Bloom Qatar

Issue No.

31

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Qatar–an ideal destination for

‘sporting events’

“fantastic variety of sports hosting experience has led to the emergence of Qatar as a veritable sporting capital of the region.”

Tasnim Ahmed The nation of Qatar has long interpreted sports as a means of providing societal development by enjoying the benefits of a healthy and vibrant sports community.

Visitors and residents of Qatar alike have over the years been offered a wealth of sports events to view, as well as opportunities to keep fit and strong.

Fast becoming one of the world’s leading places to enjoy sports, Qatar has invested US$2.8 billion in infrastructure over the last several years to support athletic competition.

Sports events not only gives an outstanding exposure to the world, as during the first ever Moto Grand Prix held during the night-time, but enables as well to spread strong Qatari values, such as willingness, pride, equity, open-mind and respect.

The wide range of worldclass sporting events on offer in Qatar throughout the year has long led visitors to take advantage of the unique opportunity to see top sports stars in action from close quarters – from tennis to football, from golf and table tennis to athletics and motor racing.

Indeed, this fantastic variety of sports hosting experience has led to the emergence of Qatar as a veritable sporting capital of the region. The associated modern sports infrastructure has been built with a distinctly Arabian touch and now makes Doha one of the most popular destinations for visiting sportsmen and women, both professional and recreational.

It was also this effort to provide equal opportunities through sports which was at the heart of Qatar’s successful bid to become the first World Cup host nation from the Middle East in 2022. Now, with interest at a high in the country that will host football’s greatest event in just over a decade’s time, the timing is perfect to witness

Qatar’s sporting luxury.

Qatar is also home to the Qatar Sports City - ASPIRE Zone, a premier complex for athletics, entertainment, recreation and wellness.

A visit to sporting Qatar also offers another feature apart from top class sports competitions and a wide assortment of participatory options: traditional sports.

Yes, the country also has a well-deserved reputation in horse and camel racing.

Known globally for the high quality of its stunning Arabian thoroughbreds, the Qatar Racing & Equestrian

kinds, including motorcycle, auto, powerboat, horse and camel.

With numerous state-ofthe-art facilities plus varied and striking topography, Qatar is a perfect place to engage in physical activity. Kilometres of beautiful coastline make water-sports such as sailing, jet-skiing, kayaking, diving and water-skiing a pleasure.

For those looking for a different kind of adventure, the desert offers the opportunity to get out in the dunes to sand ski or sand board.

Golfers can challenge their

Stay healthy with Sports Sports play a pivotal role in the makeup of a young athlete. Its importance in the life of a young student is invaluable and goes much further than the basic answer that “it keeps kids off the streets.” It does in fact keep kids off the streets, but it also instils lessons that are essential in the life of a student athlete.

Sports should not only be an indispensable part of our kids’ life, but ours as well.

Playing sports can make one live longer, think clearer, react faster, lose weight and prevent diseases with little to no side effects. There’s no age limit as to when you can start playing, and there’s overwhelming scientific evidence guaranteeing it works.

Playing sports is potent medicine that doesn’t require a prescription.

While the physical health benefits that sports provide are undoubtedly important, the social benefits may be what draw the children specially the youth to sports. Being able to spend time with their friends outside of school is more important to children than knowing they are physically active. Likewise life skill gains through social interaction can be tremendous.

Sports can play a valuable role as a communication, education and social mobilisation vehicle. Sport’s entertainment appeal, amplified by global telecommunications, has made it one of the most powerful communication platforms in the world.

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Club carries on this long and distinguished tradition with a commitment to the pure breeding of Arabian horses and the enjoyment and challenge of horse racing.

Camel racing, historically known as the “sport of sheikhs”, continues today in the small town of Al Shahaniya, where Qatar’s main camel racetrack is located. Here, visitors are enticed with a rare opportunity to witness one of the most novel competitive events in the region.

Qataris are tremendous sports enthusiasts: the Qatari National League (football) is one of the best in the Middle East, and Qataris enjoy many spectator sports—from the PGA European Tour Qatar Masters to the ATP Qatar Open (tennis) to racing of all

game on the championship courses at the Doha Golf Club or the Mesaieed Golf Club.

