BY KRISHNA MISTRY

The NFL season has started, and you know what that means: thrilling games, intense rivalries, fantasy football drama, and endless debates about which team has what it takes to make a run for the Super Bowl! After a long offseason of trades, draft picks, and preparation, the teams are ready to battle it out at the playoffs, and ultimately at the Super Bowl.

For those unfamiliar, the NFL stands for the National Football League, the premier professional American football league. It consists of 32 teams, all of which kicked off their season on September 5^th, 2024, with the season running until February 9^th, 2025. With so many teams vying for the ultimate prize, let’s break down what to expect during this action-packed season.

The offseason was full of dramatic roster changes, with many teams making trades, or free agent signing to improve their chances in the upcoming season. The biggest highlight was Aaron Rodgers leaving the Green Bay Packers and joining the New York Jets. Several other star players switched teams, and these moves will definitely shape the course of this season.

Keep an eye on players adjusting to their new teams, such as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Tennessee Titans and running back Dalvin Cook now teaming up with the New York Jets.

As much as fans love high-scoring games, the defense still wins championships, and many teams have built strong units to stop the most lethal offences. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills all possess top-tier defenses that could be a factor in their playoff season. Keep an eye out for game-changing plays from defensive units. Sacks, turnovers, and defensive touchdowns could determine which teams rise to the top this year.

Several players will be making their return to the field after their shortened 2023 season due to injuries. Players like Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, ready to lead his team into the playoffs. Additionally, with the return of Breece Hall to the Jets and Javonte Williams to the Broncos Bolsters, both young backs are coming off significant injuries, and their recovery could be a game-changer for their respective teams.

As always, the competition for the playoffs is fierce. The AFC (American Football Conference) is stacked with powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills, all led by elite quarterbacks.

In the NFC (National Football Conference), the Philadelphia Eagles enter as favorites to win the conference again, but teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions are all eager to challenge their reign. As the season progresses, every win counts and teams will fight for those crucial spots, knowing that a trip to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII is the ultimate goal.

No NFL season is complete without fantasy football enthusiasts tracking every yard, touchdown, and reception. With so much unpredictability in trades, injuries, and emerging stars, this season promises plenty of fantasy surprises.

Fans will be glued to their screens, tracking every stat, waiver wire pickup, and injury report to gain an edge in their leagues, making every Sunday all the more intense.

With blockbuster trades, the rise of young stars, and fierce competition across divisions, every game will matter as teams chase the ultimate prize—Super Bowl glory. So get your jerseys ready, your fantasy lineups set, and clear your schedule for those must-watch games.

The NFL season is back, and it’s sure to be filled with incredible moments, jaw-dropping plays, and unexpected surprises. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, or from your couch, this season will deliver the passion and excitement we’ve all been waiting for. So get ready for the highs, the lows, and everything in between. The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.

September 10, 2024, Brampton, ON – No Frills® and Maxi MD , Canada’s popular hard discount grocery retailers, are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Cricket Canada as its
Official Grocery Partner.

“As Canada’s fastest-growing sport, cricket has captured the hearts of many and brings communities together through the power of teamwork, passion and a shared love for the game,”
said Melanie Singh, President of Hard Discount, Loblaw Companies. “We look forward to working closely with Cricket Canada to bring customers and fans closer to the sport they love
and ensuring our contributions make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

This partnership establishes No Frills® as a key sponsor for select international matches organized by Cricket Canada on Canadian soil. The inaugural event under this new partnership
will be the No Frills® T20 Cup, an international tri-nation T20 cricket series featuring Canada, Nepal, and Oman. Set to take place later this month at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King
City, Ontario; this series promises to deliver thrilling cricket action to fans across Canada and further elevate the sport's profile in North America.

Through this partnership, No Frills® and Maxi MD will support and invest in the growth of cricket in Canada. This includes a range of experiential activations in-store and at Cricket Canada events, as well as National Team matches.

Amjad Bajwa, President of Cricket Canada, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:  “Cricket Canada is thrilled to partner with iconic Canadian grocery brands that are so
entrenched in the daily life of so many Canadians. No Frills® and Maxi MD share our commitment to community and accessibility. This exciting new partnership represents a significant step in our mission to not only enhance our National Teams and programs but also to grow the sport and help make cricket more accessible to Canadians from all walks of life.”

For more information on the No Frills® T20 Cup, including match schedules, visit Cricket Canada  official digital channels or buy tickets directly here.https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cricketcanadatickets

BY KRISHNA MISTRY

Serena Williams, a world-renowned tennis player, has dropped hints of her return. In August 2022, Williams posted a statement that she would be retiring after winning twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles and leading the WTA rankings for three hundred and nineteen weeks (one hundred and eight six consecutively) to become regarded as the finest female tennis player of all time.

Many fans expressed their surprise and excitement when they found out about  Williams’ decision to return to professional tennis. During her retirement, Williams focused on her family, business ventures, and advocacy work. Despite her success off the court, the competitive fire that had driven her never truly dimmed.

In 2024, Williams announced that she would be returning to tennis, expressing her love for the game and her desire to compete at the highest level once again.

During an interview with ESPN Williams shared her reasons to come back, “I realized that I wasn’t done yet. Tennis has been such a huge part of my life, and I felt like there was still more I wanted to achieve. I wanted to challenge myself again, to see if I could still compete with the best.”

Tennis is a sport that requires extreme physical activity and the schedule is demanding. Since Williams is aged, her body is not able to train the same way she did when she was twenty.

This required Williams to take her training from a different approach. Though there are many challenges, Williams has always been known for her adaptability and resilience, and her return has been no different.

Williams is currently working closely with her longtime coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, where she is focusing on refining her game to suit her current physical capabilities. “Serena is smarter, more strategic now,” Mouratoglou explained. “She knows she can’t rely solely on power anymore, so we’ve worked on her positioning, her shot selection, and managing her energy throughout matches.”

Williams’ return to tennis has had a profound impact on the sport. Her comeback has reignited interest in women’s tennis, drawing attention from fans and media worldwide. Younger players, many of whom grew up idolizing Williams, have expressed their admiration for her decision to return.

“Serena has always been a role model for me,” said Coco Gauff, one of the rising stars on the WTA tour. “Seeing her come back at this stage in her career is so inspiring. It shows that age is just a number and that you can keep pushing yourself to achieve more.”

Beyond her influence on the court, Williams’ return has also highlighted her role as a global icon and advocate for social justice. Throughout her career, Williams has used her platform to speak out on issues ranging from gender equality to racial justice. Her return has given her an even larger stage to continue this important work.

As the 2024 tennis season progresses, Williams’ journey continues to captivate audiences. With the French Open and Wimbledon on the horizon, the tennis world is eager to see how she will fare in the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. Williams has made it clear that she is not just participating; she is competing with the goal of winning.

“I’ve always been driven by the desire to be the best,” Williams said. “That hasn’t changed. I still believe I can win, and that’s what I’m working toward every day.”

Regardless of the outcome, Williams’ return to tennis is already a remarkable chapter in her storied career. It is a testament to her love for the game, her unyielding determination, and her belief in defying the odds.

As Williams continues her comeback, she serves as a powerful reminder that greatness is not just about winning titles—it’s about passion, perseverance, and the courage to chase your dreams, no matter where life takes you.