NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Hornets Honeybees participated in the NBA 5 United in Istanbul, Turkey during the first week of June.
Six members of the squad traveled to Istanbul where they performed, signed autographs and connected with fans. In the past, members of the Honeybees have had the chance to participate in similar events in China, Spain, Germany and France, as well as a military tour in Kosovo.
“Being able to travel overseas with the Honeybees and bring the excitement of the NBA to fans all over the world is an amazing opportunity,” said Honeybee Manager and Choreographer Ashley Deaton. “The girls who have had the chance to participate in such events have had a blast and made some lasting memories. Interacting and entertaining our international NBA fans is always the best part. They have been so adoring.”
The NBA 5 United Tour 2011 is a grassroots tour that combines competitive outdoor 5-on-5 tournaments with fun interactive basketball elements. Fans can also participate in dunk and skills contests, interact with NBA players and dance teams in autograph sessions and see performances by the dance teams.
The event for the NBA 5 United was located right off the shores of the Marmara Sea. They had set up four small courts for the 5-on-5 tournament. Hundreds of players were in attendance wearing jerseys of their favorite NBA team, Hornets included. During the performances, fans were holding up our posters, chanting “Honeybees”, and clapping along to the music.
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Joe’s take- Sending Hornets cheerleaders around the globe in what will likely increase the number of Hornets fans? Sounds like a good plan to me.
via Hornets Cheerleaders in Istanbul | New Orleans Hornets | Hornets247.com.
Day nine: Gütersloh. Day 23: Ceske Budejovice. Day 53: Kostenets.
Katie Fitzmaurice’s summer is all mapped out.
Despite her ingrained fear of navigating using old-school maps and compasses, she’ll be one of three leaders in a 19-member cycling team that will visit those respective towns in Germany, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, among dozens of other cities in 10 European countries in just over 60 days.
Fitzmaurice and Nicole Law, both 22, are Cloverdale residents and former soccer rivals-turned-friends who have been training together for months.
They’ll leave Amsterdam, Holland on June 21 and arrive in Istanbul, Turkey on Aug. 19, pedalling up to 4,000 kilometres.
The itinerary has been set with places to visit and sleep (much of it camping outdoors) and they’re packing light – necessities whittled down to what their bikes and backs can handle.
Fitzmaurice plans to bring one pair of socks with the maple leaf, just in case.
The team riders, who come from Canada and the U.S., are volunteers with Global Agents, a Vancouver-based group that either directly implements or supports innovative education and economic development programs in Third World countries.
Officially, Global Agents (formerly Agents of Change) seeks projects and individuals that have potential solutions to difficult economic problems – solutions that involve local leadership in designing and managing economic projects.
Fitzmaurice, who just finished her commerce studies at SFU and is a research analyst at the Business Council of B.C., admits the concept sounds all good in theory.
“That’s the most exciting thing about it, that it is theoretical. Poverty has been around for ages. So many ideas haven’t worked, and it’s a long-standing issue.”
She says Global Agents are “investing in new ideas” – even if profits don’t appear in the short term.
This ride, one of several across the globe since the organization was formed in 2007, will raise $40,000 to help a technical school in Uganda through Global Agents’ Global Catalyst Initiative.
The riders – including one support vehicle driver, totalling 20 people – have raised $2,000 apiece, plus another $1,800 for trip costs.
Their target, Uganda’s Micro Technology Institute and Social Venture Incubator (MTI), offers training and access to information about community-based enterprises.
Global Agents will give financial support to graduates of MTI who show promise – some 12 alumni of out of the 380 who have so far graduated from the school, says Global Agents executive director Kathryn Graham.
Graham says the 12 alumni have been loaned solar energy items to sell in a micro-franchise pilot project.
Among the items are solar panels, LED lights, phone connectors, solar radio batteries and battery packs, all of which were produced in Africa.
The participants “will have to develop a business plan on how they intend to sell the product before they are approved to sell them,” explains Graham. “The MTI staff will closely monitor their progress and assist them as they go.”
