Stokes opens up about what went wrong with India’s 2019 World Cup campaign PAGE 11 WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 Brilliant Kimmich downs Dortmund to put Bayern on brink of title

DPA DoRTMunD (GeRMany)

BAYERN Munich moved to within touching distance of a record-extending eighth con- secutive Bundesliga title on Tuesday as Joshua Kimmich’s superb goal secured a 1-0 win at rivals Borussia Dortmund. Kimmich’s glorious chip from outside the box in the 43rd minute sent Bayern sev- en points clear of Dortmund with just six games remaining in the season delayed by the coronavirus epidemic. Dortmund started brightly and Erling Braut Haaland had a shot cleared off the line in just 30 seconds. But Bayern stabilized and Kimmich’s win- ner came after Dortmund also Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich (C) celebrates scoring the winning goal at Borussia Dortmund.(aFP) Bayern Munich’s goal came from Joshua Kimmich just before half-time. survived a scare when Lukasz Piszczek blocked Serge Gna- Goretzka tested Roman Buerki door affair without fans had BUNDESLIGA POINTS TALLY The 19-year-old Haaland wandowski, often the scourge dished out to Dortmund in bry on the line. before the Swiss keeper was vanished immediately when struggled to offer Dortmund of his former club, had a quiet November in Hansi Flick’s TOP 4 Later Bayer Leverkusen undone just before half-time. Haaland pounced on Manuel Team MP W D L GF GA Pts an outlet, though he had a shot game though he did strike the first Bundesliga game since can move third with a win Bayern poked and prod- Neuer’s poor clearance in the Bayern Munich 28 20 4 4 81 28 64 blocked by the arm of Boateng post late on. He remains on 27 replacing the sacked Niko over Wolfsburg and Borussia ded outside the box as Dort- opening seconds. Borussia Dortmund 28 17 6 5 74 34 57 as he fell, and limped off with goals and Gerd Mueller’s his- Kovac. But it was enough Moenchengladbach could go mund failed to clear before The teenage sensation RB Leipzig 27 15 9 3 68 27 54 19 minutes remaining. Buerki toric mark of 40 from 1971/72 and Bayern’s run of title within two points of second- Kimmich’s moment of inspira- beat the recovering keep- Bayer Leverkusen 27 16 5 6 52 32 53 remained the busier keeper in looks increasingly out of reach. dominance, since Dort- placed Dortmund with a win tion. Backtracking Buerki got er, who was celebrating his the second period. Mario Goetze, who will mund’s last success in 2012, at struggling Werder Bremen. a hand to the ball but couldn’t 400th Bundesliga game, but scampered beyond Bayern’s “I think that with that all leave Dortmund after the seems set to continue. Bayern had taken an out- keep it out. not Boateng. high back line without finding the other teams are out [of season, replaced Piszczek in standing 28 points from the “We were told before the Dortmund had won nine of an opportunity. contention],” said Dortmund Favre’s last throw of the dice Wednesday Fixtures: Leipzig last 30 available but despite game that Buerki often stands their last 10 to set up the crack Dortmund coach Lucien defender Mats Hummels. “We but a clear chance was elusive. vs hertha berlin (7.30pm their excellent form took con- off his line,” said Kimmich. at Bayern and were not hold- Favre tried to recover the mo- have to hope for three slip ups “It was a really important Qatar time), hoffenheim vs trol only midway through the “That was the best goal of my ing back. mentum by throwing on Emre (from Bayern) in six games. statement and a really impor- Cologne (9.30pm), Dusseldorf first half. career - it was so important.” Julian Brandt stung the Can and Jadon Sancho for And Favre admit- tant win for us,” said Neuer. vs schalke (9.30pm), augsburg Gnabry saw his shot Any fears the title six-pointer palms of Neuer and the Dort- Thomas Delaney and Brandt ted: “That’ll be brutally hard.” It was far from a repeat vs Paderborn (9.30pm), union cleared from the line and Leon could be diluted by the closed mund forwards frequently at half-time. League top scorer Robert Le- of the 4-0 humbling Bayern berlin vs Mainz (9.30pm).

