40 Years Ago: Ping-Pong Diplomacy & China's Rise

Regard a ping-pong ball as the head of your capitalist enemy. Hit it with your socialist bat and you have won the point for the fatherland - Mao Zedong

Here's a timely scenario for you given the fortieth anniversary of ping-pong diplomacy between the US and China: What if the Cold War never ended, the Iron Curtain never fell, and the US failed to exploit the growing ideological divide between China and Russia? In general, international relations scholars treat counterfactual ("what might have been") research the same way Vogue magazine treats those with normal body weight: with complete and utter contempt. Still, prominent American IR scholar and rat-choice critic Ned Lebow encourages such research when conducted in an intellectually rigorous manner. See his recent work which I have on my virtual bookshelf, Forbidden Fruit: Counterfactuals and International Relations (the PUP site has excerpts of chapter 1).

An obvious point you can raise is that the Iron Curtain was inherently flawed and bound to collapse anyway regardless of developments in China. However, you can also argue that the budding economic renaissance of China in the mid- to late-nineties opened the eyes of many socialist regimes to the possibilities of co-opting some capitalistic activity. At any rate, I merely sketch out here the important international political economy implications of the counterfactual absence of a US-China detente circa 1971. That is, would Chinese development have progressed so far so fast had conditions not been laid out for Western firms experimenting with transferring their manufacturing operations to mainland China when Mao "Death to Capitalist Roaders" Zedong met his end (real Communists don't believe in makers)?

It's certainly a question manufacturing-obsessed and -romanticizing leftists would avidly ponder. Had China not become an FDI destination because MNCs shunned it during the time period in question due to still-lukewarm US-China relations, would it have developed quickly or meaningfully at all? As my erstwhile LSE IDEAS colleague Niall Ferguson likes to point out, Henry Kissinger has literally thousands of critics who froth at the mouth upon hearing his name. LSE IDEAS being a centre for researching strategy, however, give credit where credit is due.

Ping-pong diplomacy was an artful way of publicizing to the world the idea that the (then) arch-capitalist and the not-so-arch-communist had more than a few strategic interests in common. Inarguably, it served both countries' purposes. As early as 1967, Nixon already envisioned "Asia After Vietnam" in the pages of Foreign Affairs by allowing PRC involvement in world affairs. However, it took an accidental bus ride by a hippie US table tennis team member with his PRC counterparts to set things in motion. From there it is not at all a long stretch to trace the rise of modern China. Nixon's Secretary of State Kissinger prepared for such a fortuitous opening and never looked back.

While we can certainly quarrel with the eventual results--did the US dig its own grave by encouraging China's emergence, for instance--modern-day American international relations lacks similar grand strategy. Witness Hillary Clinton's laughingstock "Internet freedom" of an idea and compare it to a time when, to paraphrase Sidney Sheldon, real masters of the game still existed in the United States. In the 21st century world economy, they in all likelihood reside in the PRC with its long-term vision of how to shape the world to their advantage.

In any event, I much recommend a recent LA Times article that touches on the political significance of sport as well as how ping-pong diplomacy set the stage for US recognition of the PRC as China instead of American crony Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek's Taiwan:

"It's hard for us to really understand just how little direct contact Americans and Chinese had with each other," said Clayton Dube, associate director of USC's U.S.-China Institute. "It was a place that was much talked about, and it was a place where the imagination ran wild."

In the years leading up to 1971, however, leadership from both countries was sending signals that they might wish to normalize relations. Secret meetings were held in Warsaw in the 1950s, and before his presidency, Nixon had written that "China needs to be brought into the world community."

US and China table tennis teams interacting eventually led up to diplomatically significant gestures such as the former lifting trade restrictions on China:

What happens next is unclear. But officials from both teams expressed interest in a visit, and an invitation and acceptance came quickly. On April 10, nine [American] players plus officials, spouses and journalists crossed a bridge from Hong Kong to China. The group spent a week playing table tennis and sightseeing.

The visit paved the way for Henry Kissinger to conduct a secret visit to China in July, which set up Nixon's historic visit in February 1972. The U.S. then formally recognized that there was only one China and thereby set the Taiwan question aside to normalize relations.

Nixon called it "the week that changed the world," but Wei Wang remembers the words of Chairman Mao. She was a child in the early 1970s and says she doesn't recall much about the events. But the former U.S. Olympian and current Westside Table Tennis Center instructor does remember one thing clearly. "The prime minister [sic] said, 'The little ball moved the big ball' — a pingpong ball moved the earth,' " she said. "That was the metaphor. China opened up from that — from table tennis."

The Nixon Foundation also has a comprehensive and entertaining primer on this momentous occasion if you have some time to spare. Table tennis is renowned as the world's fastest sport, and international relations is probably not far behind in terms of pace. It seems to me and probably most of the rest of the world except for America#1-style flunkies, Palin acolytes, and other gullible Yankee toadies that the US has long since lost the ability to serve up something that befuddles, let alone outpaces, China. Those who succeeded Kissinger who were largely bereft of grand strategy did not fully realize what the consequences of integrating China into the world economy were for the US.

The great game has moved on and left slow-moving and slow-witted America behind.

Novak Djokovic Smoothes Serbia's EU Accession

Before beginning, I must tell you of perhaps the worst marketing gambit of modern times. In November 2009, Adidas decided to make Andy Murray its top tennis endorsee when it already had Novak Djokovic under contract. While it's understandable that getting the Great Hope of British tennis on board was a coup of sorts given that it's one of the largest markets for sporting goods and has been starved for a Wimbledon champion for ages, let's just say Murray has not delivered the goods since then. Djokovic soon left Adidas and endorsed Sergio Tacchini. Owning precisely zero spotswear from the latter and loads from the former, it behoves me how Djokovic has become next to unbeatable this year while picking up the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. Meanwhile, Murray has won no grand slams.

Anyway, to the story. Serbia has produced world-class athletes over the years. Think of Red Star Belgrade winning the European Cup (Champions League) in 1991. Or, how Ana Ivanovic became the world's top-ranked tennis player a few years ago. To be sure, the events in the former Yugoslavia after the Cold War's demise are still prominent in the world's consciousness to this day since they happened not so long ago. Since then Serbian leadership has been keen on repairing its international image. Among its more important medium-term objectives has been joining the European Union alike its neighbours. As I've long documented [1, 2, 3], this process of integration was contingent on handing over the big three war criminals to the UN tribunal. With Slobodan Milosevic. Radovan Karazdic and Ratko Mladic being handed over to meet their fates, this chapter is rapidly closing and is helping Serbia's process of accession, one hopes.

However, while IR junkies may know who these not-so-fine folks are and what's become of them, the wider public may not. How does one improve Serbia's public image, then, to the wider European and world publics? The answer is the world's No. 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic. After thoroughly dismantling Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon final--what more Adidas boy Andy Murray?--Serbia has in part sought to capitalize on his sporting achievements. There was Serbian President Boris Tadic cheering "Nole" in London SW19. Celebrations pictured above in Belgrade are indicative of his popularity. But, in reality, how does Djokovic's achievements fit with convincing bureaucrats of Serbia's EU worthiness? The FT's beyondbrics serves up this take:

The former Yugoslav republic has struggled to overcome image problems since the wars of the 1990s – in which neighbours and much of the world saw Serbia as the aggressor. “Novak really did a great thing for our country”, said Boris Tadic, the country’s pro-western president, joking that he could hand over his duties to Djokovic without much worry. Blic, a Belgrade newspaper, proclaimed that politicians should follow Djokovic’s example of diligence and dedication, particularly as Serbia embarks on the long, hard road of EU accession.

The arrest in May of Ratko Mladic, a fugitive Bosnian Serb former army commander (and a big part of Serbia’s international image problem), has made EU candidacy probable by the end of this year, and accession talks with Brussels likely to open not long after.

But the EU monitoring apparatus – the thousands of bureaucrats overseeing Croatia’s reform progress for the last six years – will now focus most of its attention on Serbia. With that in mind, the state should work harder on promotion, rather than rely on a successful individual like Djokovic, said Milka Forcan, a marketing specialist and former executive at Delta Holding, the country’s largest private sector company.

“Novak with his results has already influenced a better image of Serbia, and his position as world Number One and winning the Wimbledon championship is going to underline that,” Forcan said. “The state [also] has to work in an organised and planned way on constant promotion of the country.”

Djokovic has done more to improve his country’s image than “all of our diplomacy”, a former ambassador to France said. The Serbian ambassador to the UN said the tennis win prompted friendly comments among diplomats, but this made no difference with regard to other countries’ political stances toward Serbia.

Take note, Adidas--domestic concerns are keen on the commercial opportunities offered by the charismatic, grass-eating tennis player:

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce last December recognised the tennis star’s PR potential, naming him, as an individual, the “Best Serbian Brand”. Djokovic has appeared in television advertising for Telekom Srbija, the state-run phone company, and Idea supermarkets, a Croatian-owned chain. A Croatian public relations executive commented after the Wimbledon final: “This is finally one positive global story about Serbia, instead of Ratko Mladic.

