Friday, April 22, 2016

Qatar World Cup : The Ugly Side of Football

The Ugly Side Of Football

Migrants building a state-of-the-art stadium for the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar are abused and exploited – while FIFA makes huge profits. 
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018, the Qatar World Cup planned for 2022 has been getting mixed responses and reviews. 
With the dreamy stadiums lined up and insane facilities promised, there's a dark side to the shiny tournament.
Al-Shamal Stadium

Doha Stadium

Al-Khor Stadium

People from Bangladesh, India and Nepal working on the refurbishment of the showcase Khalifa Stadium and landscaping the surrounding gardens and sporting facilities known as the 'Aspire Zone' are being exploited. Some are being subjected to forced labour. They can’t change jobs, they can’t leave the country and they often wait months to get paid.

Meanwhile, FIFA (football’s global governing body), its sponsors and the construction companies involved are set to make massive financial gains from the tournament. We have found eight ways that some workers building the Khalifa Stadium and the Aspire Zone are being exploited.

1. Expensive recruitment fees

Many migrants seek work in Qatar to escape poverty and unemployment in countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and India. But to get a job they have to pay high fees.
The workers we spoke to paid amounts ranging from US$500 to US$4,300 to unscrupulous recruitment agents in their home country. Many are in debt, which makes them scared to leave their jobs when they get to Qatar.
'God knows there are days I cannot continue, everything becomes too much… The only thing that keeps me alive is the thought of my children.'
Sakib, gardener from Bangladesh who took out a loan to pay US$4,000 to a recruitment agent

2. Appalling living conditions

Workers often live in cramped, dirty and unsafe accommodation.
We saw men sleeping on bunk beds in rooms for eight or more people. But Qatari law and the Workers’ Welfare Standards allow for a maximum of four beds per room and prohibit bed sharing and the use of bunk beds.

3. Lies about salary

Recruitment agents also make false promises about the salary workers will receive, and the type of job on offer. One worker was promised a salary of US$300 a month in Nepal, but this turned out to be US$190 once he started work in Qatar.
When workers tell companies that they were promised higher salaries, they are simply ignored. As Mushfiqur, a gardener in the Aspire Zone, recalled, 'My manager just said, ‘I don’t care what they said in Bangladesh. We are giving you this salary and nothing more. If you keep talking like this I’ll tell them to cancel your visa and send you back'.


4. Delayed salaries

Sometimes, salaries aren’t paid for several months. This can be disastrous – workers are unable to buy food, send money to their family back home or make payments on recruitment-related loans. Many are pushed to the brink of desperation.
'My family is now homeless and two of my younger children have been taken out of school… Every day I am in tension, I cannot sleep at night. This is a torture for me.'
Prem, metal worker on Khalifa Stadium from Nepal whose salary is often delayed

5. Can’t leave the stadium or camp

Some employers don’t provide or renew residence permits, even though they are required to by Qatari law. These ID cards show that workers are allowed to live and work in Qatar. Without them, workers can be imprisoned or fined. Because of this some of the men working on Khalifa Stadium are scared of venturing beyond the work site or their workers’ camp.

6. Can’t leave the country or change jobs

All the workers we spoke to had their passports confiscated by employers. What’s more, if they want to leave Qatar they have to get an 'exit permit' approved by their company. But employers often ignore these requests or threaten workers, saying they can’t leave until their contract is up – which could be another two years.
'I remember my first day in Qatar. Almost the very first thing [an agent] working for my company did was take my passport. I haven’t seen it since.'
Shamim, a gardener at the Aspire Zone from Bangladesh

7. Threatened

If workers complain about their conditions or seek help, they are often intimidated and threatened by their employers. As one migrant worker on Khalifa Stadium told us, 'I went to the company office, telling the manager I wanted to go home [back to my country] because always my pay is late. The manager screamed at me saying ‘keep working or you will never leave!’'
Mohammad, who maintains green spaces in the Aspire Zone said, 'The company has my passport. If my sponsorship status changes they will send me back and I have a lot of debt to pay…, I want my passport back… [and] the camp is no good, there are eight of us in one room – it is too many. But I cannot complain [because] they will end my job.' 





We all eagerly await the World Cups, regardless of being football fans or not. 

But let's ask ourselves one question. 
"At what cost ?"

We hope this doesn't get uglier and gets resolved really soon. For we need to enjoy the game in just one way.

The Beautiful Way! 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

10 games on the PlayStation2 for which you would love to go back in time, just to relive them once

This day, 6th March 2016, will always be remembered with big teary smiles. 
Today, marked a not so celebratory milestone for every gamer and technology fanatic. 

