News.Scotland.Org

May, 3

The bustling Edinburgh city is all set for the charity run in which thousands of runners will take part for raising funds for a noble cause. In this charity run along with huge number of runners many known athletes will also going to pound the streets of Edinburgh. This run is said to be one of the massive runs till date for which people are eagerly waiting to be a part of this huge run.

The route for the race will be a bit different this year due to the closure of road for the ongoing tram works. The race will start from the Meadows and will then move along the city’s prime landmarks which include Edinburgh castle, the Scott Monument, the Royal Mile, the Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building.

This run will not only raise money for charity but also will give athletes to post out some fast time. People are also excited to run along with some famous athletes who have staged their strengths in Olympics before. Some of the other known personalities who will hit the streets will be Kaye Adams (Loose Women Presenter), Jane Slaughter (EastEnders actress), Brian Burnett (Radio DJ) and Liz McColgan (former Olyupic). It is expected that with all these known faces taking part in the run, it will be a great experience for many running with their idols.

To make sure the run goes on smoothly the roads across the city centre will remain closed from 6am in the morning to 2:30pm afternoon. It is also advised for drivers to avoid those closed roads during the run is on. In addition to Sunday’s run there will be a children’s race in the Meadows tomorrow from 1:30pm. All preparation is over and Edinburgh is buzzing to witness this massive run for a good cause.

Scotland, Feb 22: The enthralling slack lining masters’ tournament will be conducted as part of the Fort William Mountain Festival to be held on Saturday. Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William will host this prestigious event. Competitors from various part of the country including the US and Britain will compete in what could be termed as the UK’s first slack lining masters.

Walking on a tightrope that is set above the ground is the highlight of this event. The concept of this sport was put forth by American mountaineers in the 1970s and has been contested at heights of 5,000ft.

Among the judges Ric Pheigh of America is considered as the most experienced slack lining judge in the US that adds experience to the judges’ panel. To add more merit to this event prominent experts like Andy Lewis and world record holder Damian Cookson will take part in this event.

The cash award for this event is fixed at £2,000. Last year the organisers of the festival promoted the event by displaying images that depicts slack liner John Ritson walking a line above the Lower Falls of Nevis River.

Scotland, Feb 18: Records are meant to break over the period of time. Drawing inspiration from previous record and with stern determination heading towards new milestone is the right way to carve out a new record in your respective field of ability. The latest example for this is the record breaking cycling tour round the world by a British man named Mark Beaumont. He hails from Fife and took 195 days to complete his journey as against the previous record of 276 days.

After completing the 18,000 miles long journey Mark Beaumont reached the finish line at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. As part of his journey he crossed 20 countries that include Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, US and New Zealand. Mr Beaumont overcame several adverse situations to accomplish this achievement. Floods, road rage, road accident and lot more stood as the barrier on his way towards the record. He originally belonged to Bridge of Cally in Perthshire but he is now living in Newburgh.

While commenting on his achievement Mr Beaumont said: “I’m delighted by this record breaking performance. It will take some time for me to sink in. Now I feel happy to meet my friends and relatives after a long time I’m looking forward to get nice sleep. My confidence level reached a new high after proving myself as the first and the fastest one to beat the record.”

Mr Beaumont’s mother Una, father Kevin and sisters Heather and Hannah received him at the finishing line. Prince William and Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy also appreciated him for his effort. The authorities of the Guinness World Records consider this as an official attempt and found everything in order; the researchers are going through the paper work and it will soon be registered as a world record.

January, 14

The massive snowfall in Scotland has though added worries for many with transportation problem and accidents. While on other hand it has brought some thing to cheer for many Scottish sports lovers who were waiting for this to happen.

Scotland has been flocked by many winter tourist these days to enjoy the snow covered beauty of this place and also to quench their sporting thirst. With such a large amount of snowfall which lashed the country in the past few weeks has given a wide scope for winter sport enthusiast to enjoy all the variety of sporting events. Reports have suggested that huge number of people visited the five main ski resorts. Even people seemed to be enjoying the fun in snow.

