MLB | Page 4 FOOTBALL | Page 6 Yankees I no longer survive shaky want to play ninth to hold for Germany, off Mets 7-6 says Ozil

Monday, July 23, 2018 FORMULA 1 Dhul-Qa’da 10, 1439 AH Hamilton back in the GULF TIMES front with ‘miracle’ German victory SPORT Page 3 SQUASH Aspire graduate al-Tamimi makes history with Malaysian win By Sports Reporter He then became world No 1 in the Doha World Squash Federation’s junior cir- cuit rankings (Under-19) in 2012. He has also won a number of other prestig- atar’s Abdulla al-Tamimi, ious titles including the Under-19 Qa- Aspire Academy graduate tar Youth Open Championship in 2012 and currently ranked No 33 and the Under-19 Dutch Junior Open in the world, made history in July 2013. He also fi nished fourth in yesterdayQ when he clinched the Profes- the World Youth Championship held in sional Squash Association (PSA) World Poland in July 2013. Tour Malaysian Open title. In the big- Throughout 2014 and 2015, al-Tami- gest win of his career to date, al-Tami- mi continued to shine in various inter- mi defeated world No 29 Tsz Fung Yip national squash championships held in of Hong Kong. Qatar and around the world, reaching Al-Tamimi triumphed following a the fi nal rounds of several tournaments. thrilling 52-minute match which saw These included the Guilfoyle Financial him win 5-11, 12-10, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5. PSA Classic, the NASH Cup, the Any To secure his place in the fi nal, he had Presence Open and the Qatar Classic previously dispatched Yip’s compatriot Squash Championship amongst others. Leo Au, ranked No 20 in the world, in an In 2017, his progress continued as he 87-minute match. achieved a career-best world ranking Al-Tamimi is yet another major suc- of 37 after reaching the second round cess story from Aspire Academy. The of the World Squash Championships 2012 graduate student-athlete cel- in Manchester. As of 2018, al-Tamimi ebrated his fi rst ever PSA World Tour achieved a career-high world ranking Qatar’s Abdulla al-Tamimi (centre, also right) poses with the winner’s trophy title in Atlanta, USA, in March 2016. of World No 33. after beating Tsz Fung Yip of Hong Kong in the Malaysian Open final yesterday.

GOLF / THE OPEN Molinari sees off Spieth and Woods to win maiden major ‘It’s amazing to stand here with the Claret Jug... very proud of today,’ says Molinari, who became first Italian to win major

AFP ing with Molinari, was in the outright It was a surprise to see any one he shot a superb 66. Carnoustie, United Kingdom lead at one point on Sunday but ended player fi nish clear of the pack after an That had catapulted him right into with a 71 to fi nish in a tie for sixth with afternoon of twists and turns that had contention, but after going out in front England’s Eddie Pepperell and Kevin left a play-off — as there had been in on his own midway through yesterday, taly’s Francesco Molinari emerged Chappell of the United States. each of the last three Opens here — he promptly dropped three strokes in from the pack in a thrilling fi nale Molinari was not at all fazed by the looking inevitable. two holes at the 11th and 12th. at Carnoustie to win the Brit- huge crowds and the media circus fol- It also seemed a good bet that there He could not recover his challenge ish Open yesterday, seeing off the lowing Woods, and he did not have a would be an American winner, es- after that, and a fourth British Open Ichallenges of reigning champion Jor- single bogey all day, following on from pecially after the United States had title will have to wait. dan Spieth and a revived Tiger Woods a blemish-free 65 on Saturday. dominated the leaderboard on Satur- Schauff ele and Kisner both shot 74 to win the fi rst major of his career. Indeed, he had 13 successive pars day night. as their challenges for a fi rst major At the age of 35, he becomes the fi rst before a birdie at the long 14th hole But while last year Spieth survived faded. Italian player ever to win a major, after and then another birdie at the 18th. He a wobble in the fi nal round at Royal Meanwhile, McIlroy’s second keeping his cool in remarkable fashion then embraced his caddy, although he Birkdale to take the title, this time he straight round of 70 was not enough when almost all around him seemed to still had to wait for Schauff ele to come was too erratic, not recovering from a for him to claim a fi rst major since be losing theirs on a warm but windy down the last and for his victory to be bogey at the fi fth that was followed by 2014, while Rose claimed a surprising- afternoon on the Scottish coast. confi rmed. a double-bogey at the long sixth where ly high fi nish, with his 69 following a A two-under-par round of 69 al- His success ends a run of fi ve consec- his second shot found a gorse bush. 64 on Saturday after he only just made lowed him to fi nish on eight-under, utive majors being won by Americans, “When you put yourself in position the cut for the weekend. two shots clear of the quartet of Justin and confi rms an incredible run of form enough times, it goes your way some- Rose, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauff ele for Molinari after his victory at the PGA times, it doesn’t go your way some- LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES and Kevin Kisner on six-under. Championship at Wentworth in Eng- times,” said Spieth, who was hoping 276 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 70-72- Molinari had started the day three land in May and a fi rst PGA Tour win at to become only the third player to win 65-69 shots behind a trio of overnight lead- the Quicken Loans National recently. four majors before turning 25, after 278 - Justin Rose (ENG) 72-73-64-69, ers in Schauff ele, Kisner and Spieth, “It’s amazing to stand here with the Young Tom Morris and Woods. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 69-69-70-70, Kevin who were all nine under par when they Claret Jug. My record around here was For Woods this was not to be the Kisner (USA) 66-70-68-74, Xander teed off . terrible, which didn’t make me too op- weekend where he fi nally claimed his Schauff ele (USA) 71-66-67-74 The latter had been hoping to be- timistic about the week,” he said. 15th major title, a decade after his last 279 - Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 71-70-71-67, come the fi rst player since Padraig “Very proud of today, obviously at the US Open. Tiger Woods (USA) 71-71-66-71, Kevin Harrington a decade ago to retain the playing with Tiger was another chal- However, Carnoustie did announce Chappell (USA) 70-69-67-73, Claret Jug, but he faded with a fi nal- lenge because of the crowds, but I felt his return to the top of the sport, 280 - Tony Finau (USA) 67-71-71-71, round 76 to fi nish on four-under. really good coming here this morning with the 42-year-old captivating the Matt Kuchar (USA) 70-68-70-72, Jordan Meanwhile Woods, who was play- and felt ready for a challenge.” crowds, especially on Saturday when Spieth (USA) 72-67-65-76 Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 23, 2018 SPORT

GOLF / THE OPEN TENNIS Cornet savours win in Gstaad aft er six Tiger’s roar fades ‘tense’ months

AFP Minella was disappointed but Gstaad, Switzerland hopeful after her Gstaad break- through. “Of course I wanted to win, lize Cornet won her but in a few hours I will feel good at Open climax fi rst title in two and a about this,” the Luxembourg half years and after a player said. probe into missed dop- “Alize was better when it ‘I know it’s going to sting... but given where I was to where I am now, (I feel) blessed’ ingA controls yesterday as she beat counted today. Mandy Minella 6-4, 7-6 (6) in “But this has been a great week the Gstaad fi nal. for me, it really shows me that The French top seed, who said I’m coming back.” she took encouragement from Cornet, 28, kept the pressure her country’s World Cup tri- on in the opening set, forcing umph a week ago, needed two Minella to save ten break points hours to get past a determined in two service games. opponent who is only just re- The Frenchwoman fi nally se- turning to the Tour after becom- cured the opener after 57 min- ing a mother. utes, breaking her opponent for Cornet owns six titles. Her last a third time with a winning drop one came in January 2016 at Ho- shot on set point. bart. As she had done in the fi rst set, Minella, from Luxembourg Minella got an early break in the is ranked 266 and was play- second, but lost it. ing her fi rst WTA fi nal at age 32. Minella saved two match She gave birth to a daughter last points in the 12th game as she autumn and this was her fourth took the set into a tiebreaker, WTA-level event since returning where Cornet rallied from 3-1 in February. down. Cornet had suff ered through a The French top seed making tough six months as she was in- her Gstaad debut saved a pair of vestigated for missing three sur- Minella set points and fi nished prise anti-doping tests. As the off the match from her oppo- probe went on, she kept playing nent’s forehand to the net. and was fi nally cleared this year. Cornet could barely lift the “It’s an amazing feeling,” Cor- stylised trophy representing the net said. “The last six months Alps during the ceremony: “I have been tense, but I fought was so tired after the match and through them like I did in this it must have weight 15 kilograms, match today. she joked. After so long, it means the “I really enjoy my time on world to have this title”. court now, I realise that I could On Sunday, each set took an be home (had she been banned) hour, with plot twists abound- and not able to play”. ing. Cornet reached 11th in the “It was a huge battle,” the world in 2009. 48th-ranked Cornet said. “It “Lifting this trophy with fam- was a very close, match, I had the ily and friends is wonderful. I feeling it could go either way, don’t care so much about the “I managed to be more solid ranking — but if I keep up this in the crucial moments, I really level and attitude, I think I can wanted to win this trophy.” return to the Top 20.”

