On the last day of the winter Olympics, Canada defeated the United States of America in overtime. This marked another milestone in the history of Canadian hockey. Canada now had gained both golds in men and women’s hockey. Before I focus on the game, let me shed some light on a bit of history on the country’s national winter sport and pass time.

Fans Cheering and Roaring During the game

Hockey is a Canadian sport, mostly because it was created and developed in Canada, but also because there is such a large following of the sport throughout Canada. Modern day hockey was created and developed by students and sports enthusiasts in Montreal. Canadians of all ages have enjoyed this game since the late 1800s. Since those early days hockey has taken on a more important role by representing a national icon and a symbol of the people of Canada.

Now that the games are coming to a close with Canada on top with the most gold medals, many Canadians were all looking forward to the final hockey match between Canada and USA. From young to old almost everyone either follows the NHL or gather around the television every four years to watch the national teams fight for the gold medals. So, the gold medal final was a very important event for everyone.

The Olympic final was a question of skill and pride not only for the players but also for every Canadian, because the game is more than just a sport. From the instant the puck dropped to every goal, the nation’s eyes were fixed on the movements of each of the players and the movement of the puck. When the game went into overtime with a  tied score of 2-2 every Canadian was as anxious as ever, fearing the loss of the gold to the Americans. But, when Sidney Crosby flew in with the game-winning goal the entire nation erupted in an explosion of celebration from the East coast all the way to the Vancouver games. Canada had won gold in it’s game.

The winter Olympic games came to an epic conclusion. Even though the games started out slow for the Canadians, they pulled back near the end and displayed a tremendous show of athleticism, which a nation could be proud of. By winning the most gold medals, Canada set a new world record for itself and for the rest of the world. If I had to sum up the whole Olympic experience in a sentence it would be: Canada had won not only as a nation but as a people representing all the faces of the world.

Author: Daanish Maan

It has been an incredible Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver during the past two weeks.  Athletes from all over the planet came to Canada’s west coast and gave it their best in the quest for gold.  While the focus here in Canada was on hockey, there were a few stories at the Games you may not have heard about, stories that inspired athletes and spectators to go beyond the call of duty.

Shiva Keshavan Kannan Palan

It proves the point that a sporting event like the Olympics is one of the very few institutions where people from throughout the world can come together, forget about any conflicts or disagreements they may have, and have fun.

Although these Games got off to a solemn start.  We cannot forget the tragedy of Armenian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in a training run the very day of the opening ceremonies.  The organizing committee held a tribute to Kumaritashvili during the ceremonies and a moment of silence.

Figure skating: Rochette puts heartbreak aside to claim bronze

Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette also suffered a huge loss.  Her mother passed away just two days before the start of her event.  No one was sure if Rochette was even going to compete, but after much thought, she decided that the show must go on.  During her short skate, the crowd roared at she entered the rink, and she went on to deliver a flawless skating performance.  The CTV sports announcer said it best: “Joannie is the bravest athlete in the world.”

Nodar Kumaritashvili (Georgia) - Luge

The Games also saw new nations competing.  Pakistan participated in its first ever Winter Games, with 24 year old Muhammad Abbas competing in the Giant Slalom, and garnering a respectable time.  Although there were no medals for Abbas, just imagine how proud he must have made millions of people back home and tens of thousands of Pakistani Canadians throughout the country.  There are no doubt kids throughout Pakistan who will want to become Winter Olympic champions one day after seeing Abbas ski in Vancouver.

And how about Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, the famous “Snow Leopard” from Ghana?  He was also participating in the first Winter Olympics for his country as well, and in skiing.  Nkrumah made headlines last week when he recorded a benefit song with Canadian fiddler Ashley MacIsaac that will raise funds for his Olympic journey.

Mohammad Abbas from Pakistan competing in Alpine Skiing

But the one story that truly symbolizes the Olympic spirit is what Indo-Canadians did for the Indian luge team.  Luge competitor Kannan Palan Shiva Keshavan, also known as “India’s fastest man,” revealed to the media that the Indian luge team’s uniforms were mismatched and in poor condition.  The South Asian community of Greater Vancouver sprung into action and raised over $8,000 almost overnight for the team to purchase new uniforms and equipment.  Keshavan was more than impressed: “To feel this kind of support from our community on the other side of the world from India, it is such a great feeling.”

