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Friday, June 3, 2016 TENNIS Sha'baan 27, 1437 AH Murray GULF TIMES hopes to end 79-year British pain SPORT Page 11

FOCUS Vice-President of Nepal to open SC football Noted security expert pitch tomorrow By Sports Reporter Doha

he Honourable Vice-Presi- dent of Nepal, Nanda Kishor Hershman appointed TPun, will open the Supreme Committee for & Legacy (SC) football pitch in the Kaski district of Nepal tomorrow. Located in Bhandardhik village of Lekhnath Muncipality, the pitch is the third in the series of four pitches in Nepal funded by the SC’s Genera- as Group CEO of ICSS tion Amazing programme. Also in attendance at the pitch opening event will be SC Assistant Secretary ‘This is a significant day for me and ICSS. Michael is a highly respected figure who has operated General Nasser al-Khater. Generation Amazing is the SC’s at the very highest levels in both the security and integrity fields and I am honoured and flagship programme that uses the opportunity of Qatar hosting delighted to have him join as Group CEO at an important period of growth for our organisation’ the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the power of football as a catalyst By Sports Reporter for social change to educate and Doha empower the next generation in Qatar and across the world. The programme has been operational he Doha-based International in Nepal, Pakistan and Jordan in Centre for Sport Security addition to Qatar. (ICSS) yesterday announced Representatives from strategic the appointment of Michael and delivery partners Right to Play Hershman,T co-founder of Transpar- ency International, as its Group CEO. and Mercy Corps, the former nation- A globally respected and highly al team of Nepal, govern- decorated leader in the fi elds of trans- ment off icials, local civil society and parency, governance, litigation and more than 300 youth are expected security, Hershman joins the ICSS, as to participate in the function. it marks its fi fth year, to lead, develop “We are delighted to be continu- and strengthen the organisation to ing our sustained work in Nepal best serve sport in the fi elds of safety, with this pitch opening in an area of security and integrity. great importance to our Generation In a distinguished international Amazing programme,” said Isabel career, Hershman has been honoured Gultresa, CSR Senior Manager at the every year since 2008 in the Ethi- sphere Institute’s list of the ‘Top 100 SC. “The community in Lekhnath Most Infl uential People in Business has come together to help mark the Ethics Worldwide’. opening of the pitch and we look He has also received the Columbia forward to the opening of the pitch Business School’s 2013 ‘Botwinick in order to see the full benefits of Prize in Business Ethics’. our programme being transferred In 2015, the American was awarded to the local community.” the ‘Most Infl uential Person in Secu- Managed by Right to Play and rity’ award by the Security Manage- delivered by Mercy Corps in Nepal, ment Magazine. He is also a recipient Generation Amazing has three of the ‘Superior Honor Medal’ for his components—pitch, people and services to the US Agency for Inter- programmes—and is targeted at national Development. Hershman steps down from his role migrant workers, schoolchildren as President and CEO of the Fairfax and vulnerable youth from diff er- Group, where he advised govern- ent local communities. ments, fi nancial institutions, multi- Generation Amazing started national corporations and sports Football for Development initiatives, governing bodies on transparency, which consist of the use of drills and governance and security matters. games through football as a tool He has held a variety of other to promote positive behavioural high-profi le positions in both the change, in Lekhnath in January 2015 public and private sector and served with Adarsha Youth Club as the local as a member of the FIFA Independ- stakeholder. It has transformed the ent Governance Committee and a number of committees within the lives of over 1,000 local youth, 50 United States’ Senate and House of percent of whom are women. Representatives. Two youngsters from Bhandar- Hershman has extensive inter- dhik were selected as Generation national experience in the security Amazing Youth Ambassadors in sector working on several high-pro- the initial phase and they received fi le events—including the Olympic Football for Development training Games and Super Bowls—and was aimed at enhancing their leadership recently Chairman of the Ad Hoc potential in their local community. Police Practices Review Commission Generation Amazing has posi- that delivered 142 policy recommen- tively impacted the lives of more dations to the Fairfax County Police than 3,000 youth and children Department. International Centre for Sport Security founder and president Mohamed Hanzab (left) welcomes Michael Hershman into ICSS fold. (PICTURE: Thajudheen) The appointment of Hershman is in Makwanpur, Kaski and Kailali a signifi cant milestone for the ICSS. ICSS and is a highly-respected ex- Group CEO to lead the implementation question marks and concerns around organisations around the world to districts through trained coaches Under his leadership, he will review pert. The ICSS is delighted that he of the ICSS’s new overall structure.” the safety, security and integrity of restore trust and confi dence back to and a total of six Ambassadors the structure of the ICSS to best will continue to provide his invalu- “Having established the ICSS over sport, it is vital that sport is united in sport. We need to bring the values of across Nepal. maximise the portfolio of services able knowledge and expertise. fi ve years ago and with the many new confronting the many challenges it sport back.” Two Generation Amazing pitches and products in sport safety, security Making the offi cial announcement safety, security and integrity challeng- faces and that organisations across all Founded in March 2011, ICSS is in Makwanpur district were opened and integrity and to optimise the ex- at a media conference yesterday, es facing sport, it was the right time to sectors of the sports industry combine a globally renowned and respected on April 28 and May 3 and the pertise the ICSS has within the group. ICSS President Hanzab said: “This is assess how the ICSS can maximise the their eff orts and work together to help leader in sport safety, security and in- fourth in Nepal is scheduled for As the new Group CEO, Hershman a signifi cant day for me and the ICSS. benefi ts and expertise we currently of- restore trust and confi dence in sport. tegrity. As an independent and non- launch in Kailali district on June 10. will also work closely with the ICSS’ Michael is a highly respected fi gure fer to our partners, as well as ensuring “As an organisation established to profi t organisation, the ICSS is at the Generation Amazing is delivered founder and President, Mohamed who has operated at the very highest the organisation has strong founda- benefi t and safeguard sport, the ICSS forefront of eff orts to safeguard sport through three primary initiatives Hanzab, to implement an enhanced levels in both the security and integ- tions for future work with diff erent has huge potential to further its cur- and is an integral player in addressing overall corporate structure to support rity fi elds and I am honoured and de- sectors in the industry and at the serv- rent work supporting governments, critical issues in sport such as ma- —Inclusive Generation, Healthy the further success and growth of the lighted to have him join as Group CEO ice to sport,” Hanzab added. law enforcement and other sport jor event safety and venue security, Generation and Green Genera- non-profi t body. at an important period of growth for Speaking of his appointment, Her- governing bodies and to help develop match-fi xing and betting fraud. tion—designed to address the pri- Helmut Spahn, Director General our organisation. shman said: “Sport is now a funda- a more consistent, co-ordinated and The ICSS’ team of global experts, ority issues of vulnerability, health of the ICSS, will remain very much “With a wealth of experience in mental pillar within modern soci- global approach to current eff orts to advisers and specialists has a wealth & well-being and environmental involved with the organisation as a leading international public and pri- ety. It plays a vital role in inspiring safeguard sport. of experience and knowledge gained sustainability, thus enabling a posi- trusted senior advisor on safety and vate organisations and having worked millions of people around the world “As Group CEO, I look forward to from working with leading interna- tive and sustainable generational security. Spahn has worked with extensively in both the public and pri- through its positive values. strengthening the ICSS’ existing of- tional sport and governmental change through football. Hanzab from the beginning of the vate sector, Michael is ideally placed as “Whilst there continue to be many fer and expertise, as well as helping organisations. Gulf Times 2 Friday, May 3, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT English clubs surpass £4bn mark English football’s financial might was demonstrated anew yesterday as business analysts Deloitte revealed that England’s 92 professional clubs generated record £4 Mueller’s the hero of this billion ($5.8 billion, 5.2 billion euros) revenues in 2014-15. Fired by the all-powerful , which saw revenues climb three percent to £3.3 billion, England’s professional clubs breached the £4 billion threshold for the sleepy Bavarian town first time. Premier League clubs gener- ated £1.5 billion more than ‘He’s the same person he always was, very grounded. He doesn’t act like a star at all’ their nearest rivals in Ger- many’s Bundesliga and with a new £5.14 billion television rights deal due to kick in this Germany’s midfi elder Thomas Mueller gives interviews during a press year, their dominance is set to meeting aft er a training session as part of the team’s preparation for the continue. upcoming Euro 2016 European football championships in Ascona. (AFP) “The pace of football’s finan- cial growth in two and a half decades is staggering,” said Dan Jones from Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. “By half-time of the second tel- evised Premier League game next year (season), more broadcast revenue will have been generated than during the whole of the First Division season 25 years ago. “For the first time, the Premier League leads the football world in all three key revenue categories - commercial, match-day and broadcast - and this is driving sustainable profitability. “When the enhanced new broadcast deals commence in the 2016-17 season, operating profits could rise as high as £1 billion.” Deloitte’s 25th Annual Review of Football Finance revealed that Premier League clubs recorded a second consecu- tive year of pre-tax profits in the 2014-15 financial year (£121 million), which last happened in 1999. While the revenue increase was a modest three percent, operating profitability (£546 million) was the second high- est it has ever been. Combined gross expenditure on new players reached a record high of £1.1 billion and wage costs rose seven percent to exceed £2 billion for the first time.

Losses in Italy, France Accordingly, the league’s wage/revenue ratio rose from 58 percent to 61 percent, but Jones said: “This represents the second lowest level since 2004-05 and is 10 percentage points lower than in 2012-13. “In fact, in the last two years, only 30 percent of revenue in- creases have been consumed by wage growth, whereas in the five years to 2012-13 this AFP He won the 2013 treble of Champi- “We’re all very proud of him and he frothy mugs in Paehl’s beer garden as to the international school at Starn- figure was 99 percent.” Munich, Germany ons League, German league and cup hasn’t forgotten us. Through his con- he does scoring goals for Bayern and berg (the neighbouring town). “They Reflecting the clamour to get titles with Bayern then the 2014 World nections, new balls or sets of playing Germany. were second to us in the league and the into the lucrative Premier Cup with ‘Die Mannschaft’ and has shirts often fi nd their way here.” “He’s just as polite now as he was match would decide the title. League, wage costs in the n the rolling foothills of the Bavar- made more than 70 appearances for When TSV struggled to replace as a boy, he’s always on the go with FC “We took Thomas, even though he second-tier Championship ian alps, where cows lazily chew Germany since his 2010 debut. the clubhouse roof, Mueller donated Bayern, but when he comes to visit, he was a year younger than the other boys, rose four percent to £541 grass on sun-drenched meadows, 20,000 euros ($22,500) so the work often stops for a chat,” added Greiner. and he was on the bench for the fi rst- million. Germany and Bayern Munich star Obvious talent could go ahead. “People sometimes mistake his lack half. Despite a reduction in the IThomas Mueller is the pride of his ex- He scored 20 goals in 31 league A group from TSV Paehl regularly of attention on them for arrogance, but “It was 1-0 at the break, but Tho- wages/revenue ratio from club TSV Paehl. games for Bayern last season and is the travel to Bayern’s games - home and he simply can’t talk to everyone who mas played the second half, scored four 106 percent in 2013-14 to 99 “Did you know that the nicest, most all-time leading German goal-scorer away - to watch Mueller play. wants to speak to him.” goals and set up the other one. We won percent, Deloitte said the level popular and probably Germany’s best in Europe with 36 Champions League “You could see in the fi rst few years Czerwenka was Mueller’s coach at 5-1,” added Czerwenka with a smile. of spending by Championship current footballer - Thomas Mueller goals over nine seasons. that he had talent,” Alfred Greiner, who TSV in the 1999-2000 season before Mueller was the pride of Paehl when clubs remained “unsustain- - learnt to play football in the youth Mueller’s parents and relatives still runs TSV’s football section, told AFP. he joined Bayern’s academy. he made his breakthrough at the 2010 able” without owner funding. teams of TSV Paehl until he was 10?,” live in Paehl. “He worked hard, could do things - 100 goals in a season - “Word had World Cup in , fi nishing The value of promotion to the club proudly boasts on its website Younger brother Simon is an attack- the other children couldn’t and never got around in the local clubs that we top scorer and best young player just the Premier League for next as it invites youth recruits. ing midfi elder for TSV’s fi rst team in seemed to get injured.” had an exceptional footballer,” remem- before his 21st birthday. season - secured by Burnley, Many young Bavarians would love the Bavarian regional league and has a Even today, Mueller is rarely injured. bered Czerwenka. TSV Paehl will again be following Middlesbrough and play-off to follow Mueller’s path and lift the backroom job at FC Bayern. He last missed a few games with a “He was technically very strong and their local hero at Euro 2016. winners Hull City - has been Champions League and World Cup for Thomas Mueller lives near Paehl, but torn leg muscle in the 2013/14 season incredibly fast. “When there’s a big game on in mid- estimated at £170 million per club and country. often returns home to play cards with and picked up only a couple of knocks “The team scored something like week, the fi rst team organise their club. Paehl, 50 kilometres (30 miles) south friends and watch his brother play. last season. 160 goals that season. Although he was training for another day so they can More widely, the combined of Munich, is where Mueller, 26, grew “He’s the same person he always Whether his robustness is down tightly marked, Thomas created space watch on the clubhouse’s TV,” said Cz- revenue for the five major up and played football before joining was, very grounded. He doesn’t act like to the Bavarian air is debatable. But for others to score and still ended up erwenka. “You can be sure the place European leagues - England, Bayern’s academy, just before his 11th a star at all,” his former coach at TSV Mueller would look just as comfort- scoring more than 100 goals himself. will be full for Germany’s games in Germany, Spain, Italy and birthday. Paehl Wolfgang Czerwenka told AFP. able bantering with locals and serving “One time, we were playing away France this summer.” France - reached a new record of 12 billion euros, a rise of six percent. FOCUS The Bundesliga (316 million euros) and Spain’s La Liga (264 million euros) - home of this season’s Champions League winners Real Madrid and runners-up Atletico Ma- Bundesliga, MLS to trial video assistance refs drid, as well as Europa League champions Sevilla - also generated profits. Reuters referee) to have access to video replays minute detail by television networks, But clubs in Italy’s Serie Zurich during a match. The video referee can and can sometimes be unaware of mis- A (-133 million euros) and either review an incident on request takes that have been beamed to mil- France’s Ligue 1 (-35 million from the match referee or advise the lions of viewers around the world. euros) generated combined ermany’s Bundesliga and Ma- offi cials on the fi eld on incidents they Players have also become increas- operating losses. France was jor League Soccer (MLS) in may have missed. ingly adept at drawing fouls or mak- the only nation of the so- the United States are among Initial tests would be “offl ine” and ing it the faintest of touches look like a called ‘big five’ not to record the competitions which will would have no impact on the game, heavy challenge. revenue growth. Gbe used to test video replays in soccer, IFAB said. Instead they would allow A workshop in the Netherlands for Deloitte said that the financial the sport’s rule-making body IFAB said video referees to “familiarise them- interested parties has taken place, and performances of each of the yesterday. selves with the setup, assess video re- after fi rst offl ine experiments live tests five leagues was “heavily influ- Tests with video replay technology plays and practise making calls on clear could start next year in the six coun- enced by a small collection of would also take place in several com- match-changing incidents but without tries, while they could also be conduct- globally pre-eminent clubs” petitions in Brazil and the Netherlands, communicating with the referee.” ed at this year’s Club World Cup and the Australia A-League and the Portu- Live tests are not expected to start selected friendlies. guese Cup, plus the Club World Cup in until next year when all participants A fi nal decision of the introduc- Japan in December, IFAB said. are familiar with the set up. tion of the VAR is expected in 2018 or In March, IFAB approved a two-year “IFAB believes the best way to an- 2019, making it not fully clear whether trial period allowing the technology swer the question of whether the use of the system would be inplace for the to be used in four questionable cases: VARs will improve the game is to test it 2018 World Cup in Russia.So far goal- to determine whether a goal had been in diff erent regions, so we are delighted nology, IFAB took the plunge when it Since then, there have been a grow- line technology is the only technology scored or not, sendings-off , penalties to already have competitions across approved the use of goal-line technol- ing number of calls for the use of video used in football.The VAR would be to and mistaken identity. four confederations sign up,” said IFAB ogy in 2012, used in cases where it was replays in other aspects of the game. help the referee decide on goals scored, The system will allow an additional Secretary Lukas Brud. not immediately clear whether the ball Referees have only a split second to penalty situations, red cards and mis- referee known as a VAR (video assistant Initially resistant to the use of tech- had entered the goal. make decisions which are reviewed in taken identity. Gulf Times Friday, June 3, 2016 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS German minnows make Ibrahimovic I knew nothing about cheeky off er

