GGOLFOLF | Page 5 CRICKET | Page 7 Mickelson CT victory splits with brings long-time windfall for caddie Pak players

Thursday, June 22, 2017 FORMULA ONE Ramadan 27, 1438 AH Hamilton GULF TIMES determined to deliver in Baku SPORT Page 6 CRICKET Greats lament ‘sad day’ as Kohli topples Kumble

AFP cials had tried to resolve the spat. but as a player, as an individual and as a New Delhi “Though the BCCI attempted to re- senior he is just brilliant,” said Sehwag, solve the misunderstandings between who played under Kumble’s Test cap- the captain and me, it was apparent taincy. atting great Sunil Gavaskar la- that the partnership was untenable and A three-man panel of Sachin Ten- mented a “sad day” after Anil therefore I believe it is best for me to dulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Lax- Kumble stepped down as India move on,” the former captain wrote. man, who picked Kumble in June last coach over a rift with captain India suff ered defeat to Pakistan in year, will deliberate over Kumble’s BVirat Kohli, leaving the hot seat vacant the Champions Trophy fi nal on Sun- replacement. As well as Sehwag and once again. day, but Kumble also helped them re- Moody, reports say other candidates Kumble said on Tuesday his posi- claim the number-one Test ranking are Englishman Richard Pybus, who tion was “untenable” after Kohli ques- and maintained an unblemished record has coached Pakistan and Bangladesh, tioned his leadership style and told in fi ve Test series. Former India captain former India manager Lalchand Rajput the Indian board he had reservations and coach Bishan Singh Bedi also sig- and ex-paceman Dodda Ganesh. about the spin legend extending his nalled his disappointment. The BCCI had urged Kumble to car- one-year stay. Since Duncan Fletcher Kumble, 46, had already appeared ry on as coach until the end of a West left in March 2015, India, currently the headed for the exit after the Board of Indies tour starting June 23, but the world’s top Test team, have struggled Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ad- former India captain did not travel for stability with Ravi Shastri and San- vertised for a new coach last month, al- with the team that left from England jay Bangar both taking on temporary though he was an automatic candidate. on Tuesday. “The Board of Control for roles before Kumble’s reign. Former India opener Virender Sehwag Cricket in India (BCCI) confi rms that “I have very little knowledge about and Australia’s Tom Moody are report- Mr Anil Kumble has withdrawn his the diff erences between Virat and Anil. ed to be among the possible replace- services as the post of the Head Coach But it is a really sad day for Indian crick- ments for Kumble, whose contract ran for the Senior India Men’s team,” said a et,” Gavaskar told NDTV. “India have out after the Champions Trophy. board statement. won everything since the time Anil took Sehwag, who seems to be the front- “While the Cricket Advisory Com- over. I can’t see Anil doing much wrong runner for the job, believes it would be mittee had endorsed an extension to his in one year. Diff erences (can) happen in tough for anyone to match Kumble’s tenure as Head Coach, Mr Anil Kum- any team but see the results,” he added. Anil Kumble said his position as India coach was ‘untenable’ after captain Virat Kohli questioned his leadership style and success as coach. “The way this Indian ble has decided not to continue as the In his resignation letter, Kumble said told the Indian board he had reservations about the spin legend extending his one-year stay. (AFP) team has performed under his coach- coach,” the statement added. his partnership with the captain was ing, I doubt whether anybody else will India will play fi ve one-day interna- “untenable”. “I was informed for the style and about my continuing as the surprised since I had always respected The BCCI had denied any rift in the be able to replicate his success,” Sehwag tionals in the Caribbean, starting to- fi rst time yesterday by the BCCI that head coach,” Kumble wrote in the letter, the role boundaries between the cap- Indian camp, but Kumble’s letter con- told UC News, an online data provider. morrow, with a Twenty20 international the captain had reservations with my which he tweeted on Tuesday. “I was tain and coach,” he added. fi rmed media reports that board offi - “I don’t know about his coaching style wrapping up the trip on July 9.

FOOTBALL Ronaldo strike gives Portugal 1-0 win over hosts Russia Real Madrid star nets after just eight minutes to give the Euro 2016 winners their first victory at the Confederations Cup

AFP Moscow Ronaldo ready

ristiano Ronaldo brushed off to pay 14.7mn the tax storm clouding his Real Madrid future by scoring the euros in tax only goal of the game as Por- tugalC beat hosts Russia 1-0 at the Con- fraud case federations Cup yesterday. The 32-year-old netted after just Madrid: Real Madrid striker Cristiano eight minutes to give the Euro 2016 Ronaldo is ready to pay Spain’s tax winners their fi rst victory in Group A as authorities 14.7mn euros ($16.39mn) they leapfrog Russia in the standings. — the amount he has been accused Group rivals Mexico and New Zealand of defrauding by a prosecutor — were playing late last night in Sochi. ahead of a court hearing next month, The Portuguese camp had insisted Spanish state TV said yesterday. ahead of this game that their skipper Broadcaster TVE said, without was focused solely on matters on the identifying its sources, the 32-year- fi eld in Russia despite the speculation old would make this payment as surrounding his future at Real. He has a gesture of good will. The report been accused by Spanish authorities of added Rolando will reiterate at a evading 14.7mn euros ($16.5mn) in tax hearing on July 31 that he is innocent and has been summoned to appear in and has never hidden any income court next month in Madrid. from the taxman or committed any The four-time Ballon d’Or winner tax fraud in Spain. — the world’s highest-paid athlete ac- Representatives for Ronaldo cording to Forbes magazine — has said declined to comment. The Spanish his “conscience is clear” in the matter prosecutor says the Real Madrid but has reportedly threatened to leave forward knowingly used a business Real. Despite the off -fi eld disruption, structure to hide his image rights Ronaldo picked up the man-of-the- income in Spain between 2011 match award in Portugal’s opening 2-2 and 2014. Ronaldo has denied the draw with Mexico on Sunday. charges. And he was all smiles escorting a young mascot in a wheelchair out onto refl ex save from four metres out to deny the pitch in Moscow before he netted Andre Silva’s bullet header. However, his fi rst goal of the tournament inside the hosts were unlucky not to force an eight minutes at the home of Spartak equaliser after a string of chances in a Moscow. Raphael Guerreiro’s towering strong second-half display. cross from the left fl ank hung in the air They started to shade the midfi eld and found Ronaldo, who rose at the far battle after the break as Alexander post to head back across Igor Akinfeev. Yerokhin was introduced in place of de- It was a miserable start for the Rus- fender Roman Shishkin. Russia upped sian skipper, who was making his 100th the pace and Fedor Smolov just failed international appearance. Ronaldo’s to connect with an Alexander Samedov goal was the highlight of the fi rst pe- cross as the hosts attacked in waves riod, although he forced Akinfeev into with the home crowd urging them on. a save from point-blank range with a Defender Georgy Dzhikia headed over shot midway through the half. the bar from the game’s fi nal corner in Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) falls to the ground as Russia’s defender Fedor Kudryashov looks on during the Confederations Cup group A match at the Soon after the break, Akinfeev kept added time with Russia coach Stanislav Spartak Stadium in Moscow yesterday. (AFP) Russia in the game with a one-handed Cherchesov agonising on the sidelines. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, June 22, 2017 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Infantino not under Investigation, says FIFA Heavyweights Germany, Zurich: Football’s world gov- erning body FIFA assured on Tuesday that “no investiga- tion” had been opened into president Gianni Infantino after sources said his role in the Confederation of African Chile clash at Confed Cup Football’s presidential elec- tions was being looked into. Maria Claudia Rojas, the In today’s other Group B game, Australia play Cameroon with both teams desperate for victory new president of the inves- tigatory chamber of FIFA’s AFP ethics committee, “has con- Sochi, Russia firmed that all files have been handed over to her and that there are no open preliminary ermany and Chile clash for or investigation proceedings control of Group B at the Con- involving the FIFA President”, federations Cup today with the organisation said in a Germany coach Joachim Loew statement. Gtalking up the south American champi- Sources said on Monday ons. “They have shown in the past few that Swiss prosecutor Cornel years that they belong to the elite of Borbely, who was chairman of world football,” said Loew ahead of the the ethics committee’s inves- encounter in Kazan, Russia. tigatory chamber before be- “They are fl exible like maybe no other ing removed last month, had side, very unpredictable. Almost every opened an investigation into player is capable of scoring and wants suggestions Infantino might to score goals. They are so fl exible that, have sought to influence the from time to time, you cannot tell which election of Madagascar’s player is playing which position.” Ahmad Ahmad as president Both teams have three points with of CAF in March. Chile ahead on goal diff erence af- The investigation stemmed ter their 2-0 win over Cameroon and from evidence provided by Germany’s 3-2 victory against Aus- African representatives, a tralia. Loew, having rested all of his source close to FIFA said. World Cup-winning stars, will match Several African witnesses his young guns against an experienced had been set to travel to FIFA Chile team which won both the 2015 and headquarters in the Swiss 2016 Copa America titles. Both sides are city of Zurich but at least one amongst the favourites to win the 2017 of them had their summons Confed Cup in the St Petersburg fi nal on cancelled after Borbely was July 2. “They are the rival that will give removed from his post, the us a good idea of what we can accom- same source said. plish here,” said Chile’s Edson Puch, British newspaper The who started in place of Arsenal’s Alexis Guardian reported on Sunday Sanchez against Cameroon. that Infantino was being Regardless of their inexperience — investigated for claims he the entire Germany squad had just 149 had promised, along with caps between them — Marcelo Diaz said FIFA general secretary facing the world champions requires Fatma Samoura, to accelerate a certain mind-set. “In order to play payments of development them, we need to be psychologically money to national football prepared, at your best, and we are,” said associations if the presidents the midfi elder. “Our mentality is one of voted for Ahmad. our biggest achievements of this team.” FIFA announced their deci- For the eighth match-in-a-row and Germany’s midfielder Julian Draxler at a training session ahead of the Confederations Cup match against Chile, in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) sion to remove Borbely and with fi rst-choice Manuel Neuer re- Germany’s Hans-Joachim covering from foot surgery, Loew will positions now, but three or four, that’s “Australia play with a lot of fi ght- Chile. After a quiet opening match, about that, we need to make sure we Eckert from their posts in change his goalkeeper with Barcelo- possible.” Germany have won all four ing spirit and I expect a diffi cult game Christian Bassogog — the player of the are brave and we stick to what we have the ethics team during the na’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen replacing meetings between the countries in the against a team with a diff erent style to tournament at the 2017 Africa Cup of worked on,” said Socceroos captain organisation’s congress in Bernd Leno. The Germany boss will also last 40 years. The most recent was in Chile,” said Cameroon’s Belgian coach Nations — will be keen to shine on the Mark Milligan. Bahrain last month. switch some outfi eld players, but keep 2014 when Mario Goetze’s goal sealed a Hugo Broos. “We will have to be at our right wing. “If we stay true to ourselves and our Borbely said the decision his trusted core. 1-0 friendly win in Stuttgart. top level, because if we lose we are done Having conceded early goals against structure, it’ll all go better.” was “a setback in the fight “Jonas Hector, Joshua Kimmich, In today’s other Group B game, Aus- at this tournament.” both Brazil, in last week’s 4-0 friendly Milligan and fellow midfi elder Aaron against corruption” as there Shkodran Mustafi and (captain) Julian tralia play Cameroon in St Petersburg Broos is expected to stick with the defeat, and Germany, Australia coach Mooy will be tasked with making sure were “several hundred cases” Draxler will start,” revealed Loew. “It with both teams knowing they can same line-up which leaked late goals Ange Postecoglou will want to tighten Australia maintain possession, an area of corruption pending. makes no sense to change seven or eight ill aff ord another Confed Cup defeat. by Vidal and Eduardo Vargas against his defence. “We’ve had discussions where they struggled against Germany.