Those interested in racquet sports and other forms of exercise can find what they seek at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex, which boasts 17 courts, a swimming pool and a gymnasium.

Although no longer a primary source of employment, pearl diving is still practiced by amateurs, as pearl oysters remain available in abundance off Qatar’s shores.

Sport has always played an important role in the lives of Qatar’s residents and most of Qatar’s sporting venues are open to the public in an effort to encourage residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise.

Sporting events in February Commercial Bank Track Day for Qatar Masters Bikes and Cars Doha Gold Club stages the 15th Annual Competition of one of the most celebrated Golf Tournaments in the region, presented

by Dolphin Energy. On track from the 1st of February the event will continue till the 5th of February.

Track day for bikes and cars is scheduled on the 4th of February. The registration time for bikes is: 7:30 a.m. till 8:30 a.m. and for cars is: 12:00 p.m. till 1:00 p.m.

Sail the Gulf

This is a novel single-make racing series, designed specifically for Indian audiences and recognized as best in-class. The first round: i1 Super Prix Qatar is scheduled on the 11th of February at the Losail International Circuit.

Over 300 sailors from all over the world in nine different classes will participate in this racing event which has been running in Doha for over twenty years. The event is expected to kick off on the 11th of February till the 15th of February.

Qatar National Road Racing Championship This Championship is organized by Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF).

The Championship is composed of seven events. After the first two rounds it is time for the third round that is scheduled on the 17th of February till the 18th of February.

I1 Super Series

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Health

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Sports Snacks: What should you eat before you exercise?

A key question that that athletes commonly ask — “What should I eat when I exercise? Be it during extended exercise, be it during a tournament, or short everyday bouts?” While most sports persons know about carbs, proteins and fats, and the like they often don’t know how to translate those words into food choices. Here, you will find specific food suggestions to fit a variety of sports situations. Be sure to experiment with new pre- and during-exercise foods to learn which ones settle best with you and help you enhance your performance.

Pre-event dinner: Stack up on carbs Opt for a dinner like one of the below – t Pasta with tomato sauce, meatballs, and green beans, French bread, low-fat or skim milk, and frozen yogurt with strawberries t Turkey with potato, stuffing, low-fat gravy, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, apple crisp with reduced-fat ice cream

Pre-game breakfast: me art ti 1 to 2 hours before st Brunch: 4 hours start time

-fat milk and a banana t Dr y cereal with low sauce and brown sugar t Oatmeal with apple raisins t Cream of wheat with ffin with peanut butter t Bagel or English mu two slices of toast t Poached eggs with t Yogurt and granola opt le digesting solid food, ub tro u yo e giv es rv ne If low-fat l” like a fruit smoothie, for a healthy liquid “mea ing, or pureed peaches. dd chocolate milk, vanilla pu

Grab ‘n Go Snack: Get 100 to 300 nonperishable calories within the hour pre-exercise Granola Bar or Cereal Bar, Fig Newton’s, graham crackers, wafers, animal crackers, hard or soft pretzels, cinnamon raisin bagel, snack-box raisins, trail mix Pre-exercise quick energy fix These choices lack nutritional value but are easy to digest, provide the quick energy the

body wants, and when eaten five minutes pre-exercise, are unlikely to create rebound sugar crash.

Get a quick fix with toast with jelly, marshmallows, gum drops, jelly beans, liquorice, peppermint patties, Jell-O, marshmallows, sports drinks like Gatorade, etc., fruit juice, sweetened iced tea, de-fizzed Coke, or a homemade energy drink – simply add seven teaspoons of sugar to eight ounces of coffee and you’ll end up with 80 mg caffeine and 110 calories!

t t t t t

Pre-game dinner: B 7:00 pm basketba efore a ll game

Heftier portions of any of the breakfast options French toast with cinnamon sugar, berries, breakfast meat Pancakes with maple syrup, scrambled eggs, fruit cup Veggie omelette with non-greasy hash brown potatoes, toast Breakfast burrito, fruit salad and orange juice

Pre-exercise high sodium snacks for athletes who sweat heavily Consuming a salty food before exercise helps retain water in your body and delays becoming dehydrated. Opt for pretzels, salt bagel, baked chips, chicken noodle soup,

t Any of the carboloading dinners or brunch suggestions t Cheese ravioli, tom ato sauce, peas, fruit salad, sugar cookie t Grilled chicken (sm all portion) with baked potato/ low-fat sour cream, steamed carrots, br ead, blueberry cobbler, low -fat milk t Turkey sub with lettuce, tomato, low -fa mayonnaise, baked po tato chips, vanilla yo t gurt and an oatmeal-raisin cookie t Wonton soup, stir-f ried chicken with ve ggies, steamed rice, noodles , pineapple chunks, fo rtune cookie

canned broth (chicken, beef or vegetable), beef consommé (jellied), or boiled and salted red potatoes or potato chunks.