Busy Fognini seals Swedish title

Italian Fabio Fognini, ranked 13th which he reached in 2014. 15 in the world, beat French- His busy weekend in Sweden man Richard Gasquet, 6-3, 3-6, did not end with the singles 6-1, in yesterday’s ATP Swedish final. He was playing the dou- Open final in Bastad. bles final with fellow Italian It was the seventh career title Simone Bolelli later against Tiger Woods of the US in action during the final round of the Open Championship in Carnoustie, Scotland, yesterday. (Reuters) for Fognini and, like the previ- the South-American pair of ous six, came on clay. Chilean Julio Peralta and Ar- AFP “I know it’s going to sting for a little bit but once more he produced a stunning Woods parred the 17th but still stood It was also his second title of gentine Horacio Zeballos. Carnoustie, United Kingdom here, but given where I was to where I am shot from the bunker to get the ball to two shots off Molinari as they went to the the season after Sao Paulo and At 32, Gasquet remains on 16 now, (I feel) blessed.” the edge of the green before parring fi nal hole. confirmed that at 31 he is play- career titles, the most recent Early on, though, that old familiar Ti- again. He vented his frustration when dis- ing his best tennis as he closes on grass in s-Hertogenbosch iger Woods at one moment ger charge — missing for several years due However, his run of luck came to an tracted by a shout from a spectator in the in on his highest ever ranking, in June. looked like completing an aston- to personal problems and back issues — abrupt end at the next — as did his lead — middle of his swing although the drive it- ishing fairytale comeback when seemed to be on the cards as the packed fi nding the rough then hitting a spectator self found the fairway. he led the British Open in the fi - gallery appeared to energise him. before rolling behind a bush and resulting “That was too close to the game of nalT round yesterday but ultimately came He was pumping his fi st and even in a double bogey with him exiting the play,” he said. up short, posting a level par 71 to fi nish raised a two-fi ngered V for victory to the green grim-faced. “I fl inched, but I’ve had things like that fi ve-under for the tournament. gallery at the fourth as he sank a longish Further trouble and another dropped happen a lot in my career with people However, the 42-year-old 14-time ma- birdie putt to move to three off the lead. shot was to follow at the next and it was who tried to time it. jor winner had his rivals rattled when he He secured another birdie on the par fi ve with his head bowed deep in thought he “People are trying to yell out things to grabbed the lead thanks to two birdies on seventh, holing an uphill putt — this time strode down the par-three 13th where he try to be on TV or be on social media or the front nine while they were dropping there was no fi st pump just a determined managed to stem the haemorrhage with a whatever it may be.” shots. look in his eyes as he strode off the green. par. He quickly set aside his anger and pro- The dream, though, ended for Woods This took him to within one shot of the He got one back on the par fi ve-14th duced a sublime approach shot onto the on his return after a two-year hiatus to lead. but his playing partner — and eventual green — Molinari congratulating him as a major he has won three times when he Woods found the sand on the par three champion — Francesco Molinari also the passed — taking the applause of the double bogeyed the 11th and then dropped eighth but got it to puttable range and birdied to take him two shots ahead of the crowd with a wave of his cap. another shot on the following hole. parred it and again on the ninth he found American. However, in a refl ection of his fi nal nine “I had a great opportunity,” he said af- sand but repeated the escape act with a Holes were running out and the par- holes, the birdie putt did not drop while ter shooting 71 to fi nish equal sixth, three par and found himself alone in the lead. three 16th which had withstood all the Molinari’s did and it was the Italian who strokes behind winner Francesco Moli- Again on the 10th he found sand with preceding golfers during the round also pumped his fi st and Woods who patted SPOTLIGHT nari. his tee shot, grimacing at the realisation refused to yield to him. his back in congratulations.

FOCUS Germany’s Stich, No regrets for McIlroy as birdie blitz falls short Czech Sukova join Tennis Hall of Fame Reuters out of the round today. When I Carnoustie, United Kingdom made the eagle on 14 it was tough to AFP bles title. get close on 15, 16 and 17. New York Now tournament director of “I think anything under-par the ATP German Open in Ham- t was another case of what out there today was a good score. burg, Stich won 18 career singles might have been in a major for I’m happy with how I played,” said ormer Wimbledon titles in 31 fi nals before retiring Rory McIlroy after he threat- McIlroy who has seven times fi n- champion Michael Stich in 1997. ened to deliver victory at the ished in the top-10 in a major with- said it was the “special “But it’s just those special IBritish Open yesterday before set- out winning since landing his last moments” more than moments, occasions that I re- tling for a tie for second place. ‘Big Four’ title at the 2014 US PGA Fmatch results that he remem- member more than match results The 29-year-old Northern Championship. bered Saturday as he was induct- or scores I have achieved,” an Irishman looked down and out in “I didn’t get off to a great start ed into the International Tennis emotional Stich said. “It’s not so the closing round when bogeys but I hung in there and battled back Hall of Fame. much about the special result or at the second and fi fth pushed and just ran out of holes at the end,” Stich and 14-time Grand Slam a special score that I’ve achieved him down the fi eld in stiff breezes he said. doubles champion Helena Su- — it’s about the overall view on at Carnoustie that gusted up to McIlroy said he was pleased to have kova of Czech Republic were this sport.” 28mph. played a minor role in a blockbuster inducted in ceremonies in New- Sukova, a women’s world dou- However, McIlroy produced just round during which the lead changed port, Rhode Island, during the bles number one for 68 weeks, the sort of burst he has become re- hands several times, with former ATP grass court tournament. captured nine Grand Slam nowned for. world number one Tiger Woods hav- Stich won his only Grand Slam women’s doubles crowns and Birdies at the ninth and 11th re- ing a brief spell in top spot. singles crown at Wimbledon in fi ve mixed doubles titles. Her stored his hopes before he celebrat- “It was great just to be a part of it 1991, downing countryman Boris doubles trophy haul included ed wildly after sinking a 50-foot and hear the roars,” McIlroy added. Becker in straight sets in the fi - four women’s and three mixed putt for an eagle three at the 14th. “Tiger being back in the mix, every- nal. He was a runner-up at the at Wimbledon, one each at the Ultimately, though, the four- thing, there were a lot of big names 1994 US Open, falling to Andre French Open, two women’s and times major champion fell short up there. Agassi, and in the 1996 French a mixed at the US Open and two after a run of four straight pars over “For a while I thought Tiger was Open, losing to Russian Yevgeny women’s at the Australian Open. the brutal closing holes. going to win. My mindset was go Kafelnikov. In singles, Sukova reached as “I’m not really frustrated,” McIl- and spoil the party. Former world number two high as fourth in the world and roy told reporters after a one-under “I have no regrets. I played the Stich partnered with Becker to reached the fi nals twice each at 70 left him on six-under 278 over- way I wanted to play this week. It win the 1992 Barcelona Olympic the US and Australian Opens. all, two behind champion Francesco gives me a lot of encouragement men’s doubles crown and joined She captured 10 singles titles as Molinari of Italy. going into the fi nal major of the year Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy reacts to making an eagle putt on the 14th green during his final American John McEnroe to claim well as 69 career doubles crowns “I could have squeezed one more (at next month’s US PGA).” round of the Open Championship in Carnoustie, Scotland, yesterday. (AFP) the 1992 Wimbledon men’s dou- before retiring in 1998. Gulf Times Monday, July 23, 2018 3 SPORT

FORMULA ONE Hamilton back in the front with ‘miracle’ German win Winner reprimanded by stewards for pitlane incident QFerrari’s Vettel crashes out while leading QBottas second