ROUND-UP FOCUS Di Maria given fi ne for Spanish tax fraud FIFA clear Man Utd, Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star relating to a 2mn Swiss francs payment target Juventus Angel di Maria has been handed a hefty Angel Di Maria will pay to the UEFA chief Michel Platini. fi ne and a prison sentence over a charge around 2mn euros to the FIFA in September launched a fresh of tax fraud of 1.3mn euros, Spanish Spanish authorities after investigation into confl ict of interest and over Pogba deal authorities announced yesterday. Ac- pleading guilty to two corruption against Blatter, Valcke and ex cording to a court document, Di Maria counts of fraud. FIFA fi nancial director Markus Kattner. AFP will pay around 2mn euros to the Spanish FIFA believe the three men may have Lausanne authorities after pleading guilty to two shared around 75mn euros in pay rises in counts of fraud committed in 2012 and a coordinated eff ort at self enrichment, 2013 when he was a Real Madrid player. which the three deny. IFA have cleared Man- Despite being handed a 16-month chester United but sentence, Di Maria will not go to prison OSCAR IN QUARTET TO FACE opened disciplinary as is normal in Spain for fi rst off ences for DISCIPLINARY HEARING: REPORTS proceedings against non-violent crimes carrying a sentence Former Chelsea midfi elder Oscar looks FJuventus over Paul Pogba’s of less than two years. Di Maria, 29, set to face a disciplinary hearing over world record transfer, football’s played for Madrid between 2010 and his involvement in a brawl that marred governing body announced on 2014, when he joined Manchester United. his Shanghai SIPG side’s 1-1 draw with Wednesday. The France mid- He then moved to PSG in 2015. Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super fi elder returned to United in a A host of football stars have run into League at the weekend. deal worth more than $111mn in trouble in Spain over suspected tax fraud Chinese media reported that Oscar August 2016 from the Italian gi- related to image rights, with Madrid and three other players involved in the ants. In May FIFA began an in- forward Cristiano Ronaldo summoned to altercation would have their case heard quiry into the move, requesting appear in court on July 31 to answer four by the Chinese Football Association this information about the headline counts of tax evasion of 14.7mn euros. week after the disciplinary committee transfer from United. But in a Current Manchester United man- receiving the referee’s report. statement FIFA confi rmed that ager Jose Mourinho has been accused The Brazilian was involved in a melee while United were in the clear of by Spanish tax authorities of failing to in the latter stages of the fi rst half in any wrongdoing, they were tak- declare 3.3mn euros during his time in after they announced discriminatory be- transfer fee at 10mn euros. Guangzhou, which ended with a player ing action against Juventus. charge of Madrid. Di Maria is, like Ron- haviour from fans would be sanctioned. Born in France, Pepe made his full from each side being sent off minutes “We can confi rm that disci- started his career with United aldo and Mourinho, a client of the Por- international debut for the Ivory Coast after Oscar had set up team mate Hulk to plinary proceedings have been but made just three appearances tuguese super agent Jorge Mendes, who MONACO RAID BARCA late last year. Lille, who have appointed score his side’s equaliser. opened against Juventus FC. in the Premier League before himself has been summoned to appear FOR STARLET MBOULA enigmatic Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as Guangzhou players complained the “We can also confi rm that no heading to Italy, after an appar- before the court at Pozuelo de Alarcon, French champions Monaco plucked their new coach, have also confi rmed the goal had been allowed to stand despite disciplinary proceedings have ent falling out with then manager just outside Madrid, on June 27. promising teenage winger Jordi Mboula signing of the Burkina Faso goalkeeper claiming Hulk had been off side when he been opened against Manches- Alex Ferguson. from Barcelona on a fi ve-year deal Herve Koffi , 20, from Ivorian outfi t ASEC received the ball and tempers fl ared once ter United,” the statement said. He fl ourished in Serie A, win- MEXICO FANS WARNED OVER yesterday, the Ligue 1 club announced. Abidjan on a fi ve-year deal. The double the game restarted. Oscar thumped the It added: “As proceedings are ning four league titles with Ju- HOMOPHOBIC CHANT Mboula, 18, shone during last season’s signing follows the arrival last week of ball at R&F’s Chen Zhizhao, who retali- ongoing please understand we ventus between 2012 and 2016. Mexico fans at the Confederations Cup in UEFA Youth League, scoring eight goals Brazilian forward Luiz Araujo from Sao ated by pushing the ex-Chelsea man to cannot comment further at this Pogba appeared in the 2015 Russia have been told to stop provoking in as many matches, and the Spain youth Paulo. the ground, leading to both teams squar- stage.” Pogba’s move came under Champions League fi nal, which opposition goalkeepers with a homo- international becomes Monaco’s fi fth ing up on the halfway line. Shanghai’s Fu particular scrutiny amid reports Juventus lost 3-1 to Barcelona. phobic insult. A section of Mexico fans signing of the close season. BANNED VALCKE GETS Huan and Li Tixiang of Guangzhou were the player’s agent Mino Raiola At the same time, the powerful are in the habit of shouting ‘puto’ (vulgar Monaco have already signed Belgian OCTOBER CAS APPEAL DATE both dismissed by referee Zhou Gang would earn some 49mn euros midfi elder made himself a main- term for male prostitute) as keepers take international midfi elder Youri Tielemans Former FIFA secretary general Jerome while Oscar escaped punishment. from the deal. Raiola is suspected stay of the French national team. a goal-kick. from Anderlecht, young defender Jordy Valcke will have his appeal over his 10 of a confl ict of interest, as he was He made his debut in March The Mexican Football Federation says Gaspar from Lyon, Swiss international year ban from football heard by the Court at the time agent for Pogba, Ju- 2013, just a week after his 20th that while they might fi nd that funny, goalkeeper Diego Benaglio from Wolfs- of Arbitration for Sport on October 11. APPLETON BECOMES ASSISTANT ventus and Manchester United. birthday, in a World Cup qualifi er football’s world body FIFA are distinctly burg and midfi elder Soualiho Meite from Sepp Blatter’s former righthand man was MANAGER AT LEICESTER In May, French website Media- against Georgia. He also featured not amused. “The potential sanctions are Belgian side Zulte Waregem. suspended in September 2015 over the Oxford United manager Michael Ap- part, quoting the Football Leaks as part of the 2014 French World heavy and if because of this behaviour 2014 World Cup tickets scam and was pleton has left the club to become Craig documents, claimed: “Pogba in Cup squad and was named the we are stripped of a victory, or a match is IVORIAN STARLET PEPE sentenced by FIFA’s ethics committee Shakespeare’s assistant at Leicester City reality cost 127mn euros to Man- tournament’s best young player. stopped or you are excluded from a sta- SIGNS FOR LILLE in February 2016 to a 12-year ban from on a three-year contract. chester United with 49 millions Pogba’s performances at the dium we all end up losers,” the federation Coveted Ivory Coast international wing- football. The ban was reduced to ten During his three-year stint, Appleton going into Raiola’s pockets and 2016 European Championship warned their supporters via social media. er Nicolas Pepe has signed for Lille from years on appeal before Valcke, claiming led Oxford to an automatic promotion only 78 millions into Juve’s bank helped attract the attention of Mexico have been fi ned eight times for their French top-fl ight rivals Angers, the innocence, appealed to CAS.y. from League Two, and to two Football account.” his former club Manchester the chant during World Cup qualifi ers two clubs confi rmed. The 22-year-old The 56-year-old, who has resettled in League Trophy fi nals, losing on both oc- According to the investigative United, under new manager Jose since November 2015. FIFA said on Tues- has signed a fi ve-year contract with the Barcelona where he and his wife set up an casions. The 41-year-old also managed site, Raiola “didn’t appear to let Mourinho. Last season he helped day it had warned Mexico after the chant northern outfi t, who won the race for events management fi rm, is also the tar- Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Manchester United know that he propel United to a fi rst ever Eu- was heard during their 2-2 draw with his signature despite reported interest get of a Swiss criminal investigation into Rovers, and worked alongside Shake- was also working for Juventus,” ropa League title, scoring in his Portugal. Observers have been placed in him from clubs in the English Premier the resale of World Cup tickets. Blatter speare in West Bromwich Albion’s back- an arrangement that is outlawed team’s 2-0 victory over Ajax in by FIFA at Confederations Cup matches League. French media reports put the was banned for six years on charges room team between 2003 and 2008. under English rules. Pogba, 24, Stockholm on May 25. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 3 TENNIS

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Ex-Wimbledon Tsonga latest star champion Becker to slump at Queen’s declared bankrupt AFP ‘I played two matches here. That’s life. I’ll try to play better in Wimbledon’ London

