Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko, founded in 1935

Comment/Sports/Ghana/Africa :By Kofi Akosah-Sarpong ;Aside from politics, nowhere in Africa is the intersection between juju and groups more pronounced than soccer. From high schools to professional soccer teams, juju is heavily appropriated, so much so that it obscures tactics, efficiency, technicalities, discipline and team work.

Though there are no official figures, millions of dollars are spent on juju supposedly to help soccer teams win their tournaments every year. But yet most do not win and yet they go back to the juju mediums all the time. It is like being hooked on illicit drug, they can’t extricate themselves from juju, to their detriment.

But gradually as the debate to refine inhibitions within the Ghanaian/African culture (of which juju is one aspect) gains momentum and higher reasoning and rationality battle irrationality, strange and erroneous thinking, the cultural inhibitions are under siege. It is in this atmosphere that one of Ghana’s and Africa’s top soccer clubs, the Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko, founded in 1935, have come to the conclusion that juju and other such African native spiritual practices are charade, irrational, wasteful and counter-productive.

In a way, Kotoko has “banned” juju from its operations. I was surprised to read Kotoko’s action. “Really,” I said to myself. Such actions also embolden Ghanaian/African enlightenment thinkers, who are campaigning to refine the inhibitions within the African culture, to push on. For any small step, in this direction, no matter where it comes from, such as Kotoko’s, is highly welcomed and further enrich the enlightenment campaigns.

The reasons for such radical conclusion from Kotoko managers are that the proud Kotoko didn’t do well and was nearly relegated in the 2009/2010 premier soccer season, that Kotoko spent nearly US$1-million on juju in the 2009/2010 season to no avail, and that despite all these juju dipping the level of motivation among Kotoko players was abysmally low to the point self-destruction. Kotoko’s comeuppance has come from such awful experiences and it has opened Kotoko to enlightenment.

Shaken to disbelieve, the Accra-based Daily Guide reported that “The newly appointed Kotoko Board of Directors, led by Dr. K.K. Sarpong, has stated that it has no interest in voodoo known in local parlance as ‘juju’, and would not spend the club’s money on ‘juju’ to win matches in the coming seasons.”

Kotoko’s ancient dabbling in juju emanates from the Ghanaian/African culture. Kotoko’s new found enlightenment reminds me of an interesting article I read weeks before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The author, a South African who sounds like an academic, suggested that either African juju mediums should use their craft to charm other non-African national teams to play bad for the six African teams to win hands down or individual African teams should seek the assistance of juju mediums to win the World Cup. (He failed to mention how the juju will work when two African teams play each other).

He recalled with seriousness how juju has been used in ancient African wars and other African endeavours and it is time juju is used by the African teams to win the World Cup. Anything like planning, tactics, discipline, efficiency and team work were minimized, or absent from the piece. After much laughter, I said to myself, here, Africa is moving backwards, the irrational outweighing the rational.

Whether Kotoko’s management enlightenment will have effect on individual players is different question in a culture where the players are socialized into juju and other such irrational beliefs. As a student at Kumasi High School (fondly called Kuhis), soccer-mad and one of Ghana’s top soccer schools, the intersection between juju and soccer was part of the soccer culture. In my years at Kuhis, during soccer matches, students were virtually forced to contribute money for juju rituals for the school to win games.

It doesn’t matter whether one belief in juju or not, one has to pay. The amusing part was that even the self-righteous “born again Christians” have to pay – you dare not refuse. Some of the top Kuhis players such as Simon Awuah (Sibo) and Albert Adade (Father) later played for top clubs Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko respectively. Before playing for these teams their minds had already been prepared, like other similar Ghanaian players.

Kotoko’s boss, Dr. Sarpong, wants the large amount of money used for juju used to “motivate” players, improve management and develop soccer infrastructure. That’s pretty sensible. And Dr. Sarpong is aware of the psychological implications of banning juju in a culture that has socialized the players and supporters into such beliefs. And to answer such implications, in a highly superstitious society of Ghana’s, Dr. Sarpong made it clear that “Kotoko fans that have firm belief in ‘juju’ could go ahead to do it at their own expense for the club. “They should not come to me for money for ‘juju.” That’s realistic, but it puts Dr. Sarpong’s thinking in a quandary.

