catches taker in test cricket. His batting performance especially in the ODI cricket deserves him to be included in the list of legendary batsmen. He has over nine thousand runs in ODI cricket and over six thousand runs in test cricket. He could his wrist extraordinarily while playing in the leg side which is a rarely seen among the batsmen.

Stephen Fleming:

Best known as his outstanding captaincy and his consistent batting performance, Stephen Fleming is also known as a very good fielder. His catching record can well prove his fielding capability. He is in the third position in terms of highest catch holder in test cricket and in fourth position in the list of highest number of catch holder in ODI cricket. This talented fielder already has taken 159 catches in test cricket and 119 catches in ODI cricket. Fleming has over six thousand test and seven thousand ODI runs. Fleming is one of those five players who have 5 catches in an innings in test match and also one of those five cricketers in the history who could take 7 catches in a test match.

Allan Border:

Allan Border is the legendary batsman in test cricket. He is the first player to reach at the landmark of 11000 runs in the history of test cricket. He has over six thousand runs in ODI cricket. However, as a fielder he was also very successful. His 127 catches in ODI cricket is just second to Mohammad Azharuddin’s 156 catches. He has 156 catches in Test cricket which is fifth highest in the list of highest catching holder.

Mark Taylor:

Mark Taylor is the former captain and opening batsman of Australian cricket team. He was very popular as a captain and also very successful. As a batsman he has more than seven thousand test runs and more than three thousand ODI runs in his career. Besides, he was also an outstanding fielder in the slip position. His 157 catches in test cricket was a record for that time and it is still the fourth highest catching performance. He also has 56 ODI catches.


Ian Botham:

Botham was former England captain and one of the best all-rounders in the history of cricket. He has over five thousand test runs with 383 wickets and over two thousands ODI runs with 145 wickets. Statistics can not prove his dominant role in his time in the cricket world. Besides his batting and bowling performance he is also known as a good fielder too. He got 120 catches in test cricket playing just 102 test matches. He also has 36 catches in ODI cricket.

Carl Hooper:

Carl Hooper was the former captain of West Indies cricket team. He has over five thousand runs in both test and ODI cricket. With his right-arm offbreak bowling was also very effective for his team. He has 193 wickets in ODI cricket and has 114 wickets in Test cricket. However, as a fielder he also served his team very well. He got 120 catches in ODI cricket which is third highest in the list of highest catching holder. He also has 115 catches in test crickets.

Brian Lara:

Brian Lara is a name has already been included in the history of cricket as most successful batsmen. ‘The Prince of Port-of-Spain’ nicknamed this benevolent figure of cricket is the highest run scorer n test cricket with his 11953 runs. He also scored more than ten thousand runs in ODI cricket. Lara is now the captain of the team and doing his job very well. Besides, he is also an excellent fielder. He has more than 100 catches in both types of cricket. His 164 wicket is the second highest catching record in Test cricket. He also has 114 catches in ODI cricket.

Mahela Jayawardene:

Mahela Jayawardene is a talented batsman and now the captain of Sri Lankan cricket team. He has over six thousand runs in both test and ODI cricket. This batting icon of Sri Lanka is also a very successful fielder in both test cricket and ODI cricket. He has more than 100 catches in both test and ODI cricket. He is known as a very good slip fielder. This benevolent figure of Sri Lankan cricket has already got 114 wickets in ODI cricket and 113 wickets in Test cricket. His 114 wickets in ODI cricket is the fifth highest catching record.

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World Cup Cricket 2007: Coming Soon

There are just nearly 85 days left before ICC World Cup Cricket 2007. It is the biggest cricket tournament in the world and one of the largest sporting events in this planet. More than 1 billion people will enjoy it television. We are going to cover this tournament regularly in this blog. So, watch out in the next few days.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Help the Kenyan Schoolchildren

Microsoft’s chairman Bill Gates and her wife Melinda Gates jointly have a foundation which is just for charitable works. This foundation has recently involved in a program in Kenya and in this program the foundation will provide safe water, make people conscious about the sanitary latrine etc. THhis program is called SWASH+ (Sustaining and Scaling School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Plus Community Impact). I am quoting some of the lines from a Blogging about Bill Gates:

The children, spread over 300 primary schools, will now have access safe water and sanitation and enjoy better hygiene.

In the next five years, the programme, known as SWASH+ (Sustaining and Scaling School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Plus Community Impact) will identify, develop, and test innovative school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene projects in the province. In addition, the programme will provide valuable information on the costs and benefits of school water, sanitation and hygiene programmes.

A consortium made up of the NGOs CARE, Water Partners International (WPI) and their local implementing partner Sustainable Aid in Africa International (SANA), the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA), the Centre for Global Safe Water at Emory University (CGSW), and the Global Water Challenge will implement an applied research study and government-led upgrading over the next five years.

In the first three years of the SWASH+ programme, 300 teachers will learn to treat their school water supply with chlorine and hand washing stations will be installed. In this project, sanitation will be improved in 180 schools.

Teachers will also establish school health clubs and teach students appropriate hygiene techniques. In addition, community members will participate in developing new water points in 60 communities where there is no water supply in the school.

From the third year, consortium partners will support the government of Kenya to bring best practices fully to Nyanza Province.

It is estimated that more than 3,700 primary schools in the province require safe drinking water and hygiene facilities, and more than 35,000 school latrines are required throughout the province to meet government recommended standards.

n January 2006, a working group of partners from the pilot initiative, potential donors, key government ministries, Unicef, the World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, and international and Kenya-based NGOs met in Kisumu to discuss lessons learned from this pilot initiative. The meeting also focused on determining next steps in broadening the project.

It seems good that the foundation have taken a good initiative for the development of school children of Kenya. I think they can also operate such program in other countries too. However, it is also needed to materialize the plan taken by the organizers.

Test

This is a test.

Shane Warne: A Living Legend of World Cricket

Shane Warne, a name of the constant threat to a batsman, has said good buy to test cricket and the remaining two test matches of Ashes series will be his last international appearance. That is the end of an ear in world cricket. Yesterday, on December 21 he declared his retirement from all sorts of international cricket in a crowded press conference.

This greatest spinner of all time in the history cricket will be past after the ongoing Ashes series. He is now at the verge of a prestigious milestone of getting 700 wickets for the first bowler in test cricket. He is now standing with 699 wickets. He still holds the record of highest wicket takers in test cricket. It is a big chance for this legendary figure of cricket to reach at this landmark in his home town stadium in Melbourne.

It seems to be a hallucination to think that nobody will be seen to appeal so loudly for a leg before or no body will be seen delivering some magical leg spin including flipper and no body will hear Gilchrist saying “Bowling Warney”. Shane Warne has made a distinct position in the world cricket.

Shane Keith Warne was born in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia in Spetember 13, 1969. This great bowler of test cricket started his cricketing career with an awesome performance. In his debut match against the touring India is bowling figure was 1/228 in 1992. His off form continued in the series against Sri Lanka too though his 3/11 in the second innings of a test match against Sri Lanka held Australia to a memorable win. However, it was7/52 against West Indies in 1992/93 season which is considered as a turning point in his career and from then on he did not look back rather each of his steps was giant and he could show the world that a spinner can also be a threat to a batsmen. Here it is noteworthy that before Warne’s international debut, fast bowlers had dominated the world cricket for at least two decades. The first era was led by Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, two notable and great Australian fast bowlers, who had dominated in the 70’s. Then from 1976 to early 90’s, some of the West Indian legendary pace men including Marshal, Garner, Holding and Kapil Dev from India and Imran Khan from Pakistan were also with them dominating the cricket world. However, after his debut in 1992, he could make himself up to a distinct standard of spin bowling and the started dominating in both ODI and test cricket.

