PRSky » Sports

Wimbledon History

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:20:08 +0000

Croquet is actually responsible for tennis. At least at Wimbledon, anyway. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club held its sporting events at the grounds at Wimbledon, and after major Walter Wingfield brought the sport of lawn tennis tennis on the lawn to England in the late 1800s, the club renamed itself with a moniker to include tennis. With this new names change came other changes too, such as the club creating the first championship for tennis. With the new championship came new rules too. Funnily enough, these rules are the same one we play by today; very few changes have been made to them over the years. The Marylebone Cricket Club made the rules.

The year this championship occurred was in 1877. It was only men’s singles that were played, though back then they were “gentle”men’s signals. With the likes of John McEnroe who some say have disgraced tennis permanently, perhaps it makes sense that we have dropped the gentle part. The people who showed up number in the hundreds (two hundred) and had to pay just a shilling to see the last match.

Other changes occurred throughout the years, including the club taking out croquet from its title with the increasing success of tennis, which years later, made a comeback to the name.

Women were allowed to play rather early on. In 1884 to be precise. The first ever winner of the women’s singles (of course, back then since the men were gentle, the women were actually ladies, so it was really ladies singles) was Maud Watson with her great tennis scores.

Wimbledon is just one of the many places tennis stars stop to make their name or rank themselves higher up, earning them a better standing in their sport. The Australian Open is another tournament where several young stars have made their names throughout the years. Though the Australian Open Tennis Championship has hardly ever waned in popularity, Wimbledon had a little bit of trouble bringing in the crowds during the 1890s, but since then it has been a consistent premiere spot for tennis.

Wimbledon History is a post from: PRSky

Murray’s Swift Rank Recovery, and Inner Games

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:40:28 +0000

There are many different ways of looking at the metaphors in tennis in order to find some common threads to the world at large. There are lots of good reasons to think of tennis in a larger framework, because it’s this kind of microcosm and macrocosm thinking that connects worlds together. Since the renaissance, we’ve understood that inner wisdom is not only a reflection on the exterior world, but it also depends on it to grow in depth. So, we can look at tennis the way mystics have looked at archery, in order to find those secret correspondences that might unlock some fascinating clues to the world right now.

It would be impossible to cover everything, or even to make a start, at understanding tennis, in a few short sentences, or even an entire book. This is only to suggest, and to illustrate, how it’s possible to find meaning in small things. We can take, for example, Andy Murray, and his swift rank recovery in the eyes of the world, and make some interesting connections. His billing at the Dubai game was a fantastic example of how the game of tennis has implications that do play out on an international scale.

Of course, the majority of the game, like any game, is interior. It’s something that is played out in the mind of the player. In the cases of superstars, like Murray, the trick here, and one that we are always forgetting, is that it does not play out for spectators in the same way as it does for the one who is moving the racket on the court. Interestingly, this is where things start to take a turn. The player has to be able to step out of the way, to move their ego aside, so that the game can be won. Any player can speak to this idea of selflessness, where they are no longer playing the game, but letting the game play through them. It’s a splendid lesson that will, no doubt, continue to unfold as this remarkable career continues to rank well on all of our lists.

Murray’s Swift Rank Recovery, and Inner Games is a post from: PRSky

Andy Roddick, Celebrity Chef Bethenny Frankel, “Top Chef” All-Stars to headline 10th annual Taste of Tennis

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:48:54 +0000

The top tennis players and top chefs in the nation are teaming up for the Taste of Tennis. The Taste of Tennis has been going on for about ten years and is a charity event benefits the New York City food bank. This year the event will take place on Thursday August 27th, 2009. The tennis stars that will be in attendance at the event are: Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas, Billie Jean King and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

These players will cook alongside celebrity chef Bethenny Frankel, Carla Hall and Ariane Duarte from Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and Gotham Bar and Grill’s Alfred Portal. And this is just a short list for the event. There are going to be tons of tennis stars and tons of chefs to make the event a great way for people to mingle with tennis athletes and eat some amazing food.

