Brazil’s Valera eyes T3 glory in Manateq Cross-Country Rally PAGE 18

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019

Ooredoo extends Silver Sword Race sponsorship for HH the Amir’s Sword Festival PAGE 19 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ATLETICO MADRID VS JUVENTUS Al Rayyan roar past Iran’s Saipa

Qatar’s Lions join Scoreline two-time champs Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 3 (Gelmin Rivas 27’& 90’, Al Ittihad , Wahda Sebastián Soria 89’) and Uzbekistan’s bt Saipa (IRN) 1 (Arman PFC Lokomotiv Ramezani 3’) in main round kick that the Rayyan custodian parried away. IKOLI VICTOR Rayyan continued to have the better of the possession and their pressure paid off when Tabata’s pass GELMIN Rivas scored twice as found Rivas inside the box, the strik- Qatar’s Al Rayyan advanced into er blazed the ball to the left corner of the 2019 AFC Champions League the post to beat Akbar Monadi. Group Stage defeating Iranian club Just before the break, Tabata Saipa 3-1 in the final play-off round saw his strike hit the bar with the at the keeper having the slightest of touch in Doha on Tuesday. to push it for a corner kick. The visitors drew the first blood With just under 5 minutes to play, in the third minute when Arman Ghanaian Samuel Sarfo hit the left Ramezani’s shot from the centre of post with a shot from the centre of the the box went past goalkeeper Fahad box to the relief of the home bench. Baker. There was an appeal for a In extra-time, former Qatari in- handball by the Rayyan players but ternational Tabata delivered a long the referee allowed the goal to stand. ball from a set-piece that was neatly The hosts struck back when dispatched by Sebastian Soria’s Venezuelan striker Rivas, on his header to turn the table in favour of continental debut, equalised with a the home team with a minute to go. right footed shot from the left side Just when the visitors were try- of the box to the bottom left of the ing to build up an attack as they goal post in the 27th minute after re- threw men forward, Rayyan struck ceiving a perfect pass from captain again with Rivas doubling his tally . from South Korean Koh Myong-Jin With the game dragging into Al Rayyan players celebrate their 3-1 win over Iranian club Saipa in the AFC Champions League play-off tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. fine pass. extra-time, substitute Sebastian So- The victory means Qatar club ria’s header from inside the box gave match performance with his second time. Rivas, who joined Rayyan in QNB Stars League last weekend. a golden opportunity from Lucca Al Rayyan join two-time cham- Rayyan the lead with another Tabata goal of the game with a blistering from Al Hilal, has now scored four It was an even game as both Borges’ shot in the 18th minute. pions Al Ittihad as well as UAE’s assist from a set piece situation. shot from the centre of the box to goals in two appearances for the Li- sides created chances following The visitors too had their own Al Wahda and Uzbekistan’s PFC Rivas capped a man-of-the the high centre of the goal in added ons, after his brace against Al Arabi Saipa’s early goal. Rayyan missed chance from Arash Rezavand’s free Lokomotiv in Group B. Zobahan make a comeback to edge Al Gharafa 3-2 AFC Scoreline DOHA Zobahan FC (IRN) 3 IRAN’S Zobahan completed a re- markable comeback to overcome (Ighodaro Christian Al Gharafa 3-2 in their 2019 AFC Osaguona 47’, Champions League Play-off tie on Amir Arsalan Motahari Tuesday. 63’, Mohammad Nejad The Iranian side had to overturn Mehdi 79’) a two-goal deficit in the second half to progress to the group stage. bt Al Gharafa (QAT) 2 Al Gharafa broke the deadlock (Ahmed al Aaeldin 21’, halfway through the opening period 36’) after midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim chested down a long pass and set up fellow Qatar international Ahmed Action from the AFC Champions more and Osaguona’s headed pass Alaaeldin who fired first time with League play-off between Al Gharafa found its way to Mehdi who drilled his left into the top corner for the and Zobahan in Doha on Tuesday. on the half-volley to round off a fa- hosts’ first of the game. mous victory. Alaaeldin turned from scorer to Hatim then found space inside Zobahan retreated for the final provider in the 36th minute, laying Zobahan’s half and tried his luck 10 minutes and formed a compact off the ball to Mehdi Taremi who from distance but was denied by unit, denying Al Gharafa any clear slid home from the edge of the pen- goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid opportunities. alty box to double the Qatari side’s Mazaheri. The hosts resorted to long-range lead before the break. Aerial balls proved to be Al shots, but in the absence of the in- Whatever it was that coach Al- Gharafa’s downfall as Amir Motaha- jured Wesley Sneijder it was down ireza Mansourian said at the break, ri rose above Lucas Mendes to head to Hatim to try to rescue his side, it worked wonders as Zobahan re- home Zobahan’s equaliser from Mo- but the Qatari international was un- turned from the dressing room a hammad Reza Hosseini’s pinpoint able to replicate his 2019 AFC Asian completely different side. cross in the 63rd minute. Cup heroics which saw him score Within two minutes of the re- The Iranian side completed their two long-range drives. start, the visitors from Iran had miraculous comeback in the 79th Zobahan join Al Wasl from the pulled one back. Nigerian striker minute through Mohammed Nejad UAE, Al Zawraa from Iraq as well as Christian Osaguona powered in a Mehdi. Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, who defeat- header past the helpless Youssef Al Gharafa’s defence failed to ed Uzbekistan’s AGMK in another Hassan to half the deficit. deal with the aerial challenge once play-off fixture on Tuesday.

