"Life of Pi" to receive Indian Tourism award

The Indian government hopes to tame the dragon with the help of 'Life of Pi' directed and written by Ang Lee and Yann Martel respectively.

The Indian tourism minister Chiranjeevi on Saturday announced that the writer and director of this film are going to be  awarded the national tourism award for the impact their film has made in promoting India as a tourist destination.ith this and the ministry hopes to target the so far indifferent Chinese tourists to their fold. The film has been a roaring success in China, raking in $16 million in its opening weekend itself. 


China is one of the largest tourism markets in the world, but India has barely received a fraction of Chinese tourists. Recent data shows that of the around 50 million Chinese who travel overseas every year spending some $40 billion, less than lakh travel to India on business and tourism. Plans that are on the anvil include 'Life of Pi' tour packages for Puducherry and Munnar (Kerala), where the film has been shot, easy availability of Chinese-speaking guides, virtual tour of the two places and a website in Mandarin.

Source:Times of India

PACMAN FACES MARQUEZ FOR THE FOURTH TIME

Manny Pacquiao will face Juan Manuel Marquez for the 4th time in 12 years on sunday at the MGM Grand Arena in Manila. 

Pacquiao who weighed just 4 pounds more than his opponent who weighed 143 pounds is poised to give Marquez a tough encounter. 

Pacman who is seeking re-election as a congressman of Sarangani dedicated his bout to the Filipino's affected by the storm. He said "I symphatize with the victims of the calamity,” said Pacquiao. “I’m dedicating this fight to the Filipinos affected by the storm". 

This fight is predicted to be a close one since Marquez is expected to give Pacman some serious well calculated and well timed counterpunches.

Approaching 34, Pacquiao wants to show that the speed and the power of his punches are still there, that he can still knock guys out after failing to do so in his last five bouts, the last one a shocking controversial loss to Timothy Bradley on June 9.

Other than shutting Marquez up, Pacquiao has another compelling reason to win decisively. He wants to give some joy to his countrymen, who are reeling from the devastation wreaked by Typhoon “Pablo” on Tuesday.

Pacquiao has 54 wins (including 38 knockouts), four losses and two draws and Marquezalso has 54 wins six losses and a draw with 39 knockouts.

Source:Inquirer Sports

NATIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE LAUNCHED

The maiden edition of the national women's league was by the Ghana Football Association on Tuesday 4 December 2012.

The fist ever nationwide league for women will see the 12 participating teams grouped into two sectors of six each.

The Northern Sector which comprises Lepo Ladies, Bolga Ghatel, Ampim Darkoah Ladies, Fabulous Ladies, Ashtown Ladies and Prisons Ladies.

Hasaacas Ladies, Ayoola Ladies, Immigration Ladies, Soccer Intellectuals, Cape Coast Ghatel and Volta Amalga Ladies make up the Southern division.

According to the Women’s League Board, winners from both zones will play a one-off match and the winner will be declared champion of the season.

The team that finishes bottom in either of the two sectors after the season will be automatically relegated while the second from bottom sides will compete in a one-off fixture to determine which side joins the two other relegated sides.

Three winners from the zonal championships will gain qualification to the 2013 National Women's League.

The League will commence on December 16 in both sectors.

Source: Goal.com

LINESMAN DIES DURING GAME

Richard Nieuwenhuizen, a linesman who was officiating a children's league in the Netherlands kicked the bucket after he was attacked by some three players.

The linesman was officiating in a game in which one of his sons was participating on Sunday. He sustained injuries after he was attacked by three of the players who repeatedly punched and kicked him, causing him to collapse.

Nieuwenhuizen was rushed to hospital but on Monday it was confirmed he had died. He was participating as an official for Buitenboys club, which the chairman said he did on a regular basis.

"He enjoyed doing it. He was a real football man; he was always here," Marcel Oost told NOS.

