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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013 SPORTS Godolphin and Coolmore in Sheikh Joaan’s sights LONDON: Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al “To be competing with such organi- Al Shaqab Racing has around 110 England, on Monday. south-west of London, last month. Thani signalled his determination to sations is an amazing feeling,” said horses in training split between England “Frankel was a tremendous racehorse “Sheikh Joaan has ambitious plans for oversee the “best racing operation” in Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi, Sheikh Joaan’s and France, but the global aspirations of and has one of the best pedigrees in the Al Shaqab Racing and the exciting thing the world with the launch of the UK arm media manager, at Friday’s launch at the organisation were highlighted by world,” Al Kaabi said. “Nothing can stop for me is to have an opportunity to be of his Al Shaqab outfit. London’s Dorchester Hotel. plans to send a handful of horses to race him from being a great sire. We are involved at the highest level and be part Harry Herbert, the leading British turf “Our goals and objectives are to be in America for Todd Pletcher next sea- going to buy good horses, and Dancing of a team that is very serious about their figure and manager of the successful the best racing operation in the world. son. Rain is in our sights.” aspirations,” Herbert said. Highclere syndicate, has been appointed “We want the best horses, the best train- The racing operation is just one part It has been a meteoric rise within the Sheikh Joaan has also signed as a full-time racing adviser to the Qatari ers and the best people and the of the Al Shaqab plan, however, with a ‘sport of kings’ for Sheikh Joaan. The 27- arguably the world’s most famous jockey royal’s new British division, complete appointment of Harry is to help secure full-scale breeding operation also in the year-old had not seen a thoroughbred in Frankie Dettori as his retained rider with new racing silks. our future. “He is one of the most high- pipeline. Sheikh Joaan broke the world racehorse win in his grey and maroon and Al Kaabi revealed the Italian is set to But Sheikh Joaan’s racing ambitions profile figures in European racing and record price at auction for a yearling last silks before August 2012 but in Group mentor Faleh Bogunaim, a 21-year-old go well beyond fresh colours, with the has enjoyed great success with his syndi- month when he paid five million One company this season, in addition to promising Qatari rider, next season. aim of contesting the sport’s biggest cate ownership company.” guineas ($9.11 million) and the spending Treve, Toronado provided him with vic- “It is important that we show people prizes alongside the established global Sheikh Joaan’s horses have raced at spree could continue. tory in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood that Qataris are interested in racing,” Al giants of Godolphin, Dubai ruler Sheikh the highest level internationally in 2013, Dancing Rain, the 2011 English Oaks in England in July. Kaabi added. “This is part of our vision. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s with Treve’s victory in France’s Prix de winner, is in foal to Frankel, unbeaten in Olympic Glory, who handed the “We hope one day Faleh might win a international racing stable, and l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s premier all- his 14-race career and once the highest- Sheikh his first win at the highest level Group One. It would be a major joy for Coolmore, the Irish operation overseen aged flat race, last month the most high- rated racehorse in the world, and is to be last year in Paris, triumphed in the Sheikh Joaan and His Excellency the by businessman John Magnier. profile of four elite Group One wins. sold at Tattersalls in Newmarket, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, Amir of Qatar.” — AFP Pakistan women break new ground at kabaddi world cup LAHORE: Sixteen young Pakistani women will make history this week- end as they compete in the kabad- di world cup-the first time the con- servative Muslim country has ever fielded an international women’s team in the sport. The traditional tag-wrestling sport involves players trying to tag an opponent before making it back to their half of the field. Kabaddi is hugely popular in the Punjab provinces of India and Pakistan, where it originates, and is played in countries around the world with South Asian populations. It has traditionally been seen as a macho sport but now Pakistan is OLD TRAFFORD: Australia’s captain Cameron Smith, right, coach Tim Sheens, center, sending a women’s team to the and man of the match Johnathan Thurston, left, celebrate after their 34-2 win over November 30-December 14 World New Zealand in their World Cup Final International Rugby League match at Old Cup in India. For 24-year-old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, yesterdau. — AFP Sayeda Fareeda Khanum, who comes from a conservative, reli- gious family where she fought for years to be allowed to compete in Australia crush NZ sports, it is a dream come true. “I have been sports crazy since in one-sided final childhood and was selected for national events in various sports MANCHESTER: Australia ran New Zealand but that was the last time the Kiwis got many times, but I was never LAHORE: In this photograph taken on November 26, 2013, members of Pakistan’s women’s kabaddi team ragged to claim their tenth World Cup title close as their bitter-rivals upped the tempo. allowed by my family to attend a take part in a practice match at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore. Sixteen young Pakistani women they com- with Billy Slater and Brett Morris scoring After forcing New Zealand to drop out training camp outside college or pete in the kabaddi world cup — the first time the conservative Muslim country has fielded a women’s two tries apiece in a 34-2 victory yesterday. from their own goaline, a perfectly placed university,” she told AFP. team in the event. —AFP Cooper Cronk also touched down as chip by Thurston allowed Slater to outleap “But when I got selected for the Australia underlined their dominance of Kieran Foran and dive over from close kabaddi team, I told my mother “We decided to participate in yellow and blue tracksuits begins the first women’s team to represent the code and gained revenge for their 2008 range. that I would play this sport at any this team for the sake of Pakistan, with prayers and a recitation from Pakistan in international kabbadi. final defeat when New Zealand fought Melbourne Storm halfback Cronk got cost and left home to join the camp and for the sake of true patriotism. the Koran. After chants of “Long Head coach Ghulam Abbas Butt back from 16-12 down to win 34-20 and the second score, latching on to the ball in Lahore.” Khanum, the team’s best And we have tried our level best, live Pakistan” and “God is great”, said he was confident the women’s claim their first world title. after a break and grubber by Darius Boyd, defender, spoke to AFP between and by the will of God we will suc- they begin physical training before team would live up to their prom- Australia led 16-2 at the break but any after which Thurston overtook Mick Cronin sessions in a tough fitness workout ceed,” vice-captain Sumera Zahoor, moving on to wrestling techniques. ise. “I hope the boys’ team will win hopes of another Kiwi fightback were as international league’s highest point scor- at Lahore’s Punjab stadium. who comes from a martial arts It has not been an easy task for the World Cup this time and the extinguished immediately after the restart er with the resulting conversion. “Getting the national colours background, told AFP. the support staff to get the team girls would also not disappoint in when Slater scampered away for his second While New Zealand would have been was my childhood dream. I am Having decided to build the together and direct their potential. their first appearance,” he said. try. hoping of another second-half fightback, going to India to make a do-or-die women’s team, the authorities “All the girls come from different “I have done this training with Their victory was built on the back of any lingering hopes were dashed immedi- battle for my nation and prove that wrote to top sports organisations games, some are from athletics, my heart, and they followed it the quick work around the ruck and precision ately after the restart when interplay play Pakistani girls can do whatever and educational institutions, col- some are weightlifters,” Aisha Qazi, same way. These were new girls kicking which allowed the Kangaroos to down the left by Smith, Thurston and Boyd women do in other countries,” she lecting a group of girls coming the team’s coach, said. and they have done whatever I dominate territory and possession. A fero- freed Slater for another simple try. said. from diverse sporting backgrounds. “These are individual players’ asked them to do. That’s why I cious defensive effort meant New Zealand On 52 minutes Morris ensured the New India and Pakistan, neighbours Half already represent various games but kabaddi is a team event, know that they will play well,” he barely had a sniff of crossing the line at Old Zealand reign as world champions would and ferocious sporting rivals, have other sports like athletics, so there is a huge difference and it said.