Suarez saves Liverpool late

Liverpool 1-1 Hearts

By Emdad Rahman  August 31, 2012

Original article - A late goal from Luis Suarez proved enough to send Liverpool into the group stages of the Europa League.

The 88th minute winner was a get out of jail card for Suarez and Pepe Reina, who had earlier allowed a shot from David Templeton to squeeze under his body.

Brendan Rodgers' side dominated in all areas but a whole host of missed chances, in particular from Suarez, prevented the Reds from adding to their one goal win at Tynecastle.

Liverpool were forced to rally late as thirty minutes of extra-time loomed. Suarez made up for two earlier misses by scoring a fine leveller two minutes from time.

The Reds were deserved victors but the win was achieved with the exception of the club's most expensive player. At half-time it was confirmed that Andy Carroll had put pen to paper on a season long loan deal to West Ham.

18-year-old Adam Morgan started, whilst 17-year-old Raheem Sterling terrorised Hearts with his cutting runs from the left flank.

After being rested for the first leg in Edinburgh, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez returned to the starting line up alongside Martin Skrtel, Reina and Jamie Carragher. Jordan Henderson was also recalled and Stewart Downing deployed at left back.

Hearts were unchanged from the first leg, as skipper Marius Zaliukas had recovered from a thigh injury to play.

John McGlynn's men were not intimidated by the reputation of their illustrious opponents and had a short spell of sustained play in the Reds half early. But, despite a lack of a cutting edge, Liverpool were dominant for most of the match and deservedly enter the draw for the next round. 

Carrying the Paralympic Torch - London 2012

An amazing honour and a magnificent day. Here are a few memories...

Sahin can lead Champions League charge

All you need to know about Liverpool new boy Nuri Sahin

By Emdad Rahman

Original article - Nuri Şahin became Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer when he joined on loan from Real Madrid last week.

Liverpool fought off stern competition from Arsenal, who offered the young Turk a chance to play in the Champions League, to sign the midfielder on a year long loan.

From a very young age Şahin has been coveted as one of Europe’s most sought after talents. He made his bones in Germany after winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. His performances during the title winning charge earned him the player of the season accolade. A £10million prestigious glamour move to Real Madrid followed as Jose Mourinho snapped up Şahin on a six-year contract.

Despite limited appearances at the Bernabeu last season, more success followed as the sweet left footed playmaker collected a consecutive league title winners' medal as the Spanish giants clinched La Liga last May.

Whilst negotiating the conditions of the exciting loan deal, Mourinho was keen to point out that Şahin was very much a player that he wanted to keep for the future and thus wanted him to build up his experience in a top European league.

Liverpool agreed to the term conditions laid out by Mourinho, whilst Arsene Wenger who has been an admirer of Şahin’s for many years, favoured a loan with a view to a £15 million permanent deal.

Brendan Rodgers has been waxing lyrical about his latest acquisition. Prior to the deal being completed the Liverpool boss said: “He is a great technician. He was player of the year in Germany and captain of Dortmund. My hope is that he will be exciting and his quality will help improve the group."

With Steven Gerrard, Lucas, Jordan Henderson, Jay Spearing, Joe Allen, Oussama Assaidi fighting for starting places, Liverpool now have an abundance of exciting midfield talent. Şahin will be a major player at Liverpool this season and his chemistry with his fellow midfielders will be the backbone for a successful Liverpool assault on a Champions League spot.

Player facts

- Nuri Kazım Şahin was born in Lüdenscheid in 1988, in the year Liverpool star Ray Houghton broke English hearts by scoring Ireland’s opening European Championship winner against Bobby Robson’s men in Stuttgart.

- At 16 years and 334 days, Şahin holds the record of being the youngest player to have played in the Bundesliga.

- The Turk also holds the distinction of being the youngest player to score in the Bundesliga.

- Şahin is the youngest player to have played and scored for Turkey. Remarkably, his debut international goal was against Oliver Kahn and Germany, the country of his birth and where he plied his trade.

- Şahin won the bronze ball prize as the third best player at the 2005 Under-17 World Cup in Peru.

- In the same tournament he was awarded the Adidas Silver Shoe after scoring four goals to become the tournament’s second top goalscorer.