“Essentially, (Global Agents) searches for the most innovative ways to solve poverty around the world,” Fitzmaurice explains. “We’re absorbing the risk to help kick-start a local economy.”
While Uganda is a world away from the summer cycling route, riders will absorb the culture and atmosphere of poorer areas of Eastern Europe.
“It’s for a good cause, but we want (our) people to be educated,” says Fitzmaurice. “It’s got a big social component to it.”
The riders will wind their way through side streets, occasionally getting lost on purpose.
“You meet more people that way,” she adds.
Due to family commitments, Law will wind her trip up half way through, in Budapest, Hungary.
“This will be my first time travelling to Europe, so I have no idea what to expect, but I’m very excited to meet new people and experience different cultures,” says Law.
“I haven’t finalized my packing list but, I will be taking a homemade helmet-cam mount and I’m working on a mount for my handle bars so I can take videos and pictures while riding.”
Fitzmaurice, who plans a layover on a Greek or Italian beach after the ride, says she’s been looking forward to cycling Europe with Global Agents for five years.
She waited this long because she “wanted to have a job that I could come back to, and wanted to go on a trip without coming back broke.”
In spite of the physical strain coming her way, she looks forward to the adventure.
“For me, it’s been four years of school, which feels like you’ve got a little bit of the world on your shoulders. Waking up each morning with nothing to do (but ride) will be a nice change of pace.”
Global Agents riders will blog throughout the trip at www.globalafc.blogspot.com. Katie Fitzmaurice and Nicole Law plan to send The Leader updates along the way.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial role at Stamford Bridge, but his representative has confirmed that he has no plans to walk away from national role
By Joel Lamy
The agent of Turkey manager Guus Hiddink has said that he will not quit his job in order to take over at Chelsea.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial job at Stamford Bridge after the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.
And the President of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Mahmut Ozgener, the man who appointed Hiddink, said on Tuesday that he will step down from his role.
However, agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen does not believe Hiddink will resign from the Turkey job but was unsure what would happen should Chelsea make an official approach.
Talking to Press Association Sport, Nieuwenhuizen said: “I really have no idea.
“The contract is with the Turkish Football Federation and not the individual president.
“Guus is somebody who can accept the facts of life.”
Hiddink had a spell as caretaker manager of Chelsea at the of the 2008-9 season after Phil Scolari was sacked and he led the side to an FA Cup triumph, making him a favourite with players and fans.
John Terry recently said he would be happy to see the Dutchman back at Stamford Bridge, but that would be reliant on Hiddink leaving Turkey.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has refused to comment on whether Hiddink would be their next manager, but hopes that an appointment would be made inside the next two weeks
via Guus Hiddink’s agent insists Chelsea target will not quit Turkey – Goal.com.
Hiddink lines up a Turkish delight as first Chelsea signing
Guus Hiddink is set to bring Chelsea a homecoming present by making Turkey winger Arda Turan his first Stamford Bridge signing.
Hiddink’s return to SW6 moved a step closer last night as Turkish Football Federation head Mahmut Ozgener resigned rather than face certain defeat in next week’s elections.
Ozgener had appeared the biggest impediment to Hiddink leaving Istanbul to come back to London as the successor to the man who replaced him at the Chelsea helm two years ago, Carlo Ancelotti.
But while it seems Chelsea are set to be pipped by Real Madrid to the signing of £35million Brazilian ace Neymar, Blues chief executive Ron Gourlay signaled the belief inside the club that Hiddink would be appointed next week.
And Hiddink is ready to sanction an immediate swoop for Turan as part of an £18m-rated player plus cash deal that will see unwanted Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa finally finish his injury-blighted stay in the Premier League.
via Chelsea transfer news Guus Hiddink lines up Turkey winger Arda Turan as first Chelsea signing – News – MirrorFootball.co.uk.
Besiktas Istanbul gets an invitation from Real Madrid for a preseason friendly match at Santiago Bernabeu.
Besiktas Chairman Demiroren with Ronaldo
Besiktas Istanbul drew quite an attraction last season, when the turkish giants made star signings like Ricardo Quaresma, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and ex Real Madrid captain Guti Hernandez. Last season Besiktas also put ex Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster in the managing seat.
