UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League (usually referred to as simply the Champions League or historically as the European Cup) is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. The final of the competition is – along with the NFL's Super Bowl – the most watched annual sporting event worldwide, drawing just over 100 million television viewers.[1]

Prior to 1992 the tournament was officially called the European Champion Clubs' Cup but was usually referred to as simply the European Cup or European Champions' Cup. The competition was initially a straight knockout competition open only to the champion club of each country. During the 1990s the tournament began to be expanded, incorporating a round-robin group phase and more teams. Europe's strongest national leagues now provide up to four teams each for the competition. The UEFA Champions League should not be confused with the UEFA Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.

The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three knockout qualifying rounds and a play-off round. The 10 surviving teams join 22 seeded teams in the group stage, in which there are eight groups consisting of four teams each. The eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout phase, which ends with the final match in May. Since the tournament changed name and structure in 1992, no club has managed consecutive wins. The winner of the UEFA Champions League qualifies for the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The title has been won by 21 different clubs, 12 of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Real Madrid, who have won the competition nine times, including the first five seasons it was contested. Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A are marginally the most successful leagues, having amassed 12 wins, between two and three clubs respectively. The English league has produced 11 winners from four clubs. English teams were controversially banned from the competition for five years following the events at Heysel in 1985.[2] Internazionale are the current champions, having beaten Bayern Munich 2–0 in the 2010 final.

Ex-millitant storm Abuja

ABUJA— OVER 1, 000 ex-militants from the Niger Delta, particularly Bayelsa and Delta states who had converged in 62 eighteen-seater buses stormed the Federal Capital Territory in the early hours of yesterday to protest alleged mismanagement of the Federal Government amnesty programme for ex-militants.




More than 1000 ex-militants from the Niger Delta protesting the Federal Government's handling of the post-amnesty programme in Abuja, yesterday.
















The ex-militants who had reached Gwagwalada, some 100 kilometres from Abuja metropolis before they were stopped by the Police, said they were proceeding to the Abuja metropolis to protest the shabby implementation of the programme by the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Mr. Timi Alaibe.




But in a swift reaction, Alaibe, speaking through his Special Assistant, Mr. Henry Ugbolue, said most of the persons in this category, were those who were not originally captured as ex-militants that submitted their arms and ammunition because they were skeptical about the Federal Government intentions.


Vanguard, however, gathered that before the interception of the ex-militants, about two bus-loads had sneaked into the FCT metropolis, met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadome, who told them to select a few representatives to present their grouse to government for resolution.




Leader of the team that met the Chief of Staff, Beke Epere, South-South Youth leader told Vanguard that Oghiadome impressed it upon them to ensure that they did not go .


Earlier, an ex-militant leader, General Aso Tambo who described himself as chairman of the freedom fighters from Niger Delta said: “We came to see Mr. President to discuss the second phase of implementation of the amnesty programme.


Timi Alaibe has been playing with us. When we met with him, he asked us to come back in three weeks. We went to our camps and merged as Alaibe wanted.


We waited for all his promises and nothing happened. We are not criminals but freedom fighters.


“From 1999 to date, the Federal Government created NDDC with the hope that the problem in the Niger Delta will be curtailed. Niger Delta ministry was created and till today, nothing is happening. Now the amnesty has been taken over by big men. That is why we are here to see the President.”


Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of Operations, Israel Ajao and the AIG Zone 7, Ivy Okoronkwo who led detachments of Policemen to Gwagwalada, commended the ex-militants for their orderliness, noting that the police were there to ensure law and order.


Ajao further told the ex-militants that with the Federal Government’s promise to look into their complaints, they should politely return to their states, adding that the Police would provide escorts for them up to the outskirts of the FCT.


However, Alaibe who reacted to the allegations of the ex-militants said: “In view of the protest in Abuja today by persons said to be Niger Delta ex-militants who were excluded from the Presidential Amnesty programme, it has become expedient to clarify as follows.


That in the bid to stem the ugly tide of militancy and general insecurity in the Niger Delta, late President Yar’Adua proclaimed, on 25 June, 2009, an unconditional amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta who agreed to lay down their arms and assemble at screening centre’s within 60 days for documentation.


This offer of amnesty was unequivocally predicated on the willingness and readiness of the militants to give up all illegal arms in their possession, completely renounce militancy in all ramifications, and depose an undertaking to this effect.