Some of his best performance was seen in Ashes series and against South African batsmen. His famous delivery against English batsman Mike Gatting known as ‘Gatting Ball” and dubbed as ‘Ball of the Century’. In the delivery the ball was pitches far from the leg stamp but unexpectedly the ball came inside which made Gatting played on. The delivery was something especial which one can make once in his career. South African batsmen Daryl Cullinan had to go to therapist to face Warne’s leg spin. On the other hand his performance against India was something does go with his overall performance in his cricketing career.






Warne’s whole career was not only adorned with success rather controversy was also a part of his career which he could depart from neither his professional nor personal life. In 1998, he and Mark Waugh, the then opening batsman of Australian team, were accused of taking money from the bookmakers. Just before the last world cup cricket in 2003 he was sent off to Australia from host country South Africa after being positive in drug test. Banned diuretic was found in hid blood and as a result, ICC banned him from all kinds of International cricket for one year. Many thought that it would not be possible for him to come back with his own form but Warne made them wrong coming back to international cricket and making through some outstanding performance and became the highest wicket taker in the test cricket.

I think his confidence and determination to his aim is the best asset of Shane Warne. If you look back to his career, you can easily understand that how he reached at the pick in spite of having many obstacles which is not possible for a week minded cricketer. Due to some controversies regarding his relation with women made his personal life critical resulting his separation with his wife Simone. However, he was dedicated to his job in the field. He made the example of highest degree of professionalism which most important for today’s cricket.

Regarding this legend of legends, cricinfo says:

“Maybe, as with Posh Spice or Kylie Minogue, Warne is more famous than he is loved. Maybe we don't fully appreciate his genius; maybe, like Bradman's, it will become ever more apparent with the passing of decades. One thing's for sure, though. We'll weep when he's gone.”

In 2000, he was named as the “Wisden Cricketer of the Century” and in 2005 BBC named him as the “BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality” for his outstanding performance in Ashes that year. Besides this recognitions he was also given many awards which talks about his skill and talent in the cricket field.

It is true that nobody can play whole life and taking retirement is an inevitable part of one’s career but if the name is Shane Warne then something comes into mind which can make you emotional at least for a moment. I hope he will also be with cricket in his post-retirement life.

Related articles:

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Maria Sharapova in 2007

2007 will be a great year for Sharapova. She will be the number one player.

Boing Boing Suffering from RSS stat fluctuations

I always thought that weird problems happen for smaller bloggers like us. Well, it seems that top blogs suffer them just the way we do. Boing Boing has just reported about stat fluctuations in its entry: Pageflakes and RSS stat fluctuations with BoingBoing. I am quoting from the entry:
A message on behalf of the BoingBoing team, from our business manager John Battelle:
We've noticed that our RSS feed stats, provider by Feedburner, have been fluctuating quite a bit lately. We've heard two reasons for this - one, Yahoo's reporting to FeedBurner has been down, and MyYahooRSS makes up a large percentage of our RSS readership. But a second source of Boing Boing RSS readers has skyrocketed lately - from a company called Pageflakes.

I know that Boing Boing team will solve the problem soon. Well, they are one of the most visited sites in Internet today. What is interesting is that they also suffer problem just like the rest of us.

Sania: The Most Glamorous Star in the Doha Asian Games 2006

One of the prettiest tennis players of present time is Sania Mirza, the fourth seeded tennis player of the Doha Asian Games 2006, has been able to perform in her way to reach in the semi-final. Eventually, she became the main focus of this tournament. With her physical beauty and glamour, she got the highest publicity of media in this tournament and her performance to reach at the final has already won as she wars.

Here, it is noteworthy that people from other countries were also helped her and supported her as a pat of giving inspirations. At the post match conference after getting the ticket of Semi-final, she said:

“I was playing good, but she got some points, and I started to feel the pressure, and I don't know why that happened. I was hitting the ball so good, and I was playing good, and the crowd was motivating me, so that's why I won the match,"


This talented and mostly talked tennis star has been the symbol of youth in India and getting much more popularity among the Indians. This benevolent figure has the much more potential to be flourished in the international level. Here, his physical beauty is an additional quality of this good-looking girl. Regarding the issue Reuters said,

“India's Sania Mirza is attracting huge crowds and adding a big dose of glamour to the Asian Games tennis competitions.
On Sunday she defeated South Korea's Yoo Mi in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals before a huge number of Indian expatriates who crammed into the stands, roaring gleefully for every point she won.”
Sania Mirza is undoubtedly the rising sun in the international tennis and she is going to be a national idol. So, now it is yet to see if she can prove her potential in tennis.

Sania Reaches to the Semi-final of Tennis in Doha Asian Games 2006

Sania Mirza, the most talked tennis star of India, has showed some of her class in the way to reach in semi-final round in Doha Asian Games 2006 after winning two smashing victories without loosing any set. This 20 year old tennis sensation of India is the fourth seeded tennis player of this tournament. She is currently ranked 66 in the ranking of WTA.

Sania reached at quarter-final of the games defeating Korean Mi Yoo by two direct sets of 6-1, 6-4. She seemed very confident during the match and could turn some cheerful moment for the fans. Later on, she has also been given by the award. In the way to her reaching semi-final’, she also got another tremendous victory in her quarter final match against Suchanun Viratrasert of Thailand by another two-set victory.

Regarding the current performance of this glamour girl and her continuous victory timesnow.tv says:


“The fourth seeded Sania gave ample display of her class and her improving form by defeating Thailand’s Suchanun Viratrasert with a clinical 6-3 6-2 victory at the Khalifa International stadium.”

Another important thing is that Sania got an overall popularity from the beginning of the tournament and fans become very excited whenever she gets a point. Though she is not the highest ranked player in the tournament, she has possibility to win the gold medal in Doha considering these kinds of things.

Top Ten Wicketkeepers in Test cricket

Wicket keeping is a task for which players are barely praised even though they show some praiseworthy performance but if they make any mistake they are criticized much and blamed by the fans. However, the task of a wicketkeeper is not an easy one; rather they always are to be very alert all the time while playing. Today I searched on some of the legendary wicketkeepers in test cricket.

It is also true that it was not very easy to take ten wicketkeepers from a long list of wicketkeepers. There are certainly some other benevolent figures left who are equally deserved to be included in this list. So if anyone of you find someone to have been included in this list, please feel free to put your opinion in the comment section.

Ian Healy

Ian Healy was an outstanding performer behind the wicket in the history of cricket. This Australian wicketkeeper is considered as the best ever wicketkeeper in test cricket and undoubtedly his career record also proves it. Healy still holds the record of highest dismissal in test cricket with his 395 dismissals in test cricket in which 366 were (which is also a record in test cricket) catch and 29 stampings. The benovole4nt figure of test cricket was also a reliable lower order batsman for his team. With an average of 27.39 he got 4356 test runs and made 1764 runs ODI cricket. He made 4 centuries and 22 half centuries in test cricket in which his top score 161 not out. He is very famous for his quick movement and giving inspiration to the bowlers making some words with loud voice in which ‘Bowling Warnie’ to Shane Warne is noteworthy. Regarding this best wicketkeeper Cricinfo says:

“He prided himself on his total involvement, in training, in team meetings, in slashing and hooking vital runs regularly, in keeping expertly to the quicks, but his signature will always be his work standing over the stumps to Shane Warne, which elevated a prosaic business into a breathtaking spectacle.”

He also got 233 dismissals for Australia in ODI and he captained Australia in 8 ODI matches. After his retirement from all kinds of cricket, he is now involved in coaching and commentary. He became the Wisden cricketer of the year in 1994.



Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist

is considered as one of the best wicketkeepers in the preset day cricket world in both test and ODI cricket. With his aggressive batting in both test and ODI cricket, he is going to be the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the history of cricket. This left handed batsman has already got more than five thousand runs in test cricket and also got eight thousand plus runs in test cricket. As a wicketkeeper he is jointly leading in test cricket with South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher in terms of dismissals. They both got 364 dismissals in test cricket whereas in ODI cricket he got 406 dismissals which is also a record ODI cricket. With 16 test centuries he has an outstanding average of 48.48 in test cricket which proves his cricketing talent. This talented figure of Australian cricket has an ability of smashing any bowling side of world cricket. Cricinfo says:

“Going in first or seventh, wearing whites or coloureds, Adam Gilchrist has been the symbolic heart of Australia's steamrolling agenda and the most exhilarating cricketer of the modern age. He is simultaneously a cheerful throwback to more innocent times, a flap-eared country boy who has walked when given not out in a World Cup semi-final, and swatted his second ball for six while sitting on a Test pair. "Just hit the ball," is how he once described his philosophy on batting, and he seldom strays from it. Employing a high-on-the-handle grip, he pokes good balls into gaps and throttles most others, invariably with head straight, wrists soft and balance sublime.”

Gilchrist was also a member of the world cup champion Australian team in 2003. He is currently the vice captain of Australian team.

Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher is another legendary wicketkeeper of test cricket from South Africa currently playing in world cricket. He has been an integral part of South Affric cricket team since 1997. This talented figure made some noteworthy record as both wicketkeeper and batsman. Along with Pat Symcox, he set a world record of highest runs in eighth wicket partnership of 195 runs in test cricket. He is currently the second highest dismissal holder with 364 dismissals jointly with Adam Gilchrist in test cricket. Boucher has more than three thousand runs in both test and ODI cricket. He has 4teat and 1 ODI centuries. Boucher is the fastest 100 dismissals taker in test cricket. He is currently playing for South Africa as one of the senior and most important person.

Godfrey Evans

Godfrey Evans was another legend in wicket keeping position in test cricket. He showed his outstanding performance in the mid of the last century. He got 219 dismissals 91 test match in his career. However, his ability in wicket keeping can not be best explained by statistics. This Englishman is the first person to reach landmark of 200 dismissals in test cricket. He scored more than two thousands runs at an average of 20.49 with two centuries.

Rodney Marsh

Rodney William Marsh was another notable wicketkeeper of test cricket. With more than three thousand runs in test cricket he got 355 dismissals in 95 test matches. He also has 3 test centuries and 16 half centuries. He was nicknamed as Iron Gloves. This talented wicketkeeper also 92 ODI matches and got 124 dismissals and scored more than one thousand runs. Marsh became Wisden cricketer of the year in 1982. Rodney Marsh retired from all kinds of cricket in 1984 and since then he played some important role in cricket administration of Australia and also England. He was the head of the Australian Cricket Academy and also worked as director of England and Wales Cricket Board from 2001 to 2005. Now he is a consultant of South Australian Cricket Association.



Alec Stewart

Alec Stewart is the former English captain who also led England in the world cup cricket 1999. He is one of the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the history of test cricket. This talented wicketkeeper and batsman got many successes in his glorious career. He played highest number of test for England. In his 133 test long career he got 8463 runs and made 277 dismissals. Though his ODI record is not as glorious as his test career, he scored more than four thousand runs and got 174 dismissals in ODI cricket. He is the only person in the history of test cricket who got a century in the 100th test match. This legendary English cricketer has15 test centuries and 4 ODI centuries in his career. Alec Stewart became the Wisden cricketer of the year in 1993. He got into his retirement life in 2003.

Alan Knoot

Alan Knoot is the former wicketkeeper and a benevolent batsman of England. He played for England from 1967 to 1981 and got successes equally with his bat and keeping wicket. In his very first innings of Test debut against Pakistan, he got a half-century. Since then he continued showing some spectacular show both as a batsman and wicketkeeper. He played for Kent county cricket club in most of his first class cricket career. He has more than four thousand runs at an average of 32.75 in test cricket with five centuries. As a wicketkeeper, he got 269 dismissals in his notable career. Wisden named him cricketer of the year in 1970.

Jeff Dujon

Jeff Dujon is another talented wicketkeeper from West Indies. He played for the Caribbean side from 1981 to 1991. This Jamaican legend made more than three thousand runs in test cricket and 272 wickets and has 272 dismissals in test cricket. In addition, he showed some of his cricketing talent in ODI cricket as well. He got 294 dismissals and about two thousand runs in ODI cricket in his career. He is the first notable and famous wicketkeeper of West Indies cricket team. In 1989 he became one of the five Wisden cricketers of the year.

Wasim Bari

Wasim Bari is considered as another legend in wicket keeping in the history of test cricket. This talented and skilled wicketkeeper from Pakistan got 218 dismissals in his 81 test match. Bari was not a good batsman and that is the point which indicates his wicket keeping ability. He had to survive in the team only with his wicket keeping skill. Regarding this Pakistani legend cricinfo says:

“For a nation which has produced glovemen of quality but not of the calibre to be tagged as greats, Wasim Bari stands out by a distance. He was not spectacular in the mould of a Rodney Marsh or a Jeffrey Dujon. Acrobatic dives and stunning catches were not his forte. That said, one must acknowledge that Bari was an exceptionally safe `keeper, one very close to the best of his era.”

He got into his retirement in 1984 from all kind of cricket. Bari got the Life Achievement Award by PCB in 1997.

Syed Kirmani

Syed Mujtaba Hussain Kirmani is another legendary wicketkeeper in the history of test cricket. He is considered as the best wicketkeeper ever played for India. He got 198 dismissals and 2759 runs in test cricket at an average of 27.04 with two centuries. He also played ODI cricket and his best performance was seen in the 1983 World Cup cricket and he became the best wicketkeeper of that tournament where India won their first and only world cup championship. Kirmani played his last test and ODI cricket match in 1984 and after retirement he was involved in cricket administration. Earlier 2000s, he was the chairman of the selection committee for India.

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Cricket: Top Ten All Rounder of All Time

When it comes to cricket, all rounders play a vital role behind the success of a team. If you do not know that much about cricket, then let me explain to you what is an all-rounder in cricket. According to Wikipedia:
“An all-rounder is a cricket player who excels at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat, and most batsmen end up bowling occasionally, most players are skilled in only one of the two disciplines. Wicket-keepers who are also very good batsmen (such as Adam Gilchrist) are considered by some to be all-rounders.”

Here, I have made a list of the ten greatest all rounders of all time in test cricket. They played decisive role in the success of their teams. Some of them also captained their respective teams.
If you feel that any other name should come in this list, let me know in the comment section.


Jacques Kallis

Jacques Henry Kallis is undoubtedly the best all rounder at present in the cricket world. This charismatic cricketer has showed his talent in both one day and test cricket with both his bowl and bat. This year he has achieved a prestigious milestone which is unique in the history of cricket. This South African cricketer has been the first cricketer in the history who has more then 8000 runs and 200 wickets in both types of cricket. He has made 8033 runs in test cricket with an excellent average of 55.78. In his career he could reach in three figure runs for 24 times. In one day cricket, he scored 8327 runs yet with a modest average of 43.59 along with 14 centuries. With bowl, he took 200 wickets in test cricket and 218 wickets in One day cricket. His bowling average is 31.71 and 31.31 in Test and ODI cricket respectively. He started his career as a test cricketer and debut match was against England in 1995. He is also a good slip fielder and made outstanding performance in this position of fielding. Regarding his cricketing potential and excellence, I am quoting some lines from safrica.info:

“As a fast-medium bowler he has the ability to surprise batsmen with his pace. His stock ball is the outswinger, and he can also bowl a vicious bouncer capable of unsettling the best of players. Besides his ability with both bat and ball, Kallis is also a top-class slip fielder, reminding one of Brian McMillan, who used to be such a star for South Africa in the slip cordon.”

This benevolent cricketer has already made some history in the history of cricket and now is going towards the highest pick to be another legend of this game.