With the amount of snowfall in Scotland this time and prediction are for more snowfall in coming days, it was known that last time such snowfall was experienced during 2004. Meanwhile with the met-officials prediction for more adverse climate and milder weather with rains, it is feared that the snow could melt and can cause floods.

Tourist and skiers are busy enjoying the sport in huge numbers, and this weekend there was a huge turn out at all major skie centres. If the snow cover will continue to remain then it is for sure that the percentage of visitors and locals will increase in coming days. But if the snow melts down then it could play a spoil sport to the winter sport lovers.

Scotland, Jan 2: The new urban sports centre that is named as Transgression Park will be unveiled within few days is expected to add more attraction to Edinburgh. The sports centre located at the city centre shopping mall will function as the skate park, dancing arena and BMX track. The centre is designed by professional BMX rider Dave Sowerby.

The skate park of this centre is considered as the highest in the UK and it also include an extended dance area, shop and a café. The stunt school and the free running area will be added to it in the future. The area used for the construction of the centre is earlier used for conducting art exhibitions, events at the Leith Festival and for a boxing club. An annual membership fee of £25 will be collected from the users apart from the entry fees. The skate park will be open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm.

According to the director Ken Smith “The new skate park will fulfil the requirement of those disappointed skate buffs over the continuing internal strife over the new public skate park. The nearest skate park is located in Dundee but we will provide a wide range of facilities. The Ocean Terminal is taking a risk but we are confident that we will bear fruit in our venture and will prove that there is demand for this kind of facility in Edinburgh.”

While commenting on this Albie Clark representing the Focus skateboard shop said: “I’m sure that this venture will become a great success. Edinburgh needs a proper skating facility. For many years now the public space in the city centre is being squeezed. It has been criticised that the private money is used for providing facility for the fashionable sports like skateboarding, break dancing and free running.”

Previous year skaters were saddened by the city council’s decision to neglect the proposal for £750,000 Skate Park. The new skate park will raise the hope of all the skate buffs in Edinburgh.

Scotland, Nov 9: A gigantic indoor climbing arena situated on the suburbs of Edinburgh city has got the highest ranking from the national tourism agency. Before two years it was taken over by the city council as part of the rescue package. The award will encourage more visitors to reach the spot and enjoy the
adventurous rock climbing in a full fledged indoor set-up. £6 million was spent for its refurbishment work that took place five months ago.

The gigantic climbing arena is located in the multi-million pound complex and the city council came forward to take in charge of the arena two years ago as an attempt to liberate it from the verge of closure. In the year 2004 the arena is opened to the public even before many of its works remains incomplete. It was compelled to shut because of its major repair such as the installing heating system, complete renewal of the roofs and the construction of the car parking.

After all these renovation work and proper maintenance work the arena began to draw more visitors. During the months of February to October the number of visitors increased up to 80 per cent as compared to the same period two years ago. The chief of the climbing centre expressed hope to reach the target of 60,000 climbers by the end of this financial year.

While commenting on this Graeme Gardiner, the centre manager said: “We feel pleased to get a five star status soon after its opening. We have invested sheer amount of time and energy to make sure that the EICA is the best climbing area offering inimitable climbing experience. The extensive feedback we got for our earnest attempt is the recognition to us. It is good to have an official rating to back this world class climbing destination.”

The city’s sports and culture leader, Councillor Deidre Brock commented that this climbing arena is of good quality and with unmatchable charm turns out as an asset to Edinburgh. The Five-star status will help to endorse the centre to more climbers from all parts of the world.

The five-star status will help in giving EICA global fame and it will gain more popularity for its unique features.

October, 9

Can you all imagine, a Commonwealth Game with all spectators travelling by public transport to reach the venue? Yes that’s true; plans have been worked out for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with Glasgow running strong in the bid to host the event. This surprising and interesting decision was taken keeping in view the holiday period during the time of games. It is also decided to provide free tickets on public transport to ticket holders, and there will not be any parking facility at the venues.