Reuters RESULTS AND STANDINGS Hockenheim, Germany

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr 32min 29.845, 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/ ewis Hamilton raced Mercedes) at 4.535, 3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 6.732, 4. Max Verstappen from 14th to fi rst to seize (NED/Red Bull-Renault) 7.654, 5. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 26.609, a “miracle” German 6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 28.871, 7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force LGrand Prix victory in a India-Mercedes) 30.556, 8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) Mercedes one-two yesterday and 31.750, 9. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) 32.362, 10. Brendon Hartley retake the Formula One champi- (NZL/Toro Rosso-Honda) 34.197, 11. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) onship lead from Ferrari’s Sebas- 34.919, 12. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) 43.069, 13. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL/ tian Vettel, who crashed. McLaren-Renault) 46.617, 14. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1 lap, Vettel, now 17 points behind 15. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber-Ferrari) 1 lap, 16. Fernando Alonso (ESP/ the Briton after starting eight McLaren-Renault) 1 lap ahead, led his home race from pole position until rain caused Retired: chaos in the closing laps, with the Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-Renault), Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams), German sliding off and into the Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari), Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams), Fernando Alonso barriers. (ESP/McLaren-Renault) Hamilton, the reigning world World championship standings: It was the 66th win of Drivers his F1 career, and Mercedes’ 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 188 pts, 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 171, 3. Kimi 80th, and minutes aft er the Räikkönen (FIN) 131, 4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 122, 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) fi nish, the skies opened with 106, 6. Max Verstappen (NED) 105, 7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 52, 8. Fernando an array of thunder and Alonso (ESP) 40, 9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 39, 10. Sergio Perez (MEX) 30, lightning and a torrential 11. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 29, 12. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 28, 13. Romain Grosjean downpour that would have (FRA) 20, 14. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 18, 15. Charles Leclerc (MON) 13, 16. Stoff el stopped any race Vandoorne (BEL) 8, 17. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) 5, 18. Lance Stroll (CAN) 4, 19. Brendon Hartley (NZL) 2 champion, took the chequered fl ag for a record-equalling fourth Constructors German Grand Prix win, ahead 1. Mercedes 310 pts, 2. Ferrari 302, 3. Red Bull 211, 4. Renault 80, 5. Force In- of his Finnish team mate Valtteri dia 59, 6. Haas 59, 7. McLaren-Renault 48, 8. Toro Rosso-Honda 20, 9. Sauber Bottas and Ferrari’s Kimi Raik- 18, 10. Williams 4 konen. “I’ve never had a race like this,” said the four-times champion, Bonnington told him over the a better day for me and one that I who was summoned to stewards radio after a slow-burner that will always remember.” after the race for a pitlane in- turned into one of the great Beaten by Vettel in his home fringement but escaped with a comebacks of the Briton’s already British Grand Prix at Silverstone believe,” added the four-times “I had it in my hands — small going wheel to wheel when the with an engine failure after rising reprimand and the victory intact. stellar career. two weeks ago, where he went champion, who said a long prayer mistake, big disappointment,” safety car came in before they re- from the back of the fi eld to sixth. “Today I feel like I drove the Hamilton, who threw himself from pole to the back of the fi eld before the race started. said the German. ceived orders to hold position. It German driver Nico Hulken- best that I can remember driving. across the pitlane wall into the and up to second, he had turned “I really manifested my dream “It was just one of those mo- was the Finn’s fi fth second place berg was fi fth for Renault, with I didn’t make any mistakes.” arms of his mechanics and also the tables completely. today.” For Vettel, it was simply a ments. It was my mistake so in 11 races. Romain Grosjean sixth for Haas It was the 66th win of his F1 got a bear-hug from delighted “Love conquers all,” declared nightmare — the chance to make apologies to the team. They did Ferrari had also earlier applied ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez career, and Mercedes’ 80th, and Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zet- Hamilton, who had reacted de- big gains slipping through his everything right.” team orders of their own, tell- and Frenchman Esteban Ocon for minutes after the fi nish, the skies sche, seemed about as stunned as fi antly on Instagram to the boo- hands in an instant. He now has Hamilton, who was already up ing Raikkonen to move over for Force India in seventh and eighth opened with an array of thun- anyone. ing and hostility from a partisan 171 points to Hamilton’s 188. to fi fth after 14 laps, had made Vettel when the German found positions. der and lightning and a torren- “I really feel that the rain has crowd after his car broke down in He pummelled the steering his fi rst set of soft tyres last for himself behind the Finn after the Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson put tial downpour that would have come down and just washed away Saturday’s qualifying. wheel angrily after the car crum- 42 laps but pitted before the rain pitstops. Sauber in the points with ninth stopped any race. any negativity and its a glorious “It’s obviously very, very diffi - pled against the tyre wall, the came and went to ultrasofts. Max Verstappen was fourth for and New Zealander Brendon “Miracles do happen, mate,” day,” Hamilton said, his voice cult from that position and highly lap 52 incident bringing out the He still had to defend from an Red Bull, but his Australian team- Hartley was 10th for Toro Rosso Hamilton’s race engineer Pete wobbling. “It couldn’t have been unlikely but you’ve always got to safety car. attacking Bottas, with the two mate Daniel Ricciardo retired — only his second scoring fi nish.

CYCLING Dane Cort Nielsen takes stage win, Thomas in yellow Reuters Carcassonne, France

enmark’s Magnus Cort Nielsen claimed victory on the Tour de France when he prevailed in a three-man sprint at the Dend of a long breakaway in the 15th stage yesterday. The Astana rider was the overwhelming fa- vourite as a sprint specialist in the fi nale and he duly delivered, comfortably beating Spain’s Ion Izagirre and Dutchman Bauke Mollema, who were second and third, respectively. It is Cort Nielsen’s third grand tour win after he won two stages in the Vuelta a Espana in 2016, and Astana’s second in this year’s Tour after Omar Fraile won Saturday’s 14th stage. “Everything went very well... it’s the best vic- tory of my career,” said Cort Nielsen. “I was feeling good in the fi nale and felt con- fi dent. I did exactly what I wanted to do in terms Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the German Formula One Grand Prix at the Hockenheim racing circuit in of strategy.” southern Germany. Briton Geraint Thomas retained the over- all lead after a 181.5-km hilly ride from Millau through the vineyards of Minervois, Corbieres BOTTOMLINE and Cabardes in Southwestern France. He leads Team Sky teammate and defending champion Chris Froome by 1:39 and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin by 1:50 before today’s rest day as Bottas says he’s happy to accept team orders the race heads to the Pyrenees. A 29-man breakaway took shape early on, and AFP “But I didn’t get past him and then I was looking after,” Bottas said. “But taking posi- after they had built an advantage of more than 10 Denmark’s Magnus Nielsen celebrates on the Hockenheim told to minimise the risk...Which I under- tives as the team, it was a perfect result for us minutes to make sure the win would be decided podium after winning the 15th stage of the stand.” in Germany, our home Grand Prix for Mer- between them, the fi reworks started. 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, He accepted the instruction without dra- cedes. So that’s good.” Tour debutants Fabien Grellier and Julien between Millau and Carcassonne. altteri Bottas shrugged and said ma knowing that, two days after his 2019 Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff explained Bernard, the son of Jean-Francois, third overall he accepted the team orders that contract confi rmation, it was better for him why they used team orders and did not allow in the 1987 race, attacked with 70 kilometres France’s Lilian Calmejane, in his home re- meant he came home second be- to do so. “From my side, no hard feelings on the drivers to race for victory. left. gion, had no team mate in the group unlike Cort Vhind Mercedes teammate Lewis the call,” he said. “It made complete sense for “We didn’t have the quickest car here,” he But Poland’s Rafal Majka, who has three Tour Nielsen, Mollema and Izagirre. He was isolated Hamilton in yesterday’s German Grand Prix. me. We had the battle and that was it. I’d al- said. “And we need to progress for the next stage wins to his name, jumped away from the when things heated up and had to concede de- The Finn had a chance to win the race in ready lost the race before that with the safety races because that is the most important. group and chased the duo down, whizzing past feat, breaking down in tears after crossing the the closing stages when, on fresh tyres, he car so it didn’t really go my way. “It was still raining at the time and the fi ght them to reach the top of the Pic de Nore, a 12.3- line in seventh place, 34 seconds off the pace. attacked Hamilton, but was unable to pass “Here you need a quite a big pace diff er- was so intense. There was all to lose with the km climb at an average gradient of 6.3%, in fi rst The peloton crossed the line 13:11 behind. him — and was then told to “hold position”. ence to overtake and being more or less on bad luck that we had in the last races and we position. France’s Romain Bardet, fi fth overall, attacked “We had a bit of a battle out there, the fi rst equal tyres it would have been really tricky.” wanted to keep it calm. It’s motor racing. The He had a 30-second lead, but with a fl at, in the descent from the Pic de Nore and went off lap after the safety car,” said Bottas, referring “I think, for Lewis, the safety car was bet- race happens on Sunday, not Saturday. All crosswind-exposed stretch leading to the line, the road, in a desperate attempt to unsettle his to the resumption of racing following Sebas- ter-timed. He stayed out and I had to stop. the bad luck that we have had come back to his chances were slim and he was caught by a rivals. tian Vettel’s crash. “As a driver, of course, a win is what you’re us with tremendous good luck.” group of seven chasers. “That was crazy,” said Thomas. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 23, 2018 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Tokyo unveils Miraitowa, Someity as 2020 mascots Reuters Tokyo 2020 president and Tokyo former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori was present at the unveiling and delivered a mes- he mascots for the To- sage of inclusion. kyo 2020 Olympic and “You are part of the Olympics Paralympic Games were as well,” Mori told the assembled named during a cer- children. Temony in the Japanese capital “You chose these two charac- yesterday. ters. We had roughly fi ve million The Olympic mascot, a blue- students who chose these so checked pointy-eared fi gure, the Olympics belongs to eve- was named as Miraitowa – com- ryone, not just the athletes, bining the Japanese words ‘mi- everyone. rai’, meaning future, and ‘towa’, “We are hoping everyone which means eternity. will unite as one and we hope to The Paralympic counterpart, achieve a great success and to do who is pink-checked and wears a so we will need everyone’s co- cape, was named Someity after a operation.” variety of cherry blossom called In a country that has a fond- Soeiyoshino. ness for mascots, Tokyo 2020 or- Games organisers also said ganisers sought to create lovable the name sounded similar to “so characters for the Games with mighty” in English. both selections said to have su- The mascots were revealed in perpowers and an ability to tel- February but remained unnamed eport between the digital world until Sunday. and reality. They were designed by il- After the ceremony, the mas- lustrator Ryo Taniguchi, who cots reappeared on a boat that won a nationwide competition cruised down the Sumida river, that was determined by Japa- waving to children on the riv- nese children, with his entries erbank as they passed some clinching more than half the of Tokyo’s most iconic President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee Yoshiro Mori and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike pose with Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot Miraitowa and Paralympic mas- total votes. landmarks. cot Someity in Tokyo yesterday. (Reuters)