Kapil Dev

Haryana Hurricane nicknamed this Indian cricketer is considered as one of the best all rounders in the history of cricket. Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj is the only test cricketer who has over 4000 runs and over 400 wickets. With this unique record he is dubbed as the greatest fast bowler ever seen in India. With his 434 test wickets, he became the highest wicket taker in test cricket in 1994 which he could hold till 1999 before West Indain fast bowler Courtney Walsh broke it. This outstanding cricketer made 8 centuries in the way of scoring 5248 with an average of 31.05 in test cricket. Kapil Dev is considered as one of the best captains of Indian cricket team and became the first and only Indian captain who lifted World Cup trophy in 1983. He made his only ODI century in that tournament saving his team form a tarnishing defeat to the then new comer Zimbabwe. At times the Indian scoreboard was 17 for 5, after coming in such a crucial situation, Kapil made a smashing 175 not out which gave a healthy appearance to the Indian scoreboard resulting a close victory of India in group match. He scored 3783 runs and got 253 wickets in ODI cricket. In a test match against Egland in 1990, Kapil made four consecutive sixes, while India needed 24 runs to avoid follow on and that was India’s last wicket. Surprisingly, in the very over, his partner, the 11th batsmen was out without scoring a further single run. Regarding this legendary cricketer Cricinfo says:

“It was the stamina of the marathon runner that took him finally to 431 wickets and only a yard beyond. He might not have been quite the bowling equal of Imran, Hadlee or Botham at his best, and his strike rate was less than four wickets per Test. But he was still outstanding in his accuracy and ability to swing the ball, usually away from right-handers. And he could hit a ball even more brilliantly than he bowled it, with uncomplicated flai”

Kapil Dev was born at Haryana in Chandigarh, India in 1959. He is now living his post retirement life and also involved with administration in Cricekt.

Imran Khan

Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi is another legendary figure in the history of cricket and known as a bowling all rounder. This former Pakistani captain has an outstanding performance both in Test and ODI cricket. Pakistan won their first and only world cup trophy under his captaincy in 1992. He scored 3807 runs in test cricket and 3709 in ODI cricket. He made 6 Test and 1 ODI century in his glorious career. He got 362 and 182 wickets in test and ODI cricket respectively. Statistics can not show his fullest potential and talent in cricket. His fire-some bowling was considered as one of the toughest challenges for the contemporary batsmen. His reverse swing was the constant threat for the then batsmen of the cricket world. Cricinfo says:

“Thousands, if not millions, who had never dreamt of bowling fast on heartless baked mud suddenly wanted to emulate Imran and his lithe bounding run, his leap and his reverse-swinging yorker. He also made himself into an allrounder worth a place for his batting alone, and captained Pakistan as well as anyone, rounding off his career with the 1992 World Cup.”

This great all rounder was born in Lahore in 1952. He was educated in Kebel College, Oxford in Economics. Now, he is involved with politics.

Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard John Hadlee is dubbed as one of the greatest al rounders in the history of cricket. This New Zealander is the first bowler who crossed the 400 wicket milestone in test cricket and once became the highest wicket taker in test cricket. He has over three thousand runs in test cricket with as average of 27.16 and got 431 wickets with the average of 22.29 in test cricket. Hadlee was right arm fast bowler but in batting he was a left handed middle order batsman. With his brilliant outswinger, he made some of the picturesque delivery which was hard enough to throw a challenge to his contemporary batsmen. He was an aggressive batsman in character.

For his excellent performance and contribution to cricket he was honored with Knight in 1990. This legendary cricketer is now the chairman of New Zealand board of selectors.

Ian Botham

Ian Bothan is another benevolent all rounder of cricket. This English cricketer made some outstanding performance in both test and ODI cricket. He has 5200 runs with an average of 33.54 and got 383 wickets in an average of 28.54. He played lowest number of matches to reach at some all round doubles including ‘1000 runs and 100 wickets’, ‘2000 runs and 200 wickets’, and ‘3000 runs and 300 wickets’. He became the first player to make 5000 runs along with 300 wickets in test cricket. He is the firs test cricketer who could make a century and take 10 wickets in a test match. These records can not well-prove his all round talent and outstanding skill in both bowling and batting. This former England captain is best known for his outstanding performance in the 1981 Ashes Series. In the third test of that series, England got a remarkable victory, even being fallen into follow on. The main contribution in that victory was of Botham with his unbeaten 149 in the second innings and total 7 wickets in that test. Regarding this great all rounder of the test cricket, Cricinfo says:

“His batting was based on sound principles and phenomenal strength; his bowling seemed by then to be more run-in-and-hope, but batsmen remained intimidated by his early reputation to the end. His apres-cricket activities were always turbulent, and often semi-public, yet his marriage to Kath has lasted 25 years-plus at odds that seemed greater of 500 to 1. Almost as improbably, he has settled into a calm-ish middle age as a TV commentator of some wit and sagacity.”

Botham played 102 test and 116 ODI matches in his 15 –year long cricket career. The glory of his career has been a part of the cricket history.

Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers is another living legend in the history of cricket. He has more than 8000 runs and 200 wickets in test cricket which easily made his the best of this category of cricket. With an average of 57.78, he made 8032 runs in test cricket for which he is easily considered as one of the best batsmen in test cricket. Regarding this West Indian great Cricinfo says:

“ cricketing genius, Garry Sobers excelled at all aspects of the game, and few would argue his claim as the finest allround player in modern cricket. His exceptional Test batting average tells little about the manner in which he made the runs, his elegant yet powerful style marked by all the shots, but memorably his off-side play. As a batsman he was great, as a bowler, merely superb, but would have made the West Indies side as a bowler alone. He was remarkably versatile with the ball, bowling two styles of spin - left-arm orthodox and wrist spin, but was also a fine fast-medium opening bowler.”

He was born in 1936 in Barbados. He was also good at golf, football, basketball, table tennis.

Keith Miller

Keith Ross Miller was another legendary cricketer. This Australian benevolent cricket player showed his talent with both bowl and bat. He got 170 wickets with an average of 22.97 and made 2958 runs with an average of 36.97. TO many, he is the best all round performer in the mid of the last century. Regarding this legend Cricinfo says:

“But "Nugget" Miller was more than a cricketer: along with his English soulmate Denis Compton he embodied the idea that there was more to life than cricket. Miller, who was named after two pioneer Australian pilots - Keith and Ross Smith - was a fighter pilot himself in the Second World War, and after some extremely close shaves was well aware of the importance of life.”

Miller was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1919. He was the earliest all round performer of cricket.

Shaun Pollock

Shaun Maclean Pollock is another leading all round performer of present day cricket world. This former South African captain has some excelling record in both test and ODI cricket with both bowl and bat. He has 3515 runs and 395 wickets in test cricket. Moreover, his ODI career is not less eventful than that of his test. Pollock got 2935 runs and 364 wickets in ODI cricket. He has ability to swing the bowl in both ways and his accuracy in bowling makes him dangerous to any batsmen in the world. He is used to batting at lower order and with his pinch hitting character he served his team a lot of useful runs.

Chris Cairns

Christopher Lance Cairns is one of the greatest cricketers ever seen from New Zealand. This legendary figure of both test and one day cricket is best known for his outstanding all round performance with both bowl and bat. Though injuries sometimes came to his glorious career as an obstacle, he could sustain his performance and career with some of his memorable performance. Cairns captained New Zealand for seven times specially on the absence of Stephen Fleming. He took 218 wickets with an average of 29.40 and got 3320 runs with an average of 33.53 in test cricket. In his successful career he just played 62 test matches due to injuries for several times. In ODI cricket, he also showed his talent and skill with his hard hitting batting and also proved himself as an effective fast-medium bowler. He got 201 wickets and 4950 runs in 215 ODI matches. This benevolent figure of world cricket, cricinfo said:

One of the more colourful characters in the New Zealand side, Chris Cairns has developed from something of a rebel to a more senior statesman, especially after the part he played in ending the players' strike in 2002. However, his genuine ability has been seen in only fleeting glimpses due to an inordinate number of injuries at crucial stages.