This is what the Olympic Games are all about, recognizing that each of us, no matter who we are or where we are from, can live our dreams and accomplish anything we want in life.

Author: Bilal Rajan

The Cricket Champions League launched the ‘LSM Insurance Cricket for Haiti’ February 20, 2010 at the North Albion Collegiate Institute and February 21, 2010 at the Malvern Community Centre to ensure a citywide Cricket initiative to raise awareness and funds for Haiti.

Cricket for Haiti NACI

Approx 200 people including Under-19 and Women cricket players, participated and attended the launch on the West-end and East-end of Toronto.

Present at the launch were Mohan (Mike) Kendall, President, Ontario Cricket Association, Jim Persad, Secretary, Ontario Cricket Association, Rita Jethi, Director, Ontario Womens Cricket, Lorne Marr, President, LSM Insurance, Aman Kapur, Sr. Consultant, LSM Insurance, Priti Lamba, Candidate for MP, Conservative Party.

Cricket for Haiti Malvern.jpg

LSM Insurance Cricket for Haiti at North Albion Collegiate Institute will be played over 8 weeks with its final game April 24.

The LSM Insurance Cricket for Haiti at Malvern Community Centre will be played over 3 weeks with its final game March 7.

The contests over the weekend were exciting and the intensity is expected increase.

Two photos are attached, one taken at the launch at North Albion Collegiate Institute (NACI) and the other taken at the launch at Malvern Community Centre (Malvern).

Author:Atul Ahuja

Here’s your chance to represent; India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England, Bangladesh or World X1 in Canada. If you had a dream of representing your home country one day, and if that dream was shattered as a result of your parents moving to Canada – we’ve got some great news for you;

The Canada Cup T20 will help you dream and dream “BIG” again as we pave the way for some talented cricketers to reach International stardom in the Cricketing arena. The tournament will no doubt energize cricketers from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa,etc to follow in the foot steps of their Cricket Stars whether be Sanath Jayasuriya ( Sri Lanka), Sachin Tendulkar ( India), Shaid Afridi ( Pakistan), Brian Lara ( West Indies), Graeme Smith ( South Africa), Mike Hussey ( Australia) or any other Internationally recognized top cricketer. 

Although Cricket has being played in this great nation for well over a century, the recent influx of immigrants from cricket playing nations especially, from South Asia and the Caribbean have made the game the fastest growing sport in Canada. Almost every ground has some Cricket activity although the necessary funding has not kept up with the pace of its rapid growth, in Canada.

Organizers. In March 2008 we initiated a very important meeting between the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Hon. Arjuna Ranatunga M. P. and the Canadian Cricket Association officials which in turn paved the way for much needed funding to the Canadian National Cricket Side and more importantly Canada’s biggest cricket tournament worth $2 million dollars in October, 2008. The relationship that the Canadian Cricket Association built with Sri Lanka Cricket also saw the Canadian Cricketers arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka for a high performance coaching camp and more of these training programs will take wing in the coming years.

Now, we are ready to undertake this exciting venture that will see Canadian Cricketers gain the knowledge and the experience needed to win the Cricket World Cup for Canada, in the near future.

Here’s How It Works;

CANADA CUP T 20 will allow cricketers who have arrived in Canada from:
India,Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England,Bangladesh,Gayana,Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Babados,Leeward Islands,Windward Island,South Africa, Zimbabwe,Tanzania,Kenya, Uganda,Afghanistan,UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland,etc to come alive and represent their favourite team in Canada.

The Teams that will take the field are as follows;

Team Canada India
Team Canada Sri Lanka
Team Canada Pakistan
Team Canada West Indies (Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Windward Island) Team Canada England (England- Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand) 
Team Canada Bangladesh
Team Canada World X1 (South Africa, Zimbabwe,Tanzania,Kenya, Uganda,Afghanistan,UAE)

The Selection Process Interested parties are requested to register online by visiting www.CanadaCupT20.com and a nominal Administration fee of $10 is in place to encourage cricketers who are serious about representing their home country participate. Once the registration process is in place the “Canada Cup T20 – Organizing committee” will schedule a suitable location to screen every player on their ability to represent the team of their choice.

We will select a pool of players for each team and the Coaches, Captains and their Managers will then select the Top cricketers off that pool to represent their country in Canada. No player will be encouraged outside our normal selection process and we encourage only serious candidates to be a part of this exciting venture.
   
