Ferdinand's rise from ballet dancer To England captain

Published>Wed, Feb 10 10 01:11 PM

London, Feb. 10 (ANI): Rio Ferdinand's past life as a ballet dancer is revealed in a campaign being fronted by the new England football captain.

e National Portrait Gallery pictures Rio Ferdinand relaxing in a leather chair as part of the marketing drive.

Ferdinand's photograph contains the words Central Defender, Central to England, Central School of Ballet.

According to Sky News, this refers to his background as a dancer who attended classes four times a week for four years.

Born in Peckham, south London, Ferdinand's sporting career started at the age of 10 when he was invited to the Queens Park Rangers Football Academy.

However, when he was 11-years-old he also won a scholarship to the Central School of Ballet in London.

He travelled by bus from his home to central London to get to the classes.

The dance lessons improved his natural balance but eventually he chose a career as a footballer and signed his first professional contract in 1995

The Manchester United defender joins historical figures, such as artist LS Lowry, King Charles II, Lord Nelson, and Mary, Queen of Scots, for the campaign.

The photograph is on display at the gallery, and will now be seen on posters, adverts and bus shelters.

or the new campaign, Mark Guthrie photographed Ferdinand in a studio. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

John Terry's wife 'sets new rules to save marriage'

Published>Wed, Feb 10 10 12:59 PM

London, Feb 10 (ANI): John Terry's wife is ready to get back with her husband but has warned the footballer that he must obey a strict set of new rules to make their marriage work.

Toni Poole laid down the law to John in a series of tearful phone calls.

She reportedly told him: "It's my way or it's over. Things have to change. There will be no more chances. Please, I really want this to work. I know you do too."

The couple is set to reunite for the first time since Toni fled to Dubai following revelations of John's affair with French model Vanessa Perroncel.

"I am really looking forward to seeing John," the Mirror quoted her as saying.

"I am so glad he has been given the time off and really pleased he could make it. We'll enjoy our time together and make the most of it," she added.

However, she's making sure her husband never cheats again by insisting that in future he must come straight home after training, have far fewer nights on the town and agree to marriage counselling.

A friend said: "Toni knows it's unrealistic to know where John is 24/7 but he has to be much more open with his movements.

"She wants him to come home straight from training or have a very good reason why he can't. Toni knows it sounds controlling but what else can she do? At the moment, there is a serious lack of trust and John needs to earn her confidence."

Toni is also insisting John cuts back on nights out.

The friend said: "Toni isn't a fool. She knows what happens on these boys' nights out with girls throwing themselves at him. She's seen it with her own eyes."

"For the time being she doesn't want him going out. At least not until their marriage has recovered from the battering. But this can't just be a one-off. They need to sit down regularly to discuss any problems they may have. This is most likely going to be in the form of marriage counselling. John has said that he's up for it," the friend added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

We were completely outplayed, admits Dhoni

Published>Tue, Feb 09 10 07:20 PM

Nagpur, Feb 9 (IANS) Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that India were completely outplayed by South Africa in the first cricket Test that was over in four days here Tuesday.

World No.1 India aiming for the Test champhionship crown lost the match by an innings and six runs. The win has given second placed South Africa a chance to aim for the title if they go on to win the two-match series. The second match will be played in Kolkata from Sunday.

Dhoni said that performances by Jacques Kallis (173), Hashim Amla (253) and Dale Steyn, who had a match haul of 10 wickets, were the deciding factors.

'We were completely outplayed. (Jacques) Kallis and (Hashim) Amla played brilliantly and Dale Steyn - the way he bowled.... was the best I have seen in the last two years at least as far as conventional bowling goes. Seven of the 14 dismissals were out to great deliveries,' said Dhoni.

'The ball was changed at tea break and we lost five quick wickets. It changed everything. Once we lost (Virender) Sehwag, I got out immediately and the ball was reversing .. it was difficult for the tailenders. We are on the backfoot. They (South Africa) can't lose the series now. So, we are under pressure. Last time when they came, they were ahead and in the same position.'