MLB BADMINTON Taiwan’s Chou beats compatriot Hsu to Yankees hold off win Singapore Open

AFP he will face stiff competition Singapore from top players, such as Dan- ish world number one Viktor Axelsen and rising Japanese aiwanese badminton star Kento Momota, who both Mets for 7-6 victory star Chou Tien-chen gave the Singapore tourna- stormed to a 21-13, 21- ment a miss. Aaron Judge slams homer in three-hit day for New York Yankees 13 win over compa- “They are amazing players Ttriot Hsu Jen-hao to clinch the with great skills. I need to fi nd Singapore Open men’s singles a way to beat them,” he said. title yesterday. In the women’s singles, fi fth Serving deep, cross-court seed Sayaka Takahashi of Ja- smashes at high speeds, the pan overcame a slow start to world number seven easily pick up her third title of the claimed the fi rst game. year, beating China’s Gao Hsu initially looked strong- Fangjie 25-23, 21-14. er in the second game, tak- The 25-year-old won the ing an 8-4 lead, but Chou Swiss Open in February and bounced back impressively the New Zealand Open in May. by winning seven consecutive Japan won another title points. The 28-year-old went with women’s doubles pair on to win easily at the Singa- Ayako Sakuramoto and Yukiko pore Indoor Stadium, sealing Takahata beating compatriots victory in 43 minutes. Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu “I felt like I had good con- Shida 16-21, 24-22, 21-13. trol at the start,” Chou, the top In men’s doubles, Moham- seed in the tournament, said mad Ahsan and Hendra Setia- after the match. “There were wan of Indonesia cruised to a several times that Hsu took 21-13, 21-19 win over China’s the lead, but I managed to fi ght Ou Xuanyi and Ren Xiangyu. back and I knew when and how In mixed doubles, Malay- to take charge of the game.” sian duo Goh Soon Huat and The win follows his Ger- Shevon Jemie Lai fended off man Open triumph in May strong competition from Ol- and serves as a confi dence ympic champions Tontowi boost for the upcoming World Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, Championships in Nanjing. defeating the Indonesians Chou acknowledged that 21-19, 21-18.

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (No 99) is forced at second base by New York Mets second baseman Jose Reyes during the first inning at Yankee Stadium in New York. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

Reuters Gray (7-7) allowed three runs Mets hitting coach Pat kees took a 3-1 lead when Bird’s and fourth against a left-handed New York (two earned) on three hits in 5 Roessler was ejected by plate double soared over den Dekker’s pitcher. 1/3 innings. Chapman allowed a umpire Larry Vanover for arguing head and went up 4-1 when Reddick struck out twice bases-loaded walk to Jose Reyes balls and strikes with two outs in den Dekker was unable to get against Angels starter Nick Tro- aron Judge collected in the ninth and hit Brandon the top of the third. Mets desig- Romine’s sinking liner. peano, who made his fi rst start three hits, including his Nimmo with a pitch before being nated hitter Asdrubal Cabrera since June 10 following a stint on 26th homer, as the New replaced by Chasen Shreve. was tossed by third base umpire Springer’s slam, Verlander’s the 10-day disabled list. York Yankees survived Shreve got Devin Mesoraco to Hunter Wendelstedt for slam- gem lead Astros past Angels Verlander (10-5) continued aA shaky ninth inning by Aroldis bounce into a double play that ming his bat on a checked swing George Springer homered his domination of the Angels Chapman and held on for a 7-6 scored a run and ended the game strikeout in the fi fth. Amed Ro- for the fi rst time in more than in Anaheim, Calif. He allowed victory over the New York Mets by retiring Wilmer Flores. It was sario delivered an RBI single and a month, Justin Verlander pro- fi ve hits and two walks with 11 on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Shreve’s second career save. Jose Bautista scored on a throw- duced his seventh scoreless start strikeouts over six shutout in- Stadium. Mets closer Jeurys Familia was ing error by David Robertson be- of the season and the Houston nings, extending his streak of Judge highlighted his second held out for the second straight fore the eventful ninth. Astros rolled to a 7-0 victory scoreless innings at Angel Sta- three-hit game in two days by game, and his trade to the Oak- Mets left-hander Steven Matz over the host Los Angeles Angels dium to 23. Verlander has pro- hitting a homer into the wind land Athletics was announced (4-8) allowed fi ve runs on nine on Saturday. duced six double-digit strikeout in the seventh off Tim Peter- after the contest. hits in fi ve-plus innings. Springer capped a fi ve-run games this season. son. Judge gave the Yankees a He was traded for two mi- After Conforto’s second-in- sixth inning with his fi fth career Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan poses with his trophy after winning 6-3 lead by lifting Peterson’s 1-1 nor leaguers – infi elder William ning homer gave the Mets a 1-0 grand slam and fi rst home run RESULTS against compatriot Hsu Jen Hao during the men’s singles final fastball 407 feet into the visiting Toff ey and right-hander Bobby lead, the Yankees took advantage since June 20 against Tampa Bay. Cardinals 6 Cubs 3 at the Singapore Open in Singapore yesterday. (AFP) bullpen beyond the left-center Wahl – plus $1 million in in- of some defensive adventures He jumped ahead in the count Yankees 7 Mets 6 fi eld fence. ternational bonus pool money. by Mets center fi elder Matt den 3-0 against Angels right-hander Tigers 5 Red Sox 0 Didi Gregorius hit an RBI tri- Michael Conforto homered for Dekker. Noe Ramirez, fouled off succes- Astros 7 Angels 0 Lakshya grabs Asian junior badminton gold ple and rookie Miguel Andujar the Mets, who played the game Gregorius tied the game by sive pitches and then bashed a Brewers 4 Dodgers 2 hit an RBI double for the Yankees shorthanded and saw two ejec- tripling to the center fi eld wall curveball 400 feet to left-center Pirates 6 Reds 2 India’s Lakshya Sen won the gold medal in the men’s singles cat- in a four-run fourth. Greg Bird tions. Yoenis Cespedes did not when den Dekker could not fi eld. Royals 4 Twins 2 egory of the Asia Junior Badminton Championships yesterday. drove in two runs with an RBI play after homering in his return make a diving catch after get- The Astros sent 10 batters to Marlins 3 Rays 2 The Indian sixth seed registered an easy 21-19, 21-18 victory in 46 double and a run-scoring single from missing over two months ting a bad read on the liner. The the plate in the inning, with Josh Blue Jays 4 Orioles 1 minutes over Thai top seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the Under-19 while Austin Romine contrib- with a hip injury. He said after Yankees took a 2-1 lead when Reddick opening the frame with Rockies 6 Diamondbacks 5 final. With the win, Lakshya became only the third Indian after uted an RBI single along with a the game that heel issues are the Andujar was awarded a double a solo homer against left-hander Indians 16 Rangers 3 Gautam Thakkar (1965) and P.V. Sindhu (2012) to pocket a gold run-scoring groundout. cause of his numerous leg prob- after a fan reached over with his Jose Alvarez. For Reddick, it was White Sox 5 Mariners 0 medal at the Asia Junior Championships. Yankees right-hander Sonny lems and was held out. glove in right fi eld. The Yan- his 10th homer on the season Athletics 4 Giants 3 (11 innings) Gulf Times Monday, July 23, 2018 5 FOOTBALL

INTERVIEW TRANSFER City’s Hart eager for permanent move I couldn’t look at a aft er two loans