Years ago, most of us were introduced to the activity that would leave a significant mark on your hearts and thumbs. GAMING!
Gone were the days when gaming meant Road Rash, Super Mario, Midtown Madness etc. We all wanted to go full retard and get involved in the game as closely as possible. 

Then came the one and only PlayStation2. The drastic improvements in graphics, gameplay and online gaming, made every gamer go 'all in'. 

And finally, 'W,A,S,D' on the keyboard went for a toss

The most stylish gadget we all could ask for, back then. 
That sleek design, the wireless controllers, the epic DUALSHOCK2 and the smooth surface finish made the PlayStation2 worth ignoring girlfriends for (no kidding). 

But with the recent rise in the gaming industry, there are far more advanced consoles in today's world which will any day outsmart the old man named PlayStation2. 
With the new XBoxONE and PlayStation4 nobody questions the evolution of the gaming world.

Remember I mentioned that this day would bring teary smiles on your face ? Here's why. 
Today, the last servers of PlayStation2 have officially shut down. Yes, the last goddamn servers. 

This marks the death of the PlayStation2, making us wonder how time flies. 

The Four keys that changed millions of lives across the globe


Hence, on this not so happy yet not so sad day, let's take a walk through the memory lane and try to relive a few moments from the legendary consoles. 

Here's a glimpse of the top 10 PlayStation2 games, which all of us have enjoyed at some point of time. 

Enjoy the ride folks! 

1. Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas 



Wait. Why is that laughter plastered on your face right now?
Maybe coz all of us have entered strip clubs in this game and fucked shit up. 
Rockstar Games made our lives so much more interesting.

And let's not even get started on the cheat codes. HA! 



2. Kingdom Hearts II



A not so graphical game, still managed to steal many minds across the planet. 



3. God Of War


This is one is my personal favourite on this list, and I'm sure that I'm not alone. 

Blood dripping, insane villains and graphics to make you jizz in your pants, God Of War is a revolutionary game indeed. 



4. Resident Evil : IV


Anyone not recalling this one ? 
Have a look at the video below. 



5. Final Fantasy X



A not so famous one, Final Fantasy X was a very different exploration of the gaming world. 



6. Shadow of the Colossus



WINTER IS COMING....

Well, something like that. 


7. Mortal Kombat : Armageddon 



Come On! 

How on earth can we forget the joy when we heard "FINISH HIM" on Mortal Kombat ?! 

Damn, I'm nostalgic already. 



8. Jak II : Renegade 


A game designed for the kids, gave a run for its money against massive big boy games. 

With characters Jak and Dexter trying to save the world, Jak II was the most celebrated game amongst everyone who couldn't get the big boy games. 



9. Metal Gear Solid III : Snake Eater 


Metal Gear is known as one of the best battle games of all time. This was the benchmark before the arrival of Call of Duty. 

We are proud enough to say that "We could Fire in the Hole, before it was cool". 




10. WWE : Smack Down vs Raw


Lastly, its the game that everyone could play with great efficacy. From your younger sister who wanted to beat the crap out of you with Big Show, to your mom who wants to let out all day's frustration by smashing the buttons (not recommended though). 

"IF YOU COULD SMMMMELLLLLLL......"
"YOU CAN'T SEE ME........MY TIME IS NOW"
and many more.

I'm sure nobody has forgotten a Royal Rumble match with 6 controllers. Take me back, please ? 




I hope you've enjoyed taking a ride down the memory lane and enjoying all of them. 

PlayStation2 would be always remembered as the one that taught us to play. 

#RIPPlayStation2

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Facts too interesting to ignore, about the one and only El Clasico

Whenever we're talking about El Clasico, we're talking about the biggest rivalry in world football. This fixture is absolutely not just a 'Clash of The Titans' , but also a day when millions of hearts are pounding together for their teams. 

El Clasico is amongst the sport's most historic and celebrated rivalries, and it goes without saying that it has been a 'litmus' test for the greatest of players and managers. On the other hand, the contention between the two football clubs goes far above the field. 

We have to admit that the Spanish La Liga is no longer a Batman vs Superman clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. But inspite of this, El Clasico remains the most crucial and anticipated fixture of the entire calendar year. 

Here we take a look at some interesting but lesser known facts about this arch-rivalry of these two legendary clubs. 