South Africa captain Graeme Smith lauded his boys for the excellent performance.

'It has been outstanding performance from the guys. To win here, you need lot of discipline and the guys have showed it. There were a few special individual performances like Amla, Kallis and Steyn but it is a good team effort,' he said.

'It was an emotional last two weeks what with all the changes going around. It's nice to have a someone like (Steyn). To run in like that and bowl as he did. It all happenned so quickly even for us; it was great to watch. Harris .. he bowled well, he is not fancied cricketer you know, but he knows his role and he has come back well,' Smith added.

Hashim Amla, who was adjudged Man of the Match, for scoring 253 rated his knock as one of the best.

'It was one of my best knocks. It was a crucial time when I came into the crease and I got the team into a great position. Everybody feels a bit of pressure and I am just grateful that I got an opportunity to put the team in a good position. I have had a few good partnerships with Jacques; once we both got in, we complimented each other.... when I wasn't scoring he was, and vice versa. With the ball turning, anything can happen. With the new guy coming in, I just tried to keep it as risk-free as possible. yes, so I concentrated not on hitting anything in the air. I just hope Eden Gardens gets a good crowd,' he said.

Source: Web Search

Steyn's ten wickets helps Proteas to innings win against India in Nagpur Test

Published>Tue, Feb 09 10 06:40 PM

Nagpur, Feb 9(ANI): A ten-wicket haul by South African fast bowler Dale Steyn helped his side thrash India by an innings and six runs on the fourth day of the Nagpur Test on Tuesday.

Trailing by 325 runs, Sachin Tendulkar's masterly 46th Test century could not stop South Africa from bowling India out for 319.

Steyn's seven-wicket haul in the first innings had forced India to follow-on, after his piercing line and length made sure that the home team was at some distance from the imposing South African total of 558-6 declared.

Steyn took seven for 51 runs and three for 57 in the match.

Resuming the day at 66-2, Team India lost overnight batsman Murali Vijay (32) inside the first hour of play.

Tendulkar, who hit two successive centuries during India's 2-0 Test win against Bangladesh, defied the South African attack for close to four and a half hours before being bowled off the pad by left-arm spinner Paul Harris. Harris took three wickets for 76.

The two teams now move to Kolkata for the second and final Test of the series to be played from February 14.

India's number one Test ranking is in danger of being handed over to South Africa if they lose the series while a draw will see them retain the top spot.

Brief Scorecard:

South Africa: First Innings 558 for six declared (Amla 253 not out, Kallis 173, de Villiers 53).

India: First Innings 233 (Sehwag 109, Badrinath 56, Steyn 7-51)

Second Innings (follow-on) 319 (Tendulkar 100, Steyn 3-57, Harris 3-76) (ANI)

Source: Web Search

India dominant again, SAG draws to close

Published Tue, Feb 09 10 06:24 PM

Tapan Mohanta Dhaka, Feb 9 (PTI) India asserted its regional sporting supremacy with a medal haul of 175, including 90 gold, as the 11th South Asian Games drew to a close after a colourful ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today. Bangladesh president Zillur Rahman, Army chief General M Abdul Mubin declared the 12-day closed after a colourful ceremony. In yet another commanding performance, India reigned supreme for the 11th time on the trot taking the lion''s share of medals (90 gold, 55 silver and 30 bronze). A total of 158 gold medals were on the offer, with Pakistan (19-25-36) and hosts Bangladesh (18-23-56) finishing second and third on the medals tally. In a dazzling ceremony featuring 12,000 children, the SAG curtains fell down as Gen Mubin, who is also the Bangladesh Olympic Association president, handed over the flag and torch to his Indian counterpart Suresh Kalmadi who was accompanied by IOA secretary general Randhir Singh. India will be the hosts of the 12th edition of the Games. Unlike the grand opening march-past where there was a big participation from the eight visiting contingents -- Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh -- the closing had very little attendance. In fact, the march-past turned out to be quite a flop show when the placard-bearer for Afghanistan walked into the stadium without any of the country''s athletes. .

Source: Web Search