“As most Nigerians would recall, thousands of repentant militants operating in the Niger Delta enthusiastically accepted this offer of amnesty and turned in their arms and got documented on or before the October 4th 2009 earmarked deadline.


The Presidential Amnesty Committee then under the former Defence Minister, Maj Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd), registered and properly documented 20, 192 repentant Niger Delta militants. It was on the basis of this number, that the Federal Government designed and budgeted for the on-going demobilization, rehabilitation and re-integration component of the amnesty programme.




“Indeed it gives me immense pleasure to aver that the first batch of 2, 000 repentant militants has successfully gone through non-violence transformation training in Obubra camp in Cross River State, and by the weekend, a battery of experts would have taken them through other programmes that are designed to prepare them for formal integration into the civil society”.


“Let it, however, be placed on record that the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe, is aware that a number of militant groups who did not disarm during the amnesty period came forward and indicated interest to submit their weapons to security agencies and be included in the post amnesty programme.


“Most of them cited reason of skepticism on the sincerity of the Federal Government to follow through the amnesty programme.


However, having seen the documented ex-militants collecting steady monthly allowances and now being admitted into camp for transformational training and rehabilitation, they decided to come forward and submit their weapons.


To this effect, many of them turned in their arms to the JTF between December 31, 2009 and April 21, 2010. This agitation and the likely consequences were promptly brought to the attention of all critical stakeholders in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.


“The agitators are, however, asked to remain calm and await the outcome of the representation to the President on their behalf by the special adviser. And let me emphasize that the protest in Abuja today (yesterday) is absolutely nothing to do with the on-going transformational programme for the Niger Delta ex-militants in Obubra, Cross River State.”

cricket saviour south Africal stadium

Durban - Cricket could emerge as an unlikely saviour of World Cup soccer stadiums with the decision by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to stage a Twenty20 international at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

South Africa underwent a massive building programme in an effort to make the country ready to host the month-long soccer extravaganza with the construction of five new stadiums while a further five underwent varying degrees of renovation.

There are concerns that following the tournament that concluded with Spain lifting the trophy for the first time on Sunday, the stadiums would become obsolete.

However, the decision to host a Twenty20 match between South Africa and India at the Durban venue next January could open the way for other soccer stadiums to be utilised in a similar capacity.

"The game between South Africa and India is important for us to be able to take cricket to everyone," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said.

"We would like to utilise some of the soccer stadiums that were used during the World Cup to help us in that effort," he said.

Majola added that South Africa could benefit by the use of more stadiums to extend the domestic cricket season with an eye on setting up its own version of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

"We can't set up our own IPL because currently there is no window," he explained.

"We would like to see if it is possible to play at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg and a few other soccer grounds because we would be able to extend our season into August but it is important to see what the viability of the grounds are."

Currently, the Durban stadium falls short of meeting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) minimum playing area requirement but Majola said that the addition of an athletics track would help to increase the space available.

Majola added that if the ground could reach ICC playing regulations, the CSA would look into gaining full Test status for the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

In a clear indication that more cricket could be played at the ground, the CSA has decided to build a permanent pitch at the ground as opposed to using a drop-in one for January's match.

"Not all grounds can be used for Tests but for Twenty20 internationals, which attract huge grounds, it would certainly be an option," Majola said.

Mike Sutcliffe, Durban's municipal manager, said that the staging of the international was part of the city's long-term plan to make the stadium sustainable.

"When it became clear that we would have to build a new stadium we developed a strategy called '2010 and beyond'," Sutcliffe said.

"Our first objective was to develop an iconic stadium that would make for a great soccer ground, nut we also had to break into other markets and Twenty20 cricket is a perfect sport for us," he explained.

Durban already has a cricket test venue, the 25,000 capacity Kingsmead cricket ground, but it is dwarfed by the 62,760-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium.


building programme in an effort to make the country ready to host the month-long soccer extravaganza with the construction of five new stadiums while a further five underwent varying degrees of renovation.

There are concerns that following the tournament that concluded with Spain lifting the trophy for the first time on Sunday, the stadiums would become obsolete.

However, the decision to host a Twenty20 match between South Africa and India at the Durban venue next January could open the way for other soccer stadiums to be utilised in a similar capacity.

"The game between South Africa and India is important for us to be able to take cricket to everyone," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said.