Cairns became one of the five Wisden cricketers of the year in 2000.

Andrew Flintoff
Fintof is a great bowler who can bat with great skill. He is an Englishman and has emerged as one of the most influential all rounders in cricket in the last 2 years. He plays County cricket for Lancashire. His batting average of 32.47 in test cricket is a great one for a bowler who can bat. He has scored over 3000 runs and he is near to capturing 200 wickets. This is a combination that very few players in cricket history have achieved so far in the last more than one hundred years of test cricket history. What is amazing about Flintoff is that he can bowl and bat aggressively.
He can use his height (6' 4") while bowling. He can also use his strength while batting. Watching him to bat is a sheer entertainment for the crowd. He has some few years left and he would become one of the greatest all rounders of all time with great stats.

15% People Depressed: British Government to Give Happiness Lesson in School

Great Britain (the UK) is one of the richest countries in the world. The people of the UK have everything that they can fancy- good income, political stability, latest gadgets, traveling to the cool destinations. Yes, everything except happiness. So, British government is seriously thinking of introducing happiness lessons in school. MercatorNet has an interesting report about with the title: FOCUS ON CHRISTMAS Auditing our happiness stocks. It seems that happiness level in UK is in all time low.
The report said:

In Britain, according to one expert, about 15 per cent of the population suffers
from depression or anxiety, and more than a million mentally ill people receive
incapacity benefits. Richard Layard, a member of the House of Lords, is an
emeritus professor of economics and the government's "happiness tsar", as the
British press like to call such people. His book, Happiness: Lessons from a new
science, appeared earlier this year.

15% suffering from depression- not a good thing. Over 1 million mentally ill people is also not a healthy feature for one of the most developed and richest countries on earth. Britain has 60.2 million people. So, if one million of them are mentally ill then you can easily understand that UK should not score highly in any happiness index. Perhaps the worst thing is that many school children are unhappy. So, government officials have started to take this matter seriously. The report also stated:

Another of his ideas is to tackle incipient unhappiness early in life. To this
end he has approved a pilot scheme for British schools in which teachers will
give happiness lessons to 11-year-olds, using role play and breathing exercises
-- among other things -- to teach the children how to build self-esteem and keep
calm in the face of traumas like their parents divorcing. The teachers are being
trained by leading American happiness specialist Professor Martin Seligman.
Since at least 10 per cent of children in the UK are said to suffer from severe
depression, this is certainly worth a try.

It is certainly a very sad picture. I really wish that school children could find some more happiness than they have now in the UK. The main problem is too much consumerism. A lot of people have a lot of money and a lot of goods are available in supermarket shelves. All you need to do is to go to the supermarket and buy the things you want and then enjoy them. Perhaps the British people are doing it too much. So, they are losing their relationship with normal and natural happy things. However, the funny thing is that British government has hired an American expert on happiness- as if Americans are the happiest people on the world. Unfortunately, they are not. You can read this article- Bhutan is Happier than USA: 15 Reasons- Why?- in this regard.

This is the natural by product of consumerism. Now, the British people have fewer sources than the past to get happy. Of course, there is no short cut and quick solution to this problem. Buddhism teaches us that happiness means conquering sadness in life. I guess the British people should start reading about Buddhism and then can find some comfort in their lonely and miserable depressed life.

Top 10 European Football Clubs

Europe is the place for football. It’s not that Europeans are the most passionate supporters of football or even they do not produce the greatest players but they have the richest clubs. So, they naturally get the best players from around the world to play for them. Actually, world football is dominated with some 20-25 European clubs. You can see matches of English Premier League and Spanish league live in over 100 countries of the world.
Here, I have made a list of the top ten European Football clubs. If you do not agree with my list, you can always leave a comment.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid is the Spain based European club which has the best record in the history of club football in Europe. The club was named as the 20th century’s best club according to Fifa. With record 9 time European title, the club also won the country’s La Liga title for 29 times. The club was founded in 1902. The first initiative of founding a football club in Madrid was taken by the professors and students of the Institución Libre de Enseñanza. Some Oxbridge Graduates also contributed with them to build a football club in Madrid. A club named Football Sky was founded in 1895 but just after 5 years of founding, the club was divided into two new clubs- New Foot-Ball de Madrid and Español de Madrid. Later on, in 1902 the Español de Madrid was also divided into two more new clubs and Sociedad Madrid FC was of the tow. This Sociedad Madrid FC is now known as Real Madrid FC.

Real Madrid got its major successes under the presidency of Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, who was also the first-team captain and club maintenance, first-team manager and director. After becoming President in 1945, he developed in every sector of the administration of the club which gave the first idea of today’s modern club. He is also dubbed as one of the first torch bearers of today’s UEFA Champions’ league, the highest competition of European club football. After constricting the administration of the club, he went for recruiting some popular and talented players from abroad. It is also said that he could first present a true multinational team in the international football with the inclusion of some legendary figure of Real Madrid such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento, Luis Molowny, Miguel Muñoz, Raymond Kopa, Héctor Rial, Ferenc Puskás, Amancio, Santillana, Juanito, Uli Stielike, Vicente Del Bosque, José Antonio Camacho. He was the club’s president for 35 years. The home stadium of Real Madrid is named Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
The club got different nick names in different times. Earlier, the club was known as los merengues and then los blancos, which indicated the clubs traditional all white strip and very recently the club is known as los galácticos because of the club’s strategy of including star players. Presently, some famous names playing for the club are Ronaldo, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Robinho, Cannavaro, Raul, Iker Casillas etc.

AC Milan

Ac Milan is another successful European club in its history. This Italian club has many successful and notable records and titles in both domestic and European club football. AC Milan won 6 UEFA Champions League titles, only second to Real Madrid. With its 17 Serie A titles, the club holds the second position in terms of Domestic league title. The club also grabbed 5 Copa Italia (Italian Cup). The club was founded by a British, Alfred Edwards, in 1899. Milan’s traditional jersey was made off with red and black vertical stripe and the away jersey is fully white jersey. The clubs home stadium is San Siro which is also used by Inter Minal, another leading football club in Italy based in Milan. The club is preparing to make their new stadium with all modern systems. The Milan derby played between Inter Milan and AC Milan get the most competitive derby in Europe. Maldini, Kafu, Dida, Kaka, Filippo Inzaghi etc are some of the club’s present stars in the world football. Among the previous stars of the club Gunnar Nordahl, Andrei Shevchenko, Paolo Rossi, Roberto Ayala etc. are very famous in the history of the club.

Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC is the five time winner of the UEFA Champions league which is highest for any English club. The club is based on Liverpool, England. The club has achieved many successes in both domestic as well as European league. Liverpool is considered as the most successful English club with its 7 FA Cup and Seven League cup titles. The club was founded by John Houlding in 1892. The club has seen some of the legendary figures in the club’s century-long history. Among the former players Ephraim Longworth, Elisha Scott, Gordon Hodgson, Ron Yeats, Roger Hunt, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen etc. The club is preparing to build its new stadium. Steven Gerrard is the present captain of the team. "You'll Never Walk Alone" is the popular song among the club fans.

Manchester United

Manchester United is another famous and traditional football club based on Manchester, England. The club has won 2 UEFA Champions League titles and Premier league for 15 times as well as FA Cup for 11 times which made the club one of the most successful and famous clubs in the history of English Football. Initially the club was founded as Newton Heath F.C. in 1878 and in 1902, the club was taken by J H Davies while the Newton Health F.C. was at the verge of being bankrupts. Mr. Davies changed the name into Manchester United. The club found it smost successful season in 1998-99 when they won all the three prestigious tournaments including Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. The clubs most famous and notable players are Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, John Aston etc.