Plans are underway to include 2 international players to represent each team, should budgets permit. We hope that this will allow Canadian Cricketers to gain much needed experience to make their dream a reality in the world of cricket. 

The games will take place in Toronto, Canada and entertain scores of South Asians, Caribbean’s and all other Canadian cricket fans in July 2010. 

What should I do? If you are the cricketer that we’re looking for then simply fill out the registration form and once the registration is approved by the Canada Cup T20 -organizing committee, you will receive an online confirmation. Please keep this confirmation handy as you will be required to present it to the Team Manager at the selection process and there after.

We welcome you to be a part of this exciting moment in Canadian history and wish you all the very best as you step into your cricket future in style by being a part of Canada’s hottest cricket tournament the CANADA CUP Twenty20 – 2010.

Canadians aged 18 to 34, those who would be least likely to remember some of these events of the past, are more likely to believe that the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics (70%), Montreal Olympics (60%), 1972 Hockey Summit Series (60%), or Expo 67 (55%). Three in ten (28%) Quebecers believe the Vancouver games are more of a defining national moment than the Montreal Olympics, and two in ten (21%) Quebecers say the same about Expo 67. Four in ten (41%) Albertans agree the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics.

Since this is Canada’s moment to shine, Canadians aren’t being bashful about putting their pride on display: seven in ten (71%) ‘disagree’ (39% strongly/32% somewhat) that ‘there is too much Canadian nationalism on display during the Olympics’. In fact, many Canadians are showing their pride for their nation in various ways. For example, four in ten (40%) agree they’ll fly/display the Canadian flag during the Olympic Games, and one in three (34%) agree they’ll wear Olympic/Canada clothing during the Olympic Games.

Moreover, 14% of Canadians – which could represent roughly 3 million adult Canadians – agree (4% strongly/10% somewhat) that they’ll miss work to watch the Olympics!

When Canada Wins…

While Canada has put a lot of money into its Own the Podium programme, most (84%) Canadians ‘disagree’ (49% strongly/35% somewhat) that ‘if Canada fails to win the most medals of any nation or lead in the medal count, the Games will be a disappointment’. Only 16% ‘agree’ (3% strongly/13% somewhat) that that result would be a disappointment.

In the areas where Canadians truly dominate – Women’s hockey, for example – Canadians are not being humble about their dominance. Just one in three (32%) ‘agree’ (9% strongly/23% somewhat) that they ‘feel uncomfortable’ when Canada wins 18-0 at women’s hockey’. The vast majority (68%) ‘disagrees’ (46% strongly/22% somewhat) with that position.

Canadians aged 18 to 34, those who would be least likely to remember some of these events of the past, are more likely to believe that the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics (70%), Montreal Olympics (60%), 1972 Hockey Summit Series (60%), or Expo 67 (55%). Three in ten (28%) Quebecers believe the Vancouver games are more of a defining national moment than the Montreal Olympics, and two in ten (21%) Quebecers say the same about Expo 67. Four in ten (41%) Albertans agree the Vancouver games are more of a defining moment than the Calgary Olympics.

Canadians are Showing their Pride…

Two in three (66%) agree that the opening ceremonies reflected Canada as they knew it, but some Canadians had a higher propensity to believe that this is the case:

Atlantic Canadians (77%) are most likely to agree, followed by residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (72%), British Columbia (69%), Ontario (68%), and Alberta (67%), while Quebecers (57%) are least likely to agree. Women (71%) are more likely than men (62%) to agree that the opening ceremonies reflected Canada as they know it. Those aged 35 to 54 are most likely (72%) to agree, followed by older (66%) and younger Canadians (59%).

A Sense of Belonging…

Nearly one half (45%) of Canadians say they belong first and foremost to their country, while significantly fewer say that distinction belongs to their town/city (20%), province (19%) or the world (16%). But allegiances change slightly depending on who you are:

Ontarians (57%) are most likely to say they belong first and foremost to their country, followed by those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), British Columbia (48%), Alberta (44%), Atlantic Canada (40%)

Usually, after the final of an international football tournament, YouTube clips and highlight reels on mass media focus on goals scored, post-match celebrations, and star players. But after the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago, the cameras and Spanish media were focused on a balding man sobbing uncontrollably in his palms.

