Qatar is to play the host for the Soccer World Cup of 2022. This is the first time the oil country is to play host to an international sporting event of this magnitude. With scorching heat and dust, blazing in the desert, sports critics are wary of how the country will be able to manage the green playing fields. New fully air conditioned stadiums are being built in the sand plains of the country. Now, several leading researchers and botanists from all over the world have been commissioned to test varieties of grass that can remain green and withstand the harsh climate of the region.

Mulla who is in charge of the turf for the Soccer World Cup organizing committee was quoted that they are looking for grass that is durable, can remain fresh and green. Several strands of plastic grasses are being flown from around the world and are rigorously tested in labs and on the playing field. The world cup is scheduled to be held in November when the temperatures would have cooled down a bit, but still reach over 75 degree Fahrenheit. But the sample of grass is tested to withstand the heat of summer in Qatar. One type of grass being tested is called Latitude 36, which is currently used by the soccer team of Kansas City, Texas. The blades of the grass are so fine so as to mimic the frictional force provided by real grass.

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Ballon d’Or award is a prestigious award given to the best footballer of the year by the FIFA. FIFA announced the candidates who have been shortlisted for this award for this year. Star of the Real Madrid team, Cristiano Ronaldo and stars of the rival Barcelona team Lionel Messi and Neymar are the front runners for this prestigious award.

It is to be noted that Ronaldo has been awarded this award for the last two years and before that Messi won this award for four consecutive years. Neymar has not won this award yet in his career. Ronaldo and Messi have been nominated for the award for the eighth consecutive year. The winners will be announced in Zurich on January 11th of next year. The three candidates were shortlisted from several other nominations that included a total of 23 players. Ronaldo has scored 48 goals in 51 matches, Messi has scored 44 goals in 54 matches and Neymar has scored 42 goals in 54 matches.

A euphoric Novak Djokovic was seen leaping on the tennis court after winning the finals of the US Open against Roger Federer. Djokovic had very little support from the spectators at the Arthur Ashe stadium. The crowd was hoping for one more victory to the 17 time champion Roger Federer who is claimed to be the greatest player in the history of the game by his fans. The match satisfied the adrenaline rush of the spectators and provided thrill each and every minute during the game.

Djokovic was in control of the match right from the beginning with 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 and won the game. This is the second time he has won the US open title and it is his 10th grand slam trophy. Djokovic is now ranked world no.1. Djokovic has now managed to reach the finals of all the major tournaments in a single year. Earlier this year, he won the Australian Open against Andy Murray, lost in the finals of the French Open and then beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Federer in a separate press statement said that he hopes to bounce back next year for the US Open and is confident to win the title next year. It is to be noted that no other player has won the title at his age.