Fuel during exercise that lasts between two and four hours Buy sports clothes with pockets, so you can carry these with you.

Gummy bears, fruit chews, jelly beans, liquorice, butterscotch candies, peppermint patties, mini chocolate bars

Peanut Butter: A Super Sports Food In this day and age of energy bars, protein powders and weight gain shakes, many athletes forget about real foods such as peanut butter. In fact, peanut butter is perhaps the best sport food around.

It’s tasty, inexpensive, satisfying, nourishing––and even good for health.

Though peanut butter is calorie-dense, it can beneficially fit into your sports diet.

Read on to understand why peanut butter, and all nuts and nut butters are super sports food for athletes who want to eat well and invest in their health. t Peanut butter is satiating and satisfying, which is perfect for dieters: Because you will never win the war against hunger, your best bet is to eat foods that keep you feeling fed. This

means, foods with protein and fibre–– like peanut butter and nuts, in general. t A quick and easy way to reduce your risk of heart disease: Just slap together a peanut butter (and honey or jelly) sandwich on multi-grain bread, and you have the makings of a hearthealthy meal and childhood memory. t Peanut butter is an affordable source of calories: If you are a hungry athlete who needs 3,000 or more calories a day, you can spend a significant amount of money fuelling yourself especially if you routinely eat engineered sports foods. Peanut butter can fuel your body without breaking the bank. t Peanut butter is a source of protein, needed to build and repair muscles: To boost the protein value of peanut butter, simply accompany it with a tall glass of milk. A peanut butter and jelly

sandwich, combined with 16 ounces of low-fat milk equals 28 grams of protein, a good chunk of your daily requirement.

Milk simultaneously enhances the value of the protein in the peanut butter sandwich. t Peanut butter is a reasonable source of vitamins, minerals and other health-protective food compounds: As an athlete, you need all these nutrients to keep you off the bench and on the playing field.

Caution: Peanut butter is a poor source of the carbohydrates needed for muscle fuel, so don’t try to subsist on peanut butter by the spoonful. Luckily, peanut butter combines well with banana, bread, apples, oatmeal, crackers, raisins, and even pasta – if you enjoy Thai noodle dishes. These combinations will balance your sports diet.

Fuel during exercise that lasts over four hours, such as a long bike ride In addition to the snacks that you might consume during two to four hours of exercise, add more substantial fare such as peanut butter and jelly on bread, bagel or flour tortilla, trail mix, beef jerky (for sodium), noodle soup, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate bars or any food that tastes good, settles well and helps you survive the event!

Fine Living

Thursday, 2 February 2012

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Sport and Development ‘Sport & Development’ refers to the use of sport as a tool for development and peace.

Actors in sport, academia, private sector, non-profit and non-governmental organisations, government agencies, UN agencies and international organisations, the media, the general public as well as young people are increasingly interested in the potential of sport as a tool to reach personal, community, national and international development objectives.

They are also interested in how sport can be used as a tool for addressing some of the

challenges that arise from humanitarian crises and in conflict and post-conflict settings.

As sport becomes increasingly part of humanitarian and development work, as well as a part of the corporate social responsibility practices of some private sector actors, interested parties are anxious to explore the potential, as well as the limitations, of sport in their work.

For these very different actors to understand each other better, it becomes necessary to develop common definitions and frameworks for action in order to improve practice.

The UN’s perspective on Sport & Development What is ‘sport’?

In the area of Sport & Development, ‘sport’ is generally understood to include physical activities that go beyond competitive sports.

“Incorporated into the definition of ‘sport’ are all forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction. These include: play; recreation; organized, casual or competitive sport; and indigenous sports or games.” - United Nations.

