Are you wrong about Pakistan?

When Peter Oborne first arrived in Pakistan, he expected a 'savage' backwater scarred by terrorism.
Years later, he describes the Pakistan that is barely documented - and that he came to fall in love with
It was my first evening in Pakistan. My hosts, a Lahore banker and his charming wife, wanted to show me the sights, so they took me to a restaurant on the roof of a town house in the Old City.
My food was delicious, the conversation sparky - and from our vantage point we enjoyed a perfect view of the Badshahi Mosque, which was commissioned by the emperor Aurangzeb in 1671.
It was my first inkling of a problem. I had been dispatched to write a report reflecting the common perception that Pakistan is one of the most backward and savage countries in the world. This attitude has been hard-wired into Western reporting for years and is best summed up by the writing of the iconic journalist Christopher Hitchens. Shortly before he died last December, Hitchens wrote a piece in Vanity Fair that bordered on racism.
Pakistan, he said, was "humourless, paranoid, insecure, eager to take offence and suffering from self-righteousness, self-pity and self-hatred". In summary, asserted Hitchens, Pakistan was one of the "vilest and most dangerous regions on Earth".
Since my first night in that Lahore restaurant I have travelled through most of Pakistan, got to know its cities, its remote rural regions and even parts of the lawless north. Of course there is some truth in Hitchens's brash assertions. Since 2006 alone, more than 14,000 Pakistani civilians have been killed in terrorist attacks. The Pakistan political elite is corrupt, self-serving, hypocritical and cowardly - as Pakistanis themselves are well aware. And a cruel intolerance is entering public discourse, as the appalling murder last year of minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti after he spoke out for Christians so graphically proves. Parts of the country have become impassable except at risk of kidnap or attack.
Yet the reality is far more complex. Indeed, the Pakistan that is barely documented in the West - and that I have come to know and love - is a wonderful, warm and fabulously hospitable country. And every writer who (unlike Hitchens), has ventured out of the prism of received opinion and the suffocating five-star hotels, has ended up celebrating rather than denigrating Pakistan.
A paradox is at work. Pakistan regularly experiences unspeakable tragedy. The most recent suicide bombing, in a busy market in northwestern Pakistan, claimed 32 lives and came only a month after another bomb blast killed at least 35 people in the Khyber tribal district on January 10. But suffering can also release something inside the human spirit. During my extensive travels through this country, I have met people of truly amazing moral stature.
Take Seema Aziz, 59, whom I met at another Lahore dinner party, and who refuses to conform to the Western stereotype of the downtrodden Pakistani female. Like so many Pakistanis, she married young: her husband worked as a manager at an ICI chemical plant. When her three children reached school age, she found herself with lots of time on her hands. And then something struck her.
It was the mid-Eighties, a time when Pakistan seemed captivated by Western fashion. All middle-class young people seemed to be playing pop music, drinking Pepsi and wearing jeans. So together with her family, Seema decided to set up a shop selling only locally manufactured fabrics and clothes.
The business, named Bareeze, did well. Then, in 1988, parts of Pakistan were struck by devastating floods, causing widespread damage and loss of life, including in the village where many of the fabrics sold by Bareeze were made. Seema set out to the flood damaged area to help. Upon arrival, she reached an unexpected conclusion. "We saw that the victims would be able to rebuild their homes quite easily but we noticed that there was no school. Without education, we believed that there would be no chance for the villagers, that they would have no future and no hope."
So Seema set about collecting donations to build a village school. This was the beginning of the Care Foundation, which today educates 155,000 underprivileged children a year in and around Lahore, within 225 schools.
I have visited some of these establishments and they have superb discipline and wonderful teaching - all of them are co-educational. The contrast with the schools provided by the government, with poorly-motivated teachers and lousy equipment, is stark. One mullah did take exception to the mixed education at one of the local schools, claiming it was contrary to Islamic law. Seema responded by announcing that she would close down the school. The following day, she found herself petitioned by hundreds of parents, pleading with her to keep it open. She complied. Already Care has provided opportunities for millions of girls and boys from poor backgrounds, who have reached adulthood as surgeons, teachers and business people.
I got the sense that her project, though already huge, was just in its infancy. Seema told me: "Our systems are now in place so that we can educate up to one million children a year." With a population of over 170 million, even one million makes a relatively small difference in Pakistan. Nevertheless, the work of Care suggests how easy it would be to transform Pakistan from a relatively backward nation into a south-east Asian powerhouse.
Certainly, it is a country scarred by cynicism and corruption, where rich men do not hesitate to steal from the poor, and where natural events such as earthquakes and floods can bring about limitless human suffering. But the people show a resilience that is utterly humbling in the face of these disasters.
