Saturday, 24 June 2017

Over 300 stakeholders to attend Dar’s first logistics summit August 23-26.

Over 300 stakeholders to attend Dar’s first logistics summit August 23-26.

Dar es Salaam. More than 300 transportation and port stakeholders from 32 countries around the world are expected to meet in Dar es Salaam for the 1st global logistics summit scheduled for August 23-26.

The minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said on Friday, when briefing journalists that, the summit came at the right time, when the government had decided to invest in and improve Dar es Salaam Port and others in the country.

Prof Mbarawa said through the summit local businesspeople would get an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with others from countries that had made a big step in transportation, logistics and ports.

"We want our stakeholders to get out from doing business as usual and engage in modern technologies that can boost revenue collection," he said.

He said further the summit would help the country to get opportunities that could help stimulate economic growth through transportation.

For his part, the president of Tanzania Freighters Forwarders Association (Taffa) Steven Ngatunga added that the summit would help promote tourist attractions in the county.

"This is our summit so we call upon all stakeholders from ship agencies, freighters forwarders, transportation and insurance companies to attend the meeting and learn various issues, including challenges and a way forward," he said.
#thecitizen

Alvaro Arbeloa, 34, will hang up his boots following an unsuccessful spell at West Ham, where he only played three Premier League matches.

Alvaro Arbeloa, 34, will hang up his boots following an unsuccessful spell at West Ham, where he only played three Premier League matches.

Former West Ham, Real Madrid and Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa revealed he is retiring from football.
Arbeloa will hang up his boots following an unsuccessful spell at West Ham, where he only played three Premier League matches before being released in May.
The 34-year-old former Spain international walks away from the game, having won the World Cup, Euro 2008, Euro 2012, two Champions League crowns and LaLiga.
"It's time to say goodbye," Arbeloa told Marca.
"Physically I was ok to keep playing."
Arbeloa arrived at West Ham after spending seven years at Madrid, where he claimed LaLiga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana.
Prior to Arbeloa's time at the Santiago Bernabeu, he made almost 100 appearances for Liverpool between 2006 and 2009.

Lionel Messi – celebrating his 30th birthday on Saturday – could have signed for Real Madrid if Horacio Gaggioli moved to the Spanish city.

Lionel Messi – celebrating his 30th birthday on Saturday – could have signed for Real Madrid if Horacio Gaggioli moved to the Spanish city.

If Horacio Gaggioli had not moved to Barcelona, Lionel Messi could have been playing for bitter rivals and LaLiga champions Real Madrid in 2017.
Barca's all-time leading goalscorer Messi arrived at Camp Nou as a 13-year-old from Rosario, thanks to the help of fellow Argentinian and agent Gaggioli.
Gaggioli was involved in Messi's relocation to Spain to join Barca and the former Newell's Old Boys youngster has gone on to win five Ballon d'Or, eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns among other trophies with the Catalan giants.
However, Messi – celebrating his 30th birthday on Saturday – could have signed for Madrid as a teenager if Gaggioli had moved to the Spanish capital instead.
"Due to life circumstances, I went to live in Barcelona and I brought him to Barca for a trial. But I was about to live in Madrid," Gaggioli told Globoesporte.
"If that had happened, I would have taken him to Madrid for a trial. That's life, those are the details.
"Today, Messi could have been a Real Madrid player, of course. The family wanted to come to Spain, to the city where I was to have some support."
Reflecting on his meeting with Messi in September of 2000, Gaggioli said: "When I saw him at the airport, I thought that boy could not be a footballer, because he was too small and skinny.
"I did not have a good impression. But when I saw him training in the Barca fields, I realised that he was a great player, who could play without a doubt."
#fourfour2

Former Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco struck in stoppage time to seal Toronto's 2-0 victory over New England Revolution on Friday.

Former Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco struck in stoppage time to seal Toronto's 2-0 victory over New England Revolution on Friday.

Sebastian Giovinco was on target as Eastern Conference high-flyers Toronto FC stayed undefeated at home in MLS this season.
Former Juventus forward Giovinco struck in stoppage time to seal Toronto's 2-0 victory over New England Revolution on Friday.
Drew Moore opened the scoring in the 11th minute at BMO Field, sliding in at the back post for a tap-in.
Italy international Giovinco put the result beyond doubt in the 96th minute – his seven goal of the season – after controlling Victor Vazquez's long ball up the field and finishing coolly across Revolution goalkeeper Cody Cropper.

The win – Toronto's seventh successive victory on home soil – saw the Canadian side move four points clear in the east and firmly in control of the Supporters' Shield, while the Revolution are two points adrift of the play-off places following back-to-back defeats.
Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas played out a 1-1 draw in their derby.
Dallas' Maximiliano Urruti equalised just shy of the hour-mark to cancel out Erick Torres' opener in Houston.