AFP Berlin

latan Ibrahimovic tax fraud, says Messi has been heavily linked to a high-profi le trans- fer to Manchester in the next few days,” con- ‘I trusted my father, I trusted the lawyers he had chosen to run things and I had no idea’ ZUnited, but that hasn’t stopped cluded the statement. “We German minnows Rot-Weiss are cautiously optimistic that Oberhausen (RWO) trying to he will make a positive deci- Reuters sign the Swedish superstar. sion in the direction of RWO.” Barcelona Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (L) sits in The semi-pro club, which The club are now waiting to court with his father Jorge Horacio plays in Germany’s fourth di- hear from Ibrahimovic - and Messi during their trial for tax fraud vision, has off ered a contract are fully aware the call may occer’s fi ve-times World in Barcelona yesterday. (Reuters) to Ibrahimovic following his never come. Player of the Year Lionel release from Paris Saint-Ger- “Our media relations offi cer Messi said yesterday he main to play for them after apparently has nothing better knew nothing about an leading Sweden at Euro 2016. to do on a Wednesday night,” allegedS tax evasion scheme when While the German club can- RWO’s president Hajo Som- he signed contracts related to not compete with United’s mers told German broadcaster image rights. wealth, size, support and Sport1 yesterday. The Barcelona and Argentina standing in the game, they have “He thought that, given the forward appeared in court in nevertheless come up with a whole current transfer mad- Barcelona yesterday alongside creative package to off er Swe- ness, an announcement like his father Jorge Horacio to testify den’s all-time top scorer. this would go down well, so he against charges of tax evasion. The off er was posted on the knocked one out. The young Lionel and Jorge Horacio club’s website under the head- man has too much free time, Messi are accused by the Span- line “RWO and Ibrahimovic in but I think it’s great.” ish tax offi ce of defrauding the negotiations” next to a picture Sommer has off ered to pick government of 4.2 million euros of the Swedish fl ag. Ibrahimovic up from the airport ($4.7 million) between 2007 and The deal includes introduc- and take him on a sightseeing 2009. ing a monarchy to the city of tour of Oberhausen in Germa- They could face jail terms of Oberhausen and making Ibra- ny’s Ruhr Valley. up to 22 months if found guilty, himovic king, the club’s fast- “That would be a whole although it is customary in Spain food stands would replace tra- new experience for Ibrahi- that off enders of non-violent ditional German bratwurst with movic,” added Sommer. “We crimes with a sentence of un- Swedish sausages and a local could show Ibrahimovic all der two years do not serve time brewer would rename their beer there is to see in Oberhausen. in jail. The case centres on the IbrahimovicPilsnener. “In a football province, like player’s image rights and a web As if that wasn’t enough to Oberhausen, there are a few of shell companies allegedly tempt Ibrahimovic, the off er things which other places used to evade taxes on income includes building a new stand wouldn’t have. from those rights. with supplies from Swedish “Maybe we’re on his list of 50 According to the prosecutors’ furniture giants IKEA. things which a footballer hasn’t offi ce, revenue was hidden using “The player will decide done yet.” shell companies in Uruguay, Be- lize, Switzerland and the . In court Lionel Messi admitted Pearson will use Leicester to signing contracts protecting his image rights but said he had experience to develop Derby no knowledge he was partaking Nigel Pearson says he will call upon his experience in helping in any wrongdoing or defrauding stabilise English Premier League champions Leicester City in his the Spanish state. new role as manager of East Midlands neighbours Derby County. “The truth is that I knew On a busy day for second-tier clubs, with installed at nothing. As my father explained, Leeds United, Owen Coyle joining Blackburn Rovers, Alan Stubbs I was devoted to playing football, newly in place at Rotherham United and I trusted my father, I trusted the reported to be taking over at Aston Villa, Pearson gave his first lawyers he had chosen to run news conference with his new club. things and I had no idea about ing tax in Spain, he said: “No be- Pearson, who also managed Hull City and Southampton, has anything,” he told the judge. cause I didn’t know that either.” From Barcelona to Uruguay: Where Messi’s money travelled signed a three-year contract at the former Premier League club, “I signed them (contracts) Messi and his father paid fi ve who just missed out on promotion from the Championship in last because I trust my father. He is million euros to the tax authori- Argentina star Lionel Messi and his father are Messi family then set up a similar structure in month’s playoff s after finishing in fifth place. my father and it obviously never ties as a “corrective” measure accused of using a chain of seven companies in Uruguay where the revenues from the player’s The new Derby boss acknowledged at a news conference crossed my mind that he would after being formally investigated Belize, Uruguay, Switzerland and Britain to avoid image rights would not be subject to tax pay- yesterday that there would be comparisons with his experience fool me or disappoint me so I in June 2013. paying 4.16 million euros ($4.6 million) in taxes in ments, according to the mastermind of this with Leicester, whom he took from the second-tier to the Premier signed because he told me to, be- The footballer is 10th on Spain earned from the sale of the player’s image scheme, Barcelona lawyer Angel Juarez. League. “My main focus is about getting to grips with this job [at cause I trusted him, and as I said Forbes Magazine’s list of the rights from 2007-09. The new scheme started operating in March 2007 Derby] and using my experiences with previous jobs [to achieve before, the lawyers told us to do world’s highest-earning athletes The two men, who have been charged with three and it was made up of four firms. it),” he said. Under Pearson’s guidance, Leicester narrowly it that way,” he also said. over the past decade, with an es- counts of tax fraud, took the stand at a Barcelona Uruguay-based Jenbril was 100 percent owned avoided an immediate return to the English second tier in 2014-15 Asked if he had ever suspected timated income of $350 million court on Thursday at their trial. Belize, While by Messi and he poured his image rights earnings after winning seven of their last nine games. the scheme was set up to avoid during this period. Spanish authorities have focused their investiga- in there. Another firm, Frosyl based in Britain, was And last season, after replaced Pearson, who tax in Spain, Messi responded: The trial is due to end today tion of tax fraud that was allegedly carried out where his father Jorge Horacio Messi depos- was sacked following a clash with the club’s owners, Leicester No, because I know nothing but Messi and his father will not between 2007 and 2009, the case dates back to ited his commissions as the player’s agent. The shocked the football world by winning the Premier League. about that matter. I was honestly attend the fi nal day. It is not yet 2005 when the Messi family ceded the player’s system was made up of two other firms - - “It’s a fantastic story. It’s a story which gives a lot of clubs hope never interested in that.” clear when a verdict will be de- image rights to the firm Sports Consultants based based Sidefloor and Switzerland-based Tubal. for the future,” he said. “But with all due respect, I’m here to livered. in Belize. At the time the tiny English-speaking Income from the sale of Messi’s image rights speak about being the manager of Derby County.” ‘I DIDN’T KNOW’ Messi, who has scored 453 Central American country was considered to passed first through the companies in Britain and Pearson said he felt Derby were “a good fit”. “There is an empha- Jorge Horacio Messi admit- goals in 531 appearances for Bar- be a tax haven. Acting on the advice of Messi’s Switzerland before it was transferred to Uruguay. sis on developing the whole of the football club. ted to signing contracts pre- celona in all competitions, has former agent Rodolfo Schinocca, the company The income related to Messi’s image rights that “For sure, we have aspirations to return to the Premier League, sented to him by his adviser, but won eight La Liga titles, four was registered in the name of the player’s mother, was allegedly hidden from Spanish tax authorities but the foundations are very solid here on lots of diff erent levels.” said neither he nor his son knew King’s Cups and four Champi- Celia Cuccittini. It operated with two other firms in this way during this time includes endorsement , the former Derby player, who has managed Charl- they were avoiding paying tax on ons League crowns. in Britain which handled Messi’s image rights deals with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi- ton Athletic and Huddersfield Town, will be Pearson’s assistant. them. He is also captain of Argentina before they were transferred to Belize, according Cola, Procter & Gamble and the Kuwait Food Another Championship club to announce a new manager were “The only thing I told him was and was due to rejoin the team to Spanish prosecutors who consider the firms to Company. Messi and his father made a voluntary Blackburn Rovers, who have appointed former Burnley and that his image rights were pro- immediately after his court ap- be shell companies. This scheme was employed payment of 5.0 million euros ($5.6 million)- equal Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle. He succeeds Paul Lambert, tected by a company,” he said in pearance to prepare for the Copa during two years, until the Messis ended their to the amount of the alleged unpaid taxes plus who left at the end of the season, in which Blackburn finished court. America in the USA, playing relationship with Schinocca who they accused interest - in August 2013, which is expected to 15th in England’s second tier, and has signed a two-year deal, the Asked if he had told Lionel their fi rst game against holders of diverting part of the revenues. Uruguay, The mitigate any sentence if they are found guilty. club said on their website (www.rovers.co.uk) yesterday. that he was going to avoid pay- Chile on June 7.

DEAL City sign midfi elder Guendogan from Dortmund

is something I am really looking Reuters Di Matteo to take over London forward to and I am fl attered to be the fi rst signing the club has at Aston Villa made this summer.” Aston Villa have appointed erman midfi elder Ilkay The injury-prone German in- former Chelsea boss Rob- Guendogan has joined ternational dislocated a kneecap erto Di Matteo as their new Manchester City from in training in May, ruling him out manager, the BBC reported Bundesliga side Borus- of the 2016 European Champion- yesterday. Gsia Dortmund on a four-year ships in France. Di Matteo, 46, a former Italy deal, the Premier League club Guendogan, who also missed midfielder who also managed announced yesterday. the 2014 World Cup with a back West Bromwich Albion and The 25-year-old, who had a injury, made more than 150 ap- Schalke, replaces Remi Garde, year remaining on his Dortmund pearances in fi ve years at Dort- who was sacked by Villa contract, is the club’s fi rst sign- mund after being recruited by in March before they were ing since they confi rmed Span- Juergen Klopp, who is now in relegated from the Premier ish coach Pep Guardiola would charge of Liverpool. League. take over at the Etihad from The midfi elder was part of His former Chelsea team- Manuel Pellegrini prior to the Klopp’s Dortmund side that won mate, , who was start of next season. a domestic double in Germany in also an assistant manager at City did not disclose fi nancial the 2011-12 season and reached the London club, will be his details of the deal but British the Champions League fi nal in new assistant, the BBC said. media reported that Guendogan 2013, where they lost to Bundes- Di Matteo, who won the would cost the Premier League liga rivals Bayern Munich. Champions League as club around 20 million pounds “We celebrated many victories Chelsea manager in 2012, is ($29 million). and stood together in moments expected to have his appoint- “I’m thrilled to have signed of defeats,” Guendogan said in a ment confirmed by the club for Manchester City,” Guendog- farewell note to Dortmund posted when new owner Tony Xia an said in a statement on City’s on his offi cial Twitter page. formally takes charge follow- website (www.mcfc.co.uk). “I am very thankful to all my ing approval by the Premier “The opportunity to work team mates and to the fans who League and Football League. with a coach like Pep Guardiola always supported me.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, June 3, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Monk hopes to answer Leeds’ prayers Benzema isolated AFP London

ormer Swansea man- ager Garry Monk was given one of the most Fprecarious jobs in amid racism claims English football when he was named as the head coach of Leeds United yesterday. ‘But when one wears the France jersey, there is a duty to act in an exemplary fashion’ Monk is the seventh Leeds boss in just over two years since controversial Ital- ian owner Massimo Cellino bought the club, based in the northern English city of the same name. Leeds were a major force in the English game in the late 1960s and early 1970s under manager Don Revie. But they are currently in the Championship, English foot- ball’s second division, having sea in May 2014, took the been relegated from the Pre- south Wales side to their high- mier League in 2004 before est Premier League fi nish of dropping down to the third tier eighth in his fi rst full season. in 2007. But a run of just one win Leeds returned to the in his last 11 games saw him Championship in 2010 and sacked in 2016. now hope Monk, sacked by “I’m very pleased to wel- Premier League Swansea at the come Garry Monk to Leeds end of last year, can take them United,” said Cellino. “Garry back to the top fl ight. is part of a new generation of The 37-year-old Monk, a coaches in England and has Swansea defender before be- a lot of potential to develop, coming their manager, has which is something we were signed a one-year rolling con- targeting for the new season.” tract. He replaces Steve Evans, Former Cagliari owner Cel- whose exit from Elland Road lino was recently charged by was confi rmed on Tuesday. England’s governing Football “It feels great to be here,” Association over an alleged Monk told Leeds’ website. breach of its agent regulations “I’m extremely honoured – one of a series of off -fi eld to join Leeds United Football incidents that overshadowed Club – we all know the history Leeds’ on-fi eld performances of the club and the standing it since his arrival in Yorkshire. has in English football. Cellino’s ownership has “I want to be challenged and been widely criticised, with really get my teeth into a big one group of Leeds fans cam- project. That was the under- paigning for him to make good lying factor throughout the on of his oft-repeated threat to whole process and that’s the sell the club by campaigning reason why I’m here. for him to leave under the ban- Monk, appointed by Swan- ner of ‘Time to Go Massimo’.