Development Goals but it has been widely recognised that sport alone will not be able to achieve all eight goals. In the past, sport has been most commonly linked to: eradication of poverty and extreme hunger; achieving universal primary education; responding to the psychosocial needs of victims of disasters and emergencies; promoting gender equality and empowering women; and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

What do we mean by ‘development’?

According to the International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace, sport is seen to have the most benefits in: t Individual development t Health promotion and disease prevention

t t t t t t

Promotion of gender equality Social integration and the development of social capital Peace building and conflict prevention/ resolution Post-disaster/trauma relief and normalisation of life Economic development Communication and social mobilisation.

Sport has been linked to the Millennium

UN Youth Camp in Doha:

empowering the youth to invoke change in their communities

The 2012 UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) is the first camp held under the auspices of Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace.

The ten-day camp brought together 30 youth participants from developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory who are currently working with grassroots Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) projects.

The camp, which took place in the world renowned Aspire Dome in Doha, Qatar was organised by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) in collaboration with Right to Play as a major knowledge partner.

Other partners include the International Judo, Basketball, Table Tennis and Lifesaving Federations, Liverpool FC, the German development agency (GIZ) and six specialized NGOs (including Inspirasports as the logistical partner) as well as in-kind donors (namely Puma and the Bundesliga

Foundation).

The camp was designed as a platform where deserving young leaders and experienced experts could exchange best practices and learn from each other. Based on a thorough evaluation of the camp, it is intended that several similar camps will take place in the coming years in various parts of the world.

The key objective of the camp was to provide the youth with practical leadership skills, best practices practical leadership training and best practice examples that came from leading SDP experts.

Reflecting on the initiative, UN Special Adviser Lemke said, “This pilot is a new starting point for the young beneficiaries of the programme. We want to give them now the opportunities they did not get before.”

Upon the conclusion of the camp, he further thanked all partners for their invaluable contribution to the success of the project.

The United Nations (UN) has been using sport as a tool in development cooperation and humanitarian aid efforts for decades.

In recent years, UN programmes, funds and specialized agencies have increasingly recognized and harnessed the power of sport to achieve their objectives, particularly the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000.

The UN system draws on the unique convening power of sport as a tool for fundraising, advocacy and raising public awareness about the activities and objectives of the UN. Over 75 famous athletes have been appointed as ‘Ambassadors’ or ‘Spokespersons’ for the UN. According to Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, “Sport is increasingly recognized as an important tool in helping the United Nations achieve its objectives, in particular the Millennium Development Goals. By including sport in development and peace programmes in a more systematic way, the United nations can make full use of this cost-efficient tool to help us create a better world.”

Likewise, according to Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on

Sport for Development and Peace, “Sport has a crucial role to play in the efforts of the United Nations to improve the lives of people around the world. Sport builds bridges between individuals and across communities, providing a fertile ground for sowing the seeds of development and peace.”

The Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace In 2001, Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General appointed Adolf Ogi, former President of the Swiss Confederation as the first ‘Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace’ in order to more systematically and coherently encourage the use of sport as a means to attain health, education, development and peace objectives. In April 2008, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Wilfried Lemke, of Germany, as Adolf Ogi’s successor. The Special Adviser is assisted by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) in coordinating the efforts of the UN system to promote understanding and support internationally for sport as a powerful vehicle for positive social change.

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Science

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Sports for health and wellbeing

Vinodh K. Pisharom

Apart from the merchandise and the mod mannequins on display, it’s perhaps the parade of obese people that will catch your attention and amazement as you walk through the swanky malls in Qatar. Every other person you run into appears obese or overweight, leaving you intrigued by the various causes of this rampant issue. And as you see that an increasing number of them are youngsters, the future may seem weighed down by the weighty issues of obesity and ill health.

Qatar ranks sixth globally for prevalence of obesity and has the highest rate of obesity among boys in the region, as per a recent study by International Association for the Study of Obesity statistics. It doesn’t take a genius to infer that it’s Qatar’s extreme wealth and sedentary lifestyle of people that make significant contributions to this problem.

According to World Health Organisation statistics in 2010: 73% of men and 70.2% of women of world population were deemed overweight and 31.3% of men and 38.1% of women considered obese. Predictions are that in five years, 69% of men and 73% of women worldwide will qualify as obese. Recent surveys also show that childhood obesity has become the number one health concern of parents, more than smoking and drug abuse.

