Post by QPR Report on Nov 21, 2008 0:20:05 GMT
The article's focus is on Spurs takeover. I found interesting that Les Ferdinand is doing this re QPR.
Gulf Daily News - Mideast investors may buy Tottenham
By GEOFFREY BEW
MANAMA: Soccer legend Les Ferdinand yesterday fuelled speculation that Tottenham Hotspur could be the next Premiership club taken over by Middle East investors. The revelation came in Bahrain as the former England player and now Tottenham strikers' coach helped launch a community football initiative involving Gulf Air and Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
"I believe that Tottenham is up for sale and if the right money comes in they will accept it," said Mr Ferdinand.
"If there is any form of takeover it is going to be a consortium from the Middle East.
"I have been speaking to a few shaikhs and their knowledge of the game is outstanding."
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=235317&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31246
And This - Gulf Daily News
ENGLAND football legend Les Ferdinand yesterday launched a search for a Bahraini 'David Beckham'.
Gulf Air has joined forces with Championship club Queens Park Rangers (QPR) to set up the project, which involves 20 local football clubs and top UK coaches. The clubs have already been given football kits and training equipment worth BD200 each, as part of the Football in the Community initiative.
It is hoped that the clubs will use the help to bring on talented youngsters.
The first phase of the project will involve a free five-day training camp at the Gulf Air Club, Salmabad, on November 30, run by professional coaches from QPR.
An open community session will also be held for children aged 11 to 13, from 5pm to 8pm on December 4, at the same venue.
"This initiative is about giving people, particularly children, the opportunity to not just come together and play football but also to learn about the benefits of teamwork," Gulf Air chief executive officer Bjšrn NŠf told a Press conference at the club.
General Organisation for Youth and Sport (Goys) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, QPR officials and representatives from Bahrain's football clubs attended the event.
The project is part of Gulf Air's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which aims to give something back to the community.
It is also linked to the airline's three-year sponsorship deal with QPR, signed in July, to scout and coach young talented Bahraini footballers.
The partnership will see the introduction of a local youth football scouting programme and community-based initiatives in Bahrain and London.
Mr Ferdinand, nicknamed "Sir Les" after being made a member of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2005, said he was delighted to support the project.
The former QPR player and now Tottenham Hotspur's strikers' coach, was still in non-league football at 19, when he was discovered by scouts. He went on to play for several Premiership clubs and for England.
"Football is a sport which has the power to bring people together and I am proud to be involved in a programme that will provide a fantastic opportunity for local children as well as strengthen social and community skills," he said.
"I have been involved in schemes like this in the UK and it is a good initiative for children.
"I got involved in football late, when I was 19.
"I was playing non-league football and I thought the game had passed me by."
Mr Ferdinand believes it is only a matter of time before a player from Bahrain or the Gulf makes it into the English Premiership.
"Football is a worldwide sport and if you come to the Arab countries you can watch any Premiership game you want," he told the GDN.
"I think we are going to see more and more youngsters emerging from this region."
Mr Ferdinand said he had been invited back to watch some Bahrain Classification Soccer League matches and says the country's talent merits more exploration.
An Abu Dhabi-based consortium took over Premiership club Manchester City in a $354 million (BD133.8m) deal this summer, but the former England international does not believe foreign ownership is a threat to English football.
"It can only be a good thing because it makes the league more competitive," Mr Ferdinand told the GDN.
"For years we have been dominated by Manchester United and Arsenal and then Chelsea and now Man City have come in with some big money. So it will make for a more competitive league."
Mr Ferdinand believes Tottenham may be the next Premiership team involved in a Middle East takeover, saying it would depend on the offer.
He also had some words of encouragement for Bahrain's attempt to reach the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa - despite the team's last-gasp loss at home to Australia on Wednesday.
"As long as you are creating chances in the games, at some stage they are going to go in," he said.
"They definitely have a chance."