Injury ends Kaka’s Copa dream Brazil’s Copa America injury crisis deepened on Wednesday after veteran striker Kaka withdrew from the squad with a ham- string injury three days before the team’s tournament opener against Ecuador. The 34-year-old Orlando City attacking midfielder had been looking forward to competing in his first Copa America but saw AFP to tell you otherwise. international defender Lilian the subject. “I don’t have a reac- lished on the Liberation news- his dream dashed after suff ering an injury at Brazil’s Los Angeles Paris “But when one wears the France Thuram, a 1998 World Cup win- tion,” he told AFP. paper website on Wednesday training base. jersey, there is a duty to act in an ner alongside Deschamps, said “I don’t want to get into this night. “Kaka has had discomfort in training and safety will be audi- exemplary fashion,” she added. Benzema was not taking respon- debate, I’m not here for that. I’m The former Manchester tioned MRI, which showed a small problem. Doctors indicate arim Benzema found Some have said that Benzema’s sibility for his own actions. focused on the competition and United star said last year’s Paris between 15 and 20 days of recovery,” said Brazilian Football Con- himself isolated yes- exclusion from the squad ahead “If he’s not selected, it’s be- what’s ahead of us.” terror attacks meant that “the federation off icial Gilmar Rinaldi. terday a day after his of the competition that starts on cause of the Mathieu Valbuena north African community is The former FIFA World Player of the Year will be replaced by Sao sensational claims that June 10, has more to do with his aff air,” Thuram told France Info Cantona insists viewed diff erently” and that Paulo’s Paulo Henrique Ganso. Brazilian off icials have already KDidier Deschamps had “bowed alleged involvement in a blackmail radio. Mourad Boudjellal, president French society is “punishing spoken to Sao Paulo to secure Ganso’s participation and are to pressure from a racist part of case than his Algerian origins. “Racism exists in French soci- of Toulon rugby club, said he an entire community”. When awaiting formal clearance from CONMEBOL. France” by keeping him out of Benzema was charged ear- ety, Benzema could have done a believed Benzema’s words were France won the World Cup in Kaka’s injury ends his hopes of participating in the Copa the Euro 2016 squad. lier this year with complicity in lot, it would have been extraor- dangerous because they could 1998 it was hailed as a major step America for the first time. Political and sporting fi gures an attempt to blackmail France dinary for him to be captain of play into the hands of extremists. for recognising the country’s This year’s special edition of the tournament kicks off today in condemned the accusations teammate Mathieu Valbuena the France team, but he would “For young people from sensi- multi-cultural roots. Santa Clara when hosts the United States face Colombia. of the Real Madrid player, but over a sextape. have had to be irreproachable,” tive urban areas who are lacking But the government has ac- Kaka’s withdrawal brings to five the number of Brazilian players stressed that racism did still ex- Questions about the motives said Thuram, from the French role models, it becomes a great knowledged that many immi- who have withdrawn from the squad through injury. ist in France. “Racism is a good for excluding Benzema and fel- Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, example to some recruiters, to grant communities are ghet- Kaka himself had been an injury replacement for Bayern excuse,” said Labour Minister low striker Hatem Ben Arfa, who heads a foundation for edu- tell them: ‘Look, even if you be- toised and neglected by the state, Munich’s . Other players ruled out through injury Myriam El Khomri, herself of whose father was a Tunisian cation against racism. come the best in your sport, like while the spread of jihadist ideol- include Ricardo Oliveira Santos, replaced by Jonas, goalkeeper Moroccan origin. international, have been raised France coach Deschamps, cur- football, look at Benzema, you’re ogy and the rise of the far-right Ederson and Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. “Of course...there is racial by France football legend Eric rently at a training camp with Les rejected,” said Boudjellal. National Front have questions of Brazil open their Copa America Centenario campaign against discrimination in our country. Cantona, setting off a new rac- Blues in Austria ahead of Euro Cantona weighed into the de- race and national identity at the Ecuador at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on Saturday. I’ve been a victim, I’m not going ism debate. But former France 2016, refused to comment on bate again in an interview pub- forefront of political debate.

ANNOUNCEMENT Brazil’s Alves to leave Barca, Neymar to stay

AFP season meaning Alves will go as a free Neville wants contract extension for Hodgson Barcelona agent on a free transfer. “At the time the contract extension was a England manager Roy had achieved so far. logical decision as he’s had a great season,” Hodgson’s work over the last “I think Roy can be proud of an razil international defender Dani said Fernandez. Alves has won six La Liga four years should earn him excellent piece of work. It needs Alves has told Barcelona he in- titles and three Champions League crowns a contract extension, his as- a good finish in the summer,” tends to leave after eight suc- with Barcelona since joining from Seville sistant Gary Neville has said. Neville added. cessful seasons but compatriot in 2008. Playmaker Neymar wants to stay Hodgson, who took over from “My view would be that he NeymarB will extend his stay, the Spanish with the club for many seasons, Fernandez Fabio Capello in May 2012, led would go on beyond the sum- champions confi rmed yesterday. told a press conference. England to a quarter-final finish mer because at this moment in “He (Alves) has already told us he in- Neymar, who joined Barcelona in 2013 at the European Championship time he’s doing the right things tends to leave the club,” Barcelona techni- from Brazil’s Santos in a deal which has a month later but he oversaw a and making the right decisions, cal director Robert Fernandez said of the haunted all concerned because of alleged poor 2014 World Cup campaign, not just for himself, but for the player currently in the United States get- hidden payments, is under contract until where the side were eliminated team long term. ting ready to contest the Copa America 2018. But the 24-year-old prolifi c Brazil at the group stages. “He’s made a series of really with Brazil. striker has also played brilliantly for the “Yes, people would argue that good decisions for the English “We don’t like the fact he’s going. His Catalan club as part of a much feared at- the 2014 tournament was a team but also for future tourna- behaviour on and off the fi eld here has tacking trident alongside Lionel Messi and major disappointment,” Neville ments, for the next two-to-four been so exemplary and now he’s decided Luis Suarez. said in an interview in Henry years, and hopefully he, we, can to go. The decision is his and we will re- Speculation has mounted however Winter’s book Fifty Years of see that through.” spect that. around whether or not the slender winger Hurt. England, who play Portugal in “Neymar will reach an agreement with would extend his stay or make another lu- “I’d agree with that but this their final warm-up match at the club and will stay here for many years crative move. summer is a big moment in Wembley on Thursday, face to come,” Fernandez added. “Negotiations are underway. I have three terms of how the four years will Russia, Slovakia and Wales in Catalan Sports daily Sport claimed on years left on my contract, I’m confi dent be viewed, in terms of the four- Group B of the 24-team tourna- Thursday that Alves had already signed we’ll reach an agreement,” said Neymar. year contract we were all given. ment in France. with Italian champions Juventus. Rival Neymar will not contest the Copa Amer- People will judge it based upon daily Mundo Deportivo said however the ica this month but instead will lead his na- tournaments.” player was also considering off ers from tion’s medal drive at the Olympic Games in Manchester United and Paris Saint Ger- Rio in August. decided not to discuss a new main. Alves, 33, is under contract until Arsenal’s Spanish international right- deal for Hodgson until after June 2017 after signing a two-years exten- back Hector Bellerin is thought to be Bar- Euro 2016, which begins in sion during 2015 at a period where Barcelo- celona’s key target to replace Alves. The France on June 10, but Neville na were banned from signing new players. 21-year-old was born in Barcelona and said the 68-year-old deserved The contract extension also included a spent eight seasons in the Barcelona youth an extension based on what he get out clause at the end of the 2015-2016 teams before joining the Gunners in 2013. Gulf Times Friday, June 3, 2016 5 CRICKET

FOCUS Hosts Windies face SA in tri-nation opener today

AFP since the controversial abandonment Select XI, heightening local fears about Providence, Guyana of the India tour in October 2014 has Notwithstanding their all-round their competitiveness, especially sparked considerable debate given that strength, South Africa will rely given the lack of recent ODI match ex- he did not play in a regional 50-over heavily on their captain AB de perience. osts West Indies and South competition in January—supposedly a Villiers for runs and inspiration. That amounts to only a three-match Africa get a tri-nation ODI requirement for selection. series in Sri Lanka—which they lost series underway today in Narine will be in West Indies col- 3-0—since being thrashed by New Guyana with both teams in ours for the fi rst time in more than six Zealand at the quarter-fi nal stage of rebuildingH mode following last year’s months following another period of the World Cup. World Cup. rehabilitation after his action Australia, who lifted the global 50- was deemed illegal during the limited- over title for the fi fth time with a com- over leg of the Sri Lankan campaign Squads prehensive victory over New Zealand near the end of 2015. West Indies: (captain), in the fi nal in Melbourne 14 months There is no place in the squad for Johnson Charles, , ago, enter the fray on Sunday when , , Dwayne , , they face the Caribbean side before Bravo and Darren Sammy, all key , Jonathan Carter, tackling the Proteas two days later. members of the World T20 title-win- , The competition, which follows a ning side but who have apparently (wicketkeeper), Ashley Nurse, Sulieman three-month period when interna- been ignored for failing to represent Benn, , , tional cricket has been almost com- their respective territories at the start pletely dominated by the T20 format, of the year, when they were all involved South Africa: AB de Villiers (cap- will be played on a triple round-robin in the Big Bash in Australia. tain), , , basis with three matches each in Guy- Since losing a pulsating World Cup Rilee Roussouw, ana, St Kitts and Barbados before the semi-fi nal to New Zealand and then (wicketkeeper), JP Duminy, Farhaan one-off fi nal in Bridgetown on June 26. suff ering a shock series defeat in Bang- Behardien, , Chris Morris, Despite a historic double triumph of ladesh, South Africa have restored , Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso the men’s and women’s teams at the their ODI fortunes with close series Rabada, , Tabraiz Shamsi, World T20 in India, West Indies go into wins over the New Zealanders, India Morne Morkel the competition as underdogs based on and England. Australia: Steven Smith (captain), a track record of inconsistency in this Notwithstanding their all-round David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman version of the sport, both in terms of strength, they will rely heavily on out- the same day that de Villiers and his order anchored South Africa’s total of ruled a tie on the Duckworth/Lewis Khawaja, George Bailey, Travis Head, performance and selection. standing batsman and captain AB de Royal Challengers Bangalore side fell 280 for nine. The tourists’ bowlers did scoring system. Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wick- Jason Holder leads a side that sees Villiers for runs and inspiration. nine runs short of a run chase in the not have things their own way however West Indies, without Holder and a etkeeper), James Faulkner, Mitchell the return of all-rounder Kieron Pol- He missed their lone warm-up fi x- Indian Premier League (IPL) fi nal. with the home side getting to 127 for couple of other key players who were Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, lard and spinner Sunil Narine. Pollard’s ture, against a West Indies Board Pres- In his absence, former captain Hash- three off 24.1 overs when rain ended returning from IPL duty, lost two Nathan Coulter-Nile, Scott Boland, Josh return to the ODI team for the fi rst time ident’s XI in Port of Spain on Sunday, im Amla’s polished 92 at the top of the the day/night match, the fi xture being warm-up matches against a Barbados Hazlewood

SPOTLIGHT CONFIDENT Pak opener Amir’s return is a Shan ready ‘good thing’ for the for England challenge

AFP from June 15. sport: ICC chief Lahore Masood, who hit his only century in Sri Lanka last year where Pakistan chased their ‘I always think you get handed out your punishment, you serve it and then who etermined opener biggest target of 377, said Eng- Shan Masood yes- land is the place where a bats- are we to say ‘never again?’ He (Amir) has certainly shown a willingness to make terday vowed Paki- man can make his name. stan were ready to “If you see England captain sure he sets an example now by asking younger players to learn from his mistakes’ takeD up the stiff challenge in a Alastair Cook has just com- Test series in England, where pleted 10,000 runs in Tests. sub-continent batsmen have (Graeme) Smith and Hashim struggled in the past. Amla (of South Africa) have Pakistan play a four-match scored runs in England and Test series, starting at Lord’s I will also try to give good from July 14, followed by fi ve performance in England and one-dayers and a make name for my country,” international. said Masood, who has previ- Only four Pakistan open- ously played fi rst-class games ers—Mohsin Khan, Mudassar in England. Nazar, Amir Sohail and Saeed “My best experience there Anwar—have scored hundreds was that I played three fi rst- in the 47 Tests the country has class matches through my played in England, where the university,” said Masood, ball swings and seams to pose who studies Sports Manage- a threat for the batsmen. ment Science in Loughbor- Pakistan have managed just ough University. three opening partnerships of “It does help, but it will be over 100 in England, two in diff erent ball game at interna- 1996 and one in 1992. tional level, everyone knows Masood, 26, said Pakistan England team is very good and have trained well. “We are we have to take our A game well prepared to take the chal- there,” he added. lenge,” Masood told media on Pakistan will be up against the sidelines of the training a potent fast bowling attack of camp. “We had a boot camp James Anderson, Stuart Broad, where we worked on fi tness Steven Finn and Chris Woakes and now we are training in La- who have pushed touring Sri hore where we are getting the Lanka 2-0 down in the ongo- conditions, except the weath- ing three-match series. er, which we will have there in Anderson, who completed England.” 450 Test in the second A fi nal Test squad is expect- Test, dismissed Masood in all ed to be announced early next four innings in Pakistan’s 2-0 week, and the team will hold win in United Arab Emirates a tune-up camp in England (UAE) last year.