In order to make sure this plan works out, the bid organisers are looking up to the transport projects going on, which are due to be over by 2012. This transport project includes the £210 million Glasgow airport rail link, £500 million M74 extension and a £69 million north-south “East End regeneration route”. It is also noted that about 10,000 athletes, journalist and other officials will be commuted by means of buses using Games lanes, where traffic lights will turn green to speed journeys without any jerks. About 325,000 spectators are expected to reach Glasgow to witness the event.

Glasgow is getting ready to embrace the 2014 Commonwealth Games with enough infrastructure and funds to host this big event successfully. The bid director Derek Casey said, we have planned a ‘compact games’ with most of the venues just 20 minutes from the athletes village. He added Glasgow has hosted many events but Commonwealth Games is the biggest of all events. Glasgow is all set to be the host to this huge sporting festival.

The main area which organizers are looking at is the traffic management, Robert Booth, Glasgow city council’s executive director for land and environmental services said, people are motivated to work from home and the influx of Lorries into the city will be diverted to enter city during nights. Steps are also planned to improve the Park-and-ride sites all over the city. While experts are commending the decision to make Commonwealth Games a car-free event, and also look up to the massive transport improvement in Glasgow.

Contenders for the race

The 2014 Commonwealth games might be another Commonwealth Game event for the rest of the world, but along with all athletes two more contenders are preparing hard to stand out in this grand event. These two contenders are Abuja in Nigeria and Glasgow in Scotland, both these cities are battling it hard to play a proud host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Time is still left before the curtains raises with the official announcement of the host nation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Scotland, Oct 5: This weekend is very special for the Scotland Rugby team, as they are going face Argentina in a quarter final match of the Rugby World Cup-2007. If the Scottish team prove their competence against the Argentinian team, then that will be their second World Cup semi-final. The crucial match will be held at Stade de France located in Paris.

Meanwhile the New Zealand’s legend player Jonah Lomu expressed his hope of Scottish team reaching the semi finals. In a pool match Scottish team lost to the All Black team, it was their only defeat in all four pool stage matches. In the history of World Cup, Scotland team had faced the knockout stage encounters against the New Zealand side. It has happened three times out of the five tournaments, Lomu has played a vital role in two of them.

While commenting on the quarter final match Lomu said: “ Right from the beginning Argentina have helped to make it the most competitive World Cup yet, but I wouldn’t completely rule out the Scottish side. Scotland have not played that well yet and they must hope it turns in their favour on Sunday. For that to happen, Scotland will have to deny Argentina possession and that would be the way to frustrate them so that they concede penalties to the best goal-kicker in the world, which is Chris Paterson.”

He retrieved some pleasant memories by travalling back the memory lane, the 32 year old recollected: “I played against Scotland in 1995 in South Africa and at Murrayfield four years later, when the orange-coloured jerseys worn by our opponents meant the floodlights were hardly required.”

Haunted by injuries and illness, for five long years Lomu kept himself away from the Rugby game, he underwent a kidney transplantation in the year 2004 and is still eager to return to the field in the near future. While commenting on the quarter final match between New Zealand and France in Cardiff this weekend, he was cautious over the threat faced by his fellow countrymen. The New Zealand team have lost three of their last four matches with France in Europe when the contest has been held outside Paris. In Paris, their record is four wins and a draw in five matches.

Lomu further added: “ I’d be much happier if the quarter-final was being played in Paris. Hopefully, Scottish crowds haven’t seen the last of me and certainly I feel fresher and fitter compared to when I turned out in the Borders for Cardiff a few years ago and I was still struggling to get feeling back in my feet. Life is good and I am sure I still have a lot I can offer rugby.” concluded the Rugby hero.

