12 for ’12: From Toronto’s Goan Soccer League to Europe’s Elite




The views expressed don’t representative the Goan Soccer League, but of the author, and were written for entertainment purposes. I encourage you to post a comment below, or get in touch with me. Thanks.




Four years ago, I wrote “Goan Soccer 2008 All Star List (Unofficial),” an article inspired by my desire to promote the league. Time has passed, and Indian soccer has developed exponentially. Four Goan-based clubs have won 6 of the past 7 I League Championships including Dempo SC, whom has partnered with Danish club FC Midtjylland. Manchester United, Arsenal FC and the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have begun developing academies for youth in Goa, with the Red Devils offering a place in its Soccer School to starlet Brandon Fernandes, now at South Africa’s Cape United Academy. Tony Fernandes, a Malaysian of mixed-Goan descent, and CEO of AirAsia is the owner of English Premier League’s Queen Park Rangers. Things are just as accomplished on the women’s side where Goan Maria Rebello became the first women to join the Asian Football Confederation’s elite referee panel, on her way to joining FIFA.

Why are so many Students going to University?

As high school graduation nears, thousands of students’ will continue their educational journey as they are granted admission to many of Ontario’s esteemed universities. Dreams of lifelong friendships, personal growth, professional contacts and the spark for a new career will bestow the future generation. But beyond intangible benefits, a more serious discussion needs to occur – why are so many students pursuing a university education.

Jai Ho, Cultural Voyeurism & Poverty Porn: a critique of Slumdog Millionaire

When I was 12 years old, I embarked on a journey with my family to India to visit ‘the homeland.’ My only cultural reference point was the binary Eurocentric images portrayed in the Western media – the undeniable beauty of the Taj Mahal sharply contrasted to the despair and gloom that roamed over the slums. Seeking an authentic experience, my family stepped out of the suggested ‘tourist’ hot spots in Delhi, and took transportation with the locals. While waiting on the railway platform, I saw something that shook me.

A Wall Between Us: the Dichotomy in Education

Originally Published: November 2010

Two months ago, the Toronto International Film Festival became the beacon for the city drawing an urban, Bohemian crowd while boasting an eclectic mix in cinema of political, economic and cultural realms, yet it was a film about education that became the apex of media attention.

The Arsenal Football Club Conundrum

Several weeks ago, an uncertainty entered my mind that would greatly stigmatize me as less of a Gunner fan if shared – am I really an Arsenal Football Club fan, and if so, is it really worth supporting them? I quickly discarded the thought for fear of prejudice, and proceeded on my way. Several weeks later, the question still resonated with me and I was determined to find an answer.

Scouting Football: RB Errol Brooks (Central Tech)

Football highlight tapes often tend to be very biased. They only display a limited view of an athlete and ignore many areas of a football player – game consistency, versatility, work ethic, weaknesses and so forth. When a highlight tape is short, it also is considered suspicious as it does not show a running back’s ability in pass blocking, receiving, wear-and-tear and possibly against better teams. It is much better to watch a player live to see a better understanding of the skill set and athletism an athlete possesses. While Central Tech RB’ Errol Brooks’ highlight tape is extremely short at 3:36, one thing is for sure: he has potential.

Wendall’s PokerStars Adventure!

‘

All the stars were out for some poker

Leading up to the 95th edition of the CFL’s Grey Cup Championship this past Sunday were a variety of events and festivities throughout the week that celebrated the return of the Grey Cup to Toronto for the first time since 1992. One of these events was the PokerStars Grey Cup Poker Tournament which was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Thursday, November 22nd, and included CFL stars like Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris, Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray, Argos’ pivot Damon Allen and none other then world-renown poker superstar Daniel Negreanu.

York Football Article @ Excalibur

Despite close win, game changes nothing

The game clock slowly ticked down till it finally reached 0:00. The York football players ran on the field and celebrated by jumping in the air and hugging each other. In a thrilling game, the York Lions defeated the University of Toronto Varsity Blues by a score of 21-20 (and extending the Blues’ longest losing streak in the nation to 46). While the Lions celebrated their ‘big’ win over the weekend, one must look back and question what there was to celebrate over.

Discrimination of Canadian High School Football Players by NCAA scouts

I am an NCAA Football addict. Despite the fact that I live in Canada, I follow everything in NCAA football from the games, the systems teams run, the pitches recruiting coordinators give to prospects and I even watch the highlight tapes of athletes in their sophomore and junior year of high school. Call me cocky or passionate, but I don’t think there are many people that have followed Casey Clausen, Cedric Benson and Cedric Houston since High School. With years of observing the football scene, you begin to notice trends that occur often – everything from Florida having the best ‘athletes,’ to Clemson securing many top South Carolina recruits (a rarity for a non-top programs to get recruits to choose them over Florida ect) to the more recent trend of the emergence of Arizona prospects. However, one thing has been bothering me for well over 1 year…it is the OBVIOUS discrimination of top Canadian Football players by American universities – specifically Division 1 universities and colleges.

Goan Soccer 2008 All Star List (Unofficial)

This is an unofficial list for the 2007 Goan Intervillage League season and its 1st and 2nd team All Stars (it is NOT a prediction for the 2008 season). It does not represent the league in any matter and it was created by the author for entertainment purposes only, so please do not take it personally. My apoligies if certain pictures were taken without permission (it was a suprise)