AFP ormer German tennis star London Boris Becker was declared bankrupt by a court in London yesterday after failing to pay a o-Wilfried Tsonga became “substantial”F long-standing debt since the latest star to crash out of 2015. Queen’s Club as the world Lawyers for the three-time Wimble- number 10 was beaten 6-4, 6-4 don champion pleaded with a Bank- byJ Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller yester- ruptcy Court registrar to allow Becker a day. “last chance” to pay off the debt. After world number one Andy Mur- But Registrar Christine Derrett, ray, three-time Grand Slam champion who recalled watching Becker play on Stan Wawrinka and former Wimble- Centre Court, ruled there was a lack don fi nalist Milos Raonic all endured of credible evidence the outstanding shock fi rst-round defeats on Tuesday, payment would be forthcoming and it was Tsonga’s turn to suff er a sur- refused to adjourn the case. prise second-round exit. “One has the impression of a man Fifth-seeded Tsonga is traditionally with his head in the sand,” she said of a powerful force on grass and fi nished the six-time major winner after mak- as Queen’s runner-up in 2011, while ing the bankruptcy order following a twice appearing in the Wimbledon brief hearing. semi-fi nals. The bankruptcy application was But the 32-year-old, who has won made by private bankers Arbuthnot titles in Lyon, Marseille and Rotter- Latham & Co in connection with a dam in 2017, was out of sorts from judgment debt owed them by Becker and it could have an adverse eff ect on start to fi nish against the big-serving dating back to 2015. his “image”. Muller. The German’s lawyers had argued But the judge responded: “He should It took Muller just 69 minutes to there was suffi cient evidence to show have thought about that a long time hand Tsonga another frustrating loss that he would be able to pay the debt ago.” on the heels of his embarrassing fi rst- soon through a refi nancing arrange- She added: “It is not often the case round exit against Renzo Olivo at the ment, involving remortgaging a prop- that a professional person has a judg- French Open. Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in action during his second round match against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (below) in the erty in Mallorca, which was expected to ment (debt) outstanding against them “Sometimes you cannot do any- Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club in London yesterday. (Reuters) raise 6mn euros ($6.7mn). since October 2015. This is a historic thing because the guy in front of you His advocate told the registrar his in- debt.” is doing the right things to make you avoid becoming yet another big the drama involving the other top structions from Becker were that it was Becker split with former world play in a bad way,” Tsonga said. name casualty as the Bulgarian world seeds in case it aff ected his focus expected the deal would be approved number one Novak Djokovic last De- “I played two matches here. That’s number 11 defeated France’s Julien “That’s not a healthy way of think- by a Spanish bank in approximately one cember following three successful life. I’ll try to play better in Wimble- Benneteau 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. ing when you play a tennis match,” he month. years together, the Serb winning six of don. I have to put a little bit more en- Dimitrov won Queen’s in 2014 and, said. Becker’s advocate said his client was his 12 Grand Slam titles with Becker as ergy in my game.” given the way the tournament has un- “It’s tiring as it is to have to fi ght not likely to benefi t from bankruptcy coach. Muller’s impressive display main- folded, the sixth seed must fancy his for every point and try to fi nd a way to tained his recent surge, which has seen chances of claiming the title again. win, and if those kind of thoughts are the 34-year-old win the ‘s-Hertogen- The 26-year-old was pushed hard starting to come into your head, then UPDATE bosch grass-court tournament last by the world number 87 in almost two you’re going to lose.” week and reach a career-high ranking hours on court in searing heat, but he Donald Young reached the Queen’s of 26. battled through to set up a quarter- quarter-fi nals for the fi rst time as the Muller is in the quarter-fi nals at the fi nal clash with Australian wild card American world number 55 defeated Djokovic to warm-up for Wimbledon warm-up event for a third Thanasi Kokkinakis or Russia’s Daniil Serbia’s Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4. successive year and will play former Medvedev. Young, who arrived at Queen’s on a Queen’s champion Sam Querrey or It is the fi rst time Dimitrov has fi ve-match losing streak, faces former Wimbledon at Eastbourne Australia’s Jordan Thompson for a made the last eight of an ATP event US Open champion Marin Cilic or place in the last four. since Rotterdam in February. American qualifi er Stefan Kozlov with AFP bourne, I have heard great things Grigor Dimitrov fought back to Dimitrov insisted he tuned out all a semi-fi nal berth at stake. London about the tournament,” said 12-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in a statement. “I am looking forward to hree-time Wimbledon cham- fi ne tuning my grass court game there pion Novak Djokovic is to play ahead of Wimbledon.” Thiem dumped out by Haase, Zverev reaches quarters at the ATP tournament in East- World number four Djokovic comes bourne, southern England, in into the event will be the tournament’s Tpreparation for the grass-court Grand top seed ahead of number two Gael AFP month, looking to get some match first set was pretty average,” Thiem “I’m very satisfied because Philipp Halle, Germany practice on grass before the start of told the ATP Tour website. is someone who can play very well Slam, it was announced yesterday. Monfi ls and number three John Isner. Wimbledon on July 3. “I played good in the second set and on grass. He mixes it up well with his It will be the fi rst time the strug- Originally a women’s only event, But the world number 42 Haase grew had a lot of chances, but he played slice and serve, so he’s always a dif- gling Djokovic has played a grass-court Eastbourne has been expanded to in- econd seed Dominic Thiem into the match after saving two break those set points well and was playing ficult opponent on this surface,” said event between the French Open and clude men’s tennis as well and tour- suff ered a surprise second- points in the first game, and took well overall. Zverev, the world number 12. Wimbledon since 2010. nament director Gavin Fletcher said: Sround defeat by Robin Haase in the opening set thanks to a break in “I hope to get some matches next “I’m glad I could win in two sets and The 30-year-old Serb saw his French “The quality of the men’s and women’s Halle yesterday, but home favourite game eight. week (in Antalya) and then get ready have the feeling I played well.” Open title defence come to a surprise entries is already incredibly high, and Alexander Zverev cruised into the Thiem, who beat Novak Djokovic at for Wimbledon.” In the day’s other matches, Gasquet halt with a straight sets quarter-fi nal the addition of Novak will take the quarter-finals. Roland Garros before being thrashed Earlier, Zverev, 20, had confidently followed up his surprise win over loss to the up-and-coming Dominic event to an even higher level.” Dutchman Haase got the better of by Rafael Nadal, broke his opponent dispatched of Kohlschreiber in just fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils by Thiem on the clay courts of Roland The WTA side of the tournament Thiem 6-3, 7-6 (7), after the fourth- when he served for the match to 65 minutes. beating Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-3, while Garros in Paris this month. features seven of the world’s top 10 fe- seeded Zverev had brushed aside his force a second-set tie-break. A break of serve in each set was Bautista Agut got the better of Dustin Now, following what was his quick- male players including world number fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber But Haase saved three set points in enough for the Italian Open cham- Brown 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (6). est exit from the French Open in seven one Angelique Kerber, Karolina Plisko- 6-3, 6-4. the breaker and wrapped up the win pion to reach his seventh quarter- Roger Federer will continue his bid years, 12-time Grand Slam champion va (number three), 2016 champion Do- Austrian Thiem was playing in his at the first time of asking to set up a final of the season, where he will take for a ninth Halle title on Thursday is to play Eastbourne, which runs from minika Cibulkova (number six), 2009 first tournament since reaching the last-eight tie with Richard Gasquet. on seventh-seeded Spaniard Roberto when he takes on Zverev’s older June 23-July 1 after accepting a main champion Caroline Wozniacki (number French Open last four earlier this “It was not the best start I’ve had. The Bautista Agut. brother Mischa. draw wildcard. eight), and Britain’s world number sev- “This will be my fi rst trip to East- en Johanna Konta.

ROUND-UP Azarenka wins fi rst match on return from motherhood Reuters Madrid Kvitova reaches fi rst quarter-fi nal of comeback ormer world number one Victoria Aza- renka marked her return to the WTA AFP having fi ve fi ngers and two tendons Tour by snatching victory from the jaws Birmingham of her left hand damaged. of defeat against Japan’s Risa Ozaki at “I am here to play tennis and to theF Mallorca Open yesterday. play on the grass which I love.” Azarenka, who gave birth to son Leo in De- wo-time Wimbledon cham- Next up could be Kristina Mlad- cember and had not played a competitive match pion Petra Kvitova was enovic, the fi fth-seeded French since last year’s French Open, saved three Tcheered as if she had been the player, who caused a stir at Roland match points to win a fi rst-round clash 6-3, home player, after a straight-sets Garros two weeks ago by eliminat- 4-6, 7-6(7). win over Britain’s Naomi Broady in ing the defending champion Gar- World number 74 Ozaki had been two breaks Birmingham carried her into a fi rst bine Muguruza. ahead in the third set and was serving at 5-4 quarter-fi nal in eight months. But Kvitova will have to wait, and when darkness descended on the Santa Ponsa The applause was not intended make the best of another practice day lawns on Tuesday. as any slight to Broady, but as ac- tomorrow while Mladenovic plays her On the resumption, the 27-year-old Aza- knowledgement of an encouraging second round against Zhang Shuai, renka broke serve but immediately dropped her performance by the Czech, whose the world number 31 from China. own before Ozaki moved 40-0 ahead to get to career may still be at risk from the She may fi nd that she is fresher within a point of a victory. injuries infl icted on her by an in- than anyone, as her match lasted lit- But Belarussian Azarenka, showing her trade- truder with a knife six months ago. tle more than an hour on a day which mark grit, clawed her way back from the brink Kvitova did serve a few double was reportedly the hottest in the and despite trailing 5-3 in the tiebreak sealed a faults which briefl y seemed worry- United Kingdom since 1976, with remarkable victory with a backhand winner. ing, but hit some fi ne ground strokes temperatures in the mid-thirties. “I’m still trying to fi nd my range but mentally, and moved better than she used to in Ability to withstand such heat I was there for every point. That and the expe- a 6-2, 6-2 victory. may have been a factor in the two- rience helped me through, even at 40-0 down, She seemed taken aback when hour, 20-minute victory for the I was trying to fi nd my way out of it,” wildcard asked after the match if she knew ninth-seeded Australian, Daria Ga- Azarenka, who next plays Croatian youngster that she was widely considered as vrilova, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 against Kate- Ana Konjuh, said. one of the favourites for the tourna- rina Siniakova, a rising young Czech “I wouldn’t say I had the best preparation ment. who already has two wins over top- coming to this tournament, but mentally, it’s “I didn’t hear that,” she said. “I 10 players this year. better to go through this kind of a match.” don’t really care — it’s too early,” she Another win each and Gavrilova Top seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia added, mindful of this being only and Kvitova would meet in Satur- was thrashed in the second round by Germany’s her fourth match since the trauma of day’s semi-fi nals. Julia Goerges 6-1, 6-2. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, June 22, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY NBA Sixers like Fultz Gatland to curb fi rst, Lakers eye Ball as draft looms

