Former Barcelona coach Vilanova dies aged 45

Reuters- Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died aged 45 following a battle with cancer that forced him to stand down at the end of last season, the club announced on Friday.

He took over at the Nou Camp ahead of the 2012-13 season having been Pep Guardiola's assistant during the most successful period in Barca's history in which they won three out of four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in 2009 and 2011.

Barcelona went on to make the best-ever start to a La Liga season with 18 wins from 19 games but, in December 2012, Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

It meant his assistant Jordi Roura had to take charge of the team on those occasions when he was undergoing treatment.

At the end of the season Vilanova announced he was resigning to concentrate on his recovery from the illness.

"FC Barcelona is in immense mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in peace," said a club statement.

"Tito Vilanova has passed away today at the age of 45. It happened this afternoon as our former coach was not able to overcome a disease he has fought since 2011," said Barcelona.

"The club wishes to express their deepest condolences to his family with whom it shares their pain in these moments as do fans, members of FC Barcelona and all the world of football and sport," added a club statement.

Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi paid tribute to his former coach.

"Tito was the 1st person who had faith in me," four-times World Player of the Year Messi said on his Twitter feed. "I was a substitute - then he started me for the Under 16s."

Michel Platini, president of European soccer's ruling body UEFA, also hailed Vilanova's contribution to his old club.

"I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Tito Vilanova's passing," the former France playmaker told UEFA's official website.

"He was a great person and a fantastic coach who will always be remembered for his work at FC Barcelona. I send my condolences to Tito's family and to the club."

Vilanova, a midfielder came through Barca's youth system but was let go in 1990, played for several lower league teams before finally getting his chance in the Spanish top flight with Celta Vigo where he played for three season in the mid-1990s.

It was as a coach though that he made his mark and he began working with the Barcelona youth teams, training future first team players like Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas.

After several seasons away from the Catalan club he returned in 2007 as assistant to Guardiola with the Barca B team. The following season the pair took charge of the first team and Vilanova went on to play a key role in the club's success.

Florentino Perez, president of Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid, also mourned Vilanova's passing.

"I want to express my profound sorrow over the death of Tito Vilanova and pass on, in the name of Real Madrid, our condolences, support and love to his family, FC Barcelona and especially to his wife and children," Perez told the Marca newspaper.

"It is a day of considerable sadness for all fans of football and to recognise his personal and professional life."

Barca sports director Andoni Zubizarreta said the club would offer their support to Vilanova's family.

"A great man has left us, a loving husband, father and a total Barcelona member," said Zubizarreta.

"We have to give our support to the family of Tito. Barca also is his family and we will remember him for ever."

Source: Reuters

Cerita seksa catuan air

CATUAN air telah masuk hampir dua bulan akibat beberapa takungan dan empangan kekurangan air dan musim kemarau yang melanda. Banyak cerita seksa dapat dikutip oleh penulis daripada pemerhatian dan juga cerita disampaikan secara lisan kepada penulis.

Semasa permulaan catuan air terdapat beberapa restoran yang mengambil air di tandas pusat beli-belah. Ini akibat air yang dicatu kepada pengusaha kedai, gerai dan juga restoran. Disebabkan tangki air di pusat beli-belah masih banyak; maka penulis melihat beberapa tong diisi dengan air.

Kisah kedua, ramai yang membeli tong plastik untuk menadah dan mengisi air apabila jadual catuan diumumkan. Juru jual telah menaikkan harga biasa tong daripada RM30 kepada RM80 hingga RM100 bagi saiz yang besar. Berduyun-duyun mereka membeli tong walaupun mahal.

Manakala kisah ketiga beberapa restoran mamak telah mengunci dan membubuh palang kayu dan menulis “tiada air” di beberapa tandas di restoran di sebuah pusat beli-belah.

Malah, ada beberapa orang berlari ke sebuah pusat beli-belah berhampiran waktu pagi setelah minum dan sarapan untuk mencari tandas di pusat beli-belah bagi “melepaskan hajat” tetapi malangnya juga tiada air. Malah ada yang membeli air mineral untuk ke tandas.

Seorang daripada mereka mengeluh, “seksanya tiada air, jika beginilah keadaannya boleh pitam dan tercicir.” Apa yang lebih tenat lagi jika lalu di kawasan tandas di pusat beli-belah bau yang tidak semerbak telah mengganggu pernafasan.

Kisah yang tidak kurang menarik juga apabila seorang guru mengatakan sejak catuan air dia ada masa tidak mandi lima hari ke sekolah. Kadang-kadang dia terpaksa mandi di kolah masjid berdekatan yang menyimpan air untuk para jemaah mengambil wuduk.

Manakala kisah seterusnya, anak-anak tadika dan juga murid sekolah terpaksa membawa air minuman dalam saiz yang besar bagi digunakan untuk minum dan membasuh apa yang perlu jika berlaku darurat.

Tidak kurang juga kisah penghuni rumah murah dan rumah pangsa yang tinggi sehingga 20 tingkat dengan keadaan lif selalu rosak. Bayangkan, terpaksa mengangkut air dengan memikulnya di belakang dan tidak hairanlah ramai yang sakit pinggang dan sakit belakang.

Cerita seksa catuan air ini sewajarnya menjadi renungan dan perhatian wakil rakyat, malah pemimpin politik di kawasan yang terbabit. Mereka ini harus melihat dengan turun padang kesusahan rakyat, terutama pengundi yang memenangkan mereka semasa pilihan raya lalu.

Rakyat nampaknya marah dalam diam berkaitan catuan air ini. Ada kalangan mereka bertanya sampai bila catuan air ini akan diteruskan sedangkan, hujan sudah mula turun dan tidak kemarau lagi. Jika keadaan ini berterusan sehingga bulan puasa, maka ramailah yang terjejas terutamanya para peniaga di bazar Ramadan dan orang awam.

Kerajaan Selangor katanya akan berusaha mengambil langkah tertentu untuk mengambil air lombong. Soalnya, adakah air lombong tersebut bersih dan selamat untuk diminum. Mungkin mandi boleh kerana air lombong sejuk dan nyaman dan boleh meredakan kemarahan rakyat.

Ada juga yang bertanya tiadakah usaha untuk membina dua atau tiga empangan dan takungan air di Selangor serta negeri-negeri lain yang terjejas dengan catuan bagi mengelakkan krisis air berterusan.

Menurut mereka kemudahan air bersih adalah tanggungjawab kerajaan negeri yang memerintah yang harus diselesaikan. Di samping itu kurangkan aktiviti dan pembalakan serta mengorek pasir yang juga boleh menjejaskan pengaliran air ke takungan dan sungai.

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* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis yang dipetik dari blog beliau sendiri, disiarkan di Sinar Harian Online pada 25/4/2014