Hard Tackle

Find out why the local talent pipeline has failed for now.

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

In the first episode of a brand new spin-off series called Hard Tackle, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by former Singapore national team centreback R Sasikumar and Singapore football commentator Zia-ul Raushan to debate the ever controversial topic of whether Singapore football needs foreign talents. 

On Feb 25, the Young Lions get their 2023 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season underway against defending champions Albirex Niigata and for the first time since 2016, the Young Lions will have foreign players in the squad with the addition of Japanese defender Jun Kobayashi and midfielder Kan Kobayashi.

With the Football Association of Singapore looking to revisit the Foreign Talent Scheme, we ask if it’s really what Singapore football needs to fix the larger picture.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 The root cause of having to rely on foreigners 

5:20 Who is to blame for the dearth of local talent; does Singapore football need foreign talent?

8:30 Is using naturalised players just a short-term fix?

19:00 The strategy behind Young Lions signing Japanese players for the 2023 SPL season

25:30 Is there a way we can get players with Singaporean heritage to play for the national team? 

Read more: https://str.sg/wvu6

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast channel here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on Twitter: https://str.sg/wtra

Read Deepan's articles: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/deepanraj-ganesan

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Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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Will reaching this summit change how tchoukball is received in Singapore?

Synopsis: The Straits Times looks at talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month.

In this episode, ST Sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan chats with Tchoukball
Association of Singapore president Delane Lim and women’s team captain Irene Tan.

On Jan 1, the Singapore women’s tchoukball team made history by overtaking powerhouses Chinese Taipei to become world No. 1 for the first time. Lim and Tan talk about how they found out about reaching the summit, the shock that followed and how they hope the news will change the future of how the sport is received in Singapore.

More importantly, Lim outlines his hopes for better support from the authorities for the sport.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:55 On finding out that they had become world No.1

2:30 What is tchoukball?

3:45 How popular is tchoukball in Singapore and around the world?

6:20 On the struggles of the Tchoukball Association of Singapore not being a national sports association

9:40 When can Singaporeans catch the team in action and what kind of support do the players hope for in the future?

Read more: https://str.sg/wtH3

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk every month and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Deepanraj Ganesan on Twitter: https://str.sg/wtra

Read his stories: https://str.sg/wtrD

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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How does this event set up the year of tennis ahead?

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

In this episode, Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, who is on the ground at Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open.

Rohit discusses the tournament’s withdrawals and shocks - including Rafa Nadal’s exit - the new generation of women players, and what the Australian Open spells for the year of tennis ahead.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 The conflict of watching Nadal in 2023

3:36 Can anyone else test Djokovic?

6:24 Iga Swiatek leads the charge of talented young ladies

12:11 What makes the Australian Open special?

14:02 How it sets up the year of tennis ahead

Read more: https://str.sg/wFu2

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, chats with us in Singapore.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. 

In this episode, ST’s assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath chats with Ben Ainslie, a legendary sailor with five successive Olympic medals from 1996 to 2012, four of them gold. He has been world champion multiple times and a winner in the 2013 America's Cup.

He was in Singapore for the inaugural Singapore Sail Grand Prix from Jan 14-15 at East Coast Park. Singapore is the first South-east Asian country to host a leg of the SailGP hydrofoiling series in 2023 as part of a three-year deal. SailGP is into its third season this year, and this competitive series includes some of the world's best sailors.

In these audio excerpts from an interview, Ainslie shares his thoughts on pressure, love for sailing and his fear of losing.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:42 What draws Ben Ainslie to sailing?

1:25 His relationship with the wind, key to success in sailing

3:00 Why do some top athletes like being provoked, as it pushes them to excel?

5:08 Driven by the fear of losing

Read more: https://str.sg/wFuA

Produced by: Rohit Brijnath ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Rohit Brijnath on Twitter: https://str.sg/wFu6

Read his stories: https://str.sg/wFu2

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month. 

In this episode, ST’s Sazali Abdul Aziz chats with sports desk colleagues David Lee and Deepanraj Ganesan as they dissect Singapore’s group stage exit at the recent Asean Football Federation Championship - their fourth in five editions - and what the Lions have to do to pick up the pieces from this campaign and move forward.