Illegal football match sparks anxiety in French virus hotspot AFP main limited to 10 people. The match, played on added regional health officer all the spectators, but rather sTRasbouRG The football game drew Sunday between teams Adeline Jenner. the organisers,” said Stras- widespread condemnation “The test will not be held bourg’s chief prosecutor AN illegal football match and a promise of “severe from the city’s districts of against them,” she added. Yolande Renzi, adding that played in France’s eastern sanctions” from city hall of- neuhof and hautepierre in In order to break the someone must have opened city of Strasbourg sparked ficial Serge Oehler. a local stadium, attracted chain of transmission that the stadium where the match fears on Tuesday the game But on Tuesday authori- some 400 spectators in could emerge from the event, was held. could lead to a resurgence of ties said the priority was defiance of rules still in Jenner said social distancing Violations of the limit on the coronavirus virus in one health, not punishment, al- place to battle the virus. measures were essential. public gatherings up to 10 of the worst-affected areas in though prosecutors want to Strasbourg remains in people can lead up to a six the country. track down the organisers. the high-alert “red zone” of month prison sentence and a The match, played on “Our number one con- prior consultation. domestic virus circulation. 7,500 euro ($8,237) fine. Sunday between teams from cern is health, it isn’t a trap,” “We must absolutely Along with Paris, eastern Strasbourg mayor Roland the city’s districts of Neuhof said the senior local official avoid another virus hotspot France has been one of the Reis said no one should con- and Hautepierre in a local Josiane Chevalier, calling in Strasbourg and protect the worst hit areas in the country. sider a return game between stadium, attracted some 400 for those who attended to be participants” as well as their So far no-one has been the two sides. spectators in defiance of rules tested. families, said Chevalier at a arrested in relation to Sun- “If there are other events still in place to battle the vi- From Thursday they can video press conference. day’s game, but the police are like those on Sunday, all the rus. go to a testing centre set up “It’s important that the searching for those responsi- work done to contain the vi- Schalke’s midfielder and top-scorer Suat Serdar. (aFP) France began easing strict at the European Parliament participants understand that ble. rus over the two months of lockdown measures a fort- to be screened anonymously, their behaviour in the next “The objective of the in- lockdown will be put into night ago, but gatherings re- without an appointment nor few days can save lives,” vestigation isn’t to identify question,” he said. Schalke lose top-scorer Serdar Solskjaer counting on Pogba, Rashford for restart for rest of season AFP League, which UEFA hopes to AFP match at Fortuna Dues- LonDon complete in August. beRLin seldorf, who are third from However, Solskjaer may bottom, France Under-20 MANCHESTER United man- have to do without on-loan SCHALKE 04, who are midfielder Jean-Clair Todibo, ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said striker Odion Ighalo. struggling for form in the who is on loan from Barcelo- on Tuesday he is confident of The Nigerian was signed Bundesliga, have lost their na, is fit after recovering from having Paul Pogba and Mar- from Chinese side Shanghai top-scorer Suat Serdar for an ankle injury. cus Rashford fit should the Shenhua in January, but his the rest of the season with The loss of Serdar is the Premier League season restart short-term deal expires at the a torn leg ligament, head latest blow to Schalke, who next month. end of May. coach David Wagner con- are winless in their last nine Pogba has missed the ma- Despite United’s inter- firmed on Tuesday. league games, conceding 22 jority of the campaign with an est in extending Ighalo’s stay, The 23-year-old Serdar, goals and scoring just twice. ongoing ankle injury, while Shanghai are reportedly keen who has Having Rashford seemed set to miss for him to return to China for scored seven The loss of Serdar is the been in the ti- the rest of the season when he the start of their season. league goals latest blow to Schalke, tle race before suffered a double stress frac- “The loan deal went to the this season who are winless in their Christmas, ture in his back in January. end of May now, so obviously from defen- Schalke have United returned to train- he’s supposed to be going sive midfield, last nine league games, dropped from ing in small groups last week back,” added Solskjaer. suffered the conceding 22 goals and third in Decem- and preparations are expect- “We’re in dialogue and injury in the scoring just twice. ber to eighth ed to be ramped up further hopefully (he can stay). second half in the table. for a return to action when They’ve been great towards us, in Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to The pressure is mounting on Premier League clubs vote on his club, and allow him to play Augsburg. ex-Huddersfield Town boss resuming contact training on for his dream club. Serdar, who made his Wagner, who admits the situ- Wednesday. “It’s been a dream for him Germany debut last Novem- ation is “not pleasant”, having “Hopefully now we’ve and hopefully he can finish off ber, will undergo further tests also been hammered 4-0 at proved we can do this safely Manchester United could have Paul Pogba (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) fit