Sport WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2020 Australia’sA IPL stars to be short of rred-ball practice before India: Paine These are guys that have transferred from white-ball to red-ball, fromf Test to cricket, within a matter of days. It’sI never been an issue and we wouldn’t expect it to be.

Tim Paine Sport | 11

OOREDOO CUP: ROUND 2 (RESULTS) GROUP A: Al Sailiya beat Al Duhail 3-1, Qatar SC beat Al Sadd 3-2, Al Wakrah beat Al Khor 2-1 Investigation Schwartzman shocks Thiem in opened into match-fixing at five-hour battle to reach semis Roland Garros AFP – PARIS AFP – PARIS RESULTS MEN'S SINGLES - QUARTER-FINALS French prosecutors said Argentine 12th seed Diego Diego Schwartzman (12), , def. (3), Austria, 7-6 (1), 5-7, yesterday they had begun an Schwartzman defeated US 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-2. investigation into suspected Open champion and third seed WOMEN'S SINGLES - FOURTH ROUND match-fixing at the French Dominic Thiem in a five-hour Danielle Collins, United States, def. Ons Jabeur (30), Tunisia, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Open, reportedly involving a epic yesterday to reach the WOMEN'S SINGLES - QUARTER-FINALS women’s doubles match. Roland Garros semi-finals, his Nadia Podoroska, Argentina, def. (3), Ukraine, 6-2, 6-4. “It’s a first-round match first ever last-four featuring players that are not appearance. well-known,” a source within The 28-year-old Podoroska becomes first France’s National Gaming Schwartzman triumphed 7-6 Authority (ANJ) told AFP on (7/1), 5-7, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), qualifier to make women’s condition of anonymity, 6-2 and will face either 12-time without specifying which champion or French Open semi-finals match was targeted. Italian teenager Jannik Sinner French sports daily for a place in the final. AFP – PARIS L’Equipe and German news- It was one marathon too paper Die Welt reported that many for Thiem, the runner- Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska became the first qual- the match in question was the up in Paris for the last two Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman reacts ifier in the Open era yesterday to reach the women’s first-round encounter on Sep- years, who had needed five during his quarter-final match against semi-finals at Roland Garros after stunning third seed tember 30 between Romanian sets and three and a half hours Austria’s Dominic Thiem yesterday. Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4. pair Andreea Mitu and Patricia to down world number 239 World number 131 Podoroska had never won a Maria Tig and opponents Yana Hugo Gaston in the fourth Grand Slam main draw match before the tournament Sizikova of Russia playing with round. to reach a fifth successive Schwartzman even had a and is the first Argentine woman to reach the last four US player Madison Brengle. The 5ft 7in (1.70m) semi-final in Paris. set point but couldn’t convert of a major since Paola Suarez Suspicion surrounds the Schwartzman’s success came However, despite and Thiem pounced in the in Paris in 2004. fifth game of the second set on the same day that compa- crunching 65 winners to his breaker to sneak ahead. The 23-year-old which the Romanian duo won triot Nadia Podoroska, the opponent’s 47, he committed The Argentine blinked Podoroska will play by love after Sizikova served world 131, reached the last- 81 unforced errors in a match again in the 10th game of the Polish teenager Iga two double faults. four of the women’s singles. which featured 19 breaks of fourth as three more set points Swiatek or Italian L’Equipe reported that “Dominic is one of the great serve and at five hours and went begging, but he clung on, qualifier Martina Tre- large sums of money were bet players. He is my best friend eight minutes was the second snatching the breaker after a visan for a place in Sat- on the Romanians winning and I have a lot of respect for longest of the tournament. 73-minute set. urday’s final. that game and that the wagers him,” said Schwartzman. Schwartzman recovered By this stage, they had been “It’s a little bit dif- were placed in several coun- “So this win is very from a break down in the on court for over four and a ficult for me to speak tries. The Romanians went on important for me. In the 65-minute first set to sweep half hours. now after the match,” to win the match 7-6, 6-4. second and third sets, I was through the tiebreaker. However, a weary Thiem said Podoroska, Director-General of going a little crazy and I was But Thiem kept hammering was broken in the sixth and whose only other French Jean-François screaming at myself because I away forcing the Argentine to final game of the decider as Slam appearance Vilotte would not confirm had so many chances. save seven break points in the Schwartzman celebrated came at the 2016 US which match was under inves- “But, come on, I deserved ninth game of the second. becoming the 10th Argentinian Open. It was the first tigation but was upbeat about to win tonight,” added The Austrian broke through man to make the semi-finals time Podoroska had the ongoing procedures. Schwartzman who defeated for a 6-5 edge before wrapping of a major. even faced a player “It means that these Nadal in the Rome quarter- up a 71-minute set. The epic match meant that inside the top 20, having warning systems are working. Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska celebrates finals on the eve of the French In a tie of dramatically fluc- Nadal and Sinner were facing started the year ranked It’s good that everyone is doing after winning her quarter-final match Open. tuating rallies, eight breaks of a late night in Paris a lowly 255. their part in the exchange of Thiem had been attempting serve punctuated the third set. yesterday. against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. information,” he said. Longines Qatar Equestrian Social and Sport Tour - Hathab Contribution Fund partners with Al Shaqab Stage set for start THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) and Al Shaqab, of new show member of Qatar Foundation, will cooperate to support the devel- opment of equestrian sports, particularly among the youth. The agreement is for a period of one year, with Daam’s vision to make a positive difference in the community by sup- jumping season porting social and sports activities, and enhancing sus- tainable social development, in alignment