TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016 SPORTS

NFL prepares for first London game at Twickenham Stadium

LONDON: Twickenham Stadium has Mark Waller, the NFL’s executive vice TRANSPORTATIONS the first games at Wembley - the Giants, not necessarily one each season. seen its share of tackles and tries, field president for international. “I think it’s Accommodations will also be needed coincidentally, played in the first game The NFL also has agreements to play goals and forward passes. The NFL is going to be fascinating and interesting for cheerleaders and the media, who will in London in 2007 - reported a number at least two games at Wembley each about to bring some more, but with a for our fans to give us feedback on how work from three sections in the south- of hiccups that were ironed out in subse- year through 2020 and will begin play- twist. A sporting event other than rugby that experience will compare to what west corner. Because of the stadium’s quent years. ing at least two games a year at the will be held at the venue for the first many of them will already have seen and location, a detailed transportation plan Waller said the RFU’s experience host- redeveloped White Hart Lane, the home time in its 107-year history when it hosts known at Wembley.” To prepare is also needed for buses transporting ing the semifinals and final of the Rugby of English Premier League club a game between the Los Angeles Rams Twickenham for Sunday’s game, the NFL players and team personnel to and from World Cup in 2015, has eased a number Tottenham, beginning in 2018. and the New York Giants on Sunday. and the Rugby Football Union had to Twickenham. of concerns about the venue. “It’s an Thus, how successful Sunday’s game After playing 15 games over 10 years at make a number of significant changes. Some of those changes will be important event for them in the same is could play a role in the NFL’s future at Wembley Stadium, the league is slightly For one, with football rosters twice the noticeable to longtime Twickenham way that it’s an important event for us,” Twickenham. Waller said the league isn’t broadening its international horizons, size of their rugby counterparts, the attendees. In addition to the goal posts, Waller said. “They’re very focused on it considering games at any other venues moving one of its annual international existing locker rooms will be insufficient. which were installed last Monday, and being successful as well.” in London, and the reason Twickenham games to a different London location. The Rams, the designated home team, the field markings, to be painted later The Rams, who flew through the and White Hart Lane were contracted is Forget about scrums and say hello to will dress in a temporary facility in the this week, the capacity of the stadium night after a 31-28 road loss to the because Wembley hosts a number of huddles. Keep an eye out for yellow Twickenham gym, while the Giants will will be reduced from 82,000 to 75,000 Detroit Lions, arrived in London early other events. flags, not yellow cards. Even for those utilize an adjacent reception hall. The for NFL games. According to Charlotte yesterday. Per the terms of their reloca- “The most exciting thing for us is the who have made the trek to Wembley, coaching booths, located just above the Harwood, an RFU spokeswoman, that’s tion from St. Louis, they will play at least ability for us to get a new experience, a Sunday’s game will provide a different access tunnels for rugby games, will be because views from the front several one home game in London every year new stadium experience,” Waller said. type of atmosphere. Think of it, in moved to the sixth level to provide rows of the lower bowl rise just above until their new stadium opens in 2019. “We’re very happy and have always been American terms, as Lambeau Field coaches with an appropriate viewpoint. field level and will be obstructed by That game is not guaranteed to very happy with Wembley, and so for us, meets Wrigley Field. Those converted suites also will need to players and coaches on the sidelines. always be at Twickenham. The league it’s never been about looking for some- “Twickenham is definitely a subur- be fitted with replay and communica- The goal, of course, is to make sure and the RFU reached an agreement last thing better than Wembley. It’s, ‘Hey, we ban, residential venue, and so it offers a tions systems - something the NFL and that any potential issues have been October to play a minimum of three need to give our fans the best experi- very different experience for fans,” said RFU have been working to install. addressed by Sunday. Those attending games in three years at the venue, but ence available.’” —AP

Unfashionable Murray looking good for world number one