AFP chat ahead of New York

arkelle Fultz is expected to become the number one pick in today’s NBA Draft after the Philadelphia 76ers Mswung a deal for the top choice after All Blacks Test watching his private workout. The 19-year-old point guard, who played at the University of Washing- ‘We’re up against the best team in the world in their own backyard, a place ton last season, would become the club’s fourth top overall pick and follow they haven’t been beaten at since 1994, so we have to take things up a level’ 2016’s fi rst overall pick by Philly, Aus- tralian forward Ben Simmons. AFP Bryan Colangelo, the 76ers president Auckland of basketball operations, played coy about the pick even after swapping the fi rst and third picks with Boston and ritish and Irish Lions coach giving up a future number one pick to Warren Gatland has vowed get the fi rst choice of unclaimed talent. to “let the rugby do the talk- “I feel that within the top 10, there ing” as his side prepares for are probably fi ve or six sure-fi re All- aB blockbuster fi rst Test against the Stars. There may be one or two fran- world champion All Blacks. chise-level players,” Colangelo said. Gatland has traded barbs with New “On Thursday night, hopefully we Zealand counterpart Steve Hansen make a decision that results in one of in recent weeks but said he wanted those franchise-level players being to look at the positive aspects of the here.” tour ahead of Saturday’s clash at Eden Fultz averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 as- Park. sists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals over “Lions tours are special and the 25 games last season for a Washington hospitality that we’ve had from the Huskies team that was 9-22. New Zealand public has been abso- He would join a young squad that lutely brilliant. We’ve loved being features Simmons, who missed all of here,” he said. last season with a foot injury; Jahlil In this November 30, 2016, picture, “Let’s just hope we can have a great Okafor and 2017 NBA Rookie of the Washington’s Markelle Fultz (left) series and everyone can enjoy the rug- Year fi nalists Joel Embiid and Dario drives past Texas Christian’s Karviar by and let’s let the rugby do the talk- Saric. That young core of talent could Shepherd during their NCAAM basket- ing.” provide a base to rebuild the team. ball match at Schollmaier Arena, in Fort Hansen has accused Gatland of Since 2003, the 76ers have won only Worth, Texas. (TNS) having only one style of play, claimed one playoff series and they have only inside knowledge of the Lions rein- one winning season since 2005. The 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds forcements and warned New Zea- Sixers went 28-54 last season. and 1.8 steals a game for the Bruins last land’s thumping 78-0 over Samoa last “We have a core of young players season. No other US college player av- week was “just the start”. that will be signifi cantly stronger once eraged 14 points with six rebounds and After initially biting his tongue, the draft selection is made,” Colangelo six assists a game as well. Gatland said Hansen’s comments and said (Waisake) Naholo’s try for with stand-out performances. up against Hansen’s back-to-back said. Boston comes back at third overall showed he was worried about the Li- the Highlanders shouldn’t have been “Some guys put their hands up,” World Cup-winners at Eden Park, a “We felt like we were in the right po- with point guard Isiah Thomas solidly ons and also accused New Zealand awarded because it was blocking. Gatland said. “We’re pretty happy venue where the All Blacks have not sition to make a deal. We felt the value in place, making Fultz expendable and players of illegal blocking tactics. “We haven’t complained about with where we’re at at the moment. been beaten for 23 years. of adding the one pick now was the opening the door for other talented The Kiwi-born coach complained that stuff ... the referees have identi- “The selection meeting will be with “From a defensive point of view right thing at the expense of only losing playmakers as Josh Jackson, a shooting too that he had been “hammered” by a fi ed some of that and hopefully it gets all the coaches... I’m sure there will be we’re getting stronger and stronger one of four going forward.” guard who scored 16.3 points, 7.4 re- personal campaign against him in the stamped out of the game.” some lively debate and discussion.” against the best attacking teams in Croatian forward Saric was asked on bounds 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals a game local media. Gatland still has pieces of his Test world rugby,” Gatland said. Twitter about the young group melding for Kansas last season. But he was in a conciliatory mood ‘LIVELY DEBATE’ jigsaw missing, with the back three, “We score multiple tries week-in, into a championship team and replied, De’Aaron Fox, a point guard who after the Lions shone in a 34-6 win Gatland conceded the Lions’ Test se- lock and back-row likely to be the big- week-out and we’re strangling them a “It will be hard but I hope with young scored 39 points against Ball-led UCLA over Waikato Chiefs, saying the tour- lectors had a diffi cult task after the gest areas of discussion. little bit in the way that we’re defend- team we got big chance to be domi- in the national college tournament, is ists had tried to avoid venting their mid-week team of second stringers He said the Lions’ fl uidity in attack ing too. nant.” also among the top prospects. frustrations about issues such as ob- thrashed the Chiefs. against the Chiefs showed the com- “On Saturday, we’re up against the The Los Angeles Lakers have the sec- The Phoenix Suns will select fourth, struction. Wing Jack Nowell crossed twice, posite team of players from England, best team in the world in their own ond pick in the draft and are expected followed in order by the Sacramento “We haven’t come out and moaned while his England team-mates Elliot Ireland, Wales and Scotland was be- backyard, a place they haven’t been to select University of California at Los Kings, Orlando Magic, Minnesota about everything,” he said. Daly and Courtney Lawes also staked ginning to gel. beaten at since 1994, so we have to Angeles (UCLA) standout Lonzo Ball. Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Dal- “The referees came back to me their claim to take on New Zealand But he said they would have to step take things up a level.” The 19-year-old point guard had las Mavericks and Sacramento again.

NFL US football Hall of Famers Detroit defender Thornton Hall of Fame defender Sapp meet Pope gets six-game ban suff ering memory loss The “Hail Mary Pass” did not come up Detroit Lions defensive tackle Khyri Warren Sapp, an American Football China will stage regular-season game: offi cial in the conversation, but Pope Francis Thornton was suspended Tuesday by Hall of Fame defender, said Tuesday clearly had a good catch yesterday the NFL for the first six games of the he is experiencing memory loss and AFP demands the real thing and we want to Young added that before China hosts when he received a helmet and jersey 2017 season for violating the league’s will donate his brain to a concussion Shanghai respect that growing fanbase.” a game, American football needed to from members of the American Pro substance-abuse policy. Thornton’s study after his death. The 44-year- Last year, reports said that the NFL become “relevant” in the country, add- Football Hall of Fame. “As many of return would come during a bye old American revealed his status was working to stage a game in China ing: “We need to make the sport less you know, I am an avid follower of week for the Lions, meaning his first in a posting on the Players Tribune hina will stage a regular- in 2018. foreign.” ‘football’, but where I come from, possible game for Detroit would be website, saying he wants the sport season NFL game “down the “To get a real game over here, you The NFL, which is enjoying growing the game is played very diff erently!” on October 29 against Pittsburgh. The to “be better off than it was when road” as American football have to understand that teams only popularity in China but has dwindling Francis joked with the players and 27-year-old defender made 18 tackles I started playing”. Sapp, a retired targets a more global fanbase, have eight home games so one team is participation numbers at youth level in directors at a private audience. The with one quarterback sack over 13 defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay theC sport’s top fi gure in the country told going to have to give up one eighth of the United States, is already branching pope is an honorary member of the games for the Lions last season, six as Buccaneers, becomes the latest AFP yesterday. their home-team schedule, which is a out abroad. San Lorenzo soccer club in Buenos a starter. Thornton signed a two-year former NFL player to speak up about New England Patriots star quarter- diffi cult thing,” Young said. There will be four games in London in Aires. Those who met the pope deal worth $3.3 mn with the Lions fol- mental issues in the wake of concus- back Tom Brady said during a visit to He said the logistics are diffi cult, but the coming season and the fi fth game of included Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry lowing the campaign with a $325,000 sions and head injuries suff ered in Beijing and Shanghai this week that it “not impossible”. the International Series will take place Jones, who is due to be inducted signing bonus. Under the terms of the his playing days. “My memory ain’t was his “dream” to play a game in Chi- “They’ve got to fl y a long, long way in Mexico City. Germany and Brazil have into the Hall of Fame in August, and NFL’s anti-drug policy with the players what it used to be. And yeah, it’s na before he retires. and then go back (to the United States) also been touted as potential future hosts. six previous Hall of Fame inductees union, Thornton is able to take part scary to think that my brain could be Richard Young, managing director of and compete the next week in a very Asked by AFP in Shanghai if a regu- including Ronnie Lott, Franco Harris in training camp practices and pre- deteriorating, and that maybe things NFL China, said despite several chal- physical sport. lar-season game in China was inevita- and Curtis Martin. The group gave season games. Thornton was taken like forgetting a grocery list, or how lenges: “We really believe that a regu- “So do I think it is going to happen in ble one day soon, the fi ve-time Super the pope a signed helmet and a white in the third round of the 2014 NFL to get to a friend’s house I’ve been to lar-season game is the right way to go the future? Yes, I do. But it’s down the Bowl champion Brady said: “I hope so. I jersey bearing the number 1 and the Draft by the Green Bay Packers before a thousand times are just the tip of because you want to see the real thing road and we need a lot of things to sort think you need to start with small goals name “Papa Francesco”. injury wiped out his rookie year. the iceberg.” (and not an exhibition game) and China out before we’re going to have the game.” and work up to that.”

