Wednesday, June 25, 2014

(World cup 2014) Ezekiel Ansah – The famous Ghanian player

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Ezekiel Ansah, born May 29, 1989 in Ghana, is an American football player expertise in defense end. He plays for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). As a youth, he has played soccer and has never seen American football. In his youth, he was also playing basketball in addition to soccer. His caliber in basketball gained the attention of missionaries and was baptized at the age of 18.  Ansah developed friendship with Frei, an LDS Church missionary, who taught him and baptized him. Frei returned to the United States and suggested Ansah to come over to the United States and try his fortunes in becoming a basketball player.

Ansah took active participation in sports such as basketball, field and track events and on graduating High school in Ghana, joined as a teaching assistant and trained people in basketball. On getting a scholarship from Brigham Young University, he moved to the United States but could not be successful in the basketball teams. Later, during sophomore and junior seasons, he continued with his football with the college team and in 2012, he resumed his role of situation player.

It was March 2013, when reports about Ansah’s age started to circulate and questioned its accuracy. However, his passport shows 29th May 1989 as his date of birth. The Detroit Lions drafted Ansah for the NFL draft (in 2013). Ansah also signed a contract of 5 years (Rookie contract) on 10th May 2013 with the Detriot Lions. Finally, he persuaded a BYU Cougars football team and played for the Cougars from 2010. Ansah was also named as “Mel Farr” – 2013’s Rookie, honoring the best Detroit’s rookie. Born as the youngest amongst the 5 children his father had, Ansah is an active member of the LDS church.

It is a matter of speculation to all us to see whether as a Detroit Lions defensive end and a former star of BYU, he will have more enthusiasm  in the 2014 world cup match between the United States and Ghana and he would be cheering Ghana as a native of Ghana or cheering United States, the current home country.

(World cup 2014) Christian Emeka Okoye – The Nigerian Nightmare


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Christian Emeka okoye, a Nigerian- American, born August 16, 1961, is a former American football running, played for the Kansas City Chiefs during the year 1987 to 1992. Although the name Okoye in the Igbo language means q peaceful reflection of a Sunday, he had a tranquil life growing in the city Enugu, Nigeria with a population of 8, 00,000. During the initial days of his liking to football playing, he thought that it was a boring game to play. He was not happy about the roughness of the football and when he thought of quitting the game, he was convinced by his friends to stay on with playing the game.

When his name did not appear in the Nigerian Government’s list for the probable players for the Olympics, he pursed track & field leaving American football.  He possessed remarkable running skills than most players during that period and his capacity and ability to break tackles and his running styles earned him the nickname ’The Nigerian Nightmare”.

During his career, he played six seasons in the NFL (1989, 1991) and thereafter he ended his career as he sustained multiple injuries. The power play exhibited by him during the games wearing his number 35, was a treat to watch.  His capacity to do a 40 yard dash in around 5 seconds and 100meters in about 11 seconds was a rarity when compared with his height of over 6’ and weight around 260 pounds.

As this was a rare combination with talent, the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the second round of the 1987 NFL draft. His skill with speed made him barge to an NFL rushing title and became the Chief’s career leading rusher during his time and he became a U.S. citizen. Although he came to the U.S at the age of 21 he ever renounced the love for his native country which was exhibited though his anger when 276 school girls were abducted last month by the terrorist group Boko Haram.  He recalled his nightmarish experiences he had in his younger days of people carrying machine guns in the streets of Nigeria and his hiding in the basement of their house. He presently lives in California.

World Cup 2014 – Breaking records, exclaims FIFA

World cup

FIFA has released a news report, which has figures highlighting the broadcast (early ones) and confirms there is a great interest amongst people for football. The records of Television viewing across the globe have been high during the 1st round of matches (held in groups). To be more precise, countries where football was never watched or watched very limitedly have shown more interest in watching World cup 2014. Large volumes of people have been reported watching football matches very eagerly. One reason is that this world cup went high-tech and there are many replays.

Fans across Australia and the United States of America keep an eye on their televisions to watch their teams play at the World Cup tournaments and keep their fingers crossed for a win. As per FIFA, about 11.1 million fans watched ESPN for the 1st round of games between Ghana and the United States of America. It is considered as the highest number of views ever recorded for World Cup tournaments.

Adding to this, FIFA further said that about 42.9 million viewers who watched the tournament between Croatia and Brazil held on 12th June 2014 on famous TV Globo (A Brazilian TV Network), thereby making it the most viewed sports of the year. About 14.2 million people watched the 1-0 win of Italy over England on the world famous BBC1 of the United Kingdom and about 12.8 million watched it on RAI 1. This was the highest record of people watching it in both these countries for the current world cup 2014.