In the wake of the floods of 2009 I travelled deep into the Punjab to the village of Bhangar to gauge the extent of the tragedy. Just a few weeks earlier everything had been washed away by eight-feet deep waters. Walking into this ruined village I saw a well-built man, naked to the waist, stirring a gigantic pot. He told me that his name was Khalifa and that he was preparing a rice dinner for the hundred or more survivors of the floods.
The following morning I came across Khalifa, once again naked to the waist and sweating heavily. Pools of stagnant water lay around. This time he was hard at work with a shovel, hacking out a new path into the village to replace the one that had been washed away.
A little later that morning I went to the cemetery to witness the burial of a baby girl who had died of a gastric complaint during the night. And there was Khalifa at work, this time as a grave digger.
Khalifa was a day labourer who was lucky to earn $2 (pounds 1.26) a day at the best of times. To prejudiced Western commentators, he may have appeared a symbol of poverty, bigotry and oppression. In reality, like the courageous volunteers I met working at an ambulance centre in Karachi last year, a city notorious for its gangland violence, he represents the indomitable spirit of the Pakistani people, even when confronted with a scale of adversity that would overpower most people in the West.
As I've discovered, this endurance expresses itself in almost every part of life. Consider the Pakistan cricket team which was humiliated beyond endurance after the News of the World revelations about "spot-fixing" during the England tour of 2010. Yet, with the culprits punished, a new captain, Misbah-ul-Haq has engineered a revival. In January I flew to Dubai to witness his team humiliate England in a three-match series that marked a fairy-tale triumph.
Beyond that there is the sheer beauty of the country. Contrary to popular opinion, much of Pakistan is perfectly safe to visit so long as elementary precautions are taken, and, where necessary, a reliable local guide secured. I have made many friends here, and they live normal, fulfilled family lives. Indeed there is no reason at all why foreigners should not holiday in some of Pakistan's amazing holiday locations, made all the better by the almost complete absence of Western tourists.
Take Gilgit-Baltistan in the north, where three of the world's greatest mountain ranges - the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas and the Karakorams - meet. This area, easily accessible by plane from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, is a paradise for climbers, hikers, fishermen and botanists. K2 - the world's second-highest mountain - is in Gilgit, as are some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions.
Go to Shandur, 12,000ft above sea level, which every year hosts a grand polo tournament between the Gilgit and Chitral polo teams in a windswept ground flanked by massive mountain ranges. Or travel south to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, cradle of the Indus Valley civilisation which generated the world's first urban culture, parallel with Egypt and ancient Sumer, approximately 5,000 years ago.
Of course, some areas of Pakistan are dangerous. A profile of Karachi - Pakistan's largest city and commercial capital - in Time magazine earlier this year revealed that more than 1,000 people died in 2011 in street battles fought between heavily armed supporters of the city's main political parties. Karachi is plagued by armed robbery, kidnapping and murder and, in November last year, was ranked 216 out of 221 cities in a personal-safety survey carried out by the financial services firm Mercer.
But isn't it time we acknowledged our own responsibility for some of this chaos? In recent years, the Nato occupation of Afghanistan has dragged Pakistan towards civil war. Consider this: suicide bombings were unknown in Pakistan before Osama bin Laden's attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001. Immediately afterwards, President Bush rang President Musharraf and threatened to "bomb Pakistan into the stone age" if Musharraf refused to co-operate in the so-called War on Terror.
The Pakistani leader complied, but at a terrible cost. Effectively the United States president was asking him to condemn his country to civil war by authorising attacks on Pashtun tribes who were sympathetic to the Afghan Taliban. The consequences did not take long, with the first suicide strike just six weeks later, on October 28.
Many write of how dangerous Pakistan has become. More remarkable, by far, is how safe it remains, thanks to the strength and good humour of its people. The image of the average Pakistani citizen as a religious fanatic or a terrorist is simply a libel, the result of ignorance and prejudice.
The prejudice against Pakistan dates back to before 9/11. It is summed up best by the England cricketer Ian Botham's notorious comment that "Pakistan is the sort of place every man should send his mother-in-law to, for a month, all expenses paid". Some years after Botham's outburst, the Daily Mirror had the inspired idea of sending Botham's mother-in-law Jan Waller to Pakistan - all expenses paid - to see what she made of the country.
Unlike her son-in-law, Mrs Waller had the evidence of her eyes before her: "The country and its people have absolutely blown me away," said the 68-year-old grandmother.
After a trip round Lahore's old town she said: "I could not have imagined seeing some of the sights I have seen today. They were indefinable and left me feeling totally humbled and totally privileged." She concluded: "All I would say is: 'Mothers-in-law of the world, unite and go to Pakistan. Because you'll love it'. Honestly!"
Mrs Waller is telling the truth. And if you don't believe me, please visit and find out for yourself.