AFP Although now cleared to play again by Cook’s method of patient accumula- success of the Australia-New Zealand London the ICC, Amir’s criminal conviction could tion is at odds with the modern-day trend clash at the Adelaide Oval in November, see him denied an entry visa to Britain for for big-hitting exemplifi ed by the likes are also on the agenda. Pakistan’s tour of England, where they of West Indies’ Chris Gayle, Australia’s However, any changes will have to be nternational Cricket Council (ICC) will play four Tests—the fi rst at Lord’s— David Warner and recently-retired former approved by the full ICC board. Richard- chief executive David Richard- fi ve one-day internationals and a Twen- New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. son cited a renewed understanding by Test son expects Pakistan quick bowler ty20 between July and September. But Richardson said left-handed open- nations to provide fi xtures with “context” Mohamed Amir to tour England “I always think you get handed out your er Cook’s approach was none the worse if the “primacy of international cricket is Inext month, saying the former spot-fi x- punishment, you serve it and then who are for that. “I like the fact he’s not in the going to be sustained well into the future”. er’s return is a “good thing” for the sport. we to say ‘never again?’,” Richardson told Gayle, Warner or McCullum mould,” ex- He added: “If we want to make sure Amir, 24, featured in two one-day in- AFP in an interview at The Oval in south plained Richardson. “He’s a more tradi- the best players are playing international ternationals against New Zealand in Janu- London on Wednesday following the tional opening batsman, as we’ve known cricket, we have to make sure that our ary and the Pakistan Cricket Board have launch of the 2017 ICC Champions Tro- them to be.” members are in a position to reward and approached their English counterparts phy one-day tournament. The former South Africa -keep- incentivise their players to play all for- for help in securing a visa for the talented “He (Amir) has certainly shown a will- er added: “It’s a good example to young mats. That boils down to a funding mod- left-armer. ingness to make sure he sets an example cricketers that you don’t have to hit every el that provides the members with the He was given a six-month prison sen- now by asking younger players to learn second ball out of the park to be success- means to do just that. tence, of which he served half in a UK from his mistakes. ful.” But while Test cricket remains well- “The board is looking at the funding young off enders’ institute, on charges of “Certainly, I think it’s a good thing that regarded in England and Australia, it is model of the ICC, hopefully making teams conspiracy to accept corrupt payments he’s back playing,” the 56-year-old add- struggling to maintain interest elsewhere less reliant on (lucrative) Indian tours and and conspiracy to cheat at gambling af- ed. “I’d be surprised if he (Amir) doesn’t in the world, with some players opting to creating a model that not only allows their ter bowling deliberate no-balls during the end up coming (to England).” take part in lucrative domestic Twenty20 players to earn a lot of money playing in Lord’s Test in August 2010. If Amir does make the tour, he could be events instead. domestic T20 leagues, but also to play for The same spot-fi xing scandal also saw bowling to England captain Alastair Cook. The ICC cricket committee, who are their country and be well rewarded.” fellow paceman Mohamed Asif and then This week saw the 31-year-old Cook become meeting at Lord’s this week, are looking at As for day/night Tests, Richardson said: Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt given the youngest player to score 10,000 Test runs introducing two divisions into Test crick- “I think they are very good for the game. It jail sentences by an English court and when he reached the landmark in a series- et as a way of reviving interest. would make sense to play cricket at times Shan Masood bats during the Pakistan team’s training session at bans by the ICC. clinching win over Sri Lanka at the Riverside. More day/night Tests, following the when people can aff ord to go and watch.” the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 3, 2016 SPORT

FOCUS India cricket chief eyes top spot for women’s team AFP Hosts India recently failed to make up match from July 14 at the same ven- New Delhi the semi-fi nal cut in this year’s World ue. The four Tests will be played in An- Twenty20 women’s edition, which was tigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, St Lucia won by the West Indies in Kolkata. and Trinidad and Tobago. ndia’s newly-elected cricket chief The BCCI also said it would allow The fi rst Test will begin from July Anurag Thakur has laid out an female cricketers to play in Twen- 21, the second from July 30, the third action plan for the women’s team ty20 tournaments like the Women’s from August 9 and the last one from to attain world-beating status Big Bash League in Australia, giving August 18. Ialongside their male counterparts in them the chance to get familiar with West Indies Cricket Board head of the next four years. overseas conditions. According to the operations Roland Holder said all four While the Indian men’s team is rat- women’s cricket committee, which venues “are ready to host the visiting ed among the top sides in the world, met in Mumbai on Wednesday, players Indian team”. India’s cricket board last its women’s counterpart continues to will be permitted to participate in the month announced the resumption of lag behind. overseas leagues subject to contracts bilateral cricketing ties, arising from “I have set a target for the women’s being off ered through the BCCI. the West Indies withdrawal from an team that by 2020 they should be No. 1 Meanwhile, the Indian men’s team India tour mid-way in October 2014. in the world,” Thakur, who was elected will begin a seven-week tour of the India’s board dropped a $42 million president of the Board of Control for West Indies starting on July 6 with four damages claim against the West Indies Cricket in India (BCCI) last month, Tests and two practice matches, the in April over the abandoned tour after told ESPN Cricinfo in an interview. cricket boards of both countries con- the team agreed to return to play in In- The Mithali Raj-led Indian wom- fi rmed yesterday. dia next year. en’s team is currently ranked fourth The tour will get underway with a The last time the Indian team toured in the world, behind dominating sides two-day practice match from July 9 in the West Indies was in June 2011 for a Australia, England and New Zealand. St Kitts followed by a three-day warm- three-Test series, which India won 1-0.

FORMULA ONE Marquez renews Honda contract for two more years wice MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has extended his contract with Honda for two more years, the TJapanese manufacturer said in a statement yesterday. “There’s no doubt that he is the present and future of MotoGP. Bottom team Manor We know him well and he knows us well, and we both wanted to continue together,” said Honda Racing Corporation executive vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto. The 23-year-old Spanish rider, the youngest ever champion in the top category, has been with Honda since 2013 when he won his first MotoGP crown. “I’ve always wanted to continue being a part of the Repsol Honda Team,” said Marquez ahead of his home Grand Prix of the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend. have struggling Fellow-Spaniard Dani Pedrosa has already signed a contract extension to the end of 2018. Marquez is currently second in the championship, 10 points Sauber in their sights behind compatriot Jorge Lorenzo who rides for Yamaha. ‘Sauber are still a very strong team, they’ve got fantastic facilities but it seems they have obviously got cash problems. If they are struggling as a result of that, that’s their problem not ours. The way we look at it is they are just another team we’ve got to try and beat’

Manor finished 10th and last overall in 2015, without scoring a point. SPOTLIGHT Bangladesh wary of ‘Fizz’ burnout Mustafizur Rahman played a big role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2016 IPL triumph

AFP zamuddin Chowdhury said. Dhaka Bangladesh national team physio Baizidul Islam said Rahman did not aggravate any ustafi zur Rahman’s of his injuries in the IPL, but participation in the that the board was worried English Twenty20 over his recent workload. tournament for “We must consider that SussexM was thrown into doubt he played 19 matches in two yesterday after Bangladesh months after recovering from cricket offi cials said they feared injuries,” Islam said. “So there the paceman may be suff ering must be some fatigue. He also from burnout. developed some problems in The 20-year-old bowling his right ankle which is creat- sensation, nicknamed ‘Fizz’, ing a problem for his landing returned home this week to after completing a delivery.” a hero’s welcome after help- “He needs some rest to re- ing Sunrisers Hyderabad win move the stress. If he contin- their maiden Indian Premier ues like this he may collapse League title with 17 wickets any time. We need to assess from 16 matches. him carefully to see how long Rahman was named he needs to stay away from Reuters another team we’ve got to try and beat. It principal and founder John Booth along ate misleading’ of race stewards, said the ‘Emerging Player of the Tour- cricket,” he added. London just happens to be Sauber next door to us with sporting director Graeme Lowdon. team aimed to do a lot better. nament’, the fi rst foreign Rahman missed two Twen- and to some people they are the obvious “We clearly desire to be a really solid cricketer to be bestowed with ty20 internationals against target,” added the New Zealander. “Well, “I think we are still discovering midfi eld team...but we also know that’s a the honour, after conceding Zimbabwe in January for a ormula One backmarkers Manor maybe they are but we’ve got to try to be in ourselves, to be honest. I’ve only long game. We are not going to get there just 6.9 runs per over, the most shoulder injury, which also have struggling Sauber in their a position to beat anyone who is in front of been here for a short period of this year or next year. It might take four or miserly among those who kept him sidelined for the fi rst sights and would be disappointed us really. I think we’d be very disappointed time, we’ve got great ambition, we fi ve years,” he said. bowled in at least 10 matches. edition of the Pakistan Su- to fi nish last again this season, ac- if we didn’t fi nish 10th, that’s for sure.” know what we want to achieve Marussia fi nished ninth in 2014, scor- He is scheduled to join Eng- per League in the United Arab Fcording to racing director Dave Ryan. The former McLaren team manager and ing their only points thanks to the late lish county side Sussex next Emirates. and we know it’s going to take a Manor fi nished 10th and last overall in sporting director joined Manor last year lot of hard work to get there and French driver Jules Bianchi’s ninth place week after signing as their He returned home for the 2015, without scoring a point, but there when they were still known as Marussia we’ve got a lot to do. But we want in Monaco, and then sinking into admin- second overseas cricketer in Asia Cup but picked up a rib are now 11 teams on the grid following the and struggling with a car way off the pace. to enjoy ourselves along the way if istration before an 11th-hour rescue under March for the NatWest T20 injury during a match against arrival of US-owned Haas. Since then, they have switched to the dom- we can and that’s the message.” new ownership. Blast and the Royal London Sri Lanka to miss the fi nal and Swiss-based Sauber, whose drivers inant Mercedes power units with the world Getting through last year was tough but One-Day Cup. then four matches in the sub- collided with each other in Monaco last champions’ German reserve Pascal Wehr- “I’ve only been here for a short period the future looks brighter with the team of But his participation ap- sequent ICC World Twenty20 weekend, and Manor are the only ones yet lein, who fi nished 13th in Bahrain, racing of time, we’ve got great ambition, we some 150 people now looking to expand peared to hit a stumbling block in India. to score points in 2016 with the former along with Indonesian Rio Haryanto. know what we want to achieve and we and take on more staff . “There is no doubt after the Bangladesh Cricket Fans gave Rahman a warm ahead on the basis of two 12th-place race American Alexander Rossi, who won know it’s going to take a lot of hard work that this year’s car is a massive step on last Board said they would fi rst as- reception on Monday after fi nishes for Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson. the Indy 500 as a rookie last weekend, is to get there and we’ve got a lot to do. But year’s. But we are still nowhere near quick sess his health before allowing his successful stint in the IPL “Sauber are still a very strong team, the reserve. we want to enjoy ourselves along the way enough,” said Ryan. “This year we’re defi - him to join the English side. made headlines at home. they’ve got fantastic facilities but they’ve The team have big ambitions, despite if we can and that’s the message.” nitely able to be competitive with some of “We will assess his condi- A deputy minister called obviously got cash problems. If they are their limited resources, and are determined Ryan, who spent 35 years at McLaren the cars around us and the performance gap tion next week before making a him a “national hero” as he struggling as a result of that, that’s their to grow. “I think we are still discovering until leaving the team and sport in 2009 we had to fi nd to do that was massive. But fi nal decision on whether he’ll and hundreds of fans received problem not ours,” Ryan told Reuters. ourselves, to be honest,” said Ryan of the after a controversy involving world cham- we need the same improvement again. It’s be allowed to play in England,” him at the airport with a crown “The way we look at it is they are just changes since the departure last season of pion Lewis Hamilton and the ‘deliber- not one area in particular, it’s everywhere.” BCB chief executive offi cer Ni- of red roses. Gulf Times Friday, June 3, 2016 7 SPORT

MLB Sanchez stars as Blue Jays brush aside Yankees 7-0 Sanchez (5-1) gives up seven hits and two walks while striking out six to win his fourth consecutive decision

Reuters runner Miguel Rojas. Hechavarria then Toronto belted a 3-2 pitch that one-hopped the Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (right) wall in left fi eld, scoring Rojas. throws to force out New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (not pictured) as shortstop aron Sanchez pitched 6 2/3 TIGERS 3, ANGELS 0 Darwin Barney backs up the play in the second inning scoreless innings, Edwin En- Rookie Michael Fulmer and closer Fran- at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (USA TODAY Sports) carnacion and Justin Smoak cisco Rodriguez combined on a two-hit had two RBIs each, and To- shutout to lead Detroit to a shutout win rontoA Blue Jays defeated New York Yan- over Los Angeles in front of 35,053 at kees 7-0 to a three-game series Angel Stadium. Fulmer (5-1) had a no- in Wednesday’s Major League Baseball. hitter for 6 2/3 innings before C.J. Cron Aaron Sanchez pitched 6 2/3 score- lined a single into right fi eld. The right- less innings, Edwin Encarnacion and hander permitted just four baserunners Justin Smoak had two RBIs each, and on two hits and two walks while amass- Toronto defeated New York 7-0 to ing eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. sweep a three-game series. Rodriguez earned his 15th save. Darwin Barney had three singles and a walk, helping the Blue Jays moved NATIONALS 7, PHILLIES 2 three games above .500 for the fi rst Wilson Ramos hit a three-run homer in time this season. The Yankees dropped support of Max Scherzer’s eight-inning to 2-4 to open a 10-game road trip. eff ort as Washington drubbed Phila- Sanchez (5-1) gave up seven hits and delphia, completing a sweep of a three- two walks while striking out six to win game series. Ramos, 3-for-4 in the his fourth consecutive decision. Yan- game, drove in four runs in all. Danny kees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka Espinosa also homered and Ryan Zim- (3-1) allowed seven hits, one walk and merman had two RBIs for the National two runs (one earned) in six innings. He League East-leading Nationals, who struck out two. won their fourth straight.

WHITE SOX 2, METS 1 (13 INNINGS) INDIANS 5, RANGERS 4 Matt Albers picked up the win with Yan Gomes’ RBI single drove in Lon- two scoreless innings when he doubled nie Chisenhall with the winning run leading off the 13th inning before scor- as Cleveland beat Texas at Progres- ing the tiebreaking run as the Chicago sive Field. With the win, the Indians White Sox outlasted the New York Mets snapped their three-game losing streak 2-1 at Citi Field. and Texas’ four-game winning streak.