Moreover, Serbia has to deliver more in European fora than in tennis courts according to diplomats working on the front line of Serbia's accession process:

Fantastic success by Novak Djokovic might help Serbian foreign policy but only if it continues fulfilling all undertaken obligations and working diligently on change of laws at least as much as the famous tennis player has been working to make his dream come true. This is actually the message by politicians from the EU and world media editors who yesterday spoke for ‘Blic’.

‘We support and are happy about Djokovic’s success. For a country it is very good to have so successful people and we believe this shall improve the image of Serbia. However, it is not to be expected that the individual success of a tennis player is going to have any influence on the process of association because it depends on Serbia and obligations it has to fulfill’, ‘Blic’ was told at the cabinet of Stefan Fuehle, the EU Enlargement Commissioner...

Jelko Kacin, the rapporteur for Serbia at the European Parliament has the similar opinion. ‘The victory is huge and I congratulate Djokovic. The most important message of that victory is directed to Serbia: only diligent work can bring progress and success. Serbia and its politicians have to understand that only Serbia can take itself into the EU’, Kacin says.

It almost makes me want to buy Sergio Tacchini's gear instead of Adi Dassler's (even if the former not having a website in AD 2011 complicates matters). At any rate, Serbia has a new hero who not only provides the country with a highly positive image but also wipes the slate clean for a new generation of Serbs. And nearly no one would doubt that Serbia is indeed *in* Europe.

Mexico Norte: Futbol & Hispanicization of the USA

CONCACAF should be ashamed of itself. I think it was a f***ing disgrace that the entire post-match ceremony was in Spanish. You can bet your ass if we were in Mexico City it wouldn't be all in English - Team USA goalkeeper Tim Howard after losing to Mexico 4-2 in Los Angeles during the Gold Cup

Sour grapes, Howard? This assertion is untrue. Watch the footage. Yet I suppose I too would be miffed if I allowed my toughest rivals four unanswered goals. Race riots aside, something that really blows apart the myth of the United States as a melting pot is when the Mexican national football (soccer) team El Tricolor plays its United States counterpart on the latter's home soil. Team USA is booed and jeered lustily, often by US residents with roots south of the border. Where's the love of country? It's not an isolated incident as this phenomenon has been going on for years, posing an interesting sociological question of where Chicano loyalties lie. With Hispanics accounting for over half of US population growth, these dynamics invite further examination.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is a biennial regional competition for top football bragging rights among countries in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Whatever the tournament, though--friendlies, qualifiers, and whatever else have you--the oddly enduring sight of Team USA being booed on home soil remains when matched up against El Tricolor . And so it was for this year's Gold Cup finals matchup. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, Team USA was eventually overcome by a Mexican side featuring the emerging star Chicharito (of Manchester United fame) at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, urged on by strong home away from home support. It was not a pretty scene for the gringos as most of the 93,420 attendees were for El Tri. From the LA Times:

It was imperfectly odd. It was strangely unsettling. It was uniquely American. On a balmy early Saturday summer evening, the U.S soccer team played for a prestigious championship in a U.S. stadium…and was smothered in boos. Its fans were vastly outnumbered. Its goalkeeper was bathed in a chanted obscenity.

Even its national anthem was filled with the blowing of air horns and bouncing of beach balls. Most of these hostile visitors didn't live in another country. Most, in fact, were not visitors at all, many of them being U.S. residents whose lives are here but whose sporting souls remain elsewhere. Welcome to another unveiling of that social portrait known as a U.S.-Mexico soccer match, streaked as always in deep colors of red, white, blue, green...and gray.

With loyal "Americans" like these, who needs furriners?

Even when the U.S. scored the first two goals, the Mexico cheers stayed strong, perhaps inspiring El Tri to four consecutive goals against a U.S. team that seemed dazed and confused. Then when it ended, and the Mexican players had danced across the center of the field in giddy wonder while the U.S. players had staggered to the sidelines in disillusionment, the madness continued.

Because nobody left. Rather amazingly, the Mexico fans kept bouncing and cheering under headbands and sombreros, nobody moving an inch, the giant Rose Bowl jammed for a postgame trophy ceremony for perhaps the first time in its history. And, yes, when the U.S. team was announced one final time, it was once again booed.

A long time ago, I tagged along with a Mexican-American friend to visit San Antonio from Houston (two increasingly Hispanicized cities themselves). Despite subsequently serving for the US military and one of those nefarious private security contractors besides in Iraq--the very definition of an ugly American to many--I will never forget his narrative explanation of a key event in US history. While diehard gringos know the battle cry of "Remember the Alamo" by heart, he simply said "We kicked their ass" without a trace of irony.

There are certainly reasons you can point to as to why this undercurrent of Chicano resentment keeps bubbling to the surface. Certainly, sporting events can be venues where latent discontent is manifested. Latinos are often discriminated against as "illegals" even if they are not. Discriminatory legislation is often bandied about as a result. There's also the fact that those of Mexican descent have had a more difficult time economically than others in this supposed melting pot.

Likely, many Latin Americans believe that they moved to "America" due to economic necessity and not out of any great abiding loyalty to a country presumptuous enough to name itself after two vast continents. With the US economy increasingly down in the dumps, this instrumental justification grows more specious. As the land of opportunity becomes more of a curse, expect even more overt displays of anti-American sentiment from this increasingly large yet often marginalized group. Yes, Team USA versus Mexico in the US of A with the former getting booed may portend similar dynamics on a larger scale.

Some parting thoughts:

• Football (soccer) as a popular sport in the US is still a faraway dream despite considerable grassroots participation judging from indifference to Team USA in "international" competition;
• Mexican-Americans have seriously divided loyalties;
  
• A supposed reason for the sport's prospects in the United States is its growing Hispanic population. But, if much of this population more or less throws the finger at the home team and cheers on Mexico, well, you can figure that one out;
• To remedy these unedifying spectacles, apparently clueless organizers Stateside should try to hold these competitions in states like Maine--the most homogeneous state with a 95% white population. New Jersey won't quite do. While the crowd is almost certain to be smaller, holding these events in border states is just asking for it;
• "Founding Fathers"-style national myths need reconsideration in this day and age given that Anglos will be the minority in not that many years.

I can certainly sympathize. It's pretty bad to hear "Yankee Go Home!" all over the world to come home and find that, gee, you're not welcome there either. What this phenomenon bodes for the United States is certainly an interesting question. Strangers in your own land--some melting pot, eh, muchachos?

Zen and the Art of Soccer Moneyball Maintenance

What constitutes knowledge? Questions of epistemology underpin many of the debates in the social sciences--especially the supposed divide between the "objective" and the "subjective": Should we focus on the generalities of several cases or the particularities of each? Are there universal laws governing behaviour or is it relativistic? These are hard questions to answer that surround any number of human endeavours. The global financial crisis is certainly one, when many attributed the desire to blandly generalize Anglo-Saxon assumptions as leading many into temptation. Hence Greenspan's (semi-)confession that the self-regulating market may not always correct itself. Today, though, consider a slightly sportier field encountering a similar debate--soccer. Money changes everything, including time-tested managerial practices, it seems, judging by a number of things.

Many, many years ago, Robert M. Pirsig had a surprise bestseller with the creatively titled Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance that considered the objective/subjective divide through the lens of keeping his bike in good condition throughout his travels. While quite an interesting, introspective read, let me confess that I didn't know what he was writing about most of the time. (At a lecture I attended, famed sociologist Anthony Giddens joked he'd been around when even he had trouble understanding his earlier writings, and I suspect Pirsig may encounter the same problem re-reading this book.) At any rate, I also read the follow-up book Lila which pursues similar themes. My takeaway--don't ask me to explain--is that Pirsig believes the objective-subjective distinction is an artificial divide.

This medium-winded intro bring me to an interesting article in FT Weekend by sportswriter Simon Kuper on the growing statisticization of soccer (football). Although baseball has long been the domain of number crunchers due to its stop-start nature which is said to make it amenable to statistical analysis, the international big bucks in soccer have made it a natural target. Moreover, with another fluid game having been "colonized" already in basketball, it was only a matter of time before the quant jocks invaded soccer's locker room.

Talking about motorcycle maintenance, we turn to the matter of football team maintenance. It certainly looks as if the quant jocks will be given more input in managerial decisions, especially squad selection. It is here where supposedly "objective" number-crunching will begin bumping up against "subjective" gut feel and intuition. At any rate, the questions are similar for soccer as they are in other activities where the objective/subjective distinction manifests itself:

• Is soccer an activity in which statistical analysis plays a role?
• If so, what statistics are meaningful bases for player comparisons?
• Which team statistics correlate with win/loss records?
• Do stats provide a superior basis for making decisions than managerial experience?