PGA approves shorts for practice, pro-am

MIAMI: Players will be allowed to wear Rory McIlroy said of wearing shorts. shorts in PGA Tour practice and pro- “I don’t think there’s anything wrong am rounds under a change in player with professional golfers showing the appearance guidelines unveiled on lower half of their leg.” James Hahn, Monday. The change, effective imme- co-chairman of the PGA Tour Advisory diately, applies only to tournaments Council, informed PGA players of the on six tours operated under the PGA rule change in a video posted on Twit- Tour umbrella. Long pants will remain ter. PGA Tour caddies were first allowed required attire for all official competi- to wear shorts during competition days tion rounds. in 1999. The European Tour began This week’s World Golf Champion- a policy for players wearing shorts in ships Mexico Championship and the practice rounds in 2016.The PGA of US PGA Puerto Rico Open will be the America has allowed players to wear first tournaments offering golfers the shorts for practice rounds at the PGA apparel option. The move follows years Championship the past two years. Ti- of discussions about shorts being ger Woods said he would welcome the worn during non-competition days with chance to wear shorts in an interview positive feedback from players, fans, last year. Woods will have his chance sponsors and tournaments for the to don shorts for the first time in a change. “It makes the guys a lot more practice round at the WGC event in comfortable,” four-time major winner Mexico on Tuesday. (AFP) Sports Wednesday, February 20, 2019 17 Juve must not be afraid, says Allegri ahead of Atletico clash AFP MADRID

MASSIMILIANO Allegri told Juventus not to be afraid of Atletico Madrid but for one of these teams their worst fears in this season’s Cham- pions League are about to become a reality. Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba is congratulated by Crashing out in the last 16 teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup would be unthinkable for two fifth round match against Chelsea on Monday.(AFP) clubs that were among the fa- vourites when the draw for the knock-out stages was made in Sarri left frustrated December. “Those that have ambition are not afraid,” Allegri said, as Chelsea woes after his side were drawn to play Atletico, with the first leg on Wednesday at the Wanda mount after 2-0 FA Metropolitano. “It’s like a final, we can- not put a foot wrong,” Atletico Cup loss to Man Utd boss Diego Simeone said. Juventus and Atletico AFP is now in danger of being axed Madrid have reached 12 Eu- LONDON by ruthless owner Roman ropean Cup finals between Abramovich, with Thursday’s them, with last season’s game UNDER-FIRE Maurizio Sarri Europa League tie against Mal- in Kiev the first in five years in admitted his Chelsea flops mo and Sunday’s League Cup which neither had featured. played “confused” football final against Manchester City Atletico went on to win the as they crashed out of the FA looming as must-win matches Europa League instead, prov- Cup with a tame 2-0 defeat if Sarri is to save his job. ing themselves too strong for Juventus players attend a training session in Turin on Tuesday ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. (EPA-EFE) against Manchester United on “I feel the pressure for Europe’s second-tier compe- Monday. results of course, not about tition, while Juventus were league since 2011. Juventus and Atletico away from rivals Real but do it this month failed to capitalise Sarri was subjected to something else,” he said when dumped out by eventual win- As Lionel Messi said: in the city they both call their on a rare Catalan dip. calls for his sacking from an- asked if he was concerned ners Real Madrid, undone “They already had a good Madrid have reached 12 own. Summer signings are yet gry Chelsea fans during the about being sacked. by a controversial Cristiano team and now they have Cris- European Cup finals “Of course we are inspired to fully fire and there is scepti- troubled team’s fifth defeat in “We have to work, we have Ronaldo penalty in the 98th tiano Ronaldo.” between them, with last by playing a final in our own cism about the January arriv- their last 10 games. to speak, we have to find more minute. Juve’s two decade wait season’s game in Kiev the stadium, in our own city, in al of Alvaro Morata, not just Booed off at the final whis- aggression and determination It was Ronaldo’s 10th -But with anticipation comes first in five years in which front of our own fans,” Sime- because of his links to Real. tle, the beleaguered Blues in both boxes.” goal in seven games against pressure. Juventus are on one said. When results waver, ques- manager felt Chelsea deserved United’s commanding dis- Juventus, having scored course to win an eighth con- neither had featured. “But it is pointless only to tions about Simeone’s style better after the FA Cup hold- play was the perfect way to twice in the first leg and secutive Scudetto but this is imagine it. The