with Qatar THE PENINSULA – DOHA season will be the Amir’s Sword National Vision 2030. Championship round set to be Daam is a Supporter of Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour The stage is set to launch the start held in February next year. – Hathab, which focuses on young riders and aims to inspire of the new show jumping season The season finale will be held Qatar’s next generation of equestrian champions. at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s at Longines Outdoor Arena Al Preparations are under way for the start of Season 4 of the (QEF) Indoor Arena from this Shaqab, QEF said while releasing popular annual equestrian series, which is co-organised and week, details showed yesterday. the calendar details yesterday. hosted by Al Shaqab. According to the calendar The 12-round series will have Abdulrahman bin Abdulatif Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer, made public by QEF, the first the first four legs at QEF’s Indoor Social & Sport Contribution Fund, said: “I’m delighted to announce round of 12 will begin tomorrow Arena followed by eight rounds Daam’s agreement with Al Shaqab, an organisation of tremendous with the first leg ending on at Longines Outdoor Arena Al cultural and traditional significance in the State of Qatar, and pas- Saturday. Shaqab. sionately committed to preserving and promoting Qatar’s rich The hugely popular series - Individual and team compe- equestrian heritage." now into its fourth year - is the titions will be held in three cate- “Equestrian sport truly represents Qataris, our tradition, and brainchild of Qatar Olympic gories namely Small, Medium and our culture, and this is reflected in the competitions and events Committee (QOC) Chairman H E Big Tour. Future Riders’ Class undertaken by Al Shaqab. The Social & Sport Contribution Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al competitions will also be held. Fund and Al Shaqab will develop equestrian sports in Qatar, Thani. Oarganised chiefly by QEF especially among the youth. This investment in the youth, The Hathab series was and Al Shaqab, the popular series in terms of helping them to understand and appreciate launched in 2017 with the first is sponsored by Longines, Exx- Qatar’s culture and traditions, will play a positive edition that offered a total prize onMobil, and Salam role in enhancing social development,” Al Mannai of QR1.2m. International. said. Hathab meaning ‘Canter’ in Khalifa Al Attiya, Executive Director, Al Arabic, is aimed at improving the HATHAB TOUR 2020-21 Shaqab, was similarly pleased about the new standard of horse riding among partnership between The Social & Sport Con- Round 1: October 8-10 (QEF Indoor Arena) Qatari youths while encouraging tribution Fund and Al Shaqab. Round 2: October 22-24 (QEF Indoor Arena) the involvement of private “We are honored to welcome The Social Round 3: November 5-7 (QEF Indoor Arena) stables and individual horse & Sport Contribution Fund on board as sup- Round 4: November 19-21 (QEF Indoor Arena) owners to grow awareness of porter of Al Shaqab, and we look forward Round 5: December 3-5 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) horsemanship as part of Qatar’s to a collaborative and rewarding history and tradition. Round 6: December 10-12 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) partnership. The QOC and QEF are keen Round 7: December 31-January 2 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) “Al Shaqab, as a centre of equestrian excellence, greatly values to build a strong rider base in the Round 8: January 14-16 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) Daam’s commitment to the development of horsemanship in country that has featured at the Round 9: January 28-30 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) Qatar, particularly among the youth.” Last year's Big Tour overall 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Round 10: February 25-27 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) “This level of support will play a great role in encouraging winner Hamad Nasser Al Qadi Janiero. Round 11: March 4-6 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) young riders, and ultimately keeping alive an invaluable part of in action in this file photo. One of the key legs of the Round 12: March 25-27 (Longines Outdoor Arena Al Shaqab) Qatar’s history, culture and tradition,” Al Attiya said. WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 11 'Financial Dutch football oblivion' legend Cruyff to get avoided: his own musical Harrison AFP - THE HAGUE

REUTERS - LONDON A musical about the life of legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff (pictured) is set to start late next year, paying tribute to one of The England and Wales the game’s greatest-ever players. Cricket Board (ECB) had “14 de musical”, referring to the famous number on the back avoided “financial oblivion” of Cruyff’s jersey, is expected to open at the AFAS Theatre in from the COVID-19 pandemic Leusden, southeast of Amsterdam in September, Dutch producers by delivering on its broadcast announced yesterday. commitments during the Theatre editor Tom de Ket has “turned the life story of the home summer, Chief Exec- legendary footballer with a paradoxical personality into a script utive Officer Tom Harrison about ambition, love, and friendship but also about jealousy, said. loneliness and betrayal,” the Out Of Office Productions company England returned to said. action following the novel Cruyff, 68, who died of lung cancer four years ago, is still coronavirus shutdown in July widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest innovators and the with three tests against the inventor of Total Football, a tactical theory in the game where West Indies in bio-secure any outfield player can play in any other position on the pitch venues at Southampton and with ease. Trent Boult of New Zealand celebrates with his Mumbai Indians players during an IPL match against Manchester. His death in 2016 brought tributes from across the world in Abu Dhabi yesterday. PIC: @MIPALTAN They also hosted matches including by legends including Diego Maradona, Pele and Michel against Ireland, Pakistan and Platini. Australia in various formats. “We’ll see Cruyff playing football, but he doesn’t sing “There is some pride at IPL: Mumbai Indians post himself. The performance will contain rock, opera and hip-hop what has been achieved this and