Scotland, Oct 4: Celtic park faced a tensed moment last night as a jubilant and excited fan of Celtic football team entered the pitch and apparently attacked the AC Milan goalkeeper, Nelson Dida . This incident is expected to hurt the Celtic’s 2-1 win in their Champions League match in Glasgow. This victory of Celtic team was considered as a revenge to their defeat to the champions in the last 16 match in the previous season, unfortunately they have to face the grunt of UEFA, football’s governing body, this includes the deduction of points or expulsion from the competition.

The dramatic incident took place as the match entered the 90^th minute, tensions were running high at Celtic Park as the hosts battled for their first victory in the group stage of the competition. Mc Donald of Celtic team had just scored a goal to make the score 2-1, it was at this point of time a jubilant fan entered the pitch from the Celtic end across Dida’s path near the goalpost, before making contact with him.

The 33 year old goal keeper collapsed on the ground grasping his face soon after the attack. The medical staff rushed to the spot and attended the Brazilian, later he was taken out of the ground in a stretcher. There are mixed response over this incident, some witness say Dida was ‘caught around the throat’, while others say he was ’stroked across the chest’.

After attacking Dida the excited fan made an attempt to join the Celtic team who had gathered in a corner of the ground to celebrate the goal. The game continued soon after Dida was replaced by a substitute. Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of AC Milan said: “I don’t think the injury is serious.”

While commenting on this incident Strathclyde Police said: “We are investigating the incident, but no one had been detained yet.”

In a similar incident earlier, Dida was hurt by a flare during the Champions League quarter-final between AC Milan and Inter Milan. That game was abandoned and UEFA awarded a 5-0 aggregate victory to AC Milan, who reached the semi-finals. Inter Milan were fined £132,000 and had to play four European games behind closed doors.

The president of the Celtic Supporters’ Affiliation, Peter Rafferty, said: “We are disappointed to have our elation at the result turned into something like this”. The manager of the Celtic football team, Gordon Strachan, declined to comment on this incident. William Gaillard, director of communication, UEFA, said that they are looking for the reports from the referee and match delegate before taking further action.

Its bad time for Celtic team, their hard earned victory is spoiled by the over excitement of a fan.

Scotland, Oct 1: After a setback in the third league match against New Zealand, Scotland Rugby team regained its name in the Rugby World Cup 2007. With this hard earned victory the Scottish team enters into the quarter final round of the world cup. Frank Hadden’s men survived the scare and a good few others to defeat Italy, the score card was horribly close thing, and anxiety prevailed up to the last moment. Some crucial flaws from the Italian side paved the way for the Scottish team’s victory.

The game was tight with plenty of kicking from both sides but in the end Scottish team gained the edge amidst heavy rain in St Etienne. In the initial league matches against Portugal and Romania the Scottish team won with a clean margin. But against the New Zealand side they failed to continue their winning streak as they gave way to a crumbling defeat.

With the rain interrupting the smooth conduct of the match, the wet field led to the flaws from both the sides. Most of the rugby on show came from the Italians who scored the only try of the night and were far more willing to risk moving the wet ball. The Scottish Coach won’t care about aesthetics and this victory was built on the backs of two kickers. Parks led the team into attacking areas and Chris Paterson just doesn’t miss when given the opportunity. He was given six in all and, insatiable, he took every one.

In the match against Italy the Scotland team give away 21 points in the initial stage of the match, but this time they were in no mood to repeat that generosity. Instead they got off to a flying start with two penalties within the opening five minutes, the perfect way to calm the nerves. In the final hour of the match, when the Italian team began to fought back the Scots team took defence as their rescue. Bortolussi kicked two penalties in quick succession; the first after Nathan Hines was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

With the clock ticking and Scotland leading 18-16, Italy full-back David Bortolussi has the chance to win the game for his team. His long-range effort drifts wide and it favours the Scotland team. This crucial victory will let the Scottish team helped in getting the last minute berth in the quarter final round. They have to improvise their performance so as to overcome the trouble against Argentina or France in the next match to come.