Former Liverpool player to coach in Jakarta

Jakarta: A senior academy coach from Liverpool FC is the latest foreign import to try to boost Indonesian football.
Ben Parsonage will join head coach Paul Barratt at the Liverpool International Academy and Soccer Schools
Indonesia program (LFCIFAss).
Since the first time I came to Jakarta with Liverpool legend Ian Rush back in December 2010, I knew that I wanted to
come back. Indonesia loves football so much and Liverpool has the largest support base. This is my most exciting
career challenge yet.
While Liverpools International Football Academies are renowned throughout Europe, the LFCIFAss is the first one
established outside the continent. It was opened in Jakarta in July 2011 with the intention of extending the worlds
favorite game throughout Indonesia by providing coaching clinics at both elite and recreational levels.
Parsonage joined the Reds at the age of 13 and played for the team that twice won the FA Youth Cup, as well as
making several appearances in the Reserves. The Level 2 accredited coach then began working with the club
community, with the elite Under-11s program.
After leaving the club as a player, having the opportunity to stay within the club in any capacity is a privilege, he
says. Now I can pass on my experiences to the future fans and players at the training Academy. I truly believe in the
Liverpool way. The Jakarta Post | Sat, 01/28/2012 3:33 PM

China slams new Asian slant in US defense strategy

China on Monday slammed the United States new Asian-focused defense strategy, saying its accusations of a lack
of openness in Beijings military policy were groundless and untrustworthy.
The strategy unveiled Thursday shifts the US military focus away from Iraq and Afghanistan and makes a renewed
commitment to assert Americas position in the Asia-Pacific region.
The document says the growth of Chinas military power must be accompanied by greater clarity in its strategic
intentions to avoid causing friction in the region.
In response, China said it was committed to peaceful development and a defensive policy.
Chinas strategic intent is clear, open and transparent, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters at a
regular briefing.
Our national defense modernization serves the objective requirements of national security and development and
also plays an active role in maintaining regional peace and stability. It will not pose any threat to any country, Liu
said. The charges against China in this document are groundless and untrustworthy.
He added that maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region serve the common interests of all Asia-Pacific
countries and we hope the US will play a more constructive role to this end.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the US is not anticipating military conflict in Asia, but that it became so
bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that it missed chances to improve its strategic
position elsewhere.
Panetta said the Asia-Pacific region is growing in importance for the US economy and national security, so the nation
needed to maintain our militarys technological edge and freedom of action.
The new strategy also identified India as a long-term strategic partner that can serve as a regional economic anchor
and provider of security in the Indian Ocean region. It said the US will try to maintain peace on the Korean peninsula
by working with allies and others in Asia to defend against North Korean provocations. Associated Press, Beijing |
Mon, 01/09/2012 6:59 PM