1. Rivalry at its best 

Regarded by many as the greatest and the longest rivalry in footballing history, the first El Clasico was played on May 13, 1902.
Since then, the two teams have netted a mammoth of 733 goals between them in 221 clashes. Insane, right ? 


May 13, 1902. The beginning of an era. 

2. All eyes on the ball ( quite literally )

El Clasico is traditionally the second most widely watched football tie, only after the UEFA Champions League Final. 
In the previous fixture in 2015, the epic game won the eyes of a massive number i.e. 400 million viewers worldwide. DAMN! 


Two of the best fan bases in the world.


3. Double Delight

An astonishing number of 21 players ( seriously, this isn't a typing error ) have performed for both Real Madrid and Barcelona. 
This list includes some heavyweights such as Bernd Schuster, Gheorghe Hagi, and the likes of Samuel Eto'oJavier Saviola and Ronaldo de Lima as the recent entrants. 


Samuel Eto'o in both Real Madrid and Barcelona colours. Some legend, eh ?!



4. The Pasillo 

Another interesting touch to this rivalry is the tradition of The Pasillo. 
Traditionally, if either Real Madrid or Barcelona have virtually won the league before the El Clasico takes place, then the other team gives the former a guard of honour called The Pasillo

Barcelona giving the guard of honour to Real Madrid in 2008

  
This has happened thrice, the most recent being on 7 May, 2008. 

5. The Di Stefano factor

The oldest rivalry in football began to grow, back in the 1950's during one of the most controversial moments in El Clasico history. 

The Argentine giant Alfredo Di Stefano who was playing for Millionaros Futbol Club, attracted the eyes of world football with the likes Real Madrid and Barcelona attempting to gain his services. 
But due to a terrible misunderstanding, Di Stefano ended up signing for both the Spanish clubs. Yes, you read it right. BOTH MADRID AND BARCELONA. All thanks to the Colombian club where he was playing at that time. 



The rivalry reached its peak with this controversy between the two clubs.
It was an unprecedented move when Di Stefano ended up signing for both the clubs, but in the end the former Real Madrid President Santiago Bernabeu convinced him to choose his side over Barcelona. 

And the rest is history! 

Alfredo Di Stefano has won 5 European Cups and 8 League Titles with Real Madrid 

6. Luis Figo and the Hog's head 

Oh boy! This one shows us the side of football we all hate to see. 

Portugese winger Luis Figo suffered a hideous incident after completing his transfer ( which was another unprecedented event at that time ) from Barcelona to Madrid for a record 56 Million Euros.
This subsequently turned him into public enemy no.1 on the streets of Barcelona, especially in the Camp Nou

Luis Figo signs for Real Madrid from Barcelona 
 
In his first appearance for Real Madrid on rival grounds, the crowd jeered him and threw a hog's head on the pitch as they shouted "mercenary!" and other insults when he approached the stands. 

To this day, Luis Figo remains the most famous 'traitor' for Barcelona fans. Here's how it happened. 





7. Mini Battles 

El Clasico has traditionally been a saga of mini battles between stars of world football. 
The latest one being between the two best players in the world right now, Messi and Ronaldo

Definitely the best rivalry in football history. A milestone for football
Messi is currently the highest scoring player in El Clasico history, with 21 goals to his name. He overtook Di Stefano's record of 18 goals with a hattrick on 23 March 2014, doing it in his own style. 

Ronaldo on the other hand also has a brilliant goal scoring record in El Clasico history, with 15 goals to his name, just 6 short of Messi's tally. 


8. Neymar vs Bale : The New Rivalry 

Apart from the high price that Real Madrid and Barcelona paid for these superstars, their performances have been outstanding since their arrival in Spain. 

Gareth Bale with 26 years and Neymar with 24 years of age, show some promising and fascinating skills to be a massive part of future football. 

The future of football

Bale became instrumental in his debut season for Real Madrid's double-trophy-winning season, by scoring crucial goals in both Copa Del Rey and UEFA Champions League Finals. The Welshman proved the world that he was worth every penny, and he wasn't even at his level best. 

As for Neymar, the Brazilian forward didn't have the best debut season for Barcelona. But he burst into form at the start of this campaign, scoring 22 goals in 28 La Liga appearances, leading the competition with his team. 


Have a look at these two superstars this season! 

Their best days are just around the corner. And believe me, its worth the wait. 

9. 'Blink and miss' action

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both known for their attacking football and ferocious appetite for goals. 
Hence, it's not a surprise that most El Clasico encounters have been high scoring and entertaining matches. 

Here's a glimpse of some action from the legendary rivalry in the 21st century. 