A’S 5, TWINS 1 CUBS 2, DODGERS 1 Sean Manaea pitched six strong innings Jon Lester gave up one early run and for his second major-league victory as very little else in the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Oakland defeated Minnesota to com- victory over the Los Angeles Dodg- plete a three-game series sweep. ers. Lester (6-3) captured his second Manaea allowed one run, match- straight win while also evening his ca- ing his career low, and fi ve hits. He reer record at 2-2 against Los Angeles. had a career-high eight strikeouts and After giving up a leadoff home run to walked three. Enrique Hernandez Lester limited the Dodgers to three hits through the rest of BREWERS 3, CARDINALS 1 a season-high nine-inning, 113-pitch Zach Davies set career highs with nine outing while striking out 10 and walk- strikeouts and eight shutout innings ing none. as Milwaukee avoided a three-game sweep with a victory over St. Louis. ASTROS 4, DIAMONBACKS 3 (11 Davies, who won his third consecutive INNINGS) decision and improved to 3-3 this sea- George Springer drilled a walk-off son, did not allow a walk for the second home run with two outs in the 11th in- straight outing and scattered three hits ning, carrying the Houston Astros to a while throwing fi rst-pitch strikes to 20 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamond- of 26 batters. backs on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. Springer sent the fi rst pitch ta a win over San Francisco at Turner over Colorado, Lamb delivered. The who was making his fourth start since later added a two-run single as the MARLINS 3, PIRATES 2 of his sixth plate appearance out to left- Field. The home run, Freeman’s ninth 25-year-old left-hander pitched a ca- beginning the year in the bullpen, Orioles scored a victory over Boston in Adeiny Hechavarria hit a go-ahead center fi eld for his fi rst career walk-off of the season, helped the Braves come reer-high seven innings, one night after picked up his fi rst victory, holding the a slugfest. The game swung back and double and Adam Conley pitched 5 2/3 homer. His 13th homer of the season back to win from a 4-1 defi cit. Atlanta four Reds pitchers allowed 19 hits, in- Rays to three runs and seven hits over forth early and was tied at seven going innings of no-hit ball, leading Miami to delivered the Astros (25-29) their fi fth improved to 3-7 in extra-inning games, cluding seven home runs, and 17 runs. six innings. into the fourth inning. a win over Pittsburgh at Marlins Park. consecutive victory. while San Francisco dropped to 4-3. Duff y struck out six, including four Baltimore (29-22) eventually took Derek Dietrich started the winning rally ROYALS 6, RAYS 3 in a row in the fourth and fi fth innings. the lead in the sixth when Boston when he was hit by a pitch from reliever BRAVES 5, GIANTS 4 (11 INNINGS) REDS 7, ROCKIES 2 Lorenzo Cain had three hits, drove in a second baseman Dustin Pedroia made an Tony Watson. Freddie Freeman hit fi rst pitch he saw Cincinnati badly needed John Lamb to run and scored a run as Kansas City be- ORIOLES 13, RED SOX 9 error on a possible double-play Dietrich, who injured his left forearm from Derek Law in the 11th inning deep step up and give it a strong start in his sted Tampa Bay. Matt Wieters reached on an error that grounder from Wieters off Clay on the play, was replaced by pinch- into the right-fi eld seats to give Atlan- Coors Field debut. And in the Reds’ win Left-hander Danny Duff y (1-0), gave Baltimore the lead for good and Buchholz (3-6).

STANLEY CUP Varejao could be Warriors ‘inside man’ Sheary’s OT winner gives Pens lead Oakland, United States: Brazil- Varejao was only around for ian center Anderson Varejao, a month after David Blatt was AFP way to score some fi ve-on-fi ve the first man to play for both fired as coach and Tyronn Lue Washington goals. We got to fi nd a way to battle NBA Finals teams in the same replaced him. “I’m pretty sure through. There is not a lot of room season, could give Golden State he has some things that he out there,” said Sharks coach Peter an inside scoop on his former knows we do well that we can ookie forward Conor DeBoer.”You got two teams playing Cleveland teammates. try to take away,” Lue said. “He’s Sheary scored in over- tight hockey and one mistake costs The 33-year-old South Ameri- a smart player so he knows time to lift the Pittsburgh you the game.” can, who spent 11 1/2 seasons what hurts our team, but we’re Penguins to a 2-1 victory Pittsburgh has had the edge in with the Cavaliers before a diff erent team now than we overR the San Jose Sharks in game speed so far and their top players joining Golden State in Febru- were then. two of the Stanley Cup fi nals on – Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil ary, might also wind up with a So hopefully he doesn’t know Wednesday. Sheary’s goal gave Kessel – have outplayed the top championship ring no matter too much.” the Penguins a 2-0 lead in the players for San Jose. Crosby scored which club wins the best-of- Varejao has never played best-of-seven series against the 36 goals and had 85 points during seven championship series that against the Cavaliers before Sharks, who managed to scored a the regular season, and he has 16 began late last night. and his return to Cleveland for late equalizer in the third period points in the playoff s. “We all know how important game three of the finals next to send the contest into overtime. Sheary played the fi rst half of Cleveland is for me and what Wednesday promises to be an Sidney Crosby started the play the season in the minors. The fi rst Cleveland did for me,” Varejao emotional one. “I’m pretty sure on the decisive goal by winning a year left winger now has four key said.”But right now, I’m a War- a lot of emotions are going to draw in the Sharks’ zone back to playoff goals for the Penguins, in- rior and I have to focus on help- go through my head and my defenceman Kris Letang. cluding a goal in their 3-2 win in ing them win a championship.” body when I go back to Cleve- The puck ended up in the pos- game one. Phil Kessel also scored Varejao has averaged 7.4 points land,” Varejao said. session of Sheary, who beat San for the Penguins, who are 4-2 in and 7.3 rebounds a game since He could win his first champi- Jose goalie Martin Jones with a overtime in the playoff s. his NBA career began with the onship ring if the Warriors win, quick shot through traffi c. “It just “We wanted to hit them with our Cavaliers in 2004. and even if they lose, because worked out perfectly,” Sheary said best game,” said Pittsburgh de- He missed the team’s playoff he spent enough time this of the game winner.”I am just try- fenceman Ben Lovejoy. “In the fi rst run to the Final last season af- season on the Cavaliers roster ing to play in the moment and the half of the year it was tough. We ter tearing an Achilles tendon in to be eligible for a ring, if they best I can. It is pretty surreal.” had to learn how to win. We had to December. This season, he was win it all and decide to give him The series shifts to California band together from the third de- a reserve to Russian Timofey one. “We’re trying to win this for game three on Saturday where fensive pairing to the top line cen- Mozgov before being traded to series,” Varejao said. “I’m a War- the Sharks are hoping have better tre. When we do that we become a Portland last February. rior. That’s what I want to focus success at home after dropping very diffi cult team to play against.” The Trail Blazers waived on now.” both games in Pittsburgh. Jones Pittsburgh was controlling the him and he was picked up by James says it’s not for him has been the Sharks best player in play Wednesday only to have San Golden State. to debate the merits of Varejao the fi rst two games of the series, Jose defenceman Justin Braun tie Now, Varejao can serve as getting a ring if the Cavaliers which is expected to be a close one it 1-1 with just over four minutes an inside force on the court win, but he admires his long- and could go the distance as both left in the third in front of a crowd and provide inside secrets time Cleveland teammate even games were decided by late goals. of 18,600 at the CONSOL Energy about the Cavaliers, although in a rival uniform. “Good things But the Sharks’ defence has also Center arena. The victory came Cleveland star LeBron James happen to good people,” James looked nervous at times. This is the 24 years to the day the Penguins dismissed the idea. “We’re a to- said. ”Either way he would have fi rst time in their 25 year franchise won their second Stanley Cup in tally diff erent team than when been part of the finals. He has history they have reached the NHL as many years in 1992 by sweeping Brenden Dillon of the San Jose Sharks checks Conor Sheary of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the he left,” James said. done so much in his career.” championship. “We got to fi nd a the Chicago Blackhawks. third period in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (AFP) Gulf Times 8 Friday, June 3, 2016 GOLF

THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT FOCUS McIlroy plays Spotlight on the down Zika impact on Rio decision

Agencies sought out over the past 10 days Los Angeles has put my mind at ease,” the golfer told British media. “It makes me more comfort- ‘Big Three’ at ory McIlroy has played able going down there knowing down concerns that that, even if I do contract Zika, the Zika virus outbreak it’s not the end of the world. It could threaten his par- takes six months to pass through ticipationR at the 2016 Rio Olym- your system and you’re fi ne.” pics in golf’s return to the Games Former world number ones after a 112-year absence. Adam Scott and Vijay Singh, The Northern Irishman, who and fellow major winners Louis Nicklaus’ event is at number three in the world Oosthuizen and Charl Schwart- rankings, had said last month zel, are among those who have that he would be monitoring the already announced that they will Day, Spieth and McIlroy are in fine form with wins in the run-up to the event situation in Brazil and suggested skip this summer’s global sports the dangers of contracting Zika showpiece in Rio de Janeiro. could aff ect his decision to play. The Zika threat and scheduling Zika, which is carried by mos- confl icts could see other play- quitoes, is spreading rapidly in ers follow suit, with US Masters the Americas, according to the champion Danny Willett among World Health Organization, but those saying he would keep an McIlroy said the advice he re- eye on the situation. ceived had eased his fears. The Rio Olympics take place “I feel like the advice I’ve from August 5-21.

Australian golfer Adam Scott is one of many major winners who have already announced that they will skip the Rio Games in August. (AFP)

Troon to vote on women members before British Open

Royal Troon Golf Club is to hold a vote on admitting women members before next month’s British Open at the Scottish course, it said on Wednesday. The club will host a special general meeting on July 1, less than Jordan Spieth (left) walks off the tee on the 14th hole with Rory McIlroy during the first round of The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, yesterday. (AFP) a fortnight before the 2016 Open begins, to consider whether to change its policy, which currently bars women from joining. Reuters the world’s top 10 will be competing this with tomorrow, Brooks Koepka ... there’s so ... if you strike the ball well, shoot some- “Following our consultation with members, the committee of the Los Angeles week, but McIlroy is wary of too much many great young players out there. thing in the mid-60s, (you can) make up a Royal Troon Golf Club is moving to convene a special general emphasis being placed on the so-called “Obviously, we’re working to keep it lot of ground. But if you’re off , I have shot meeting ... at which we will propose that the constitution of the ‘Big Three’. that way and try to be No. 1, but at the in the 80s here before, so I’ve seen it all at club is changed to allow women members to join on exactly the olf fans can expect a week to same time, there’s a lot of guys just be- this track in three short years.” same basis as the men,” Royal Troon captain Martin Cheyne said savour at the Memorial tourna- “Obviously, we’re working to keep hind us. If we slip, they want to take that Ohio-based Day, refreshed after a two- in the statement. ment in Dublin, Ohio, where the it that way and try to be No. 1, but place.” week break following his Players victory, Two weeks ago Muirfield, also in Scotland, elected to keep its game’s ‘Big Three’ of Jason Day, at the same time, there’s a lot of McIlroy has been paired with Ameri- hopes to fi nally produce good form at a men-only policy, a decision that prompted British golf’s govern- GJordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy will each cans Spieth and Thomas in a ‘young gun’ venue he regards as his ‘home’ course. guys just behind us. If we slip, ing body, the Royal & Ancient, to drop the course from the list of be bringing winning form to the leafy they want to take that place,” grouping for the fi rst two rounds. “This has been a tough tournament for British Open venues. Muirfi eld Village layout. Rory McIlroy said Spieth has always relished playing at me,” said the Australian. “My best fi nish Troon said more than three-quarters of its members who re- World number one Day clinched his Muirfi eld Village where the heavily tree- is tied for 27th or something like that, sponded to a consultation supported opening the club to women. third PGA Tour victory of the season at “We’re at the top of the rankings and lined layout is in immaculate shape for a which is horrifi c. “Recently we spoke about the need for our club to reflect the the Players Championship last month, we’ve won a few majors between us, but PGA Tour event that enjoys major-like “But I’m looking to change that this modern society in which we exist, and I am pleased that a large second-ranked Spieth triumphed at the I think it’s just unfair to focus on us,” status. week. I feel good about my game, and I majority of members who responded to our survey agree,” Colonial tournament on Sunday and the Northern Irishman told reporters on “Mr. Nicklaus does a great job in cre- feel good about the preparation going Cheyne said. third-ranked McIlroy won the European Wednesday while preparing for yester- ating just a great environment for us, on into this week ... coming in with a little “We want Scotland to be proud of Royal Troon Golf Club and the Tour’s Irish Open 10 days ago. day’s opening round. and off the golf course,” the 22-year-old bit of confi dence, which is nice.” Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon, as we jointly host this most prestigious The heavyweight trio heads a typically “You’ve got the likes of Rickie Fowler, said. “Arguably the best greens of the Swede David Lingmerth defends the competition in front of a worldwide audience.” powerful fi eld in the prestigious event Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Mat- year, fastest and purest. title he won last year in a playoff with The British Open begins at Troon on July 14. hosted by Jack Nicklaus, where seven of suyama, Justin Thomas, who we’re playing “It’s also just such a challenging course Englishman Justin Rose.

BOTTOMLINE Trump course stripped of WGC, heading to Mexico

AFP “No diff erent than Nabisco, Carrier from the retail, television, telecommu- Los Angeles and so many other American compa- nications and other business sectors. nies, the PGA Tour has put profi t ahead of “It’s fundamentally a sponsorship thousands of American jobs, millions of issue,” Finchem said of the move. onald Trump hit out angrily at dollars in revenue for local communities “The decision made here was based the PGA Tour on Wednesday and charities and the enjoyment of hun- on the reality that we were not able after the organisation con- dreds of thousands of fans who make the to secure sponsorship for next year’s fi rmed that the WGC-Cadil- tournament an annual tradition. WGC at Doral.” lacD Championship would no longer be “This decision only further embod- The tournament, held at Doral since staged at his famed golf course at Doral ies the very reason I am running for 2007, will now be known as the WGC- in Florida. President of the United States.” Mexico Championship and held at an PGA Tour commissioner Tim Trump has attracted criticism for as yet to-be-announced facility from Finchem insisted the decision to stage rhetoric used during his campaign, March 2-5, 2017, the PGA Tour said. the tournament in Mexico City from which has included describing Mexican US reports said the tournament next year was driven by a failure to fi nd immigrants to the United States “crim- would take place from the Club de Golf a sponsor rather than politics. inals and rapists” as well as a call to ban Chapultapec outside Mexico City. However Finchem admitted that Muslims from entering the country. Trump had leaked the PGA Tour’s de- presumptive Republican US Presiden- Those remarks prompted the PGA of cision in an interview on Fox News’s Sean tial nominee Trump’s larger-than-life America to pull its Grand Slam of Golf Hannity program, taking aim at Mexico’s profi le created “diffi culties” when it from the Trump National Golf Club crime rate with a pointed barb. came to attracting a sponsor. US Republican Presidential candidate outside Los Angeles last year. “I hope they have kidnapping insur- “Donald Trump is a brand, a big Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in The PGA Tour’s decision to pull the ance,” Trump said. brand, and when you’re asking a com- Sacramento, California, on Wednesday. (Reuters) WGC event from Doral, famed for it’s When asked about Trump’s remarks, pany to invest millions of dollars in “Blue Monster” course, came after title Finchem said a member of the PGA branding a tournament and they’re go- sponsor Cadillac chose not to renew its Tour staff had already confi rmed the ing to share that brand with the host, “The politics might have contributed are leaving,” Finchem said. “It is a sad day for Miami, the United support after its deal ended this year. organisation did have kidnapping in- it’s a diffi cult conversation,” Finchem some since he has been running, and he Trump lashed the decision in a state- States and the game of golf, to have the That prompted the PGA Tour to look surance. said. (Trump) knows that.” ment on Wednesday, comparing the PGA Tour consider moving the World further afi eld, with Mexico City enter- “I haven’t inquired about the detail,” “From a political point of view, we Finchem said the PGA Tour had ex- PGA Tour to US companies who moved Golf Championships, which has been ing the fray after agreement of a seven- Finchem said. “But I made the point are neutral, PGA Tour has never been plained the move to Trump on Tuesday. factories to Mexico to take advantage of hosted in Miami for the last 55 years, to year deal with Grupo Salinas, an alli- that maybe that’s something we don’t involved in presidential politics. “He is clearly disappointed that we cheaper labour. Mexico,” Trump said. ance of Mexico City-based companies want to advertise.” Gulf Times Friday, June 3, 2016 9 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Tokyo organisers in seventh heaven Wrestler Kumar on with new sports