Robin Van Persie's magic skill against spurs

Fabregas never tempted robin van persie for Barcelona

The Spanish international told El Mundo Deportivo : “He is an Arsenal player and he knows what is best for him. I only wish the best of luck for him before he makes whatever decision he will make.”

Barcelona Midfielder Fabregas states that he does speak regularly to Robin Van Persie but he has no intention to move him from Gunner to Barcelona, its his decision when the Dutchman has to choose whether to renew his contract at the Emirates Stadium or not.

Van Persie has been in tremendous form for Arsenal this season, scoring 28 goals in all competitions for the Gunners.

Arsenal vs tottenham live skysports 1 english

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Arsenal boss Wenger planning £55m bid for German stars Podolski and Gotze

Two of Germany's top stars could be on their way to Arsenal this summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is preparing to make a bid for Cologne forward Lukas Podolski and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze, with German newspaper Bild reporting on Thursday that the combined offer will total £55 million.
Looking good: Mario Gotze in action for Borussia Dortmund against Arsenal earlier this season

Looking good: Mario Gotze in action for Borussia Dortmund against Arsenal earlier this season

Defeat in the FA Cup at Sunderland last weekend means the Gunners are almost certain to end without a trophy for the seventh successive season, and Wenger is desperate to reinvigorate his team.

Podolski, 26, has been a key member of the Germany team for the past eight years, while 19-year-old Gotze is already an international.

Wenger saw Gotze close up this season, when he played for Dortmund against Arsenal in the European Cup.
In demand: Lukas Podolski celebrates after scoring against England at the 2010 World Cup

In demand: Lukas Podolski celebrates after scoring against England at the 2010 World Cup

Wenger, who has also been linked in recent days with a move for Blackburn forward Junior Hoilett, is coming under increasing pressure from Arsenal fans after their long wait for a trophy.

New arrivals may well depend on whether Arsenal can again qualify for the European Cup. They are currently in fourth place, ahead of their London rivals Chelsea on goal difference.

Arsenal entertain their neighbours Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Arsenal Board To Replace Arsene Wenger With Pep Guardiola?

Question:Should this happen please post your comments at bottom after reading.

