Mega Events: Qatar is too hot, Beijing has no snow
International sporting associations struggle to balance adherence to human rights with hosting events in autocratic countries
Category: Sports
Qatar’s quagmire: existential fears and missed opportunities
Access to soccer fields not available to everyone in Qatar where economic and social class distinction is still the rule. Migrant worker populations continue to increase, but not the benefits By James M. Dorsey Walking around Qatar’s monumental Aspire Dome sports academy, coach Fred Engh noticed kids playing soccer on an indoor field big enough…
Read More “Qatar’s quagmire: existential fears and missed opportunities” »
The Cairo derby: Politics vs. repression
By James M. Dorsey This month’s premier league final between Cairo’s two storied clubs, Al Ahli SC and Al Zamalek SC, once the world’s most violent derby, was more than a clash between two soccer giants. It was a clash between management styles and diametrically opposed approaches towards militant, highly politicized, street battle-hardened soccer fans….
Arabs miss boat on Brandon Saad Blackhawks win
When an American Arab was celebrated as contributing to the professional hockey Stanley Cup championship of the Chicago Blackhawks, you would think American Arabs would have recognized it as an opportunity to showcase their contributions to America. Other communities would be celebrating Saad, who happens to be a proud Syrian American of immigrant parents. Yet…
Read More “Arabs miss boat on Brandon Saad Blackhawks win” »
American Arab Saad helps Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
American Arab player Brandon Saad made a critical goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 4th game of the Stanley Cup Play-offs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The goal helped the Blackhawks gain momentum to tie up the series and then go on to win two more games taking the championship Monday night By Ray…
Read More “American Arab Saad helps Blackhawks win Stanley Cup” »
American Arab Quarterback Manziel struggles in first play
By Ray Hanania Rookie Cleveland Brown’s quarterback Johnny Manziel got his first NFL start Sunday hoping to lead the charge against team rivals the Cincinnati Bengals. But the Bengals hammered the Brown’s 30 to nothing on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. Many blamed Manziel, but others pointed out that the problem was with the Brown’s…
Read More “American Arab Quarterback Manziel struggles in first play” »
Yellow Card! Sagnol’s polemical hit on African soccer players
By Abdennour Toumi Paris, France — In soccer, when a player viciously prevents an opponent from playing out or finishing an action, it’s called an anti-game. This leads to a sanction by a yellow card or, as it is known in the soccer jargon, a biscotti. This week, former French international full-back, the coach of les…
Read More “Yellow Card! Sagnol’s polemical hit on African soccer players” »
Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim
Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim By Ray Hanania You can jump around after you make a touch down. You can do the chicken dance wide-knee-walk after you make a touch down. You can even run with the football high in the air in one hand yelling and screaming after you make…
Read More “Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim” »
Lebanese American Heisman Trophy winner Manziel lags 22nd in draft to the Cleveland Browns
Lebanese American Heisman Trophy winner Manziel lags 22nd in draft to the Cleveland Browns By Ray Hanania Not everyone knows that NFL Quarterback Johnny Manziel, 22, is of Lebanese American heritage, so that can’t be a reason why he took a 22nd seat draft last week moving from Texas A&M to the Cleveland Browns. The 2012 Heisman…
AlBalooshi, Langdon, Qatar Al-Anabi Racing top fuel team eager for Florida victory
AlBalooshi, Langdon, Qatar Al-Anabi Racing top fuel team eager for Florida victory GAINESVILLE, Florida – The 44th annual Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals, considered “A Major” on the NHRA tour by many, is named for the Florida Gators, the mascot of the nearby University of Florida, and the Qatar Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel Team is due…
Read More “AlBalooshi, Langdon, Qatar Al-Anabi Racing top fuel team eager for Florida victory” »
Arabs fall short of Olympic medals, along with Israel, Turkey and Iran
Arabs fall short of Olympic medals, along with Israel, Turkey and Iran By Ray Hanania As the final day of the Sochi 2014 Olympics arrives (Sunday Feb. 23, 2014) and as the two weeks of athletic competition comes to an end, unfortunately athletic contenders from the only two Arab countries that entered the Olympics, Morocco…
Read More “Arabs fall short of Olympic medals, along with Israel, Turkey and Iran” »
Jacky Chamoun on the Lebanon topless pictures controversy
Jacky Chamoun on the Lebanon topless pictures controversy By Ray Hanania Are we not surprised that there are some very tightly wound people who live in the Arab World? This week, word got out that there were some pictures of Jacky Chamoun, Lebanon’s contender in the Sochi 2014 Olympic’s Downhill Skiing competition, topless that are…
Read More “Jacky Chamoun on the Lebanon topless pictures controversy” »