Watch Video
Podcasts
Blogs
George Orwell was right when he said sport is merely war without bullets.
Early on Thursday morning, two tribes will again reaffirm the British Author’s perceptive summation when Manchester United and Chelsea square off for European Champions League bragging rights.
That the final will be watched by millions is a given. That many of those viewers will be children was a fact never lost on retired French great Zinedine Zidane.
Which brings me to the subject of sporting stars giving something back.
Last week, the three-time FIFA world player of the year, confirmed he will play an exhibition game in Sydney on June 1.
His willingness to allow free admission for all children Under-12 to the match and conduct a coaching clinic was met with applause at a recent press conference.
As was the appearance of injured Socceroo Tim Cahill.
It wasn’t too long ago the Everton star was a member of a tiny club from Sydney's west, “the Lakembaroos”.
Every ten-year old has to start somewhere right?
A few Armani wardrobe changes later and Cahill is still the same man who left these shores for English Premier League glory.
One who hasn’t forgotten his roots or his desire to help the grassroots.
As expected, every media outlet at the conference wanted a piece of him. His minders in the end indicated he would have to cancel our interview due to time constraints.
Tim Cahill wasn’t buying it.
He promptly waved them away, assured me he had plenty of time to chat and off we went. One of his comments was telling.
“I’m someone who started with nothing who now has everything but is still the same person”.
While Cahill refrained from sprouting third-person self endorsements, Portsmouth's FA Cup winner Nwankwo Kanu certainly had no qualms.
Granted, the Nigerian did score the only goal against Cardiff City at the weekend to give his side their first piece of silverware since 1939.
But really, was there a need for him to worship at his own alter?
"A lot of people put Kanu down. You shouldn't put Kanu down because I have the talent.”
Amen Nwankwo.
Recently retired tennis world number one, Justine Henin let her playing record convert the masses.
In a ten-year career she pocketed over $20 million in prize money.
The fact the winner of seven Grand Slam titles decided to call it a day for family reasons wasn’t such a huge surprise. The 25-year old was the first to admit her failed marriage and estranged relationship with her father had troubled her for many years.
It's that she did so while still ranked number one after spending 117 consecutive weeks at the top.
However Henin knew something many of her sporting peers still choose to ignore.
Never count your money 'til your soul turns green.
Early on Thursday morning, two tribes will again reaffirm the British Author’s perceptive summation when Manchester United and Chelsea square off for European Champions League bragging rights.
That the final will be watched by millions is a given. That many of those viewers will be children was a fact never lost on retired French great Zinedine Zidane.
Which brings me to the subject of sporting stars giving something back.
Last week, the three-time FIFA world player of the year, confirmed he will play an exhibition game in Sydney on June 1.
His willingness to allow free admission for all children Under-12 to the match and conduct a coaching clinic was met with applause at a recent press conference.
As was the appearance of injured Socceroo Tim Cahill.
It wasn’t too long ago the Everton star was a member of a tiny club from Sydney's west, “the Lakembaroos”.
Every ten-year old has to start somewhere right?
A few Armani wardrobe changes later and Cahill is still the same man who left these shores for English Premier League glory.
One who hasn’t forgotten his roots or his desire to help the grassroots.
As expected, every media outlet at the conference wanted a piece of him. His minders in the end indicated he would have to cancel our interview due to time constraints.
Tim Cahill wasn’t buying it.
He promptly waved them away, assured me he had plenty of time to chat and off we went. One of his comments was telling.
“I’m someone who started with nothing who now has everything but is still the same person”.
While Cahill refrained from sprouting third-person self endorsements, Portsmouth's FA Cup winner Nwankwo Kanu certainly had no qualms.
Granted, the Nigerian did score the only goal against Cardiff City at the weekend to give his side their first piece of silverware since 1939.
But really, was there a need for him to worship at his own alter?
"A lot of people put Kanu down. You shouldn't put Kanu down because I have the talent.”
Amen Nwankwo.
Recently retired tennis world number one, Justine Henin let her playing record convert the masses.
In a ten-year career she pocketed over $20 million in prize money.
The fact the winner of seven Grand Slam titles decided to call it a day for family reasons wasn’t such a huge surprise. The 25-year old was the first to admit her failed marriage and estranged relationship with her father had troubled her for many years.
It's that she did so while still ranked number one after spending 117 consecutive weeks at the top.
However Henin knew something many of her sporting peers still choose to ignore.
Never count your money 'til your soul turns green.