Arsene Wenger’s spell as Arsenal boss is set to come to an end with the Gunners board lining up Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as his replacement this summer according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup after crumbling 2-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday meaning that the Gunners’ only hope for silverware will be if they can miraculously overturn a 4-0 first-leg defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.

Highly unlikely, if not impossible meaning that Arsene Wenger’s men have been all-but resigned to a seventh successive season without a trophy and the possibility of missing out on next season’s Champions League looming large as the club continues its terminal decline.

In the wake of Wenger’s freefall from a once great coach to one who is painfully deluded, flustered and lacking in ideas as well as innovation, the Arsenal board led by majority shareholder Stan Kroenke have made plans to move beleaguered boss Arsene Wenger upstairs and bring in Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to take the reins as early as June.

Guardiola has just months left on his current Barcelona contract and has remained very coy on whether or not he will extend his stay with the Spanish and European champions.

‘I can’t be at such a demanding club without being certain that I have the strength to do it,” he told reporters when quizzed about his future in the Camp Nou dugout.

‘I still don’t have it clear in mind. When I am sure then the club will know. To renew my contract, I have to feel it. We have been together for four years and the decision needs to be thought out thoroughly.

“I feel that it is better to have a bit more time. If that is okay then fine, if not then too bad. I have to be true to myself,” he added.

Despite his uncertainty, the Daily Mail is reporting that the Spaniard is ready to take on a new challenge with a move to North London now likely.

Such happenings will bring the curtain down on Arsene Wenger’s 16-year stint with Arsenal having first joined the club in 1996 and guiding them to two doubles, three FA Cups, as well going through an entire league season unbeaten in 2004.

The news will be welcomed by many Gooners who have become disillusioned with Arsene Wenger and the direction he is taking the club to although there also exists a pocket of fans who remain defiant and loyal to the Frenchman.

He scores when he wants chant Robin van persie

Arsenal's star player Robin van Persie is ready to start talks about staying with the club

Arsenal are hopeful of finally opening contract talks with Robin van Persie and his representatives over the next month.

The club captain and talisman is out of contract next year and has so far refused to publicly discuss his long-term future, but the indications are that he is now prepared to hold provisional talks with the Arsenal hierarchy.

It remains unlikely that any deal will be finalised before the end of the season — and there is clarity over Arsenal’s Champions League status — but Van Persie’s willingness to listen would still be an extremely positive step forward for the club.

It is understood that Arsenal are considering an offer whereby Van Persie would be paid a substantial ‘renewal’ fee in addition to significantly improved terms on a salary that is currently around £80,000 a week.

Van Persie will be aware that other players of comparable world-class quality are on around double that wage, with Arsenal considering a rise that would take him beyond £100,000 a week.

Arsenal have around £55 million available to invest in the squad and must balance the desire to renew Van Persie’s contract with having funds to spend this summer on new players.


Wenger’s budget includes player wages, creating a quandary over how much money is directed towards the renewal of contracts.

Even if Van Persie does not accept the likely offer from Arsenal of a four-year contract, his departure this summer is not a foregone conclusion.

Arsenal seriously considered holding Samir Nasri to his contract last summer and, if the same scenario arises with Van Persie, there will be a strong argument to keep him for another season even if he could then leave for nothing in the summer of 2013.

Van Persie is the Premier League leading goalscorer and, at such a pivotal moment in Arsenal’s history, is clearly of greater short-term importance than Nasri.

With Van Persie turning 29 in August, there is also no guarantee that leading European clubs will be prepared to pay a transfer fee in excess of £20  million.

A significant squad overhaul is under consideration this summer, however, with Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott all in the final 18 months of their contracts.

The expectation is that talks will also be held with representatives of both Walcott and Rosicky over the next month, with Dick Law, the club’s lead negotiator, now focusing on existing player contracts following the closure of the January transfer window.