MLB Seager homers thrice as Dodgers rout Mets 12-0

By Bill Plunkett ers history with more than one three- During that stretch, Seager is 17 for lowed two runs or fewer and it dropped The Orange County Register (TNS) homer game. 41 (.415) with fi ve doubles, four home his ERA to 2.87 for the season. Seager’s hat-trick Monday was part runs, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored. of a season-high fi ve-homer game for While Seager and Bellinger supplied RESULTS ey, Corey Seager was having the Dodgers, who also got one each the hard contact, Dodgers starter Bran- Seattle 5 Detroit 4 (10 inns) multiple-home run games in from Yasmani Grandal — and Bellinger, don McCarthy continued to induce the LA Dodgers 12 NY Mets 0 the major leagues before Cody of course. opposite kind. Houston 8 Oakland 4 Bellinger was old enough to Bellinger’s home run was his Na- McCarthy came into the game with Colorado 4 Arizona 3 Hdrink — you know, last year. tional League-leading 22nd of the sea- a 26.4% soft-contact rate. Only two Boston 8 Kansas City 3 One night after Bellinger hit two son and his 10th in the past 10 games. starters in the majors — Houston’s Dal- Minnesota 9 Chicago White Sox 7 home runs (his fi fth multi-homer game He is the fi rst rookie to hit 10 home runs las Keuchel and Atlanta knuckleballer Chicago Cubs 4 San Diego 0 of the season), Seager did his rookie in a 10-game stretch and only the sec- R.A. Dickey — had higher rates this Texas 6 Toronto 1 teammate one better, hitting three ond Dodger to do it, joining Green who season. Pittsburgh 7 Milwaukee 3 home runs in a 12-0 rout of the New didn’t need the full 10 games. He hit Tuesday was more of the same from San Francisco 6 Atlanta 3 York Mets on Tuesday night. 10 in a seven-game power orgy in May McCarthy. Staked to a 4-0 lead in the Tampa Bay 6 Cincinnati 5 The win was the Dodgers’ fi fth in 2002. fi rst inning — it was the second consec- Washington 12 Miami 3 a row and 11th in their past 12 games. While the 21-year-old Bellinger’s utive night the Dodgers put four runs Baltimore 6 Cleveland 5 During that stretch, they have scored powerful debut has garnered most on the board before making their fi rst LA Angels 8 NY Yankees 3 84 runs — an average of seven per game. of the attention lately, the grizzled out — McCarthy fairly breezed through St. Louis 8 Philadelphia 1 (11 inns) It was Seager’s second three-homer 23-year-old veteran Seager has been on the Mets’ bedraggled lineup. game. He also did it June 3 of last sea- his own roll. He went six scoreless innings, al- LA Dodgers’ Corey Seager hits a solo son against the Atlanta Braves. He joins Seager added a double to fi ll out his lowing four hits in that time. It was the home run in the game against the Duke Snider, Shawn Green and Adrian four-hit, six-RBI night. It was his sev- sixth consecutive start and 10th time New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on Gonzalez as the only players in Dodg- enth multi-hit game in his past 10. in 12 starts this year McCarthy has al- Tuesday. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 5 SPORT

CYCLING FOCUS US PGA Tour to begin blood tests for Fallen Australia doping next season

AFP issues. Miami The PGA Tour banned sub- stance list had been slightly diff erent from WADA’s list, lood tests for doping mainly in areas of asthma plots revival with will begin next season medications, allergy and anti- on the US PGA Tour, infl ammatory medications commissioner Jay such as corticosteroids and MonahanB said yesterday, with pseudoephedrine over a desig- the circuit adopting World nated threshold level. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) While not signing onto the banned lists and methods. WADA code or required to Monahan detailed revisions consult with WADA on a list ‘insider’ Jones to the tour anti-doping pro- of prohibited substances, the gramme that was established tour said consistency with ‘...but the future is more about a more systematic and planned performance-based approach’ in 2008, changes that will start WADA allows golfers only one in October when the new 2017- global list to follow for Olym- 18 campaign starts. Revisions pic and other international approved by the tour policy competitions. board adopt WADA protocols The tour has had a Thera- and blood tests and include the peutic Use Exemption (TUE) reporting of suspensions re- programme, allowing players lated to recreational drug use. with medical conditions to “While we are extremely use banned substances as pre- pleased with the implemen- scribed by physicians and un- tation and results of the PGA der the advisement of the TUE Tour anti-doping program to committee. date, we believe these changes Three new categories of to our programme are prudent medication will be imple- in that they further our objec- mented for the TUE pro- tives of protecting the well- gramme beginning with the being of our members and bet- 2017-18 season to allow for the ter substantiate the integrity adoption of the WADA list. of golf as a clean sport,” Mona- Starting next season, any han said. suspension for recreational The tour will also launch or performance-enhancing a comprehensive education drugs will be made public. program to ensure that all Once the process is complete, players understand changes the tour will issue a state- to the testing procedures, the ment naming the player, the banned substance list and the length of the ban and whether adjudication process before or not the suspension is for a next season. performance-enhancing sub- Blood tests will be added stance or recreational drug. to protocol but urine tests Under the current system, will remain the predominant violations for recreational method to obtain samples. drugs, or drugs of abuse, are Some banned substances are handled under tour regula- best detected by blood tests, tions for conduct unbecoming including Human Growth a professional with such mat- Hormone, which had been ters not being made public. banned even though no blood That has kept such violations test programme was in place. confi dential but raised suspi- Golfers who competed in cions over certain absences by last year’s Rio Olympics un- players for lengthy periods of derwent blood testing with no time.

Cycling Australia’s director Simon Jones (centre) with his team-members. Sagan, Majka lead twin Bora Tour ambitions Reuters ence felt, fi ring veteran women’s all quite a gamble.” three times the population,” he UK-style sports lottery to bridge Melbourne endurance coach Gary Sutton Australian cycling has long said. the gap. World champion and five time green jersey winner Peter Sagan and announcing a replacement enjoyed generous government “So we’ve got around 1,000 Jones, however, said his pro- and highly rated Polish climber Rafal Majka lead an ambitious for track sprint coach Gary funding as a sport seen to have athletes identifi ed with a smaller gramme had enough resources Bora-Hansgrohe assault on the Tour de France. Majka won the ustralia’s hopes of bat- West. medal-winning potential but population. When I look at our to produce Olympic champions. celebrated polka-dot king of the mountains jersey on the 2014 tling Britain for Olym- New endurance coach Jason since their cyclists dominated cycling programme, we seem to The problem was more where and 2016 Tours and has won three summit finishes. He was also pic cycling supremacy Bartram and sprint coach Nick the 2004 Athens Games, the not have an unequal distribu- the money was being spent. third in the 2015 Vuelta and fifth in the Tour last year. were smashed at the Flyger are both qualifi ed sports Olympic returns on investment tion of athletes but are trying to Jones noted that Australia sent But in Sagan Bora-Hansgrohe have Cycling’s charismatic show- RioA velodrome last year but the scientists, a pointer to Jones’s have steadily diminished. do the same things in the same a strong team to the track world man and maverick fan favourite who will be targeting several nation’s new high performance more numbers-oriented ap- Britain, meanwhile, has en- programmes. championships in Hong Kong stages as well as a sixth straight green jersey. director sees a golden future proach. joyed roaring success, its cycling “Going forward, we need to in April where they topped the Bora team: Emanuel Buchmann (GER), Marcus Burghardt ahead for the fallen superpower. More tough decisions loom for teams lavished with funding have a very athlete-focused ap- table with 11 medals and three (GER), Rüdiger Selig (GER), Peter Sagan (SLO), Juraj Sagan In Simon Jones, Australia a programme that yielded only from the national sports lottery proach. Who can win, do we golds. (SLO), Rafal Majka (POL), Maciej Bodnar (POL), Pawel Poljanski have an insider and an architect one track silver and a bronze and contributing to the nation’s have the quality of athlete, But the result was something (POL), Jay McCarthy (AUS) of British cycling success, the from all cycling events at the Rio burgeoning medal hauls at Bei- do they have the potential to of a mirage, given other nations Meanwhile Katusha unveiled their nine man team for the Tour de Somerset man having guided Games, after winning six medals jing, London and Rio. progress? elected to rest their top riders in France yesterday with Germany’s freshly recruited Tony Martin Team GB riders to medals at the at the 2012 London Games. Jones, a former coach to Tour “Are they in an environment a post-Olympic year. tipped as a potential winner of the opening day July 1 time-trial in 2000 and 2004 Olympics, and “I want to be successful, de France winner Bradley Wig- in which they can optimise their “The ones I’m counting are Dusseldorf. The four-time world champion time triallist with five helped Team Sky dominate pro- measured by gold medal out- gins and champion sprinter performance? Do we have shared the Olympic ones, that’s one Tour de France stages to his name will then have to wait until the fessional cycling in a three-year comes at the Olympic Games,” Mark Cavendish, said Austral- goals? That’s absolutely vital. gold, three silvers and a bronze,” penultimate day for a 23km time-trial around Marseille on July 22 stint as head of performance and Jones told Reuters in an inter- ia could not hope to “cut and “You have to have a blueprint Jones said of the Hong Kong in a Tour with an unusually low amount of time trialling. innovation. view. paste” the British experience as for each athlete and a system- haul. Another highlight of the Katusha line up will evoke glimmers of Australia will hope Jones can “We have to make challenging a roadmap to success. atic process to assess whether “Do we need to be the leading nostalgia for older fans with the first Tour de France appearance quickly bridge the gap with Brit- decisions along the way. But the country could learn an athlete is on a trajectory to get nation in a post-Olympics year? of 23-year-old sprinter Rick Zabel. Zabel’s father Erik won the ain at the Olympics, while avoid- “Tradition is one thing but from Britain’s more targeted that outcome.” “I think our funding system Tour’s green sprint points jersey from 1996 through to 2001, also ing the scandals and collateral the future is more about a more approach to identifying and in- The Australian Olympic Com- needs to have a bit of re-think. winning 12 stages. damage that have accompanied systematic and planned per- vesting in talent. mittee and a number of sports It’s very year-to-year. We need Katusha team: Tony Martin (GER), Alexander Kristoff (NOR), their rivals’ relentless pursuit of formance-based approach. And “If you look at the UK system, have bemoaned dwindling to have a strategic approach to Marco Haller (AUT), Reto Hollenstein (SUI), Robert Kiserlovski success. that’s all part of the decision- they support less sports and government funding for elite how we incentivise. (CRO), Maurits Lammertink (NED), Tiago Machado (POR), Nils Only two months into the role, making approach in where you they have less athletes identifi ed athletes and the federal sports “Again, we’ve got to pace our- Politt (GER), Rick Zabel (GER). Jones has already made his pres- intend to invest. Otherwise, it’s in their athlete pathways with minister is championing a new selves over the (Olympic) cycle.”