It was Joseph ‘Pep’ Guardiola, the boy from Santpedor who grew up as a ball boy at the Camp Nou, then joined the Barcelona football academy at La Masia, became the fulcrum and captain of Johann Cruyff’s Dream Team in the 1990s (the precursor to modern-day Xavi) and went on to coach FC Barcelona to…no less than SIX titles in a single calendar year. It is a world record that will probably not be broken in our lifetimes – an achievement unsurpassed by any team before in football’s long and distinguished history.

That game against Estudiantes provides a perfect example of the many reasons behind the Blaugrana’s extraordinary success last year: champions are made of grit, talent, luck, organization, and inspiration, and this team is no exception. It had everything in spades, and as the year continued, pieces of the jigsaw kept falling into place.

Grit

A key characteristic differentiating Frank Rijkaard’s 2008 outfit and Pep Guardiola’s 2009 team is that the latter has an incredible aura of self belief and a will to win that has triumphed over many a stubborn parked bus. Although the Blaugrana are at their best when they score an early goal, they have conceded goals at crucial times often enough, but even more crucially, they have fought back with immense determination every single time. It was Andres Iniesta’s injury time screamer that enabled Barcelona to stride past Chelsea into the Champions League Final in April, and in December, Pedro Gonzalez and Lionel Messi were on hand to score the equalizer and winner, respectively. Reportedly, Guardiola told assistant coach Tito Vilanova that the team would win La Liga almost exactly one year ago, in a 3-2 win forgotten in the mists of Pamplona. The 6-1 drubbings Barcelona handed out last year only confirmed their…

Talent

The best player in the world, Messi. The best central midfield pairing in the world, Xavi and Iniesta. A Highbury legend, Thierry Henry. One of the best fullbacks in the world, Daniel Alves. This team of champions was made up of, quite literally, individual champions. To take one example, Seydou Keita, who is not even an automatic starter in the side, was captain of French giants Lens for two years before moving to La Liga. It was an almost obscene collection of attacking talent, but as Real Madrid’s failed Los Galacticos era proved, teams are not collections of extravagantly gifted players, but well organized groups that have synergy.

Organization

The tremendous individual skills of every single squad member enables Barcelona to play a uniquely attacking style which revolves around pass-and-move triangles and always, always lines up as 4-3-3. The roles are clearly defined too: for example, there is a left wing outlet (usually Henry), a defensive midfielder (man-mountain Yaya Toure) and a deep-lying playmaker (Xavi, arguably the world’s finest). Within that constrained system, players are given a freedom of expression that elevated football into a Catalan art form last season. Almost every player could play multiple roles and frequently did so; one of the most fervent debates in fan clubs was whether Iniesta should play on the left wing or center midfield. It didn’t matter much as far as the team was concerned, because each player knew his job intimately well. Xavi was quoted saying that many times, he made passes without looking, knowing that the position would be covered by someone. Those passes often went to either Dani Alves or Lionel Messi, who provided the spark.

Inspiration

Every great team has at least one great player; Barcelona was lucky to have many. Against teams resolutely prepared only to defend and not interested in playing football, it took magic to turn the tide; a shoulder-shake by Messi, an outrageous piece of control by Samuel Eto’o, goals fashioned out of five consecutive one-touch passes, a diving header by Keita where he seemingly forgot that goalposts exist and almost hit steel instead of ball – but he was too busy celebrating the goal. Even benched veterans got into the act; the Copa Del Rey victory’s key was a Jose Manuel Pinto penalty save where he indicated to the confused striker where he would dive.

Luck

Of course, though, there are times when beauty alone could not win the day; there are times when Lady Luck’s smile swung matches: balls bouncing to Blaugrana feet instead of the opposition, referees missing slight offsides, the infamous penalties at Stamford Bridge, and a few more. However, as Ernest Hemingway has said, one makes their own luck. Fortune did not place those titles in the Camp Nou trophy cabinet; it was a combination of the elements detailed above that led to success.

That combination was effected by none other than Pep Guardiola, initially doubted for his inexperience but later hailed for his ability to connect with superstars and transform them. Lionel Messi was always destined to be a legend, but it was Guardiola who paired him with Alves throughout the season and then, in a tactical masterstroke, moved him to a faux-center forward position in the two most important games of the year to leave the opponent’s plans in disarray. It was Guardiola who repeatedly warned against complacency and disciplined the team so tightly that players were fined for arriving to practice only five minutes late. And finally, it was Pep’s pep talk before the CWC final that enabled his men to win the only trophy they had never won before:

“Gentlemen, if you lose today you will continue to be the best in the world – but if you win today you will be eternal.”