Reuters A and I loved Serie A. Leagues London are there to be played in. There’s no league that I’d say no to. I’m open, but I want to anchester City do what’s right for me at this football aft er the goalkeeper Joe point of my career... “ Hart says his next Hart featured in City’s pre- move needs to season match against Borussia Mbe permanent after two loan Dortmund on Saturday, but spells away from the Premier the chances of him playing League club, with the England regularly in competitive fi x- international saying “there’s tures are limited as he is the no league I’d say no to”. club’s third-choice goalkeeper World Cup: Neymar The 31-year-old, who joined behind Ederson and Claudio City in 2006, has made just Bravo. The shotstopper also ‘I was in mourning, I was really sad about it, but sadness passes, I have my son, my one competitive appearance reiterated his desire to play for for the club following man- England again and add to his 75 family, my friends and they don’t want to see me moping around’ ager Pep Guardiola’s arrival caps. in 2016. He spent the last two “I’m 31, I’m young, I’m fi t, AFP seasons on loan at Italian side I’m fresh,” he added. “I know Praia Grande, Brazil Torino and Premier League I’ve got an awful lot to give in West Ham United. the game. At the same time, “I did what I did in the pre- I’m realistic about what’s gone razil superstar Neymar vious two seasons because I on and what the people who admits that after his needed to play to be involved count think of me and I have to nation’s quarter-fi nal in the World Cup. And look change those opinions.” defeat to Belgium at the where that got me,” Hart, who Premier League champions WorldB Cup he couldn’t look at a was left out of England’s squad City play rivals Liverpool and ball and didn’t want to see any of for Russia 2018, told reporters. German champions Bayern the remaining matches. “I need to be an important Munich in their remaining In- “I wouldn’t go as far as to say player at that club and I think ternational Champions Cup I didn’t want to play again but, that can only happen with a fi xtures before opening their I didn’t want to see a ball, or to permanent move. season with the Community see any more football played,” “I love all the leagues. I’ve Shield clash against Chelsea 26-year-old Neymar told AFP in shown that. I went out to Serie on August 5. an exclusive interview on Saturday. The Paris Saint-Germain for- JOE HART ward was talking at his Neymar Praia Grande institute where the Red Bull Neymar Jr 5’s (fi ve- a-side-soccer) tournament was being played. Dressed in a sleeveless t-shirt, with his six-year-old son Davi Lucca sat upon his knee, the striker was however in a relaxed mood as he explained his post- World Cup blues. “I was in mourning, I was re- ally sad about it, but sadness passes, I have my son, my family, my friends and they don’t want to see me moping around. I’ve got more reason to be happy than sad,” said Neymar, refl ecting on his team’s 2-1 quarter-fi nal defeat to Belgium. Asked about reports in Spain linking him with a transfer to Real Madrid the for- ward said “that’s all speculation from the press.” “The guys who come up with these stories seem to know more about my life than I do. I won’t respond to this type of question Napoli chief accuses Sarri of trying to because nothing happened,” he ‘dismantle’ squad aft er Chelsea move scoff ed. The Brazilian superstar, who Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has said that former man- moved to PSG for a world record ager Maurizio Sarri tried to “dismantle” the Italian team’s squad 222 million euros ($264 million) by signing their players for his new club Chelsea. last year, insists that the burden Sarri coached Napoli for three seasons before joining the of expectation on his shoulders - Premier League side earlier this month and his arrival at Stam- whether with his club or country Brazilian football star Neymar with his son Davi Lucca at his charity Neymar Junior Project Institute, in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AFP) ford Bridge was closely followed by the signing of midfielder - does not weigh heavily. Jorginho from his former team. “No, all the great players feel rage of criticism for theatrical big boy, I’m used to dealing with “That’s a free-kick!” screams Meanwhile, Neymar described While De Laurentiis said Jorginho’s transfer was sanctioned after pressure,” he said. rolling around after being fouled this kind of thing the Brazilian breaking into fi ts of PSG’s new coach Thomas Tuchel discussions with Napoli’s new manager Carlo Ancelotti, he ac- “It’s true that when it comes to at the World Cup, but says he “And I can’t be the referee and laughter. The video was released as a great addition to the club. cused Sarri of trying to take more of Napoli’s players to Chelsea. me, there are double standards. I should have been better pro- play at the same time, but there with a hashtag #ChallengeDA- “He’s a great coach and we’re “He wanted to take my whole team to England and dismantle it. have been aware of this respon- tected. are times I wish I could,” he said. FALTA, the free-kick challenge hoping for a great season,” he I had to lay down the law to Marina (Granovskaia, Chelsea direc- sibility, not only for Brazil, but Earlier this week, Neymar in Portuguese. said. “I’m really looking forward tor),” De Laurentiis told Sky Sports Italia. also in club football, since I was ‘Criticism of me exaggerated’ took a swipe at his critics with a During the recent World Cup, to it,” Neymar said of his second “He wanted Jorginho and I gave him away after I talked to An- 17, 18 years old. “People were faster to criticise tongue-in-cheek video in which the player’s antics sparked the season in Paris. celotti, who told me he was banking a lot on (Amadou) Diawara “I have prepared myself to the one being fouled than the he teaches children how to fall to “Neymar Challenge” where he “We have signed a football and that he wanted to play (Marek) Hamsik deeper.” handle this pressure and I know one doing the fouling,” he in- the ground. was widely mocked. legend (Italian goalkeeper Gian- Sarri will lead FA Cup holders Chelsea in his first competitive that when the results are not sisted. “I went to the World Cup “One, two, three, go!” shouts In Mexico, a football club luigi Buff on) who will bring with match in charge against league champions Manchester City in what they should be then that to play, to beat the opposition, Neymar on the Instagram video even organised a competition in him all his experience and that the Community Shield on August 5. The London club open their pressure increases.” not to get kicked. The criticism as around a dozen youngsters fall which contestants attempted to will be a great help for this com- league campaign against Huddersfield Town on August11. Neymar has been hit by a bar- of me was exaggerated, but I’m a to the ground of a parking lot. roll the entire length of the pitch. ing season.”

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Indonesia football Qatar Airways, Boca Juniors reveal fans damage Asian Games stadium new jersey featuring airline’s logo “I’ve been here for nearly 10 AFP atar Airways and Boca ments our commitment to the gentina, Buenos Aires, as well as Palembang, Indonesia years... there has never been Juniors are pleased to continent. Boca Juniors is one the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo damage to the seats like yes- reveal the top Argen- of South America’s top football since 2010. terday.” tinian football club’s teams, and we are tremendously In December 2016, Qatar Air- rate Indonesian foot- The stadium had been reno- newQ jersey, featuring the airline’s excited to watch Boca Juniors ways Group further strength- ball fans ripped plastic vated for the Games, which are logo. compete, with our brand repre- ened these ties through a stra- seats from the stands being held in Palembang and The award-winning airline sented on the team jersey.” tegic investment, acquiring a 10 and hurled them onto the the capital Jakarta from August signed an agreement in May to Boca Juniors president Daniel per cent stake in South Ameri- Ipitch at a stadium schedul 18-September 2. become the offi cial Jersey Spon- Angelici said: “We are delighted can LATAM Airlines Group. ed to host the Asian Games Indonesia has been scram- sor of Boca Juniors through the to present the new jersey with Qatar Airways is well-known next month, an offi cial said bling to prepare venues, fi nish 2021/22 season. our new main sponsor, Qatar for championing sport as a yesterday. building work, widen roads The Boca Juniors jersey Airways. means of connecting communi- A league match between Sri- and ease traffi c congestion. proudly features Qatar Airways’ ties around the world. wijaya FC and Arema FC ended Some 335 seats were dam- logo prominently on the front, The award-winning airline The agreement with Boca in chaos Saturday afternoon aged, about half of which will enabling it to be seen by millions signed an agreement in May Juniors is just one of many ex- when the fans tore up seats at have to be replaced with seats of the team’s fans around the to become the offi cial jersey citing sporting sponsorships the the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium ordered from outside Indone- world. This sponsorship agree- sponsor of Boca Juniors airline has recently added to its in Palembang on the island of sia, Nawi said. ment also strengthens the air- through the 2021/22 season extensive sponsorship portfolio. Sumatra. Police have arrested four line’s extensive global sporting In addition to its existing Pictures showed multi- people over the rampage, which partnership portfolio. “This strategic partnership partnership with the German coloured chairs strewn across was started by Sriwijaya fans Qatar Airways Group Chief is extremely important for both football club giants FC Bayern the outer edges of the ground, upset at their team’s 3-0 home Executive Akbar al-Baker said: Boca Juniors and Qatar Airways Munchen AG, for which it is a which is bordered by an ath- loss, Nawi said. No one was in- “We are delighted to reveal the and will allow us to amplify our Platinum Partner, Qatar Air- letics track. jured. new Boca Juniors jersey featur- frontiers. We look forward to ways also recently revealed a “We are very upset with the About 11,000 athletes and ing the Qatar Airways logo. As succeeding together and to cel- multi-year sponsorship agree- supporters who ruined the 5,000 offi cials from 45 Asian an airline, we are proud to cel- ebrating the many exciting mo- ment with Italian football club seats in Gelora Sriwijaya dur- countries will compete in the ebrate our strong ties with South ments to come.” AS Roma, for which it will be- ing the game,” Rusli Nawi, the Games, the world’s biggest America, and our partnership Qatar Airways has operated come the Offi cial Jersey Sponsor stadium’s security supervisor, multi-sports event after the with Boca Juniors further ce- daily fl ights to the capital of Ar- through the 2020-21 season. told AFP. Olympics. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 23, 2018 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT MLS Martinez hat-trick lift s Atlanta over I no longer want to Rooney’s DC United

AFP home a defl ected cross at the Los Angeles far post. He completed his hat trick on a counter attack after a osef Martinez produced Miguel Almiron through ball play for Germany, his Major League Soc- was blocked but fell favour- cer-record sixth career ably to Martinez who easily hat-trick on Saturday rounded DC goalkeeper David ‘I think what I have achieved since my debut has toJ lead Atlanta United to a 3-1 Ousted to score in the 73rd. victory over Wayne Rooney Martinez broke the MLS been forgotten. I used to wear the German shirt and DC United. record for career hat tricks he With a league-leading 22 had shared with Stern John with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t’ goals in 22 appearances this and Diego Serna. John played says Ozil season, Venezuelan-born for Columbus in the late 1990s Martinez is on pace to break and Serna played for the now the MLS season scoring record defunct Miami Fusion. of 27 goals held by Roy Las- Martinez’s exploit meant siter, Chris Wondolowski and Atlanta spoiled former Eng- Bradley Wright-Phillips. land star Wayne Rooney’s “I think that when one has fi rst start for his new club DC the possibility to have some- United. one in the kind of form that The 32-year-old Rooney, Josef is in right now all you can England’s all-time leading really do is sit back and watch goal scorer, was the centre of and try to enjoy it,” said Atlan- attention when he came on as ta manager “Tata” Martino. a substitute in his DC United “I’m pleased with the way debut July 14, playing a role in he’s scoring the goals, that it’s two goals from Arriola as DC coming as a function of the beat Vancouver 3-1. team and that leaves me calm.” After gaining the starting In a clash between league- nod from manager Ben Olsen, leaders Atlanta and a DC Rooney was replaced by Dar- United team languishing in ren Mattocks after a relatively last place in the Eastern Con- quiet 66 minutes. ference, it was visiting DC that Elsewhere, Zlatan Ibrahi- struck fi rst. movic delivered a goal and an A one-touch pass from assist as the Los Angeles Gal- Rooney found Paul Arriola in axy stretched their unbeaten fl ight. Arriola’s pass freed Zol- run to seven games with a 3-1 tan Stieber and the Hungarian win over the Philadelphia Un- fi red past Atlanta keeper Brad ion. Guzan for a 1-0 lead in the Ibrahimovic’s game-winner eighth minute. came in the 63rd minute off a Martinez knotted the score crisp pass from substitute Ro- at 1-1 in the 30th, heading main Alessandrini. The Swed- home Hector Villalba’s cross ish star set up the equalizer from close range. earlier in the half with a well- Martinez put Atlanta ahead placed through ball to Ola in the 54th minute, heading Kamara.