the design is a challenging combination of digital projec- year but there is also concern tions and physical set pieces,” the company said in a statement. for the future,” Harrison told Cruyff’s partner Danny “one of the first women who became reporters. win over Rajasthan Royals known in the media as a player’s wife and played a very important “Being able to deliver on role in Cruyff’sfs life, gets a major role in the performanceperformance” the propro- those broadcast commitments ducers added.d. has frankly saved us from IANS - ABU DHABI time by Kieron Pollard in the Kumar, 30, limped off the The musicalical aalsolso hadhad tthehe backingbacking financial oblivion, and obvi- 14th over. field in his team’s match against of the companypany that manages ously not just us but the rest Mumbai Indians (MI) yesterday RR were 98/5 at the time Chennai Super Kings last week the great player’sayer’s llegacy.egacy. of the game too. It’s as stark beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) by and they crumbled in the next with a muscle strain in his thigh, “14 the musicalmusical is an as that.” 57 runs at the Sheikh Zayed four overs. and missed the next game on inspiring newew adventureadventure fforor The ECB said last month Stadium. Earlier, 30-year-old Surya- Sunday. us,” said Carolerole Thate, gegeneralneral it planned to make 62 posi- Suryakumar Yadav (79 not kumar Yadav hit 11 fours and “Bhuvneshwar Kumar is manager at ththee WorWorldld ofof JoJohanhan tions within the organisation out) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/20) two sixes, one of which was off ruled out of #Dream11IPL 2020 Cruyff. redundant due to the eco- starred with bat and ball as MI after he was hit in due to injury. We wish him a To the biggestggest question: wwhoho nomic impact of the pandemic scored 193/4 wkts in 20 overs the by a bouncer off the speedy recovery!,” Hyderabad will play the role of CrCruyffuyff -- the and Harrison said the game and then dismissed RR for 136 previous delivery by the English said in a statement. producers saidaid the names of the sustained severe losses. in 18.1 overs. bowler. Indian left-arm quick actors “will bbee announceannouncedd at a “The ECB has lost more Trent Boult struck with the He smashed 76 runs in just Prithvi Raj Yarra will replace later stage.” than 100 million pounds second ball of the RR innings, 38 balls to propel MI close to Kumar for the remainder of the The playy will open on SeSep-p- ($129.88m) of revenue and swinging the ball away from the 200-run mark. season, which is being played tember 25 nnextext yyearear and will run on 800 days of live spectators in and getting a Brief scores: MI 193/4 wkts in the United Arab Emirates. a weekly basissis ffromrom WednesdayWednesday to SatSat-- stadia,” Harrison added. nick off him as it flew to - in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav The loss of Kumar, who has urday “assumingming thatthat no more measures “The consequences of that keeper Quinton de Kock. 79 , Rohit Sharma 35; played 21 Tests and 114 ODIs for are needed againstagainst the coronavirus,” are now being felt by people Bumrah then dismissed RR 2/28) beat RR 136 India, is the second blow to the the producersers said. across the game who are captain for six and all out in 18.1 overs ( David Warner-led side. losing livelihoods and are Boult then sent back the dan- 70, Jofra Archer 24; Jasprit Earlier Australia’s Mitchell going through some very dif- gerous for a duck Bumrah 4/20) by 57 runs Marsh was ruled out of the Asian Champions League ficult moments in their lives. to reduce MI to 12/3 in the third Twenty20 tournament due to “Right now at the ECB over. an ankle injury sustained in the we’re going through the Mahipal Lomror and Jos Kumar out of IPL first week. East Zone set to resume painful process of becoming Buttler then ensured that RR with thigh injury Reports in Indian media a smaller organisation coming lost no more in the suggested Kumar’s injury could on November 18: AFC out of this summer.” powerplay. AFP -DUBAI rule him out for at least six to But the former was dis- eight months, putting him in missed in the ninth over, thanks India and Sunrisers Hyderabad doubt for India’s tour of Aus- QNA - KUALA LUMPUR to a screamer of a catch from paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar tralia in December. Afghan substitute fielder Anukul Roy. has been ruled out injured for leg-spinner The Asian Champions League’s rescheduled group stage matches Jos Buttler kept RR in the the rest of the Indian Premier Amit Mishra has also been ruled for clubs in the East Zone will take place from November cricketer chase before he departed for League season, his franchise out of the IPL season, with a 18-December 4, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) another stunning catch, this said yesterday. finger injury. confirmed yesterday with the release of the fixture list. Tarakai dies Asia’s elite club competition was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in the West Zone hub of Qatar on September 14, with Iran’s Persepolis reaching the at age 29 final after a penalty shootout win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr on Saturday. AP - KABUL They will meet the top team from the East Zone in the title clash on December 19. Perth Glory, one of three Australian teams International batsman Najeeb in the competition, kick off the East Zone restart with a Group Tarakai has died from injuries F game against China’s Shanghai Shenhua on November 18. sustained in a traffic accident Fixtures in Groups G and H resume the following day, with last week, the Afghanistan Malaysian champion Johor Darul Ta’zim facing Guangzhou Ever- Cricket Board said yesterday. grande and Sydney FC meeting Shanghai SIPG. He was 29. Group E leader FC Seoul take on second-placed Beijing Guoan The ACB posted a tribute on November 21. Teams in Groups G and H will to play in a cen- on Twitter, saying the cricket tralised location in Malaysia, while the venue for clubs in Groups board and the country E and F has not been determined. Clubs in the East Zone could “mourns the heart breaking & face difficulties with their fixtures due to rescheduled domestic grievous loss of its aggressive league campaigns, border closures and COVID-19 protocols. opening batsman & a very fine human being.” The Afghan cricket board Afghanistan’s Najeeb Tarakai (left) leaves the field as Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and