Rosicky is expected to agree a one-year contract but, as with Van Persie, the situation with Walcott is unlikely to be resolved until Arsenal’s season has ended.

Preliminary talks have been held between Arsenal and Walcott but no formal offer has been made.

Arshavin appears unlikely to be offered a new contract and, although Anzhi Makhachkala are expected to launch a fresh bid ahead of the closure of the Russian transfer window on Friday, he is likely to stay at Arsenal until at least the end of the season.

Others who could depart on loan before the end of the season include Lukas Fabianski and Ju Young Park.

Arsenal’s strategy in relation to player contracts is likely to be addressed at a board meeting this Thursday that will be attended by Wenger and the club’s majority owner Stan Kroenke.

Arsenal do still have the fourth highest wage bill in the Premier League but there is an argument there should be a larger gap between their stars, such as Van Persie, and more average squad players.

The short-term focus, though, is Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham and staying ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle in the battle to finish fourth.

Arsenal have been boosted by the news that Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs should return in defence.

There is also the hope that Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby will still play a part in the run-in to the season.

America's Got Talent - Rudi very funny

Football life of Robin Van Persie told by captain itself

Football life

From a very young age I was interested in a ball. It did not matter what size ball as long as I had one I was happy. As soon as I started walking my dad used to hold a balloon in front of me and I would kick it and keep it up. Apparently I would do this until the balloon burst or it was time to eat or sleep.
At the age of 5 I was so into football, that my dad decided to take me to Excelsior to talk to the under 7’s manager, Mr Aad Putters. He was giving a training session at that moment. My dad asked him if I could join his team, but unfortunately I was too young, the manager said I had to be at least 6 years old. My dad was really disappointed and tried to convince him of my qualities and that I would be able to cope, however he simply was not interested. At that same moment somebody kicked the ball my way by accident and I kicked it to the manager. As soon as he saw that he invited me for a training session, but not with the first team, it was with the second team. I trained with them once and never again, he was so impressed that he asked me to play with the first team of the under 7’s.
I spent a lot of time at Excelsior, even if I did not have to be there. I made so many friends there I never wanted to go home. I will always remember a few years later I was even helping that same manager, Aad Putters, give training sessions to the under 7’s., and as soon as it would finish, he would help me practice, at times solely concentrating on my right foot and heading. I still remember those days with joy.
At the age of 12 I faced my first football dilemma. I had just completed my year at Excelsior under the manager Renee Hessel. It was such a great team, we had so much fun together and we ended the season by winning the regional competition. I then had a choice to make, either go to Sparta Rotterdam where most of my friends were playing, or join Feyenoord, as Excelsior was trying to convince me to go there because the two Clubs had a link with one another.
I decided to go to Feyenoord and from the first minute never regretted my decision. The whole team was very close, we all instantly became very good friends. I was captain of that team that year and we won the regional competition.
The year after I had a bad year at the under 15’s. But at the under 16’s I enjoyed playing football again. We had a great team and won the league again.
After this I went to the under 18’s. I did not play much, but just before the winter break my competitor had some personal issues and could not play. I got a chance and grabbed it with both hands. I finished playing every game that season and scored over 20 goals.
After the under 18’s I moved to the reserves of Feyenoord. I played half a season with the second team until Bert van Marwijk gave me the chance with the first team. I trained just one week with the first team before he selected me in the starting 11 against Vitesse. This was my official debut in my professional career.
3 months later I was holding up the UEFA Cup as a starting line up player. It was the most amazing moment, one that I had been dreaming of since I was a kid.
A couple of months after the UEFA Cup I was having a bad spell. I was not playing well at all. Unfortunately this did not change for a couple of months, until I met my wife Bouchra in late Autumn 2002. This was my turning point. I was in love and felt on top of the world. In December I went on a training camp to get ready for the second part of the season. As in the rest of Europe except the UK there is a small winter break. I went with Feyenoord to Las Palmas for 10 days. We played a small tournament of 2 games. Fortunately for me I got to play on my favourite position back then, behind the striker. I really excelled in those 2 games and became player of that tournament. From this moment on I played well again and kept this form going until the end of that season. In the second part of that season my best games were against AGOVV when I scored 5 goals and 3 days later I played against Ajax and scored. These months were my best months at Feyenoord when I look back at it.