SHANGHAI: Andy Murray has never been the Murray hired British coach Jamie Delgado most fashionable member of tennis’s ‘Big Four’, this year and Ivan Lendl’s return to his team in but he finally looks the part as he zeroes in on June was quickly followed by victory at the world number one spot. Wimbledon. He hasn’t looked back since. Winning back-to-back titles in China with- “Winning Wimbledon was really a big boost out dropping a set tells its own story, and to my confidence after I had had quite a few underlines the consensus that Murray is cur- tough losses in the Slams the last few years,” he rently the world’s best player. The 29-year-old said. “That kind of gave me a lot more belief in swept past Roberto Bautista to win his third myself that I could win the major competitions Shanghai Masters title on Sunday, lifting his again. It helped motivate me. “I have obviously sixth trophy in what has been his best season quite a different team this year with Ivan and yet. It could get better for Murray, who can Jamie. Since the French Open, I’ve played the overtake Novak Djokovic at the top of the best three months of tennis of my career.” rankings with wins in Vienna and Paris, provid- Obstacles remain and Murray is wary of a ed the Serb doesn’t reach the Paris final. return to form by Djokovic, conservatively pre- It hasn’t done Murray any harm that dicting that February or March represent his Djokovic has suffered a sudden and perplexing best chance of reaching number one. “I will try dip in form, and that Roger Federer is sidelined and finish this year as strong as I can. And next by injury. Rafael Nadal is also a fading force year if the opportunity is there to reach num- but Murray would be a deserving successor as ber one, then I want to try and take it,” he said. the last of the four, who have 46 Grand Slam “But it’s not going to be easy because Novak titles between them, to reach number one. plays great tennis indoors, and also his record What’s more, Murray, often marked out for his at the beginning of the year is phenomenal in anguished demeanour on court, is growing Australia and Indian Wells, Miami. “It’s going to into the role of eminent tour-leader in the be a tough thing to achieve that. I’m aware of mould of Djokovic and Federer before him. that. I’m close-ish right now, but it’s going to The one-time gawky kid still berates him- be really tough still.” It has been some journey self during matches but he is far more com- for Murray, who survived the 1996 Dunblane fortable with the media, giving fulsome and school massacre when he was eight and intelligent answers to all questions. He is also moved to Spain to further his tennis career prepared to defend and mentor younger play- when he was 15. But if he keeps his current tra- ers such as the wayward Nick Kyrgios, whose jectory, it won’t be long before he becomes latest on-court meltdown resulted in a fine in Britain’s first world number one under the ESTORIL: This file photo taken on May 2, 2015 in Estoril shows Australian Nick Kyrgios celebrating a point over Spanish Pablo Busta during the Shanghai. Physically, too, Murray is at his peak, ATP’s computerised rankings, which were semi-final Estoril Open Tennis tournament. Wayward tennis star Nick Kyrgios will seek psychological help to avoid an eight week ban ordered with supreme fitness and acceleration that can introduced in 1973. “I have never had success by the ATP for a tantrum at the Shanghai Masters, Tennis Australia said yesterday. —AFP shift his now-hulking frame around the court like I have had the last few months in my at frightening speeds. career, so to keep that going, I’m aware it’s going to be a difficult thing to do,” he warned. TOUGH LOSSES “I need to keep myself motivated and be Kyrgios to seek psychologist He has reached three Slam finals this year, smart with my schedule and my time off, as winning his second Wimbledon title and also well. But I believe I can get there. I definitely becoming the first man to successfully defend believe I can get there. “These last few months help after ATP ban threat Olympic singles gold. have proved that to me.” — AFP LONDON: Wayward tennis star Nick Kyrgios will Nick has agreed to seek the help of a sports psy- Hopman Cup in early January,” a Tennis Australia seek psychological help to avoid an eight week chologist and will now be available to play in the spokesperson said. —AFP ban ordered by the ATP for a tantrum at the Shanghai Masters, Tennis Australia said yester- day. The ATP ordered a $25,000 (22,700 euros) fine and said a three week ban would be Serena withdraws increased to eight weeks if the 21-year-old Kyrgios did not seek help for his temper. The world number 14 gave away points and swore and argued with fans before being booed from WTA Finals off court after his 6-3, 6-1 defeat by Mischa Zverev in his second round match last week. SINGAPORE: US superstar Serena Williams has mit and captured the Flushing Meadows title Tennis Australia said in a statement that it withdrawn from the elite WTA Finals in into the bargain. would support Kyrgios. “Nick’s health and well- Singapore, saying she’s still working to recover Williams claimed just one Grand Slam title being is a priority and the ATP has offered a from the shoulder troubles that hindered her in 2016, at Wimbledon. After that, shoulder reduced penalty on the provision that he seeks in 2016. The WTA announced Williams’ with- troubles hampered her in Rio where her hopes appropriate professional advice, which he has drawal from the event that starts on October of a fifth Olympic gold medal were crushed in agreed to do,” said a statement by the Australian 23 on their Twitter feed, posting a video of the third round. body. Kyrgios apologised again for his behaviour Williams explaining the decision. WTA CEO Steve Simon said in a statement in Shanghai. “The season has been a long one as It will be the second straight year that that organisers were “as disappointed as the Williams is skipping the season finale in fans”. “We wish her a speedy