his team- earlier said Tarakai had mates celebrate his dismissal during their ICC Twenty20 World Cup match in Dhaka in this March 16, surgery in Nangarhar last Ooredoo Cup: Al Sailiya beat Friday after the accident and 2014 file photo. Tarakai has died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident last week, the Afghanistan had been in a critical Cricket Board said yesterday. Al Duhail 3-1 in Round two condition. Afghanistan international cricketers including Rashid Australia’s IPL stars to be short of Khan and Mohammad Nabi expressed condolences on social media for Tarakai, who red-ball practice before India: Paine played one one-day interna- tional and 12 Twenty20 REUTERS - MELBOURNE concerns that they would go Internationals. into the four-Test series against “It’s very sad to learn Our A number of Australia’s leading Virat Kohli’s India Friend and Very Fine Cricketer Test players, including batsman underprepared. Najeeb Tarakai lost his life to Steve Smith and paceman Pat “These are guys that have the injuries he was suffering Cummins, look set to face India transferred from white-ball to from the recent accident. His in the home series without red-ball, from Test cricket to loss kept us all stunned and warming up in the Sheffield Twenty20 cricket, within a speechless. My deepest con- Shield due to quarantine matter of days,” he added. dolences to his family and all restrictions, captain Tim Paine “It’s never been an issue Action during the Ooredoo Cup Group A Round 2 match between friends. May his Soul Rest in (pictured) said yesterday. and we wouldn’t expect it to Al Duhail and Al Sailiya at Qatar SC Stadium, yesterday. Al Sailiya Peace,” Nabi said. Smith, Cummins, opening be.” defeated Al Duhail 3-1. In other matches yesterday, Qatar SC beat Tarakai played his only batsman David Warner and Australia had planned a Al Sadd 3-2 while Al Wakrah beat Al Khor 2-1. BOTTOM: Action ODI against Ireland at Greater leading quicks Josh Hazlewood one-off Test against Afghan- during the match between Al Wakrah and Al Khor. Noida in India in 2017. He was and James Pattinson are playing istan in Perth in November involved 12 T20 internationals in the , spread of COVID-19. Paine said before the India series, but it over a period of six years after which runs until the final on there would not be enough time was postponed last month. making his debut against November 10. for the IPL players to play Wicketkeeper Paine will Bangladesh in 2014. He scored The opening four-round Shield cricket ahead of the first lead Tasmania against 258 runs in the format at an block of Australia’s domestic India Test at the Gabba, which Queensland in their first Shield average of 21.50 and a strike Sheffield Shield starts this is pencilled in for match this weekend and said rate of almost 123. weekend, with the last match early-December. he had no plans to reduce his Tarakai also played 24 of the block between New “I wouldn’t have thought so, workload behind the stumps, first-class games, scoring 2030 South Wales and Victoria with restrictions coming back having recovered from a ham- runs at an average of 47.20. He starting November 17. into the country,” the Tasmania string strain. hit six first-class centuries and Australia has a mandatory skipper told reporters in Hobart “I feel like the more I do it, ten fifties, including a career- 14-day quarantine for interna- yesterday. the better my body feels,” he high score of 200. tional arrivals to curb the However, Paine dismissed said. 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2020

Khalid Al Naama, official Qatar powering ahead with spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, says Qatar remain ahead of schedule when it comes to delivering all the 2022 World Cup preparations infrastructure required for the FIFA World Cup and are well RIZWAN REHMAT An aerial view of the on course to delivering THE PENINSULA new Al Bayt Stadium. everything well in advance of PICTURES: SC the tournament despite the World Cup hosts Qatar are powering ahead with their coronavirus pandemic. infrastructure development - that includes delivering eight Two venues built from scratch - world-class stadiums - ahead Al Bayt Stadium and Al Rayyan of the first kick-off in November Stadium - are getting their 2022. Qatar’s infrastructure devel- final touch-ups. opment for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is ‘85 percent com- The hosts of the next football plete’, a top official said spectacle have already yesterday. delivered three World Cup The hosts of the next football spectacle have already venues with another three delivered three World Cup slated to be completed by the venues with another three end of next year. slated to be completed by the end of next year. And that’s not all - two venues built from scratch - Al Announcing the stadium Bayt Stadium and Al Rayyan while the world is overcoming Stadium - are getting their final the coronavirus pandemic, touch-ups. shows everyone that there is The two imposing structures light at the end of the tunnel and will be ready for use before the brighter days ahead. We are year is out, Khalid Al Naama, proud to pay tribute to the official spokesperson of the frontline workers who remain Supreme Committee for at the forefront in the battle Delivery & Legacy, told The against coronavirus and who Peninsula in an exclusive have given us a remarkable interview. example of resilience during “Work on FIFA World Cup such a difficult moment. infrastructure is proceeding as And we look forward to per schedule. Overall, project bringing the world together – at completion stands at more than this stadium and others – using 85%, with over two years to go the unifying power of football in until kick-off,” Al Naama said. 2022. “Later this year, and in early Team Base Camps Training important to applaud the A: Announcing the official Qatar, affirms the SC’s com- The completion 2021 we also plan to announce Sites from which teams can health workers around the completion of Education City mitment to deliver its projects announcement was received the official completion of two select, in addition to one world? How was the inaugu- Stadium digitally, and in com- on schedule – despite the really positively from all the more stadiums,” he added. “We Training Site for match ration received by the FIFA pliance with the protective current circumstances. The sta- people who worked