The event is part of the charitable side of US Open tennis. The Food Bank of New York City gives away about 68 million pounds of food every year, and is funded with help from events like these. It’s a great way to get involved in the experience of the US Open that has nothing to do with tennis. It’s admirable that these athletes are willing to take some of their precious training time away and give their time for a great charitable event.

This event also has heavy lists of sponsors that are helping out. They are companies like Dunlop, Stella Artois and ESPN the magazine. These sponsors help make the event happen so that the most money can be raised to help benefit The Food Bank of New York City. This is another side of the US Open and the tennis world that most people rarely get to see. It’s amazing that these athletes and chefs are giving their time for a great cause. So if you are in the area, why not check it out if you want to eat some amazing food and rub elbows with some truly talented athletes.

Andy Roddick, Celebrity Chef Bethenny Frankel, “Top Chef” All-Stars to headline 10th annual Taste of Tennis is a post from: PRSky

Exciting Sports Tickets

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:25:52 +0000

My wife and I drove this morning to Comiskey Park to attend a White Sox season ticket holder open house. My wife and I have been season tickets holders for over 15 years. We always thought being season ticket holders for the White Sox was the most Exciting Sports Tickets to have. So far, we’ve not been to any other sport that has given us so much pleasure and excitement.

The Open House was to show off two new things: the Conference and Learning Center at Comiskey Park and another new facility still under construction was a Visitors Clubhouse. The Conference Center is inside Gate 3 at the park. The place will be leased to businesses needing a meeting room and it will also be used in a joint partnership with the Chicago Public Schools’ After hours programs. the Conference center has a tunnel which goes beneath the stands and leads into the Visitor Clubhouse entrance. The Clubhouse has access to the field, so my wife and I went out onto the field where we saw that there were some new upgrades to the park itself. The ‘batter’s eye’ section located in the center field stands was completely rebuilt. They’ve added plants and a Green background which a wonderful improvement over all the blue in the park. Makes the park look like a ballpark. On top of that nice improvement they have a see-through screen which goes around a new plaza area.

The last improvement we were hoping to see was replacing the backstop with a vertical screen, which hasn’t been done yet. But, this was the first time my wife and I got to actually be on the field and the first time we got to participate in the ‘behind the scenes,’ stuff. If the season tickets weren’t exciting enough, just being on the field at Comiskey Park was a thrill to last us a long time.

Exciting Sports Tickets is a post from: PRSky

Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria Prepare for the World Cup

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:47:20 +0000

Joseph S. Blatter is the president of the Federation Internationale de Football Association, (FIFA) has been in support of the South African world cup from the beginning. To him it is the moral obligation, the responsibility of the rest of the world. He believes that it is very wrong that the rest of the world is to reticent in trusting the country, and that South Africa has much to the world of soccer, and to the entire world as well. This is to be a time of not only incredible games and the thrill of the World Cup, but a time to celebrate the country and the people who have struggled and who have been so strong and come so far in the short fifteen years that apartheid ended. It is time that the world views all people as equal, a belief that many South Africans have gone to jail for, Nelson Mandela and the current president Jacob Zuma included. Just a few things in this world bring people together without regards to race and culture, one of those being sports. Sports binds and connects people together in a single vision, and that is what Blatter has as his goal for the 2010 tournaments.&nbsp;

Blatter has become South Africa’s hero for his determined efforts in pushing for the rest of the world to see, that the Cup in 2010, belongs to South Africa. He is not blind-sided however, and in the wake of the very successful Confederations Cup that ended last week, he concludes that there is still work to be done for the coming World Cup. Accommodations will be an issue as more than three hundred thousand spectators will enter the country next year. Rooms are being added to the top Cape Town hotels, as well as those in Johannesburg and Pretoria. By the time the games open, more than seventy billion dollars will have been spent improving the airports, the roads, and other aspects of the infrastructure. This is one of, if not the most, popular sporting events in the entire world. And Blatter is there to ensure that while there is a feeling of euphoria in the air in South Africa today, this work must be completed by opening day. For not only will it prove to the world that South Africa can do it, it will ensure that in the years to come, the tourism industry and business investments that will follow, will serve to build this country up, to provide the people of the country with a better life, and will give the rest of the world the opportunity to experience the country first hand.

Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria Prepare for the World Cup is a post from: PRSky

Horse Racing in Singapore

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:02:23 +0000

Singapore has the international reputation as being a country that is extremely organized. The services provided cater to visitors staying in the Singapore hotels, perusing the shopping malls, and attending the horse races with excellence, attention to detail and thoughtfulness, when considering what is convenient and necessary of meeting the needs of their clients, of their patrons, and of their guests. Nothing is left without attention to detail and this includes the horse racing industry. The standards at Singapore tracks, are among the best in the world. The various tracks, specifically the Kranji Race Track, located throughout the city will send limousines to the hotels, to chauffeur those wanting to attend. And they will bring them back to the hotel, when the races are finished. Some tracks however, do enforce a dress code. The Singapore Turf Club is one such track, no t-shirts, shorts, nor jeans will be accepted at the gates.

The design of the courses and the tracks provide excellent venues, as well as the foresight for the elements and aspects that are convenient to those in attendance. The Turf Club has won awards throughout the industry of architecture, for these specific reasons. It is truly one of the most uniquely designed race tracks, if not one of the most innovative structures erected. Benefits to the spectators were of utmost concern to the architects and designers that are seated not only in the private high-priced box seats, but in the grand stands as well. The bars located throughout are five star establishments. Night races are lit by flood lights, and the afternoon races on the weekends provide numerous opportunities for excitement , and perhaps a small purse to take home should one bid on the right pony. The purse for the annual race held every July, the Emirates Singapore Derby, carries not such a small purse…but one of a million dollars. There are many activities to chose from in the country, and a day at the tracks is just one of them.

Horse Racing in Singapore is a post from: PRSky

South Africa Cities Get Ready for the 2010 World Cup

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:39:01 +0000

Fans of soccer from around the world are lining up to buy their tickets for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. Some had been concerned over the fact that stadiums in which the games will be held are in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria, cities in a region of the country known for their high crime rate. However, more than 600,000 people from around the world have purchased tickets and plan to travel to the country, stay in one of the many fine South Africa five star hotels, and enjoy the games. The Government has taken measures to ensure the safety of the fans and the players, adding over 40,000 to the police force and just as many to the security teams that will be covering the stadiums.

With so many from around the world wanting tickets, it raises the question of whether South Africans will be able to attend the games. Organizers of the games have assured that the tickets for the games will be inexpensive, with a set amount being reserved just for the people of the country. And for those who still would not be able to afford the price of admission, more than 100,000 tickets will be given away for free. Skeptics of the games in South Africa have also expressed concerns over whether or not the infrastructure of the country is sufficient enough to provide services, such as accommodations and transportation to the half a million spectators that will descend upon the country.

The Government has been and is continue to invest in the hotels and lodges, and in the roadways and the public transport systems. New buses are being added, and the roads are being expanding to include bus only lanes. And a light rail system that has been under construction will be completed in time for the games. All of the construction projects, be it on the roads or on the stadiums themselves, have created jobs for the people of South Africa, the benefits of holding the World Cup here already being felt by the citizens of the country. The Government is hoping that among the many beneficial aspects of the games, that one of them will be the return of big business to the country. During Apartheid many businesses and travelers, chose to stay away from the country, but over the last few years, this has slowly been changing. And the economy is improving and the people of South Africa are feeling optimistic once again.

South Africa Cities Get Ready for the 2010 World Cup is a post from: PRSky

Intrigue in Ibiza

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:17:05 +0000

He had no idea by staying in one of Ibiza Spain Hotels would lead to intrigue. His heart was captured by a woman, which today he still does not no her name. A woman who two nights ago sat down at the table where he was having dinner. She was strikingly beautiful and shaking with fear as she spoke in hushed tones. He didn’t know Spanish and now terribly wished he had taken those night courses being offered at is local Community College.