"We would like to utilise some of the soccer stadiums that were used during the World Cup to help us in that effort," he said.

Majola added that South Africa could benefit by the use of more stadiums to extend the domestic cricket season with an eye on setting up its own version of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

"We can't set up our own IPL because currently there is no window," he explained.

"We would like to see if it is possible to play at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg and a few other soccer grounds because we would be able to extend our season into August but it is important to see what the viability of the grounds are."

Currently, the Durban stadium falls short of meeting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) minimum playing area requirement but Majola said that the addition of an athletics track would help to increase the space available.

Majola added that if the ground could reach ICC playing regulations, the CSA would look into gaining full Test status for the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

In a clear indication that more cricket could be played at the ground, the CSA has decided to build a permanent pitch at the ground as opposed to using a drop-in one for January's match.

"Not all grounds can be used for Tests but for Twenty20 internationals, which attract huge grounds, it would certainly be an option," Majola said.

Mike Sutcliffe, Durban's municipal manager, said that the staging of the international was part of the city's long-term plan to make the stadium sustainable.

"When it became clear that we would have to build a new stadium we developed a strategy called '2010 and beyond'," Sutcliffe said.

"Our first objective was to develop an iconic stadium that would make for a great soccer ground, nut we also had to break into other markets and Twenty20 cricket is a perfect sport for us," he explained.

Durban already has a cricket test venue, the 25,000 capacity Kingsmead cricket ground, but it is dwarfed by the 62,760-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium.




Durban - Cricket could emerge as an unlikely saviour of World Cup soccer stadiums with the decision by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to stage a Twenty20 international at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

South Africa underwent a massive building programme in an effort to make the country ready to host the month-long soccer extravaganza with the construction of five new stadiums while a further five underwent varying degrees of renovation.

There are concerns that following the tournament that concluded with Spain lifting the trophy for the first time on Sunday, the stadiums would become obsolete.

However, the decision to host a Twenty20 match between South Africa and India at the Durban venue next January could open the way for other soccer stadiums to be utilised in a similar capacity.

"The game between South Africa and India is important for us to be able to take cricket to everyone," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said.

"We would like to utilise some of the soccer stadiums that were used during the World Cup to help us in that effort," he said.

Majola added that South Africa could benefit by the use of more stadiums to extend the domestic cricket season with an eye on setting up its own version of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

"We can't set up our own IPL because currently there is no window," he explained.

"We would like to see if it is possible to play at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg and a few other soccer grounds because we would be able to extend our season into August but it is important to see what the viability of the grounds are."

Currently, the Durban stadium falls short of meeting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) minimum playing area requirement but Majola said that the addition of an athletics track would help to increase the space available.

Majola added that if the ground could reach ICC playing regulations, the CSA would look into gaining full Test status for the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

In a clear indication that more cricket could be played at the ground, the CSA has decided to build a permanent pitch at the ground as opposed to using a drop-in one for January's match.

"Not all grounds can be used for Tests but for Twenty20 internationals, which attract huge grounds, it would certainly be an option," Majola said.

Mike Sutcliffe, Durban's municipal manager, said that the staging of the international was part of the city's long-term plan to make the stadium sustainable.

"When it became clear that we would have to build a new stadium we developed a strategy called '2010 and beyond'," Sutcliffe said.

"Our first objective was to develop an iconic stadium that would make for a great soccer ground, nut we also had to break into other markets and Twenty20 cricket is a perfect sport for us," he explained.

Durban already has a cricket test venue, the 25,000 capacity Kingsmead cricket ground, but it is dwarfed by the 62,760-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium.

South Africal to bid for 2020 olympic

South Africa is set to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games after successfully hosting the football World Cup, governing Olympic body chief Tubby Reddy said on Tuesday.

"We have decided that the way forward would be to engage government and key stakeholders on the way forward, but our intention is to provide a world-class city capable of hosting Africa's first Olympic Games in 2020," Reddy, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) CEO, said.

The SASCOC said it would "formally oversee a bid for the 2020 Games" and encouraged potential host cities to "state their intention of being involved in the process."

Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg are considered possible bid cities.

The move has already received the nod from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge who said he would be glad if a South African city made a host bid.

The bidding process for the 2020 Olympic Games is set to open next year, with the deadline for the submission of applications to the IOC falling in 2013.

