ICC lauds Afghanistan cricket development
War-ravaged Afghanistan s fairy-tale rise in cricket is a success story in the development and growth of the game, a further step arriving with their first-ever one-day international against Pakistan here on Friday.
Afghanistan joined the International Cricket Council eleven years ago, rose rapidly on cricket horizons in 2009 when they won the right to one-day status by finishing fifth in the World Cup 2011 qualifiers.
They won the qualifying rounds to feature in the World Twenty20 held in the West Indies in 2010 and in the same year won the Inter-Continental Cup for Associate countries before finishing silver medallists at the Asian Games in China.
Cricket, developed through refugees who learned the game while in Pakistan during the Russian invasion in 1979, is now the most sought after game in Afghanistan.
Tim Anderson, ICC global development manager, said Afghanistan s progress is amazing.
“We are delighted with Afghanistan and they are a wonderful story for us to tell how you can overcome the challenges and work through the system,” Anderson, a former Australian junior team captain, told reporters.
“We are really excited about Afghanistan and they are making some great grounds in terms of infrastructure development in and around Kabul. They are making some other centeres and making good grounds in administration.”
Anderson praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for giving Afghanistan an opportunity to play a one-dayer against their team.
“Credit to PCB for allowing Afghanistan to play a one-day and I offer them best wishes in this match as it is important for these growing nations to play bigger teams in order to progress,” said Anderson, highlighting China and the United States as other big developing nations.
“ICC tend to talk about China and USA in the same breath, whereas the USA has a significant cricket culture as there is a large Asian and Caribbean community so they take a lot of interest, but China on the other hand has next to no cricket culture.
“The Asian Cricket Council is doing a great job in China by trying to build some momentum, there is a big facility in Guangzhou and having cricket in the Asian Games was a big plus.
“There is definite potential in China but it will take a little while to grow.”
The ICC Development Programme was launched in 1997. According to the ICC there are approximately 700,000 male and female participants currently involved in formal cricket programmes outside the Full Member nations.
The ICC has set an ambitious strategic target of more than doubling this number to over 1.5 million participants by 2015.
ICC has ten full, 59 associates and 36 affiliate members.
Anderson said the objectives of the development programme was to increase the number of countries.
“The main objectives of the development programme is to build the number of countries at the highest level of the game that can be competitive. Afghanistan and Ireland are in that cateogry and on the other hand we have our focus on the grassroots as well,” he said, praising the growth of Nepal and Papua New Guinea.
‘Housewives of OC’ stars start to bury the hatchet
TrendPK.com: ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ premiered last night, and it seems the women are trying to move forward this year.
Tamra Barney and Gretchen Rossi opened the seventh season by trying to get over their past issues that have carried on for a few seasons now, states People. “I just want to try and get all the negativity out of my life,” Rossi commented on the show.
And it seems Barney is finally able to give Rossi what she has wanted in order to move on: “I was totally at fault. I have to say I apologize from deep in my heart.”
Do you think these two will stay nice?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos
Nepali girls "wed" god in ancient ritual
January 31, 2012 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
KATHMANDU: Nine-year-old Bhintuna sat smiling in jewellery and a red and gold brocade bridal dress as she held a tray of offerings, waiting for her turn to take part in the ritual that would wed her to a god.
The schoolgirl is just one of hundreds of Nepali girls set to take part in the rite that weds them to the god Vishnu over the coming month, a symbolic time of weddings according to tradition in this deeply religious, majority Hindu nation.
“It is fun. I am happy to wear new clothes and be with so many friends,” said Bhintuna.
The ritual, which takes place before a girl reaches puberty, is one of three weddings that girls from the Newar community, which dominates the Kathmandu valley that houses the Nepali capital, undergo in their lives.
In a later ceremony she will “wed” the sun by spending 12 nights in a darkened room at the age of 11 or 13, a rite that earns her additional protection. Her final wedding will be to her real, human husband, usually around the age of 25.
The origins of the tradition are obscure but Rajendra Rajopadhyaya, the priest who conducted the ceremony, said it dated back at least several centuries.
One tale has it that parents of a girl were afraid that a lewd entertainer in the court of the god Vishnu, known as the god of protection, would flee with her, so they married her off to Vishnu to keep her safe.
Hundreds of onlookers thronged the copper-roofed temple in Kathmandu, lit by butter lamps and filled with incense smoke, as 80 girls between the ages of six and nine awaited their turn for the ceremony, draped in long strings of yellow glass beads and other finery.