GOLF Mickelson splits with long-time caddie Mackay

AFP 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters. Mickelson’s success made Los Angeles Denying him a career Grand Mackay’s dream come true. Slam is a US Open triumph and “When Phil hired me in 1992, I Mickelson withdrew from last had one dream: to caddie in a Ry- hil Mickelson, a fi ve- week’s edition of the event to at- der Cup. Last year, at Hazeltine, time major winner tend his daughter’s graduation. Phil played in his 11th straight and three-time Mas- Mickelson has fi nished as a Ryder Cup. It was so cool to have ters champion, an- US Open runner-up a record a front-row seat,” Mackay said. Pnounced yesterday he has six times, including 1999, 2002, “I wish Phil nothing but the split with caddie Jim “Bones” 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013. best. His game is still at an elite Mackay after working together Mickelson’s younger brother level, and when he wins in the for 25 years and 41 professional Tim, who fi lled in for a day when future (defi nitely the Masters), triumphs. Mackay was sick at a World Golf I will be among the fi rst to con- The 47-year-old lefthander Championships event in Mexico gratulate him.” and the bagman he met at 1992 earlier this year, will take over Mickelson showed he can still US Open sectional qualifying in as the caddie for “Lefty” for contend in majors, fi nishing sec- Memphis parted ways as friends, the remainder of the season ond to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson each releasing a statement say- starting with his next event, the last July in a British Open thrill- ing as much. PGA Greenbrier Classic on July er. Now he must do so without “After 25 very rewarding and 6-9. Mackay. memorable years, Bones and I “After an amazing 25-year “My relationship and history have mutually decided to end run, Phil and I have mutually de- with Bones far exceeds golf,” our player-caddie relationship,” cided to go our separate ways,” Mickelson said, saying he looks Mickelson said. “Our decision said Mackay, who this year has to forward to “sharing life and is not based on a single incident. been recovering from a double friendship” forever. We just feel it’s the right time for knee replacement. Mickelson won his fi rst PGA a change.” “Player-caddie relationships event in 1991 at Tucson, Arizo- Mickelson has not won a title don’t often last that long. I will na, as an amateur before meeting since the 2013 British Open, his always be grateful that I was Mackay, the only one of his 42 fi fth major crown after the 2005 around to witness so much of career tour titles to come with- PGA Championship and the Phil’s career.” out “Bones” on his bag. Phil Mickelson (right) with caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, June 22, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Intel becomes top last season. Olympic partner aft er Since then the sport has been McDonald’s split taken over by US-based Lib- erty Media, who have adopted Just days after splitting with a more fan-friendly approach long-term partner McDonald’s, and have said they want to see the International Olympic a situation where teams can Committee (IOC) said yester- be competitive and stable. India wants to host day it had signed a deal with “When we feel it is time, we technology giant Intel. will be able to make a tender. “Intel and the IOC are partner- At the moment we have 10 ing to bring Intel’s leading teams and the idea is to have technology to enhance the up to 12,” Todt told reporters Olympic Games through to at the FIA Sport Conference in 2024,” the IOC said. Geneva. The partnership was signed “So we have an opportunity, 2032 Olympics, at an off icial ceremony in New if we have one or two strong York with IOC president Tho- newcomers it could be possi- mas Bach and Brian Krzanich, ble. There are always rumours, Intel’s chief executive. but we have had some interest “We’re very excited to be from some teams.” working with the Intel team to Todt said it would be foolish to drive the future of the Olym- think anything could be done pic Games through cutting- in time for 2018, however. 2030 Asian Games edge technology,” said Bach. U.S.-owned Haas are the last Krzanich added: “Through all-new team to enter Formula ‘If you are looking at anything it’s 2032. That will give you 10 years to improve the this close collaboration with One, making their debut last the Olympic family, we will season and finishing eighth infrastructure and you will have a decision (to make) in the next four to six years’ accelerate the adoption of overall. technology for the future of Three new teams that entered Reuters sports on the world’s largest in 2010 — HRT, Lotus Racing Mumbai athletic stage.” (later Team Lotus and then McDonald’s announced last Caterham) and Virgin Racing week it had ended its longtime (later Marussia and then Man- ndia’s Olympic Association has Olympic partnership dating or) — have all disappeared. asked the government for permis- back to 1976. sion to bid for the 2032 Olympics The US fast food giant will First female F1 team and 2030 Asian Games as part of a continue to be a sponsor at boss to leave Sauber, Idrive to put the country at the heart of the 2018 Winter Games in claim reports the international sporting community, Pyeongchang. IOA President N Ramachandran has told Motor racing’s Sauber have Reuters. Bolt to run in Monaco parted company with Monisha Ramachandran said the IOA also before world Kaltenborn, the first woman wanted India to host the Asian Beach championships to run a Formula One team, Games in 2020, the Olympic Council of according to multiple media Asia’s general assembly that year, and the Eight-time Olympic cham- reports yesterday. International Olympic Committee ses- pion Usain Bolt will run the The Swiss-based team, sion in 2021. 100 metres at the Diamond which had issued a sponsor The aim, Ramachandran said, was to League meeting in Monaco on announcement on Tuesday use the engagement as a catalyst for the July 21, organisers announced with quotes from Kaltenborn growth of Olympic sports in India and yesterday. welcoming the Additive Indus- to help improve the country’s miser- The Jamaican sprinting tries as new partner, could not able standing in pretty much every sport legend is competing in his be contacted immediately for apart from cricket. final season before retirement comment. As the world’s second-most populous and will use the Monaco event Many in the Formula One nation after China, Ramachandran said it as a warm-up for the world paddock were making their was time for India to follow its powerful championships in London that way to Baku for the weekend’s neighbour in showcasing its burgeoning start on August 5. Azerbaijan Grand Prix. economic muscle through sport. The world-record holder One source close to the team Dismissing concerns about whether (9.58sec) won his first race of told Reuters the reports had India can aff ord to stage such huge sport- the year in Kingston earlier substance, however. ing spectacles, Ramachandran said the this month in 10.03sec, and is The BBC, also citing sources country was one of the few in the region also due to run in Ostrava on close to the team, said Kalten- that did have the means. June 28. born had been in disagreement “It was up to the government to set the Bolt, who has won three Olym- with owners Longbow Finance. wheels in motion,” he told Reuters in an pic 100m-200m doubles, will Motorsport.com said one of interview. Los Angeles and Paris are the only can- In terms of hosting experience, India when we hosted the Commonwealth only compete in the 100m for the issues was believed to be “From my part, I am telling them if you didates left in the race for the 2024 Ol- has successfully staged several global Games in India, (the IOC) praised the his farewell at the worlds. the treatment of the team’s bid, I will make sure you get it,” he added. ympics after four other cities pulled out cricket tournaments, and FIFA say they technical conduct of the event. And we Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson Ramachandran said he had spoken over cost concerns. are satisfi ed with preparations for the also did very well in the medals tally.” New teams interested and Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein, about India’s prospects of hosting an The IOC will award both the 2024 and Under-17 World Cup in October. While the hosts fi nished second to in entering Formula with the owners wanting to give Olympics with IOC President Thomas 2028 Summer Games at the same time But a question mark over the country’s Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth One, says Todt priority to the former. Bach, an indication of the early ground- and the expectation is that the two cities ability to host an international multi- Games, to say that India has underper- Ericsson has yet to score work required for a serious bid. will host one each. sports event has hung over India since formed at the Olympics is an understate- New teams have expressed an a point in seven races this “You cannot take a decision today and For the 2022 Winter Games, four of six the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a $6 ment. interest in entering Formula season while Wehrlein, a Mer- say, ‘I want to host an Olympic Games bidders pulled out citing high costs or billion event billed as Delhi’s answer to India has won just 28 medals since One and two slots could be cedes-backed driver, finished tomorrow.’ It is an eight-year process. So lack of support, leaving Beijing to beat the Beijing Olympics. 1900, with Abhinav Bindra claiming the available, International eighth in Spain in May. you have to start now,” Ramachandran Almaty in the fi nal vote. country’s only individual gold medal in Automobile Federation (FIA) The website said the terms of said. Ramachandran was confi dent India, LEARNED FROM MISTAKES the men’s 10 metre air rifl e in Beijing. president Jean Todt said Kaltenborn’s departure were “If you are looking at anything it’s which has Asia’s third-largest economy, A series of embarrassments over leaking “We have very clearly advised the gov- yesterday. still being worked out. 2032. That will give you 10 years to im- would be capable of meeting the costs. stadiums and fi lthy accommodation cul- ernment that if you are just going to send Formula One currently has 10 Kaltenborn, an Indian-born prove the infrastructure and you will “India is one of the emerging econo- minated in Games chief Suresh Kalmadi your athletes to participate in interna- teams, down from 11 in 2016, Austrian citizen, took over have a decision (to make) in the next four mies,” he said. “Even assuming you spend spending nine months in prison for in- tional tournaments, that alone will not following the demise of tail- from team founder Peter to six years.” $12 billion on an Olympic event, $6 bil- fl ating tenders worth millions of dollars. be suffi cient for sports to grow in India,” enders Manor after the end of Sauber in 2012. The Indian government had agreed lion will be given to you by the IOC. Ramachandran said there would be no Ramachandran said. to discuss the proposals in cabinet and “What is $6 billion over a period of repeat of those blunders. “You also need to conduct multi- revert back to the IOA, Ramachandran eight years for a country which has the “We have learnt from our mistakes. sports events in India. Because then you added. size of the economy which India has to- You see the South Asian Games (in 2016) will have more referees, more offi cials, OLYMPICS day? that was hosted in Guwahati. Nobody your administrators can get into interna- ECONOMIC POWER “Not many countries today wish to said anything,” he added. tional sports federations. Winning the hosting rights for an Olympic host the Olympics. China has already had “We should stick to what we know best “If you are on an international body Games is not the hot ticket it once was. everything possible that can be hosted.” - technical conduct of the Games. Even then you can help your athletes more.” Tokyo organisers