on this will have three stadiums officials. family as a whole? measures implemented by the dium’s successful completion milestone, our stakeholders in remaining which will be com- Q: What are the hin- StateState of wawass ddedicatededicatted to addition to the local, regional plete in 2021,” Al Naama said drances (if any) in prepara- frfrontlineono tlt ine wwoworkersrkers and international media outlets. while tackling a Q&A session tions for the FIFA World Cup? whwwhoo hhaveave from The Peninsula. Has the coronavirus pandemic We have announced the readiness of three workedwworkked ttire-ire- Q: What was the plan Here’s what he had to say: slowed down the preparation stadiums so far. Khalifa International lesslyllesss lyy dduringuring behind staging the Pan-Arab of the 2022 venues in any way? thethhe oonongoinggoing Tournament as a preparatory Q: Qatar, as we know, is A: Despite the coronavirus Stadium, Qatar’s oldest stadium, which was COCOVID-19O V I D-19 event in 2021? Which of the way ahead of time when it pandemic, we remain ahead of renovated and reopened in 2017 with a pandemic.paannddeemic. countries will be invited to take comes to preparations for the schedule when it comes to 40,000 seat capacity. Zaha Hadid’s iconic part in the tournament? A: FIFA World Cup in terms of delivering all the infrastructure 40-000 seat stadium, Al Janoub Stadium The pan-Arab Tour- stadiums’ construction and the required for the FIFA World Cup nament has been proposed to act training sites preparations. and are well on course to deliv- became the first FIFA World Cup ready as a preparatory event for the Can you tell us in percentage ering everything well in venue to be built from scratch when it FIFA World Cup 2022. The tour- terms how much work is done advance of the tournament. opened in 2019. Last month, we nament will be held from 1-18 and how much of the work We have had to adapt in December 2021, taking place remains with more than two recent months. Strict social dis- announced the official completion during the same timeslot as the years still left? tancing measures have been Education City Stadium with its FIFA World Cup 2022, with the implemented at all our sites, ‘Diamond of the Desert’ design final taking place exactly one A: Work on FIFA World including construction sites and year before the Qatar 2022 final Cup infrastructure is proceeding our head office in Doha. and a capacity of 40,000 is scheduled to kick-off. as per schedule. Overall, project The SC took all necessary seats: Khalid Al Naama This 22-team invitational completion stands at more than precautions for workers, in line official spokesperson of the tournament for men’s national 85%, with over two years to go with the coronavirus prevent- Supreme Committee for teams will be contested by Arab until kick-off. We have ative measures and interim nations from Africa and Asia and announced the readiness of guidelines recommended by the Delivery & Legacy we hope that fans, players and three stadiums so far. Khalifa Ministry of Public Health officials will get a real taste of International Stadium, Qatar’s (MoPH). We have utilised our what’s to come in 2022. oldest stadium, which was ren- existing network of medical It will allow the local organ- ovated and reopened in 2017 clinics across all sites and A general aerial view of the Education City Stadium. isers to use facilities and run with a 40,000 seat capacity. accommodation. Some of the operations that are planned for Zaha Hadid’s iconic 40-000 actions these teams helped the FIFA World Cup 2022; all seat stadium, Al Janoub Stadium implement include: tournament matches will be became the first FIFA World * Delivering Awareness played at Qatar 2022 stadiums. Cup ready venue to be built sessions to educate workers on In addition to using stadiums from scratch when it opened in the importance of prevention. and training sites, the tour- 2019. In June, we announced * Taking workers’ temper- nament will provide a vital the official completion Edu- atures twice daily. opportunity for fans, players and cation City Stadium with its * Distributing masks and officials to experience host ‘Diamond of the Desert’ design sanitisers across all SC projects. country facilities, including and a capacity of 40,000 seats. * Prohibiting any non- transport and accommodation. Later this year, and in early essential visitors to SC con- The competition proposal 2021 we also plan to announce struction sites was presented to FIFA Council the official completion of two * Establishing isolation members by H E Hassan Al more stadiums. Al Bayt Stadium rooms on all SC sites and Thawadi, Secretary General of which has a capacity of 60,000 accommodation. the Supreme Committee for seats and was recently * Implementing interim Delivery & Legacy (SC) and announced to be the opening disinfection protocols at site and Chairman of the FIFA World Cup ceremony venue and Al Rayyan accommodation medical Qatar 2022 LLC. Stadium, which has a capacity facilities. The FIFA Council subse- of 40,000 seats and will host * Workers with chronic quently approved the formation matches from the group stages disease and those above 55 of the competition. until the quarter-finals. Both years have been temporarily The creation of this pan- are more than 99.5% demobilised, remaining on full Arab tournament also reinforces complete. pay, from site due to them being our longstanding commitment We will have three stadiums more vulnerable to that the FIFA World Cup 2022 remaining which will be com- coronavirus. will be a tournament that ben- pleted in 2021. These are Al efits the entire Arab world, one Thumama Stadium, with its Q: The launch of Edu- that showcases the beauty of the iconic 'gahfiya' design and a cation City Stadium had a region and the immense passion capacity of 40,000 seats, Lusail special theme to it. Why is it that exists for the game. Stadium, the biggest of all the FIFA World Cup venues with 80,000 capacity and host of the A general view inside Al Bayt Stadium. final FIFA World Cup match; The construction of all the training and Ras Abu Aboud; the first sites is complete and has now fully demountable FIFA World moved to the tournament Cup venue history with a capacity of 40,000 seats. These preparations mode to prepare for three stadiums are respectively the Team Base Camps. The FIFA 80.5%, 67% and 57% World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC will complete. The construction of all the have 40 Team Base Camps training sites is complete and Training Sites from which teams has now moved to the tour- can select, in addition to one nament preparations mode to prepare for the Team Base Training Site for match officials. Camps. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC will have 40 WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 09 IOC gets official look at simplification for Games