There are dozens and dozens of these sorts of questions you can come up with. Kuper provides many examples of the quants and traditionalists brushing up each other, often unhappily. What follows though is a mini-history of the use of data collection in the Premier League by two top managers, Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Arsene Wenger of Arsenal that paint a decidedly mixed picture. The former has developed a more cautious view of the technology after mistakenly letting go of a player based on "Type II" error and remains a seat-of-the-pants manager who's won many more trophies since. The latter is still a numbers junkie who famously hasn't won a major trophy in five years:

But the broader breakthrough came in 1996, after the Opta Index company began collecting “match data” from the English Premier League, explains the German author Christoph Biermann in Die Fussball-Matrix, the pioneering book on football and data. For the first time, clubs knew how many kilometres each player ran per match, and how many tackles and passes he made. Other data companies entered the market. Some football managers began to look at the stats. In August 2001 Manchester United’s manager Alex Ferguson suddenly sold his defender Jaap Stam to Lazio Roma. The move surprised everyone. Some thought Ferguson was punishing the Dutchman for a silly autobiography he had just published. In truth, although Ferguson didn’t say this publicly, the sale was prompted partly by match data. Studying the numbers, Ferguson had spotted that Stam was tackling less often than before. He presumed the defender, then 29, was declining. So he sold him.

As Ferguson later admitted, this was a mistake. Like many football men in the early days of match data, the manager had studied the wrong numbers. Stam wasn’t in decline at all: he would go on to have several excellent years in Italy. Still, the sale was a milestone in football history: a transfer driven largely by stats.

At Arsenal, Wenger embraced the new match data. He has said that the morning after a game he’s like a junkie who needs his fix: he reaches for the spreadsheets. In about 2002 he began substituting his forward Dennis Bergkamp late in matches. Bergkamp would go to Wenger to complain. “Then he’d produce the stats,” Bergkamp later recalled. “‘Look Dennis, after 70 minutes you began running less. And your speed declined.’ Wenger is a football professor.”

Go figure. I'll make that time-tested cop out and say that managerial judgement is important for complementing technology in determining what statistics matter and their proper interpretation. At any rate, I certainly would welcome judicious use of number crunching to avoid tremendous wastes of money a la Abramovich.

It gives a whole new meaning to booting up, doesn't it?

History Of Kungfu Sport Martial Arts

Kung fu or martial arts gongfu is from China. However, the actual meaning of the word Kungfu has a broad meaning, namely something that is acquired in a long time and with genuine perseverance. So great an expert cook who can be said to have a high Kungfu.

Development

In the beginning, the term or the ability of Martial Arts in Chinese society is not Silat Science "Kung Fu". The term martial arts is not as popular today. Kungfu itself more points to a specific expertise and tenacity and proven superior, such as cooking experts, experts farming and others. The term became popular after a Kung Fu martial arts legend, which popularized the term martial arts Bruce Lee in the western hemisphere. Jolted by the ability, speed and power of the Legend, the term martial arts became very popular and synonymous with Chinese Martial Arts (China) until now.

Martial Arts Kung Fu was originally developed from the needs and the human ability to survive, either to defend themselves from various kinds of wild animal attack, hunt for food, as well as the ability to fight. With the development of the science of medicine and the human body in ancient China - as well as a protracted civil war, Martial Arts Kung Fu was developed rapidly and spread widely, thus bringing the many contributions and influence the embryo of the various types of kinds of martial arts in Asia, such as Karate, Kempo, Pencak Silat and others.

Kungfu has a history and tradition of martial arts are very long, rigorous, proven and effective since 5000 years ago along with the emergence of cult Dao (Taoism), which would later develop into specific religion. In the 2500's, began popping up various streams that legendary martial arts up to now, starting from the Shaolin Temple (Liem Siaw Sie), Wudang (Butong), Omei (Emei-Gobi), Kun Lun, Hua San, San Thian, Khongtong and other so on. In general, there are more than 100 streams and thousands of martial arts moves as well as various types of unique and weird science, ranging from the most violent and malignant (external arts) to the knowledge of the most delicate and light as cotton (internal arts). Various streams and the sciences that still exist up to now is Hung Gar, Lohan, Ngo Cho, Pek Ho, Eng Jiaw, Qin Na, Wing Chun, Tai Chi Quan, Hsing I, Ba Gua, Yi Quan, Fan Zi Quan, Chang Quan and others. another.

The Swordsman Kungfu famous past contributed to the World of Chinese Kungfu, among others:

1) Bodhidharma (Da Mo / Mo Tat or Daruma in Japanese). He is a Zen Buddhist spiritual pastor from India who meditated 9 years at the Shaolin Temple and the creator of such legendary various types of science: Science & Muscles Tendons Changes (Yi Jin Jing / I Chin Ching), 9 Sun (The Cin Keng Kiu), Muscles Bones Wire Iron (Tiet Sin Kun), Gold Iron Shirt (Gold Genta), 5 Kick Animals, Finger Zen, etc.. But unfortunately, some of that knowledge is gone. It is said that at the time of crossing the ocean to the Chinese, he just stood on a small branch and the cave where Bodhidharma left the hermitage in the shadow of her body while meditating in the cave wall until now. During the nine years meditating in the cave, Bodhidharma could hear the conversation different types of living beings like ants, for example.

2) Thio Sam Hong (Thio Po Kun / Zhang Jun Bao / Zhang San Feng). In his youth, Thio Sam Hong is a very talented student at the Shaolin Temple. Because imposed arbitrarily by the seniors, he came out of the Temple of Shaolin Kungfu and learn to develop themselves by observing various natural phenomena such as wind down on a bamboo tree, crane and snake fight, defense kokohnya mantises from the wind and others. After learning & understanding the essence of the Universe, Thio Sam Hong youth retreat on Mount Hua-San to perfect their knowledge of science. By the time he come down the mountain, She traveled throughout China and pitting his knowledge with the people of the Self Defense and / or the Swordsman of all streams. Based on ancient literature, there were two very famous battle, the first is a fight between a wrestler Thio Sam Hong Number 1 (One) Mongol very large, strong and aggressive. Later note also that the wrestlers are also highly skilled in various streams of Chinese Kungfu. Mongolian wrestler was reportedly beat many fighters Shaolin Temple and a host of other hard Swordsman flow. Thio Sam Hong battle between the Mongolian wrestler was won by Thio Sam Hong with his new science, Tai Chi! The second fight was a self-Thio Sam Hong beat more than 100 gangsters in the den of thieves with only his bare hands! Since then, Thio Sam Hong is recognized by all circles persilatan become Swordsman Without Tanding at the time. After feeling quite in perantauanya, he climbed to the mountain of Wudang (Butong) and founded the Wudang College with a major base of teaching: Taoism. Thio Sam Hong itself is believed to be the Creator first and Science Tai Chi is an Expert in Science Yin Tao (Nei Kung). Thio Sam Hong is said to live in 3 (three) times (Immortal Taoist) dynasty, the Sung Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty (Mongol, and Ming Dynasty (Han).

3) Yue Fei (General Yue Fei, Tangyin-Henan Province, 1103-1142). He is a famous Patriot General of the Imperial Sung Dynasty (960-1279) who fought against the invasion of tribes Jin (Jurchen / Juchen) and until the end of his life remained faithful to defend the country even though vilified and condemned to death by a despot. General Yue Fei was believed to be the Creator of internal and external martial arts, namely: Hsing - I (Xing Yi) and enhancer Eng Jiaw (Eagle Claw). In his youth, General Yue Fei learned from the Shaolin monk named Jow Tong / Lai Chin. In addition to empty hand combat expert, General Yue Fei is also an expert in weapons of Shaolin 18 Spear Single especially science. It is said that science is equivalent to science spear spear Marga Yang Family (Family Studies The spearhead is a hereditary family of martial arts are very distinctive and high and only slightly Expert / warrior will be able to match their knowledge of his day. According to ancient records, it is known that high levels lance science The family has several unique features, namely: Science Spear Dragon Fitted / Dragon Spear twisting and Sciences (Toya) Mighty Dragon is able to disable / kill the opponent without physical touching. Note: Families are also the last True Patriot who had remained loyal to the end of the fall of the Empire Sung by the Mogul dynasty). Kung Fu Hsing I himself had vanished from the world persilatan after the death of General Yue Fei until rediscovered the Book of the Book of Kung Fu Hsing I Hsing-I 10 Principles of General Yue Fei relics towards the end of the Ming Dynasty by Ji Long Feng (Ji Jike). Then Ji Long Feng Kung Fu Hsing I lowered the Ma Family, Cao Ji Wu and others until finally emerged Kuo Yun Shen and Sun Lutang as experts in Kung Fu Hsing I is remarkable.

4) Qi Jiguang (1528-1588). He is one of the other famous Patriot General of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At age 22, Qi Jiguang fight and expel Mongol army led by Altan Khan, who seeks re-colonize China (1548-1552). He shared and Tan Lun Yu Dayao known as the Patriot eradicate the pirates and the pirates out of Japan (rata2 the pirates are the ex-samurai who lost the war and in cooperation with Chinese pirates or the despotic local rulers) are often robbed in mainland China in particular regions Fujian and Zhejiang. Post-eradication, there was no Japanese pirates or pirate who dared to come back again because the combat capability of the army General Qi Jiquang incredible. He noted Kungfunya and bequeath the whole of the Book "Shou Ji Ching Hua" which now becomes one of the treasures that complement the Chinese martial arts literature.

5) 5 Shaolin Ancestors. Post-combustion of the Shaolin Temple in the second battle between the Rev. Shaolin Temple with 50,000 soldiers armed to the teeth and modern Qing assisted the Lhama Tibet and Practitioner Pak Mei (White Eyebrow).