FORMULA 1 fear 2020 traffi c crisis

AFP “If we are not able to resolve Tokyo this issue and keep our promise to the IOC, it could have serious consequences for the Olympics.” okyo Olympic organ- Any roads built for the Olym- Mercedes driver Hamilton isers have warned of pics should not disrupt the daily a potential transport routine of local residents. Tcrisis during the 2020 “We must make sure the Summer Games after a decision 80,000 to 100,000 people liv- to move the world’s largest fi sh ing in that area can go about their determined to deliver in Baku market was fi nalised, local media daily business as normal,” he Reuters His then team mate and even- “You take each experience reported yesterday. said. “If not, the Olympics will London tual champion Nico Rosberg, and you pile them up. What A delay in relocating the famed face criticism.” who retired at the end of last we learned in Monaco will Tsukiji market, ordered by Tokyo The controversy over the fi sh season, took pole, fastest lap and defi nitely impact Baku. It’s a governor Yuriko Koike over con- market, a popular tourist destina- zerbaijan, a new race victory in a race that was desig- much longer circuit; I think cerns about toxic pollution at the tion located not far from Tokyo’s last year, is the only nated the European Grand Prix it’s very smooth, a lot more new site, threatens the timely swank Ginza shopping district, is grand prix on Formula but has since changed name. fl at,” he told reporters construction of a key road need- the latest in a series of setbacks for One’s current calendar That means that nobody on ed for the Olympics. Tokyo’s Olympic preparations. thatA Lewis Hamilton has yet to the current starting grid is a pre- thanks to Valtteri Bottas’s win in “It’s disappointing that it has The Japanese capital won the win and the Briton heads back to vious winner in Baku and only Russia. taken this long to resolve,” Tokyo bid for the 2020 based largely on Baku determined to deliver this Vettel, who was a distant second Bottas clocked the highest Olympic organising committee a reputation for effi ciency, but weekend. that day, and Force India’s Mexi- ever recorded speed in a Formula president Yoshiro Mori told re- organisers have faced criticism After a dominant weekend in can Sergio Perez have stood on One session during qualifying porters. “The transport project over a series of embarrassing Canada where he led a Mercedes the podium there. in Baku last year with Williams, is the biggest issue facing the gaff es since beating Madrid and one-two to regain momentum hitting 373 kph on the longest organising committee this year.” Istanbul in the IOC vote. after a stinging defeat to Ferrari FIGHTING DISPLAY straight of any race on the cal- Mori hit out at the lengthy Already battling to rein in in Monaco, Hamilton is on a high Mercedes struggled in Monaco endar. process of rubber-stamping the soaring costs for the 2020 Ol- and with the praise of team boss with getting performance out of Vettel showed all his met- market’s move to Toyosu, pre- ympics, organisers bungled the Toto Wolff ringing in his ears. the tyres but, after a huge eff ort tle in Canada, however, when dicting it would impact trans- rollout of the main stadium, “Lewis is in the best place I at the factory, were back to their he started on the front row, port projects, namely a road prompting Prime Minister Shin- have seen him during any of the best in Montreal. dropped to last and came back linking the Olympic village to the zo Abe to tear up the original last fi ve years since he joined Hamilton will apply the les- through the fi eld to fourth with a main stadium, part of which was blueprint over its hefty price tag. the team,” the Austrian said this sons from both to the searing fi ghting display that earned him set to pass through a tunnel be- The Games logo was then week. heat of Baku. the Driver of the Day award. neath Tsukiji. scrapped over accusations of “Not only because he had a “You take each experience “I wanted to get a trophy. I “Unless (governor Koike) has plagiarism in a further blow. great weekend in Montreal, but and you pile them up. What we didn’t get one,” he said after his some magic solution, digging Tokyo bid offi cials estimated because he is coping so well with learned in Monaco will defi nitely fi rst non-podium fi nish of the a tunnel is no longer a realistic costs of $7 billion and projected the diffi cult days. This is what impact Baku. It’s a much longer year. option,” said the 79-year-old an economic windfall in excess of the very best are made of.” circuit; I think it’s very smooth, He should resolve that on former prime minister, rais- $25 billion for the 2020 Games, Hamilton will also be keen to File picture of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. a lot more fl at,” he told reporters. Sunday. ing the possibility of athletes but a panel of experts have banish the memory of a disap- “Downforce effi ciency is go- Behind the leaders, Red Bull’s and Olympic spectators being warned the overall budget could pointing fi rst visit to the anti- quick there; I just didn’t deliver. Hamilton hit the barriers in ing to be important there.” Australian Daniel Ricciardo will snarled in traffi c jams en route to exceed that without drastic cuts. clockwise track running along So the plan is to make sure I de- qualifying in Baku last year, lin- Hamilton and Vettel both have be gunning for a fourth suc- Games venues. The IOC’s 2020 coordination the shores of the Caspian Sea liver,” he said in Montreal after ing up 10th on the grid. three wins from seven races, cessive podium appearance “Last August after she took commission is set to meet Japa- and around the walls of the me- closing the gap between him and He then struggled with engine with champions Mercedes — while Force India pair Perez and offi ce this was the most pressing nese organisers in Tokyo later dieval old town. Ferrari’s championship leader modes before eventually fi nish- despite trying to portray them- French youngster Esteban Ocon matter that I raised with the gov- this month when transport is ex- “Last year I think I was very Sebastian Vettel to 12 points. ing fi fth. selves as underdogs — ahead 4-3 aim for more solid points. ernor,” added Mori. pected to be high on the agenda. Gulf Times Thursday, June 22, 2017 7 CRICKET

REWARD SPOTLIGHT We tried to mediate between Kumble, Champions Trophy Kohli: BCCI offi cial IANS move on,” he added. New Delhi Shukla also denied that Kumble’s departure means that Indian cricketers, especially sserting that a new skipper Kohli, are being given win brings windfall national team coach more importance than the na- will be appointed be- tional coach. fore next month’s “All these are speculations. SriA Lanka tour, former Board As I said, sometimes there of Control for Cricket in India are diff erences of opinion and (BCCI) vice president Rajeev BCCI tried its level best to Shukla yesterday said board of- resolve the whole issue but fi cials tried to resolve the diff er- sometimes things don’t work. for Pakistan players ences between Anil Kumble and Sometimes it happens that you Virat Kohli, but to no avail. can’t get along with someone,” ‘Positive and supporting role of the management has also been critical in achieving success for Kumble stepped down as the Indian Premier League India coach on Tuesday citing (IPL) Chairman said. the team. Special appreciation is also due to chief selector Inzamam and his fellow selectors’ diff erences with skipper Vi- “It is not that captain is rat Kohli. “The BCCI tried its given all the importance. We level best to resolve the issue. give importance to everybody. All senior offi cials, including There are diff erences some- the acting secretary (Amitabh times. They are also human be- Choudhary) and the CEO (Ra- ings,” Shukla added. hul Johri), talked to Kumble Wishing Kumble success in and Kohli in great detail on the his future coaching endeav- matter. The senior BCCI of- ours, Shukla said the India fi cials also talked with Chair- team will get a new coach be- man of the COA (Committee of fore the tour to Sri Lanka. Administrators) Vinod Rai re- “The BCCI wishes Kumble garding the issue,” Shukla told best for the future. Meanwhile, reporters here. BCCI has decided to search “The BCCI tried very hard further for the coach. Before to resolve the issue. But, un- the Sri Lanka tour, the coach fortunately, no outcome was will be appointed and it will eventually found and Kumble be the best coach for India,” he decided to quit the post and said.

Both sides in Australia dispute hail Aussie Rules deal Cricket Australia and the years,” he said in a statement. player’s union have both “The AFL is at a diff erent hailed a new deal signed by stage of evolving the partner- the country’s professional ship than cricket. But what’s Australian Rules footballers clear is that this sense of co- as backing their cases in a operation is the way to go.” bitter pay dispute. Australia’s Cricket Australia hit back on top cricketers face being Wednesday by also welcom- locked out unless a new ing the AFL deal which, it said, memorandum of understand- was “more closely aligned ing is struck between Cricket with the proposal that Cricket Australia and the Australian Australia has off ered our elite Cricketers’ Association (ACA) players”. before the end of the month. “Both the AFL deal and the Pakistan players celebrate after winning the ICC Champions Trophy final in London on Sunday. (Reuters) On Tuesday, the Austral- proposal that CA has put to ian Rules players agreed a the nation’s cricketers feature Agencies The Sarfraz Ahmed-led side tional team had lifted the spirits “Unprecedented and his- is also due to national chief se- A$1.84bn ($1.39bn) six-year guaranteed payments,” said a Islamabad clinched their maiden Cham- of the nation. toric budget has been allocated lector Inzamam-ul-Haq and his deal with the Australian Foot- spokesman. “Above the guar- pions Trophy crown, defeating Aurangzeb told the media yes- for sports in Punjab during the fellow selectors,” they said in a ball League (AFL) that tied anteed payments, players India by 180 runs at The Oval in terday that the Pakistan team coming fi scal year,” she said. PCB statement. their wages to competition share in additional revenue he emphatic ICC Cham- London in Sunday’s fi nal. made the nation proud by be- Sharif will also host a grand The PCB also announced that revenue for the first time. after expenses are taken into pions Trophy title win Opener Fakhar Zaman, pacer coming the champions. reception for the winning team. besides the cash bonus of 29 At the heart of the cricket account. This is more akin to a has turned the young Rumaan Raees and all-rounder “The national cricket team The players have also been in- million rupees due to the team dispute is a long-standing profit share.” Pakistan cricketers into Fahim Ashraf all made their ODI showed excellent performance vited to visit the Senate with the as part of their central contracts, agreement that gives the There is no sign of an immedi- Tmillionaires almost overnight. debuts in the Champions Trophy while batting, bowling and fi eld- trophy to honour them for their the Board would also give each players a fixed percentage of ate resolution to the dispute. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while 18-year-old spinner Shad- ing in the tournament and it fully victory. player a cash bonus of one mil- the revenue of the game, a Australia vice captain David has announced a cash reward ab Khan has just played seven deserves the appreciation and PCB chairman Shaharyar lion rupees. deal which Cricket Australia Warner told Channel Nine at of Rs 10 million ($95,378) for ODIs for Pakistan. patronage of the nation and the Khan and Executive Commit- The team has already pock- says prevents them from the weekend that the players every Champions Trophy win- Others like captain Sarfaraz government,” she said, adding tee chairman Najam Sethi have eted prize money of around 200 suff iciently investing in the might compromise on the ning team member and Pakistan Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris So- that encouraging young players warmly congratulated the Pa- million rupees from the ICC for grassroots. The ACA were first percentage of revenue they Cricket Board (PCB) chairman hail, Hassan Ali, Emad Wasim would help promote sports in the kistan team for winning the winning the trophy. Famous to weigh in on the AFL agree- received but would not agree Shaharyar Khan has off ered Rs 1 were also playing in their fi rst country. Champions Trophy. builder Riaz Malik has also an- ment, with chief executive a deal that did not include million ($9,537) to each member Champions Trophy tournament. Marriyum also said every prov- Besides captain Sarfraz nounced cash prizes of one mil- Alistair Nicholson congratulat- it at all. “We’ve been off ered of the squad. For all these players, the Cham- ince should follow Punjab CM’s Ahmed and all members of the lion rupees each and plots for the ing the indigenous football contracts and we’ve knocked In addition, a bonus of Rs 29 pions Trophy is turning out to be model for revival of domestic team, they appreciated coach players while others are slated to code for “embracing the them back. That’s because we million ($2,76,598) will be di- a bonanza in fi nancial terms. cricket through construction of Mickey Arthur and his staff . follow soon. virtues of partnership” in the want to make sure the female vided and distributed among all Pakistan’s Minister of State more than 150 state-of–the-art “Positive and supporting role A marketing executive said the deal. “What these two parties players and domestic players members of the squad according for Information Marriyum Au- cricket grounds, of which more of the management has also been new players would also earn a lot are trying to achieve is what are in this revenue share to their ceilings in central con- rangzeb said the Prime Minister than 60 had been completed and critical in achieving success for now from endorsements after cricket has enjoyed for 20 model,” he said. tracts. announced the awards as the na- the rest were under construction. the team. Special appreciation the Champions Trophy victory.