And that makes Dr. Sarpong’s Kotoko enlightenment scheme limited, for whether Kotoko itself uses juju or supporters use juju to help Kotoko or individual players use juju, in the final analysis, Kotoko is using juju – it doesn’t matter where the juju is coming from. That makes the logical and the material in harmony, which in the Dr. Sarpong’s reasoning, shouldn’t be so – the juju shouldn’t mix with technicalities, discipline, tactics, efficiency and team work. Supposedly, to do so is to undermine Dr. Sarpong’s Kotoko enlightenment project.

For, the juju appropriation needn’t necessarily come from only Dr. Sarpong’s management; it could come from anybody – players, hardcore supporters and individual fans for Kotoko. Now come to think of Kotoko and Ghana in Dr. Sarpong’s thinking, Kotoko’s juju dilemma is a microcosm of the struggle Ghanaian/African enlightenment campaigners are going through – how to minimize the inhibitions within the culture and free the people for greater progress.

The Black Stars of Ghana

Asamoah Gyan dedicated his winning goal in Ghana’s 2-1 extra-time last-16 win over the USA to the whole of Africa.

Ghana reached the quarter-finals for the first time – only the third African team to do so – courtesy of the Rennes striker’s 93rd-minute winner.

The Black Stars will play Uruguay in the last eight and Gyan said: “I am the happiest man in the world.

“In 2006 we made the second round, now we have gone a step further. We’ve made Ghana and the whole of Africa proud.”

Gyan’s third goal of the tournament means the 24-year-old is joint top tournament goalscorer with three alongside Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain .

Suarez and Gyan will have the opportunity to add to their tallies when Uruguay and Ghana meet in Johannesburg on 2 July for a place in the semi-finals.

Despite the sizeable American contingent at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Ghana’s support was considerably swelled by local fans cheering on the one remaining African team from five left in the competition.

And striker Andre Ayew said the extra support inspired Ghana to success.

“We’re very disappointed there were no African teams with us,” said the son of former Ghana great Abedi Pele. “We must fight, not just for us, but for the other teams that are not here.

“We feel we have a continent behind us and the whole of Africa behind us and that’s given us a lot of energy to fight more.”

Despite the euphoria of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, Ghana manager Milan Rajevac has injury concerns about opening goalscorer Kevin-Prince Boatenglink text here , who was substituted in the second half because of a hamstring injury, while Ayew will miss the Uruguay match following his second yellow card in four games.

“This is the major problem we are facing for the game against Uruguay, the cards and the injuries,” said Serbian Rajevic.

“We will react tomorrow. There is a lot of work for our medical staff.”

BBC sport .

Heroes rise for Ghana Asamoah Gyan

South Africa -Mexico 1-1 World Cup 2010 Open Game

The host South Africans team have prove he can stand to defend the world cup the are dream start at the 2010 World Cup until Mexico equalized late in the match, and the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the tournament in Johannesburg this morning Friday 11 June 2010.

Siphiwe Tshabalala name will go down in history book in Africa and The world cup after he scored the opening goal of the tournament in the 54th minute for the hosts. Rafael Marquez tied the game for Mexico in the 78th minute.

Katlego Mphela had a glorious chance to put South Africa back in front in the 89th minute, but his shot hit the post.

The world and the fun of soccer  are waiting for big suprise .

Cornelius Stewart Forward Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs.Toronto FC Photo Preston Yip

BURNABY, BC – In their second match of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-2D) had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) at Swangard Stadium.

Seeking their first win in this year’s competition, Teitur Thordarson’s side worked hard to try and find a way past the Voyageurs Cup holders. Yet, as it has been in the past two home matches, the Blue and White were unable to find the decisive breakthrough, despite creating several decent goalscoring opportunities. It is the first time in the 36 years of the Whitecaps that the club have registered three consecutive 0-0 draws. Wednesday’s result also extends Vancouver’s unbeaten home record versus TFC to three matches (1W-0L-2D).

The result keeps Vancouver’s hopes of winning the Canadian Championship alive, though the ‘Caps must now claim victories in their final two tournament matches away to Montreal Impact on May 26, and Toronto FC on June 2. The winner of the 2010 Canadian Championship will move on to face Club Deportivo Motagua of Honduras in the Preliminary Round of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.

While the Whitecaps were unchanged from the starting XI that faced the Impact in USSF D-2 Pro League action on Saturday, TFC made a notable switch in their line-up, as former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway replaced Stefan Frei in the visitors goal. There was also a first appearance at Swangard for former Whitecaps defender Adrian Cann, as he partnered Nana Attakora at centre back.

Though wind warnings and a heavy late afternoon rain shower may have dampened things in Burnaby, BC, a Swangard crowd of 4,928 saw a solid first-half display from the ‘Caps, who showed more urgency to try and break the deadlock.