for when the Premier what he started, maybe with a to decide “whether an opera- Dortmund ten days ago. and we can move to the next League returns. (aFP) trophy or two. tion is necessary at the end of “At the moment we are step. It’s been really enjoyable “But at the moment noth- the week,” said Wagner. no longer the team we were being on the training ground other boys have been doing. ers could be a major boost to Premier League when play was ing’s been agreed yet. Their Serdar is expected to be in the first half of the season,” again,” said Solskjaer. No reaction so far, touch wood. United’s hopes of ending the halted due to the coronavirus league is going to start soon so sidelined for from three to said Wagner. “They (Pogba and Rash- “When we get started, it season on a high in three com- pandemic in March. we are just waiting to see.” four months, missing their “You can’t compare the ford) are looking good, they’ve looks like we can have a full petitions. The Red Devils are also Ighalo scored four goals in last seven league games. kind of football we played joined training now and squad to choose from.” Solskjaer’s men were three still in the hunt for silverware three starts and made eight ap- For Wednesday’s league back then.” they’ve done everything the The return of both play- points off the top four in the in the FA Cup and Europa pearances in total for United. 10 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Sports

Reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin plans to be part of the World TeamTennis season that will be staged at a US mountain resort starting July 12. (aFP) Kenin, Stephens to play WTT season before fans at resort

AFP ginia has among the nation’s Los anGeLes fewest cases of COVID-19.” The WTT plans at least REIGNING Australian Open three matches a day at the re- champion Sofia Kenin and sort’s 2,500-seat outdoor sta- 2017 US Open winner Sloane dium with an indoor court to Stephens will compete in a be installed as a backup option. 2020 World TeamTennis sea- West Virginia health guide- son played at a mountain re- lines will allow up to 500 spec- sort with spectators starting tators, a 20% capacity, to at- July 12. tend the matches. Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has tested positive for coronavirus. (aFP) The nine-team US circuit The WTT plans a 63-match will stage its 45th campaign at regular season from July 19-30 The Greenbrier in White Sul- with the semi-finals August 1 phur Springs, West Virginia, and the championship match from July 12-August 2, the the following day. league announced on Tuesday. The WTT will follow local With the WTA and ATP and state government rules Bournemouth’s Ramsdale tours shut down into August and adhere to safety protocals due to the coronavirus pan- from the Centers for Disease demic, the move makes the Control, including COVID-19 WTT the first pro tennis circuit testing and screening and pro- to resume play after the global tective gear such as facemasks. shocked by virus diagnosis outbreak of the deadly virus World number four Kenin, shut down the sport. a 21-year-old American who “All of us are extremely captured her first Grand AFP out by Premier League clubs in the first round of testing and I’ve contracted the virus. Meanwhile, captains and grateful to be able to play the Slam title on February 1 at LonDon as they gear up for a return to believes he must have contract- “I’ve been just as careful representatives of players and 45th World TeamTennis sea- Melbourne, will play for the action next month. ed the virus while shopping. as before on lockdown and it coaches will meet with the son and present professional Philadelphia Freedoms while BOURNEMOUTH goalkeeper “It’s definitely a shock -- “This last week, I’ve done seems to be a shopping trip league later on Tuesday to dis- tennis to our sports-starved 37th-ranked Stephens, the Aaron Ramsdale described I’ve not been in contact with the usual things like going to where I’ve caught it.” cuss protocols on a return to and tennis-starved audienc- 2018 French Open runner-up, finding out he had tested posi- anybody and I’ve now got it,” the supermarket and going to A total of eight cases of contact training. es,” said WTT chief executive will compete for the expansion tive for coronavirus as “scary Ramsdale told The Sun. the petrol station to fill my car. coronavirus among players England’s top-flight Carlos Silva. Chicago Smash. and worrying”, despite display- “I’m showing no symp- “Once you’ve contracted the and staff have been detected clubs will vote on proposals “The overwhelming feed- On the men’s side, Bulgar- ing no symptoms. toms so the fact that a healthy virus, it shows in your blood. from 1,744 tests in the Pre- for a phased return to full back from our players is that ia’s 19th-ranked Grigor Dim- The England under-21 young person could poten- “That was obviously not mier League. training on Wednesday after they want to play WTT and are itrov will play for the Orange international was one of two tially have it is definitely scary the case (after the first test) Results from a third new government guidelines comfortable in doing so in a County Breakers with doubles positive cases from the sec- and worrying.” and it’s been the three days round of testing will be re- cleared the way for “close safe environment, which is our stars Bob and Mike Bryan on ond round of testing carried Ramsdale tested negative between the two tests when vealed on Wednesday. contact” training. number one priority. West Vir- the Vegas Rollers.