Reuters Mori said organisers now Lausanne, Switzerland would start work on pinning down venues and would present track for Rio aft er progress reports during the IOC rganisers of the Tokyo session in Rio. 2020 Olympics were “We will have to consult with taken by surprise by the stakeholders,” Mori said. “We Othe International Ol- will have to bring something as a ympic Committee’s decision to result of the work. We have to approve a Japanese proposal and prepare.” thrown from train recommend the inclusion of fi ve He said potential venues for sports in four years’ time, Games all fi ve sports had already been He hopes to become Australia’s first medallist in more than 60 years chief Yoshiro Mori said yester- identifi ed and presented to the day. IOC. Reuters Speaking to reporters after a “We have looked into vari- Melbourne meeting with the IOC to moni- ous candidate sites and IOC ex- tor progress, Mori also said the perts have seen them. They have Olympic body had no ques- scored the various candidate he path to the Olympics is paved tions over a payment during its sites.” with potholes for many ath- successful bid to host the 2020 Mori said the IOC did not ask letes but few can claim to have Games that had triggered an in- questions regarding payments of Tovercome hardship like wrestler vestigation back home. more than $2mn to a Singapore Vinod Kumar, who was thrown from a On Wednesday, the IOC ap- bank account during the bidding speeding train by a rival’s family in India proved the Tokyo’s proposal for process in 2012-13. before landing on his feet in Australia. fi ve more sports, with baseball/ “Not at all,” he responded Melbourne-based Kumar will compete softball, skateboarding, surfi ng, when asked whether the issue for his adopted country in the 66kg-class climbing and karate to feature at was raised by the IOC Executive of Greco-Roman wrestling at the Rio de the Games in 2020. Board. Janeiro Games, six years after landing The IOC must now rubber- The account was controlled by Down Under with a suitcase in hand and stamp the decision at its session a friend of Papa Massata Diack, a head full of troubled childhood memo- in Rio de Janeiro in August. son of disgraced former interna- ries. “We planned to make the pres- tional athletics chief president Winning the Olympic ticket was kar- entation (for the new sports)... Lamine Diack. ma, according to Kumar, and a reward but the IOC took the decision Tsunekazu Takeda, leader of the for forgiving the people who all but killed when I was up in the clouds group that won Tokyo the Sum- him when he was a teenager competing travelling from Tokyo,” Mori, a mer Games, has said the payments on India’s wrestling circuit. former prime minister, told re- were legitimate consultancy fees, “Wrestling is big in India,” the 31-year- porters. checked by auditors. old Kumar told Reuters in an interview at “I felt like a heavenly feeling. I French authorities are inves- his Melbourne home. “Fathers all want felt like up in the clouds because tigating Diack senior for alleged their sons to win... I forgave them be- it is a package approval.” corruption, and the Japanese cause I believe in karma and I believe in As part of sweeping reforms Olympic Committee (JOC) has God.” initiated in 2014, Olympic hosts launched its own investigation Born in a small village near New Delhi can bring in sports popular in into the 2020 bid process. and raised in a family of wrestlers, Kumar their countries to boost ratings The IOC said last week it saw competed at junior national tournaments and attract greater sponsorship no reason to doubt assurances across the country from a young age. as well as a younger generation from Tokyo about the legitimacy In 2001, he boarded a long-haul train of fans. of payments. to an event in southern India with other young wrestlers but never arrived. In this May 26, 2016, picture, wrestler Vinod Kumar (in red) tackles another wrestler at a YACHTING BROKEN BONES gym in Melbourne, Australia. (Reuters) As the night train coursed through coast- al forests in Karnataka state, Kumar was searing pain, unable to move as mosqui- “two or three times”, the case dragged on “Sometimes I’m feeling very upset, handed a spiked soft-drink and immedi- toes bit him and fl ies buzzed around his for years and he told his family to drop the thinking I am here and I have no money, ately felt dizzy after taking a mouthful. wounds. lawsuit. nothing here,” said Kumar, sitting on his Fukuoka to host He went groggily to the carriage’s Kumar believes he would have died if His forgiveness was not shared by his bed with a clutch of medals hanging by doorway to get some air and two men, one he had not been discovered by rail work- family, however, and caused a rift so deep the wall. the father of a rival wrestler, hurled him ers in the morning, putting him on an- that Kumar left home for good. “I feel it’s too hard here and I want to from the train before it sped into a tunnel. other train bound for a hospital that could He then spent years roaming the coun- quit... Then I go to the club (to train) and America’s Cup Bones were broken in his arms and legs treat him. try, competing for cash prizes in towns have a better feeling.” as his body careened off the tracks to set- “No one knew where I was for 15 and villages in conventional freestyle After earning his ticket to Rio in April tle by a body of water. days, everybody thought I was dead,” he events and in ‘’, India’s tradi- at a qualifying tournament in Algeria, “The train was going very fast. May- laughed. tional dirt wrestling. Kumar feels the grind has been worth it. World Series be 100-130 kilometres (per hour),” the When returned to his family, police ar- Australia promised a fresh start but it Melbourne’s prominent Indian com- shaven-headed wrestler said in halting rested fi ve of the men who were on the has been tough for Kumar since landing munity have rallied to his cause and he English. carriage. in 2010 with little English and no skills. will head to Brazil hoping to become Aus- “My clothes were all torn, like I was With no professional wrestling to tralia’s fi rst wrestling medallist in more just wearing my underwear.” DIRT WRESTLER speak of in Australia, Kumar has worked than 60 years. Fifteen years later, Kumar lifts up his His family launched legal action as Ku- as a courier and a bouncer at nightclubs He said the boy-wrestler’s father who shirt and trouser leg to show deep scars mar lay bed-ridden for a year. One of his to earn money and says he owes friends threw him from the train is dead and that along his chest and knee but can now brothers refused a compensation pay- up to A$15,000 ($10,800). the man’s wife had hanged herself. Their chuckle about the absurdity of what hap- ment from the boy-wrestler’s father. Both parents have died since he left In- son has not succeeded in wrestling. pened. Kumar eventually returned to compe- dia, his mother of a heart attack only two “Now he’s nothing and I’m an Olym- He spent the night conscious and in tition and although he appeared in court weeks before his interview with Reuters. pian,” Kumar said. “This is karma.”

BOTTOMLINE Boxing world hits out at move to open Olympic Games to professionals

Reuters London Harrison says Rio Games won’t see fl ood of pros

AFP Olympics in Sydney, said the lack of cycle where you are fighting maybe mateur boxing’s decision to al- London access to qualifying tournaments and four times over 10 days is a totally diff er- low professionals into the Ol- the diff erent challenges posed by an ent sport. ympics for the fi rst time drew Olympic programme meant fears of a “I think it’s more smoke and mirrors fi ghting talk on Wednesday ritish Olympic boxing gold flood of pros in to Games boxing were from Dr (AIBA president CK) Wu in fromA champions and sanctioning bodies medallist Audley Harrison does unjustified. terms of announcing they can do it opposed to the break with tradition. Bnot expect professional boxers “When you look at amateur boxing because you have to go through a SoftBank Group representative Masayoshi Son poses next to the The British Boxing Board of Control to compete in large numbers at the now, the line has been blurred to some qualifying process to qualify for the Ol- America’s Cup trophy during a press conference yesterday. (AFP) (BBBC), which governs the country’s pro- Rio Games after a rule change allow- degree because you now have amateur ympics — all of the amateur bodies are fessional fi ght scene, said the change was ing to them participate was approved boxers boxing without head guards, ba- a part of that — and it’s only two more AFP Team Japan as general manager dangerous, disrespectful and “against the Wednesday. sically punching for pay with the world tournaments. Paris and sailing crew member. spirit of the Olympics”. The International Boxing Association sports programme that they are doing,” “One’s coming up on June 16 until the “As a Japanese sailor, it is ex- “It is the hope of the British Boxing (AIBA) removed restrictions on profes- Harrison told BBC Radio yesterday. 25th and the other one is July 3rd until the tremely meaningful to be able to Board of Control and many within the sionals competing at ‘amateur’ events “So you have this already moving 8th, so I just don’t think it’s plausible that ukuoka in Japan will host have the race in Japan,” he said. professional Sport in Great Britain and such as the Olympics at an extraordi- towards the professionals — they are a professional boxer is going to be able to yachting’s America’s “On behalf of SoftBank Team throughout the world that AIBA recon- nary congress in Lausanne, Switzerland. doing five-minute (five three-minute) change his training dynamic to go and try Cup World Series on No- Japan, I know we’ll be putting sider such a move that is not benefi cial to Concerns have been raised that rounds, the head guards are gone and and qualify for that tournament. vember 18-20 next, or- all of our eff orts into producing a the sport as a whole,” it added in a state- ganisersF announced yesterday. great result.” hardened professionals could outclass they are being paid, so what you’ve got “They’ve already said that no boxer is ment. amateur boxers. to think about is (the) two sports are going to be allowed in on a wildcard, It will be the fi rst time that the Japan Sailing Federation Pres- AIBA, the international boxing as- But few pros are likely to make it to Rio very diff erent sports. like Manny Pacquiao or some of the world’s oldest sporting trophy, ident Hirobumi Kawano added: sociation for amateurs, earlier approved given the final qualifying tournament is “Professional boxing and how you train most high-profile professionals, so how dating back 165 years, will take “The news that the Louis Vuit- a constitutional change that would al- in Venezuela in July. for a professional boxing contest, 12 are they really going to train for those place in Asia. ton America’s Cup World Series low professionals to compete at the Rio Harrison, who won gold at the 2000 rounds, three minutes, and the Olympic tournaments coming up?” “This is an incredible oppor- is coming to Fukuoka reinforces Games in August. tunity to showcase this compel- Japan as a great sporting venue, AIBA boss Ching-Kuo Wu told Reuters ling sport to new audiences, not following the decision to hold the in Lausanne that the change to the AIBA teurs and professionals, boxers with ex- “Goodbye amateur boxing now as far boxing gold at the 1992 Olympics as a only in Japan but across all of 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.” constitution was approved with 95 per- perience of both disagreed. as I’m concerned. Can’t say I’m a fan of lightweight, and went on to become a Asia,” said Russell Coutts, the The World Series is a global cent in favour — 84 of 88 voting mem- “They’re two diff erent sports. It’s like this,” said Hatton, the former world wel- professional world champion, has also CEO of the 35th America’s Cup. circuit of events building to- bers. a badminton player playing tennis,” said terweight and light-welterweight world spoken out against opening up the Olym- “With the challenge from wards the America’s Cup in Ber- It follows a decision in March to extend Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton, a champion, on his Twitter feed. pic tournament. SoftBank Team Japan marking muda in 2017. the scrapping of headguards in men’s former amateur who has won WBA and Former world heavyweight champion “Nearly a quarter-century ago, when I the return of Japan to the Amer- The six America’s Cup teams amateur boxing — introduced three years IBF world title belts at super-bantam- Mike Tyson, who as an amateur won was just an amateur boxer, I stood atop a ica’s Cup, enthusiasm is building are competing for points that ago — to the forthcoming Olympics. weight, on Twitter. gold at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic podium in Barcelona and was presented for the sport in Asia.” count towards the next stage of Some 26 Olympic spots will be up for “What about the amateurs who have Games, last week branded the proposal with what I still consider the greatest SoftBank Team Japan is the racing, the America’s Cup Quali- grabs when fi ghters compete at a qualify- been dreaming of the Olympics for years, “ridiculous”. prize of my career — the Olympic gold fourth Japanese challenge for fi ers. ing tournament in Venezuela next month. have yet to qualify, and some pro takes “It’s ridiculous, it’s foolish, and some of medal,” he wrote in the Los Angeles Times the America’s Cup, and the fi rst In 2016, the America’s Cup While an AIBA spokesman said the their spot at the last minute?” the pro fi ghters are going to get beat by the in April. since 1999. World Series includes stops in governing body was “acting for the Ol- Britain’s former professional world amateurs. It’s just going to happen, I really “Had professionals been allowed to Kazuhiko “Fuku” Sofuku was a Muscat, Oman; New York and ympic legacy” and rejected fears that champions Carl Froch and Ricky Hatton believe that,” the 49-year-old told Reuters. participate in the ring that year, I would bowman with that 1999 team and Chicago; Portsmouth, England; there would be a disparity between ama- also criticised the change. American Oscar De La Hoya, who won not have made it so far.” he has returned with SoftBank Toulon, France; and Fukuoka. Gulf Times 10 Friday, June 3, 2016 SPORT

