Asian Football
Saudi Survey: Majority Of Saudis Favor Women’s Right To Sports
A vast majority of Saudis favor women having the right to fully engage in sports in a country that has no official facilities for female athletes or physical education programs for girls in schools, according to a Saudi sociology researcher, who has put forward a series of recommendations at a time that the government is developing its first ever national sports plan albeit for men only.
Mariam Dujain Al-Kaabi concluded on the basis of a survey as part of her master thesis of 312 Saudis active in education who were almost evenly split between men and women that 73.5 percent unambiguously endorsed a woman’s right to engage in sports while 21.6 percent felt that their right should be conditional. Published by Ash-Sharq newspaper, the study countered conservative opposition in the kingdom that asserts that allowing women to engage in sports would have negative social consequences.
Ms. Al Kaabi’s study was published as the kingdom debates granting women the right to engage in sports, attend sporting events in stadia, enjoy physical education in state-run schools and on a non-sporting issue be allowed to drive. While many members of the ruling elite, including King Abdullah, are believed to favor granting women greater rights, the government has so far shied away from confronting conservative clerics who condemn women’s sports as corrupting and satanic and charge that it would spread decadence. The clerics warn that running and jumping could damage a woman’s hymen and ruin her chances of getting married.
Saudi Sheikh Saleh bin Saad al-Luhaydan cautioned in September as women launched an online campaign to demand their right to drive that driving could affect their ovaries and pelvises. Sheikh Al-Luhaydan, a legal and psychology consultant to the Gulf Psychological Association, quickly became the target of ridicule on social media with Saudis sarcastically congratulating him for his scientific discovery. An Arabic Twitter hashtag “Women_driving_affects_
The government is hesitant to confront conservative elements of the clergy at a time that it is trying to ring fence the kingdom against the wave of discontent and protest that has been sweeping the Middle East and North Africa for almost three years. While Saudi Arabia, a country where demonstrations are constitutionally banned, has not witnessed mass protests, it has experienced multiple expressions of demands for change, including protests in the predominantly Shiite Eastern Province, home to its oil reserves; demonstrations in the arch conservative town of Buraidah, a bulwark of Saudis puritan Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, demanding the release of political prisoners; protests against princes who own soccer clubs in stadia and online; a women’s campaign for the right to drive; and an outpouring of criticism of the ruling family on social media.
Human Rights Watch last year accused Saudi Arabia of kowtowing to assertions by the country’s powerful conservative Muslim clerics that female sports constitute “steps of the devil”.
Saudi Football Federation (SFF) president Ahmed Eid Alharbi, a storied former goalkeeper who became the kingdom’s first elected sports official after his predecessor, a member of the ruling family, was forced under fan pressure to step down, hinted in September at the positive economic impact of allowing women to attend soccer matches would have. He said that the creation of facilities for women would increase capacity at stadiums by 15 percent.
Mr. Alharbi later qualified his remarks by saying that the decision to lift the ban on women was not his. “A decision like this is a sovereign decision. Neither I nor SAFF can make it. Only the political leadership in this country can make that decision,” he said. The government has been fretting over that decision for more than a year.
Saudi Arabia alongside Yemen was the only Muslim Middle Eastern nation that refused early this year to sign on to a campaign by Middle Eastern soccer associations to put women’s soccer on par with men’s football. In a statement, the associations grouped in the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), defined “an athletic woman” as “an empowered woman who further empowers her community.” In a rebuttal of opposition to women’s soccer among some Islamists across the region and more conservative segments of Middle Eastern society the seminar stressed that women’s soccer did not demean cultural and traditional values.
The statement called further for the appointment of women to the boards of WAFF member associations, establishment of a WAFF women’s committee, creation of Under-16 and Under-19 women competitions in the Middle East (West Asia) as well as the compulsory rotation of hosting of subsidized WAFF women competitions – demands Saudi Arabia has yet to comply with. WAFF nevertheless said that the kingdom would be included in women’s tournaments.
Ms. Al Kaabi’s study recommended that the government introduce sports a s a compulsory part of the curriculum in all government girls’ schools, provide playgrounds, approve sporting activities outside of school, establish women’s sports clubs and public exercise and training facilities, raise awareness of the health benefits of sports, establish a women’s section in Prince Nawaf’s Presidency of Youth Welfare (the equivalent of a ministry of youth and sports), and enable women to compete in international sporting events.
Saudi Arabia bowed to pressure last year to field for the first time ever women athletes at an international tournament, the London Olympics. It did so by fielding two expatriate Saudi females.