Ibrahimovic injury to calf, not Achilles: AC Milan Kvitova ‘pretty gutted’ by Wimbledon cancellation

AFP AFP Czech tournament in Prague, it’s the most important and MiLan PRaGue where eight men and eight greatest tournament of all,” women are competing behind said the 34-year-old. ZLATAN Ibrahimovic has TWO-TIME Wimbledon closed doors and under strin- “When the time comes it picked up a calf injury and not champion Petra Kvitova said gent measures to prevent the I’m not saying I cried when I will be sad for me, but that’s ruptured his Achilles tendon on Tuesday she had been virus from spreading. heard it, but I was pretty how it is and we can’t change as feared, AC Milan confirmed “pretty gutted” by news that Hygiene is key at the event gutted on that day. I guess anything about it.” on Tuesday. her favourite tournament was where no one will hand the the reason is clear. Karolina Muchova, the “Ibrahimovic has sustained cancelled over the coronavirus towel to the players who must 23-year-old world number an injury to his right soleus pandemic. also wear face masks at press Petra Kvitova 26, made it to the Wimbledon muscle during yesterday’s train- “Of all tournaments that conferences. The ball boys and quarter-finals in 2019, a year ing session,” the Serie A team have been cancelled, the news ball girls are wearing gloves, that saw her climb from 145th said in a statement. File photo of AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic holding about Wimbledon was the though the players share a set of the tournament of course, to 21st in the world. “The Achilles tendon is per- his leg after being tackled during the Italian Cup semi-final first leg most upsetting for me,” the of balls. besides the experiences and “I guess Wimbledon is the fectly intact. The player will un- match against Juventus Turin at the San Siro stadium in Milan on 30-year-old, who won the Instead of shaking hands memories of last year,” said greatest tournament so I’ll re- dergo a scan in 10 days time.” February 13, 2020. (aFP) grass-court major in 2011 and at the end of each game, they fellow Czech Barbora Stry- ally miss everything about it,” Milan did not say for how 2014, told AFP. do a “racquet bump” to avoid cova, who made the singles she said. long the 38-year-old would Ibrahimovic rejoined the He returned to Italy two “I’m not saying I cried infection. semi-finals and took the dou- “I had my best result there be out of action, although seven-time European cham- weeks ago from Sweden, when I heard it, but I was pret- Organisers cancelled the bles honours with Taiwan’s last year, so it was special, and Italian media reports say he pions during this season’s where he had been training ty gutted on that day. I guess Grand Slam scheduled for ear- Hsieh Su-Wei in 2019. I was looking forward to the could be facing four weeks on winter transfer window. He with Hammarby, in order to the reason is clear,” added the ly July on April 1, for the first “I always like to get back to grass season, that’s kind of the sidelines, as Serie A eyes a suffered a calf injury shortly prepare for a possible return current world number 12. time since World War II. Wimbledon because when I’m specific and I enjoyed playing potential restart next month. after signing in January. to action. Kvitova is playing at an all- “I will miss the atmosphere there it feels special. For me there,” Muchova told AFP. Longines Global Champions Tour, Global Champions League showjumping championship series to restart afresh in 2021

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and adjusting to deliver incred- Owner this is the right in this extremely challenging Doha ible sport in 2021 and beyond.” decision as it is more and uncertain environment. Neil Moffitt, Owner of important to main- GCL is not a one-off event, it AFTER a distinguished open- the London Knights tain the integrity is a prestigious Championship ing round hosted by Doha team which won the and quality of with knock-out stages like the at the spectacular Al Shaqab GCL championship the League Champions League in Europe. (member, Qatar Foundation) two years’ running than to try We look forward to continu- in the first week of March in 2018 and 2019, to stage a ing our successful campaign 2020, the Longines Global said: “As a Found- few shows in the seasons ahead.” Champions Tour (LGCT) and ing GCL Team this year If permitted by the Gov- Global Champions League ernment in The Netherlands (GCL) have now announced several shows will take place that the 2020 season will re- behind closed doors later this start next year due to the un- The Longines Arena at Al Shaqab in Doha. year in Valkenswaard, which precedented impact of the is a permanent facility where novel coronavirus pandemic. “Restrictions on travel vary championship series afresh in fering so many people are go- strict safety policies can be “In these exceptional cir- around the world, so not all 2021,” it added. ing through. followed. cumstances it is not realis- riders will have the freedom to Jan Tops, LGCT and GCL “Our priority must contin- The Longines Global tic to safely stage our global compete. There is also the risk President, said: “We sincerely ue to be the health and safety Champions Tour is an annual championship circuit this of a second wave later this year, thank our event organising of our fans, our staff, the ath- show jumping series that com- year. We must follow the laws in the absence of a cure or vac- partners, our Title Partner letes and their teams and those prises up to 18 events includ- of national Governments and cine, which further complicates Longines, the GCL team own- living in the locations of our ing the GC Prague Playoffs, public health authorities, logistical planning. ers and our partners around events. So it is with great regret spanning three continents and which change regularly and at “In this complex environ- the world for their tremen- we have decided to cancel the 18 iconic locations around the short notice, having a major ment the responsible deci- dous support and under- remaining shows this year. world. impact on international plan- sion is to start the Longines standing. None of us could “Now we must all pull to- German showjumper Daniel Deusser, a bronze medalist at Rio Olympics, It brings together the top ning,” the organisers said in