Fifth Shaolin ancestors are:

1) Choi Tak-Chung (蔡德忠)

2) Tai-Hung Fong (方大洪)

3) Ma Chiu-Hing (马超兴)

4) Wu-Tai No (胡德帝)

5) Sik-Hoi Lee (李 式 开)

Based on older literature, noted that the Shaolin Temple were completely destroyed and burned for 40 days and 40 nights in the attack. The entire record of ancient knowledge thousands of years including a number of legendary martial arts and weapons heritage is lost or burned. Of the thousands of non-Monk Shaolin Monk and, only five people who escaped the attack and then they spread throughout China while spreading resistance Shaolin Kungfu and anti-Qing Dynasty. The devastation caused by the Shaolin Temple Shaolin unscrupulous treachery that turned out to be lackeys of the Qing Dynasty who infiltrate and sow poison in various point sources of water and food of the monks. At the second attack, the physical condition of the poisoning has caused the loss of ability to fight the monks of Shaolin monks and Non. In the first bout, the Shaolin Temple Warriors managed to expel tens of thousands of soldiers fully armed Qing Dynasty. Failure in the first attack, made at the peak of the Qing Emperor's anger. The Emperor gathered the best soldiers from each legion and recruit the Kung Fu martial arts expert (including Tibet and Practitioners Lhama Pak May) loyal to the Qing Dynasty to jointly raided the Shaolin Temple and menpersiapkan strategy of infiltration / destruction of the Shaolin Temple. Later, 5 Ancestors of Shaolin is synonymous also with 5 Main famous figures, namely:

a) Hung Hei-Koon Hong 洪熙官 Xiguan / Hung Hei Gun.

He is the creator of Hung Gar Kung Fu. Hung Hei Koon is the main disciple of the monk Gee Sin Sim See. He is renowned as an Expert Fok Fu Kuen Gung Gee (Siu Lum Fook Fu Kuen) and the True Tiger Claw. Tiger claw stance known to be very fierce and powerful. Most victims of malignancy Tiger Claw stance is Hung Hei Koon soldiers and minions Qing Manchu.

b) Lau Sam-Ngan Liu 刘 三眼 Sānyǎn / Lau Sam Ngan.

He is the Creator of Lau Gar Kung Fu and is known by the nickname "Lau Eyes 3". Lau Sam Ngan martial arts ability is extremely high. He is known to fight against the mob Qing army and other martial arts practitioners without the need to look seolah2 there are "other eyes" behind his head.

c) Choi You-Cai Jiǔyí 蔡九 仪 Yee / Choy Gau Yi.

He is the Creator Choi Gar Kung Fu

d) Lee Yau-San 李 友 山 Lǐ Yǒushān / Li Yau San.

He is a teacher of Chan Heung, Lei Gar Kung Fu Creator (Choi Lei Fut)

e) Ching-Kiu Mok 莫 清 矫 MO Qīngjiǎo / Mok Ching Giu,

He is the Creator of Mok Gar Kung Fu

6) Wong Fei Hung (Huang Fei Hong, Fushan, 1847-1924). He lived during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and was recorded as the Patriot Nationalist, martial arts expert, founder of Chi Lam Pho drug house and at the same Shinshe Acupuncture is very popular with various types of martial arts such as science: Science Pet Tiger and Crane, Kick Without Shadow, Iron Fist, Toan Ta, Toya 8 Diagrams and others. Her pupils are very well known among other things: Lam Sai Wing, Leung Fong, Tang Fung and Lin Wan Gai. Wong Fei Hung is the son of Wong Kei Ying, a famous fighter of the "10 Tigers of Canton". At age 16, Wong Fei Hung Silat founded universities in various areas, namely: Shuijiao, Diqipu, Xiquan and Guangdong. In addition, he also founded the Drug House Pho Lam Chi Instructor Trainers and become the youngest Mliter Regiment Army V Cantonese. In his lifetime, Wong Fei Hung is famous for its many battles with the local fighters and foreign fighters in defense of "China's Pride" which was then dropped to the lowest point. 2 (Two) a very famous battle was at Wong dropped more than 50 fighters gangster / pirates in the harbor with only a Toya and the second fight is when he along with Liu Yong Fu fighting directly with the Japanese army in Taiwan. He himself is a direct disciple of the Way So Beggar (Beggar So), Lam Fuk Sing, Lin Cheng Fu and his own father who in fact was the son of Wong Tai, a direct disciple Luk Ah Choi, Hung Gar Kung Fu expert and also a direct disciple of the famous Shaolin Monks : Gee Sin Sim See, Li & Bak Fu Hung Hei Koon.

7) Hua Yan Jia (Fok Yuen Gap / Ho Ka Goan, Tianjin, 1868-1910). He is the founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association (Jing Wu Men), which until now have been spread over 50 branches in USA, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Macau, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Wales, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore , Thailand, Malaysia and others. He is a famous Kung Fu Swordsman very nationalistic and was also born from the Family fighter Huo flow. At first, Hua Yan Jia Silat is not allowed to study science because of his condition is weak and often sick. However, due to a strong will and high talent, the young Jia Yan Hua diam2 always peek kakak2nya and the disciples His father (Huo Endi) during exercise. It is said that science is more perfect after the encounter with one of the famous Patriot Kungfu: Wang Wu, The Machete Big polish ability Jia Hua Yan young. Jia Hua Yan's fighting ability was first tested on occasions when he beat South Kungfu expert named "Du" Families who previously defeated Huo precisely at the time of the annual battle between Family fighter. In his lifetime, both he and his student Liu Zhensheng known as Kungfu warrior who defeated a lot of different martial arts practitioners flow from various countries such as the wrestler, boxer, Ju Jit Su / judo mum and Karateka from Russia, Britain and Japan. Huo Yan Jia's first fight with the Western Warriors in 1901 occurred in an open battle in Xiyuan Park, Tianjin. Huo Yan Jia Strongest Wrestler beat Russia (The fight was a "Show of Force" of the Russian Empire to weaken the Chinese people mentally) in a landslide by lifting and throwing off the stage of the fight. The second battle occurred in 1909 with the British Boxing Champion big tall, O'Brien. Huo Yan Jia moves back to defeat his opponent with his creation, ie, Mi Fu Zhong. In subsequent developments, Huo Yan Jia receive much more challenging than the Japanese fighter and no one can beat He at that time. Unfortunately, Huo Yan Jia died too fast, ie at the age of 42 (1910) and based on the autopsy of Tianjin Municipality Police Laboratory, found arsenic in the body Huo. Chin Woo officials and examining physician suspected that the toxin associated with the last fight with Japanesse Judo Association ("JJA") which resulted in many members of the JJA who suffered a major defeat or fatal injuries in the battle mat.

8) Chan Tzi Ching. He is the principal heir of the flow of the Eagle Claw Kung Fu Family Marga Lau. He is known as an unbeatable martial arts fighter and conquered all his opponents in only three moves and / or with 3-inch punch. During this period, only Huo Yan Jia himself able to offset the science of Kungfu Chan Tzi Ching. Attracted by the extraordinary fighting ability, Huo Yan Jia Chan Tzi Ching invited to participate in teaching at the Chin Woo, Shang Hai in 1910. After the death of Huo Yan Jia due to exposure to arsenic from Japanese secret agent, Chan Tzi Ching Huo Yan Jia continue the struggle and a lot of fight with a number of Japanese martial arts practitioners and the West, but no one can beat he up to the end.

9) Fan Xu Dong. He has the posture tall and large but has the ability to relieve the body of science is incredible in his day. He is a full-blooded martial arts expert Grasshopper Worship (Praying Mants) and Big Machete (Guan Dao). Fan Xu Dong known as Kungfu Fighting Patriot who participated in the Boxer rebellion because it can not stand the behavior of Western nations and Japan at that harm people and wanted to colonize China towards the end of the Qing Dynasty. There are a number of famous battles between Fan Xu Dong with a number of fighters representing 8 countries, namely the first fight is when he answers the challenges of the Japanese samurai hero in the battle of life and death openly in Shandong. Fan Xu Dong cleared the body of the Samurai into 2 parts in seconds at the time by using the weapon Guan Dao. The second battle occurred in 1875, Fan Xu Dong Kung Fu Yantai Education representative to respond to the challenges of the National Wrestling Champion Russia. The fight re-Fan Xu Dong was won by a landslide. After the victory, Fan Xu Dong lot petarung2 fight with Russia but no one can beat him until he returned to China again. 10) Chen Family Tai Chi: Chen Fa Ke. Chen Fa Ke was one 1 (one) the 17th generation successor to the genus Chen Tai Chi flow is very famous in his lifetime since there is no opponent that could defeat him and he beat all lawan2nya without injuring them at all. He himself is the son of Chen Chang Xing, one of the Tai Chi Master Chen's famous stream. He is most famous battles was the fight-free or "Leitai" for 17 days in Beijing. Over the past 17 days, Chen Fa Ke beat all his opponents with just a science Chen Tai Chi flow. Many experts Martial either hard or soft flow and various other Martial flow admitted that Chen Fa Ke was Invincible fighter in his day. Chen Fa Ke dubbed the "Taiji Yi Ren" (The Best Tai Chi Master) and "Shen Quan" (Saint Martial) by practitioners of the martial world. Tai Chi flow centered in the village of Marga Chen Chen (Chen Jiagao) and almost the entire population of the village is Tai Chi practitioners. Based on historical records, the flow of Chen Tai Chi was first introduced by Chen Wan Ting, a retired General of the Ming Dynasty.