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic and health issue. Today, more and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart diseases, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea and other co-morbid conditions associated with obesity and morbid obesity. Children who are considered obese are 70 percent more likely to continue being obese into adulthood. In addition, they are at greater risk for serious medical issues. Apart from the clinical perspective, children who are obese face social discrimination, leading to low self-esteem and depression. Although the causes of childhood obesity are widespread, certain factors are targeted as major contributors to this epidemic. Causes include: Environment, lack of physical activity, heredity and family, dietary patterns, socioeconomic status.

Sport is arguably one of the few constants

in life that can bring people together, keep them healthy and truly excite societies.

Perhaps there is no better place than Qatar to get a sense of that excitement as it is gaining prominence not only at the regional level but all over the sports world with its sports initiatives which has seen it bag the rights to host the World Handball Championships in 2015 besides the FIFA World Cup. To complement these initiatives, many sporting facilities providing leadership in sports, sports science, academics and communitycentric programs that recognize the significance of sports in improving the quality of lives of people in Qatar and the region, have been established. Committed to sustainable development of sports and all activities connected to it, the

Sports and children

Benefits of sport for children

Sports help children develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem.

However, children in today’s society show a decrease in overall physical activity. The growing use of computers, increased time watching television and decreased physical education in schools, all contribute to children and adolescents living a more sedentary lifestyle.

The rate of obesity among children and teenagers indicates that we need to foster a more sports-minded

t Reduced risk of obesity t Increased cardiovascular fitness t Healthy growth of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons t Improved coordination and balance t A greater ability to physically relax and, therefore, avoid the complications of chronic muscular tension (such as headache or back ache) t Improved sleep t Mental health benefits, such as greater confidence t Improved social skills t Improved personal skills, including cooperation and leadership.

Age-appropriate activities Your child is likely to show natural preferences for certain sports or activities. Start there, being careful to keep your child’s maturity and skill level in mind.

Ages 2 to 5 Toddlers and pre-schoolers are beginning to master many basic movements, but they’re too young for most types of organised sports. At this age, unstructured free play is usually best. Try: t Running t Climbing t Kicking

t Tumbling t Dancing t Playing catch with a lightweight ball t Pedalling a tricycle or a bike with training wheels t Supervised water play

Ages 6 to 7 As children get older, their coordination and attention spans improve. They’re also better able to follow directions and understand the concept of teamwork. Consider organised activities such as:

government is striving to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

As such, sports play an important role in the lives of people living in Qatar and they have a special liking for outdoor activities.

Sport in Qatar is a unique combination of old and new, with equal importance to international and traditional sports.

Those who are keen shall indulge in their favourite sport like Golf, Water Sports, Camel racing, Adventure Sports, Tennis, Cricket, Football, Horse Racing, and so on. As the government initiatives to popularize sports continue, it’s up to us to recognise the importance of sports in improving health and quality of life and utilise the available facilities to the fullest, in line with the spirit.

t T-ball, softball or baseball t Soccer t Gymnastics t Swimming t Tennis t Golf t Track and field t Martial arts

Age 8 and older By age 8, most sports, including contact sports, may be acceptable, as long as your child wears appropriate protective gear. Carefully supervised strength training is OK at this age, too.

culture that encourages children to be physically active. People who are active dramatically reduce their risk of many diseases including heart disease and osteoporosis. Regular exercise is also known to reduce the risk of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Habits are established early in life, and evidence suggests that physically active children are more likely to mature into physically active adults.

Lifestyles and behaviours are established at a young age. It is important for parents and children to remain educated and focused on making long-term healthy lifestyle choices. Physical inactivity may be as detrimental to health as physical activity is beneficial. An emphasis on reducing inactivity may be more effective in achieving overall increases in energy levels in young children than an emphasis on increasing involvement in sporting activities.

Taking steps to reduce children’s sedentary time is important. There are several ways that children and adolescents can modify their behaviour for healthier outcomes, such as: changing eating habits, increasing physical activity, becoming educated about the body and how to nourish it appropriately, engaging in a support group or extracurricular activity and setting realistic weight management goals.