FIFA also said that there were about 26.4 million viewers who watched the hat trick 4-0 win of Thomas Muller over Portugal on famous channel ARD in Germany. Again, this was the highest record of 2014 as per FIFA.

The defeat of Japan by Ivory Coast witnessed a record-breaking high of 34.1 million people in Japanese fame NHK this year. Few other highs to mention were recorded in France, Argentina, Croatia, and Netherlands and in French parts of Belgium.

Niclas Ericson (FIFA’s director) said to media that the above figures that are breaking records just shows how football as a game is becoming more popular and he is proud to be the director of FIFA. He also said FIFA has spent about $150 million in broadcasting the tournament alone. Nevertheless, FIFA’s mission is to increase the spirit of Football across the globe and support the game in every aspect.



Tuesday, June 17, 2014

How do parents feel about the partners of interracial couples?


interracial dating
Most parents and members of the family understand that dating is an approved method of the western world that enables two individuals understand each other about the strength and weaknesses of them and help them to decide whether it would suit them to get married or not.  Although the concept of dating is time tested and old enough, still there exist problems relating to the interracial dating that ends up in marriage. There is no denial of the fact that an individual is free to choose a date, but often the interracial couples are mired in the controversies and public debate about their choice of partner. Some of the parents who are positive of dating, at times, do not take it lightly when the dating involves interracial date.

Talking to most parents who disapprove the interracial dating of their wards, they often quote that the main problem they foresee in such circumstances is the disapproval of the relationship of the members of their family, friends and society including the people at work. While this is considered as the major issue in interracial marriages, one of the side issues is the absence of open communication between the parents and the dating couple and this leads to misunderstanding about the motives behind such marriages. Parents think that as a minor or a student their children are not that matured enough to adventure into interracial dating, and they should listen to their wise advice and respect their views so long as they protect and educate them with their money.

The best course open to the interracial dating couple is to open dialogue with their respective parents, convey their feelings for one another, clear any misconceptions about their race and true intention in dating and win over them to have a peaceful and cherished married life. Once intentions are made clear, as in most cases, apprehensions holding the parents against the interracial relationship start fading away, and make the parents look at the brighter side of the relationship. The stumbling block of belief system about a race can be crushed once matters and customs relating to that race is discussed openly with  the family as such discussions help reveal the culture, customs and strengths of the other belief system. The present misconceptions of parents about the interracial relationships are bound to be pushed aside over a period on becoming aware of the strengths behind those relationships.

Is Ethnic background an obstacle in Interracial Dating


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What is ethnic background all about?

Ethnic background actually refers to the cultural background of any individual. Ideally an individual cannot adapt other cultures so easily and especially when it comes to interracial dating, they cannot adapt their partners so easily because they care for their ethnicity.

An obstacle

Yes, indeed ethnic background is an obstacle to interracial dating. The reason is that any individual is brought up with their cultural background and believes from childhood. If at all due to various reasons they fall in love or date with a person who is from a different ethnic background then it becomes an obstacle. They will not be able to immediately adapt to the other culture given the fact that their partner forces them to follow his / her own ethnicity. The couples suffer a lot from the prejudice of others in large. However, in fact, the ethnic groups bring more richness and variety to the world and this would be easily disagreed by a society that is culturally bound.

In USA, during the 1960’s about 17 states were against the interracial marriages. However, now USA is considered as a country where interracial marriages are easy. Nevertheless, many in the USA disagree to this statement. However, why are interracial couples not being accepted and seen just as human beings loving each other? Cultural differences and racial issues put more pressure on interracial couples and they are forced to separate. The interracial couples need to fight for their living, endure the problems in the state and fight for their basic rights.

Detailed insights with examples

For example, if an African marries an American (ideally a black and white marriage), the kids suffer a lot. The society groups them as Black and White. There is nothing wrong if you are a black. Yet, from childhood these children are being taught and brought up in a way that black s are inferior and have fewer rights in the society they live in.

In fact, the interracial couples themselves need to be confident and believe in each other rather than forcing the other partner to follow their culture and beliefs. For example, in most Asian countries, the children are taken care even after their marriages and their families are closely-knit. However, in the USA, after attaining puberty they are living alone. This it is a big cultural and ethnic difference when it comes to interracial marriages. These need to be changed and people should be accepted as they are.

Statistics

As per the United States census bureau, the following pie chart displays the interracial couple’s marriage details.