reality will be also invariably follow. ers started the fifth round bounce back after last week’s twice in the final in 2017 too. the one trophy they crave. very difficult,” he added. what we deserve,” he added. “It is a style I like, it makes clash on top. disappointing Champions Juve beat Real in the semi- Miss out again and it will Atletico’s own record sign- Simeone extended his con- us win,” Antoine Griezmann But he conceded they League last 16 first leg loss to finals two years earlier but be 23 years since they last ing last summer, Thomas tract as Atleti coach until 2022 told UEFA on Monday. lacked direction and focus in a Saint Germain. even then, Ronaldo managed lifted Europe’s premier prize, Lemar, was not even born last week and while few can Winning a trophy on tepid second half surrender. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a goal in each leg. this time with its most prolific when Gianluca Vialli hoisted question the remarkable pro- their own patch would be “Tonight we were unlucky delighted with the way his play- There was understanda- player ever among their ranks. the trophy in 1996 for the Ital- gress made during his tenure, even better. because we played a very ers responded to that setback ble relief, as well as joy, when “We have to be wary of ians but expectation weighs there are some that believe a “It’s an extra motiva- good first half and at the end and United’s interim manager the Portuguese switched Atletico,” Allegri said. heavy on them too. ceiling has been reached. tion for us and for the fans. of the half the score was 2-0,” was especially impressed with sides last summer and now, “And we have to find the Atleti have the chance to They are out of the Copa del The road to get there will Sarri said. their work-rate. there is belief. Ronaldo has right moment to score. It’s play a final at home this year, Rey and seven points behind be tough but we’ll give it “We gave them a few oppor- “The performance to- not finished in single figures crucial that we get a goal there, at the Wanda Metropolitano, Barcelona in La Liga, where our all,” World Cup winner tunities. We played confusing night was fantastic, our tactics for goals in the Champions otherwise qualification will be and not only snatch the cup back-to-back defeats earlier Griezmann added. football in the second half. worked. We asked our mid- “After the first half it wasn’t fielders to press higher and get easy to play with that score.” into the box and it worked,” Toothless Chelsea managed Solskjaer said. only two shots on target all “Chelsea are a good team, Clay king Nadal opens tennis night and the limp second half they have their way of playing display suggested the players but Juan Mata did a fantastic are hardly doing everything in job on Jorginho and we were academy in Mexico’s Cancun their power to save Sarri. absolutely perfect defensively. Sarri has publicly criticised We kept a clean sheet. his squad on several occasions “It is a massive result. We AFP in his first season in charge, had criticism after the PSG MEXICO CITY questioning their mentality and game and everyone did what motivation. The former Napoli we asked them tonight.” TENNIS superstar Rafael Na- dal has opened a new academy in Mexico at the Caribbean sea- side resort of Cancun. Quick read The Costa Mujeres center Jugurtha Hamroun poses with club officials after completing his loan is an extension of Nadal’s Squash queen and former world champion move to QNB Stars League side Qatar Sports Club. original academy based on his Nicol David to retire at end of season native Mallorca. “We’ve been coming here KUALA LUMPUR: Eight-time world champion Nicol David has an- Algerian Jugurtha Hamroun for many years and we know nounced she will retire at the end of the 2018-19 squash season, the area,” said the 11-time bringing down the curtain on the Malaysian’s illustrious career. joins Qatar SC on loan French Open champion at a The 35-year-old is the most successful woman squash player of all press conference in Cancun time and spent an unprecedented nine years as world number one on Monday. between 2006-2015. QNA the player’s agent Faisal al The tennis center includes Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal is pictured during the inaugura- David said she had thought long and hard about calling it a day. DOHA Otaibi. eight floodlit clay courts, a tion of the “Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre” at the Palladium Hotel in the “This decision has been thought through for quite some time and Hamroun will wear shirt paddle court, gymnasium and Mexican seaside resort of Cancun on Tuesday. (AFP) I do know that this is my last season,” David said in a statement QATAR SC announced on number 10, and will be a sports clothing and equip- posted late on Monday on the website of the Professional Squash Tuesday that it has officially placed in the Arab player’s ment store. former world number one who only ever appearance in the Association, the sport’s governing