a Global Champions Tour and have foreseen the scale of this gether to build a positive future had won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha event 30 riders in the FEI Jumping press release. GCL top-level show jumping global emergency and the suf- after the pandemic, adapting at the gleaming Al Shaqab on March 7, 2020. World Rankings. Sports Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11 Akhtar blasts ICC Stokes opens up about what for finishing cricket went wrong with India’s in last 10 years AGENCIES Where are those Sachin versus KaRaChi Shoaib contests?” Speaking about Tendulkar, 2019 World Cup campaign THE International Cricket Akhtar said that he is one with Council has “successfully fin- whom he never got aggressive, ished” cricket in the last 10 as there was a lot of respect for AGENCIES years and brought it down to the world’s best batsman. LonDon its knees, former Pakistan pac- “But yes, I would try to out- er Shoaib Akhtar insisted in a think him. Like in the 2006 tour ENGLAND all-rounder Ben The way rohit Sharma and scathing criticism of the sport’s of Pakistan, I knew he had ten- Stokes was baffled by India’s global body. nis elbow problems and he can’t run-chasing strategy during Virat kohli played was During a conversation with hook or pull me, so I bowled a their World Cup game last mystifying. I know that we Sanjay Manjrekar for ESPN- barrage of bouncers to keep him year in which he found Virat Cricinfo’s podcast, Akhtar ex- quiet,” Akhtar said. Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s bowled brilliantly well pressed his anguish at some of Talking about pull shots, approach ‘mystifying’ and during this period, but the the playing conditions in white the speed merchant said that at saw ‘no intent’ from Mahen- way they went about their ball cricket, which has made it a his peak Virat Kohli would have dra Singh Dhoni during the game only for the batsmen. found it difficult to play that run chase. batting just seemed bizarre Akhtar was sharp in his shot against him because of his In fact, Stokes called skip- BEn STOkES criticism after Manjrekar asked express pace. per Virat Kohli’s complaints for his take on a trend that fast “I would have come wide about the ‘59-metre’ bound- bowlers are going a bit slow in off the crease and tried to shape ary on one side ‘whingeing’. they went about their batting limited overs games, especially that new ball out and lured him It was the game at Bir- just seemed bizarre.” T20s, while spinners are bowl- into driving. Something that mingham, where India were “They allowed their team ing faster. James Anderson has done with comprehensively beaten by to get so far behind the game. “Can I tell you something him. Having said that he would 31 runs failing to chase Eng- They showed no desire to put bluntly? They (ICC) are finish- have scored as many runs as he land’s massive score of 337 any pressure back onto our ing the cricket. I am openly say- scored now had I also played.” for 7 last year. team, content instead to just ing that in last 10 years, ICC has In his new book On Fire drift along, a tactic that was successfully finished cricket, TrEAT TO wATCh published by Headline Books clearly playing into our hands.” and I would say job well done Akhtar thought that it would and distributed by Hachette Stokes also wrote that guys. Jo socha thaa apne woh have been a treat to watch if India, Stokes analysed each Kohli’s explanation about kiya (You did what you intend- Kohli was pitted against Wasim of England’s games in the short boundaries sounded a ed to),” Akhtar said in his inimi- Akram, Waqar Younis and World Cup. ‘bit weird’ to him. table style. Shane Warne in their prime. “Arguably, the way MS “Yet it was weird to Akhtar feels that the num- “He could have judged him- Dhoni played when he came hear India captain Kohli ber of bouncers per over should self where he stood in front of in with 112 runs needed from Ben Stokes: Adds fuel to fire through his book. whingeing about the size of be increased as there are two these bowlers,” he said. 11 overs was even stranger. the boundaries at the post- new balls and only four fielders Manjrekar asked him He appeared more intent on land dressing room felt that the game, he takes it right to losing cause.” match presentation cer- outside the circle for the better whether the culture of pro- singles than sixes. Even with Dhoni tried to take it deep so the end to try to make sure In fact, England’s new emony. I have never heard part of an ODI game. ducing tearaway quicks is a dozen balls remaining, In- that the run-rate remained that India’s run rate stays ball bowlers Chris Wokes such a bizarre complaint af- still there in Pakistan or they dia could still have won.” intact. Dhoni remained un- relatively healthy,” Stokes and Jofra Archer kept a tight ter a match. It’s actually the BOUnCEr rUlE are happy producing fast me- “...there was little or no beaten on 42 off 31 balls but wrote. leash on Rohit and Kohli as worst complaint you could I have been saying repeat- dium bowlers. intent from him (Dhoni) or most of the runs came in the “His big thing has always they consumed nearly 27 ever make. Both teams have edly that change bouncer rule “People like me should his partner Kedar Jadhav. last over when the match as a been to give himself a chance overs for their 138-run stand. to bat out there, and get the (one per over). You have two have been in PCB and I would To me, while victory is still contest was over. of winning by being at the “The way Rohit Sharma same number of balls, so new balls and four fielders out- have produced fast bowlers. possible you always go for “There is a theory in our crease for the final over, but and Virat Kohli played was how can the playing area’s side. Please ask ICC whether in Fast bowlers should be like broke,” Stokes wrote in his camp that Dhoni’s way of he generally likes to stick mystifying. I know that we dimensions be an advantage last 10 years, quality of cricket leopards which would hunt soon-to-be-published book. playing has always been the around to get as close to a bowled brilliantly well dur- to one team or the other?,” has gone up or gone down. down its prey. He revealed that the Eng- same. Even if India can’t win target as possible even in a ing this period, but the way he further wrote.