11) Family Yang, Yang Lu Chan (Yang Fu Kui). He is the founder of Yang Tai Chi flow clan. In his lifetime, he was also famous as a warrior with the nickname "Yang Wu Di = The Invincible". Descendants and successors that he is very famous among other things: The Chien Hou, Yang Shao Hao, Yang Cheng Fu, Yang Ban Hou & Chen Man Ching. Science Tai Chi Yang Lu Chan himself famous for a number of nicknames, the Mien Quan (Cotton Fist) and Hua Quan (Fist neutralizing).

12) Kuo Yun Shen (Guo Yun Shen / Yu Sheng). He is well known as a brave warrior of the martial arts as well as Nei Kung is very high. He is a martial arts expert Hsing - I (Xing Yi). Kuo Yun Shen dubbed "Ban Bu Peng Kuo" because it is famous for its mastery of Peng Quan ("Crushing Fist") is perfect, one of the science of the 5 Elements Hsing I). Tread Science reputedly able to shed their cotton is quite simply the opponent's body by touching it. Kuo Yun Shen've tapped gently and 10 bricks spilled all destroyed. He himself was a disciple of Master Li Luoneng best and was never defeated by anyone in his day. Only one person can offset the master Kuo Yun Shen, namely Tung Hai Chuan in a fierce battle for 3 days and 3 nights that ended in a draw, and eventually they became good friends who exchange knowledge Kungfu.

13) Sun Lutang (Sun Fu Quan). He is the creator of Sun Tai Chi flow and is famous as an Expert Hsing I and Bagua. He is a student of various martial arts expert like monk Wu, Kuo Yun Shen, Li Kui Yuan, Cheng Ting Hua (Expert Baguazhang), Hao Wei Chen (Master Wu Yu Xiang Tai Chi) and others. Her nickname is "Tiger Head Swordsman" and "Smarter than a Monkey On".

14) Tung Hai Chuan (Dong Haichuan). He is the creator of the science of Baguazhang (Zhuan Zhang) and the famous unbeaten in his day. One of the famous bout is bout 3 days 3 nights with Master Kuo Yun Shen which ended in a draw. In addition to expert Baguazhang, He is also expert in the science Bafanshan, Hongquan, Xingmengquan, Jinggangquan, Erlangquan and Lohanquan. Tung Hai Chuan himself was known to have any other special science called "Step Cloud / Cloud Bearak" a kind of Science Body Relieve extraordinary that can be played simultaneously with the science of Baguazhang.

15) Yip Man (Ip Man, Foshan, Namhoi 1898-1972). He is one of the famous Wing Chun Kung Fu expert and renowned as an undefeated fighter, but very "low profile". He is a direct student of Chan Wah Sun, Ng Sok Chung & Leung Bik (son of Leung Jan). While in Foshan, China, he had some famous students, among others: Lok Yiu, Chow Kwong Yue, Kwok Fu, Kai Lun, Chan Chi Sun and Lui Ying. At Hong Kong, a number of students he is the famous Leung Sheung, Lok Yiu, Chu Song Tin, Wong Shun Leung, Lo Man Thurs and Siau Lung Li / Li Jun Fan (Bruce Lee).

Yip Man is the son of a wealthy merchant family and very generous. The origins of interest in learning martial arts because Yip Man Yip Man's family to allow a martial arts master who has lived the Master Chan Wah Shun to preserve the marital arts by teaching a group of students in the family temple. Master Chan has a reputation as a good-hearted martial arts experts as they often defend the interests of small people who are oppressed by a gang of robbers, criminals or officials who arbitrarily. Yip Man who was then 9 year old often observe exercises Master Chan and his disciples. He had begged to be accepted as a disciple Master Chan, but Chan Master who was then aged 60 years have not wanted to accept students again. But the young Yip Man was a very harsh and unyielding desire, though rejected many times, Yip Man remains unyielding.

To test the willingness and sincerity of Yip Man, Master Chan has said it will accept as a pupil if he is able to pay the exercise of three taels of silver. The next day, Yip Man is coming with all his savings, amounting to 300 pieces of silver! Master Yip Man Chan saw that has a desire and strong determination to learn Wing Chun Kung Fu. After discussion with his parents Yip Man, Master Chan finally accepted as a disciple of Yip Man's latest.

Yip Man studied Wing Chun Kung Fu with Master Chan for four years or until the Master Chan died. To further deepen the knowledge Kungfunya, Yip Man then studied for 2.5 years with another senior, namely Ng Chun. When Yip Man was 16 years old, his parents sent him to Hong Kong to attend St. Stephen's College. Yip Man With the rapid popularity is growing rapidly in St Setphen's College because he often openly serve and win the fight with the senior or practitioners of other martial flow average-based martial arts, Boxing and Karate. At that time, Kung Fu Wing Chun Kung Fu became popular as a new, reliable flow of streams beyond that already exist.

Loved the young Yip Man fights until the point he had information that in the silk factory one of his friends, there is an incredible martial arts expert, but has aged 50 years. The martial arts expert living in a fishing boat that rests near the port of Hong Kong. Yip Man then went to see the Master and ask for guidance from the martial arts expert. But the martial arts expert is actually asking Yip Man Wing Chun Kung Fu to demonstrate it. After seeing a few moments Yip Man, the martial arts expert is actually poke fun at the science of Kung Fu Wing Chin Yip Man is still far below the standard of Wing Chun Kung Fu Master! Feeling that his ability demeaned, Yip Man challenged the expert is to fight. In one or two movements, Yip Man was thrown into the water instead! After repeatedly trying to attack with a variety of the secret he had learned over the years, Yip Man finally realized that the experts who met this Kungfu Kungfu Expert level is high because the entire attack Yip Man could not be on target! Yip Man finally gave up and expressed his desire to learn from the martial arts expert is. Attracted by talent and ability Yip Man, Kung Fu Master Yip Man was accepted as his disciple. Yip Man later found out that it was martial arts expert Master Leung Bik was still a "lineage / root" with the science of martial arts master Chan Wah Sun. Master Leung Bik itself is a martial arts expert from different schools but focuses more on the flow of Wing Chun Kung Fu. But so far, no one / any other martial arts expert who knows that is actually the Master Leung Bik Wing Chun Kung Fu Expert until the arrival of Yip Man!

Wing Chun Kung Fu Master Master Leung Bik and Chan Wah Sun actually comes from the same root, namely Ng Mui Shaolin Wing Chun Master Leung Bik but made some changes according to the experience of fighting for this so that there is a difference between the pattern and the stance of Wing Chin Traditional Kungfu with Wing Chun kung fu his. After studying for a 2.5 tender, Master Leung Bik has inherited all his knowledge to the Yip Man Yip Man and asked to spread Wing Chun Kung Fu to the public. Along with the completion of the study period he, Yip Man returned to Foshan and aspires to carry out the mandate of the teacher. Yip Man taught all his ability to colleagues seperguruan but that desire had encountered obstacles because one of the seniors still want to retain the traditional Wing Chun so it had been a fight between Yip Man with a senior. But in the end the seniors can accept that science is good Kungfu Kungfu is a science that can adapt and change according to the existing development. During Foshan been many events that changed the course of Master Yip Man's life, ranging from the entry of Japanese colonial rule until a fight with martial arts experts in Japan who oppress the common people. Yip Man often challenge the Japanese martial arts expert who seeks mental deteriorate the Chinese people by holding a number of martial arts tournaments. Victory after victory achieved easily and quickly in every battle until Yip Man had to be rushed from Foshan to Hong Kong again for being the target of assassination.

At the beginning of Hong Kong, Yip Man working in restaurants and day-to-day teaching Kung Fu Wing Chun to Leung Sheung Wong, a martial arts practitioner as well as Mr. May and the first student of Yip Man. Life in Hong Kong is hard often leads to Yip Man received many challenges from both the flow of Kung Fu and other martial arts. In general, Yip Man refused to subtly challenge but in the end remains inevitable battle. Yip Man had never experienced defeat or injure even his opponents in every fight and in general after the battle is finished, the opponents actually very reluctant to Yip Man Yip Man because of his humble and knights. After teaching science of Wing Chun Kung Fu for 20 years in Hong Kong, Master Yip Man died.