recovery and SHANGHAI: This file photo taken on October 16, 2016 shows Andy Murray of Britain I battled several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer,” he said in a Singapore due to injury. “Hey everyone in look forward to seeing her back competing, fit celebrating after winning his men’s singles finals match against Roberto Bautista Singapore,” Williams said. “I’m really, really and healthy,” he added. Agut of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai. Andy Murray statement. “My body finally just gave out in Shanghai both physically and mentally. “This is bummed that I won’t be able to come com- Williams’ withdrawal opens up the eighth has never been the most fashionable member of tennis’s ‘Big Four’, but he finally pete this year. qualification spot to Britain’s Johanna Konta, looks the part as he zeroes in on world number one. —AFP no excuse, and I know very well that I need to apologise to the fans - in Shanghai and other “It’s been a really tough year for me just Spain’s Carla Su·rez Navarro and Russia’s parts of the world - as well as the tournament dealing so much with these shoulder injuries. Svetlana Kuznetsova. Either Navarro or organisers in Shanghai who do an amazing job.” My doctor insists that I stay home and heal it Kuznetsova must win the title in Moscow at KSSC prepares for Kyrgios said he “regretted how his year was every single day.” the VTB Kremlin Cup next week in order to ending.” “I do understand and respect the deci- The 22-time Grand Slam champion earlier edge out Konta for the eighth and final quali- shooting tournament sion by the ATP and I will use this time off to pulled out of two tournaments in China after fying spot. improve on and off the court.” being knocked out of the semi-finals of the US The tournament in Singapore will see Open. That defeat saw Williams’ 186-week reigning champion Agnieszka Radwanska By Abdellatif Sharaa The $25,000 ATP fine will be added to a $16,500 penalty ordered last week. The reign atop the world rankings end as defending her title against current top seed Germany’s Angelique Kerber reached the sum- Kerber. — AFP KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Sports Club Shanghai outburst was the latest in a long line of (KSSC) completed its preparations to incidents involving the Australian. Last year he hold HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf was given a suspended one-month ban for mak- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Shooting ing comments to Stan Wawrinka about his wife. Tournament, to start the 2016/2017 sea- “Nick’s conduct in Shanghai was unaccept- son. A large number of shooters of all able, disrespectful to the sport and its fans,” said categories will participate in the tourna- ATP executive chairman Chris Kermode. “We ment including shooters from the take these matters very seriously and he has National Guard, army and police, beside since apologised for his actions. the club shooters. “Nick is a phenomenal talent and our hope is The tournament will be held from Adnan Al-Ibrahim that he uses this time away from the tour con- 20/10/2016 to 22/11 KSSC held refresher structively and, with some support, is able to courses for 15 shotgun referees and good as they were last year. He said most return to competition with an improved mindset another course for 20 rifle referees in shooters were getting ready two months and stronger than ever before.” The ATP said that order to review the laws and update earlier and training hard to compete for after an investigation into the Australian’s sec- them on new developments. the top prize. ond round match in Shanghai, Kyrgios had been Head of shotgun referees Hamad Al- Member of the board, Assistant found guilty of conduct contrary to the integrity Ruwaisan expressed thanks to the KSSF Treasure Adnan Al-Ibrahim expressed of the game. Board of Directors for their continued thanks to HH the Crown Prince Sheikh This meant an additional fine and an immedi- efforts to keep shooting sport at a prime Nawaf Al-Ahmad for patronizing the ate eight week suspension. “However, the sus- level, besides backing Kuwaiti referees to tournament as it is one of the important pension will be reduced to three tournament officiate local and foreign tournaments. events to launch this season. weeks upon agreement that the player enters a He appreciated the large number of He said that HH the Crown Prince con- plan of care under the direction of a sports psy- shooters of both genders who will partic- tributed so much to supporting heritage chologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ipate in HH the Crown Prince tournament sports, particularly shooting. ATP.” If Kyrgios agrees to see a psychologist he including 100 in the shotgun events He said the organizing committee could return to the tour on November 7, after alone. Meanwhile Deputy Technical held several meetings, and made sure all the three week ban. Director in the rifle pistol department ranges and equipment are ready, adding As he would have no more tournaments to Abdallah Barakat said he is pleased to that the opening ceremony will be play, even the three week ban means that have this important tournament at this attended by representative of HH the Kyrgios’s year is effectively over. time of year, and hoped results be as Serena Williams Crown Prince and several dignitaries. “We have spoken to his management and