NHL players ICC recommends extra review in Tests post COVID-19 may return AGENCIES usage of saliva on the ball, the “I think the need of hour a Test match. The reason that Dubai Kumble-led ICC Cricket Com- was to start cricket. We also felt we started neutral umpiring 20 to practice mittee has also suggested for that because of travel restric- years ago was because there was ICC Cricket Committee Chair- local umpires and additional tions, there could be quaran- the perception of a bias. man Anil Kumble says the inex- review in Test matches in the tine measures. You don’t have “The recommendation early June perience of local umpires, who post-coronavirus scenario. too many elite umpires in the for an extra review for both are expected to officiate in Test Reasoning the ICC Cricket panel so we felt that for cricket teams is not to root that out AFP matches once action resumes Committee’s recommenda- to kickstart, its best to use local but we felt that there could A file photo of India’s Sachin Tenudkar with Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar Los anGeLes post the COVID-19 pandemic, tions, the former India cap- umpires,” Kumble said on Star be potential inexperience be- during a One-Day International match. is the reason behind recom- tain said the suggestion to use Sports show Cricket Connected. ing in a Test match situation, NATIONAL Hockey League mending an extra review, which of local umpires was made “Most countries don’t have which is why the advantage of teams could be able to hold according to him will give a level because of travel restrictions the experience, the local um- the additional review would training sessions for small playing field to both the teams. around the world in the wake pires don’t have the experience probably benefit both the groups of players in early Besides recommending the of the virus outbreak. of a Test Match or being part of teams,” he added. Lanka cricketer suspended June in the latest phase of the sport’s return from the coro- after heroin arrest navirus shutdown, the league said on Monday. AFP hat-trick against Bangladesh A memo sent to teams on Saliva ban may make cricket ‘boring’: Starc CoLoMbo on his one-day international Sunday said groups of up to debut in January 2018. He six players would be allowed AFP the ball to move in the air, be bowlers. In Australia in condition of the ball. SRI Lanka’s cricket board also played two T20 matches to train on the ice together at syDney deceiving the batsman, by the last couple of years we’ve Starc said he understood on Tuesday suspended pace against Bangladesh in 2018, any one time under the new shining one side using sweat had some pretty flat wick- such reluctance, given the bowler Shehan Madushanka but has not played an interna- relaxed guidelines. AUSTRALIAN paceman Mitch- or saliva. ets, and if that ball’s going clear rules that exist against from all forms of the game, tional since due to injuries. ell Starc warned on Tuesday that Starc said swinging the straight it’s a pretty boring ball tampering. two days after he was ar- Sri Lanka Cricket secretary cricket risks becoming “pretty ball in such a manner was a contest.” But he said if bowlers rested allegedly in pos- Mohan de Silva said they Under the new training boring” if ball-tampering rules crucial part of the contest be- Anil Kumble, Chairman were disadvantaged by a sa- session of heroin. suspended the 25-year- protocols, a maximum of are not relaxed in response to a tween bowler and batsman. of the ICC Cricket Commit- liva ban, they should be given The right-arm old pending an internal six players will be allowed COVID-19-linked ban on using “We don’t want to lose tee, said this week that the more leeway elsewhere. bowler was stopped disciplinary inquiry. He to train together, with no saliva to shine the ball. that or make it less even, so saliva ban was only intended The 30-year-old said while driving with was remanded into cus- coaches or team person- The International Cricket there needs to be something to be a temporary measure ground staff could be or- another person in a tody on Monday. nel allowed on the ice. Council (ICC) is set to imple- in place to keep that ball during the coronavirus crisis. dered not to produce bats- car on Sunday and “We have suspended ment the ban in June after swinging,” he told reporters The former Indian Test man-friendly flat wickets, or found to have him with immediate receiving medical advice that in an online press conference. spinner suggested cricket ball-tampering rules could two grams of effect and he also can- No date was given for spit poses a COVID-19 trans- “Otherwise people aren’t regulators did not want to be changed allowing a sub- the drug, po- not take part in any when the new guidelines will mission risk. going to be watching it and open the door to using for- stance such as wax could be lice said. form of the game,” take effect, but the league Bowlers traditionally get kids aren’t going to want to eign substances to alter the applied to the ball. He took a de Silva said. said it was targeting a return to practice in “early June”. The memo said the NHL would continue to “monitor developments” in each indi- Players want return but need certainty: NBPA boss Roberts vidual market and could “ad- just the overall timing if ap- propriate.” AFP where allowed, is exploring a “If we thought we need- home, his son Patrick Ewing Under the new training neW yoRK plan to resume the season in ed a vote, we would,” Rob- Jr. said on Twitter. protocols, a maximum of six late July at Disney World in erts said. “But our preferred “I want to thank all of the players will be allowed to train NBA players overwhelming- Orlando, Florida, although method is talking to people doctors and hospital staff for together, with no coaches or ly want to resume the 2019- final details of a plan have or just having them talk to us. taking care of my father dur- team personnel allowed on 20 season but “need some yet to be determined. Then if we get a sense of what ing