16) Bruce Lee (Lee Jun Fan / Lee Siau Lung). He is a practitioner of Wing Chun Kung Fu and martial arts and founder of a new flow: Jeet Kune Do (Intercepting Fist). He is an actor and martial artist who went from hobby anggota2 street fights even with mafia gangs. In his lifetime, he is famous for some real battles with a variety of martial arts practitioners both during filming and the days that have been determined. Here is a list of a number of fights Bruce Lee recorded: a) In 1958, Bruce Lee defeated the British Boxer Boxing Champion 3x, Gary Elms by knockout in the third round in Hong Kong Inter School Championship Amateur Boxing Championships b) Before dealing with Gary Elms, Bruce Lee beat Shen Yuen, Lo Lieh Huang and Yang are all in the first round by knockout c) Bruce Lee beat Pu Chung, Choy Li Fut Kung Fu expert with a first round TKO in a fight Full Contact Body. Sponsor battle is Wong Sheung Leung d) During the years 1959-1960, Bruce Lee was involved a lot of battles in the streets and the average victim KO or disability, so that the police be busy due to a hobby he e) In 1962, Bruce Lee beat Uechi champion karate black belt with a knockout 11 seconds in Seattle. Taki Kimura precisely calculate the KO within 10 seconds! f) At the time of the film The Big Boss syting in Thailand, Bruce answered the challenge of the expansion Thay knock with their representatives in just seconds g) At the time of filming Enter The Dragon, Bruce is also the challenge of a Karateka Tyres Black with her Konya in seconds h) On several occasions, Bruce challenges from various martial arts expert either by using bare hands or arms, but all of his opponents on average suffered a knockout or can not continue the fight. In general, the fight was witnessed by many people or experts in other martial arts i) Battles of the longest and enough energy drain Bruce Lee was on occasions when he confronted with Wong Jack Man, a Xing Yi, Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi South. It is said that Wong Jack Man is a fighter from the Chin Woo Kung Fu School. The fight is completed within 20-25 minutes with Bruce Lee's victory. On another occasion, Wong Jack Man gauntlet again, but Bruce Lee did not respond. Learning from the battle, Bruce integrate all his martial arts skills and knowledge and ultimately create a new stream of self-defense, namely: Jeet Kune Do.

In the end, along with progress and more open country of China, various types of martial arts Kungfu flow from combined and standardized into a form of exercise that can be competed internationally, namely Wushu or "Art of War."

All Hail Sports Corruption: Euro 2012 in Ukraine

There appears to be something which just brings the worst out in people while attempting to land marquee sporting events alike the Olympics, the World Cup, and Formula One grands prix. Once the events are finally landed, however, there are yet more layers for corruption to occur during contractual bidding processes. Ah well, just as jingoism and sport often go together, so it seems do governance issues and sport.

Hot on the heels of the FIFA fiasco involving Sepp Blatter being chosen once more over his erstwhile rivals--it appears corruption allegations did little but eliminate erstwhile challengers to his authority--we have yet another episode on the immediate horizon. With the World Cup done and dusted, the next major international football tournament here in Europe will be Euro 2012 which various national teams are busy trying to qualify for at the moment. But alas, while those teams should be in fighting condition for next year, the same may not necessarily hold for co-host country Ukraine (the other being Poland). You see, some of its facilities are behind schedule and construction has been hampered by faulty bidding processes.

It may be the case that Ukraine is going for the double--bidding irregularities to host the event as well as faulty contracting. From the Evening Standard:

An investigation by this newspaper has uncovered claims of murky construction deals and backhanders in Ukraine - which will co-host the tournament with Poland - that have sent costs spiralling. Among the projects that have raised suspicions are the 10 wooden benches bought for £44,000 and the £6 million heliport for players built 150 miles from the nearest stadium.

The Olimpiyski stadium in Kiev, intended to take centre-stage, is still only half built. Although scheduled to have already staged a game, its first match is now planned for November, little more than eight months before the final. The stadium, however, is likely to be the least of Uefa's worries if corruption allegations made by opposition politicians are substantiated. Claims that votes for the winning bid - fronted by sports stars including former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko - were bought resulted in a defamation case that still continues.

Yulia Tymoshenko--she of the famously otherworldly hairdo--has been at the forefront of the allegations:

Yet Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister, claims the worst has yet to be uncovered. "When our government was in office we had an estimate that the cost (of the stadium in Kiev) would be £160 million. Now it has moved to £380 million." The total bill for hosting the tournament, including infrastructure improvements, is expected to reach £8.5 billion.

At the heart of allegations by Ms Tymoshenko and the opposition is a claim that projects have not been put out to tender properly. The European Commission has criticised planned changes to a law that would narrow further the publication of tender documents.

Opposition sports minister Ostap Semerak says the overspend is a result of this. He gives examples such as the purchase of the wooden benches from a sewer manhole manufacturer and the heliport, apparently in a hunting spot favoured by the ruling class. The price of a new stadium in Lviv, meanwhile, has more than doubled from £84 million to £183 million.,,

Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovich, elected a year ago, has conceded corruption is a major issue in the country. Uefa president Michel Platini was quoted as saying it was "perhaps an error" to award the event to Ukraine. The quote was quickly dismissed as taken out of context. Yesterday Uefa stressed it was not involved in tenders launched by the Ukrainian government.

This story still has room to run.

Bahrain Brutality, But F1 Show Must Go On There

A few months ago I covered how the so-called Arab Spring protests in Bahrain scuttled the first Formula One race of 2011 that was to be held there on 13 March. While the local race organizers and F1 powers-that-be did not rule out holding the event at a later date in 2011, let's just say that many were sceptical that the race would indeed be held given current circumstances.

And so we find ourselves in the same place a few months later. Protester fatalities are still occurring that various reports put at more than two dozen. While martial law has recently been lifted, the Shiite majority still chafes under Sunni rule and protests are still ongoing. Yet both the local organizers and the FIA have now decided that "national reconciliation" demanded that the race be held. First we have the FIA statement:

Following a fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice-President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on 31 May, 2011 to assess the situation in the country. Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights. It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process.

After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.

This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the F1 grand prix and motorsport in the country.

The WMSC [World Motor Sports Council] feels that reinstating the grand prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognises the commitment made by the F1 teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event.

And so now the final race of the season will be in December, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, the Bahrainis also made similar-sounding noises about "national reconciliation":

The head of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today welcomed the decision of the FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) World Motor Sport Council to reintroduce the Bahrain Grand Prix to the 2011 calendar. The decision, announced by the FIA after the Council’s meeting in Barcelona, follows a FIA delegation visit to Bahrain to assess the situation in country this week.

Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of the BIC, said: “This is welcome news for all of Bahrain. As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions. “Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.

“The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been a source of national pride and it is an event than transcends politics. Not only does it receive strong support from the Government, but also from all major parties in Bahrain, including our largest opposition group, Al Wefaq, who yesterday endorsed both the BIC and motor-racing in Bahrain. Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.

The evidence for the usual plea to set politics aside is the major Shia opposition Al Wefaq party endorsing the staging of this grand prix. Then again, you have to wonder how closely Al Wefaq represents the more demonstrably opposed voices to continued Sunni rule. In short, did the authorities consult those most clearly associated with the protesters? There is, for instance, an online activist presence petitioning that the race not go forward with over 320,000 signatures already.

As the video clip in this BBC article points out, F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone management company FOA stands to lose £21 million if the race isn't held, while the various teams would lose £24M. Ferrari alone it is said would lose £7M. Although Ecclestone says money has nothing to do with the decision to go on with the race later in the year, I leave it to you to figure that one out.

Meanwhile, two of the more conscientious F1 drivers are expressing dismay: retired 1996 champion Damon Hill and Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber (who already discouraged racing there earlier this year):

Before the announcement of Friday's decision, Red Bull driver Mark Webber had gone public with his opposition. "When people in a country are being hurt, the issues are bigger than sport," the Australian wrote on Twitter. Former world champion Damon Hill had expressed his personal view that F1 "will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order" if it returns to Bahrain this season.

What price participation? BBC sports commentator Jonathan Legard believes F1 teams must dutifully follow where ringleader Ecclestone goes, public relations folly or otherwise:

The teams won't be happy but Bernie Ecclestone is the man who pays their bills and so they will go along with it. You risk running into another storm of civil unrest. Martial law has only been lifted there a couple of days ago and you wonder what Formula 1 is gaining by this return.

The Atlantic also has some good insights on this decision. With many more months till the race is held, this story is not yet over, and overt targeting of the race by protesters is certainly possible.

June 7 UPDATE: The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) is not keen on racing in Bahrain. The emphasis of its complaint is on rearranging the calendar yet again, with the season being extended so late in the year through the reinstatement of the Bahrain event and the Indian Grand Prix being moved into December. Since such rearranging requires team assent, it looks like Bahrain is to be struck off the calendar (again). Meanwhile, the politicos have chimed in on the distastefulness of it all:

The FIA effectively has no choice but to accede to the teams' demands - although its World Council voted through the date changes last week, it did so without the full written agreement of the teams, which is constitutionally required. The FIA based its decision on a report written by one of its vice-presidents, Spaniard Carlos Gracia, who visited Bahrain. The report has now been leaked online.

MPs used a debate on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday to criticise the FIA's decision to reschedule the race. Sir Menzies Campbell, the Lib Dems' former foreign affairs spokesman, said the decision was "simply shameful". Foreign Secretary William Hague added: "Formula 1 has not done itself any good by what has been announced. The important thing is to encourage all sides to get back into a real dialogue."

Whoever hatched this scheme must be under duress right about now.