ATHLETICS FOCUS Jamaican tests Wayde Van Niekerk positive ‘but not Bolt’: reports to focus only on Agencies Paris / Kingston

sain Bolt’s agent says the sprint star is not the Jamaican athlete whose 400m this season retested sample from theU 2008 Olympics has revealed a doping violation. ‘I’ve been struggling with a lot of injuries with the 100 and 200’ Local newspaper The Gleaner said yesterday that an “expe- rienced” Jamaican runner was among 31 athletes from among a Adams wins again on road to Rio dozen countries whose retested A sample from the Beijing Games had shown the presence of a banned substance. The runner cannot be named pending the outcome of the B sample test, however Bolt’s agent denied to the French sports news- paper L’Equipe that the sprint king was the athlete involved. The Gleaner said that “at least tectable at the time now show up Wayde van one (Jamaican) medal from the under advanced techniques. Niekerk Beijing Olympics (is) now in The IOC said last month jeopardy”. that 31 athletes from six diff er- The reanalysis of samples was ent sports and 12 countries had AFP carried out at the request of the tested positive in the retesting Rome International Olympic Commit- of 2008 samples and that it had tee (IOC), which is trying to crack launched disciplinary action down on doping ahead of the Rio against the as yet unidentifi ed ayde van Niekerk made sprint history by Games in August. athletes who would not be al- becoming the fi rst athlete to dip under Jamaica Olympic Association lowed to compete in August’s Rio benchmark times in the 100, 200 and president Michael Fennell de- de Janeiro games. 400m, but the South African insists his clined comment, while Jamaica Russia has already said 14 of its Wfocus this season is wholly on the one-lap race. Athletics Administrative Associ- athletes were among the positive Having already clocked 19.94 seconds and 43.48sec ation president Dr Warren Blake tests from 2008. in the 200 and 400m, Van Niekerk timed 9.98sec in told Reuters his organisation had The IOC has said the proc- the 100m in March to set an athletics fi rst. not been notifi ed of any rule vio- ess of deciding how to reallocate “That’s crazy, great things could be ahead,” lation. medals after the re-testing of American track great and 400m world record holder Following the biggest doping the Beijing and London Games Michael Johnson said after Van Niekerk’s feat. scandal in years, the Interna- samples was still under consid- Reputed athletics statistician Jon Mulkeen, using tional Olympic Committee (IOC) eration. IAAF scoring tables, ranked Van Niekerk as fi fth after New Zealand’s Valerie Adams competes in the shot put event at the Diamond League meet in Rome yesterday. (AFP) has ordered retesting of 2008 Jamaica won six gold, three sil- a survey of top sprinters over the three distances. and 2012 Olympic samples where ver and two bronze medals at the Usain Bolt sits in fi rst position, his world records in AFP tempt in a consistent display at the surgery that put paid to her injury- traces of drugs that were unde- 2008 Olympics, all in athletics. the 100 and 200m making up for a modest personal Rome Stadio Olimpico. bedevilled 2015 season. best of 45.28sec in the 400m. Her winning distance was 71cm She added: “I was really good today. Johnson is ranked second, ahead of American Ty- ahead of Anita Marton of Hungary. I am a lot more consistent than I son Gay and Jamaican Yohan Blake, followed by Van ew Zealand’s shot put queen “I guess this year I am more moti- have been in the past. Kuwait ban unlikely to be lift ed Niekerk. Valerie Adams continued to vated than ever,” said Adams, the “The competition was good. I will The Cape Town-born track star is relatively little- Nput last year’s injury woes four-time world outdoor champion, take the win but I do not think in in time for Rio: IOC known on a global level despite scorching to world behind her with a dominant victory three-time world indoor champion terms of being the Diamond Race gold in the 400m in Beijing last year. in yesterday’s Diamond League and two-time Olympic gold medallist. leader, what I need is to get compe- Kuwait’s chances of competing at the Rio Games were dealt a But that promises to change, with news that the meet in Rome. “2016 is an Olympic year. It is a titions under my belt. severe blow yesterday with the International Olympic Committee 23-year-old has inked in a training programme later Following up on her win in Rabat great challenge, a great year. Last “Training, keep building from there (IOC) saying a ban imposed last year was unlikely to be lifted in this month with Usain Bolt’s coach Glen Mills in Ja- last week, Adams threw a season’s year was really tough for me,” the and come out and have fun. This is time. maica ahead of the Rio Olympics. best of 19.69 metres on her third at- 31-year-old said in reference to knee my fourth Olympics!” Kuwait’s athletes would not, however, be banned from the Games “We have some good relationship with coach Mills, starting on August 5 but would compete as independent athletes I’ve got to know him on the circuit over the last few Rome Diamond League results under the Olympic flag, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. months and years,” Van Niekerk said. Kuwait and the IOC have been at loggerheads over a new sports “I’m really excited to learn and pick up some good Men’s 200m Women’s 5000m law that the Olympic body says will undermine the autonomy of tips for myself as an athlete and hopefully it’ll benefi t 1. Ameer Webb (USA) 20.04 1. Almaz Ayana (ETH) 14:12.59 sport in the country. Kuwait argues it will strengthen the inde- me in the future.” 2. Aaron Brown (CAN) 20.24 2. Mercy Cherono (KEN) 14:33.95 pendence of sports bodies. Van Niekerk added: “I’ve tried to improve my 100m 3. Alonso Edward (PAN) 20.25 3. J Kibiwot (KEN) 14:34.39 “The situation with Kuwait is not improving,” Adams told report- times, and from there it’s all about building some ers. “Since the last IOC executive board there has been no positive good momentum. I’m doing some agility work and Men’s 400m Women’s 400m Hurdles development due to the attitude of the government.” now practising the 400m. 1. Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) 44.19 1. Janieve Russell (JAM) 53.96 “It is unlikely to be resolved by the time of the Games in Rio. We “It’s time to get kicked off in the European season 2. Bralon Taplin (GRN) 44.43 2. Wenda Theron Nel (RSA) 54.61 believe Kuwait will remain suspended,” he said. and soak it up and build up some good momentum 3. Isaac Makwala (BOT) 44.85 3. Eilidh Doyle (GBR) 54.81 The ban, which was imposed in October, means the country’s until we get to the Olympics.” Olympic Committee and consequently its athletes are not eligible But the South African was in no doubt about where Men’s 110m Hurdles Women’s Pole Vault for any funding from the IOC for the duration of the suspension his goal lay this season. 1. Orlando Ortega (ESP) 13.22 1. Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE) 4.75 and cannot take part in any IOC-linked event. “I’m really a big lover of the 100 and 200m, but I 2. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (FRA) 13.29 2. Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou (GRE) 4.75 The IOC redistributes the majority of revenues from the Games to fell in love with the 400m and that’s why I do what I 3. Andrew Pozzi (GBR) 13.37 3. Yarisley Silva (CUB) 4.60 its stakeholders, including the National Olympic Committees. do today,” he said. Athletes and coaches also regularly benefit from Olympic scholar- “I’ve been going through a four-year process with Men’s Discus Women’s Triple Jump ships, for which Kuwaitis are now also not eligible. the 400m. I’ve been struggling with a lot of injuries 1. Robert Urbanek (POL) 65.00 1. Caterine Ibargueen (COL) 14.78 Kuwait, angered by the IOC decision last year, has filed a civil law- with the 100 and 200, so they’ve been neglected a bit 2. Victor Hogan (RSA) 64.03 2. Olga Rypakova (KAZ) 14.51 suit against the country’s Olympic committee and is also trying to more than the 400m. 3. Robert Harting (GER) 63.96 3. Shanieka Thomas (JAM) 14.46 get the Olympic Council of Asia, headquartered there, to leave the “At this very moment, I’m totally focused on the country. 400m and doing a bit of 200m during the European Women’s 800m Women’s Shot Put Eff orts to find a solution with the IOC in March collapsed with season. 1. Caster Semenya (RSA) 1:56.64 1. Valerie Adams (NZL) 19.69 each side blaming the other for failure to agree on a deal. “Maybe in the future I’ll start considering the 100 2. Francine Niyonsaba (BDI) 1:58.20 2. Anita Marton (HUN) 18.98 Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana celebrates “We would love for them to come back to the (negotiating) table,” and 200m but for now I’m completely focused on the 3. Lynsey Sharp (GBR) 1:59.03 3. Aliona Dubitskaya (BLR) 18.38 her win in 5000m event. (Reuters) Adams said. “It (the ban) is pre-emptive. Hopefully it will not be 400m.” necessary but with two months left it is very likely.” Kuwait was also suspended in 2010 over a similar dispute but was reinstated before the 2012 London Olympics. The country’s BOTTOMLINE football federation has also been suspended by world soccer’s governing body FIFA over government interference.

Japan comic to run for Cambodia at Rio SPOTLIGHT

AFP resent Cambodia in the men’s Phnom Penh marathon at the 2012 London Ol- Rutherford happy to be ympics, but was barred from run- ning because he had not obtained Japanese comedian will citizenship for long enough to Olympic gold favourite run the marathon for qualify. Cambodia at the Olym- Still his selection stirred grum- Reuters body else because there are some pics in Brazil this sum- bles among Cambodia’s athletics London very good jumpers there.” mer,A an offi cial said yesterday, a community who urged the gov- Rutherford is quoted by Sky- second attempt by the funnyman erning body to give its few wild- bet at 5-4 for Olympic gold, with to go to the Games for the South- cards to home-grown competi- ritish gold medallist Marquis Dendy from the United east Asian sporting minnows. tors. Greg Rutherford is look- States, who cleared 8.41 metres Kuniaki Takizaki, a television As one of the kingdom’s fastest ing forward to defend- indoors in March, at 7-2. star in Japan renowned for his marathon runners, Takizaki re- ing his Olympic title and “It’s great that I’m the bookies’ diminutive height and quirky cat corded a time of 2 hours 44 min- Bsays he is not fazed by being the favourite, and I quite like that. I impressions under the stage name utes in the Kep qualifi er. bookmakers’ favourite to win the don’t think I’ve been bookies’ fa- Neko Hiroshi, was given a wild- The Olympic marathon record long jump at the Games in Rio in vourite for anything before now,” card nomination after he came is just over two hours, meaning August. Rutherford said. fi rst in a recent marathon in the the comic has little chance in Rio. The 29-year-old won gold at Rutherford missed the World coastal city of Kep. Another fi ve Cambodian ath- the 2012 London Games with a Indoor Championships in March “He won the selection compe- letes — a female runner, two leap of 8.31 metres and is back- due to illness but said he was in tition on May 7, so he will go to swimmers, a taekwondo fi ghter ing himself to win gold again in the best shape of his career ahead (Rio). He has fulfi lled all the crite- and a wrestler — will also com- Brazil. of the start of the Diamond ria,” Vath Chamroeun, secretary- pete at the Games in the Brazil- “I won’t shy away from saying League in Rome. general of the National Olympic ian megacity of Rio de Janeiro in I always put a lot of pressure on “Arguably I’m in the best Committee of Cambodia, told August. myself,” Rutherford told British shape I’ve ever been,” he added. AFP. They are all unfancied for med- media. “I had a little adductor prob- He said the comedian is “a als hailing from a poor country “I will go into the Olympic lem and stupid chest infection Cambodian athlete” who was where funds for training and fa- Games expecting to win the Ol- that wrote off the indoor season, granted citizenship in 2011. cilities are spread desperately In this June 15, 2014, picture, Japanese comedian Kuniaki Takizaki celebrates as he finishes a half ympic Games. It is just how I see but that quickly passed and I was Takizaki was chosen to rep- thin. marathon in front of the Royal palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (AFP) it and it’s no disrespect to every- training really well again.” Gulf Times Friday, June 3, 2016 11 TENNISSPORT

SPOTLIGHT Berdych fumes at decision Murray targets end to to stop play

Paris: French Open organis- ers, having been criticised for allegedly ensuring the players 79-year British pain stayed on court in the rain, came under fire for sending them back to the dressing room yesterday. 'I think at this stage of my career to do things that I have never done before is nice' A 10-minute rain inter- ruption in Tomas Berdych’s AFP quarter-final with world Paris World number two Andy Murray is in number one Novak Djokovic the habit of shrugging off the weight of left the Czech seventh seed expectations with his 2012 US Open and fuming as he felt the condi- ndy Murray takes on defending champion Stan 2013 Wimbledon triumphs. (Reuters) tions had not changed since Wawrinka today looking to become the fi rst the start of the match. British man to reach the French Open fi nal since Hitting out at supervisor 1937. The world number two is in the habit of Wayne McEwan, Berdych, shruggingA off the weight of expectations with his 2012 US who lost 6-3 7-5 6-3, told Open and 2013 Wimbledon triumphs. reporters: “We had been He is also a fi ve-time Australian Open runner-up playing two-and-a-half sets but the unique challenges of Paris’s red clay have so far in light rain... I was close and him at the semi-fi nal stage on three occasions. having my chances. Then all Today he gets another opportunity to make a fi rst Brit- of a sudden the decision (to ish breakthrough since Bunny Austin reached the fi nal 79 stop the match). You have to years ago. Only then will the 29-year-old ponder a title take a break, take all the stuff , last won by a compatriot when Fred Perry triumphed in go in, then go out again a few 1935. “I think at this stage of my career to do things that minutes later. Really, that was I have never done before is nice,” said Murray as he con- one of the worst calls that I templated reaching the fi nal of all four Slams. ever had on the court.” “That’s one of the things that motivates me and drives Berdych said organisers me. That’s why my results on clay over the last couple of were responding to a tight years have been really special to me because I never ex- schedule after the claycourt pected that really, and it had come in the latter stages of Grand Slam suff ered its my career.” first washout in 16 years on Murray came into Paris having defeated world number Monday followed by just two one Novak Djokovic in the fi nal of the Rome Masters but hours of play on Tuesday. under a cloud following the end of his coaching rela- “The conditions are tough. tionship with Amelie Mauresmo. His campaign was al- They are not easy to play. most scuppered at the fi rst hurdle when he had to fi ght Probably that’s when they are back from two sets down to defeat 37-year-old Radek pushed under pressure that Stepanek. they are making decisions He then needed another fi ve sets to beat French wild- like that,” he said. card Mathias Bourgue, the world 164. Since then, Murray “They are relying on some- has been relatively untroubled, seeing off big-servers Ivo one who is in a little room and Karlovic and John Isner in straight sets before defeating saying that he’s (a) meteor- home hope Richard Gasquet from a set down. ologist and he’s predicting He has even seen the torrential rain act in his favour. what’s going to happen or Having played his last-16 match against Isner on Sunday, not.” he didn’t return to the courts until Wednesday to face Earlier this week, lead- Gasquet before enjoying a free time yesterday. ing players Venus Williams, In comparison, Djokovic played his last-16 round over Simona Halep and Agnieszka two days on Tuesday and Wednesday and beat Tomas Radwanska, as well as Berdych in his delayed quarter-fi nal yesterday. Djoko- Djokovic’s previous opponent vic defeated Murray in a classic fi ve-set semi-fi nal 12 Spaniard Roberto Bautista months ago, but this year they can only meet in the fi nal. Agut, criticised organisers for In his previous two semi-fi nals, in 2011 and 2014, making them play through Murray lost to Rafael Nadal in straights. However, Nadal rainy spells. withdrew from the tournament with a wrist injury last Djokovic said he appreci- week while another threat, Roger Federer, opted not to ated the organisers’ dilemma. play at all to rest a back injury. “If you take into consideration But that won’t mean he will under-estimate Wawrinka the locations of all four Grand who stunned Djokovic in last year’s fi nal. The 31-year- Slams, I think Paris has the old Swiss is the oldest semi-fi nalist in Paris since Jimmy most challenging position in Connors in 1985. Murray leads their head-to-head 8-7 terms of dealing with resi- but Wawrinka has won their last three meetings. The dents around,” he said. third seed has also won both their tour claycourt meet- “It’s definitely not easy. ings – in Rome in 2008 and Monte Carlo in 2013. I’m sure that they’ve already Like Murray, Wawrinka also needed fi ve sets to get heard a million times that through his opener against Lukas Rosol, but has dropped we a need roof, that we need just one set since. However, Wawrinka insists that Mur- lights. You could see a lot of ray is the favourite to win Friday’s clash, even claiming improvement with the facili- that the Scot is in a diff erent class despite both men hav- ties this year with the Jean ing claimed two Grand Slam titles apiece. Bouin stadium and the Na- “If you were to compare our two careers he’s well ahead tional Tennis Centre. They are of me given all the titles, the fi nals, number two in the trying to do whatever they world, and he has so many Masters 1000, as well,” said can do within the regulations, Wawrinka who was also the 2014 Australian Open and I’m just hoping that for champion. “As I keep on repeating, he’s in the ‘Big Four’ the sake of this tournament (with Djokovic, Federer and Nadal).Maybe he has fewer and all the players that we titles than the other three, but he’s always been with are going to have that roof at them during the semis, the fi nals. His career is very, very least on the one court as soon impressive.” as possible.” Wawrinka has a career haul of 14 titles, including his Roland Garros is the only two majors and one Masters. Murray has racked up 36 uncovered slam. titles with two Grand Slams and 12 at the Masters level.