Vancouver’s intent to show they were far from out of this competition came as early as the seventh minute. However, stand-in captain Nelson Akwari was unable to properly connect with Ricardo Sanchez’s inswinging corner at the far post. On 14 minutes, Marcus Haber neatly slipped a forward ball to central midfielder Luca Bellisomo, who then drilled a low shot just wide of goal. Then on 19 minutes, the hard-working Sanchez caused panic in the TFC box with a dangerous free kick from the left that was eventually cleared.

In a position to win the tournament with a victory in Vancouver, TFC struggled to penetrate through the Whitecaps backline, with midfielder Nick LaBrocca and captain Dwayne De Rosario striking half chances wide of Jay Nolly’s goal.

Fittingly, the last chance of an intriguing opening half fell to the ‘Caps on 42 minutes. The industrious Cornelius Stewart did well on the left flank before driving a cross that eluded the head of strike partner Haber at the far post.

It meant that both clubs went to the halftime break tied at 0-0.

With the Whitecaps attacking their favoured south goal in the second half, Thordarson’s side picked up where they left off at the break, as they showed a continued desire to find the back of the net. In contrast, TFC seemed content with the goalless scoreline after the restart, despite playing the dangerous duo of De Rosario and second-half substitute Chad Barrett in attack.

On 51 minutes, TFC goalkeeper Conway had to collect Haber’s dangerous byline cross from the streaking Justin Moose, as the winger just missed making a connection with his head. Moments later, Sanchez drilled a left-footed shot just wide of Toronto’s goal. Then on 58 minutes, former Puerto Rico Islanders midfielder Dan Gargan did well to clear Sanchez’s well-struck free kick for a corner, as Bellisomo looked set to redirect the ball on target in the TFC box.

Looking to turn the tide of the contest their way, Thordarson used his three substitutions, with Takashi Hirano, Martin Nash, and Randy Edwini-Bonsu all entering the action. Though all three subs brought fresh impetus to the Whitecaps attacking play, the decisive goal remained as elusive as ever. On 67 minutes, Haber chipped a shot right across the face of the TFC goal before Stewart made an incisive run that resulted in a shot that also failed to test Conway moments later.

As the match entered the final stages, TFC then gave the home fans a scare. On 79 minutes, Gambian midfielder Amadou Sanyang powered a half-volleyed strike just over the Whitecaps crossbar, while three minutes later, De Rosario had a point-blank effort blocked away by the assured hands of Nolly.

Yet, most of the action in those dying stages took place at the other end, but as the ‘Caps kept knocking on the door of the TFC goal, Vancouver were still unable to walk their way through that door and register a priceless goal. Substitute Hirano had the best of those late opportunities, but the Japanese defender’s header from Stewart’s cross was well saved by Conway at the far post.

Even four minutes of time added on could not change the ultimate course of proceedings, as TFC looked more satisfied with the resulting stalemate at the final whistle. For Vancouver, only victories will do at this late stage of this year’s Canadian Championship.

90 FULL MINUTES

The Whitecaps will complete their five-match home stand on Saturday night when they host former head coach Bob Lilley and his Rochester Rhinos side at Swangard. Toronto FC, meanwhile, are back in MLS action on Saturday afternoon, as they host New England Revolution at their BMO Field home.

BY Nathan Vanstone

Vancouver Canucks

It is wonderful to see the Vancouver Canucks at this stage of the play off games. Their hard  work and determination and full spirit of togetherness and collective  play, prepares them for the challange of each game they take on.  The only thing all their fans want is to see then win the Stanley Cup the biggest reward of all time in the game of hockey, for our City, Vancouver in beautiful British Columbia. GO CANUCKS GO!

By KMG

17 Randy Edwini-Bonsu Forward Vancouver Whitecaps FC 26 Dillon Barna Defender AC St. Louis Photo by Preston Yip

BURNABY, BC – Recording a third-straight clean sheet to start the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-0L-1D) defeated Athletic Club of St. Louis (0W-4L-0D) 1-0 at Swangard Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Mouloud Akloul’s first-ever goal for the ‘Caps proved to be the difference between these two NASL Conference rivals, even though Teitur Thordarson’s side looked far more comfortable in victory than the one-goal scoreline would suggest. The goal was a bittersweet moment, however, as Whitecaps debutant Akloul was forced out of the game soon after scoring the match winner with an ankle injury. The win maintained Vancouver’s undefeated start to the new campaign, while struggling St. Louis fell to a fourth-straight league defeat.