- In 2007-08, Şahin was loaned to Feyenoord, where he was reunited with his former Dortmund coach and mentor Bert van Marwijk. At the De Kuip in Rotterdam, Şahin became a KNVB Cup winner in 2008.

- Şahin was voted best player of the season in the Bundesliga for 2011.

Splitting the moon - A collection of Islamic poetry

Emdad Rahman

Splitting the Moon tracks scholar and author Dr Joel Hayward's intriguing journey into Islam, his fascination with the mysteries of faith, his experiences and observations as a Western Muslim, and his thoughts on the state of the Ummah (Islamic community) today.

He writes his poetry to capture events each day in the way that some people keep a diary. They are therefore deeply personal, yet reflect the ever-changing world around him.

In splitting the moon, Joel Hayward has created a splendid compilation of poetic verses. The thought provoking poems allow the reader to be drawn into the author’s depiction of dear memories and events of note. It will rouse the senses and allow each individual to uniquely analyse and weigh up the effects at first hand.

Many of the inventive episodes will resonate with the reader and provoke a heightened sense of wellbeing, frankness and even anxiety.  The distinction within this collection is the comparable similarities between real life experiences, hopes and storytelling.

The book portrays many virtues, chief among them are ebullience and optimism, forthrightness and candour. Readers browsing the content will endure a variety of sentiments. Hayward’s work infuses the senses and offers an elucidation and extension to certain perceptions that we hold. 

As an individual who greatly enjoys the creative aspects of the penned word I thoroughly recommend this collection. After completing my reading I am reminded that there is something noteworthy in the example of Edgar Allan Poe, who made a case that: “words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”

Dr Joel Hayward is a scholar, author and poet. As of 1 January 2012, he is currently a Senior Fellow at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education. His career highlights include having been the Dean of the Royal Air Force College for five years, a Director of the Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies for four years, and the Head of King’s College London’s Air Power Studies Division for six years.

Dr Hayward has also been the lead air power academic for King’s MA, Air Power in the Modern World, which was the UK’s first specialist degree programme in air power studies. He is also honoured to be Professor of Strategy (Adjunct) at the Indonesian Defense University in Jakarta. Further, he is an "expert" contributor to Think Africa Press.

As well as specialising in international conflict and security issues, Hayward is also very interested in, and has for many years been directly involved in, the delivery of applied leadership education.

Nature

Seismic Tectonic

Quaking    Plates grinding    Shaking

Grating   Irritating   Great rift   Continental drift

Separating   Tearing    Shearing    Splitting    Fire-spitting

Unremitting Tough Rough Unproductive Self-destructive

Flashing   Crashing   Clashing   Dashing

Awful   Powerful   Wonderful

Infertile   Fruitful

Soothing Hurtful

Brightening

Frightening

Mystifying

Satisfying

Sustaining

Maintaining

Flawed Ummah Adored Ummah

http://www.kubepublishing.com

http://www.joelhaywardspoetry.com

‘In the Rings with Ali’

Emdad Rahman

‘In the Rings with Ali’ is a retrospective exhibition to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s 70th year during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the Paralympic Games period guests have had exclusive access to an exhibition of photographs, memorabilia, audio and video installations, text and poetry celebrating Muhammad Ali's life achievements during his 70th year.

The show is the brainchild of Dutch photographer Christina Jansen, who photographed Ali in the 1980's and shared her experiences of 'The Greatest'.

Special guest and ex Champion boxer Michael Watson opened the pre Paralympics PV at Forman's Smokehouse Gallery. He said: “I’m here to support this project and what Ollie Wilson and his team are doing for the young people of tomorrow. It’s important to safeguard our tomorrows and we do that by looking after our young people.”

Ollie Wilson, ex British Light Middleweight, and a cohort of young people showcased Ultimate School Contender (USC), designed to improve students' attitudes towards education and society.  He said: “‘The Muhammad Ali Outreach Programme’ and 'The Ultimate School Contender ' programme, together with 'In the Ring's with Ali' exhibition will introduce a new generation to an iconic boxing legend and will also be a fitting legacy of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.”