She immediately stopped talking when he had made gestured that he did not understand. This made her seem very upset, so he was just about to wave over a waiter, but she placed a firm hand on his arm suggesting he not bring attention to the table. He was so taken with her beauty, he failed to recognize that he might be in danger. He watched her look around the room quickly, possible looking for, he guest, the cause of her desperation and fear. He took the same look around the room also, but didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Maybe, he thought, this was her way to pick up on foreigners. He smiled at the prospect. But, his smile quickly vanished as he look back at his lovely guest and found that she had a gun aimed directly at his heart.

He couldn’t move or make a sound because this was so totally unexpected. But, there he was, sitting at a hotel restaurant with an extremely beautiful woman holding a gun on him. She smiled at him as she hid the gun under the table. She then gestured with her other hand that he take off his jacket. Perplexed, he did as she gestured. As she put on the jacket, she checked the contents of the pockets and found them to be empty. This appeared to delight her for reasons, he’s sure, he will never know.

His waiter approached the table asking if he would like to order something for the lady. She sternly spoke to the waiter something in Spanish that made him frown and leave the table in a huff. She then surprisingly stood up and walked swiftly and unnoticed out of the restaurant. He just sat there for an unknown amount of time before he started to laugh. She not only took off with his jacket, but with his heart.

Intrigue in Ibiza is a post from: PRSky

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:50:44 +0000

The current ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister of the entire United Arab Emirates. He was born on July 22, 1949, the third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The family is descended from the House of Al-Falasi. The Al Maktoum family is known for their support of the arts, particularly traditional Arabic poetry. They are also extremely interested in and supportive of sports, with a specific passion for camel and horse racing. Western tourists who are staying in one of the business hotels Dubai are often attracted to the camel racing tracks, as this sport is not available in most western countries.

Sheikh Mohammed began his education at a very young age. Beginning at the age of four he received private tutoring in Islamic and Arabic studies. He began his formal education in 1955 when he attended Al Ahmedia School. When he was ten he transferred to Al Shaab School where he studied for two years. He then moved on to the Dubai Secondary School before he and a cousin went to the United Kingdom to study at the Bell Educational Trust’s English Language School. He has two wives and 19 children. The family is extremely socially active and they take part in aiding and assisting countries that are in need. They have taken part in effort projects for Egypt, Yemen, Palestine and Jordan.

In addition to being sports enthusiasts, the Al Maktoum family also participates. In 2006, one of his eight sons, Rashid, took the gold medal for individual endurance at the 15th Asian Games. He and three other sons took the gold medal for team endurance. His niece Latifa made a bronze placing for Show Jumping, and his daughter Maitha was the leader of the UAE taekwondo team. In addition, Al Maktoum is a significant international figure in Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. He made a recent purchase of Australia’s Woodlands Stud empire, which is the largest the country.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a post from: PRSky

Asian Grand Prix 2009

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:09:53 +0000

February 19th marked the opening of the 1st 2009 Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok, Thailand. Sponsored by the International Archery Federation (FITA), the event is a recognized World Ranking Event.

On hand at the opening ceremonies on Thursday were the President of the National Olympic Committe of Thailand and the President of FITA as well as the FITA Secretary General. The colorful and exicting opening ceremony closed with the traditional lion dance.

This opening event of the 2009 Circuit is being held at the FITA Accredited training centre in Bangkok. The city is home to several five star Bangkok hotels as well as a variety of fine dining restaurants offering international cuisines as well as local Thai dishes.

The first few days of the even were dominated by Indian athletes. Archers from India collected fifteen medals in the first two days of competition. This included five gold and three silver medals as well as seven bronze. Gold medals went to 70m men’s recurve team of Rahul Bangerjee, Hemanta Basumatary, and Atanu Das and an individual recurve medal was earned by Das. The women also won awards in the recurve team event and the compound team event.

The five-day event features 140 archers from twenty countries.

Asian Grand Prix 2009 is a post from: PRSky