Argentina legalises gay marriage

Argentina legalised same-sex marriage today, becoming the first country in Latin America to declare that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.

Following a marathon debate that ended after 4am, 33 senators voted in favour, 27 against and three abstained. Since Argentina's lower house has already approved the bill and President Cristina Fernández is a strong supporter, it will become law as soon as it is published in the official bulletin, which should happen within days.

The law is expected to bring a wave of marriages in the gay-friendly capital, Buenos Aires, though only citizens and residents can wed in the country.

A campaign against the bill by the Roman Catholic church and evangelical groups had drawn 60,000 people to march on congress, with parents in churches and schools urged to fight the plans.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio led the campaign, saying "children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother".

Nine gay couples had married in Argentina after convincing judges that the constitutional mandate of equality supported their rights, although the validity of the ceremonies was challenged by other judges. Congressional passage now removes that doubt.

As the debate stretched on, large crowds kept rival vigils outside the congress building. When the vote came, there were cheers and hugs among supporters, with police keeping them apartfrom opponents who prayed and held rosaries.

"Marriage between a man and a woman has existed for centuries, and is essential for the perpetuation of the species," said Senator Juan Pérez Alsina, who is a usually loyal supporter of the president but who delivered a passionate speech against gay marriage.

But Senator Norma Morandini compared the discrimination gay people faced to the oppression under Argentina's dictators. "What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance," she said.

Gay rights advocates said Argentina's step adds momentum to similar efforts around the world. "Today's historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come, as 12 countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality," said Evan Wolfson, of the US Freedom to Marry lobby.

Gay activists in neighbouring Chile hope Argentina's milestone will improve chances for a gay marriage law now in committee in their own congress.

"Argentina's political class has provided a lesson to the rest of Latin America," said Rolando Jimenez in Santiago. "We hope our own countries and political parties will learn that the human rights of sexual minorities are undeniable."

Activists in Paraguay plan to propose a similar law to the senate in October, said Martin Viveros of the group Somosgay. And in Uruguay, gay people unsatisfied with the partial rights that come through civil unions are preparing legislation that would replace references to "man and woman" with "spouse" throughout the civil code.
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RAIN IN CHINA

China's Central Meteorological Station warned Sunday that rainstorms would again batter areas inundated by floods in central and east China in the coming days.

From Monday until Wednesday, the observatory forecast some regions in provinces including Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei and Anhui will see heavy rain storms

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SET TO REVIEW PEACE KEEPING POLICIES

The Federal Government is set to review its participation strategy in global peace support operation, it was disclosed yesterday.

The country also has no plan to deploy troops in Somalia as earlier planned.

Currently, Nigeria is the fourth largest contributor to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions around the world.

Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, told defence correspondents that a national conference on the review of the country’s strategy in the deployment of troops would be convened next month.

According to him, the forum would feature experts from the defence and economic sectors as well as civil society, "because the need has arisen for Nigeria to review why it has to send its troops on these missions."

He said: "The need for an all-encompassing review was necessitated because the main philosophy of this peacemaking involves a wider framework and we need our own policy that will underline what we do because we are known all over the world.

"Nigeria is bent on supporting and training backward countries on peace making and democratic structure in all sectors of their economies and providing them infrastructure because this will make them partner Nigerians and provide facilities for them."

The minister decried past situations whereby civil society organisations and professionals in Nigeria were not involved in post peacekeeping period in the area of Nigerian troop’s deployment.

He cited the cases of Nigeria’s involvement in Liberia and Sierra Leone, saying having assisted in keeping peace, they have to stay back to maintain peace, explore other areas and maximise opportunities in those countries.

"Nigeria’s NGO’s and entrepreneurship body should be actively involved in order to play a leadership role and avoid other countries taking the lead role

"There is need for our professionals and others to key in to the PSO and develop our own philosophy as we continue to play active roles in global peacekeeping initiatives," he said.

Kayode, who said the government is set to leverage on the returns accruing from its participation in the global peace initiatives through the procurement of equipment for the use of its contingents paid for by the UN, also revealed that plans would commence on the Nigerian Military Industrial Complex.

"Though the country does not have enough reserve from the procurement of equipment for its troops as paid for by the UN to plough back into barrack rehabilitation, the little we have, I would rather prefer we use the acquisition of new platforms and equipment for our armed forces instead of being spent on barracks’ rehabilitation," he stated.