Christina Jansen first met and photographed Ali in 1986. She lives in London, working as a portrait photographer in music, film and advertising. It has taken two years to bring together the leading world artists and photographers who are exhibiting at this event and get it off the ground. Christina is project leader of the venture.

Curated by Sandra Higgins, the exhibition features photographic works by Christina Jansen and other major photographers including Michael Gaffney, Sonia Katchian and Neil Kenlock. Muhammad Ali's brother Rahaman Ali has contributed paintings to the exhibition and attended the preview evening in July. Also on display is memorabilia relating to Ali's boxing career and in particular his success at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

The exhibition organizers and sponsors have teamed up with Ollie Wilson and Rod Douglas (British Light Middle Middleweight) to deliver “The Muhammad Ali Outreach Programme”, which will work with deserving young boxers from Holland and England. Together with Rahaman Ali (Muhammad Ali’s brother), young people from the local community presented a non-contact boxing extravaganza at the Private View on the 19th July and in Guildford the day after.

All artworks at the “In the Rings with Ali” exhibition will be for sale and a percentage of the profits will be donated to Amnesty International, Parkinson’s Research, and to a local boxing club in East London.

www.in-the-rings-with-ali.com
www.boxinginclusionzone.com

Team London Ambassadors

Unsung heroes of Olympics 2012

Bolt, Ennis, Phelps, Mohammed Farah
Euphoric faces of London’s games
But the legacy of those who volunteer
Will live long after the doused flames

Guests from all over this green earth
At them amity and goodwill unfurled
For every soul met with hearty mirth
When we smiled and greeted the world

Firm friendships fashioned at Wembley
Neil, Michael, Francesco and Megha 
I’m thankful to have joined them on the journey
Each one such a true Ambassador


number7
© Emdad Rahman

This is a tribute to all London Ambassador's, in particular the friends I made, who with little recognition have worked worked tirelessly during the London Olympics and Paralympics of 2012. I am lucky to have met and worked with such wonderful people as Neil, Michael, Megha and Francesco.

Goldsmiths during full moon

Travelling Young - Cycling around the world for Brain Tumour UK

Emdad Rahman

Two friends leave London on Sunday 2nd September to cycle around the world. Matt Andrews and Anthony King will pedal in memory of inspirational friend Tony Young and in aid of Brain Tumour UK.

Tony died from a brain tumor in June 2010. Matt Andrews was a close friend. He said: “I met Tony at The King Alfred School in Golders Green, London. He was an inspirational IT and CDT teacher adored by students and faculty alike. I got to know him even better after we traveled together to Senegal for three weeks. This was shortly before his terrible diagnosis.

“Tony’s method of coping with the disease was a testament to his strength of character. He received the fateful diagnosis in early 2010. While he was in hospital and during the months of radiation and chemotherapy he bravely maintained his sense of humor, his fantastic personality and just as importantly his dignity.

“Tony had many dreams and goals that were left unfulfilled. He was an avid cyclist, and planned to ride from London back to his native New Zealand after the London Olympics. In his memory, my close friend Anthony King and I will undertake the challenging adventure that Tony left undone. By scattering his ashes in beautiful places along the way we will use this journey to raise awareness and donations for Brain Tumour UK.

“Embarking on a round the world cycle is a lot easier when you are doing it in memory of an inspirational friend. Tony was a son, a brother, an uncle, an adventurer, a builder, a teacher, a musician, a mountain biker and a great friend. Completing this final adventure on his behalf not only honours him and his life, it will also recognize all of those who struggle bravely against this tragic disease.”

The adventure is planned to last 14 weeks. Matt gave up his job as a teacher and Anthony as a Diver in order to undertake this momentous journey. The first leg of the route will see the pair travelling to Lisbon before heading westwards.  The two friends are operating on a tight budget and will sleep in tents. “We’re looking at it like a job,” Matt added. “We plan to cycle six days and have a day of rest.”

For this gallant trek both Matt and Andrew will be cycling across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and from the West to East Coast of the US. In partnership with Bicycle Basecamp they have a fundraising/leaving event on Friday 31st August at The Arch Gallery, 289 Railway Arches, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9HA.