his stay, as well as eve- the ice. Players will also be re- level of certainty” in a come- The league and union the sentiment is, then we can ryone who has reached out quired to wear face coverings back plan, players’ union have been in talks about a move forward. We talk to our with thoughts and prayers to when they are not on the rink. executive director Michele resumption of the NBA sea- players and figure it out.” us since his diagnosis,” Ew- The league added that Roberts says. son and Roberts says she ing Jr. wrote. participation in the return to The National Basketball plans to speak with players EwInG BACk hOME “My father is now home training was “strictly volun- Players Association boss told on all 30 teams over the next NBA great Patrick Ewing and getting better. We’ll tary.” ESPN in a report on Tuesday week to inform players about has left hospital and is re- continue to watch his symp- “The health of player and that most players support the plans’ safety measures to covering at home after being toms and follow the CDC club personnel is the league’s the idea of resuming a cam- prevent players from becom- diagnosed with COVID-19, guidelines. I hope everyone top priority,” the memo said. paign shut down in March by ing infected and what would his son said on Monday. continues to stay safe and The NHL shut down the coronavirus pandemic. happen if a player does catch The 57-year-old Hall-of- protect yourselves and your its 2019-20 campaign on “It’s time,” Roberts told the deadly virus. Famer was hospitalised last loved ones.” March 12 with just over ESPN. “It has been two and a “Our guys need to know,” week after announcing he Ewing, who was a member three weeks of the regular half months of ‘What if?’ My Roberts said. “Certainty will national Basketball Players Association Executive Director had tested positive for the of the 1992 Olympic gold med- season remaining. players need some level of cer- be good. But the players re- Michele Roberts coronavirus. al-winning “Dream Team”, The league is reportedly tainty. I think everybody does.” ally want to play.” However the former New and also won Olympic gold in mulling a plan to return to The NBA, whose players NBA team owners plan a about COVID-19 safeguards would not necessarily need York Knicks star and cur- 1984, played 17 seasons in the play which could see 24 clubs are conducting individual conference call Friday that and a full return plan. to vote upon any comeback rent Georgetown University NBA, mostly for the Knicks, based at two sites. workouts at team facilities could reveal more details Roberts said the union strategy. coach is now on the mend at earning 11 All-Star selections. 12 Wednesday, May 27, 2020 The Last Word ‘Qatar Eid food package, a great succour to expat communities’ As many as 50,000 food parcels were distributed to 17 expat communities in the country JELILI A OPADIJO ministries and other agencies, Doha for making Eid Al-Fitr cel- ebration during the corona- PRESIDENT of the Nigerians virus (COVID-19) pandemic in Diaspora Organisation, Qa- a joyous one for the needy tar (NIDO-Qatar), Victor Ikoli expatriates. has described the Eid Al-Fitr “On behalf of the Nigerian food parcels distributed by expatriates and other benefit- Qatar to 17 expatriate com- ing communities, I say a big munities as a timely gesture thank you to Qatar and the that brought a great succour coordinating ministries and to many members of the com- agencies for this wonderful The nIDO-Qatar president thanked the officials of the embassy for their cooperation and coordination for the smooth distribution of the items despite the large turnout of the people. munities. gesture. The impacts of this Ikoli said the joint initia- donation is invaluable and we Wednesday evening to the in- for them,” he said. to the community enabled the items to those people at their in late April. And now this one tive by the Ministry of Foreign are deeply indebted to Qatar terested individuals to come The NIDO-Qatar presi- organisation to reach so many respective residences,” Ajibade from the ministries and Qatar Affairs (MoFA), the Ministry for the unforgettable assis- to the embassy by 1:30pm on dent also thanked the officials people, including those who said. Charity. May God continue to of Interior (MoI), the Ministry tance at this trying times,” he Thursday. To my amazement, of the embassy for their coop- could not come to the embassy. Emeka, one of the benefi- bless Qatar and its generous of Administrative Develop- said. many people were already at eration and coordination for “We knew that there were ciaries who could not hide his donors.” ment, Labour and Social Af- Ikoli said he was surprised the embassy before the time the smooth distribution of the some people who needed the joy, said: “I don’t know how Rasheedah, another recipi- fairs (MDLSA), Qatar Charity by the number of people he we told them to come, even items despite the large turnout items but could not come to to thank the donors enough. ent, said she was even happier and Ooredoo provided 50,000 met at the Embassy of Nigeria before the food packages ar- of the people. collect them because they This is the second time within because she also received a food packages to various com- in West Bay area on Thursday, rived at the embassy. I was so Lateef Ajibade, NIDO- couldn’t afford the transport the span of one month that I beautiful toy for her baby. munities, among which Nigeri- May 21, 2020, the day of the touched to see them eagerly Qatar secretary, who was on fares. To enable such people to benefit from this kind of ges- Each food package con- ans received 1,000 parcels. distribution, despite the short waiting to receive their rations. ground to coordinate the dis- benefit, some executive mem- ture from Qatar. The first one tained rice, lentil, cooking oil, Ikoli thanked the govern- notice sent to the beneficiaries. That showed that the food do- tribution, said the quantity of bers and others who have vehi- was the palliative packages wheat flour, tea, sugar, salt and ment of Qatar, through the “We sent message out on nation came at the right time the food parcels (1,000) given cles volunteered to deliver the distributed by Qatar Charity powdered chilli pepper. QRCS sends medical aid to Gaziantep region in Turkey A total of 36,000 masks and 72,000 gloves were delivered at public hospitals in Turkey and Syria with an objective to protect medical and non-medical staff from COVID-19