FC Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich is the most famous and successful German club in the history of German football. The club could win 4 UEFA Champions league, 20 national championships and 13 German Cups. The club also won 2 Intercontinental cups. Munich based this club has a long tradition of football. Allianz Arena is the home stadium of the Bayern Munich. This stadium is one of the renowned stadiums of present time. The club was founded by the members of the Munich Gymnastics club in 1900. Some of its big figures who also played for German teams are Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Sepp Maier ect. Roy Makaay, Oliver Kahn, Likas Podoloski are famous players presently playing for the club.

F.C. Internazionale Milano

Internazionale Milano is well known as Inter Milan, one of the successful and famous clubs in Italian Serie A league. The club won 2 UEFA Champions League titles. A group of Italian and Swiss founded this club in 1908. The club has a strong rivalry with A.C. Milan and the derby between the two clubs is one of the greatest attractions of European football. Roberto Baggio is one of the most famous legendary figures of the club. Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo are some of the present stars of the club

FC Barcelona

Barcelona is the current champion of the Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions league. No doubt, they are the leading club in the Europe at present. The club has a good tradition too. It won 3 UEFA Champions League titles. The clubs home stadium is known as Camp Nou at Barcelona. This Spanish club was founded by Joan Gamper in 1899. Barcelona won 18 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Cup titles. Some promising and talented players like Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto made the club top among the other European teams at present. Johan Cruyff is considered as the most talented and greatest figure ever played for the club.

Chelsea F.C.

Chelsea is another leading European club at present. This English club has got some outstanding titles over the last two years. They are the Champion of English Premier League for the last two years. The club was founded in 1905. After the Russian millionaire Roman Abramovich bought the most of the club share and invested a huge amount of money for recruiting some famous and star players of present time, the club has started going up word. Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard are now playing for Chelsea.



Arsenal F.C:
Arsenal is a top English Club. It is very successful in home but has not seen decent amount level of success in European competition. For the last 18 seasons, Arsenal has perhaps the best consistent performance in English Premier League and FA Cup. The current squad of the club has a healthy combination of youth and experience. Captain
Thierry Henry is surely one of the top 5 footballers in the world and he was the highest scorer in English Premier League for Arsenal during 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 seasons.
In English Premier League, it holds a lot of records. I am quoting from the Wikipedia article on the club:
“Arsenal have also set records in English football, most notably the most consecutive seasons spent in the top flight (80 as of 2006-07) and the longest run of unbeaten League matches (49 between May 2003 and October 2004). This included all 38 matches of the 2003–04 season, making Arsenal only the second club ever to finish a top-flight campaign unbeaten, after Preston North End (who played only 22 matches) in 1888–89.

Arsenal also set a UEFA Champions League record during the 2005-06 season by going ten matches without conceding a goal, beating the previous best of seven set by A.C. Milan. They went a record total stretch of 995 minutes without letting an opponent score; the streak finally ended in the final against Barcelona, when Samuel Eto'o scored Barcelona's equaliser in the 76th minute.”

It was famous for being a boring but successful club because of its defensive style of playing. However, under the current manager, Arsène Wenger, Arsenal has transformed into one of the attractive clubs in Europe.

PSV Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven is a very famous and successful club in Holland. It has won the Dutch League for 19 seasons and also Dutch Cup 8 times. It also won European Cup and UEFA Cup one time each. In UEFA Champions League tournament, it is considered to be a good performing team. Many famous world class players have played in this team in the past. According to the Wikipedia article on this club:
“PSV garnered many honours in the football arena and has been credited as the club where many successful players such as Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Mateja Kežman, Romário, Ronaldo, Luc Nilis, Philip Cocu, Erik Gerets, Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben plied their trade and talents. Its success was built on the foundations laid down by other famous players like Willy van der Kuijlen, Jan van Beveren, Jan Poortvliet, the Van de Kerkhof brothers who also played for the Dutch national team and Huub Stevens in the 1970s where the club won the UEFA Cup in 1978, defeating Bastia 3-0 in the final.”

Well, the sad part is that many players take the club as a stop gap. They first come to the club and shine and then go into another richer club in Europe.

All About Sania Mirza: A Top Tennis Beauty from India

Sania Mirza is now one of the most famous sports celebrities in India. This tennis sensation has already made many histories in the history of tennis in India. Last year, she was ranked 31 in WTA ranking which is her career best and through this rank she became the first Indian to be ranked within 50 for the first time. Undoubtedly 31 is the highest ranking for any Indian ever played in the international arena.


Sania was born on November 15, 1986 in Mumbai, India and currently resides in Hyderabad. Sania started playing tennis when she was six. Initially she was coached by her father Iamran Mirza and later coached by Narendranath, Vasudeva Reddy & C.G.K Bhupati. Her father Imran Mirza is a builder and her mother Naseema works in a printing business.

Remembering her first day experience to her coach, Sania said in the WTA tour interview, I am quoting some of the words from that interview from Sania Mirza.net:

"My mother took me to a coach, who initially refused to coach me because I was too small," said Mirza. "After a month, he called my parents to say he'd never seen a player that good at such a young age."

I am also quoting some of her words regarding her early life and how she started playing tennis from the AskMen page on Sania Mirza. "I used to go swimming and passed the tennis courts every day; Why don't you play tennis in your summer holidays because you have nothing to do except swim for an hour or whatever?', and that's how I started playing”

After becoming professional tennis player in 2003, she showed her potential in the international tournament and eventually became the idol for the Indian youth. She became runner up at the Asian Tennis Championship in 2004. She got four gold medals in 2003 Afro Asian Games.

However, she got most of her career successes in 2005 which made the way of getting her career best ranking 31 in the same year. In 2005, she became the first Indian women’s tennis player to reach at the fourth round of a Grand Slam tennis tournament while she reached at the fourth round of U.S. Open. The same year Sania Mirza showed another outstanding performance in the Australian Open to make her way to the third round before being defeated to the eventually champion Serena Williams.

This wonder-girl won her first WTA title for the first time for an Indian in the Hyderabad Open defeating Ukrainian Alyona Bondarenko in 2005. Her world class performance easily paved her way to reach at the 31st position in the WTA ranking in the same year.

Sania’s performance graph continued going towards the peak in 2006 too. She defeated three top seeded tennis players in 2006 though she did not win any of the tournaments yet. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Nadia Petrova and Martina Hingis, the renowned faces in the Grand Slams and other international tournaments, have lost to Sania Mirza. However, as she has not won any of the tournament this year, her ranking has been fallen to 66 in the latest WTA ranking.






Image Link: Ontennis




Sania grabbed many records for India in her short but glorious career. In 2003, she coupled with Alisa Kleybanova, won junior doubles Girls’ title in Wimbledon Championship as the first Indian in the tennis history. She has some good records in doubles tournaments too. Her career best Doubles ranking is 28 which she achieved this year. Sania won 2 doubles title in her career. This year she won the women’s doubles title in Bangalore Open 2006.

Sania won 141 matches against 59 losses in singles and in doubles she won 85 whereas lost 46 matches in her career. Here career prize money is $496,058.

Moreover, Sania Mirza not only is famous for her performance in the tennis court rather her physical beauty also made her attractive and famous out of the court. Recently Chinese media has named her at 10 in the list of the 10 Tennis Beauties in the history of tennis. She has already worked as model in the television advertisement for numerous products. As she is getting popularity throughout India as well as in Asian, many offers of modeling are coming towards her.

Sania Mirza is also famous for her social and charity works. She works for women empowerment in India for which she had to face criticism of Media claiming that she is concentrating more in social work rather than her games. However, nothing could make her out of her aim. Some criticism also came from the Muslim leaders calling for her dress in the tennis court does not go with the Muslim rules. However, very recently it was decided by the Muslim Personal Law Board that one can wear dress out of the Muslim purdhah if her profession demands it. Through her social works she has become a very popular and widely acceptable personality.