The minister spoke on plans to establish a military industrial complex that will house between 300 and 400 military industries. "We are looking at a situation whereby the equipment of our troops on PSO will be locally manufactured."


The Federal Government is set to review its participation strategy in global peace support operation, it was disclosed yesterday.

The country also has no plan to deploy troops in Somalia as earlier planned.

Currently, Nigeria is the fourth largest contributor to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions around the world.

Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, told defence correspondents that a national conference on the review of the country’s strategy in the deployment of troops would be convened next month.

According to him, the forum would feature experts from the defence and economic sectors as well as civil society, "because the need has arisen for Nigeria to review why it has to send its troops on these missions."

He said: "The need for an all-encompassing review was necessitated because the main philosophy of this peacemaking involves a wider framework and we need our own policy that will underline what we do because we are known all over the world.

"Nigeria is bent on supporting and training backward countries on peace making and democratic structure in all sectors of their economies and providing them infrastructure because this will make them partner Nigerians and provide facilities for them."

The minister decried past situations whereby civil society organisations and professionals in Nigeria were not involved in post peacekeeping period in the area of Nigerian troop’s deployment.

He cited the cases of Nigeria’s involvement in Liberia and Sierra Leone, saying having assisted in keeping peace, they have to stay back to maintain peace, explore other areas and maximise opportunities in those countries.

"Nigeria’s NGO’s and entrepreneurship body should be actively involved in order to play a leadership role and avoid other countries taking the lead role

"There is need for our professionals and others to key in to the PSO and develop our own philosophy as we continue to play active roles in global peacekeeping initiatives," he said.

Kayode, who said the government is set to leverage on the returns accruing from its participation in the global peace initiatives through the procurement of equipment for the use of its contingents paid for by the UN, also revealed that plans would commence on the Nigerian Military Industrial Complex.

"Though the country does not have enough reserve from the procurement of equipment for its troops as paid for by the UN to plough back into barrack rehabilitation, the little we have, I would rather prefer we use the acquisition of new platforms and equipment for our armed forces instead of being spent on barracks’ rehabilitation," he stated.

The minister spoke on plans to establish a military industrial complex that will house between 300 and 400 military industries. "We are looking at a situation whereby the equipment of our troops on PSO will be locally manufactured."


The Federal Government is set to review its participation strategy in global peace support operation, it was disclosed yesterday.

The country also has no plan to deploy troops in Somalia as earlier planned.

Currently, Nigeria is the fourth largest contributor to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions around the world.

Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, told defence correspondents that a national conference on the review of the country’s strategy in the deployment of troops would be convened next month.

According to him, the forum would feature experts from the defence and economic sectors as well as civil society, "because the need has arisen for Nigeria to review why it has to send its troops on these missions."

He said: "The need for an all-encompassing review was necessitated because the main philosophy of this peacemaking involves a wider framework and we need our own policy that will underline what we do because we are known all over the world.

"Nigeria is bent on supporting and training backward countries on peace making and democratic structure in all sectors of their economies and providing them infrastructure because this will make them partner Nigerians and provide facilities for them."

The minister decried past situations whereby civil society organisations and professionals in Nigeria were not involved in post peacekeeping period in the area of Nigerian troop’s deployment.

He cited the cases of Nigeria’s involvement in Liberia and Sierra Leone, saying having assisted in keeping peace, they have to stay back to maintain peace, explore other areas and maximise opportunities in those countries.

"Nigeria’s NGO’s and entrepreneurship body should be actively involved in order to play a leadership role and avoid other countries taking the lead role

"There is need for our professionals and others to key in to the PSO and develop our own philosophy as we continue to play active roles in global peacekeeping initiatives," he said.

Kayode, who said the government is set to leverage on the returns accruing from its participation in the global peace initiatives through the procurement of equipment for the use of its contingents paid for by the UN, also revealed that plans would commence on the Nigerian Military Industrial Complex.

"Though the country does not have enough reserve from the procurement of equipment for its troops as paid for by the UN to plough back into barrack rehabilitation, the little we have, I would rather prefer we use the acquisition of new platforms and equipment for our armed forces instead of being spent on barracks’ rehabilitation," he stated.

The minister spoke on plans to establish a military industrial complex that will house between 300 and 400 military industries. "We are looking at a situation whereby the equipment of our troops on PSO will be locally manufactured."