This handout picture taken and released on May 13, 2018 and released on May 14, 2018 by the Turkish Presidential Press off ice shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) posing with German footballer of Turkish origin Mesut Ozil in London. (AFP)

Agencies licly addressed the matter. do not refl ect the players they Cup. Team boss Oliver Bierhoff and a simple picture for a bad Berlin “For me, having a picture with supposedly represent. suggested after the debacle that World Cup on behalf of an en- President Erdogan wasn’t about “It is with a heavy heart and Germany should have consid- tire squad,” he added, calling it politics or elections, it was about after much consideration that ered dropping Ozil after his fail- “right-wing propaganda”. ermany midfi elder me respecting the highest offi ce because of recent events, I will ure to explain himself over the “This crosses a personal line Mesut Ozil announced of my family’s country,” Ozil said no longer be playing for Germa- Erdogan picture. that should never be crossed, as his retirement from in a statement on Twitter. ny at international level whilst I Bierhoff later backtracked, newspapers try to turn the na- international football “My job is a football player and have this feeling of racism and saying that he “was wrong” to tion of Germany against me.” Gwith immediate eff ect yesterday, not a politician, and our meeting disrespect,” he added. put Ozil under undue pressure, He angrily denounced the hitting out at what he perceived was not an endorsement of any “I used to wear the German but the picture continued to broadside by Matthaeus, who he to be unfair discrimination sur- policies. The treatment I have shirt with such pride and excite- draw scorn from fans on social noted “met with another world rounding his meeting with received from the DFB (German ment, but now I don’t.” media. leader a few days back and re- Turkish president Recep Tayyip Football Association) and many Ozil and his teammate Ilkay Earlier former captain Lothar ceived almost no media criti- Erdogan in May. others makes me no longer want Gundogan Gundogan, who both Matthaeus accused Ozil of no cism” in an apparent reference Ozil, 29, was part of the Ger- to wear the German national have Turkish roots, were booed longer looking comfortable in to an appearance with Russian many squad that exited the team shirt,” Ozil added. by German fans in pre-World the Germany shirt. President Vladimir Putin. World Cup in Russia at the group “I feel unwanted and think Cup friendlies after posing with Ozil said he could abide criti- Ozil also railed against an un- stage and was the target of criti- what I have achieved since my Erdogan in May in London. cism of his performance on the named sponsor which he said cism for his performances as international debut in 2009 Manchester City midfi elder pitch but not when it was linked removed him from promotional well as his meeting with Erdogan has been forgotten. People with Gundogan presented him with to his ethnic background. videos for the World Cup af- who has been accused of human racially discriminative back- a signed club shirt on which “If a newspaper or pundit ter the pictures with Erdogan rights abuses. grounds should not be allowed he had written “to my president”. fi nds fault in a game I play in, emerged. The Arsenal playmaker has to work in the largest football After the tournament, Ozil then I can accept this,” he said. “For them, it was no longer Turkish ancestry and defended federation in the world that has came in for stinging criticism “But what I can’t accept are good to be seen with me and Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (No 7) celebrates with his actions in a lengthy state- players from dual-heritage fam- in Germany for the side’s shock German media outlets repeat- (they) called the situation ‘crisis teammates after scoring his second goal against DC United in at ment, the fi rst time he has pub- ilies. Attitudes like theirs simply fi rst-round defeat at the World edly blaming my dual-heritage management’,” he said. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

FOCUS Iniesta and Torres make J-League debuts AFP Visiting Bellmare, who be- and merchandising revenue. Kobe, Japan gan the day two spots above the Iniesta, who lifted 32 major relegation zone, had clearly not trophies and made 674 appear- read the script as goals from Kei- ances for Barcelona, joined Vis- panish legend Andres suke Saka and Mitsuki Saito gave sel after turning down an off er to Iniesta’s Japanese de- them a two-goal lead. move to China. but ended on a fl at note Iniesta, who has reportedly He produced several cute yesterday as Vissel Kobe signed a three-year deal on a J- touches after fi nally making his crashedS to an embarrassing 3-0 League record annual salary of debut but cut a forlorn fi gure as home defeat by J-League strug- $30 million, watched helplessly he trudged off the pitch after the glers Shonan Bellmare. as Bellmare went 3-0 up thanks fi nal whistle. The former Barcelona play- to a Shunsuke Kikuchi tap-in Iniesta’s decision to choose maker came off the bench after 10 minutes after the Spaniard Kobe arguably represents Japa- 58 minutes with Kobe already joined the fray. nese football’s biggest transfer trailing by two goals and, despite The 2010 World Cup winner coup, with many top players one or two trademark fl icks, had fans off their seats late on now moving to cash-rich Chi- failed to inspire a comeback in when he blazed a left-foot volley nese clubs in the twilight of their front of a crowd of 26,000. wide, but ultimately there was careers. Meanwhile, Iniesta’s one- little he could do to prevent Kobe It also comes as a timely boost time Spain teammate Fernando slipping to their sixth J-League to the J-League, which used to Torres also tasted defeat in his defeat of the season. attract luminaries such as Bra- J-League debut for Sagan Tosu, “It’s a shame we lost because zilian great Zico and former who fl opped 1-0 at home to I don’t like losing,” Iniesta told England striker Gary Lineker Vegalta Sendai. reporters. when it began in 1993 but has Expectant fans, many of them “But this is just the fi rst step struggled to attract big-name clutching Spain fl ags, were of an amazing new adventure. players in recent years. disappointed to learn that Ini- It was a physical game that Torres arrived in Japan over esta had been named among showed the quality of the the summer to comparatively the substitutes for his fi rst J-League.” less fanfare than Iniesta to join game since joining Kobe in the Sagan, who remain marooned summer. Commercial success in the J-League drop zone after The 34-year-old’s fi rst touch Kobe could at least point to their ninth defeat of the cam- was a silky turn on the halfway the silver lining that Iniesta’s ar- paign. line, releasing teammate Takuya rival has already proven a com- The former Atletico Ma- Yasui, who promptly gave the mercial success after slipping to drid and Liverpool striker had a ball straight to an opponent, sixth in the table. header saved but had few other underlining the gulf in class Analysts have predicted the clear-cut opportunities after Vissel Kobe’s new signing Spanish player Andres Iniesta kicks the ball Sagan Tosu’s new signing Spanish player Fernando Torres (No 9) vy- between the J-League and La Spanish maestro has generated coming on as a substitute early during J-League match against Shonan Bellmare at Noevir Stadium in ing for the ball with Vegalta Sendai’s defender Ko Itakura during their Liga. over $100 million in tickets sales in the second half. Kob. (AFP) J-League match at Best Amenity Stadium yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, July 23, 2018 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT More records for Zaman as Pakistan win 5-0