Saudi press reporting on Ms. Al Kaabi’s study illustrated the sensitivity of the issue. The Saudi Gazette introduced the study by referring to the fact that Widan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, a judo player and one of the two Saudi women athletes in London, was more concerned about being covered when her hijab dropped during the tournament than competing to win.
“It was a dramatic scene for a sportswoman who was keen to achieve recognition for herself and her country. What made the scene more dramatic, however, was her insistence to preserve the true image of Saudi women when she focused only on protecting her hair from being seen by others,” the Gazette said.
Published in permisssion with James M. Dorsey, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, co-director of the University of Würzburg’s Institute for Fan Culture, and the author of The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer blog and a forthcoming book with the same title.
When it comes to Asian teams in the World, Korean players take the greatest stands. So let us look at the Best Korean Football Players of All Time.
Among the Asian Football Giants, South Korea is probably the most successful team. Some of the best Korean players have shown their abilities in World Cups and Europe, including the Premier League. Here it is. A look at the Best Korean Football Players of All Time.
1. Lee Woon-Jae
Lee Woon-Jae was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time for South Korea. He was a part of four World Cups in 1994, 2002, 2006 and 2010. One of his brilliant performances came in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, in which he kept clean sheets against Spain, Poland and Portugal.
He won four K-League titles, six cups and the 2001-02 AFC Champions League with Suwon Bluewings. Lee Woon was named the league’s MVP in 2008.
2. Son Heung-min
Son is amongst the best Korean Players of all time and has made his name around the World. He plays as a forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
He has been Premier League Player of the Month, AFC Asian International Player of the year. Son has played for Hamburger SV II, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham.
3. Hong Myung-bo
Hong Myung is considered one of the best Asian footballers who played as a sweeper. He is the first Asian footballer who appeared in four consecutive World Cups. He was also the first Asian player to get a Bronze Ball in the World Cup.
The most capped player in the history of South Korea with 136 caps was the only man from his country to be included in FIFA’s 100 – Pele’s selection of the top 125 greatest living players in the World.
4. Lee Young-Pyo
Lee Young is known for his time in Tottenham Hotspur, where he won the League Cup and made almost 100 appearances. In addition, he won two league titles and the KNVB Cup with PSV.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2013/11/14/1133215-18401663-2560-1440.jpg)
He made 127 appearances for the national side, making him the third most capped player in South Korea’s history. Lee also had a stint with Borussia Dortmund in 2008.
5. Cho Kwang-Rae
Cho Kwang is regarded as one of the most talented South Korean midfielders of all time, which got him the nickname “Computer Linker” during his playing days.
From 1976 to 1986 made his appearance in 100 International competitions and scored 15 times. He spent his club career at Yonsei University, Pohang Steelworks, Army FC and Daewoo Royals.
6. Choi Soon-ho
Choi Soon is a former player who now works as a South Korean football manager. He is often regarded as one of the greatest South Korean strikers of all time.
He became the youngest top scorer in the history of the AFC Asian Cup at just 18. In addition, Choi led his team to the 1980 AFC Youth Championship Award.
7. Park Ji Sung
One of the most known names in South Korean footballing history. He had more success at the club than any other South Korean has ever managed. His seven-year stint at Manchester United was great under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Park is the first Asian player to have scored in three consecutive World Cups. In addition, he has won four Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League. He is one of the most decorated Asian players of all time.
8. Cha Bum-Kun
Cha Bum was a special player for South Korea. He made his debut way back in 1972 and became the youngest ever player for Korea to do so.
He earned 121 caps for the country and scored 55 goals, making him the top scorer for his national side. Cha Bum established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe following his move to the Bundesliga IFFHS named him the greatest Asian footballer of the 20th century.
9. Lee Hoe-taik
He was one of the best Korean football players in history, nicknamed “Leopard” due to his fast speed and strong shorts. He made 81 appearances for the national team and scored 21 times. Lee Hoe won the Asian title a total of 8 times.
.jpg)
Lee is one of the only four footballers enlisted into the Korean Football Hall of Fame, which makes him one of the best Korean soccer players of all time.
10. Hwang Sun-Hong
Hwang was one of the most important players for South Korea during the 2002 World Cup. He scored their tournament’s opening goal and helped the team win their first-ever World Cup match.
He made 103 international appearances scoring 50 goals for this side. Hwang has scored in all of the major competitions, including Confederations Cup and World Cups, making him one of the best Korean Soccer players of All Time.
Read More:
Article
1 In, 1 Out – 2 Key Transfer Deals Fulham Could Complete This January Including This Wolves Star
Slavisa Jokanovic
1 In And 1 Out – 2 Transfers That Fulham Could Complete In January
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I’m so hugely frustrated with Fulham this season and their manager Slavisa Jokanovic. I’m annoyed because I like Jokanovic but his choices this year confuse me. Last season, they did alright and stayed in the slipstream of the top six for the first-half of the campaign, all the while playing good football and entertaining people.