Football America Most Popular Sports In Usa And Canada

American football is known in the United States and Canada as football is a sport played by two teams each consisting of 11 players. Using a ball game called football (football), oval-shaped and brown. The two ends of the field is called field endzone which is the opponent's goal area. The team that attacked the chance to get 1 set consisting of 4 times to bring the ball down as far as 10 yards into the endzone opposite field. The ball was taken by hand as they ran or thrown to teammates, until the advancing teams managed to stop attacking the team survive. Score printed by way of carrying or putting the ball outside the goal line on the opposite side of the endzone, or kicking the ball past the opponent's goal. Top scorer team after the completion of the fourth round of the game was declared the winner. The game can be ended in a draw if no winner after extra time held. Carefully calculated play time the seconds, and regulations are strictly supervised play because it involves physical collisions between players.

History

Football as it is commonly known people and American football are both derived from various types of foot ball sports (football) being played in Britain in the mid-19th century. American football is a variation of rugby for more carry the ball by hand and only once in a while just kicked.

In the early years of the 20th century, professional teams began popping up in mill towns located in the area of ​​Pennsylvania and the American Midwest. After that, the National League of American Football (NFL) was founded in the city of Canton, Ohio in 1920. Professional American football league continues to survive as second most popular sport in the U.S. until after World War II. Television footage managed to attract public attention to professional American football league. In the 1960s, game finally beat the popularity of the professional league baseball and American football college level. The first Super Bowl game between the champions of the NFL and AFL champions took place in 1967, and ending on the second joining the league in 1970.

Regulation

Field and players

American football is played on a rectangular field, with a length of 120 yards (110 meters) wide and 53 1 / 3 yards (49 meters). Outermost lines along the field is called the sideline (line side), while the outermost line at both ends of the field called the end line (finish line). On both the left and right field are the goal line (goal line). The distance between the two sides of the goal line is 100 yards. Fields scored a place called the end zone (end zone) and 10 yards in length calculated from the goal line until the finish line.

Along the field lines cross is made every 5 yards, called the yard (yard line). Every 10 yards, the distance marked yard line that starts from both sides of the goal line and ended up in the middle of the field (goal line), -10, -20, -30, -40, 50, 40 -, 30 -, 20 -, 10 - (the goal line). The lines that run across the football field similar to the lines on the rugby league field. Short lines at the edge of the field is called hash marks (a hash) that mark each length of yards from the field. Each initial movement of the ball starting with a hash mark the ball's position at or between two hash marks.

At the end of each end zone (end zone) there goalposts (called the goal posts or uprights). American football goalpost shaped like a tuning fork with a pillar height of 10 feet (3 meters). Goals must be signed between the two goalposts. Both goal posts separated by a distance of 18 feet 6 inches (5.6 meters) and mounted on an iron cross (cross bar) to form the mouth of the goal as the letter "U". In inter-school match, the distance between two goal posts are 24 feet (7.3 meters) so that the ball more easily entered. High goalposts until the very end to reach 30 feet (9 meters) from the top surface of the field. On the field for the game of professional, college and high school, the goal stanchion placed outside the playing field. Pillar also made curved outwards the field to reduce the risk of injury from hitting the pole.

Each team took to the field with 11 players. The team could replace some or all of the players when the time is still possible, or the movement of the ball during the pause. Each team has 46 players in one game and wear can be exchanged at any time throughout the game. Almost all the players the chance to down play and no one is unemployed.

Old games

Standard game consists of 4 rounds (called quarters), while each round consists of 15 minutes. Called the halftime break is given after the 2nd round is completed. 12-minute one-act system used in inter-school match. Hours match ball is stopped if there is a movement which, according to game rules require that the match was stopped, the result when the game becomes much longer. NFL game often takes more than 3 hours since the game clock to be stopped when there is no ball movement.

If both teams still scored the series until the 4th round is over, the NFL extended the match with an additional round for 15 minutes (overtime). In the game system used sudden death overtime, first team to score declared the winner, even though the opposing team no chance to get the ball. Match declared a regular game series in the NFL when both teams failed to score in extra rounds.

In an NFL playoff round match, when both teams continued to score the series, the game continued with additional rounds until one team wins.

The movement of the ball

The team that has a ball called the attackers team. Tim attacker was given a set of initial opportunity that consists of 4 times to bring the ball down as far as 10 yards closer to the end zone field (field goal) the opponent. If a team attacker managed to bring the ball as far as 10 yards in a single set of opportunities early, attacking team is entitled to an additional opportunity set (called a first down), which also consists of 4 times down to bring the ball back as far as 10 yards or score. If a team attacker failed to get a first down after making 4 times down, then the ownership of the ball moves to the opposing team.

Except in the initial round of the 3rd or after the team managed to score a score, the movement of the ball always begins with the snap position. The team dealing with a team attacker attackers on an imaginary line starting position the ball (line of scrimmage). One player from the attacking team passes the ball called the center (the operand is called "snap") through the gap in between both legs to a colleague who was behind the (usually passed to the quarterback).

The player carrying the ball in 2 ways:

1. Running the ball, this technique called Rushing. Technique gives the ball into the hands of teammate called a handoff.

2. Throwing the ball to a teammate, known as the throw to the front (forward pass) or passing. Throw-forward is a distinguishing characteristic of American football with other football sports. For a one-time play, the team once the attacker may only throw the ball forward, and it must be done from behind an imaginary line starting position the ball (line of scrimmage). In addition to a one-time opportunity to throw the ball forward, the ball may only be passed sideways or thrown back (called a lateral pass). Unlike rugby, throw-back matches are rarely done professional American football.

The opportunity ends down and the ball declared dead when:

* The player who carried the ball dropped to the ground (ditekel) or successfully halted the advance motion opposing team member (as approved by the referee).

* Pitch into the future can not be arrested until the exit from the field, or fall into the field of play before they can be arrested. This event is called incomplete pass (incomplete pass). The ball is returned to its original place at the beginning of the line the ball (line of scrimmage) to start the next down.

* The ball and players to be outside the field.

* One team scored.

The referee or the referee blew the whistle a few people to declare dead ball and finished down a one-time opportunity.

Before down done, each team could negotiate to discuss strategy player movement (called a play) during the down progress. Down position is often also referred to as play.


Change of ownership of the ball

Tim attacker has the right to ball until there is an incident:

* The attacker failed to get a first down after being given the opportunity early in the form of 4 times to bring the ball down as far as 10 yards. The team last took over the ball at the spot where the ball dead on 4th down. Change of ownership of the ball is called a turnover on downs.

* The team striker scored by performing touch-down or kick a field goal. Once scored, the team attackers formation of the region's own special kick to the opponent who called the kickoff.

* The team attackers Punt kick into the opposite field. Punt kick made by dropping the ball from the handle and kicked him before the ball touched the ground game. Punt kick down almost always done on the 4th, when the team attacker does not want to risk the ball taken the opposing team, or team attacker is still too far from the end zone to get a chance to kick a field goal.

* Catch the throw to the opponent team by a team front attackers. This event is called interception (interception). Opposing players who managed to get the ball in this way may run with the ball as far as possible to succeed ditekel, forced out of the field, or print a score.

* The ball off the attacker or team accidentally dropped the ball (called a fumble) and the other team picked it up. Just as interception, an opponent who had picked up the ball may run as far as possible by bringing the ball up to succeed ditekel, forced out of the field, or print a score. Change of ownership of the ball because the ball falls or captured the opponent by way of interception is called turnover.

* The attackers failed to kick a field goal toward the opposing goal. The team survived to get the ball down at the point of the last payment (or according to NFL rules, at which point kick failed). When the kick failed to do from a distance of 20 yards from the end zone, the opposing team get the ball on line 20 yards in the region itself.

* The team attacker who carried the ball ditekel, forced out of the field, the ball was taken out of the field, or conduct violations in the end zone. The latter event is rare and is called safety.

Scores

Teams can score by:

* Touchdown (TD) with a value of 6 points. The incident occurred when a player carrying a touchdown run or catch the ball throws the ball in the opponent's end zone field.

o After the touchdown, teams try to score by adding scores converted (conversion). The ball is placed on line 3 yards of the opposing team (two-yard line in the NFL) and kicked into the air to pass through the bar across the opponent's goal and hovering between two goalposts as well as field goal to get 1 extra points. Besides the kick is worth 1 point, the attacker can choose the conversion team is worth 2 points (two-point conversion). In the two-point conversion, re striker tried to run the ball or pass the ball into the end zone field as do the touchdown.

* Field goal (field goal or FG) with a value of 3 points. The ball was kicked into the air to pass through the bar across the opponent's goal and hovering between two goalposts. Before the kick, the ball is placed vertically above the ground by fellow team, or is released from the handle and kicked (the second method, called the drop-kick almost never done because it only gives 2 times the goals in the period of 60 years). Business scores with a kick a field goal is usually done on 4th down when the ball is near the goal by an opponent, or simply left little time to score in other ways.

* Safety with a value of 2 points. This score is printed team survive if the team has the ball attacker who was forced to retreat to field its own end zone and fell ditekel, or any of the following happens: the ball apart from the handle in the field of his own end zone, the ball is kicked successfully blocked and crashed in the field own end zone, or in violation of its own end zone.