AFP Bulawayo FASTEST TO 1,000 ODI RUNS: aptain Sarfraz Ahmed hailed “a great team eff ort” as Paki- 18 innings: Fakhar stan completed a series white- Zaman Cwash over Zimbabwe with a 131-run win in the fi fth and fi nal match 21 innings: Viv Richards, yesterday. Jonathon Trott, Kevin On another record setting day in Bu- Pietersen, Quinton de lawayo for the visitors, Fakhar Zaman Cock, Babar Azam became the fastest player in history to reach 1,000 career runs in one-day in- 23 innings: Gordon ternational cricket as Pakistan amassed Greenidge, Azhar Ali, 364 for 4. Ryan ten Doeschate “It was a great team eff ort to win 5-0 against Zimbabwe,” said Ahmed. “Eve- ryone wanted to bat...but at the same time it’s really good to see young play- ers performing like this, like Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq have been doing, which is good for the team.” Ahmed looked ahead to the six-team Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in September. “We learned lots of things here, and hopefully we’ll take that to the Asia Cup,” he said. “We defi nitely need some rest now, so we’ll go home for a bit before returning to training to prepare for the Pakistani players pose with their trophy after completing a 5-0 series sweep of Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club Asia Cup.” Zaman and opening partner in Bulawayo yesterday. ul-Haq were in the runs once again, the pair adding their fourth century stand of Butt’s total against Bangladesh in 2008. team and really enjoying my time here. In response, Zimbabwe showed much the series. They had reached 168 in the Only Virat Kohli, who hit 558 for India I’m taking my time at the start and just more stickability with the bat than in the 25th over when Zaman was caught be- in South Africa last winter, has scored punishing the bad deliveries. That was fi rst four games of the series. Hamilton hind for 85. While he missed out on what more. Zaman also broke the record for the main thing for me. I’ll work hard and Masakadza and Tinashe Kamunhu- would have been his third hundred of the most runs between dismissals in ODIs, hopefully you’ll see me scoring more kamwe shared a 66-run opening stand, series, he set a string of records. with 455, passing the 405 set by an- runs for my country.” Zimbabwe’s best of the series. Zaman passed 1,000 ODI runs in just other Pakistani, Mohamed Yousuf, also On a morning for batsmen, ul-Haq his 18th innings, breaking the record of against Zimbabwe, in 2002-3. went on to reach his third century of the BRIEF SCORES 21 innings held by fi ve players, including “I really enjoyed my time in Zimba- series, and though Shoaib Malik and Asif Pakistan 364 for 4 in 50 overs: Imam Viv Richards and teammate Babar Azam. bwe,” said Zaman, who was named Play- Ali fell cheaply, the carnage continued ul-Haq 110, Babar Azam 106 not out. He claimed the record for most runs by er of the Series. with Azam then racing to a century from Zimbabwe: 233 for 4 in 50 overs: R. a Pakistan batsman in a fi ve-match bi- “In 2016 I was here with Pakistan A, 72 deliveries, his second fi fty having tak- Murray 47, P. Moor 44 not out. Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the final ODI against lateral series with 515, passing Salman and now I’m back with the full Pakistan en just 17 balls. Result: Pakistan won by 131 runs. Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

COLOMBO TEST CLOSE SHAVE Bancroft cleared of serious injury aft er Lanka close in on being hit in throat

Reuters Sydney of S. Africa sweep ormer Australia opener Cameron Bancroft The world’s number-two-ranked Test side have only three recognised has been cleared of seri- Fous injury and released batsmen remaining and two full days left to survive against the hosts from hospital in Darwin after he nicked a delivery into his throat AFP on Saturday. Colombo Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya (L) Bancroft, who was banned celebrates after he dismissed for nine months for his role in a South African Keshav Maharaj ball-tampering scandal in the ri Lanka closed in on a series yesterday. Test series against South Africa whitewash against South Africa in March, has been playing in yesterday, with the visitors fi ve Darwin’s Strike League. His ban Sdown and with a mountain to did not cover lower level cricket climb after the third day of the second in Australia. ter scans cleared him of any seri- Test. Cricket Australia’s web- ous injury. By stumps, spinners had ripped their site said yesterday that the ball Bancroft’s former opening way through the Proteas batsmen yet struck Bancroft in the throat partner David Warner is also again to leave them reeling on 139 for 5 after he miscued a lap sweep playing in the competition in in pursuit of an impossible-looking 490 while batting for his Desert Blaze Australia’s Northern Territory. victory target in Colombo. team. The 31-year-old, who was Against batsmen who clearly decided He sunk to his knees and took Australia’s vice-captain at the that attack was the best form of defence, several minutes to compose time of the incident in March, off -spinner Akila Dananjaya and left- himself before continuing to bat was banned for 12 months for his arm spinner Rangana Herath took two but was dismissed shortly after- role in the scandal that rocked wickets apiece, and off -spinner Dilruwan wards for 62 and then taken to world cricket. Perera dismissed Dean Elgar. hospital. Warner, whose ban also did The wickets fell despite a comedy of The 25-year-old suff ered a not preclude him from playing repeated errors from Sri Lanka, who cartilage tear in his trachea, but overseas, returned to the fi eld dropped two catches, wasted both their the injury would heal naturally, in a Twenty20 league in Canada reviews — on successive balls — and could the website said. and the Darwin competition was have had Elgar out twice beforehand had He was released yesterday af- his fi rst on home soil. Perera not overstepped. He was reprieved on six when Perera bowled him, and later on 23 when caught Clark removes Root, Williamson and behind. On the second occasion, he had even gone right back into the dressing Bairstow in Roses hat-trick room before being recalled to the middle. “I was quite happy with that. That’s London: Lancashire paceman never happened in my career,” Elgar said Jordan Clark took one of the afterwards. run lead, as acting captain Suranga Lak- highest quality hat-tricks in But Perera fi nally got his man for 37, SCORECARD mal delayed the declaration until after modern cricket as he removed leaving South Africa 80 for two, from halfway through the second session. Joe Root, Kane Williamson and which they quickly slipped to 113 for fi ve Dimuth Karunaratne made 85 — the Jonny Bairstow — three of the as Hashim Amla went for six, Faf du Ples- Sri Lanka first innings 338 (de Silva 60, Gu- Bowling: Maharaj 40-4-154-3, Rabada 8-0-42- third time in four innings he has top- world’s leading batsmen — while sis for seven and Keshav Maharaj fi rst nathilaka 57, Karunaratne 53, Maharaj 9-129) 0, Markram 7-1-18-0, de Bruyn 5-0-20-0, Steyn scored for Sri Lanka — while Angelo playing against arch-rivals York- ball. South Africa first innings 124 (Dananjaya 11-2-30-0, Ngidi 9-5-9-1, Elgar 1-0-2-0 Mathews completed a 29th career half- shire yesterday. Amla had his off stump levelled by a 5-52) South Africa 2nd innings century before eventually being dis- England captain Root and New straightening Herath delivery. Du Ples- Sri Lanka second innings (overnight 151-3) D. Elgar lbw Perera ...... 37 missed for 71. Zealand skipper Williamson are sis was the fi rst victim in Dananjaya’s late D. Gunathilaka c Elgar b Maharaj ...... 61 A. Markram lbw Herath ...... 14 Those were the only two breakthroughs third and fourth in the Inter- double strike, when a ball he had inside- D. Karunaratne c de Kock b Ngidi ...... 85 T. de Bruyn not out ...... 35 South Africa could manage, as Sri Lanka’s national Cricket Council’s Test edged on to his pad popped up for a catch D. De Silva lbw Maharaj ...... 0 H. Amla b Herath ...... 6 batsmen negotiated testing spells from batting rankings, with Bairstow to slip. K. Mendis run out (Markram) ...... 18 F. du Plessis c Mathews b Dananjaya ...... 7 the opposition quicks and their lone a far from lowly 16th. By stumps, number-three batsman A. Mathews c du Plessis b Maharaj ...... 71 K. Maharaj lbw Dananjaya ...... 0 frontline spinner. Between them the Yorkshire Theunis de Bruyn, who survived two very R. Silva not out ...... 32 T. Bavuma not out ...... 14 Left-arm spinner Maharaj took his trio have scored more than close lbw shouts early in his innings, was N. Dickwella not out ...... 7 Extras (8b, 4lb, 4nb) ...... 16 match tally of wickets to 12 when he had 14,000 Test runs yet they all 45 not out, with a chance of recording his Extras (1 nb) ...... 1 Total (5 wickets, 41 overs) ...... 139 Mathews caught at slip, and fast bowler succumbed off successive balls But he was then lbw to the team’s fi rst half-century of the series. Total (5 wickets declared, 81 overs) ...... 275 To bat: Q. de Kock, K. Rabada, D. Steyn, L. Lungi Ngidi was the man to remove Karu- to the 27-year-old Clark on the Lancashire all-rounder, with Wil- Temba Bavuma, who came to the crease Did not bat: D. Perera, A. Dananjaya, S. Lak- Ngidi naratne, having him caught behind for 85. first day of the ‘Roses’ County liamson falling in similar fashion with Dananjaya on a hat-trick, remained mal, R. Herath Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Markram), 2-80 (Elgar), Dale Steyn went wicketless in this Championship match, with Root next ball. 14 not out. Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Gunathilaka), 2-102 (de 3-100 (Amla), 4-113 (du Plessis), 5-113 (Maharaj) match, which means he has not yet bro- and Bairstow’s hopes of spend- Bairstow, who has been in But the South Africans are still staring Silva), 3-136 (Mendis), 4-199 (Karunaratne), Bowlers: Herath 15-1-54-2, Perera 16-4-38-1 ken the South Africa record for most ing time in the middle batting brilliant white-ball form for down the barrel of their fi rst series defeat 5-263 (Mathews) (3nb), Dananjaya 10-2-35-2 (1nb) wickets. in red-ball cricket ahead of England recently, came in for by Sri Lanka since 2006, when they also Steyn has been tied with Shaun Pollock England’s first Test against India the hat-trick delivery and edged suff ered a whitewash — the last time the at the top of his country’s wicket-takers’ next month now resting on the an intended drive, with the Proteas faced such a humiliation any- list since the fi rst Test in Galle, with 421 second innings. Test wicket-keeper caught by where. after a string of defeats in recent times. classed in this series, and I’ll be man dismissals. Root, who made 22 off just England colleague Jos Buttler in The world’s number-two-ranked Test “It’s been a totally diff erent kind of enough to say that Sri Lanka have been South African bowlers toiled for 47 19 balls yesterday, looked in the slips. side have only three recognised batsmen tour for myself personally and the team as better than us in this particular series.” overs yesterday but managed to dismiss good touch as he hit consecu- Clark’s treble strike left York- remaining and two full days left to survive well,” Elgar said. Earlier, Sri Lanka added a further 125 just the overnight pair of Karunaratne tive fours at the start of Clark’s shire struggling at 61 for four at against Sri Lanka, currently ranked sixth “We have been outplayed and out- runs to their already-mammoth 364- and Mathews. second over. lunch. Monday, July 23, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

