SPORTS

Discover Val Grande, the wilderness 1 hour from Milan

Published

5 months ago

July 23, 2024

1oo9t

There is no need to go to the big American parks to find the wilderness, the large areas of wild nature not distorted by human intervention. Just discover the Val Grande, the largest wilderness area in Italy1 hour’s drive from Milan and a little more from Turin, right where you would least expect it.

A large natural area crowned by rugged mountains and protected by an enlightening decision, that of establish it as a nature reserve as early as 1967the first of the Italian Alps, then creating a National Park in 1992 and enlarging it in 1998, to its current dimensions.

15,000 hectares representing a true sanctuary of the purest outdoorsperfect for multi-day treks in remote areas, not at all civilized, so much so that often if not almost always your cell phone doesn’t even get a signal, among ancient forests, wildlife, waterways and mountain traditions of the people who have inhabited this area between Ossola, Verbano, Val Vigezzo, Valle Intrasca and Cannobina.

Val Grande Park, where nature reigns supreme

There are two reasons why nature reigns supreme in the Val Grande Park. The first is the peculiar conformation of the placeprotected by the mountains and under the influence of the nearby Lake Maggiore, which allows for a climate that favors a rich variety of vegetation: from mixed broadleaf forests to centuries-old beech forests to alpine meadows, animals have found the ideal habitat to live.
Chamois, roe deer and deer are the undisputed kings of the forest, together with martens and wolves, while in the sky soar the typical birds of mountain environments and in the purest watercourses there is a great variety of fish. The other reason is historical: after a thousand-year history of human presence, witnessed by the rock carvings of Alpe Prà and Sassoledo and by the traditions of Alpine civilization, in the second post-war period the Val Grande was substantially depopulatedleaving space for the return of the wilderness also favored by the establishment of the park authority.

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Trekking in Val Grande

There are numerous treks in Val Grande that can be done starting from few inhabited centers within the natural area. But before venturing out on the paths it is good to know that there are no hotels or refuges in the classic sense of the term but rather structures such as bivouacs and shelters in which to stop and rest in complete autonomy.
For many, the privileged access to the Val Grande routes is the village of Storkor alternatively the centers of Intrinsic, Premosello Chiovenda e Truncatewhere the most beautiful trails for a day trip begin, all mapped and marked. Then there are many other trekking itineraries, even for several days, not marked, and where you can venture only with the Park guides who know the territory and its dangers.

For those looking for a day trip from Cappella Porta, in the municipality of Caprezzo, the path called In the Shadow of the Firsa medium difficulty itinerary for hikers that reaches Pian Cavallone, at over 1500 metres above sea level between Val Pogallo and Valle Intrasca from where it is possible to admire the eastern face of Monte Rosa.

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From Cigogna to Pogallo there is instead the mule track called Sutermeister Road or “woodcutters’ road”The route is touristic, since it is a road that was opened to transport wood, and it can be completed in a couple of hours by walking high up along the course of the Rio Val Grande. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The Cigogna-Finero crossing it is instead a real trek of at least a couple of days (but usually the guides propose it in at least 3) that requires the skills of expert hikers and offers beautiful sensations inside the beech forests including the possibility of spotting wild fauna.
Another one a truly epic crossing is the one called classic by Scaredi at Colma di Premoselloalong the crests of the Alta Val Grande, passing first by the panoramic points on the Val Vigezzo and then by those on the Bassa Ossola. A truly panoramic and wide-ranging itinerary that reaches up to 2300 meters above sea level.

Guided excursions to discover Val Grande

For those who want to start getting in touch with the wilderness of Val Grande, between April and November Every Saturday there is an excursion with the National Park Guides just to discover Val Grande. There are many events, they are called “Saturday with the Guides” and are designed to accompany people in the discovery of this wilderness area by walking along the paths and mule tracks with excursions of different technical difficulty, length and altitude difference, as well as topics covered and peculiar naturalistic aspects.

Val Grande Park: useful information

The headquarters of the Val Grande National Park Authority is located in Vogogna (VB) while the visitor centers are located in Premosello Chiovenda, Santa Maria Maggiore in the Buttogno hamleta Cossogno in the locality of Cicogna it’s at Intrinsic.
All practical information as well as the list and location of bivouacs can be found on the official website www.parcovalgrande.it.
For guided excursions you can go to the Cooperativa Val Grande, which is located in Verbania-Possaccio.
Photo credits: Val Grande National Park Authority, Carlo Galli, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Esponenziale, CC BY-SA 4.0

READ ALSO: Summer between the Ossola valleys and the Maggiore, Mergozzo and Orta lakes

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2024

1oo9t

In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
2. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
3. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
4. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

What Actually Happened!

On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

Meme by Campus Bro

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Before we go,

Why was India Banned by FIFA?

India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

SPORTS

SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

2 months ago

November 5, 2024

1oo9t

The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

SPORTS

NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

2 months ago

October 12, 2024

1oo9t

In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.

Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>