Tickets are £7. To reserve a place contact:

Larissa on 07709 339 024 – lmatley@hotmail.com
Matt: 07739 309 958 – matt_andrews2001@hotmail.com
Anthony: 07969 273 556 – ant_paddy_king@yahoo.co.uk

For further challenge information you can visit www.travellingyoung.co.uk, @travelling young. Readers can donate by visiting the Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/travellingyoung.

 Twitter links:

@travellingyoung
@BrainTumourUK

Baggies batter Reds

West Brom 3-0 Liverpool

Stylish start to the Steve Clarke era

Baggies with a resonant victory
Golden goal strike from Zoltan Gera

Doubled by Odemwingie

Agger off for laying it on thick

Suarez carded by ref Phil Dowd

Reina saved Shane Long’s awful kick

Hope as cheering Reds shouted loud

West Brom stunned 10-man Liverpool

Suarez shackled by Youssouf Mulumbu

Brendan’s bed of Hawthorns so cruel

Rout wrapped up by newcomer Lukaku

Number7

© Emdad Rahman

www.football-poems.com

Assaidi has the task of replacing Liverpool legends

All you need to know about Liverpool new boy Oussama Assaidi

By Emdad Rahman
Original article

Exciting winger Oussama Assaidi becomes Liverpool’s third signing this summer and much is expected of the 24-year-old, who is tasked with filling the huge void left by the departure of Kop favourites Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt.

Assaidi follows in the footsteps of French born Nabil El Zhar by becoming the second Moroccan to wear the illustrious red of Liverpool Football Club.

Brendan Rodgers beat off close competition from Galatasaray, Spartak Moscow, and Ajax. Martin Jol has a track record for talent spotting and the Liverpool boss did well to beat a further effort to tempt the much sought after Assaidi to Craven Cottage.

The young Moroccan’s form in the Dutch League has made him hot property, with many big European clubs vying for his services. After failing to agree personal terms with his club Assaidi took the decision to leave.

With a year left on his contract Assaidi, who can operate on both flanks and through the middle, was set to join Ajax before Rodgers offered him a role in his Anfield rebuilding programme.

By swapping the Dutch Eredivisie for the English Premier League, Assaidi will triple the £7,000 per week wages he was paid at Heerenveen and will sign a four-year contract on Merseyside. Assaidi has the talent and will require the manager’s trust as well as his teammates support in order to try and emulate the contributions and achievements of two of Liverpool’s recent icons.

Despite being sounded out as more of a squad player there is much expectancy based on Assaidi’s ability to excite. The Abe Lenstra Stadion is a far cry from Anfield and Liverpool fans will give him time to bed in, hoping that the new boy can make his mark as well as his predecessors did in the famous red shirt.

Player facts

- Assaidi was eligible to play both for Morocco and Holland.

- His first goal for Heerenveen was in a 7–0 drubbing against SDC Putten in the 2009–10 KNVB Cup.

- Heracles Almelo were the opponents for Assaidi's debut league goal for Heerenveen.

- Assaidi’s first hat-trick was delivered against Dutch champions FC Twente during a 6-2 thrashing in 2010.

- Belgian legend Erik Gerets gave Assaidi his national debut, replacing Adel Taarabt of Queens Park Rangers during a 4-0 win over Niger.

- Since making his international debut in early 2011 Assaidi has accumulated 22 caps for Morocco.

- The two footed wideman made 78 appearances for Heerenveen in total, scoring an impressive 20 goals.

- After scoring nine goals in 31 games during the 2009/10 season, PSV Eindhoven made transfer enquiries for Assaidi as a replacement for the departing Balázs Dzsudsák.

- His career has also included spells at De Graafschap and FC Omniworld in the Dutch Eresdivisie.

- Liverpool agreed an undisclosed fee for Assaidi, but the figure is thought to have matched the Ajax valuation of £3 million.

Joe Allen will breathe fire into Liverpool midfield

All you need to know about Liverpool's Welsh dragon Joe Allen
By Emdad Rahman

Original article - After watching Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night, midfield maestro Joe Allen fulfilled Brendan Rodgers' pledge to complete a big money signing within 24 hours.

The exciting new recruit becomes the 10th piece of business conducted between the two clubs. In a turn of events, Allen becomes the first Swansea player to join Liverpool. The previous nine had headed to the Swans, with Great Dane Jan Molby being the last, leaving on a free transfer to the Vetch Field in 1996.