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DPS-MIS holds virtual Doha QATAR Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has delivered medical orientation for nursery supplies as a gift to Gaziantep Province, in response to the in- vitation by the Department of students and parents Societies of the southern Turkish province to the humanitarian pro- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK grooming and mentoring their wards. viders involved in Syria. Doha Gurpreet Kour gave parents a The gift included 36,000 glimpse of how nursery is a milestone in masks and 72,000 gloves, in order THE new academic session of the DPS- the child’s life, as it is the initial stage to ensure the protection of medi- Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) of organised instruction, designed pri- cal and non-medical staff at public Nursery started recently with an online marily to introduce their children to hospitals working in Turkey and orientation programme for parents and a school-like environment. Kour ex- Syria from the coronavirus (COV- nursery students. plained the activities and routines that ID-19) pandemic. The session was held online, bear- their children would follow through the Gaziantep is a Syria-adjacent ing in mind the current circumstances PPT, with a particular emphasis on life border province located 96 kilo- of COVID-19. Parents and students at- skills and nursery preparedness. metres away from Aleppo City. tended the session with enthusiasm and Dipti Dixit shared her views on posi- It hosts many makeshift shelter excitement. tive parenting and gave presentation on centres for Syrian refugees. Since The programme began with the positive and effective parenting. 2011, the province has received opening remarks by Shabana Parkar, Parents were also briefed about the around 400,000 Syrians. followed by a welcome speech by Najla school’s e-learning portal and on how to QRCS’ representation mission Mohammed Bukhari. use the remote learning zoom app by IT in Turkey is applying preventive The gift reflects the strong relations between QRCS and Turkey’s public organisations and nGOs. Nursery Coordinator Principal Asna Head Harish Buhari. measures in Syria, in coordination Nafees addressed the parents and as- The session ended with a vote of with World Health Organization countries throughout the Middle sured them that their children will be thanks by Ramalahsmi Balaji and Ri- (WHO) and other humanitarian East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. in safe hands and highlighted the sup- hana Sheik Farid. It was a very informa- peers working there. QRCS’ humanitarian actions port the school will provide in terms of tive and fruitful session. They are developing prepar- include providing support in dis- edness, response and follow-up aster preparedness, disaster re- plans. All preventive and adminis- sponse, risk reduction, and dis- trative procedures are strictly ap- aster recovery. To mitigate the plied at the multiple QRCS-oper- impact of disasters and improve ated health facilities and services. the livelihoods of affected popu- This gift reflects the strong lations, QRCS provides medical relations between QRCS and Tur- services, healthcare and social key’s public organisations and development to local communi- NGOs, mainly the Turkish Red ties. Crescent. It builds upon the his- QRCS is also active at the hu- torical bonds of friendship be- manitarian advocacy front. With tween the two countries at vari- the help of a vast network of ous levels, which are capitalised trained, committed staff and vol- on and promoted by QRCS to al- conflict in their country. internationally and has ongoing unteers, QRCS aspires to improve leviate the suffering of the Syrian It is worth mentioning that international relief and devel- the lives of vulnerable people by brothers affected by the prolonged QRCS operates both locally and opment projects in a number of mobilising the power of humanity.

Katara’s online Eid Al-Fitr programmes elicit huge participation from public katara website records 132,000 visits on the first two days of Eid holidays

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK online in an innovative and Doha fun way. The online events were successful in provid- THE Cultural Village Foun- ing a holiday atmosphere dation (Katara) will con- for the participants, and the clude today (Wednesday) Katara website witnessed a its Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, record number of 132,000 which lasted for four days, visits on the first two days of eliciting huge participation the Eid holidays. from the public through its The programmes also in- website and social media ac- cluded surprise events such counts. as virtual fireworks, which Virtual fireworks were part of Katara’s Eid Al-Fitr programmes. In line with the precau- evoked the memories of the tionary measures to prevent fireworks Katara had or- gifts and prizes for the on- will receive e-vouchers on quarantine. can send images and videos published on Katara’s social the spread of the corona- gnised in the previous years line participants who reg- WhatsApp. Eid gifts will Katara is also conduct- for the competition on the media accounts and the first virus (COVID-19), Katara to celebrate festivals. ister on its website. The also be distributed to chil- ing a photo and video con- number 66011303 until May five winners will receive ex- conducted the celebrations Katara has also ensured winners of lucky draws dren staying home and in test for children. Children 30. Winning entries will be citing prizes.