 Author: Nabeel Ahmed

Residents of the Don Mills community came together today to actively support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Olympic Torch-Bearer Mr. Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, is shown with the Golden Jubilee Athletes as he completes his segment of the Torch Relay. The athletes, who had taken part in international games in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2008, remarked that seeing the Olympic Torch brought back their many memories of the Games, which resonated with them as both Games were about the pursuit of excellence and unity amongst peoples.

Through this unique and historic moment in celebrating sport and the Olympic Spirit, the Flemingdon Food Bank, in partnership with the Ismaili Muslim community, invited Don Mills community residents to participate in a food drive to give back those who are less fortunate in our communities. The spirit of giving, caring and sharing during this holiday season is a very Canadian value and is deeply aligned with the Olympic spirit.

Food collected by the Don Mills residents through the drive was donated to the Flemingdon Food Bank.  Rev. Helena-Rose Houldcroft, Director of the Flemingdon Park Ministry, on accepting the donation, said, “This will go a long way in ensuring there is joy in the lives of children and families in this holiday time.  The smile on the children’s faces is what makes all of our work worth it.  We are fortunate that the Ismaili Muslim community has made this their cause and have been at the forefront in helping us help the needy in our community.”

Mr. Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, representing Canadian Ismaili Muslims, was one of the Torch Bearers on Thursday, December 17, 2009.

When asked about the honor of being of the Olympic torch bearers, Mr. Manji said:

“I am deeply touched by this special honor. In today’s world, the Olympic Ideals to serve peace, friendship and international understanding are more important now than ever before. Hope, humility, tolerance, pluralism, the creation of a peaceful and better world through sport, the spirit of volunteering one’s time to help those less fortunate – these are the values of the Olympic Truce and the Olympic Movement; and these are the values that our community lives by, as do all Canadians.”

Present during the pre-Torch event organized by the Ismaili Council were Councillor John Parker and Federal MPs Rob Oliphant and Yasmin Rattansi, who came to show support for the food drive and the Olympic Torch as it came through their neighborhoods.

Also on hand to show support for Mr. Manji and the Olympics were a number of young Ismaili Muslim athletes who had participated in the Golden Jubilee Games in Vancouver (May 2008) and Nairobi, Kenya (June 2008), held to commemorate through sport the 50 years since His Highness the Aga Khan became Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims.  Remembering the spirit of the Games, athlete Mr. Karim Vallimohamed said, “being here today reminded us of the spirit of the Games – the friendships built, the comraderie and competition, the pursuit of excellence, but most important, above all, the games showed that we can all be united and pursue the goals of peace – very much what the Olympics stand for.”

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MP Rob Olpihant welcomed Olympic Torch Relay in conjunction with 4 schools of Don Valley West.

As I was about to cross the intersection of Burnhamthorpe and Cawthra in Mississauga on a Saturday morning in what felt like -11 degrees Celsius, I found the road blocked, in anticipation of welcoming Olympic torch. As the roads were blocked, drivers behind my vehicle started getting out of cars to take pictures of the approaching torch bearer.

People waiting to welcome Olympic torch

Athlete in Action in Mississauga

Indian Dancers from Lata Pada’s Dance Academy performed on “Jay ho”

For once, I said, what the heck..let me go and take a few pictures rather than just be shy of standing on the road side and cheer this prestigious procession. After a few minutes the Olympic-sign-bearing trucks passed and the cars got going. But there were still a few people following the Olympic truck on foot. I followed the Olympic team in my car to Royal Princess Drive and Living Arts Centre Drive. The enthusiasm among people made a sight worth seeing and not to be clichéd but historical in the sense of witnessing the history.

- Mayor Hazel McCallion with the Honourable Peter Fonseca, MP Bob Dechert, MPP Charles Sousa, MP Navdeep Bains, MPP Amrit Mangat, MP Albina Guarneri, MP Pual Pzabo & MP Gurbax Malhi

The place was packed with people with an athlete presenting a marvelous feat. It was followed by performers from Lata Pada’s Dance Academy who performed to a couple of Indian songs. I had assumed that Desis do not become part of the occasions like welcoming Olympics torch, however I was very seriously mistaken in my assumption. At this gathering there were women with hijab, women in shalwar kameez, men carrying their kids on their shoulders for a better view of our athletes and performers. The diversity at its best was at display in Mississauga.