Encourage your child to be physically active Parents can help their children to be physically active in a number of ways, including: t Lead by example - be physically active yourself. t Make sure that some family outings offer opportunities for physical activity, such as playing sport together. t Encourage your child to walk or ride their bicycle for short trips, rather than rely on you to drive them. t Support your child’s efforts in sport. Make sure you’re there at each match, cheering them on from the sidelines.

t Set time limits on sedentary activities like computer games and television. t Consult with your child’s school on ways to encourage greater participation in sports and physical activity.

As with most aspects of parenting, being actively involved and talking with your children about their life is very important.

Being proud of accomplishments, sharing in wins and defeats, and talking to them about what has happened helps them develop skills and capacities for success in life. The lessons learned during children’s sports will shape values and behaviours for adult life. Constant monitoring and efforts towards a healthy

child, healthy future shall also lead to; t Strong parent-child attachments, positive parenting leading to better social and emotional wellbeing. t Healthy eating and increased activity leading to reduction in obesity. t Easy recognition of growth disorders and risk factors of obesity. t Early detection and prevention of developmental delay, abnormalities and illhealth. t Identification of factors that could influence health and wellbeing in families. t Readiness of children in becoming healthy,

responsible and valuable members of the society, who decide the future of the nation.

Thus, sport is a part of society as both an educational fixture and an entertainment enterprise. Sport forms part of human and social development; it can contribute to social cohesion, tolerance and integration and is an effective channel for physical and socio-economic development. As a universal language, sport can be a powerful medium for social and economic change: it can be utilized to bridge cultural gaps, resolve conflict and educate people in ways that very few activities can.

Lifestyle

Thursday, 2 February 2012

The positive impact of

Playing Sports

Involvement in sports is an integral part of child development and teaches youth to lead active, healthy lives while developing many of the fundamental skills necessary for a child to succeed.

A Canadian Council for Social Development study showed that participating in structured recreation, such as a sport, positively influenced young people’s physical and social development, as well as their civic behaviour and skills.

A Sport Canada survey of 1,005 Canadian youth aged 12 to 21, found that their involvement in sports improved their health by 99 per cent, enhanced their friend making capabilities by 87 per cent, improved their feelings about themselves by 85 per cent, helped them do better at school by 58 per cent, and helped them become more active with their family by 54 per cent.

Sarah Mascarenhas

Sport considerably improves the quality of a child’s urban life Abundant studies of social habits have found that sport and community recreation play a key role in life in a city, and that recreation and sports facilities contribute to a child’s integration into his or her community surroundings. Sport provides pleasure for children and gives them the

opportunity to meet new people and make new friendships, breaking the isolated mould many low income and underprivileged youth fall under. Children develop a sense of selfbelonging and confidence through social interaction. Participation in sport improves the development of peer relationships, establishes the notion of trust and builds teamwork skills.

Sports challenge children to excel physically and mentally, and teach valuable skills such as leadership, hard work and perseverance which translate beyond the

playing field to all aspects of life, whether it be in the classroom, at work, or in the community. The individual benefits of involving youth in sporting activities transcend into benefits for the community as a whole. Participants experience a high degree of interaction with other individuals within their community, which not only benefits the child, but such interactions also translate into the community’s socio and economic development.

Thus, in addition to the personal benefits for the child, youth involvement in sports

Play, Creativity, and Lifelong Learning why play matters for both kids and adults By nature, humans are born to play. Playing is instinctive and essential to our existence.

Play helps us survive and flourish by connecting us to other people and to springs of energy and excitement within ourselves. Playing is simultaneously a source of relaxation and calmness, while also being a source of stimulation for the brain and body. A sense of playfulness helps us be more inventive, smart, happy, flexible, and

resilient. A sure and fun way to develop your imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and mental health is to play with your romantic partner, officemates, children, grandchildren, and friends.

Play: Why it’s essential Often play is described as a time when we feel most alive, however we often take it for granted and completely forget about it. But we must

remember that play isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity in our day-to-day lives.

Play is as important to our physical and mental health as getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. Playing teaches us how to manage and transform “negative” emotions and experiences. It boosts learning, helps us let go of stress, and connects us to the world around us. In addition, play makes work more productive and pleasurable.

Despite the power of play, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us stop playing. We exchange play for work and responsibilities.