FACT : In an El Clasico played on 13 June, 1943 Real Madrid had routed a hapless Barcelona with a scoreline of 11-1. Who would've thought ?

Barca fans. LOOK AWAY! 

10. Googly

While both the teams have always approached the game with every intention to rout the opposition with the firepower to make it possible, there have been SEVEN, I repeat SEVEN scoreless ties between the two teams. 


What happens when the players get distracted ? No Goals
I'm lucky enough to have not seen any of those ties between these two clubs. 
Such an occurrence is almost unimaginable in present day, given the firepower of the two teams. 



So finally its the big day, and its time for the world to stop for 90 mins. Who will it be today ? 

Messi or Ronaldo ?
Neymar or Bale ?
Suarez or Benzema ?
MSN or BBC ?
Will Madrid avenge the 4-0 routing by Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu ? 
Or will Barcelona push for the title with another victory over the Los Blancos ?

Well tune in to SONY SIX at 12:00 a.m. tonight for a killer display of passion and football. Cheers! 

Monday, February 8, 2016

5 things Gary Neville must do to turn things around at Valencia

It's not gonna take a genius to realise that Gary Neville's tactics aren't going as planned. 
But.... there's hope. 

Gary Neville's Valencia fell into another defeat on Sunday as they lost 1-0 to Real Betis.


This means that Valencia are now NINE La Liga games without a win under the ex-Manchester United hero, and 12 league matches without a victory including the end of Nuno Espirito Santo's reign. 


After the humiliating loss against Barcelona in Copa del Rey, Neville acknowledged the fact that it's 'completely unacceptable' to not taste victory since being incharge. 




So what is it that Gary Neville must do to turn things around at Mestalla and begin Valencia's rise towards the top of the table ? 

1. TAKE A LEAD 

Winning a game is OBVIOUSLY the ultimate aim and without doing that, Neville will be gone before long, but it's shocking that his side has not yet lead in a single La Liga game. 

Valencia concede against Eibar 
They have conceded first in each of those nine, which has meant a low-on-confidence side chasing a game and leaving themselves open time after time.

It's not sustainable and it's not conductive to success. 



2. FIND YOUR BEST XI

There's no doubt that injuries and cluttered fixture list have affected Neville's ability to keep a consistent XI. 



But the mind boggling variety of combinations we've seen makes it look the coaching staff still have no clear idea of what their strongest team looks like. 

As someone who wasn't responsible for the summer's purchases, there should be no fear of dropping expensive players who are underperforming. 

And here's one of those....

3. DITCH AYMEN ABDENNOUR/ KEEP A CLEAN SHEET 

Aymen Abdennour has cost his side a lot of goals 
The Tunisian was in demand last summer - as most Jorge Mendes clients tend to be - but ended up at Valencia as the replacement of Nicolas Otamendi.

While Otamendi hasn't shined on a consistent basis in the Premier League yet, the Argentine International was outstanding last year during Valencia's march to the Champions League, and Abdennour's performances have been a significant downgrade. 

Abdennour has struggled with distribution 
While his performances at Toulouse and Monaco have proven him to be a good defender, Gary Neville's philosophy ( which we've observed early on ) is to play the ball out from the back.

Abdennour has repeatedly put his team in trouble and cost them goals due to his sloppy distribution and mistakes in possession. 

When the side is this jittery, you have to take him out of the firing line, and it's remarkable that a side managed by a former defender has not kept a single clean sheet in NINE league games. 

4. DROP ALVARO NEGREDO UNTIL HE IS MATCH-SHARP

If you aren't keeping clean sheets then you need to score more goals, and that's something Valencia aren't doing either. 

Frustration, as Negredo misses again and again

Negredo, given a lifeline by Neville having been completely frozen out by Nuno, has scored some goals for his boss. Indeed, of the five points this team has earned under their new manager, three have been earned by Negredo goals. 

But this is misleading, with his profligacy costing them far more points. 

That miss in the dying seconds against Real Madrid, the raft of spurned opportunities against Sporting and a simple chance with no keeper to beat against Betis all stand out. 




The former Manchester City man looks sluggish. Granted, three months without playing before Neville arrived means he won't be in top shape but until he is, he shouldn't be playing as he's costing his team victories. 

5. GET SOME LUCK

Sometimes you just need one to go in off someone's backside. 

Gary Neville, right now, is on the top of the list of managers that simply need one thing to go their way.

A Darren Bent beachball moment. One thing. Anything. 


There's still hope for the former Manchester United defender