Despite the obvious attraction of playing under themanager who had nurtured him on the big stage it was a nudge from a fellow Welsh dragon that convinced Allen that his future was served at Anfield.

One of Craig Bellamy’s final acts before calling time on his second stint at Anfield was to spend time “hounding” Allen to join Liverpool. Reds favourite Bellamy, who is taking a pay cut to make an emotional return to Cardiff City, has been impressed with Brendan Rodgers' vision and the capture of Allen, but returned to Wales for family reasons.

Thanks to the nudge from Team GB’s player of the Olympic football tournament, the 22-year-old prodigy who grew up on the coast in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, and who is described by Rodgers as a “frightening talent” will be bossing the play at Anfield next season.

Allen’s confidence and belief in his old boss was another major factor that made it easy to follow Fabio Borini to Anfield. During his first interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Allen said: "I'm looking forward to being part of some great years ahead for Liverpool Football Club.

"Look at the players and staff, and obviously the supporters, and everything is there for us to be successful.

"I have a lot of faith that Brendan Rodgers can bring success, that's one of the reasons I'm here. I wanted to be part of this project, his project, and I've really got a good feeling - as I'm sure all the players here have - that this football club is going to go from strength to strength in the next couple of seasons.
"Brendan is so passionate about his football. He works day in, day out to improve the team and everyone individually. Everyone wants to work alongside someone who has that way about them.

"One of his best things is his man management, it's second to none. He commands the respect of everyone and it's no different for me."
Joe Allen facts

- Carmarthen born Joe Allen is the 29th Welshman to sign for Liverpool.
- Earmarked as a future star, Allen joined Swansea at the age of 13.
- Kenny Jackett gave 16-year-old Allen his debut in the FAW Premier Cup against Port Talbot Town.
- Roberto Martinez was the first manager to award him a professional contract.
- Creating a chance every 63 minutes and with 91 percent for completed passes, Allen’s Premier League statistics from last season were superior to World Cup and double European champion Andres Iniesta.
- Allen chose the South Wales derby to score his first goal for Swansea, netting against Cardiff after coming on as a sub in April 2009.
- Despite being diminutive he can tackle too. 110 tackles last season saw the Welshman come third in the Premier League.
- An error in the official 2012 Team GB Olympic programme described Allen as English.
- He may be a giant on the pitch but is the same height as Jay Spearing. Towering above Aaron Lennon, Nathan Dyer and Shaun Wright-Phillips makes Allen the joint fourth smallest player in the Premier League.
- Born in the Welsh town of Carmarthen, Allen is amongst a very rare 10 percent of Welsh citizens who speak the native language, known as Cymraeg.

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 6

And it's the last day. Neil, Francesco, Megha and I met outside Marble Arch and visited our pod in Hyde Park. 

The manager was Travis, thoroughly nice, to the point and extremely informative - all this under 60 seconds. Unlike our previous nightmare, Travis didn't love the sound of his voice so much - the hallmark of a good leader indeed. 

Hyde Park was extremely busy. The pod was situated in a far better location than the obscure information point at Wembley. Central London for me was less enjoyable. I'm a football man through and through and I pined for the Mexicans and the Japanese. 

A funny moment was had when an amateur mockumentary team gate crashed the pod. "Which countries have participated in all Olympics and winter Olympics," yelled a very loud American gentleman. "France!" I called correctly. Neil swept up with the rest of the answers. 

"Second question is who invented the London sewer system?" Neil was quickest off the mark with a hilarious response; "Boris Johnson!!" We all clutched our bellies as I hung onto Megha to stop myself falling to the tarmac. 

We had access to the screens but I was tired and didn't hang around to see Damon Albarn and Blur - not really my cup of tea. 

My pink uniform was an icebreaker as I chatted to two nice guys from Portsmouth, one of whom went to the same school as Bruce Grobelaar in Rhodesia. We laughed at Grobs and his mad antics in Rome 1984, and I did a wobbly legs routine on the train. I then realised I was heading in the wrong direction before getting off and rectifying matters at Aldgate East. I beat the clock easily and got home to break my fast.  
It's been a truly momentous six days and I have savoured every minute. I have thoroughly loved meeting and greeting the world and I hope visitors have felt our genuine warmth. In Neil, Michael, Megha and Francesco I have had the good fortune of making smashing new friends on the journey of life. I am grateful for their brilliant company. 

