FIFA Supports Somalia Football
World football’s governing body, FIFA, recently organized a five-day training program to help develop the sport in Somalia. The football festival in the capital, Mogadishu, was attended by more than 30 coaches and 300 children. During the clinic, local coaches learned basic training techniques with the hope of improving the skills of young Somali footballers. […]
USA Men’s Soccer Team Aims For Another World Cup Berth
The U.S. men’s national soccer team is on a record winning streak as it aims for its seventh consecutive World Cup berth next year in Brazil. The Americans beat Panama Sunday, 1-0, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, which was played before almost 58,000 fans at Soldier Field in Chicago. Substitute Brek Shea, who plays […]
Somalia Basketball Bounces Back
I grew up playing basketball with my brothers on a cement court my father built in our backyard. It was a safe environment and we had lots of fun playing one of the world’s most popular sports. In Somalia, where there has been decades of war, basketball is being used as a peace-building tool in […]
Magical Moments For Victor Oladipo
“Look how far we came Through the fire, I stood knowing we would reign Feels like yesterday when all this was a dream Through these Maybach curtains I see how life has changed.” – Meek Mill, “Maybach Curtains” Victor Oladipo was anything but meek when he sang those lyrics after being selected #2 overall in […]
Mayweather Versus Alvarez Shaping Up As Boxing Blockbuster
Undefeated fighters Floyd Mayweather and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez stopped here in Washington Tuesday to promote their September 14th super welterweight world title bout, one of boxing’s most anticipated match-ups in recent years. The fistic hoopla took place at the Howard Theatre in Washington, the second stop on an 11-city media tour. The promotional bandwagon will […]
Uncle Ted Roberts Tribute
A Retirement Celebration was held June 8, 2013, for my friend, mentor and former Voice of America colleague “Uncle” Ted Roberts, who recently stepped down after 42 years of teaching at Howard University here in Washington, D.C. The following is my tribute speech at the ceremony: “Is everything okay? Is everything alright? I hope so!” […]
Robbie Russell Goes From Pro Soccer to Medical School
Ghana-born Robbie Russell says he greatly enjoyed his recent visit to our Voice of America headquarters. The 33-year-old Russell, who announced his retirement from pro soccer last month, brought with him several of the club jerseys he wore proudly all over the world. Russell played as a defender for clubs in Iceland, Norway and Denmark, […]
Tony Parker and Spurs Return to NBA Finals
French star Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs are returning to the National Basketball Association Finals for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2007. Led by Parker, the Spurs swept the Memphis Grizzlies in four consecutive games to reach the championship round. The 31-year-old Parker was outstanding against the Grizzlies, […]
Deng Hopes to Rebound After Spinal Tap Scare
It’s been perhaps the most difficult period of Luol Deng’s professional basketball career, but the two-time NBA All-Star for the Chicago Bulls is confident of bouncing back from illness after a spinal tap. Writing on Twitter Thursday, Deng said, “I’m getting better each day. I want to thank the fans for the great support this […]
Sporty Bobbleheads Boost Cubicle Spirit at VOA
My Voice of America colleague Nancy Coviello brought her Andy Najar bobblehead to her new cubicle in our office. As you can see, the Honduran footballer Najar is wearing the uniform of D.C. United, his former Major League Soccer club based here in Washington. D.C. United recently finalized a multimillion dollar deal with the club […]