[Sports] Remembering one of Malaysia’s greatest histories in sports

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_XVI_Commonwealth_Games_Kuala_Lumpur.svg

As the nation celebrates Malaysia’s 57^th independence day, we take a look back at one of the greatest sports event to be held in our beloved country, the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

source: http://www.sgm.org.my/en/?cur=page/page&id=156&title=XVI_Commonwealth_Games

The 16^th and the first ever Commonwealth Games to be held in an Asian country began on the 11^th of September 1998, with Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, our then Prime Minister, opening the games.

The newly build National Stadium Bukit Jalil was roaring with excitement. Many renowned Malaysian artists like Siti Roziana Binti Zain, Shahrul Anuar Zain and others were singing the theme song “Malaysiaku Gemilang”.

The dances and music performances were all related towards the opening ceremony theme, which was “Unity towards Progress”. 5000 volunteers spread out coloured cards, which represented sports images, different flags and many other different messages.

The opening ceremony ended with a beautiful display of fireworks showing different colours and shapes, with hoops and flowers.

source: http://theviewspaper.net/the_green_stuff/

The 16^th Commonwealth Games brought in a total of 15 new sport events. New team events included games like netball, cricket and others. Individual events bought in squash and ten-pin bowling. In athletics, swimming, badminton, gymnastics and much more other events were added.

Rugby Sevens was particularly successful, with New Zealand receiving its 100^th Commonwealth Games medal after a 21-12 win against a courageous Fiji team, which was the world champion back then.

What was build up to be a tight match with Michelle Martin going up against Sarah Fitz-Gerald in the final of the woman’s squash event, surprised some as Michelle won gold in just three dominant sets 9-0, 9-6, 9-5. Michelle also played the doubles alongside Craig Rowland to win the mixed doubles gold.

The Commonwealth Games finally ended on the 21th September 1998. The closing ceremony was a sight to behold as there was dances and performances, and fireworks concluding what was a magnificent event for our country.

Malaysia ended the 16^th Commonwealth Games with a then record 10 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze medals.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Commonwealth_Games

[ Entertainment ] SURPRISE! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Got Married!

Source: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/lifestyle/2014/08/29/brad-pitt-and-angelina-jolie-marry/

  France-It's such a surprising news! It's something we have been waiting for almost a decade - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have tied the knot officially over the weekend. 

According to the Associated Press, last saturday, they had their wedding ceremony privately at French village of Correns. Brad Pitt, 50, met Angelina Jolie, 39, while shooting movie ' Mr and Mrs. Smith', and they got engaged in 2012.

   According to Angie, she said that Brad and her are waiting for the right timing with work and kids, the time that they feel comfortable with.

  Based on the inTouchweekly, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who commonly called as Brangelina said "I do!" in a small chapel that attended by their family members and also their close friends. Maddox and Pax who are Angie and Brad's eldest children walked their mom down the aisle. Zahara and Vivienne, the twin sisters, threw petals as flower girls while the ring bearers are served by Shiloh and Knox. Then, the couple obtained a marriage license in California.

  Congratulations to Brangelina!

Source: inTouchweekly, http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/brad-pitt-and-angelina-jolie-got-married-over-the-weekend-42278?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_253169

[Lifestyle] The Rice Bucket Challenge

 photo from:http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/25/world/asia/india-rice-bucket-challenge/

India- Indians use rice instead of ice for the “Rice Bucket Challenge” to assist vast population of poor, hungry people in their country. They were inspired by the famous “Ice Bucket Challenge”.

The challenge requires a donation of at least a bucket of rice to the less fortunate people and uploading a picture to the internet with a ‘hashtag’ #RiceBucketChallenge. This challenge then went viral on the internet.

 photo from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/11055721/Indian-RiceBucketChallenge-swaps-ice-for-rice.html

According to Reuters, Manju Latha Kalanidhi, a 38-year-old journalist, clocked more than 52 thousand ‘likes’ so far for a Facebook page, “Local Challenge for Local Needs”.

Kalanidhi felt the “Ice Bucket Challenge” was a little bizarre because hunger is a disease anybody would connect with.

Kalanidhi’s movement began to attract media’s attention. In the southern state of Kerala, the students of Indian Institute of Management uploaded a video on the internet after donating rice. AirAsia India stated that its management will take part in the “Rice Bucket Challenge” on Monday.

Based on the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Hunger, out of a list of 78 countires, India was ranked 63^rd last year and mass hunger continues to haunt this country.

The new Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda is tackling poverty. Banking-for-all scheme was launched by him on Thursday. He explained that “financial untouchability” should end.

source from:http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/29/us-india-challenge-rice-idUSKBN0GT11W20140829

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