When we do have some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than to engage in creative, brain-stimulating play. By giving ourselves permission to play with the joyful liberation of childhood, we can continue to reap its benefits throughout our life.

also has a broader impact on the overall community. Participation in sport has a positive effect on reducing the involvement and exposure youths may have to delinquent behaviour. Sports offer children a positive alternative to idleness. Also, a lack of activity and idleness can lead to a lack of understanding between different ethnic groups. Sports help to eliminate these racial and cultural barriers by removing the separation between such groups through healthy competition and the realization of shared goals.

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Technology

Thursday, 2 February 2012

The New Xbox 360 with Kinect: Revolutionizing the way you play and exercise CONSOLES

Fun never looked so good. With its sleek new look, built in WiFi, and whisper quiet operation, the new Xbox 360 brings you all the best in gaming and entertainment.

You are the Controller Kinect for Xbox 360 changes how you watch TV, movies and sports, play games and listen to music. Enjoy endless entertainment by using your voice or moving your body.

Voice-controlled Entertainment Access more entertainment than ever before and enjoy on-demand or live programming for everyone in the family, in a whole new way. With Kinect, you can play, pause and rewind the action - all with the sound of your voice. Plus, with Bing search combined with Kinect, just say what you’re looking for, and Xbox will find it.

You Say It. Xbox Finds It

It’s All About You

Voice Search with Bing makes it easy to find anything on your Xbox 360. Looking for episodes of your favorite show? Xbox will scour every available source, and bring back everything related to your search. Just tell your Xbox what you want, and it will go get it for you.

Once you wave your hand to activate the sensor, your Kinect will be able to recognise you and access your Avatar.

Now you can jump in and out of games whenever you want.

Why Choose Kinect?

Full body gaming and entertainment Controller-free gaming means full body play. Kinect responds to how you move.

Kick, wave, jump, you already know how to play. Now it’s time to get off the sofa and play.

Use Your Voice Kinect uses advanced entertainment technology that responds to the sound of your voice. Just say ‘Xbox’ to reveal a series of voice commands. Control HD films with the sound of your voice – no controller required.

Something for Everyone Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or not, anyone can play and have an amazing time. And with advanced parental controls and films for the whole family, Kinect delivers an experience that’s safe, secure and fun for everyone.

Weekly App Review

Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect The new Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect has built-in wi-fi, a black wireless controller, a standard definition composite A/V cable, a Kinect Sensor, the Kinect Adventures game, and even comes with a free one-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership.

Xbox 360 250GB Console with Kinect The new Special Edition Xbox 360 250GB console with Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways— no controller required. It comes with built-in wi-fi, a black wireless controller, a standard definition composite A/V cable, a Kinect Sensor, the Kinect Adventures game, and even comes with a free one-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership.

Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways—no controller required. Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect gets everyone off the couch moving, laughing, and cheering.

SportyPal Better Training, Better Fitness and Better Results

Turn your living room into a worldclass stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or track-and-field arena.

Kinect Sports Become a multisport athlete. “Kinect Sports” features six team-based and individual sports — soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing — with many challenges for each experience. Getting into the game is as easy as stepping in front of your TV.

Available for

Fire up SportyPal when you’re in motion whether you’re running or roller blading, and it measures your distance, speed, calories burned, and more.

Later you can sync your data up to your web-based profile and see all the stats gathered from your exercise routine charted out. If you’re an outdoor sports enthusiast and you cover a lot of ground hiking or mountain biking SportPal can even display your route on a topographical map for a 3D-style representation of your exercise adventures.

Features

With “Kinect Sports” you’re not only the star player, you are the controller — through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. See a ball? Kick it. Spike it. Even give it a little topspin. “Kinect Sports” features soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing.

Simple, intuitive and instantly fun, “Kinect Sports” delivers the ultimate party experience — whether you are trying to outmaneuver the goalie to win the soccer match or cheering on your friends at ringside. The first full-body, controller-free sports game, “Kinect Sports” is so real, you will almost feel the wind in your hair as you fly over hurdles and the sand in your toes as you set, bump and spike your way to volleyball victory.