Despite all criticism she could set herself aloof enough to avoid the criticism and concentrate in tennis as well as in social works. Tennis legend Pancho Segura, who was very famous in the 1940’s and 50’s, after watching her performance in Acura Classic said that Sania’s hard-hitting games truns Romanian tennis legend Nastase into the court. He also added that Sania got a natural way of hitting the ball and she hits the ball hard.

For her outstanding contribution to the Indian tennis in the international tennis she has given a prestigious national award, ‘Arjuna’ by the Indian government. She also received Rajiv Gandhi award for her performance in 2003-04 in the international stage.

Sania Mirza’s height is 1.71m and her weight is 59 kg. Sania is right handed player and very good at two-handed backhand. Her favorite tennis surface is hard court. Steffi Graf is her favorite tennis player. She loves listening Hindi remix and rap songs and also loves swimming.

Sania’s performance in world tennis is increasing day by day which makes Indians hopeful regarding her future. Her fans are eagerly waiting to see her at the top seed in the WTA ranking and they hope to see once Sania will lift one of the trophies of Grand Slam tournaments. Considering her performenc3e in the world tennis,no body can reject the hope rather there fare many people who have positive ideas and droughts with Sania. The 20 year old tennis star has a lot to go in the tennis world and with the time passes; she is becoming more experienced and matured in the tennis court. So, it is very possible for this young star to make a history in the tennis world. Now it is yet to see whether she will be able to meet with the anticipation of her fans.

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http://www.celebsrate.com/name/Sania+Mirza/

Jamaican Government Gives Permission to JBDC to Use World Cup Cricket 2007 Logo

Jamaican Government has given the authorization to the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC) to use the logo of the ICC World Cup Cricket West Indies 2007. They institution can market its product using this logo in order to achieve a good amount of revenue. Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce of Jamaica Government Phillip Paulwell yesterday announced this at an opening ceremony of the Small Business Association of Jamaica's exposition. On this regard the minister expressed the government’s objective regarding this decision. I am quoting some of the lines of his speech from a report published on Jamaica Government site:

"People have been asking 'what is in World Cup of Cricket 2007for us?' So the Government has secured a licence so that you will be able to use the JBDC to have access to the many thousands of persons who will be attending World Cup Cricket,"

There are certain rules in using the logo of this biggest international cricket tournament. Any person or institution has to take permission to use this logo from concerned authority. All the rights of ICC World Cup cricket 2007 West Indies are kept to International Cricket Council (ICC). Regarding the copyright and the results of abusing this right, Robert Bryan, Executive Director of the Jamaica Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, said:

"All of us will pay a price if this is not done, because the government has had to back this agreement by a guarantee of US$12 million. Therefore the persons, who have paid to use these marks and rights, will have the ability to draw down on this money, if the country misbehaves"


"You cannot simply take it up on yourself and use the copyrighted marks and think you have done a brilliant job when painting these marks on walls of businesses or on signs"

"It is regarded as an infringement as it is an attempt to pass off an official association with the event without having the rights to do so"

"In some instances, they will be subject to legal proceedings."

It is a good initiative taken by Jamaican government for the country’s business sector as they can now make profit through using the logo of the world cup cricket 2007. They can now make a boom in their business sector as well as economy too.

Doha Asian Games 2006: Who Will Win Football Gold

There are just a few days left before the start of Doha Asian Games 2006. Many eyes will be fixed on the football event where we have some of the top names of World Football. It is interesting to note whether the participating teams will field their full strength.
South Korea, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran are some of the big names of Asian football.
Unfortunately, the Asian countries performed very badly during World Cup 2006 Germany. So, Asian Games 2006 is the place for the teams to show off their talent. Well, I am frustrated about the quality of Asian football. There are some rich countries and millions of people are crazy for football in Asia. However, there is serious lack of professionalism among the organizers.
Who will have the last laugh? I feel that Doha may not be the ideal place for Korean and Japanese players to perform well. The weather of Doha (Qatar) is not similar to the weather of Korea and Japan. Doha is a very hot place and most parts of Qatar is nothing but desert. So, Middle Eastern countries would have an added advantage in this regard.
What is your idea about it?

Doha Asian Games 2006: Who Will Win Football Gold

There are just a few days left before the start of Doha Asian Games 2006. Many eyes will be fixed on the football event where we have some of the top names of World Football. It is interesting to note whether the participating teams will field their full strength.
South Korea, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran are some of the big names of Asian football.
Unfortunately, the Asian countries performed very badly during World Cup 2006 Germany. So, Asian Games 2006 is the place for the teams to show off their talent. Well, I am frustrated about the quality of Asian football. There are some rich countries and millions of people are crazy for football in Asia. However, there is serious lack of professionalism among the organizers.
Who will have the last laugh? I feel that Doha may not be the ideal place for Korean and Japanese players to perform well. The weather of Doha (Qatar) is not similar to the weather of Korea and Japan. Doha is a very hot place and most parts of Qatar is nothing but desert. So, Middle Eastern countries would have an added advantage in this regard.
What is your idea about it?

All about 15th Doha Asian Games 2006

The 15th Asian Games is going to be held from Dec 1 – Dec15, 2006 in Doha, Qatar. This is the first time, the country is going to organize Asian Games and for the second time Asian Games will be held in West Asia since Tehran, Iran in 1974 in the 7th Asian Games. Though this event is a regional event, it has a great attraction worldwide and is one of the mostly observed multi-sports events in the world. Asian Games are held in every four year traditionally.

Doha has gone through a hard competition to be elected as the host city. Other competitor cities were Hong Kong (PRC), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and New Delhi (India). Earlier, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur had the most probability to be elected but Doha, at the end, has been elected for hosting the 15th Asian Games. It is thought that all of the West Asian countries gave their vote for Doha as this is just the second Asian Games to be held in West Asia. Competitors from 45 countries will be participating in 39 sports and 46 disciplines.

For this second largest sports tournament in the word and largest sports tournament in Asia, the authority of Doha has been working since 2003 to present a successful and glorious tournament to the world. For this purpose, 14 multi-sports stadiums have gone through a refurbishment program to organize this large competition. Lots of volunteer and worker are trying to make the Asian Games village or Asian village prepared for the tournament.

Qatar is a country of 11,437 square kilometers with a good economic background. It is also expected that through this event Qatar will be able to make a good profit which will definitely help its economy and which is most important is that through for this large tournament the sports of Qatar has already seen a huge infrastructural development which will also help the country to organize another large tournament in future. If this tournament is organized successfully then the country will get priority to be a host nation for other international competitions.

History of Asian Games:

The first initiative to organize a multi-sports tournament involving Asian Athletes was first taken in 1913 which is known as Far Eastern Championship Games which was first held in Manila, Philippine. Some East Asian countries along with Empire of Japan, Philippine Islands and Republic of China participated in the tournament. The initial objective of this tournament was to develop the unity and cooperation among three countries. However, just before the World War II in 1938, the tournament was stopped. After the World War II, many Asian countries got independence and the first attempt of today’s Asian Games was taken by Guru Dutt Sondhi, the representative of Indian IOC, during the 14th London Olympic Games in 1948. He first came up with the idea to organize a competition incorporating the athletes from all over Asia and he expressed his idea to other leaders of the Asian teams. Initially the leaders formed a organization named Asian Athletics Federation and in 1949 the organization was formerly named Asian Games Federation under which the first Asian Games was held in 1951 in New Delhi, India. The organization also took the decision that Asian Games will be held in every four years. Due to some unavoidable political incidents, the NOC (National Olympic Committee) leaders from different Asian countries decided to from Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) conducting some necessary changes in the constitution of Asian Games Federation and the Asian Games have been organizing under the regulation of OCA since 1986 South Korea Asian Games. From 1994 some west Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan who were the part of former Soviet Union, started participating in the Asian Games.

In terms of Gold medal the most successful country of Asian Games with 840 gold medals which is followed by Japan with 812, South Korea with 482. However, in terms of overall medal count Japan stands in the first place with 2,233 medals.



