Happy New Year! Welcome back to some interesting and exciting times ahead at Ladybrille Magazine as we bring all the relevant, fresh and frequently updated content about or relating to Africa to you. Keeping up with FIFA 2010 world cup news? If not, no problem. Click through our links below to catch up with some interesting news from the sports world.Spike Lee lends support to US World Cup bid (AFP)
“NEW YORK — Outspoken film director Spike Lee has thrown his support behind the United States’ bid to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. The Academy Award-nominated director has accepted an invitation to join the board of the bid committee, US Soccer said Wednesday.
Lee is known as a keen sports fan who is frequently sighted at New York basketball games. Perhaps less well known Stateside is his passion for football. He’s a supporter of English premiership club Arsenal and a season-ticket holder for Italian club Inter Milan.
“Spike Lee owns a distinct creative spirit and unbridled passion for sport and we’re privileged to be able to incorporate his voice into the development of our bid,” said Sunil Gulati, the Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of US Soccer.”
Beckham dreaming of world return (FIFA.com)
“Monday 4 January 2010 After starring and scoring for England at France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006, David Beckham has told FIFA.com that he is relishing the prospect of appearing in his fourth FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa in June and July.
The 34-year-old midfielder’s chances of being in the Three Lions’ 23-man squad were recently discussed by Fabio Capello, who said: “Of course he will be included, if he plays [for AC Milan] and is well physically,” he said. “I don’t look at ages. I look at skill and Beckham has a lot. He’s serious, a real professional and he’s really dedicated to making the World Cup squad.””
U.S. begins training for 2010 FIFA World Cup; men’s soccer team reports to camp (Examiner)
“The U.S. Men’s National soccer team began training camp Monday at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Coach Bob Bradley invited 30 players to training camp to prepare for a friendly against Honduras on Jan. 23 in Carson. It is an opportunity for Bradley to begin evaluating many players and player combinations.”
‘Bafana will do well at World Cup’ – captain (Sowetan)
“BAFANA Bafana captain Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena is adamant his troops will not be a laughing stock during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which gets under way on June 11.The South African senior national team are in Group A with Mexico, 1930 World Cup winners Uruguay and 1998 champions France.
Mokoena argues that the training camps in Durban, Brazil and Germany in the next three months will be good enough for the national squad to prepare adequately and do well in the World Cup.”
My Goodness! Guinness to sponsor Nigeria in World Cup (Irish Central)
“Guinness are not able to sponsor Ireland in the World Cup for obvious reasons (they won’t be playing — thank you Thierry Henry), but never mind, it has been announced that they will be sponsors for Nigeria’s Super Eagles for South Africa 2010. Nigeria is a huge market for the Dublin-based brewery.”
Löw rules out return for Kuranyi (ESPN)
“Germany manager Joachim Löw has ruled out a possible international return for Kevin Kuranyi.The Schalke star won’t be at South Africa.The 27-year-old striker has been capped more than 50 times for Germany but has been thrown into the wilderness ever since he walked out on the team in October 2008.”
South Africans Urged to Welcome FIFA World Cup Fans (Global Times)
“Every South African is being asked what they are going to do to welcome the world to South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, according to the Daily News newspaper in the coastal city of Durban.
Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of FIFA’s local organizing committee in South Africa, told the newspaper that for five years the country had worked hard to prepare for the World Cup.”
Why MTN Sponsors MTN 2010 Worldcup (Vanguard Nigeria)
“MTN Nigeria, last week dismissed any speculation that its sponsorship of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was for profit. The company said the reason behind its dolling multi million dollars to light up the world event was to articulate the can do spirit of Africa before the visiting countries, thereby justifying its brand management philosophy of selling Africa to the wider world.
It also said that the sponsorship is aimed at offering the African people the rare opportunity to exhibit their rich cultural potentials and heritage at the world stage.”
Photo: Getty Images
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
