OnTheVerge.co.za up and running
Ok so the main website is finally up. It took me a while, but hey Rome wasnt built in a day.
Here it is at http://ontheverge.co.za
Please leave me some comments about layout and posts. Thanks
Cute 5 year old kid but dont touch his lunch box
Pretty Boy Bam Bam, is a 6 yr old model/Actor who is training to become a professional boxer. You can check his website out here
Racism in South African sports
"Isn’t it ironic that one of the cornerstones in the fight against apartheid was sporting isolation? The fact that South African team selections were based on race was so abhorrent to the international sporting community that the country was sent packing until it got its house in order."
This is just a segment of an article about the transformation, or lack of it, in the South African sports sector. Michael Trapido of the Mail and Guardian Sports Leader, has tapped on an extremely sensitive issue which many South Africans are really scared to talk about. Is the new goverment laws reagrding sports- RACIST? Everytime the `R` word comes up everybody keeps quiet.
In South Africa there is effectively three main sports namely Cricket, Soccer and Rugby. Trapido comments on these by saying:
"All three major sports are receiving billions and all three are complaining about transformation at a time when black control has effectively been exercised for 14 years. In other words, the billions are not being invested in our kids- fat commissions for landing the World Cup go to administrators and billions are finding their way into coffers, but it’s only a trickle into development. It seems to me that because they refuse to pour the billions into our youth, South African sports administrators believe that the way to get around this criminal omission is to make any non-white player a Protea or Springbok and call that transformation!"
The youth in South Africa and potentially around the world have been left behind while business continues as usual. Both black and white young sports stars alike are suffering. These kids are not given the proper development that is needed in the sports field, and when it comes to the big time they are thrown into the deepend, where they inevitably fail.
To read the whole story go to Mail and Guardian
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Joao Moutinho- youngster shining at Euro 2008
Adding to our list of youngsters to look out for at Euro 2008 is Joao Moutinho. The 21-year-old looked impressive throughout the opening game of the championships. His passing and ball control was magnificent. Moutinho is already captain of his club side-Sporting Lisbon, and his maturity was evident. His pin-point passing and fantastic vision could prove to be a fantastic asset to the Portuguese.
This is Joao at the under 21 chamionship
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Let Ronaldo go!
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United has taken an unexpected twist after the winger was reported as saying he would like to play for Real Madrid.
A few days after Ronaldo himself denied rumours that he wanted to go to Real Madrid, the Man United star has stirred the pot by saying he would love to play in Spain. All we have heard for the past fews days is Sir Alex telling Real Madrid to "P@$$ off" and now 'Beckham no2' has defied his manager. I call him 'Beckham no2' because we will all remember what happened a fews years ago when Real Madrid poached Becks. He left the club and never really settled down in Spain.
There is no doubt that Ronaldo has some skills, but when compared to players like- Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Beckham, Cantona and Baggio. He falls short.These players did not become great players because they had ONE great season. For Ronaldo to be truly special, he would have to perform like he did this season for at least the next few years, and along the way, win a few trophies. He would also need to win trophies at the international level, something he has failed to do. Add a World cup and Euro Champs to his achievements and i might change my mind.
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OnTheVerge post makes it onto popular British website
OnTheVerge seems to be making waves over the blogosphere. An article of ours has been placed on a popular British website called CLD Sport.
You can see the post here. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
Euro 2008 youngsters OnTheVerge
With the European Championships fast approaching, OnTheVerge has been eyeing out the potential young talent with a keen interest on how they will fair amongst the older more experienced players. I have come up with some names that I think you will be sick of hearing come end of June. The Euro 2008 tournament takes place between the 7th – 29th June with 16 nations looking to dethrone 2004 Champs- Greece. With the eyes of the world watching during a huge competition like the European Championships, a host of young talent will look to use the opportunity to showcase their skills. Here’s a few of the youngsters who I reckon will be on every Managers shopping list come transfer window season.
RYAN BABEL Netherlands 
Age: 21
Club: Liverpool
Position: Striker
International Record: 22 caps 4 goals
After breaking through from the world famous Ajax Academy in 2004 Ryan Babel picked up two Dutch cups, made 73 appearances and scored 14 goals for the Amsterdam giants before being snapped up by Liverpool. Babel was a part of the 2006 Netherlands World Cup squad and played a pivotal role in winning the 2007 European Under-21 Championships. He has made an impressive start to life in English football playing on the wing or up front in Rafael Benitez’s side and scoring nine goals in 46 games this season.
KARIM BENZEMA, France 
Age: 20
Club: Lyon
Position: Striker
International Record: 9 caps 3 goals
A graduate of the Lyon youth academy Karim Benzema announced his arrival in the French premier division by banging in 30 goals in 51 games in all competitions this past season. After rejecting a call up to the Algeria national squad Benzema made a similar impact on the French national side as he did on the French leagues scoring on his debut in a 1-0 win over Austria in March 2007 and since becoming a key part of the French senior squad. Benzema recently pledged his future to Lyon in a 5-year deal believed to be of around 100,000 Euros (£78,900) a week making him the highest paid player in France.
EREN DERDIYOK, Switzerland 
Age: 19
Club: FC Basel
Position: Striker
International Record: 1 cap 1 goal
Derdiyok has been a regular in the Swiss youth sides for the past few years, scoring seven goals in seven games for the Swiss u19s and an even more impressive seven goals in five games for the Swiss u21s. Derdiyok was called up and received his first cap for the Swiss team against England earlier this year, at the age of 19. Having come on as a substitute at half time, it only took 12 minutes for Derdiyok to take an excellent early shot (his first), with which he scored. He was then included in Switzerland's squad full time.
HATEM BEN ARFA France 
Age: 21
Club: Lyon
Position: Midfielder
International Record: 5 caps 1 goal
This talented left midfielder turned down a chance to play for tunisia in the 2006 World cup with hopes of playing for France. In October 2007 Ben Arfa made a scoring debut for France against the Faroe Islands and has been in the mix for a Euro 2008 place ever since. Linked with a move to Arsenal after the finals, Ben Arfa can also play as a striker and rose through the same French youth teams as fellow young French stars Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema.
CESC FABREGAS Spain 
Age: 21
Club: Arsenal
Position: Midfielder
International Record: 23 caps
It’s easy to forget Cesc Fabregas is just 21 years old given that he signed for Arsenal in 2003 and made his Premiership debut a year later at the age of 17. A trainee at Barcelona’s academy, Arsene Wenger snapped up the youngster from right under the noses of the Catalan giants. An influential playmaker Fabregas finished top scorer at the 2003 FIFA under-17 World Championships and subsequently went on to become Spain’s youngest player to feature in a World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006. Whether scoring goals or grabbing assists Fabregas has become a key member of a young Arsenal first team and is set to have an important role to play this summer in the Spanish national side.
Being u21 certainly has it benefits. Keep an eye out for these youngsters as the Championships progress. We will try and update you with regard to their progress.
If there are any of youngsters that I have left off the list and you definately think they have a chance of shining at Euro 2008, let me know so I can checklist them.
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