Akloul was one of three changes in the Whitecaps starting XI, as he started alongside Nelson Akwari in the centre of the Vancouver backline. In attack, Randy Edwini-Bonsu replaced the rested Marlon James to partner Marcus Haber up front, while Ansu Toure came in for Justin Moose on the left-hand side of midfield.

Though it was a cool and overcast spring afternoon, a Swangard crowd of 4,815 were treated to a first half that was dominated by the home side, with St. Louis failing to register a shot on the Vancouver goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Knowing the visitors were playing their second league game in less than 48 hours, the Whitecaps proceeded to attack the Missouri outfit from the opening kickoff, with St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty kept busy in the early stages. On nine minutes, the former New York Red Bulls shot-stopper had to be alert to cut off Edwini-Bonsu’s dangerous through ball for Toure in the visitors’ box. Two minutes later, the Whitecaps made claims for a penalty when winger Wes Knight went down under a challenge from St. Louis midfielder Mark Bloom in the visitors’ box. Match referee Justin Tasev, however, immediately waved away Vancouver’s spot-kick appeals.

With much of the action taking place in the St. Louis half, it seemed only a matter of time before the ‘Caps took the lead. On 19 minutes, the opening goal arrived following a corner from Whitecaps Man-of-the-Match Martin Nash. As the Vancouver captain swung in his dangerous set-piece, Akloul made a charging run from his centre back position to beat the St. Louis pair of Christian Nzinga and Bloom in the six-yard box and knock the ball past Dufty to make it 1-0. It was the Frenchman’s first goal for his new club.

Though ‘Caps fans were delighted to see Akloul find the scoresheet, the moment proved bittersweet for the defender and the club. In his effort to convert Nash’s corner for the goal, Akloul landed awkwardly on his ankle and needed immediate attention from the Whitecaps medical staff. The severity of the ankle injury was such that Akloul’s debut with the ‘Caps lasted just 22 minutes, with substitute centre back Greg Janicki coming on in the Frenchman’s place. “It’s always tough to go in under those circumstances,” Janicki said after the match. “As a centre back, you try and prepare the best you can mentally, but you never truly expect to go in that early. Yet, I had to do what I had to do, and after getting my feet warm, we were able to keep our shape at the back and get another clean sheet.”

Thordarson’s side remained relentless in attacking their travel-weary opponents and on 31 minutes, Janicki struck the St. Louis crossbar with a header after Knight’s long throw-in flicked into the path of the substitute in the visitors’ box. A minute later, the impressive Luca Bellisomo – who was a pillar of strength alongside Nash in central midfield – just missed the target with a well-driven shot from 30 yards out.

Then on 37 minutes, the injury bug that saw Akloul’s afternoon end abruptly struck another Whitecaps player. A leg injury to Knight resulted in an early substitute appearance for Tanzanian international Nizar Khalfan on the right-hand side of midfield.

The changes, however, did little to alter the course of the game, as the Whitecaps finished the opening half in the ascendancy following chances by Edwini-Bonsu, Janicki, and Bellisomo before Tasev blew his whistle for halftime.

Where the Whitecaps commanded the first half of action, their attacking potency was not at the same level after the break, as both sets of players needed to deal with some slick conditions in the second half following a late afternoon rain shower.

The second-half chances that were created came from the home side. On 58 minutes, Dufty made a fine reaction save to stop Toure’s close-range shot in the St. Louis box after the winger got on the end of a pass from teammate Zurab Tsiskaridze. It proved to be the last contribution from the Liberian, as he was replaced by Moose a minute later.

The margin of a one-goal lead usually means there is always a chance for the trailing side to respond and draw level, however, St. Louis offered next to nothing in terms of an attacking threat at Swangard. In fact, the visitors registered just a single shot in the entire contest, with captain Jack Traynor sailing his team’s lone effort high and wide of the target on 61 minutes.

With the ‘Caps looking comfortable towards the game’s latter stages, the only thing that remained uncertain was the possibility of a second Vancouver goal. On 70 minutes, Dufty was called on to save substitute Ricardo Sanchez’s goal-bound header from Khalfan’s neat cross from the right flank, while on 88 minutes, the tireless Haber rolled a tame shot just past the St. Louis post.

As three minutes of time added on were played, the ‘Caps could have struck their second goal with two fine chances. However, Khalfan was unable to direct Sanchez’s curling cross on target at the far post, while Sanchez himself was just as inaccurate with a long-range strike at an empty St. Louis goal after Dufty was caught in the Whitecaps box trying to challenge a late St. Louis corner.