Take one for the team. “Kinect Sports” includes a variety of fun game modes for solo, cooperative and competitive play with levels to encourage and challenge players of all ages and skill sets. Sports Party mode allows you to compete against a friend, rally a whole room full of players into teams, with everyone jumping in and out to catch a breath, or bring your team to victory.

Live your sports star dreams. “Kinect Sports” puts your avatar in the spotlight and lets you experience what it is like to be a world-famous sports star. Bask in the glow of the paparazzi fervor with your teammates after a big victory and deck out your avatar with stylish rewards for your proudest gameplay feats.

Beauty

The beauty of Sports When a photographer captures great moments in sports, he captures a great moment in human achievement. For a sports photographer, there is nothing more beautiful than athletics. And when a moment in sports can be captured in a photograph, it’s simply magical!

“Sport is where an entire life can be compressed into a few hours, where the emotions of a lifetime can be felt on an acre or two of ground, where a person can suffer and die and rise again on six miles of trails through a New York City park. Sport is a theatre where sinner can turn saint and a common man become an uncommon hero, where the past and the future can fuse with the present. Sport is singularly able to give us peak experiences where we feel completely one with the world and transcend all conflicts as we finally become our own potential.”

-George A. Sheehan

Sports shooting can be one of the most daunting types of photography, even to the advanced shooter.

The slightest mistake can ruin a shot. It’s also important to remember that with sports, you get a lot of chances to get a shot with great impact.

There’s a built-in drama unlike any other subject in photography.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

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Thursday, 2 February 2012

Fashion

The game is on…

‘The Brand Game’ David Beckham

Steffi Graf

Sachin Tendulkar Tasnim Ahmed

Álvaro Quirós

Giving a brand a ‘face’ is no more seen as a marketing strategy alone; it is a decision on which the future of the brand depends.

And when it comes to endorsement of a sports brand, the right choice of the ‘sports celebrity’ is important. The choice can be based on varied parameters like looks, appeal, popularity etc.

In today’s highly competitive markets, big brands are at loggerheads when it comes to products; each having a similar product to that of its rival. But the real platform where brands prefer to compete with each other is- ‘Advertising’. The war starts right from hiring the best advertising agencies to getting the biggest celebrities.

And in order to ensure a feeling of security, success and a triumph over the competitors brand what is required is a good creative agency, a large enough promotional budget and a huge star to endorse the brand.

Advertisers strongly believe that brand communication messages delivered by big celebs and famous personalities generate a higher appeal and attention than by non-celebrities.

The different models or strategies implemented by brands to accomplish the full potential of such endorsements highlights the need for a convergence between the theoretical and practical approaches of brand building and effective advertising.

The significance of celebrity-brand match and the various roles played by them as brand-associates, demonstrate the momentum this strategy has gained in the last decade or so.

It further carves the triangular relationship between the brand, the consumer and the celebrity based on the three components- ‘positioning by association’, ‘diminishing celebrity utility’ and the ‘multiplier effect’.

Jennifer Johnson

Let’s face it people: Numbers talk! Yes, they do.

Tiger Woods

Rafael Nadal

Every four years, the Olympic Games are watched by an average of four billion people and according to FIFA’s overblown figures, the World Cup finals of 1998, 2002 and 2006 respectively, attracted global audiences of 1.3 billion, 1.1 billion and 715.1 million people. Other competitions such as the Tour de France or the Super Bowl (111 million viewers in the 2011 edition) draw attention beyond their own national borders.

In this context, it is quite evident why brands are interested in sports.

It provides them with a platform of exposure and capitalises on their chances of connecting with their key customers.

Sports enable better media buying segmentation and it is a fact indeed. Half time during a cricket match is the right time to promote cars, electronic commodities like cell phones, television, etc.

According to marketers, it is possible to define customer profiles according to their favourite sport – but with a ‘caveat’: the sports they like are not necessarily the sports they play.

And in this age, sport has become a show. People go there (at the show), see the brands (at the show), and perhaps they’ll buy the brands (featured at the show) once they are home.

“Change and human are closely associated with each other over the time and the time to come; some are accidental, some planned and some being the need of the hour. But that one thing which still remains unchanged is the craze for numbers. Nothing can beat sports on that.

Sport still remains one of the most powerful weapons to attract audiences; giving way to a spirit that never dies.”

Anna Kournikova

Roger Federer

Sania Mirza