I played another year for Feyenoord before I made the move to Arsenal. This was a dream come true. I could not believe it. I was going to play with the best players around at that moment. That was just what I needed in my career, that extra boost. The players and their game lifted me to another level. My debut was the Community Shield against Manchester United. We won that game. My first official goal for Arsenal was against Manchester City in the Carling Cup and a couple of days later I scored my first Premiership goal against Southampton. The game finished 2-2, which meant my goal contributed to continuing our unbeaten run, a run that goes into history now as the 49ers. That same year we won the FA Cup against Manchester United. The game was decided on penalties and I took the 3rd one. My first official penalty ever, I was so nervous haha but I am delighted to be able to say I scored. At the end of that season I made my debut for my national team Holland against Romania in ‘de Kuip’ under the manager Marco van Basten. Four days later I scored my first goal for Holland against Finland.
In 2005-2006 we had a good season with Arsenal. We had a great run in the Champions League and reached the final in Paris, but unfortunately lost to Barcelona. This was also our last season at Highbury. It was a great honour to play at that legendary place. What I loved about that stadium is that the fans were really close to the pitch. You could hear them breath and whisper. That place had a magical thing about it. I could feel the history when I played at Highbury and that made me proud to be a Gooner. In November 2005 I was named Barclays player of the month for the first time. The end of this season I played in the World Cup in Germany. This was my first big tournament. My best game in that tournament was against Ivory Coast. I played against my teammates Kolo Toure and Manu Eboue. In that game I also scored my best ever free kick. I was fouled by Kolo around the 18 yard box. Arjen Robben and I were both keen to take the free kick. Arjan asked me: “what are we going to do, and who is taking it?” I had a great feeling and suggested that I would take it. He agreed and said: “ Ok good luck, in 20 seconds I will be hanging on your shoulders to celebrate the goal.” And this is what exactly happened 20 seconds later. We ended up winning that game 2-1. We stayed in the competition until the 1/8 final. We lost the game against Portugal.
The season 2006-2007 was our first season at the Emirates. We really had to get used to the stadium and the pitch as it is a lot bigger than Highbury. The beginning of that season I had a great run, I was feeling good and strong. The game I remember the most was the 21st January 2007 against Man U at home. I came on that game in the second half. We were 0-1 down. We started a good attack from the right side. I came from behind Neville and ran towards the back line. I managed to score from an impossible angle. This was my first goal against Man U. Unfortunately I got injured scoring that goal. I broke my 5th metatarsal. I was out the rest of the season, but still I felt happy because it was one of my first big goals for Arsenal. We won that game 2-1, with Henry scoring the winner with a great header.
In 2007-2008 I played in the European Championships in Austria-Switzerland. That tournament I scored twice, one against France and one against Romania. We went out of the competition in the ¼ finals against Russia. I was named “Oranje” player of the year.
The season 2008-2009 was a very productive and fruitful season, with 20 goals and 20 assists for Arsenal, playing 44 games in total, my highest total during one season until then.
In 2009-2010 I had a great start. The month my daughter was born I was again on top of the world. I was the happiest man alive. This reflected in my performances. I was named Barclays player of the month October 2009. That year I also won the Player of the Season voted by the Arsenal fans.
After this season ended I played in the World Cup in South Africa. I had never been to South Africa before and I really liked it the people and the country. Away from football, my most treasured memory was visiting Robben Island. Me and the rest of the team got a tour of the Island and got shown the legendary cell of Nelson Mandela. Football wise my best moment was the game against Brazil, which we won 2-1. When we won that game we all believed we could reach the final. We reached the finals against Spain, but unfortunately we lost in the last 4 minutes of extra time.
Early 2011 I scored my first hat trick for Arsenal. This was against Wigan. This was a special moment for me, not just because of the hat trick, but my 5 year old son Shaqueel had scored his first hat trick only two hours before and then told me it was now my turn. I always like a challenge and wasn’t going to disappoint my son! I had scored many braces before and was always really close to a hat trick, but never quite managed it. The pressure was on and by the time I had an opportunity to achieve my target, unfortunately I missed a penalty. I think the occasion got to me. Fortunately for me however it wasn’t over, Theo Walcott soon after gave me the chance to score my third. That evening we celebrated our hat tricks with a glass of apple juice.
16th August 2011 was another special day in my career. This was the day I was officially announced as the Captain of Arsenal Football Club. This is a great honour. I have been at the club for 7 Seasons now and I am humble to be chosen as Captain of our great Club.

