UK Sports Academy

Well, this Sports Academy (proposed to be constructed in UK) thingy is springing up again and it seems that the Ministry of Youth & Sports will respond/update, by end September, upon the completion of an in-depth study. In-depth study? The project is definitely not viable so why still need to carry out an in-depth study. Many people have voiced out that this project will be a "white elephant" once constructed.

RM490 million (approx. US$132.4 million) could be better utilised if it was used to upgrade existing sports centre in Malaysia. Otherwise, it could be used to build more sports complex (smaller scale) to be used by sportsmen/women participating in the bi-annual SUKMA event.

Or the fund could be used to send elite/proven sportsmen/women to Australia (having the best Sports Institute in the world) for further improvement.

Alternatively, the fund could be used to finance elite/proven sportsmen/women to participate in certain sports event that could benefit them.

Otherwise, the fund could be used to build more sporting facilities for the public's usage and rental of such facilities could be obtained too.

By building such a big facilities overseas, who will manage the sports complex? what's the maintenance cost like as UK pound is high on the currency exchange rate? what's the usage rate going to be? Reason given was that the new sports complex could be used as a base for sportsmen/women in preparation for sporting events to be held in similar kind of weather conditions. Who could that be as majority of the M'sian (not looking down on them) do not qualify for the major sporting events. Even sporting giants (referring countries) only send their sportsmen/women to the host country few weeks prior to the event for acclimatisation purposes. And M'sia is trying to do one better - by having a costly underused overseas base.

The current batch of squash and badminton players (who have excelled in their events) do not such costly overseas base and they still succeed. It's all in their minds. But I'm wondering what's in the mind of those government officials who are so adamant to have this sports complex.
Tags: Politics, Sports Academy, UK

Glass Bridge Skywalk at Grand Canyon

It was stated, via an email being circulated, that a Glass Bridge Skywalk is being constructed at the Grand Canyon National Park's visitors' area. I have sent an email to a person listed in the linked website but todate no reply. Is the construction of it true?
Tags: Glass Bridge Skywalk, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon

Another Big Sandstorm

This time my colleague was really fast with his camera ...........














And I caught the following scenes at our villa's rooftop. My camera lense was not dirty but that's the kind of air that made the whole area blur.

Tags: Weather, Journal, Life, Diary, Khartoum, Sandstorm

Uncyclopedia on Malaysia

What's that?????

Well, if you (Malaysians who read this blog) want to have a good laugh, please read this Uncyclopedia about Malaysia.

As for other nationalities, please go to this link http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page and type in your country's name under the Search area. You'll be shocked to know how come this writer knew so much about so many countries. I know why.
Tags: Uncyclopedia, Search

Privilege Ibiza - World's Biggest Club

Ibiza is a small island lying 90 km off the east coast of Spain, in the Western Mediterranean. It is part of the Balearic islands. Ibiza is known for its partying nites at bars/clubs.

Privilege Ibiza, located half way between Ibiza and san Antonio on the main road, near San Rafael, known as the world's largest club.
If it's your first time in Privilege you're highly likely to get lost. It's extremely easy to get separated from your friends and not see them again till the sun comes up. Don't worry tho, you'll make new ones.
Upon entering the club you go down a massive staircase. You are now are bang in the middle of one of the world's largest dancefloors. At its centre the dj is suspended above a swimming pool . At the far end is a stage where girls and boys dance around in varying stages of undress and a show with a non-linear dramatic structure (i.e. it's confusing) takes place.

Entrance fee: expect to pay up to 60€ (approx. US$113). Vodka lemon costs approx. 10€ and a beer 8€. Queuing is the norm so need to buy tickets beforehand. Privilege has its own range of merchandise too.

Privilege is hosting the gala of America's Best DJ Award on 28 August 2006. In June 2006, Privilege Kiev has opened in the city of Kiev, Ukraine.
Tags: Privilege Ibiza, Ibiza, Spain, Privilege Kiev, Entertainment, Club, Disco

Hong Kong TVB series

Another series finished off by me during the night time at home in Khartoum.

Women On The Run - a comedy throughout the series esp when you have Chan Pak Cheong in the cast. He plays the role of a private detective with a helper too. He will appear in most cases which somehow involves the 4 main ladies also. It was something like CSI investigation too where he used his wits to help the police to solve cases.

Towards the last 8 episodes, it was more of relationship with a guy (former gangster), his mom and a lady (intending to cheat his mom's property). But which also requires some wisdom to overcome those sticky situations. You will like the series as the jokes are quite original.
Tags: Hong Kong, TVB Series, Review, Women On The Run, Chan Pak Cheong

Petronas & ChevronTexaco chased out of Chad

How come the Malaysian news have not reported on this yet?

The Chad government has given a 24 hours ultimatum to both Petronas of Malaysia and ChevronTexaco of USA to move its staff out of the country and close their offices. It's a real blow to both companies. Reason for the immediate clearance as mentioned was due to non-compliance to tax obligation matters. Other sources claimed that the removal was to make way for the entrance of China companies into the picture as reported in BBC News/Africa & CNN News.

In Sudan itself, China companies are making headways too. China's top government officials recent visits to a number of African countries are actually paving ways for China companies' path into the largely untapped markets. Apparently, Chad just resumed its international tie with China 3 weeks ago.
Tags: Chad, Petronas, ChevronTexaco, China, Oil