SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015

Baku Games opens under shadow of crackdown

BAKU: Azerbaijan has spared no expense in staging the inaugural European Games, which got underway yesterday with a lavish opening cere- mony, but the event has also turned the spotlight on its human rights record. The energy-rich nation on the Caspian Sea has spent more than a bil- lion dollars to stage its biggest sports extravaganza to date, according to officials, building several dazzling venues from scratch for the 16-day competition. The Games, featuring about 6,000 athletes from 50 nations, have however failed to attract the biggest track and field athletes and swimmers. Instead, lower-ranked competitors will take part in two of the most popular sports in the Olympic world. Officials have said some 35 heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be at the ceremo- ny at the brand new Olympic Stadium, which will host just two days of com- petitions in total. But money is obvi- ously no object for the Azeri govern- ment and its president Ilham Aliyev, eager to lay the foundations for a highly likely Olympics bid in the future. Organizers hope Friday’s open- ing ceremony, deploying some 2,000 BAKU: Artists perform during the Opening ceremony of the 2015 European Games at the Olympic Stadium in Baku yes- participants, will mark the beginning terday. The European Games will run from June 12 to 28. — AFP of a successful event that will strengthen the country’s position in worst crackdown in Azerbaijan in the Azerbaijan distract your attention “There’s one thing we cannot do the international sports world, just as post-Soviet era. The government from its record of corruption and and that is to dictate to a sovereign Qatar and the United Arab Emirates rejected claims of a systematic cam- abuse. Keep fighting for human rights, state how to run its affairs,” he said on have done before them in recent paign against dissidents, blaming for those who are silenced,” she Thursday, the same day authorities years. “western circles” for fanning the issue. wrote. Some European politicians as banned the Guardian newspaper’s But the government, which has But the accusations are unlikely to well as athletes have publicly spoken chief sports correspondent, Owen banned officials from human rights go away any time soon in a country out against the event, saying the Gibson, from travelling to Baku. But organizations as well as some media ruled by the Aliyev family since 1993. country should never have been with world soccer’s governing body from entering the country, has faced Khadija Ismayilova, a jailed journalist, awarded the games in the first place. FIFA in turmoil over corruption allega- accusations of consistent human said in letter to the New York Times European Olympic Committees tions for awarding the 2018 and 2022 rights violations since it was awarded on Friday that political prisoners had President Patrick Hickey, whose World Cups to Russia and Qatar, criti- the Games in 2012. The New York- been targeted “for telling the truth organization picked Azerbaijans as cism of the EOC for its decision is based Human Rights Watch said the about the situation in my country”. host of their newly created event, said expected to continue throughout the build-up to the event had seen the “Do not let the government of his was not a political organization. competition.‚— Reuters

Shooting Sports Club Highlanders storm into Rugby Board of Directors playoffs with demolition meet on Sunday WELLINGTON: The Otago side John Hardie, inside ing fullback who gleeful- KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Highlanders will head into the centre Shaun Treeby and blindside ly touched down for the Sports Club (KSSC) Board of playoffs brimful of flanker Elliot Dixon all crossing in Highlanders’ seventh. Directors called for a confidence after trouncing the low- the first half to put their team up Long-serving All Black Mealamu General Assembly meeting ly Blues 44-7 on a soggy 20-0 at the break. retires from Super Rugby at the age tomorrow at Sheikh Sabah night at Eden Park yesterday. The After a miserable season of only of 36 and after a record 175 match- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah seven-try rout spoiled All Black three wins, the Blues appeared des- es, having outstripped former Olympic Shooting Complex at 8:30 pm. The meeting is hooker Keven Mealamu’s final tined to finish their campaign Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe’s scheduled to discuss the match for the Blues while lifting scoreless but replacement back record of 162 earlier this year. In board’s report for the fiscal the Highlanders to fourth on the Matt McGahan finally crossed 13 Australia, the bottom-placed year ending by 31/3/2015. table. The Waikato can minutes from the final hooter. By Western Force ended their disap- KSSC Secretary General said snatch back the spot with a big win that time the Highlanders had pointing season on a high with a this year’s meeting comes over the top-ranked Hurricanes, already added another three tries 13-11 win over the Rebels in on the heels of outstanding who have already sewn up a home to winger Patrick Osborne, number Melbourne. Force winger Luke local, regional, Asian and Obaid Al-Osaimi semi-final in the playoffs and may eight Dan Pryor and lock Joe Latta, Morahan put the visitors ahead international achievements elect to rest a number of players. picking holes through the Blues with a try in the 66th minute. The by Kuwait shooters during “I’m going to miss being along- defense virtually at will. The Rebels hit back seven minutes later which they maintained Kuwait’s prominent presence. Al- side these men. Put the results Highlanders iced the cake with four with a try from Telusa Veainu but Osaimi lauded the organization of HH the Amir Fourth aside, they’re good men to play minutes left with a glorious team Mike Harris missed the conversion International Grand Prix in January, in which 59 countries with,” Mealamu said in a pitchside try created by flyhalf Lima then a last-minute drop goal participated. He also thanked members of the General interview after coming off the Sopoaga, who delivered a perfectly attempt. The Force finished last Assembly, and the Public Authority for Youth and Sports ground to a rousing ovation in the weighted kick to the left corner. with just three wins this season for their support. second half. The Highlanders Winger Patrick Osborne leaped while the Rebels came 10th after shared the tries around, with open- high to tap down the kick to rush- registering seven wins.— Reuters