90 FULL MINUTES

It was a modest result to a game that should have been won in a more convincing fashion, according to Thordarson. “I wasn’t happy with the game today, even though we did well in the first half,” he told reporters after the match. “We were up in their half of the pitch and had plenty of possession, but we didn’t manage to score more than one goal. In the second half, we managed to give the initiative away. We gave the ball away on every second or third pass, so that was not good.”

With Saturday’s win, the Whitecaps now sit comfortably at the top of the NASL Conference standings with seven points from three matches played. Thordarson’s side will now prepare for a difficult trip down Interstate 5 to The City of Roses and their first meeting of the season with Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers at PGE Park on Thursday night. Still in search of their first point of the season, AC St. Louis will host Crystal Palace Baltimore next Saturday evening.

Scoring Summary:

19′ – VAN – Mouloud Akloul (Martin Nash)

by Nathan Vanstone

Email: nvanstone@whitecapsfc.com

Terry Fox Terry Fox Canada’s Iconic National Heroes

Until you are face to face it is hard to believe what these paralympians can do – just imagine yourself going down the alpine slopes getting clocked at 74.5647284 miles per hour.  OK for the metric individuals up to 120 kilometers per hour. That you are visually impaired – add into the mix changing snow conditions and constant scheduling changes. These visually impaired para-alpine athletes rely on a guide to get them to the finish line. These athletes experience these challenges every time they compete – even with the help of a guide, it’s an amazing accomplishment. As an accredited journalist I had that rare opportunity be up close and personal with some of these remarkable athletes.

The opening ceremonies set the tone for these games.  Running late, with accreditation in hand, press kit over the shoulder, and excitement roaring through my veins, I hear the crowds roars booming through that floating-roof four blocks away. Enter, and I am blasted away with the enthusiasm, the colorful displays in the air, on the ground and in the stadium seats.

During the opening ceremonies, it was no surprise to Vancouverites that both Rick Hansen and Terry Fox profiled up on the big screen. Fox is one of Canada’s iconic national heroes who had been diagnosed with bone cancer at 18 that resulted in the amputation of his right leg 6 inches above his knee.  With little fanfare in 1980 he set in motion the Marathon of Hope.  He ran for 143 days covering a distance of 26 miles a day and made it as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario from St. John’s Newfoundland. The nation was saddened when Fox passed at the age of 22 but his legacy carries on globally with the annual Terry Fox Run where billions are raised for Cancer Research.

Over 25 years ago, Hansen launched his Man in Motion World Tour to raise funds for spinal cord research where this tour took him to 34 countries on four continents.  A car accident at 15 years old left him a paraplegic: this did not stop Rick to become an athlete.  Rick was the first student with a physical disability to graduate in physical education at University of British Columbia.

Now onto Ice Sledge Hockey: It would have been so wonderful for Canada to have accomplished gold medals for all hockey games: women’s, men’s and the Ice Sledge Hockey but alas that did not happen.  The atmosphere up at Whistler when Canada lost the Bronze metal game to Norway was heart-breaking.

Ice Sledge Hockey is a fast paced high-energy game that requires immense co-ordination and balance as the paralympian sits on a double bladed sharp skate, has two sticks in each hand to use for both throwing the puck and they in fact can pass under their sledge and on the ends of the sticks is a spike they can dig into the ice to move.

What is remarkable to me is that Japan stepped up to the plate but the United States of America won the gold.  The American athletes in general were bigger but the Japanese athletes displayed agility and speed.  In fact, Takayuki Endo, Captain of the ISH of Japan was awarded with the prestigious Whang Yiun Dai Achievement Award as he exemplifies the spirit of the Paralympics.  This athlete’s claim to fame is that he climbed Mount Fuji displaying that even if you do not have legs there is no reason why one should be impeded in climbing a mountain or conquering 2,000 steps.  So, when his upper body slipped out of his sledge during the last game, it did not stop him in his tracks: Endo simply hopped back into his sledge, tied himself in again and was digging his hockey sticks in the ice to get where he was going.  Mr. Endo’s motto:  Experience can create the self-confidence and self-confidence can create the power of life.

Also, a Canadian athlete is Colette Bourgonje in the Para-Cross Country Skiing category received the Whang Yiun Dai Achievement Award as she too exemplified the spirit of the Paralympics.  For Colette the Paralympic Movement is about accepting the differences in others; it’s about pure sport; and it’s about accepting everyone and that everyone is given the opportunity that they can be the best at their sport if they desire.