Participating Countries:

Countries form different parts of Asia will be competing in the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. It is expected that 45 countries will send athletes to represent their countries. I am giving a short overview of each of the country including their past records and special event etc. below:

Afghanistan:

This south Asian country has not a decent record in this competition. Though it has a long tradition of sports, it could not achieve so much success in the international sports due to its political unsettle and some wars within the country. Afghanistan first competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. However, recently Afghanistan got some successes in the international event. They got a bronze medal in the Busan Asian Games 2002 while Roia Zamani secured third position in the womens 72kg taekwondo. For the first time Afghanistan sent women in the 100 m track event and judo in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Afghanistan won 1 silver and 1 bronze medal in Asian Games.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh first participated in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1978 and first sent athletics in Olympic Games in 1984 in the Los Angles Olympic Games. Bangladesh is a good competitor in Kabaddi and in the last Asian Games their Kabaddi team secired silver medal. They are getting success in Shooting. Their Hockey team is ranked 7th in Asia.

Bhutan:

Bhutan is a small south Asian country. It first competed in the 1984 Los Angles Olympic Games. The country has not found any success in the Olympic and Asian Games. However, they are doing well in Archery in the international level. Archery is the most popular and national sport in Bhutan. In the team event they became fourth in Archery in the last Asian Games in Busan in 2002. So, they have chance to win their first medal in Asian Games in the incoming Doha Asian Games. Football is also very popular in Bhutan and they got success in the 2002 Alternative World Cup.

Bahrain:

Bahrain is located in west Asia. The country does not have a long tradition of sports especially in the Olympic and Asian Games. Though they have not got any medal in Olympic Games since its first participation in 1984 Los Angles Olympic Games, they are doing well in the recent Asian Games. They got 7 medals in the last Busan Asain Games in 2002 including 3 gold, 2silver and 2 bronze medals. It is also expected that they will be able to continute their success in the Doha Asian games too as some potential and skilled athletes like athlete Rashid Ramzi and bowler Nadic Al Awandhi will take part in the competition. Rashid Ramzi is now of the most famous names in the long distance racing competition. He made a record in the athletics world winning both 800 m and 1500 m in the world athletics championship in Helsinki for the first time. Nadic is the current glod medal holder of women’s blowing. So, Bahrain can have some anticipation with the incoming Asian Games.

Asian Games 2006 Village:

Doha Asian Games Village will be providing world class services to the athletes and also to the fans. The games village will be the permanent residence for all of the participating athletes from 45 counties. Asian Games village has been adorned with all of the modern amenities and will serve modern facilities including medical treatment, shopping mall, transportation system, cinema hall, mosque, gymnasium, discothèque and a religious convention center etc. The Asian Games Village will be divided into three parts- residential, international and public.

There will have 32 blocks and nine and five-storied buildings will have 811 flats. Electricity and water will be available all the time in each of the flats. The shopping mall is expected to offer postal, car rental and banking services. Experienced and quality doctors as well as nurses will offer the modern treatment and latest medical technologies will also be available in the center. The parking area in the village has capacity of 2500 cars for parking and 70 buses have been allocated for the athletes to from the venues. All the time athletes will get assistance in any case of problem.

Asian Games Doha 2006 Venues:

Asian Games 2006 will be held in Doha in 16 venues. The opening and the closing ceremony will be organized at Khalifa International Complex where the torch of the Asian Games will also be lit. I am giving a short description on each stadium including its location, capacity, events and many other things.

Al-Arabi Sports Club:

Located in Southern Doha, this stadium has the capacity of 13,000 spectators. This stadium will host rugby sevens tournament and some football matches of the 15^th Asian Games 2006. Besides, its indoor hall will also host fencing and table tennis of this tournament. The table tennis competition will be started two days before the opening ceremony. The stadium is located in between the C and D ring roads of southern Doha. Fans can reach this stadium via DohaLink 102 bus line.

Al-Gharrafa Sports Club:

This sports club is situated in the Al-Gharrafa district, northwest of Doha. The club was founded in 1979 with the name of Al-Ittehad. Al-Gharrafa sports club will host some of the most important matches of the 15^th Asian Games 2006. The football tournament of this Asian Games will be held here four days before the opening ceremony. The handball final of the tournament will be held in the newly made indoor hall of Al-Gharrafa sports club. Its mail stadium holds the capacity of 25,000 and the indoor hall made for handball holds the capacity of 3000. Its main stadium is the second biggest stadium in Qatar jointly with the Al-Rayyan Sports Club in terms of its capacity. Al-Gharrafa district is situated 10 km northwest of Doha. People can reach this stadium through DohaLink 102 bus line.

Al-Rayyan Sports Club:

Al-Rayyan Sports Club will host football, volleyball, softball and hockey of the 15^th Asian Games Doha 2006. Four days before the opening ceremony of this tournament the football competition will be started here. Its main stadium with 25,000 capacity is the

second biggest stadium in Qatar jointly with the Al-Gharrafa sports club. Its indoor hall with 3000 capacity will host volleyball and its temporary outdoor venues will softball, hockey and baseball. The stadium is situated in the west of Doha and north of Dukhan road and 25km from the city centre. For transportation, DohaLink 104 bus line is available for the spectators to reach at the stadium.

Al-Sadd Sports Club:

This traditional sports club in Qatar is the home of the country’s most popular football club Al-Sadd football club where some of the international football stars like Romario, Abedi Pele played. It is also the oldest sports club in Qatar which was founded in 1969 by the local students. The club built a new ground in 1988 when they became the first Arabic team to win the AFC Champions league. The stadium was rebuilt for the 15^th Asian Games 2006. The indoor hall has been renovated whereas a new aquatic and a multi-purpose hall have been built ahead of this tournament. Its main stadium will host football matches, aquatic centre will host water polo, and indoor hall will take place sepaktakraw and the multi-purpose hall will host snooker, billiards, pool and carom. The stadium is situated 6km south-west of Doha, near the sports city and off Al-Wabb Street. DohaLink 32 bus line is available for the people to reach at this sports club.

Corniche:

This is one of the nicest waterfront sites in the Middle East. Its natural scenario attracts many tourists every year. Corniche will host triathlon, the cycling road events, the marathons and the race walk. It is situated at the Doha city on the Doha Bay waterfront.

Doha Golf Club:

Doha golf club is famous in the golf world as it regularly hosts Qatar Masters since 1998. Many international stars of golf participate in this tournament and Ernie Els is most famous among the participants of this tournament. This ground is one of the famous desert courses. Millions of gallons of water are needed to keep this ground green and 8 artificial lakes were built here. It is situated 8km north of the central Doha and close to West Bay Lagoon. Desert wind makes the tournament interesting. The golf competition of this 15^th Asian Games will be held here in this ground. People can come to this golf course via DohaLine 102x bus line.

Doha Sailing Club:

This club is situated at south end of Doha Bay and between the Marriott and Oasis hotel. The sailing competition of this 15^th Asian Games Doha 2006 will be organized at this sailing club. The club was founded in 1959. Ahead of this Asian Games the club has gone through a huge renovation program to increase its facilities according to the international standard. 13 sailing events will be held at this ground. DohaLink 76 bus is available to reach at this club.

Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex:

This venue has international standard for hosting ATP mens’ professional tennis tour. Qatar open is held in this complex. Roger Federer won the tournament in 2006. Eight new practice court for tennis and four squash courts was built for the 15^th Asian Games 2006. Its original tennis court has the capacity of 4,106 and each of the squash court has more than 1,000 seating capacity. Squash, tennis and soft tennis competition of this multi-sports Asian Games will be held in this complex. This Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex is just to the next door of the Qatar sports club near to the Oryx roundabout off the Corniche. DohaLink 76, 101, 101x, 102 and 102x bus lines are available to reach at this complex.