Private life story of Robin van Persie told by the man himself

Private life

I was born on 6th August 1983 in Kralingen, Rotterdam. I have a very creative family. Both my parents are artists. My mum is also an art teacher and has an art gallery and runs workshops. My dad creates unique pieces of art/sculptures that can be viewed in various galleries. I am the youngest of three children. My eldest sister Kiki is a mum of two lovely children. She has a fashion degree and at present teaches at a Fashion Academy in Rotterdam. Her true passion lies in creating her own designs and in time her own brand. My other sister Lilly has a degree in creative therapy and Art psychotherapy. She is extremely well travelled and has enjoyed places such as India and South Africa. During such visits she would volunteer to work for charitable organisations that involves orphans. So as you can see the creativity runs throughout the family.
I have always been very sporty. I enjoy table tennis, swimming and tennis. When I used to go to school, I was always walking and keeping the ball up at the same time. I was always at my happiest when I was playing football in the streets. I always remember the guys from my neighbourhood competing against other local teams. We would play in ‘the Cage’ and the competition between us was fierce. We would gather there and play ‘Goal to Goal’ and ‘Amerikaantje’.
At the age of 13 I attended Thorbecke High School, this is a special sports school that worked together with Feyenoord. The school was specifically for talented children who excelled in sports. I would wake up at 6.30am and rush to leave the flat. With both my schoolbag and sportsbag to carry I would catch the tram to Voorschoterlaan, and then the tube to Prinsenland. A typical day for me at school would begin with 3 hours of lessons in the morning. We would then be driven to Feyenoord’s youth training ground for a 1,5 hour football session and then back to school for a further 3 hours of study. Depending on which day I would also have either a further football session after school or a match. This went on until I was 17 years old.
When I was 19 years old I met Bouchra, who was studying Communication and Accountancy at University. Two years later on 31st March 2004 we married in Rotterdam, and 3 months after we moved to London and my career at Arsenal began. Our first years in London were very hard. As you can imagine we were young, it was our first time living abroad and we were missing our family and friends. As time progressed I got to play more regularly for the team and we got to experience and enjoy London. It did not take long for us to fall in love with the city and call London our home.
On 16th November 2006 our son Shaqueel was born. This was a life changing moment for me and at that time without doubt the best moment of my life. I fell in love with him from the moment I saw him. The older he gets the cheekier he becomes, in fact he reminds me a lot of myself.
On 10th October 2009 was the next best moment in my life. Our second child was born, our beautiful daughter Dina Layla. She is a real daddy’s girl and is and always will be my little princess.
Away from football my life is devoted to my family. With the free time I have there is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with them and playing with the kids. Every day is a new experience and I could not be any prouder of my family than I am already.

How Whitney Houston Died

Whitney Houston 'died from drugs and NOT from drowning' family 'are told by coroner' as fears grow over mental state of her daughter

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100426/Whitney-Houston-cause-death-Star-died-drugs-NOT-drowning.html#ixzz1mHQMtXgV