Before the crowd could freeze in cold, mayor of Mississauga, Her Worship Hazel McCallion appeared in Olympic costume. As the other elected representatives of Mississauga took to the stage, the torch bearer Ms. Cheryl Pounder brought forth the torch amid the crowd.

Olympic hockey gold medalist Cheryl Punder with Mayor McCallion, the Honourable Peter Fonseca & MPP Bob Delaney

Cheryl Pounder was born in Montreal into a family of hockey enthusiasts: A grandfather, who was GM of the Montreal Junior Canadiens, and her hockey-playing older brothers. The rink in the family’s backyard also helped to set her on the path to excel at Canada’s national sport. Upon moving to Mississauga, Ontario, she achieved the status of athlete of the year at both her high school and Wilfred Laurier University, where she earned an honours degree in Kinesiology.
She has played on Canada’s 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005 (All-Star Defenseman) World Championship Hockey teams and was voted the top defenceman at the 2002, 2004, 2007 and MVP at the 2005 Canadian Women’s Hockey National Championship.

Pounder’s greatest career accomplishments are represented by her two Olympic Gold Medals in Salt Lake City and Torino.

With tears in her eyes, Ms. Pounder told the crowd that carrying the torch “is very very emotional.” MP Bob Dechert greeted the Olympic torch flame to Mississauga on behalf of his federal colleagues. The Honourable Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca told the crowd that the highlight of the event was today’s gathering where people had gathered to welcome Olympics torch.

Mayor McCallion is indeed “Hurricane Hazel.” Her voice roared as always. There was no sign of how the recent scandal has or has not affected her. Among the other elected provincial and federal legislators, she was the most recognized and the most cheered one by the crowd.

Multicultural Crowd greeting Olympic torch

And what she said was remarkable too. She said we need young people to participate in Olympics. Citing Ms. Cheryl Pounder, she told the crowd “we need more gold medalists” from Canada whether the Olympics is held in Canada or elsewhere.

And the crowd, of course, agreed. We do need athletes that represent Canada’s diversity and athletes who can bring gold medal to Canada.

Author: Saptarsi Saha

If you happen to conduct a review of the Spanish media a few weeks ago, you might be forgiven for thinking that football giants Barcelona were in a funk unlike any other this calendar year – that Camp Nou was a sea of chewed nails and Catalans around the world were praying en masse for Barcelona to break out of their rut.

Although that crisis mentality is one that both Barcelona and Madrid tabloids are quick to jump onto, the hysteria this time around was, at least to an extent, justified. FC Barcelona, acclaimed by one and all as the best club in the world last season, the first ever Spanish team to claim the coveted treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League in a single season, were at a turning point in their attempts to replicate their own feats. In Europe, a mouthwatering clash with Italian champions Inter Milan awaited; and in the Primera Liga, one of the greatest games of the year was coming up: El Gran Clasico, the biannual fixture against perennial rivals Real Madrid. It was a week that would potentially define the rest of the year for Barcelona, and they passed their double test with flying colors.

First off, Jose Mourinho’s return to Camp Nou was less than he might have hoped for – his Scudetto winners being simply blown away by a Catalan football display of the highest quality – and that too without the services of either Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic. ‘Xaviesta’ again came to the fore, taking control of the midfield, and reproducing the magic of last year’s all-conquering side. In the first half, an early Gerard Pique volley was followed by another through the latest cantera product to emerge into the Barcelona starting lineup, 22 year old Pedro, to settle the fixture.

Only five days later, Camp Nou again played host to a marquee team – this time it was Real Madrid, featuring the likes of previous Ballon D’Or holders Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, Liverpool import Xabi Alonso, and the hottest French forward since Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema. The game itself was billed as the greatest collection of football talent on a single pitch – Barcelona, of course, with current Ballon D’Or holder Messi, Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Euro 2008 MVP Xavi, Iniesta, and others. It was even broadcast live on cinemas, raising its already-atmospheric stature to even higher levels. Fittingly, the match was a high-strung affair with tensions on a knife edge, Barcelona finally taking the lead through Swedish giant Ibrahimovic (five minutes after he subbed in, benched through injury) and then going a man down almost immediately as Sergio Busquets, in a moment of madness, handled the ball and was handed a second yellow card. Los Blancos were unable to capitalize on advantage and the game ended 1-0 in the hosts’ favor, who also jumped five points clear of the visitors from Madrid (the second-ranked team in the league).