They talk about what went wrong for the team, whether coach Takayuki Nishigaya should remain, the regional trend of naturalising foreign-born players, and other issues that arose from the tournament, like pitch facilities in Singapore, and officiating during the AFF Championship.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:09 Why the Lions whimpered

3:10 Nishigaya under fire - should he go?

7:50 Lions could feature more foreign-born players soon

11:36 Indonesia a rising force, Vietnam still top dogs

13:30 Awful refereeing needs to be fixed

Read more: https://str.sg/wyCq

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

Fans from across Asean will shift their attention from events in Qatar to South-east Asia's premier football tournament when the 2022 AFF Championship gets underway from Dec 20 till Jan 16, 2023. The biennial football competition is organised by the Asean Football Federation (AFF).

Six-time champions Thailand are looking to successfully defend the title that they won at the last edition but will face stiff competition from favourites Vietnam and the likes of Indonesia and Malaysia. The Lions will look to at least reach the last four, a feat that they achieved in the previous tournament. 

In this episode, ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by two men who have won the tournament before - Singapore national team captain Hariss Harun and Thailand head coach Alexandre Polking. They discuss what the tournament means and  expectations of their teams.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:46 What does the AFF Championship mean to Hariss and Polking?

5:09 How have the Lions reacted to the injuries to star striker Ikhsan Fandi?

9:06 Expectations for defending champions Thailand

11:35 Why Vietnam are the favourites

13:49 What can fans expect from Singapore and Thailand?

Read more: https://str.sg/wyiW

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]), Eden Soh and Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

In this episode, ST’s sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, reporting from the ground at the World Cup in Doha, chats with ST football columnist John Brewin, based in London.

They review Lionel Messi and Argentina’s incredible final win over France, their highlights of the tournament, and the legacy Qatar 2022 will leave behind.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:55 The final: Better than Istanbul

03:11 Goosebump moments

07:47 Highlights of the tournament

10:06 More winter World Cups to come?

12:17 Qatar 2022’s off-pitch legacy; discussing allegations of 'sportswashing'

16:51 Standout moment of the World Cup

Read more: https://str.sg/wyiY

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second and fourth week of the month.

Seismic shocks, upsets, last-minute winners and former champions crashing out. In terms of the football on show, the World Cup in Qatar has already been one of the most memorable and incredible tournaments in its 92-year history - and it's not done yet.

In this episode, Straits Times sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz, reporting from the ground in Doha, sits down at Qatar's famous Souq Waqif marketplace with James Walton, sports business group leader for Deloitte South-east Asia.

Over some coffee, they chat about what the atmosphere has been like at the first World Cup in the Middle East, how it compares to previous tournaments, and of course, the football they’ve witnessed.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 How does Qatar compare to Brazil or Russia?

6:18 The ‘rocking’ Fan Festivals in Qatar

10:16 Is Qatar looking like Messi’s tournament?

14:16 Shocks and surprises at this World Cup

19:32 Best football moment so far

Read more: https://str.sg/wCGM

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

Assistant sports editor Jonathan Wong sits down with Lilian Thuram, former World Cup winner-turned-human rights activist and author.

Thuram is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and Les Bleus' most capped player. He chats about his latest book, White Thinking, which focuses on racial identity, as well as defending champions France's chances at the ongoing Qatar World Cup.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:47  Legacy of France's 1998 winning team

3:32 Is racism in sport worse than before?

6:28 Why is it so tough to win back-to-back World Cups?

9:10 Has the criticism of Qatar been fair?

12:12 The importance of people like Jordan Henderson

Read more: https://str.sg/w9Bm

Produced by: Jonathan Wong ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport.

With the World Cup kicking off on Nov 20, ST Sports Talk looks at what you can expect in Qatar.

Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz - who will be on the ground covering the tournament - chats with features editor for ST Video, Jonathan Roberts, and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan about the favourites, dark horses, players to look out for, and whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo can have the fairytale ending to their careers.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:49 Who our money is on

5:00 A Messi-Ronaldo final on the cards?

10:03 A World Cup of young guns

12:41 Could it ‘Come Home’ to England this time?

16:33 And the Golden Boot goes to…

Read more: https://str.sg/w9Sj

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk Podcast episodes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#sportstalk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.