Although the outcome in success wasn’t as brilliant as the transfers themselves, Besiktas Chairman Yildirim achieved one of his ultimate goals : To make Besiktas Istanbul a renowned football team and raise the popularity and reputation of the club.
Besiktas Real Madrid : Good Relations through Jorge Mendes ?
Chairman Demiroren is known to have a good relations with prominent footballer agent Jorge Mendes, who in fact is the agent of many Real Madrid and Besiktas players, including the star Christiano Ronaldo. Besiktas Chairman Yildirim Demiroren and Christiano Ronaldo are also good friends, since the duo plan to build a hotel in Portugal as partners.
Real Madrid turkish players, ex Real Madrid captain Guti : Good assets for Real Madrid Besiktas Friendly Game
Turkey midfielder Hamit Altıntop joined last month German-Turkish compatriots Nuri Şahin and Mesut Özil at Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, increasing the number of players of turkish origin to three.
With these connections between both clubs its not suprising that Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez ve manager Jose Mourinho find it fitting to invite the turkish side Besiktas to Madrid for a preseason friendly game, where Guti Hernandez could meet Real Madrid fans, who still adore their ex-captain, where Real Madrid ‘s turkish players have the opportunity to play against their compatriots.
via Real Madrid invites Besiktas Istanbul for preseason friendly.
BRITAIN’S Olympic athletes will be performing with Team GB logos on their chest and “Made in Turkey” tags inside their clothing.
The gear worn by the UK's gold medal hopefuls will be manufactured outside the UK Read more:
The gear worn by gold medal hopefuls pentathletes Jessica Ennis and Heather Fell, cyclists Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy will be manufactured outside the UK despite being designed by British fashion queen Stella McCartney.
Her stylish official merchandise, which is now on sale to fans, has been made in Turkey because of the demise of the British mass clothing industry.
Shoppers were shocked to see “Made in Turkey” labels in her designs, which range from singlets at £26 to hoodies selling for £60.
In a further blow to the British image, commemorative badges of landmarks like Buckingham Palace have been made in China.
The extent of foreign influence in 2012 merchandising has become clear with the official website shop offering only a handful of goods made in the UK.
McCartney’s designs for the team have yet to go into production but her general fashion range has been manufactured more than 1,500 miles from the Olympic Stadium.
“It is a great shame but the Olympics have come along too late for British clothing and textiles,” said Malcolm Ball, chairman of trade group, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing industry.
“The sad fact is that mass manufacturing went offshore a decade ago and what is left is very good but very niche. UKplc has evolved but unfortunately the clothing manufacturing sector has been a casualty because firms could not compete with China, Bangladesh and other parts of Europe on price.”
Britain still retains top quality design along with product research and development, but finished garments flood in from the Far East every day.
The London 2012 website is pushing a bewildering array of merchandise featuring the Union Jack, but made in China, Vietnam, India and Turkey. It includes egg cups, breakfast crockery, mugs, towels and bedspreads.
The latest marketing devices, which have just gone on sale, are £6 silhouette pin badges of Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column, the Monument and the Albert Hall – all made in China. With no trace of irony, they are also selling badges of London’s Chinatown.
“A lot of the design and creative work is done in the UK but often manufacture will take place outside the UK. Where possible our licensees do manufacture in the UK,” said a 2012 spokesperson.
“Some people have described 2012 as the year of two Christ-mases because there are huge opportunities for manufacturers and retailers with the interest in merchandise.”
Over 95 per cent of contracts were awarded to firms with a UK base and British business will get a £5billion surge from merchandise, he added.
An Adidas spokesman said: “To celebrate the Games being held in London, Adidas wanted to work with the best British designer, so appointed Stella McCartney as its creative director.
“Adidas works with business partners from all over the world to manufacture its collections. We only conduct business with those who work in a fair, honest and responsible manner.”
via Express.co.uk – Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: The London 2012 Olympics (Made in Turkey!).