One thing is for certain. Volunteers have been the real movers and shakers and the backbone of the games and it’s tremendous that excellence badges will be given to every each one of them.

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 5

What a spectacular day. I decided to submit a short piece on Joe Allen's switch to Liverpool, did a bit of shopping with the boys before zipping off to Wembley. 

Hundreds of fans swarmed around everywhere enquiring for ticket information. Wembley Way was an ocean of green and gold with Sombreros bobbing like fine-looking wooden fishing boats. A lady held aloft a message - "tickets for a kiss" it read.

Our manager announced that she had contacted the HQ and they agreed with her, in that we would be useless at Wembley tomorrow and better serve a purpose going with her to Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. Unsurprisingly, everyone declined to join her there, instead choosing to support fellow Ambassadors at Hyde Park or Stratford. 

Mexico had scored after 30 seconds and went on to win 2-1. Amazingly enough, many fans started leaving at least thirty minutes before the end of the game. John popped along to tell us excitedly about how he got in to watch the game after helping a wheelchair user. Well done that man.There was fine mingling among all the groups. The Mexicans were in full voice and bought Wembley down with their fanfare.  

A young fan incensed at Brazil losing threw his used ticket on the floor and stamped heavily on it in frustration. I thus picked up a token of the day. I was also able to sport a number of Sombreros and model many flags. 

Our team were pulled in to join La Bamba, outside the ground and on the train journey home. 

“Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan

Soy capitan, soy capitan

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba”

We didn't go back to say goodbye to our manager and all left on trains with the singing Mexicans. There will be no sleeping in some parts of London tonight. 

I made it home in time to break fast and I'm going to dream a new adventure tonight.

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 4

We patrolled Wembley Arena and Stadium today. Our location manager got up my nose right away - "Emdad? That's an unusual name isn't it?"

I bit down, grimaced and declined the opportunity to hang around the pod with her. Sorry, but I didn't sign up to man a laptop half a mile away from the stadium where all the amazing visitors were teeming.

Michael and I met guests who were leaving the gymnastics and Bootle Jan texted me excitedly to say she had seen us both on TV, standing goofily near Wembley arena decked out in “hideous pink”. I reminded her of Anders Limpar modelling the Salmon away kit for the Toffees. "Not that bad, mind you," she replied.

We met Spaniards, Japanese, Swiss, and French fans. There were Brazilians and Mexicans looking for final tickets for tomorrow. I also met my friend Sombrero Carlos. He was still unsuccessful in obtaining a final ticket. Carlos is a good soul and I feel (and hope) he'll get the golden ticket tomorrow. "I'ma com eight thirty tomorrow morning," he told me in his awesome accent before shaking hands and leaving.

I politely declined an interesting request from a charming Mexican lady for my ID badge as a souvenir. We also met a group of Liverpool supporting Mexicans and a Czech teacher/journalist took a few snaps of us for his Prague newspaper. We ended our discussion with football; Berger, Poborsky, Baros, Smicer, Rosicky. He agreed with me that Patrick Berger had been a better player than Karol Poborsky.

John excitedly told us about watching the women's final last night before heading off for dinner. We discussed the Liverpool v Gomel game with Neil and I sent a ticket enquiry text to Bootle Jan for the Hearts next round away game at Anfield.

We took back boxes of leaflets to the pod. These were leftovers from the previous shift. The manager had a security question. "How do you know there's not a bomb inside?" Duh!!!! Because we took them off the previous shift Holmes! We were then asked to take the boxes back because the pod was too lightweight. "Let's hope someone steals them," was the pathetic remark.

I asked about day 4 and excellence pin badges. "I'm not giving any more away until tomorrow, screeched the foul mouthed manager. "Only enquiring about my entitlement," I exclaimed. "We are all getting excellence badges," I reminded. "I disagree and think that's very strange," cooed the manager. I decided to carry on: "Actually it's an excellent idea. Why should one person get an award for a brilliant team effort? And how exactly can this person judge contribution and award an excellence award when she is operating a laptop half a mile away from where the Ambassadors are welcoming the world? A truly flawed system and a complete joke. Well done to Fazina for recommending us all.

