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Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Ronaldo and Zidane kick off Greener Transport Bid for 2010 World Cup
UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors praise South Africa and UN’s eco-friendly vision at the opening of major environment conference in Cape Town Cape Town - Renowned international footballers Ronaldo Luiz Nazariode Lima and Zinédine Zidane today issued a joint statement supporting plans to build a cleaner and healthier public transport system in South Africa in time for the 2010 World Cup. “The FIFA World Cup is a stage for the skills and talents of the world’s finest footballers, and teams. But it is also a real opportunity to showcase the talents of engineers, designers, architects and city planners and their solutions for a cleaner, fairer, and ultimately more just planet,” read the statement. The eco-friendly project, which was highlighted today at the opening of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly in Cape Town, is being submitted by the South African Government to the GEF through the United Nations Development Programme. The Assembly is the governing body of the GEF in which representatives of all its member countries participate. This is the first time an African country will host the world’s greatest football tournament, and with 300,000 international visitors anticipated, the South Africa Government wants to ensure that the existing unreliable, polluting and sometimes dangerous public transport system gets more than just a face lift. The project will investigate clean energy alternatives to fossil fuel-driven transport, will make public transport a viable alternative to private cars for match spectators, and will implement better, sustainable transport planning around the country. “We hope the realization of the ‘Sustainable Public Transport and Sport: An Eco-friendly Vision’ project will, when the final whistle blows, have played its part in making the next FIFA World Cup a healthier, more enjoyable and more inclusive event while acting as a catalyst for the development of 21st century public transport across Africa and the developing world,” said the footballers. Transport in South Africa accounts for 24 percent of total energy consumption and it is estimated that the number of cars on the road will grow by 64 percent by 2020.
“This project is about much more than the mobility of footballers and fans,” said Ad Melkert, Associate Administrator and Under-Secretary-General for UNDP, who will participate in the GEF conference. “It will leave a lasting legacy with South Africa taking the lead in pushing back pollution that is now ‘suffocating’ many of the poor.”
"The greatest two, Zidane and Ronaldo......."
Posted by Arip at 7:29 AM 0 comments
Labels: News*Ronaldo, Zidane_and_2010_World_Cup
Friday, March 02, 2007
Zidane still around!
.............Do you think He still can football?
Posted by Arip at 2:45 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Zidane hails Asian football's progress
French star Zinedine Zidane praised Asian football's "big step forward" on Saturday when he dazzled more than 10,000 fans at a charity match in northern Thailand.
Zidane said players like Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura, who has high praise with Scottish league leaders Celtic, were helping to inspire a generation.
"Asian football is in the process of making a big step forward," Zidane said before taking the field with two teams of Southeast Asian players. "When you see players like Nakamura who are playing in Europe ... they are bringing something positive to Asian football. It is also good for future players who are here among us today, who could make this step forward and play in a big European team."
Crowds of supporters queued for hours to see the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year perform, while scores of fans without tickets lingered outside. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch a superstar," enthused nursing student Tirada Haengkoat, 20, who had queued for hours for a ticket.
Posted by Arip at 7:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: After_retirement*Zidane_hails_Asian_football's_progress
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Zidane to join Red Bulls?
Zinedine Zidane was spotted in New York this week fuelling rumours that he could be making a move to Major League Soccer.
It's thought that the French legend, whose international career ended in controversial circumstances due to his World Cup final headbutt on Marco Matterazzi, could be setting up a move to the New York Red Bulls.
If the move was to go ahead, he would join his former team-mate David Beckham in the MLS. Beckham is already signed up to to turn out for LA Galaxy next season.
It would be a major coup for the Red Bulls if they could attract the France '98 World Cup winning captain, who is widely regarded as the finest player of his generation. Technical Director Jeff Agoos is excited by the prospect and said, "I'd love to go out with him though, if he's coming here and we'd certainly be interested in having him."
Zidane to join Red Bulls?
Posted by Arip at 6:04 AM 0 comments