OPINION England wrong to drop Roy, says Pietersen

AFP standing batsmen of his genera- “He has been working tre- London tion, added: “Everybody strug- mendously hard. In interna- gles, it’s a learning curve. He’s a tional cricket, if you are striking youngster, he’s not going to nail the ball well or are in good form evin Pietersen believes his whole career. You go through it doesn’t mean you will score it was a “poor deci- ups and downs, he’s a kid. runs. He came back for his coun- sion” by England to “What he’ll learn to deal with ty and scored runs and the proof drop Jason Roy during is how quickly to get himself out is in the pudding. He looked Kthe Champions Trophy, a tour- of this bit of bad form. Is he a good in the nets and did all the nament he believes the hosts bad player? No. He’s a wonder- right things but couldn’t seem to “should have won” in their own ful player. He shouldn’t have been score runs. conditions. dropped. That was a poor decision. “It is impressive that he has Before the one-day competi- “I think they should just have come back from this run of bad tion got underway, struggling given him a run for the rest of form and hopefully he continues opening batsman Roy was given the tournament. I’m not saying it throughout the summer, eve- unequivocal backing by England they would have won that game ryone goes through a bad stage captain Eoin Morgan, who said but they should have just stuck but it is how they come out of it he would “defi nitely” stay in the with it. that is important.” side for the whole tournament. “They were scoring 300 regu- England’s only major limited But after managing just 51 larly and then you drop a player overs tournament triumph of runs in eight ODI innings so far and you get what you get. It’s not any kind came when Pietersen this season, Roy was dropped for probably because of him getting was a key member of the side England’s semi-fi nal against Pa- dropped, because I think Jonny that won the 2010 World Twen- kistan and replaced at the top of (Bairstow) batted ok. ty20 in the Caribbean. the order by Jonny Bairstow. Test “I wouldn’t have done it, but Hopes were high, however, wicket-keeper Bairstow made I’m not the coach or the captain.” that a team featuring Morgan, 43 but England, previously un- all-rounder Ben Stokes and fast beaten in the eight-team tour- ‘Same fella’ bowler Mark Wood could lift the nament, collapsed to 211 all out The 26-year-old Roy, like Pi- Champions Trophy and so end a in a match eventual champions etersen born in South Africa, 42-year wait for a one-day in- Pakistan won by a commanding returned to form with 92 from ternational success. eight wickets in Cardiff . 81 balls in Surrey’s One-Day Cup “England are a wonderful “Everybody struggles, it’s semi-fi nal victory over Worces- young team,” said Pietersen. a learning curve,” said former tershire last week. “I know that India and Paki- England captain Pietersen, who Roy could return to England stan won’t like it, but in strength has played alongside Roy at duty on Wednesday when they face in depth in English conditions, county side Surrey, at the launch the Proteas in the opening match of England should have won it. of the South African Global a Twenty20 series at Southampton “With the fi re-power they League Twenty20 tournament in and Morgan, England’s white-ball have got and the players they London on Monday. skipper, said Tuesday: “He is still have got, they should have won Pietersen, one of the out- the same fella.” this tournament.” Jason Roy has scored 1462 runs in 46 ODIs with three centuries and nine half-centuries.

Thursday, June 22, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

SHOOTING Rashid, Khalifa emerge champions in Nishan C’ship

By Sports Reporter Rashid Saleh Hamad expressed his Doha delight at being the champion. “Eve- ryone was trying to gain the fi rst place. It is a prestigious event as it is under ashid Saleh Hamad and Kha- the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh lifa al-Attiyah emerged cham- Joaan. I’m glad that the last event was pions in their respective cat- skeet, which is my favourite,” said the egories and won a Toyota Land former Asia champion. CruiserR each at the recently-concluded “I’m proud to win the professional Nishan Ramadan Championship. title. It was a well-contested champion- At the Losail Ranges, Qatar Olympic ship. We had a great fun and thrilling at- Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan mosphere at the Losail ranges,” he said. bin Hamad al-Thani presided over the The amateur category was claimed prize distribution of the unique event, by Khalifa al-Attiyah. His total of 1383.5 organised by the Qatar Shooting and fetched him a car and QR6,000. He Archery Association, and gave away the defeated Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah al- prizes. Thani, who posted 1243.5. The runner- Over 200 professional and amateur up earned QR30,000. Badr Mubarak shooters contested in the eight-day al-Marri pocketed the third place with championship. All had to participate in 1053 and QR20,000. six events – air rifl e, air pistol, archery, Masoud Rashid al-Athbi was fourth at skeet, trap and double trap. The person 1068.5, while Saleh Ali al-Athbi managed who collected maximum points in all 1053.5 to fi nish in the fi fth spot. the six events was declared the winner. Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) In the professional event, Rashid secretary general Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Saleh Hamad and Khalid al-Muhan- Ooredoo’s Legal Aff airs head Sheikh nadi provided a thrilling fi nale to the Ali bin Jabor al-Thani, Nabil Ali bin event in their favourite skeet section. Ali of Ali Bin Ali Jewelry and Watches, Hamad shot 25, while Muhannadi and Salman Abdul Ghani from Abdul- could only manage 23. The former ag- lah Abdulghani Brothers also attended gregated 1315 points to win the title Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Shooter and Archery Association president Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari and other off icials the closing ceremony. Qatar Shooter and QR6,000 as well. Muhannadi had pose with the winners of the Nishan Ramadan Championship at the Losail Ranges on Tuesday. and Archery Association president Ali 1294.5 and his runner-up spot was Mohamed al-Kuwari and QSAA secre- worth QR30,000. Ghanim Saad al-Naimi, who was lead- 1249.5 points. Saoud Ali al-Adba and tle for the fourth spot and it was the Rashid logged 1201 points to round out tary general Majid al-Naimi were also Third place and QR20,000 went to ing after fi ve events but could tally only Rashid Ahmed al-Adba had a close bat- former who gained 1221 points to win it. the top fi ve. present on the occasion.

HORSE RACING Qatar SC announce signing of Jasem al-Hail

Newly-promoted Qatar SC confirmed the signing of Jasem al- Hail on a two-year deal. The club announced that the 25-year- old goalkeeper was successfully recruited from Qatari side Al Shahania. Al Hail will be between the sticks for Qatar SC, who Al Shaqab’s Qemah return to the QSL after spending a season in the second division. His previous team Al Shahaniya were relegated to the second division after being beaten by his new side Qatar SC in a playoff . The young keeper will be looking to play more games as he did not get much playing time last season. wins at Royal Ascot Umm Salal announce Rami Fayez capture Qatar Stars League side Umm Salal has confirmed the signing ‘She was ready for this race and we are happy to have won twice at Royal Ascot’ of Qatari defender Rami Fayez on a one-year deal. The 30-year- old defender joins the Orange Fortress for the 2017-18 season after playing for Al Arabi and Al Sailiya in the 2016-17 season. Fayez will be playing on the left flank. It was a busy season for Umm Salal, who are now pushing for a top-four finish in the upcoming season after finishing sixth last season. So far, they have renewed the contract of head coach Mahmoud Jaber, and have signed Muhannad Dergal, Nasser Nabil, Khaled Zekeba and Fayez. Al Khor map preseason plans

QSL side Al Khor has confirmed their preseason training plans ahead of the start of the 2017-18 QSL season. The Knights re- vealed that the squad will be heading to in Zwolle, Netherlands, for their training camp which will last from August 4 to 24. They will also play some friendly matches for which the opponents have not been determined yet. Al Khor will be looking to im- prove markedly as they only just managed to stay in the league after finishing eleventh with twenty-five points. Weightlift er Hassoona shines at Junior Worlds Jockey Gregory Benoist rides Qemah to victory in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Al Shaqab Racing’s general manager Khalifa al-Attiyah (right) receives the trophy after Royal Ascot yesterday. (Reuters) Qemah won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday.

Agencies jazzi on her outside, and Smart Call and “The lad at home, Jerome, had been failed to fi re and fi nished only fourth in Ascot, United Kingdom Usherette on the inside and held on well doing strong work with her every day and Tuesday’s feature, the St James’s Palace to succeed by three quarters of a length. he had been very happy that it was not the Stakes. Aljazzi was runner-up ahead of Ush- same fi lly that ran at Lingfi eld; there had O’Brien hailed Highland Reel as ‘unbe- l Shaqab Racing’s Qemah won erette, who fi nished very well after not been a big change. I hope now she’s in a lievably courageous’. the Group Two Duke of Cam- fi nding an opening. good place for the rest of the season. Af- “If it comes anywhere near cour- bridge Stakes to record her Qemah’s jockey, Frenchman Gregory ter that we’ll go to Deauville for the Prix age, then he will be there fi ghting,” said second win in as many visits, Benoist, said, “She won nicely here last Rothschild.” Qemah had won the Prix O’Brien. “He has danced every dance. I’m havingA won the Group One Coronation year. Last time at Lingfi eld, she wasn’t Rothschild (Gr1) in last year. not sure we have ever had a horse with the Stakes last year. very exciting but today the fast ground, In the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, High- constitution he has.” Jean Claude Rouget’s smart fi lly was the pace of the race helped her, and she land Reel delivered Irish training great O’Brien was typically humble about his very relaxed and waited amongst the was in a good day. She was ready for this Aiden O’Brien his 300th Group One win- own landmark of 300 Group and Grade group of horses that cantered along the race and we are very happy to have won ner over fl at and jumps. One wins. inside rail. Once she got an opening, the twice at Royal Ascot. Last time it was Highland Reel, winning his second “I’m just a small part in a massive Qatar’s weightlifter Faris Ibraheem Hassoona claimed gold at fi lly took the advantage 200m from the soft ground here, but she’s raced on good Group One race inside a month, also team,” he said. “It’s a huge chain of peo- the IWF Junior World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, winning post. ground in France, she can go anywhere.” brought relief to the 47-year-old trainer ple involved and I feel privileged to be the 85kg event. She then resisted the attacks from Al- Trainer Rouget too was elated. after his hotly-fancied Churchill had part of it.”

Slovenia edges out Qatar in FIBA 3x3 World Cup quarters

Qatar’s Abdulrahman Mohamed Saad (right) in action during the FIBA 3x3 World Cup quarter-final against Slovenia in Nantes, France, yesterday. Qatar went down 15-18 in a thriller. (Right) Qatar’s Tanguy Ngombo (foreground) goes for a basket. (FIBA)