Children interested in registering for the community session should e-mail their name, age and contact number to qpr@gulfair.com.
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=235316&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31246
Gulf Daily News - Mideast investors may buy Tottenham
By GEOFFREY BEW
MANAMA: Soccer legend Les Ferdinand yesterday fuelled speculation that Tottenham Hotspur could be the next Premiership club taken over by Middle East investors. The revelation came in Bahrain as the former England player and now Tottenham strikers' coach helped launch a community football initiative involving Gulf Air and Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
"I believe that Tottenham is up for sale and if the right money comes in they will accept it," said Mr Ferdinand.
"If there is any form of takeover it is going to be a consortium from the Middle East.
"I have been speaking to a few shaikhs and their knowledge of the game is outstanding."
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=235317&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31246
And This - Gulf Daily News
ENGLAND football legend Les Ferdinand yesterday launched a search for a Bahraini 'David Beckham'.
Gulf Air has joined forces with Championship club Queens Park Rangers (QPR) to set up the project, which involves 20 local football clubs and top UK coaches. The clubs have already been given football kits and training equipment worth BD200 each, as part of the Football in the Community initiative.
It is hoped that the clubs will use the help to bring on talented youngsters.
The first phase of the project will involve a free five-day training camp at the Gulf Air Club, Salmabad, on November 30, run by professional coaches from QPR.
An open community session will also be held for children aged 11 to 13, from 5pm to 8pm on December 4, at the same venue.
"This initiative is about giving people, particularly children, the opportunity to not just come together and play football but also to learn about the benefits of teamwork," Gulf Air chief executive officer Bjšrn NŠf told a Press conference at the club.
General Organisation for Youth and Sport (Goys) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, QPR officials and representatives from Bahrain's football clubs attended the event.
The project is part of Gulf Air's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which aims to give something back to the community.
It is also linked to the airline's three-year sponsorship deal with QPR, signed in July, to scout and coach young talented Bahraini footballers.
The partnership will see the introduction of a local youth football scouting programme and community-based initiatives in Bahrain and London.
Mr Ferdinand, nicknamed "Sir Les" after being made a member of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2005, said he was delighted to support the project.
The former QPR player and now Tottenham Hotspur's strikers' coach, was still in non-league football at 19, when he was discovered by scouts. He went on to play for several Premiership clubs and for England.
"Football is a sport which has the power to bring people together and I am proud to be involved in a programme that will provide a fantastic opportunity for local children as well as strengthen social and community skills," he said.
"I have been involved in schemes like this in the UK and it is a good initiative for children.
"I got involved in football late, when I was 19.
"I was playing non-league football and I thought the game had passed me by."
Mr Ferdinand believes it is only a matter of time before a player from Bahrain or the Gulf makes it into the English Premiership.
"Football is a worldwide sport and if you come to the Arab countries you can watch any Premiership game you want," he told the GDN.
"I think we are going to see more and more youngsters emerging from this region."
Mr Ferdinand said he had been invited back to watch some Bahrain Classification Soccer League matches and says the country's talent merits more exploration.
An Abu Dhabi-based consortium took over Premiership club Manchester City in a $354 million (BD133.8m) deal this summer, but the former England international does not believe foreign ownership is a threat to English football.
"It can only be a good thing because it makes the league more competitive," Mr Ferdinand told the GDN.
"For years we have been dominated by Manchester United and Arsenal and then Chelsea and now Man City have come in with some big money. So it will make for a more competitive league."
Mr Ferdinand believes Tottenham may be the next Premiership team involved in a Middle East takeover, saying it would depend on the offer.
He also had some words of encouragement for Bahrain's attempt to reach the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa - despite the team's last-gasp loss at home to Australia on Wednesday.
"As long as you are creating chances in the games, at some stage they are going to go in," he said.
"They definitely have a chance."
Children interested in registering for the community session should e-mail their name, age and contact number to qpr@gulfair.com.
www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=235316&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31246