In the second half of the campaign, Ryan Sessegnon was unleashed on the league and with Scott Malone occupying left-back, the youngster was played as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Things were simple; Cairney wanted to play in the middle, did so and attracted a £20million bid from Newcastle. Sessegnon was on the left and showed his true attacking talent which even at that age was too much for most defences, while Sone Aluko was as usual at home, cutting in from the right.
This season, he has tinkered with various formations which have left Cairney and the influential Stefan Johansen out of position, while the boss insists that Sessegnon is a left-back. It’s maddening. However, he appears to be stubborn on this one and so any ins and out may reflect this:
Ben Marshall (Wolverhampton Wanderers, In)
Jokanovic simply won’t listen to reason regarding Sessegnon, so even when he does return to the 4-2-3-1 formation which sprung them to a play-off place at the end of the season, it would appear he won’t play the young man there on the long-term.
Ben Marshall has long since been linked with a move south though and he is comfortable in that position himself, something which was shown when this was his regular starting place at Wolves last season under Paul Lambert, who of course knows him so well.
Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur, Out)
Even if he stayed, he wouldn’t be in rightful position and I fear for the player that it’ll now happen either way, with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino seemingly seeing the young England hopeful as a replacement for Danny Rose, who could be about to join Manchester United for £50million after having fallen out with the boss somewhat.
Whatever money is offered for Sessegnon will be huge, so there is no way Fulham will turn it down I feel. As far as the player is concerned, he would be wise to make the move regardless of his position on the pitch, as he can always state his case for playing further forward, somewhere down the line, much like what Gareth Bale did.
Article
Sign Him Up Klopp – This £22m Serie A Defender Is Statistically Better Than Liverpool’s Current Lot
Emerson Palmieri
Why Liverpool Should Look To Sign Emerson Palmieri In January
Liverpool’s Premier League season is going through a rough patch and Jurgen Klopp’s side has conceded 16 times in 9 outings so far in the league. The defence has been a major concern and a string of dismal defensive displays have made things complicated for the Reds, especially following previous weekend’s disastrous 4-1 Wembley defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Klopp’s summer transfer policy was highly criticised for not bringing in a centre-back which was considered as their topmost priority and his defensive options like Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan have failed to impress the gaffer due to their error-prone displays.
The entire back five of Liverpool needs an upgrade and despite early promises shown by the youngsters like Danny Ward, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the back line lacks experience as well as consistency. Nathaniel Clyne is yet to return from his injury whereas Joel Matip is also proving to be little inconsistent lately.
Left-back Alberto Moreno, surprisingly, has been the most influential defender for the Merseysiders who has improved drastically following a couple of disappointing campaigns. Yet, the Liverpool defence is not good enough if we compare them with both the Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and if reports from several outlets are believed to be true, Reds boss Klopp is set to complete the £22m transfer of AS Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri who has been extensively scouted in recent years and a summer move reportedly broke down due to his ACL rupture that he suffered towards the end of the previous campaign and is yet to recover fully from this long-standing injury.
Emerson, 23, joined the Serie A heavyweights back in 2015 from Santos and despite being a second-fiddle to Lucas Digne, the Brazil-born defender has earned regular status after Digne’s departure (who joined Barcelona) and has impressed in the short run following a balanced display down the left flank. He has showed great attacking skills but has maintained defensive composure at the same time – something Liverpool desperately need to sort out as early as possible.
Liverpool’s left-back conundrum is nothing new. Since Jose Enrique’s egress, the Reds have experimented many in that role, but most of them failed to earn a regular status. Moreno joined them back in 2014 but failed to convince the gaffer with his erroneous outings. Klopp had to play versatile James Milner in a makeshift left-back role last season, who, against all odds, did a tremendous job in an unusual slot and benched the Spaniard for the majority of the campaign.
Moreno was on the verge of being transferred out and Klopp brought in young Scotsman Andrew Robertson following an impressive Premier League campaign with Hull City. But Moreno sensationally turned his fortunes around with a stellar pre-season campaign and re-registered his place in the starting XI despite Robertson’s commendable performances in limited opportunities.
The Reds now have three options for the left-back slot including James Milner; Emerson’s arrival thus will jeopardise Robertson’s career growth furthermore. The Roma youngster has statistical superiority that makes him an upgrade on the current options and his signing will be a strong message of Klopp’s intent to rebuild his defensive line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmB2dUIHRC8
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”