After the wonderful Beau and Fazina we've got little Miss Deluded for two days. A word of sincere advice. Please remember we are volunteers. We often work harder than our paid counterparts because we passionately want to be a part of this. We need an inspiring Manager not a Dictator. Please do not mistake our goodwill for weakness. If it happens again I will have words. Some people just can't help it - they need it presented in bold capitals.

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 3

Anticipating the crowd forthe evenings USA and Japan women's Olympic final I arrived at Wembley Park a little earlier for my shift, mainly thanks to a kind hearted gentleman called Nawaz, who picked up this random stranger and dropped me off at the station. Community spirit at it's best.

The gymnastics had finished and after briefing we headed back up towards Wembley to welcome the world.

Our group consisted of Michael, me, Francesco and Megha. We formed a four person cordon on Wembley Way,before the ramps and walkway to Club Wembley.

And the crowds just kept streaming in. We greeted, smiled, gave directions togates, box office, Club Wembley and disability access points.

A good lady said I was an okay Ambassador and gifted me a pin badge. "5th IOC World Conference on Women & Sport- Los Angeles 2012" it read. I was mightily chuffed.

With Wembley as a backdrop we took plenty of pictures for requesting visitors.We starred in some, including a few for a feature for the United Nations. Neverto pass up an opportunity I made good use of my camera too.

The atmosphere was surreal.I met my Sensei, Samurai Warriors, Geishas and Captain America asfantasy stepped fleetingly into reality. The Japanese were rhythmic - "Nippon," clap, clap, clap! "Nippon,"clap, clap, clap! Thereafter followed soon after by a thunderstorm - "USA! USA!" Nippon in Japanese is the sun's origin, translated toland of the rising sun.

The experience was simply amazing. I wasn't too bothered about getting in towatch the game, which the USAwon 2-1. We had all the fun outside.

Our manager Fazina topped of the cream on the cake by confirming that each oneof us would receive excellence badges. We have a new manager tomorrow andevents at Wembley arena to look forward to.

I trudged back to the station with Michael and Neil on the way home. Michael isheading for Maltanext week, whilst Neil is catching up with friends. All boring compared to myplans - "I'm going back to work," I added with a hop, skip andjump.

I broke fast on the train with home water and mineral water a very nice gamesmaker had given me at Wembley.

Can't wait for tomorrow. 

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 2

We received our day 2 attendance badges to add to our collection. With no events on today it was very quiet down Wembley Way. 

I paired up with Neil and we spent our shift collecting ticketing and logistical information to feedback to our location manager and teams. 

I met and enjoyed chats with very friendly Japanese gymnasts and French delegates. Neil and I met a Mexican visitor who was feeling a little down after not being able to purchase a final ticket at the box office. He cheered up after a warm pat on the back and we even took a picture together. We were best pleased when our manager informed us that London Ambassadors had received very positive reviews from visitors. With the trains less packed I was able to make it home just after sunset and break my Ramadan fast. Big up to Kennedy's opposite Barking station. The Brother took me in, gave me dates, filled my water bottle and sent me off with a clutch of onion bhajis. I pray his business booms a million times over.

Olympics 2012 Diary of a London Ambassador

Day 1

Wembley Stadium is where I’ll be based at for the next six exciting days and we were in for a treat as Mexico and Japan met in the men’s football semis. 

There was a brilliant atmosphere with lots of fanfare and merriment inside and outside the stadium as London Ambassadors like me thrived on the chance to welcome visitors to our great city. It is something I’ve been insanely excited about for the last few years and I was determined that an excruciating toothache from the day before would not darken my moment in the sun. 

I totally loved it, felt at ease greeting fans, handling enquiries and even had a few photo requests from fans, Mexicans, Japanese and Tyson Bendzak, a super gentleman from Nike Oregon, who was representing and updating his workforce through his own Olympic diary. It was a great day and we worked effortlessly with Games Makers, Wembley Park staff, Security and the Police to deliver great service to visitors. Mexico won to go through to the final and the display of euphoria after the game was amazing.