Kickoff and free kicks

The opening kick-called kickoff conducted at the beginning of the game, early 3rd round, or after the team scored a touchdown or field goal. Tim attacker kicked the ball from his own field in the line 30 yards (NFL) or 35-yard line for the college game. The team survived the ball, and tried to catch it, then bring it forward as far as possible toward the opposite field. The point where the players from the team managed to survive the team stopped the attacker used as a starting point for the team attacker to conduct a series of attacks (called drive) into the field of the opposing team. When players from the team managed to catch the ball the results endure kickoff in his own end zone, the player can choose to take the ball away, or do touchback by kneeling in the end zone himself. If there touchback, the team survived turned into a team attacker, and the point of attack starts from the line 20 yards. Events touchback also occurs when a ball kicked until he came out of the end zone. In addition, the kick Punt and turnover in the area of ​​the end zone can also end up with a touchback.

After the safety, the team that lost 2 points attacker must start the game with a free kick placekick (placed vertically and kicked the ball) or Punt (the ball is released from the handle and kicked before falling to the ground) from line 20 yards of his own.


Violation

Violations can be detrimental to the team who violated, or could result in injury so the team who violate imposed various penalties. When the team survive in violation, the punishment is usually in the form of early movement for the more advanced the ball near the end zone field teams survive. Conversely, if the attacker commits an offense team, early movements of the ball pushed back for getting away from the opponent's end zone field.

Most of the punishment in the form of repetition down. Some kinds of violations committed by the team survive automatically give you a first down (one set down a new one) to the team attacker. Conversely, violations committed by the team resulted in the loss of the chance the attacker down. When the punishment given to the team attacker was still able to carry the ball as far as 10 yards, the team still may get a first attacker down as usual.

If violation occurs, the referee threw the cloth (flag) yellow near the location of violations occur.

Violations are common:

* False start (false start): Players from the team moves to unauthorized attackers after row to make snap. If one start, play automatically considered dead.

* Offside: Players from the team attacker was in the wrong field when carried down. When movement player (play) has occurred, the penalty is deferred depends on the results of such play.

* Holding: The treatment is not valid as interesting or body snatched opponent that is not carrying the ball.

* Pass interference: Treatment unauthorized banging body into an opponent so as not to catch the throw the ball forward which is aimed towards the player.

* Delay: The act of delaying the movement of players (play) within a certain period after the previous play ended.

* Block the illegally from the rear: The player from the team attacker illegitimately pushed defender from behind.

* Face mask: Treatment grab or touch the iron mask worn to other players while trying to perform Dachshund.

Players

Most American soccer players have very specialized roles. An NFL player or college level players just need to play as a striker or defender alone.

Parties attacker

* Rows of attackers who called the offensive line (OL) consists of 5 players in charge of protecting the ball thrower, and pave the way for a fellow who ran the team while carrying the ball by blocking the team members survive. In addition to the player who served as the center, members of the row attackers usually do not charge carried off the ball.

* Players quarterback (QB) is a player receiving the pass snap when play (ball movement) begins. Players can choose to submit quarterback the ball to players running back (RB), threw it to another player, or alone carried off the ball.

* Rows of players running back (RB) line up behind or next to the player the quarterback with the specific task carried off the ball. In addition, RB players also served to block and catch the throw the ball, and sometimes handed the ball to fellow RB players. When a team has 2 players RB, a player acting as a halfback (HB), and a longer acting as a tailback (TB) is most likely to carry the ball while in charge of run-protected players who served as a fullback (FB).

* Player of wide receivers (WR) who was standing on the left-right line and catch the throw to the next task.

* Rows of players tight end (TE) that lined the outside row of the attacker, and can catch the throw to the front (like a player wide receiver) or protect quarterback players simultaneously open running room for players who carry the ball.

At the beginning of each movement of the ball (play), there must be at least 7 players standing on the imaginary line the ball initial position (line of scrimmage). Another player can stand anywhere behind the imaginary line. The number of players who served as a running back, wide receiver and tight end may vary depending on the decision of the team who do play. The team that just needs to advance the ball 1 yard probably will use the tight end 3 players, 2 players running back, and do not need a wide receiver because the player does not need to throw away the future. Conversely, teams that have carried the ball 20 yards as far as possible to replace all the players are running back and tight end player with wide receiver player only.


Parties survive

* Line of defense (defensive line) consisting of 3 to 6 players who lined up facing the opposite row attacker. Players from the defense tried to manage the players running back who carried the ball for the ball did not work carried further, or manage the players for quarterback can not throw or pass the ball.

* In most situations the game, the team commissioned to survive at least 3 players as a player last defender (called defensive back) or often called safeties (cornerback). His task hindering opposing players who receive the throw the ball, and tried to throw not been arrested or otherwise do not complete the throw made by the referee. Players defender survive often also tasked the player hit the quarterback.

* Players linebacker position between the defensive line (defense) and defender players survive, players hit the quarterback duties or obstruct an opponent who may be given a toss.

Special Units

Each team has a special unit which consists of players who are only asked to kick a ball. Players are grouped into a special unit whose job punter players kick Punt and placekicker player (kicker), which are meant to kick when the kick off, field goal, or a conversion kick after a touchdown.

Back number

NFL players back number is determined based on position in the team:

* 1-9: Players quarterback, kicker (kicker and punter)

* 10-19: Quarterbacks, kickers, kicker (kicker and punter), wide receivers and players

* 20-49: Players running back and a player last defender

* 50-59: Players player center and linebacker

* 60-79: Players line of defense and offensive line

* 80-89: Players receiver and tight end player

* 90-99: Players line of defense and linebacker player


Strategy

One hallmark of American football is the interruption of the game after the down ends, so each team could use a new strategy to play the soon to be played. Each team has a handbook containing dozens to hundreds of strategies that can be played.

American football teams spend a lot of time to prepare a strategy before it could come down to compete. Team members and coaches need time to days to develop strategies, including studying the match video footage. A long time to strategize plus hard physical labor during the game cause American football team usually can only play once a week.


Physical ability

American football is a physical contact sport. The defender must manage in a way that brings the player hit the ball to fall. The defender must make a physical impact in order to drop a player who is carrying the ball, in ways that allowed the rules. The defender who perform Dachshund prohibited kicking, punching, or tackle opposing players leg which was carrying the ball. Face shield is also a player on the helmet should not be taken or held. In addition, the Dachshund defender should not be done using a helmet. In addition to the ban for unnecessary roughness as mentioned above, all forms of physical conflict when doing Dachshund is legitimate. The defender who stormed into the striker has a great chance to stop the advance of the opposing team. In the game, the player the quarterback is a routine target defender who ran from the top of my voice beyond the reach of the player views the quarterback to drop it.

American football players wear a variety of protective equipment to avoid injuries, such as helmets, protective shoulder, hip protectors, and elbow protectors. Various protective equipment such as this has been known since decades ago, and now increasingly be relied upon to protect players from injury permanent. Players who consciously shielded with protective equipment are often more eager to play hard. Players can only desperately threw himself on top of another player or into a pile of other player's body without the risk of significant injury. Various unnecessary roughness resulted in the NFL issued a complicated series of penalties for various types of physical collisions that are not necessary.

Danger of injury and equipment necessary to avoid injury while playing American football makes this sport is not suitable to be played as a recreational sport. Similar game but without a physical impact such as touch football and flag football is often played by people as a recreational sport.

Popularity

American football is the most watched sport in the United States. Gallup poll shows American football as a favorite sport in the U.S. since 1972, beat the popularity of baseball. American football is the most watched event in U.S. television viewers, surpassing the number of television viewers to other sporting events. American football championship called the Super Bowl continuously ranked top in the number of viewers of all the events broadcast on American television.

National League of American Football (National Football League or NFL), which consists of 32 teams is the only professional American football league. On game day, called Super Bowl Sunday, football fans have a party with family and friends to eat together while watching the game. Most Americans think the day the Super Bowl as a "day for a party at home."

Antarperguruan match high-called college football is also popular in North America. Four stadiums used for American football college level (Michigan Stadium, Beaver Stadium, Neyland Stadium and Ohio Stadium), each of which can accommodate 100,000 spectators. In some areas, inter-school match also witnessed more than 10,000 spectators. Antarperguruan game high and inter-high school held in the autumn is an annual event that enlivened with cheerleaders, marching bands, homecoming party, and a tailgate party get-togethers in the parking lot to eat and drink.

Following tradition, inter-school matches take place on Friday, high antarperguruan match held on Saturday, while the professional game on Sunday, with additional professional game on Monday night (Monday Night Football). After a regular season game high antarperguruan completed, the NFL began a few matches on Saturday. The match carried on holiday special in the fall and winter, especially at Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Outside the United States and Canada, this sport is called American football or gridiron football because the lines on the field resembles the gridiron (the lattice of iron to bake.)

In Europe, the NFL has a European league (NFL Europe) are still in development stage. NFL Europe has a team in 5 cities in Germany and 1 team in the Netherlands. NFL Europe League using the regulation issued by the National League play American football, soccer while Canada has its own regulations issued by the Canadian league.