body. “My mind and body have signed Algerian player Jug- list on the team’s list, accord- Although the center will claimed the US Open title in team competition champion- battled it out to stay at the very top of my game for such a long urtha Hamroun on loan from ing to the decision of Qatar initially cater to tourists and lo- 1963. He also won three Grand ship decider. time that I feel that I only have this last big push left for the final Al Sadd, until the end of the Football Association. The cals, Nadal said “one of the me- Slam doubles titles and the World number two Nadal season to give it all I have before I enter the next phase of my life.” season. decree stipulates adding a dium- and long-term aims is to Olympic doubles gold medal in is due to play in the Acapulco David, the darling of Malaysian sports fans, has also won five Hamroun signed his con- fifth Arab professional play- contribute to the development 1968 when tennis was a dem- Open next week, an event he British Open titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, five tract in the presence of Qatar er on each team’s list except of tennis in Mexico”. onstration event. has won twice before although Asian Games gold medals and three World Games gold medals in a SC Vice President Rashid for the clubs participating in Mexico’s most successful He helped Mexico to the he had to pull out before his first glittering career spanning two decades. (AFP) bin Shaheen al Ateeq and AFC Champions League. ever player was Rafael Osuna, a 1962 Davis Cup final, their match last year due to injury. Djokovic and Biles win Laureus sports people of year awards

AFP triumph – accepted the award MONACO with some members of his backroom staff. NOVAK Djokovic’s stupen- “Being part of the French dous comeback from injury football team offers one the last year which saw him win rare privilege of bringing two Grand Slam titles earned happiness to the French peo- him the Laureus Sportsman of ple,” said Deschamps, who the Year Award on Monday at won the same award with his a lavish ceremony. Euro 2000 winning team- The 31-year-old Serbian mates in 2001. – who added the Australian Deschamps compatriot Open in January to the Wim- Arsene Wenger, credited with bledon and US Open crowns he revolutionising English foot- won in 2018 after coming back ball certainly in the early part from elbow surgery – won the of his over two decades in award for a fourth time beating Laureus World Sportsman of The Year 2019 winner Serbia’s tennis US skier Lindsey Vonn, winner of From (left) Neeta Kumari, Hema Kumari, Konika Kumari and Radha charge of Arsenal, received the the likes of ’s World Cup player Novak Djokovic poses with his award at the Sporting Monte- the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award Kumari pose with their Laureus Award for Good Award for the Indian Lifetime Achievement Award. winner Kylian Mbappe and Carlo complex in Monaco on Monday. (AFP) 2019 poses with her award. (AFP) social project YUWA. (EPA-EFE) The studious 69-year- NBA superstar LeBron James. old Frenchman received his Iconic American gymnast ing legends such as nine-time although now a naturalised challenged you should always Year gong. “When you are anointed award from one of his former Simone Biles won Sportswom- singles Grand Slam champion American citizen, presented look inside.” American golf great Tiger with such talent as he is there Arsenal stars Cesc Fabregas, an of the Year for a second time Monica Seles and Britain’s the award to Djokovic, who ad- Tennis had a golden night Woods was rewarded for his is always a way back.” who said he had been a father on the back of the 21-year-old’s six-time Olympic track cycling mitted it had been a long hard as women’s world number return from years in the wil- Mbappe may have missed figure to him. historic achievement last year gold medalist Chris Hoy. road back mentally as well as one Naomi Osaka -- who like derness due to injury and per- out on the main individual China’s Xia Boyu’s extraor- in adding a fourth all-around “Last year was an incred- physically. Djokovic added the Austral- sonal problems to winning the award but he along with his dinary achievement in climb- world championship to her full ible season for me, returning “Reflecting on it standing ian Open to her breakthrough Tour Championship with the World Cup winning team- ing Everest last May, four dec- to bursting medals cabinet. from injury to win Wimbledon here now it seems like a fair- Grand Slam success the US Comeback of the Year award. mates collected the team of the ades after losing both legs to Djokovic was delighted and the US Open is something ytale story but it tells me one Open -- became the first Jap- “There was a long list of year prize. frostbite in a previous attempt with his award – voted on by I’ll remember forever,” said thing,” he said. anese winner of a Laureus people who wrote him off but Manager Didier Des- to conquer it, won the Sporting the 68 members of the Laureus Djokovic. “In those moments of when award, the 21-year-old taking I was not one of them,” said champs – who also captained Moment of the Year which is Academy which includes sport- Seles, also born in Serbia you are facing adversity and the World Breakthrough of the former NFL star Marcus Allen. France to the 1998 World Cup voted on by the public. 