There was a sigh of relief that Canada squeezed out another gold in Wheelchair Curling.  The Koreans really challenged our team some other media person said that in Korea they use there outdoor pools to practice this team sport.  This sort of reminds me of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa where the water is drained out and freezes-over for miles of skating pleasure.  This tradition has been going on since the ‘70s, although they likely no longer serve hot mugs of mulled wine.

Norway has won two out of the last three-world wheelchair curling championships (2007 and 2008) while Canada is the reigning world champion after taking Gold at the 2009 edition, held at the Vancouver Paralympic Centre.

In 2009, with a team, made up of Sonja Gaudet, Chris Sobkowicz, Ina Forrest, Darryl Neighbour and Jim Armstrong.  Canada won the gold medal at the world championships breaking a losing streak since 2006 against Sweden: 9-2 in the Vancouver Paralympic Centre.

These last games, we brought in another gold against Korea.  Canada’s 2010 gold medal winning team was comprised of skip, Chris Daw, as well as Gerry Austgarden, Gray Cormack, Sonja Gaudet and Karen Blachford.  Mr. Daw was already a three-time summer Paralympian.  He participated in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympic Games in Wheelchair Racing, and the 2000 Games in Wheelchair Rugby.

The first World Wheelchair Curling Championship was held in January 2002 and in March that year the International Paralympic Committee granted official medal status to Wheelchair Curling for mixed gender teams.  The organizing committee of the Torino Paralympic Winter Games in 2006 agreed to include Wheelchair Curling in their programme.  This team-sport is generally open to individuals who are non-ambulant or can only walk short distances.  This includes athletes with significant impairments in lower leg/gait function, such as spinal injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or double leg amputation that use a wheelchair everyday for mobility.

After public outcries CTV finally agreed to broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies.  For me and many other Canadians across Canada and around the world it would have been so cool if there could have been greater television coverage especially in Canada.  The slack was picked up online with the advent of social-media tools.

Maybe in 2014, Sochi, in the Russia Republic the next Paralympic Winter Games; it will be their ambition to ensure that the previous media contracts such as CTV and its partners will provide more substantial coverage of the paralympic games not just the ‘big’ olympics.  It is encouraging that the Sochi team has handpicked personnel from the VANOC organizing committee. There has been lots of discourse that maybe the Paralympic Games should be staged first but at this time it seems that the International Paralympic Organization believes that is not a good idea.  My opinion, the humongous media-corporations contracts should be renegotiated where they are forced to do more advertising and coverage of the Paralympics rather than dropping the ball.

The last words go to our Canadian athlete Colette Bourgonje in the Para-Cross Country Skiing category whom received the Whang Yiun Dai Achievement Award with Endo as she too exemplified the spirit of the Paralympics.

For Colette the Paralympic Movement is about accepting the differences in others; it’s about pure sport; and it’s about accepting everyone and that everyone is given the opportunity that they can be the best at their sport if they desire.

Unfortunatly, there will not be a Blue Ray DVD of the 2010 Paralympics to purchase at this time.  But, you can relive the Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as the competitions of the Whistler, Vancouver Canada 2010 Games Paralympic Sites by going to the following websites: http://www.ParalympicSport.TV; http://www.paralympics.ca; http://www.paralympic.org/; Official Government Site: www.vancouver2010.com

17 Randy Edwini-Bonsu Forward Vancouver Whitecaps FC & 26 Ely Allen MidfielderForward NSC Minnesota Stars Photo Preston Yip

NSC MINNESOTA STARS 0 – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 2     April 11, 2010

BURNABY, BC – In their 24th and final season at Swangard ahead of Vancouver’s move to Major League Soccer in 2011, Teitur Thordarson’s side made the most of a sunny spring afternoon to claim their first three points of the new campaign. Second-half goals by Luca Bellisomo and Marlon James gave Vancouver Whitecaps FC a 2-0 victory over NSC Minnesota Stars in Sunday’s USSF D-2 Pro League season opener at Swangard Stadium.

The victory extended the Whitecaps recent run of results in home openers to nine matches, with the club not having lost a home opener, nor conceded a goal in one, since the 2001 season. Vancouver’s record in home openers now stands at 6W-0L-3D since 2001, with the ‘Caps having outscored their opponents 12-0 in the process.