The 41-year-old's death has shocked the footballing world and a number of comments about the event have been released, including one from the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Edith Schippers.

She said: "It is absolutely terrible that something like this can happen on a Dutch sports field."

The three guys aged between 15 and 16 have reportedly been arrested for the alleged attack.

Source: Goal.com

WHEREAS CITY AND CHELSEA'S FORTUNE DWINDLES ROONEY PULLS HIS WEIGHT AS UNITED INCREASE THEIR LEAD TO THREE POINTS

Wayne Rooney after being asked to pull his weight by Sir Alex Ferguson today since this season happens to be one of his poor starts netted two goals in United's match against Reading.
The come back kings, Manchester United won the game 4-3 with goals from Anderson, Rooney and Van Persie.

However league champions Manchester City struggled to draw with David Moyes's side.
Everton made the brighter start, showing more tempo than the home side in the early exchanges, with City’s technicians struggling to affect the game before briefly bursting into life mid-way through the first half but the Toffees were rewarded for their early endeavour in the 33rd minute. Baines, afforded too much space from deep, had time to swing in a brilliant far-post cross which was met with a powerful header by Fellaini. Joe Hart did brilliantly to stop the initial shot, but palmed the ball more up than out and the Belgian was able to tuck in the follow-up.

David Moyes and his hard-working Toffees team proved to be Roberto Mancini’s bogeymen once again; making Mancini to have just one win against the Scot from seven encounters.

Chelsea on the other hand lost to West Ham by 3 goals to 1 as Benitez,the former Liverpool boss insists that Torres, who he also managed during his spell at Anfield, is not solely to blame for the goal drought as he continues to search for his first win at the Stamford Bridge helm.

Juan Mata gave Chelsea the lead in the first half but West Ham roared back through goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.

In other developments Arsenal lost to Swansea at their backyard by two goals, taking them down to the 10th postion. Tottenham also won at the Craven Cottage by three goals form Jermaine Defoe scoring twice and Sandro. Liverpool as well won by a goal courtesy Agger.

RUUD VANISTELROOY FULL OF PRAISE FOR VAN PERSIE

Ruud Van Nistelrooy the former Old Trafford hero who scored 150 goals in a five-year spell at Manchester United  believes that his countryman Robin Van Persie can spearhead Sir Alex Ferguson's side back to the league crown that they surrendered to Manchester City last season .

According to the retired Dutchman, Van Persie who has already netted eight times in 13 appearances for the club - can give United the edge in their battle to win back the crown they lost to Manchester City last season.

He told The Daily Mirror: "As Robin is proving right now, he's making the difference on many occasions. If he can keep going like this through the whole season then I can see United landing another title win”.

"I think he's fitted in really well at United. It's important for a striker when he goes to a new club to start getting his goals in early.

"That's what happened to Robin. He has the experience of the Premier League already and he’s proved to be a great signing, the way he plays."

The former PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid striker feels Van Persie has justified £24 million [€29.8m] price-tag since joining the Red Devils from Arsenal in the summer.

Van Nistelrooy added: "I was close to him playing in the national team and I was convinced of his qualities then.

"It still has to work out, but hopefully he can go on and do even better. It's great to see, the way he plays.

"Robin fits into United's playing style. He's everywhere, involved in all of the play and the finishing as well, so that makes him special."

FRIMPONG FINALLY CLEARED

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has confirmed Fifa has officially cleared him to play for Ghana.

The 20 year old who currently plays Charlton Athletic in an interview with Footy-Ghana, expressed delight and said he is now ready to respond to any national call-up from the west African country.

“Yea, I got notified earlier today (Tuesday) that I have finally been cleared. I’m relieved now,” Frimpong said.

The young lad who has played six times for the under 16 side of England between 2006 and 2008 is likely to get his first call up by coach Kwesi Appiah in the test match of the Ghana Black Stars against Tunisia on the January 13, 2013 before the AFCON.

Credit:Goal.com