Bit of a punch up?
Enzo Calzaghe seems to have a bit of a fight on. His brilliant guidance helped
his son Joe, as well as Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees, to world titles.
But that little gym in Newbridge is looking a little less crowded with world
class talent right now. In the space of a year he has seen Maccarinelli and
hot prospect Nathan Cleverly leave, and Joe and Gary Lockett, a world title
contender, both retire. Kerry Hope grew frustrated with his lack of activity
and went in June. Rees, meanwhile, has not fought since losing his belt in
March 2008, likewise Tony Doherty, and Bradley Pryce lost his commonwealth
light middleweight strap earlier this year. Unless Hari Miles or Jamie Todd,
a former Swansea City youth teamer, start making strides, you have to wonder
what comes next.
Kurds and Wales
Ever wondered how
Craig Bellamy might help the Middle East
peace process? If,
for some reason, you haven’t, it seems sports ministers in Kurdistan have.
Well, not exactly. But they are looking at Welsh sport as a blueprint for their
own sporting ambitions; ambitions they hope will, among other things, increase
unity in the region. In Spring they invited a delegation of senior officials
from the Sports Council for Wales to Kurdistan to talk about how sport in this
country is run and sportsmen and women are supported. Kurdistan Minister for
Sports and Youth, Mr Taha Barwary, said: "We know that sport is a powerful
tool that can bring communities together and improve people’s quality of
life. We hope to learn more about how sport is funded and run…and how to
help talented athletes excel to become formidable competitors at an international
level." Not quite time for Bellamy to collect the Nobel Peace Prize, but
you get the point.
Ffos Las Racecourse
Something big has been happening down in the heart of Carmarthenshire, between
the towns of Llanelli and Carmarthen – and has surprisingly gone a wee
bit unnoticed by the public at large here in Wales. This kind of racecourse hasn’t
been seen in the area since 1937 and is a significant investment by Mr David
Walters, the Chairman of South Wales civil engineering company The Walters Group.
The track is going to provide a racing surface to rival any course in the world
and will host both National Hunt and flat fixtures. It has excellent facilities
and infrastructure for the racegoer, including ample free parking, a large stand
housing plenty of bars and betting outlets. Above all it will offer a great view
of high quality racing in picturesque surroundings.
Riath Al-Samarrai rounds up your summer of sport