In what was the Whitecaps inaugural match in a new league and against a new club, captain Martin Nash set a club landmark by making his 250th appearance for the Blue and White on Sunday, with Bellisomo partnering the experienced playmaker in central midfield after impressing Thordarson in that role during the pre-season.

Thordarson’s side tried to take command of proceedings from the opening kickoff, with the ‘Caps using neat passing and possession, which included some patient passing play amongst the four Whitecaps defenders.

One player that tried to excite the crowd of 4,934 was youngster Dever Orgill, who was partnered in the Whitecaps attack with James. His first chance came on 10 minutes, but Stars goalkeeper Louis Crayton was not troubled by the Jamaican youth international’s looping header from Ansu Toure’s dangerous cross. Six minutes later, Orgill had the ball in the back of the Minnesota net, but his efforts in trying to reach Wes Knight’s cross saw him earn a yellow card from match referee Mathieu Bourdeau after he was adjudged to have fouled a Stars player in the visitors’ box.

Vancouver also had strong claims for a penalty on 18 minutes. However, referee Bourdeau felt Stars centre back Brian Kallman had not impeded James in front of the Minnesota goal, as the big striker tried to connect with Knight’s fine cross from the right.

Though their pre-season preparations were not as extensive as the Whitecaps, Minnesota caused a couple of scares in the home side’s box during the first half, with much of their attacking threat coming from the set-pieces of Chinese import Leilei Gao. In fact, the Stars midfielder could claim that he had the best chance of the half on 19 minutes, as his free kick into the Vancouver box saw ‘Caps centre back Greg Janicki inadvertently head the ball off his own post, as he was attempting to clear the danger. The visitors also forced a good reaction save from Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly on 34 minutes, as Andrei Gotsmanov’s corner was deflected sharply towards goal.

The last notable event before the break came in time added on, as Crayton was stretchered off with an injury following a challenge for the ball with the energetic Orgill on the edge of the Minnesota box. As a result, former Minnesota Thunder keeper Joe Warren came on for the former D.C. United shot-stopper to face the hosts in the second half.

It was after the restart that the Whitecaps high level of physical conditioning from their long off-season training program allowed the home side to claim a firm grip on Sunday’s contest, as Thordarson’s side spent a lot of time in and around the Minnesota box. More dangerous wing play from Knight and Toure kept the Stars on the back foot, while strikes by Nash, James, and Bellisomo gave the home fans belief that Vancouver’s first goal of the season was soon coming.

The pivotal moment came on 62 minutes, as the ‘Caps earned a free kick after Stars defender Kevin Friedland was booked for a foul on Toure near the edge of the Minnesota box. Nash took the subsequent free kick and found Bellisomo in the box, with the midfielder’s header getting past Warren to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. It was Bellisomo’s second goal of his Whitecaps career.

Bellisomo’s goal injected a renewed boost of confidence in the home side, who went searching for another goal in the minutes that followed. Orgill hammered just wide of the target on 65 minutes before Nash nearly added to his resume of fine strikes when he curled a shot from the edge of the Minnesota box just past the junction of far post and crossbar two minutes later. Warren then needed to make a fine save from James’ fierce drive after the ‘Caps striker won a battle to a forward ball with Minnesota’s Kallman.

Though it looked to be a frustrating day for James in front of goal, his hard work paid off on 76 minutes when he got on the scoresheet to seal the win. After finding substitute Nizar Khalfan with a ball out on the right flank, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international neatly redirected home the Tanzanian winger’s return pass to make it 2-0.

The scoreline underlined the Whitecaps dominance of the second half, with Minnesota struggling to offer much in reply. The Stars used their maximum number of five substitutions in a bid to turn their fortunes around, but except for substitute striker Melvin Tarley rolling a shot across the face of the Whitecaps goal on 80 minutes, the visitors were not able to find a way back into the match.

90 FULL MINUTES

Though pleased to claim victory on Sunday, Thordarson admitted his side had an indifferent performance to start the season. “I didn’t feel we played well in the first half,” he said to reporters after the match. “We spoke about that at halftime, and managed to change that. I told the players that when you throw away the fear of losing and start thinking about winning, you will then start to play. After talking with them, we had a decent second half.”

Sunday’s result is the Whitecaps inaugural win in the newly-formed USSF D-2 Pro League, with Thordarson’s squad now turning their attentions to next Saturday’s trip to South Florida and an away meeting with Miami FC. Minnesota, meanwhile, travel to North Carolina for a Friday evening clash versus Carolina RailHawks.