Many held trays of auspicious offerings such as rice, bananas and vermilion powder as they sat on the laps of their parents before being “married” to the fruit of the wood-apple tree, a representation of Vishnu.
After the ceremony the bride is offered a meal of rice with buffalo meat and the home-brewed liquor called “aela,” which is like vodka.
Bhintuna’s mother, 36-year-old Sirjana Sakya, sat at her daughter’s side and said she was reminded of her own childhood, when she too performed the rite.
“I think my daughter will be emotionally independent and capable of taking care of herself under the protection of her divine husband,” she said.
“I feel good because we are saving our culture.”
Nepal officially became a secular nation and abolished its Hindu monarchy in 2008, but the majority of its 26.6 million people remain deeply religious. AGENCIES
Produce missing persons on Feb 9, SC orders agencies
Three member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the plea regarding missing prisoners of Adiala Jail.
Counsel for ISI, Irshad Ahmed informed the court that secret agencies have handed over 7 missing captives to KP government. On this, the chief justice said that you have taken the missing prisoners and you shall produce them before the court.
The chief justice said that law is not above the constitution and the constitution ensures lives and wealth of the people. The adjourned the hearing while issuing notices to the attorney general and advocate general Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gold falls in local, intl markets
According to Sindh Gold Association, the price of one tola gold decreased by Rs 300 to close at Rs 58,100, while 10-gram gold price dipped by Rs 256 to reach 49,800.
In international market, gold price fell by $18 an ounce.
On the other hand, no change was recorded in silver prices.
Chinese President focuses communist control over army
Chinese President Hu Jintao is stressing the ruling Communist Party s ultimate control over China s rapidly modernizing military.
Hu s assertion came Sunday in a statement in the military s Liberation Army Daily newspaper calling on the 2.3 million-member force to develop advanced military culture. That is communist shorthand for retaining a leading role for socialist ideology.
Such calls seek to counter any movement toward nationalizing the force by making it ultimately responsible to the government rather than the party.
The People s Liberation Army has in recent years acquired latest-generation jet fighters and other advanced equipment. Last year it began sea trials for its first aircraft carrier.
Heidi Klum spotted still wearing wedding ring also
TrendPK.com: Seal has been open about making the decision to continue wearing his wedding ring, and it seems he isn’t the only one who feels that way.
Heidi Klum was spotted wearing a ring that appeared to be either her wedding band or her engagement diamond turned around so the stone wasn’t showing, states TMZ. The yellow diamond band was spotted on her wedding ring finger while she was out in Los Angeles.
Seal has commented that he is wearing his because he still has a connection with Klum even though they are separated. It’s unknown why she may still be wearing her own.
Do you think these two will get back together?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos
Beyonce’s alleged first post-baby interview is a fake
TrendPK.com: ‘Star U.K’ has reportedly released an interview that they claim is Beyonce’s first post-baby interview, but it sounds like it is a completely false claim.
Beyonce’s rep has confirmed that she has not done any interviews since having her daughter, Blue Ivy, with Jay-Z, states E! News.
The fake interview quoted Beyonce as saying, “Nothing can describe the feeling. You have the instant connection once you know your child is growing inside you, but when you hold it for the first time, the words can’t be found.”
What do you think about the fake interview?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos
Kim Kardashian accused of formerly cheating with Kanye West
TrendPK.com: Kim Kardashian has had a lot of drama in her love life recently, but now some old drama is apparently coming up.
Kim is reportedly being accused of cheating with Kanye West while he was with Amber Rose and she was with Reggie Bush, states RadarOnline.com. “She was sending pictures, and I was like, ‘Kim, just stop. Don’t be that person,’” Amber said about the situation that allegedly broke her and Kanye up.
But even though Kim has previously denied anything went on at that time, Amber claims differently: “She’s a homewrecker!”
What do you think went on?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos
Beyonce is apparently still pregnant and waiting
TrendPK.com: There have been rumors that Beyonce has given birth to her first child, but apparently it is still just a rumor.
It is now out that Beyonce reportedly spent New Year’s Eve at Buttermilk Channel in Brooklyn, states Hollyscoop. Those there reportedly noted that she was having an intimate dinner with Jay-Z while allegedly dining on fried chicken and oysters.
And even though she was reportedly looking very pregnant, she was still allegedly rocking major high heels.
When do you think she will give birth?
Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information.
Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News
Image by PR Photos