The triumphant week for the Catalans seemingly confirmed their status as worthy champions, but manager Joseph ‘Pep’ Guardiola had other ideas – typically cautious and focused, he declared that the next group of fixtures would be even more critical – league games with minnows Xerex, ‘SuperDepor’ Deportivo La Coruna interspersed with the final and decisive UCL match against Dynamo Kiev.

Spain Soccer La Liga

Lo and behold, the title-holders have been busy tightening their grips on their trophies with three more wins in a row, the victories further embellished by the fact that each team fought hard and did not collapse to losses, forcing the Blaugrana to beat them. Dynamo Kiev, for instance, took a lead at home in Russia within two minutes through an Artem Milevskiy header, but Xavi slid in for an equalizer ten minutes before halftime and Messi swerved in a beautiful free kick so that Barcelona topped Group F. Uniquely, all four clubs in the group were the current domestic champions and had a chance of making it to the knockout round on the last day.

El Derbi Barceloni was the last game Barcelona would play on Spanish soil in 2009, and it was, fittingly, a deserved triumph against city rivals Espanyol that featured a first half of comprehensive Blaugrana domination and mixed second half – much like the year has been. Los Periquitos(The Parakeets) were one of the few teams to win at Camp Nou last season, where a Victor Valdes blunder allowed former Barcelona player Ivan De le Pena to score a winner, but this time around a single Ibrahimovic thunderbolt from the penalty spot, after Xavi was controversially deemed to be fouled, was enough.

Lionel-Messi-Xabi-Alonso-Manu Fernandez-AP

Next on the relentless schedule for ‘the Harlem Globetrotters of world football’ is a trip to Abu Dhabi, where the Catalans will compete for the Club World Cup, the only trophy they have never won. Stay tuned; next week’s article will provide updates as well as discuss reasons to be optimistic about FC Barcelona’s prospects this season.

Author: Nabeel Ahmed

The Winter Olympics are just a few weeks away and the host city of Vancouver is preparing itself to organize what is sure to be a remarkable sporting event.  This will be the third Olympics hosted by Canada.  The first was in 1976 in Montreal and the second took place in 1988 in Calgary.  But in February, all eyes will be on the city of Vancouver and the sporting heroes aiming to win gold.

This week, I’ll have the opportunity to participate as well.  On December 17, Iwill be carrying the Olympic Flame through the streets of Toronto.  I was both overwhelmed to be chosen for such an honour back in the early Fall.

The origins of the Olympic Flame come from ancient Greece, the place of the first Games, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the event.  It commemorates the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus.  The fire was re-introduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and it has been part of the modern Games ever since.  A few months before an Olympic event begins, a torch is lit in Olympia, Greece, the exact place of the ancient Games dating back to 776 BC, and then transported (usually by plane) to the host country.  For these games, the Flame was flown from Greece over the North Pole to Canada’s High Arctic and then taken by hand through several cities all over the country.

I will be one of more than 12,000 torchbearers, including notable celebrities like Shania Twain and hockey star Sidney Crosby.  The Flame will finally reach Vancouver on February 10, just in time for the Opening Ceremonies.  In keeping with the spirit of my Barefoot Challenge in April 2009, I hope to run with the Flame without shoes to help raise awareness of child poverty in the Global South.  I just hope it will be warm that day.  If not, maybe the torch can add some extra heat for my toes!

It is important to remember the spirit of the Olympics Games.  Sports are always competitive, and athletes participate on behalf of their country.  In the opening ceremonies, they enter the main stadium along with their fellow countrymen and women.  Yet the Olympic Games are also a celebration of diversity and internationalism, and during the closing ceremonies, athletes enter the stadium together, regardless of country.  There are always rivalries, like that between the Canadian and U.S. hockey teams, but it’s all done for fun and the benefit of sport.

In fact, the Olympic Games are really one of the few international events where people from throughout the world can come together in the spirit of good sportsmanship and just have fun.  I hope to do the same this week in Toronto when I carry the Flame.  It was come such a long way, and I am honoured to be a part of it.

Author: Bilal Rajan