AP — TOKYO postponed six months ago * Some of the proposed cuts because of the COVID-19 pan- The IOC and local organisers demic. This included moving are trying to “simplify” the post- listed in a detailed events to existing venues rather poned Tokyo Olympics, prom- document from the than building new facilities. ising to save money in what one organisers include: fewer Most of the big-ticket study says is already the most decorative banners; a spending had already taken expensive Summer Olympics on 10-15% reduction in place, such as the $1.43bn record. national stadium, and the The executive board of the “stakeholders” delegation $520m swimming venue. International Olympic Com- sizes; five fewer “We have many measures, mittee is expected to review the international interpreters and sometimes they look small. proposed cuts today. They from a staff of 100; fewer But when you take them all include about 50 changes to shuttle buses; reduction in together it will represent a large fringe areas that leave the result in terms of both simpli- number of athletes - 15,400 for hospitality areas; fication and hopefully ... the Olympics and Paralympics suspension in production of produce some significant - and all sports events mascot costumes; savings,” Christophe Dubi, the untouched for next year. cancellation of official team IOC executive director for the Also largely untouched will welcome ceremonies. Olympic Games, said late last be the opening and closing cer- month when the plans were emonies, the heavily sponsored * Most of the big-ticket presented in Tokyo. 121-day torch relay, and com- spending had already taken Dubi said a search for more petition areas that will be seen place, such as the $1.43bn cuts would continue. on television broadcasts. This national stadium, and the Tokyo and the IOC have not means the so-called field of $520m swimming venue. offered an estimate of the The executive board of the IOC is expected to review the proposed cuts today. play, and areas immediately savings, but estimates in Japan adjacent. put them at 1-2% of official last month for the first time that To keep sponsors on board, Organisers have said it Some of the proposed cuts spending of $12.6bn. However, some sponsors have backed out the IOC and local organisers won’t be until the end of the listed in a detailed document from the organisers include: a government audit last year in the midst of a slumping have talked confidently in the year, or early in 2021, when fewer decorative banners; a said the real cost of the economy, the pandemic, and last several months about the detailed steps will be Toshiro Muto 10-15% reduction in “stake- Olympics might be twice that uncertainty around the Olympics opening as planned announced about how to hold holders” delegation sizes; five much. Olympics really happening. on July 23, 2021. the Olympics in the midst of a fewer international interpreters All of the costs for putting “I can’t say that all contracts Yoshiro Mori, the president pandemic. This will include from a staff of 100; fewer shuttle on the Olympics come largely have been renewed,” he said. of the organising committee, decisions about attendance by buses; reduction in hospitality from public money with the Any shortfall in this pri- acknowledged last month that local fans, non-Japanese fans, areas; suspension in production exception of $5.6bn from a pri- vately funded operating budget some were hoping for more and rules under which athletes of mascot costumes; cancel- vately financed local operating will have to be made up from cuts, while others will be sat- will enter Japan, vaccines, quar- lation of official team welcome budget. About 60% of the somewhere else. The document isfied with the modest savings. antines, and so forth. ceremonies. income in this budget - $3.3bn handed out last month by “It’s like a glass half-filled, Japan has reported about Organisers and the IOC say - comes from payments from organizers showed them con- or half empty,” he said. “We 1,600 deaths from COVID-19 they had already slashed 68 domestic sponsors. sidering “measures to increase” wanted to save, but there were and has had strict entry rules in several billion dollars in costs Organising committee CEO donations to make up for lost so many thing that have already place for citizens from 159 before the Olympics were Toshiro Muto acknowledged income. been determined.” countries.

Action from the Amir Amir Cup: Qatar SC blank Al Khor; Cup Table Tennis Al Gharafa claim win over Al Ahli Championship, yesterday. THE PENINSULA — DOHA Ministry of Public Health. being staged to complete the Tennis Federation (ITTF) at its In other fifth-round 2019-20 season that was AGM held in Doha. Durban DOHA: Qatar SC yesterday competitions, Al Gharafa stopped because of the won the hosting right for the beat Al Khor 3-0 for their beat Al Ahli 3-1. Qatar SC COVID-19 pandemic 2023 ITTF World Table second win of the Amir Cup now have a tally of four sweeping the globe. Tennis Championships during Table Tennis Championship. points to be at the top of After football, volleyball the meeting held in Doha last The event - which will Group A. and show jumping, table week conclude on October 12 - is Al Khor have three tennis is the fourth beat to President of QTTA and being staged with strict points while Al Gharafa are resume activities to com- the Arab Table Tennis Asso- safety protocols imple- third and Al Ahli at the plete the season that was ciation, and Vice-President mented by Qatar Olympic bottom. The final round of halted in March this year. of the Asian Table Tennis Committee (QOC) and the matches in this group will Last week, Secretary Union and the ITTF, Khalil Qatar Table Tennis Associ- decide the semi-finals General of the QOC Jassim bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi ation (QTTA) under the line-up of the prestigious Rashid Al Buenain joined offi- headed the series of guidelines issued by the event. The current event is cials of the International Table meetings held in Doha.