Thursday, 22 June 2017

Diego Costa admits he tried to push through a move back to Atletico Madrid before eventually going to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte with his "tail between his legs".

Diego Costa admits he tried to push through a move back to Atletico Madrid before eventually going to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte with his "tail between his legs".

The striker was heavily linked with a move back to his former club last summer after enduring a frustrating 2015/16 season as Chelsea failed miserably to defend their Premier League crown.

The two clubs were reportedly in negotiations over the transfer but talks broke down, which meant Costa had to build bridges with Conte.
Costa told El Larguero: "Atletico knows I have a special feeling for the team, I lived the best moment of my career there. El Cholo [Diego Simeone] knows it wasn't impossible for me to come back to Atletico.

"The relationship with Conte didn't start well because when he arrived I told him I wanted to go to Atletico. Chelsea's fans love me a lot, even more than in Atletico, figure that!

"When Atletico had to wait for me they didn't, there was still a month to go in the transfer market.

"I've done everything to come back to Atletico Madrid but I wouldn't fight the same to return. When Atletico didn't wait for me, I had to go to Conte with the tail between my legs."
Costa has been a key figure in Chelsea's run to the top of the Premier League this season but a reported bust-up with his manager in January again saw his future put in doubt.

Sky sources understood Costa was the subject of a £30m-a-year offer from Chinese clubs, who were willing to pay Chelsea up to £80m to sign the striker. However, Chelsea rebuffed the offer and Costa has continued his impressive form in the Premier League.
His long-term future in west London is still unclear, though.

Costa said: "In life, anything can happen and I do not close the door to anything. In football you are worth what you are worth when you are good. And why not? But right now I am good at Chelsea…I have two years left on my contract and I intend to fulfil them.

"But you never know. It's not impossible to reject it because there are things to assess. You have to think about it all. I do not rule out anything. If they come with something for Chelsea and the club tell me to go…I can go to China or elsewhere."
#skysports

Mohamed Salah Undergoing Liverpool Medical Ahead of Club Record Deal for Reds.

Mohamed Salah Undergoing Liverpool Medical Ahead of Club Record Deal for Reds.

Mohamed Salah is believed to be undergoing his Liverpool medical as the Egyptian winger takes the final steps towards completing his move from Roma to Anfield, three-and-a-half years after the Reds lost out to Chelsea in a past race to sign him.

Salah arrived in London on Tuesday night, but had made his way up to Merseyside by Thursday morning. And at up to £39m, he will soon become Liverpool's record signing and the most expensive African player of all time, surpassing last year's £34m deal for Sadio Mane.

The 25-year-old, who is expected to take Liverpool's vacant number nine shirt, will form part of an exciting attacking unit next season alongside Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana next season as the club plans returns to the Champions league.
Salah has scored a total of 34 goals since he joined Roma, initially on loan, from Chelsea in 2015 and was second only to Napoli's Jose Callejon in Serie A assists in 2016/17, with 11.

The summer transfer window does not officially open until 1st July but Salah is set to become the second new face signed up in advance after the Reds already confirmed the impending arrival of Dominic Solanke as a free agent from Chelsea - compensation is yet to be finalised.

The club remains interested in signing a new left-back, centre-back and central midfielder before next season, while fans are hoping for a 'marquee' level of striker, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not really a viable option despite recent reports.

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Manchester United have been cleared by Fifa of wrongdoing in the deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus last August.

Manchester United have been cleared by Fifa of wrongdoing in the deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus last August.

However, football's world governing body will open disciplinary proceedings against the Italian champions after asking both clubs last month for "clarification on the deal".

The enquiry was believed to concern who was involved in the £89.3m transfer, and how much they were paid.

It has been reported Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, earned £41m from the deal.

"We can confirm that no disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Manchester United," a Fifa spokesman told ESPN.

"We can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Juventus FC. We cannot comment further as proceedings are ongoing."

It has been alleged Fifa's interest in the transfer could be related to the issue of third-party ownership, although that has been denied by Raiola.

France midfielder Pogba, 24, is in his second spell at Old Trafford, having left the club for Juventus for £1.5m in 2012.

The France midfielder first joined United from French side Le Havre in acrimonious circumstances in 2009. He returned to the club last summer for a world record fee of 105m euros.

United also agreed to pay Juventus 5m euros (£4.5m) in performance-related bonuses plus other costs, including 5m euros if Pogba signs a new contract.

When they confirmed the transfer, Juventus said the "economic effect" to their club was "about 72.6m euros".

A book published in Germany last month - The Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football - and reproduced in media reports, included what it says is a breakdown of the fee for the France international.