PREVIEW FOCUS Clash of contrasts opposes Stosur Lousy conditions perfect and Muguruza in the semi-fi nal for brand new champion

AFP sets. “She plays well. It will be a tough Reuters To do so, though, hey will have to master the Paris match. In a semi-fi nal match, all matches Paris toughest Grand Slam tournament of all, accord- are tough. Lots of players are under stress ing to John McEnroe. “It always used to be Wim- and they want to reach the fi nal, so I will bledon was the toughest slam,” said the Ameri- ustralian experience and guile focus on my tennis and I will give my f there is a new member of the Grand Slam can, who is in Paris with Wilander commentating takes on Spanish youth and best,” Muguruza said. champions’ club this weekend, nobody for Eurosport. power at the French Open to- Stosur for her part said that she recog- should be surprised – the conditions at “We were always on-off , on-off , on-off ,” the day when Samantha Stosur nised Muguruza as one of the top, rising Ithis year’s sodden, chilly French Open suit American added, referring to the rain delays playsA Garbine Muguruza in the fi rst of the stars on the WTA circuit. the underdog. Mats Wilander, a winner of seven which were a feature of Wimbledon life before the semi-fi nals. Stosur at 32 is a veteran of “She’s three or four in the world at Grand Slam crowns, says the heavy balls and slow installation of a roof at the All England Club cen- 15 years on the WTA circuit who won the the moment. She’s had a great couple of conditions at Roland Garros favour up-and-com- tre court. The Australian Open has three roofs at 2011 US Open and fi nished runner-up at years. She has had some good wins this England coach ing tyros over the established . Melbourne Park – mainly to counter the searing Roland Garros the previous year. week obviously to be this far,” she said. Trevor Bayliss. “To get anywhere here right now, you have to January temperatures – and Wimbledon added Her game revolves around a big, swing- “She hits the ball hard and fl at and put 10, 20 percent on your shots,” the Swede told one in 2009. ing serve, plenty of top spin, changes of she’s very aggressive. I’m expecting a Reuters yesterday, as a cold wind whipped the A steel retractable roof will be fully functional rhythm and her years of experience. Mu- tough one. I will have to play well, and if grounds. “That is what these underdogs do all the before the fi rst 2016 US Open match begins in guruzu is 10 years younger and her big- I’m not playing my best I will have to fi nd time. The big names, they win matches playing August in New York, leaving Roland Garros as the gest achievement to date was reaching a way and do something that’s going to within themselves, and that is fi ne when you are only uncovered slam. “I’d always thought Wim- last year’s Wimbledon fi nal where she hopefully put me in a position to do well.” on a warm, dry hard court in California. But here? bledon was the toughest to win,” said McEnroe, lost to Serena Williams. Due to the bad weather conditions that Forget it. To get anything you need to take risks three times a champion on London’s lawns, but The Venezuelan-born Spaniard is in have dogged Roland Garros this week, and hit big. That’s what the underdogs always do, never better than a fi nalist in France. the modern mould of tall women players both players will at least have an ad- and that’s when anything can happen. Top players “You were on the court, off the court... They’ve reliant on power-hitting from the base- vantage over who comes through in the can adjust, but the advantage is certainly with the eliminated that now with the roof. But now you line. That throws up an intriguing clash other half of the draw, as they were able underdog.” are here, and you just have to deal with it.” Al- of contrasts that draws fourth-seeded to fi nish their quarter-fi nal matches on This year’s tournament lost a full day’s play though it is not only the uncertainty that makes Muguruza into the unchartered territory Wednesday. at the start of the second week, and numerous Roland Garros such a tough proposition. of a Roland Garros semi-fi nal. Defending champion Serena Williams hours in total lost to drizzle and early fi nishes. “You really have to have a total game, be able “I don’t think I have played against her. only completed her fourth round that Swiss champion Stan Wawrinka and Britain’s to do everything,” said Wilander. “That is what Maybe. Maybe. I know that she reached same day and she beat unseeded Yulia Andy Murray are set to contest the bottom semi- makes this one so hard. It really can be like two the fi nal at the French Open,” she said af- Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the quarter- fi nal today, so there will be no breakthrough name diff erent tournaments. Fast and dry and like a ter her quarter-fi nal win. As it turns out fi nals yesterday. That means that if she there. But Dominic Thiem faces top seed Novak hard court... or like this. You need to be the com- they have played, just the once, on clay at reaches the fi nal she will have played four Samantha Stosur at 32 is a veteran of 15 years on Djokovic in other semifi nal and Thiem could be plete player,” added the Swede, pulling his collar Madrid in 2014 when Stosur won in three days straight. WTA circuit who won the 2011 US Open. (AFP) fi rst-time Slam winner. together as the wind blew through the stadium. Friday, June 3, 2016 GULF TIMES TENNIS

FRENCH OPEN Djokovic enters semis aft er dodging disqualifi cation World No. 1, who will face Thiem for a spot in the final, admits he was lucky to escape being kicked out of the tournament

AFP Paris Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates next to a ball boy after winning his quarter-final match ovak Djokovic reached his 30th Grand against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych at Slam semi-fi nal yesterday but his the French Open in Paris yesterday. (AFP) quest for a fi rst French Open title was almost scuppered by disqualifi cation. NThe world number one, a three-time runner- up and seeking a maiden Roland Garros crown to complete the career Grand Slam, defeated Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, claiming a place in an eighth French Open semi-fi nal and sixth in succession. But the 29-year-old Serb, who will face Do- minic Thiem of Austria today for a spot in the fi nal, admitted he was lucky to escape being kicked out of the tournament in the second game of the third set. Frustrated at missing a break point, Djokovic went to smash his racquet into the ground but it slipped out of his grasp before it fl ew into the backwall on Philippe Chatrier Court. Had it hit the nearby line judge, who was forced to take evasive action, Djokovic would have been disqualifi ed. Not surprisingly, he of- fered a speedy apology to chair umpire Eva As- deraki Moore and escaped with a warning for racquet abuse. “I was lucky there,” admitted Djokovic.”I apologised to the people that have been in this particular situation with me and that could have been hurt by my racquet. But, you know, it was never the intention. It was just some unfortu- nate bounce, but fortunate ending of that sce- nario. That’s all I can say.” Yesterday’s quarter-fi nal was played out in a RESULTS (x denotes seeded player): Men's Quarter-finals Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x7) 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 Dominic Thiem (AUT x13) bt David Goff in (BEL x12) 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-1 Women's Quarter finals: Serena Williams (USA x1) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 Kiki Bertens (NED) bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI x8) 7-5, 6-2 ORDER OF PLAY Court Philippe Chatrier (1300 local/1100GMT) Women’s singles semi-final Serena Williams (USA x1) v Kiki Bertens (NED) Not before 1500/1300 damp chill where temperatures nosedived to 12 deteriorating wet conditions. “It’s a circus, just pion, will have to play fi ve days in six although but Goffi n then took control winning ve fi out Men’s singles semi-final degrees. But it didn’t stop the Serb from claim- one big circus,” he fumed at tournament referee he will start against Thiem as the favourite hav- of the next six games to take the fi rst set 6-4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI x3) v Andy Murray (GBR x2) ing a 24th win in 26 meetings against Berdych Wayne McKewen who took the players off for a ing won both their previous matches. Thiem, who had won more matches on clay that Court Suzanne Lenglen (1300 and his 11th in a row. brief stoppage to allow the rain to pass. On the The 22-year-old Thiem defeated Belgium’s any other player this year (24), edged the second local/1100GMT) Djokovic raced through the fi rst set with resumption, Djokovic broke for 5-3 and took David Goffi n 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-1 to make the set tie-break. The Austrian, who once beefed up Women’s singles semi-final Garbine Muguruza breaks in the seventh and ninth games before victory when Berdych dumped a service return semi-fi nals of a Grand Slam for the fi rst time. his physique by lifting tree trunks, claimed the (ESP x4) v Samantha Stosur (AUS x21) stretching out to a 4-2 lead in the second. into the net. “The fi rst two sets were really good tennis. For third set while back-to-back breaks at the start Not before 1500/1300 Berdych broke for the fi rst time to get to Djokovic was playing for the third day in suc- both of us it was not easy with the conditions, of the fourth meant the way was clear for Thiem Men’s singles semi-final 3-4 but Djokovic restored his advantage in the cession after a washout on Monday and just two but I am really happy right now,” said Thiem. In to record one of the biggest wins of his career. Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Dominic 12th game for a two sets lead. The two men ex- hours of action on Tuesday. If he is to win an elu- front of a couple of hundred spectators huddled Yesterday’s other semi-fi nal will see second Thiem (AUT x13) changed breaks in the fi rst two games of the sive French Open title, the top seed, who is also into a damp and chilly Court Suzanne Lenglen, seed Andy Murray take on Swiss third seed and third before Berdych became angry over the the Wimbledon, US and Australian Open cham- the Austrian took an early 3-1 lead with a break, defending champion Stan Wawrinka.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Serena survives, next up Bertens in Paris Djokovic shrugs off AFP Paris being $100 erena Williams moved to within two matches of winning a record-equal- ling 22nd Grand Slam title with a 5-7, million man 6-4, 6-1 win over Kazakhstan’s Yulia PutintsevaS in the French Open quarter-fi nals AFP yesterday. Her reward is a semi-fi nal matchup Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands is Paris today against another unseeded player, Kiki overjoyed after her win over Timea Bertens of the Netherlands, who defeated Bacsinszky of Switzerland in the French Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-2 It was a peculiar Open quarter-final. (Reuters) ovak Djokovic insisted yesterday that performance from the top seed and defending money will never be a driving force in champion, who looked unrecognisable for the his life despite becoming the fi rst play- fi rst hour of a match played in cold, damp con- er to earn $100 million in prize money. ditions on the Roland Garros centre court. NThe 29-year-old world number one reached the Defeat was staring the out-of-sorts Ameri- landmark fi gure by making the French Open can in the face at a set and a break down, but quarter-fi nals yesterday. “Believe it or not, I in the nick of time the champion managed to never thought of prize money being one of the rekindle the fi res that fuel her game. Back- sources of my motivation and inspiration to to-back service breaks allowed her to turn the play tennis,” said Djokovic, after reaching the match on its head and avoid what would have semi-fi nals on Friday to guarantee at least an- been one of the biggest upsets in French Open other $500,000. “Of course the money helps me history. have a certain standard of life and lifestyle. But Because of the poor weather conditions that that’s all. It never was and is never going to be have beset Roland Garros this week, Williams the driving force in my life and in my career.” will play her third match in three days in Fri- Roger Federer, who is not playing the French day’s semis against Bertens. A win there would Open due to injury, is second on the all-time qualify her for Saturday’s fi nal and the chance money list with $98,011,727. of matching Steffi Graf’s modern-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles set in Paris in 1999. oldest ever female champion at Roland Garros, back level at 4-4 and the defending champion fi rst time. It was her 12th successive victory FEDERER TO PLAY STUTTGART, HALLE IN “She played unbelievable and I did not think tried to apply more pressure on her 21-year-old had to stave off two break points in the next having arrived in Paris from Nuremburg where WIMBLEDON WARM-UP I was going to win that in the second set, but opponent, but there were too many unforced game. she had won the title as a qualifi er. Swiss superstar Roger Federer will play at next somehow I did,” Williams said. The match got errors in her game. She paid the price for a That boosted Williams and she profi ted from In an error-hit quarter-fi nal, which featured week’s ATP tournament in Stuttgart, then Halle off to a hesitant start with the players coming sloppy 11th game with Putintseva grabbing a double fault from her Russian-born oppo- 11 breaks of serve and played on a half-emp- the week after as he returns from a back injury, off during the third game as light rain started the chance to pull off a second break and then nent to take the second set 6-4 minutes later. ty Suzanne Lenglen court, the 24-year-old it was confi rmed. The 17-time Grand Slam win- to fall. They were back again on a sparsely- serving out to love for the set. Things went The top seed fi nally got her nose in front with Bertens is the fi rst Dutchwoman to get to the ner will play in Stuttgart from June 6-12, which fi lled Court Philippe Chatrier 10 minutes later from bad to worse for Williams as she dropped a break of serve to lead 2-0 in the decider and last four since Marijke Schaar in 1971. “It’s un- is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary, before and there were looks of surprise as Putintseva, serve to love to start the second set, spraying from there she used her power and experience believable,” said Bertens who started the Nu- playing his next grasscourt tournament in Ger- playing in her fi rst Grand Slam quarter-fi nal, her shots long and wide. to complete a nervy win. She fi nished with a remburg event at 89 in the world but will now many at Halle the week after. The 34-year-old broke serve and then held her own to love to Her case was starting to look forlorn, but total of 43 unforced errors compared to just 16 break the top 30 after her run in Paris. “To be in will be bidding for his ninth win in Halle in his lead 3-1. some semblence of normality started to return for her opponent. the semis, it’s just crazy. To play Serena it will warm-up for Wimbledon, which he has already Williams though quickly pulled out of her to her game and back-to-back breaks hauled Her semi-fi nal opponent, world number be a great match. She’s the number one in the won seven times. The Swiss dropped out of the lethargic start to break and level at 3-3. The her 4-1 ahead. Another scrappy service game 58 Bertens, defeated Bacsinszky to reach the world. “I will just go out there and try and have French Open at Roland Garros, which concludes 34-year-old American, bidding to become the from the American allowed Putintseva to pull semi-fi nal of a Grand Slam tournament for the fun and give it my all.” this weekend, with a back injury.