France’s Arnaud Demare Swimming: (centre) waves from the New-look Wallabies more Nine cities presentation podium, yesterday. focused on kicking game, to host US Open in says flyhalf Toomua REUTERS — MELBOURNE be ignoring a few obvious factors that November influence it.” Australia are placing more emphasis Former Wallabies coach Michael on kicking in their planning under new Cheika largely eschewed the kicking AP — COLORADO SPRINGS attack coach Scott Wisemantel but will game during his six-year tenure and not become a “copy and paste” version stuck doggedly to ball-in-hand rugby Nine cities will host the US of England, Wallabies flyhalf Matt at the World Cup, saying he would Open in November, Toomua said yesterday. rather lose than “kick and defend” to allowing over 1,800 Australian Wisemantel helped victory. swimmers to compete, Eddie Jones’ England reach the World The Wallabies were thrashed with results from each Cup final in Japan before joining the 40-16 by England to exit at the location combined by USA Wallabies under new coach Dave quarter-finals, their equal-worst finish Swimming. Rennie. Toomua said Wisemantel’s at the tournament. The national gov- influence had rubbed off on the group Australia have not beaten the All erning body said yes- Demare edges Sagan to as they prepare for Sunday’s season- Blacks in New Zealand since 2001 but terday that instead of the opening test against the All Blacks in claimed a 47-26 win over them in usual 700 to 800 Wellington. Perth last year, when the visitors swimmers competing in “There’s definitely a little bit more played the second half with 14 men. one location, the event on win fourth Giro stage of a focus there,” Toomua told Toomua said that while quick ball November 12-14 will reporters from Christchurch. and a low turnover count were key to feature four timed finals REUTERS — SICILY bonus points in an inter- rivals. It worked to some “You look at our attacking coach... the Perth win, England had shown in sessions and a men’s and mediate sprint 25km from extent but there was still Scott Wisemantel has just spent a lot the World Cup semi-finals that the All women’s flight per Frenchman Arnaud the finish line. enough threat to Sagan in of time up in England. Blacks could be beaten with smart session. Demare edged out Peter Earlier in the day, pre- the final sprint, as “He’s aware of what an effective kicking and set-piece pressure. All federal, state and Sagan in a bunch sprint to race favourite Geraint Groupama-FDJ’s Demare kicking game... looks like. But once “For us it’s about finding the right local health guidelines claim victory in the fourth Thomas abandoned the showed. again, we’ve got to keep to our blend, the right mix that will work to will be followed at each stage of the Giro d’Italia event after his crash in the “I wasn’t sure that I’d strengths. We can’t just copy and paste our strengths but also will be efficient site and entry limits will yesterday, the final stage neutral zone on Monday won when I crossed the from another team because it would and work against them,” he added. reflect local in Sicily. left him with a fractured line. It was so tight. It’s fan- restrictions. The last 30km of the pelvis. tastic to have won a Giro The anticipated meet 140km stage were flat, “It’s so frustrating,” stage already in the first will be live-streamed offering opportunities for Thomas said. days of the race,” said the from the Irvine location the top sprinters and it was “I’d put so much work Frenchman, who also won on USA Swimming’s Demare who powered into this race. I did every- a Giro stage last year. website and a one-hour across the line fractionally thing I could and feel like Sagan now has an broadcast will air on NBC ahead of Sagan. I was in just as good, if not incredible 30 second-place on November 15. Slovakia’s Sagan had to better, shape than when I stage finishes in Grand The long-course settle for second place won the Tour. Tours, along with 16 stage event’s host cities are: again as he did on stage “So for it just to end like victories. Beaverton, Oregon; Des two. Italian Davide Bal- this is gutting,” added the “Today, I went all out Moines, Iowa; Green- lerini was third. 34-year-old Welshman for the win. I didn’t know sboro, North Carolina; Portugal’s Joao who claimed the Tour de who was first, second, or Huntsville, Alabama; Almeida (Deceuninck- France title in 2018. third, we all came to the Indianapolis; Irvine, Cal- QuickStep) retained the Sagan’s Bora-Hans- line together and we had ifornia; Richmond, Vir- pink jersey and opened a grohe piled on the pressure to wait for the photo- ginia; San Antonio, two-second lead over on the day’s main climb, finish,” he said. Australia’s James Ramm Texas; and Sarasota, Ecuadorean Jonathan the Portella Mandrazzi, “At times I won by a working out at a gym in Florida. Caicedo courtesy of hoping to soften up the few centimetres, and at Christchurch, yesterday. picking up a couple of Slovakian’s main sprint times it was like today.” Sport WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2020 08 Stanton powers NBA: Lucas Yankees past Rays; a candidate for Rockets’ Astros clinch win opening, AFP — LOS ANGELES tables in the fifth. Higashioka led off the fifth by hitting a say reports Giancarlo Stanton blasted a Blake Snell pitch over the out- grand slam homer in the ninth field wall. REUTERS — NEW YORK inning as the New York Two batters later, Judge Yankees overpowered the ripped a home run over the Former NBA head coach Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 in the wall in left field for his 10th and current team exec- opening game of the American career play-off homer. utive John Lucas has League Division Series. Elsewhere, Carlos Correa emerged as a candidate Stanton’s grand slam was blasted two homers as the for the Houston Rockets’ the second in as many games Houston Astros used a four-run Kansas City Chiefs' Mecole Hardman (17) is tackled by New England coaching vacancy, in the play-offs for the Yankees sixth inning to come from Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore during their NFL game. according to reports. who have belted 11 home runs behind and beat the Oakland The Houston in the club’s first three games Athletics 10-5 in the opening Chronicle and The New of the postseason. game of their AL Division York Times both reported Gio Urshela also smacked Series. that Lucas, who hasn’t led a grand slam on Wednesday as Jose Altuve hit the go-ahead Mahomes shines as an NBA team in 17 years, the fifth seeded Yankees earned two-run single in the sixth and joins a growing list of can- a 10-9 victory over Cleveland George Springer added four hits didates to replace the in game two of the wild-card for the Astros, who won in their departed Mike D’Antoni. round. first playoff game at Dodger The Chronicle “This is what I signed up for. Stadium since beating the Los Chiefs make history reported late last week This is the time where you’ve Angeles Dodgers in the contro- that Rockets have got to step up and do your job,” versial 2017 World Series. scheduled meetings with Stanton said. The series is being played AFP — LOS ANGELES missed the first three games former Brooklyn Nets Clint Frazier led off the at the same