Scoring Summary:  62′ – Luca Bellisomo (Martin Nash)   76′ – Marlon James (Nizar Khalfan)

By Nathan Vanstone   Email: nvanstone@whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games was topped off with a spectacular closing ceremony at Whistler that was designed to not only thank the volunteers, known as Smurfs but also the true meaning of “sport” that was displayed by the Paralympians in Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling events.

Most Canadians held there breath when the great upset was that Canada did not win in the Bronze Metal game in Ice Sledge Hockey but later was elated that we won the Wheelchair Curling.

Canada did “own the podium”.  Here are some numbers:  We were tied with the Ukraine in total metals of 19 but Canada got a total of 10 GOLDS compared to Ukraine’s 6.  The number ranked country is the Russian Federation with a total of 38 metals. Interestingly, Germany pulled in the most GOLDS of 13 compared to Russia’s 12.  The total possible metals are 192 divided between 21 metal winning countries.

Colette Bourgonje – Cross Country Skiing of Canada and Takayuki Endo – Captain of the Ice Sledge Hockey of Japan were awarded with the prestigious Whang Yiun Dai Achievement Award as they exemplified the spirit of the Paralympics.  Both of these athletes will continue to be leaders for the disabled people.

For Colette the Paralympic Movement is about accepting the differences in others; it’s about pure sport; and it’s about accepting everyone and that everyone is given the opportunity that they can be the best at their sport if they desire. Mr. Endo’s motto:  Experience can create the self confidence and the self confidence can create the power of life.

Beyond 2010 Winter Games the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program http://www.whistleradaptive.com will receive a substantial amount of funding to expand the program to provide year-around Alpine recreational programs for people of all ages with disabilities.

To relive the Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as the competitions of the Vancouver Games, go to www.ParalympicSport.TV.

Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver) has become the most decorated female athlete in a single Winter Paralympic Games

By Marie-Helene Cayer : March 20, 2010 (Whistler, BC)  Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver) has become the most decorated female athlete in a single Winter Paralympic Games. She won the super combined by more than 12 seconds on Saturday to close out her para-alpine competition having won every event she raced.

“I am a competitor, I always want to race my best and it was a bit of a tricky course so I had to be super focused. At the same time I knew I had to get down so I needed to ski a smart run. Obviously super happy and surprised with the outcome,” said Woolstencroft.

“I never though I would actually win the five medals. The biggest challenge here was to ski your best day after day. I am mentally fried right now, today my only focus was the race and I am pretty mentally tired. I had great confidence coming in and I was super prepared. I knew I had the potential but you can never know what is going to happen,” added Woolstencroft. “I don’t know if all of this has set in yet, I am just kind of surprised still.”

In the 34-year history of the Winter Paralympics, there have been seven women to win four gold in a single Games, the last being Ragnhild Myklebust (Norway) in cross country and Sarah Hill (USA) in alpine during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

“Lauren has established herself as the golden athlete of these Games,” said Blair McIntosh, chef de mission, Team Canada. “She is in a class of her own at the Winter Games and I join the nation in congratulating her on this remarkable display of word-class athleticism.”

Woolstencroft also ties swimmer Stephanie Dixon and athletics star Chantal Petitclerc as the only three Canadian women to earn five gold medals in a single Paralympics, winter or summer.

The 28-year-old has Canadian company in the five medals category at these Games. Vivian Forest (Edmonton) and guide Lindsay Debou collected a silver today in the super combined, visually impaired, to complete her mission of winning a medal in a five events entered.

Competition ends Sunday with para-nordic events and the closing ceremonies are scheduled for 19:00 PT.

2010 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES MEDAL COUNT FOR LAUREN WOOLSTENCROFT

Sport Event Medal

Alpine Skiing Downhill, Standing Gold

Alpine Skiing Super-G, Standing Gold

Alpine Skiing Slalom, Standing Gold

Alpine Skiing Super Combined, Standing Gold

Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom, Standing Gold

2010 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES MEDAL COUNT FOR VIVIAN FOREST

Sport Event Medal

Alpine Skiing Downhill, Visually Impaired Gold

Alpine Skiing Super-G, Visually Impaired Silver

Alpine Skiing Slalom, Visually Impaired Silver

Alpine Skiing Super Combined, Visually Impaired Silver

Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom, Visually Impaired Bronze

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, private organisation with 43 member sports organisations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The CPC is responsible for creating an optimal high-performance environment for the Canadian Paralympic athletes to win at Paralympic and ParaPanAmerican Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a physical disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organisations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

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