RALLYING / SILK WAY RALLY SPOTLIGHT Qatar’s Adel Abdulla Al-Attiyah maintains fi ghts back to fi nish second in T2

By Our Correspondent lead aft er fi rst part of Teruel, Spain atar’s Adel Abdulla ceded his T2 category advantage in Spain’s Baja Aragón Teruel late onQ Saturday afternoon and could not regain the time over yes- terday’s fi nal stage. The Doha- marathon stage based driver eventually reached the fi nish in second position in his Nissan Patrol Y62. Qatari driver faces prospect of tackling second part with two-wheel drive today The Qatari and his French co- driver Jean-Michel Polato had a comfortable lead of 25min 45sec after stage three, but they lost a wheel on two occasions on the fourth stage and, despite setting the quickest time of 2hrs 02min 15sec and beating Saudi Arabian rival Ahmed al-Shegawi by over 12 minutes on the last stage yes- terday, the QX Rally Team driver could not regain the lost time. Victory in the T2 category fell to al-Shegawi with Swedish driver Anders Svensson losing Ooredoo Qatar and Nissan Qatar. his chance of fi nishing second Adel Abdulla had begun the after technical issues on the fi nal second of the selective sections stage. on Saturday afternoon with a Adel said: “Yesterday we comfortable lead of 25min 45sec started well and we took it easier over Sweden’s Anders Svensson, in the rough places. But, at km but lost over one and a half hours 85, I felt something wrong with on the special with the wheel is- the rear wheel. I thought it was sues and completed the timed a fl at tyre. We stopped where it test in 3hrs 55min 39sec. was easier to change it and then, Al-Shegawi won the special suddenly, the wheel came off . We in the T2 category with a time of found that all the six bolts had 2hrs 23min 25sec and snatched been cut completely. It was re- the overnight lead from Sven- ally strange. We don’t know what sson, with Adel Abdulla down the problem was. Maybe the nuts to third place and Tomasz Bar- were not the right size for the onowski a distant fourth, al- bolts. though the Pole later retired “Jean-Michel fi xed it and we from the event. took some bolts from the other The Qatari had it all to do wheel. But we lost a lot of time. on the last selective section of The ground was not fi rm and it 127.45km between Barrachina was diffi cult to lift the car. We and Alfambra yesterday morning had the same problem 30km and a positive approach netted from the fi nish with the right him the fastest time and a useful wheel and we stopped before points-scoring fi nish. that wheel came off . We took three nuts from the front right OVERALL STANDINGS (T2) wheel and we continued to the 1. Ahmed al-Shegawi (SAU)/Lau- fi nish. rent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota “Today we decided to push to Land Cruiser 9hrs 00min 37sec the maximum to try and gain at 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Jean- least one place back. We caught Michel Polato (FRA) Nissan Patrol al-Shegawi in the fi rst 30km and Y62 9hrs 44min 33sec we drove very fast. My co-driver Anders Svensson (SWE)/João Jean-Michel did a great job.” Carvalho (PRT) Isuzu D-Max Adel’s challenge for T2 hon- Retired ours this season is being sup- Tomasz Baronowski (POL)/Greze- ported by the Qatar Motor and gorz Konczak (POL) Toyota Land Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Cruiser Retired Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (also below, centre) and co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France (also below, left) in action during the Silk Way Rally in Russia.

By Our Correspondent Elista, Russia SS2 RESULTS (TOP FIVE) 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs verdrive Racing’s Nasser Saleh 12min 11sec al-Attiyah extended his advan- 2. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk tage to an unoffi cial 4min 34sec (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 3hrs after the fi rst half of a Marathon 13min 45sec stageO between Astrakhan and Elista in 3. Harry Hunt (GBR)/Sebastien Delaunay southern Russia yesterday. (FRA) Peugeot 3008 DKR 3hrs 14min But the stage win came at a cost and the 15sec Toyota Hilux driver and French co-driv- 4. Joan Roma (ESP)/Alex Haro (ESP) MINI er Matthieu Baumel completed around John Cooper Works Rally 3hrs 18min 240km of the 365km timed section in 23sec two-wheel drive. With no service assist- 5. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fabian ance permitted on a Marathon stage, the Lurquin (BEL) MCM Original 3hrs 20min team that is running with the support of 28sec Red Bull, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and OVERALL STANDINGS (TOP FIVE) Toyota Gazoo Racing faces the prospect 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu of tackling the second half of the stage Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive with two-wheel drive today. 6hrs 48min 34sec England’s Harry Hunt and Saudi Ara- 2. Harry Hunt (GBR)/Sebastien Delaunay bia’s Yazeed al-Rajhi remain in close (FRA) Peugeot 3008 DKR 6hrs 53min contention for the lead and the Saudi was 08sec second fastest on the day’s stage to close pain, but the Spaniard was back in har- tained transmission issues on the track 3. Yazeed al-Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk the gap on Hunt. ness for the second special and started and completed the day in two-wheel (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 7hrs Al-Attiyah was fi rst on the road for out from 11th on the road. He fi nished the drive. 10min 35sec the second successive day and the Qa- stage in fourth place. With no service assistance permitted 4. Dennis Krotov (RUS)/Dmyrro Tsyro tari maintained his advantage at PC1, af- Al-Attiyah kept his lead through PC2 at the overnight bivouac in Elista on the (UKR) BMW X5 7hrs 52min 03sec ter 148km, from al-Rajhi and Hunt. Joan (328km) and survived the muddy con- fi rst half of the Marathon stage, the crew 5. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fabian Roma had failed to fi nish the stage on ditions to take the stage win in a time of faced the prospect of the return to Astra- Lurquin (BEL) MCM Original 7hrs 53min Saturday after complaining about neck 3hrs 12min 11sec. But the Qatari had sus- khan today in two-wheel drive. 43sec Adel Abdulla in action during Baja Aragón Teruel yesterday.

BOTTOMLINE Qatar’s time in global sports has come, says adviser to ITTF president

By Sports Reporter porter of the ITTF, said, “This is great event in Qatar and I see the has been consistently held in before venturing into the World Doha Qatar’s time. Luck and favour are country raising the bar so high the country since 1994, which Tour. We are the titled sponsor on the country’s side in sports that other future hosts may fi nd I believe is one of the oldest an- for the World Tour and the Wom- and the whole world is going to it hard to meet up,” the Chinese nual sports events in the country. en’s World Cup in Philadelphia in his is Qatar’s time in glo- know the good quality that Qatar businessman and sportsman Aside from this, Qatar was the the USA and we also invented the bal sports and the coun- have, especially in the build up to added. only qualifi er from the region at private tournament T2.” try’s commitments and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The Speaking about table tennis in the 2016 Rio Olympics, which The T2APAC (Asia – Pacifi c) investments over the fl ag of the country is fl ying high Qatar, Ji, who is the brain behind was not a small feat. Qatar is do- League is a new type of table ten- Tyears in developing sports have in global sports and the world the T2 APAC table tennis league ing tremendously well for our nis competition that off ers an as- started yielding desirable results, is about to witness great things launched in 2016, said, “The ef- sport and I must commend the tonishing prize pool of $1.75mn. Frank Ji, the Special Adviser from the country.” forts of the Qatar Table Tennis QTTA and the QOC for what they It features a unique set of rules to the International Table Ten- He added that Qatar, under Association (QTTA) under the are doing.” that promises to make the sport nis Federation (ITTF) President the wise leadership of His High- leadership of its president Khalil Ji said that his involvement more exciting and bring in a new for commerce and business, has ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi in pro- with the sponsorship of table wave of fans. said. Hamad al-Thani, have placed a moting the sport throughout the tennis was borne out of his love Each team is named after their Speaking on the sidelines of commendable priority on sports Arab region is highly commend- and passion for the game. coach. There are four teams, with an ITTF event in Doha recently, development which has over the able. “Table tennis is my hobby and each team comprising three male Ji, who is also the chairman of years put the country in a prime “Qatar Open is one of the only my passion. I’ve been involved in players and three female play- the Seamaster Group, the title position among the comity of na- development especially in the great organisers of top-notch six top-tier Platinum events table tennis for many years now. ers, and competition held across sponsor of the ITTF World Tour tions. Middle East is unrivalled and sporting events cannot be over on the ITTF World Tour calen- We started our sponsorship with three categories — men’s singles, and a major commercial sup- “Qatar’s commitment to sport the country’s famed acclaim as stated. 2022 will no doubt be a dar and the tournament itself the ITTF Star Awards on 2015 women’s singles and mixed team.