stadium where Mahomes passed for 236 due to a hand injury. floor boss Kenny third inning with a homer, Kyle Houston beat the Dodgers to Patrick Mahomes threw two yards, completing 19 of The Patriots were missing Atkinson, Denver Nuggets Higashioka and Aaron Judge win the 2017 World Series in touchdown passes as the unde- 29 attempts and running back Sony Michel who assistant coach Wes also went deep for the Yankees seven games. feated Kansas City Chiefs beat is out with a quad injury. Unseld Jr., Dallas Mav- in the first postseason playoff The Astros drew the ire of the Cam Newton-less New spearheading the Chiefs In the later game, Aaron ericks assistant Stephen between the two clubs. the rest of the league and espe- England Patriots 26-10 in a to two touchdowns in the Rodgers and Robert Tonyan Silas and Los Angeles Pitcher Gerrit Cole allowed cially Dodgers fans after it was game postponed by positive final 16 minutes. Kansas connected on three touchdown Clippers assistant Tyronn three runs on six hits and struck revealed they were helped by COVID-19 tests. City is the first team in passes as the Green Bay Packers Lue. Jeff Van Gundy has out eight in six innings for New a sign-stealing scandal that The game was pushed from league history to start the routed the Atlanta Falcons also been linked to the York. rocked baseball. Sunday after both teams 30-16. post. The Yankees will try to take Trailing 5-3 in the sixth reported positive tests for the NFL season 4-0 four Rodgers completed 27 of 33 Lucas, 66, currently a 2-0 series lead in game two inning with two outs, A’s coronavirus, including New straight years. passes and finished with four the team’s director of of the best-of-five series. shortstop Marcus Semien made England’s quarterback Newton. touchdowns for the Packers, player development, is Tampa took a 3-2 lead in a fielding error on a grounder Mahomes passed for 236 who improved to 4-0 on the poised to get an interview, the fourth inning on Monday by Astros Josh Reddick. After a yards, completing 19 of 29 season. Tonyan caught a too, per the reports. after a two-run homer by Choi Martin Maldonado single, attempts and spearheading the helped seal the victory with a career-high three touchdowns Lucas has been the Ji-Man. Springer connected on an RBI Chiefs to two touchdowns in the 25-yard interception and return and six passes for 98 yards. team’s development But New York turned the double. final 16 minutes. Kansas City is with 8:48 left in the fourth “He is a very consistent coach since 2016 and has the first team in league history quarter. guy,” Rodgers said of Tonyan. a strong relationship with to start the season 4-0 four So far, Newton is the only “Every year he is getting stars James Harden and straight years. Patriot to have tested positive better. He’s a really good Russell Westbrook and “You’ve seen it this season. for the virus. Organisers moved player.” the rest of the Rockets You’ve seen it last season. Even the game from Sunday to Jamaal Williams caught players, per the reports. New York Yankees if you hold us down, we can go Monday so more tests could be eight passes for 95 yards and Lucas has NBA head designated hitter Giancarlo out there and make plays when conducted. Aaron Jones gained 111 yards, coaching experience. He Stanton (right) hits a grand they count,” said Mahomes. Chiefs practice squad quar- including 71 rushing. compiled a 173-258 slam against the Tampa “When your number is terback Jordan Ta’amu also Atlanta quarterback Matt overall record with the Bay Rays. called you have to make plays, tested positive. Ryan completed 28 of 39 passes San Antonio Spurs (1992- and I thought enough guys New England’s travel plans for 285 yards for the Falcons, 1994), Philadelphia 76ers made plays that we were able on Monday were altered to who dropped to 0-4. (1994-1996) and to get out of there with a win.” allow the players to travel in Falcon’s Todd Gurley Cleveland Cavaliers Tyreek Hill and Mecole two aircraft. rushed for 57 yards and two (2001-2003). Hardman caught touchdown One carried the 20 players touchdowns on 16 carries, while Lucas played 14 passes for the Chiefs, both on who have had contact with receiver Julio Jones caught four seasons in the league, easy six-yard short passes from Newton, who was placed on the passes in the first half to including three stints with Mahomes in front of 12,700 fans COVID-19 list on Saturday. become the franchise’s all-time the Rockets, who drafted at Arrowhead Stadium in Damien Harris came off receptions leader with 812. He him No. 1 overall out of Kansas City, Missouri. injured reserve to gain 100 surpassed Roddy White, who Maryland in 1976. Chiefs safety Tyran Mathieu yards on 17 carries. Harris had had 808 from 2005-15. Uganda's Cheptegei targets 10,000m record in Valencia

REUTERS — VALENCIA the track to indicate a specific pace. Less than two months after Cheptegei has already made breaking the 5,000 metres history over the distance in world record, Ugandan Joshua Valencia, smashing a 10-year Cheptegei (pictured) is setting 10km world record last his sights on the 10,000m mark December by six seconds, at a special event in Valencia wearing the Nike Zoom today. Vaporfly shoes which have Gold medallist in the 10,000 caused a huge debate in at last year’s World Athletics athletics. Championships in Doha, Chep- “I am very excited to be tegei is hoping to beat the 26 given the opportunity to target minutes, 17.53 set by Kenenisa the 10,000m world record,” Bekele in 2005. Cheptegei said last month. Cheptegei, 23, took Ethi- include former Dutch champion “As my performance in opian Bekele’s 5,000m record Roy Hoornweg as well as Aus- Monaco showed, I am in out- at the Diamond League in tralian Matt Ramsden and standing form, so I would like Monaco in August, wiping 1.99 Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir, both to make the most of my current seconds off the 16-year-old world championship finalists shape. mark when he crossed the line in 2019. “Kenenisa’s 10,000m world in 12:35.36. Although there will be little record is one of the toughest in His Dutch-based NN support from the largely empty the books, but my training con- Running Team has organised stands, Cheptegei will be helped tinues to go well and this gives the World Record Day and he by Wavelight technology, which me real confidence I can set will count on pacers who flashes lights on the inside of another world record.” Oilers' McDavid tests positive for COVID-19

AP — EDMONTON pick in the 2015 draft, is widely considered the best player in Edmonton Oilers star Connor the NHL. McDavid (pictured) has tested The captain of the Oilers positive for COVID-19. had 34 goals and 63 assists in McDavid, a 23-year-old 64 games during the pandemic- forward, is self-quarantining shortened season. at home and experiencing mild The NHL made it through symptoms, according to the its postseason in bubbles in Oilers. Toronto and Edmonton without “He will continue to be one positive test in August and monitored and will follow all September. associated health protocols,” McDavid’s Oilers were the team said on Monday night eliminated in the opening in a statement. round of the postseason in McDavid, the No. 1 overall Edmonton in early August.