18 Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Sports Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally 2019 Oman’s Zubair pairs up with local navigator Nasser al Kuwari Russian Yorobeyev to drive other South Racing Can-Am TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Russia Northern Forest Rally, the opening DOHA round of the new FIA World Cup for Cross- Country Bajas. THE South Racing Can-Am Team have entered Yorobeyev teams up with fellow country- a pair of Can-Am Maverick T3s for Oman’s man Kirill Shubin in the third of the South Rac- Abdullah al Zubair and Russian driver Fedor ing Can-Am Maverick X3s. The experienced Yorobeyev in this week’s Manateq Qatar Cross- duo finished 15th overall and sixth in T3 in last Country Rally. weekend’s Russian event that used snow-lined The Lusail-based event is the opening round forest tracks in the Republic of Karelia, close to of a revised FIA World Cup for Cross-Country the border with Finland. Rallies that features further long-distance ral- South Racing Can-Am Team’s Scott Abra- lies in Abu Dhabi, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan ham, said: “Abdullah and Fedor are looking and . The T3 category has become the forward to a cross-country event after coming most popular of the three FIA car racing catego- back from Russia a couple of days ago. Abdul- ries (T1, T2 and T3) on the back of the success lah is running in a full spec 2019 car. This rally of the Side-by-Side (SxS) section at the Dakar is much closer to his home country of Oman. I Rally. think his partnership with (Nasser) Kuwari will Al Zubair and Yorobeyev are running un- be a strong team and they will be looking for a der the AZ Racing Team and Zavidovo Racing good result. Team banners, respectively. The Omani has “Fedor and Kirill are an experienced team. teamed up with the experienced Qatari navi- They have competed a lot in Russia and have gator Nasser al Kuwari on this occasion. The raced for several years in the T3 category. They cousin of Porsche Super Cup racer Al Faisal al raced Russia in their own vehicle and this is the Zubair, he tackled the event in the National cat- first time that they are racing with South Racing Reinaldo Varela heads the T3 category at the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally. egory last year and claimed silverware before Can-Am. We want to bring both cars to the fin- switching to his exciting new Can-Am project. ish and have a good race.” Last weekend, he and navigator Faisal al The Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally Raisi finished second overall behind Italy’s gets underway with the first of five desert stages Valera eyes T3 glory Michele Cinotto in the T3 category at the Baja of around 102km on February 22. in Manateq QCCR Monster Energy Can-Am Team hope to add to Dakar Rally exploits

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK The Monster Energy Can-Am wins during their defence I think we are well prepared DOHA Team heads that field with of that SxS title last month. for a good result at this race.” the Brazilian duo of Reinaldo They have both taken part in After attending a pre-event THE Monster Energy Can-Am Varela and Gustavo Gugelmin the Qatar event before (when press conference at Souq Al- Team will be hoping to follow wheeling out a Can-Am Mav- it was based at Sealine, south Medina on the iconic Pearl- up a superb second and third of Doha) and are fully aware Qatar, Varela and Gugelmin overall at last month’s Dakar “We have done some of the tricky navigation and will get their Manateq Qatar Rally by challenging for out- challenging desert stages that Cross-Country Rally challenge right victory in the T3 category development after Dakar lie in wait on the hidden route underway with the first of five at this week’s Manateq Qatar and have adapted the cars laid on by the QMMF. desert stages of around 102km Cross-Country Rally. to the FIA rules from ASO Scott Abraham of the on February 22. The Lusail-based event is Dakar rules. That has Monster Energy Can-Am They will then tackle four the opening round of a revised entailed the introduction Team, said: “This is the start selective sections across much FIA World Cup for Cross- of a restrictor of 25mm. of the 2019 season for Re- of the desert terrain of Qatar Country Rallies that features This has created its own inaldo and Gustavo. After a on February 23-26 with timed further long-distance rallies strong performance on the sections of 313km, 338km, Abdulah al Zubair of Oman in action in Russia last weekend. in Abu Dhabi, Turkmenistan, technical challenges, but I Dakar, winning several stages, 350km and 270km planned – Kazakhstan and Morocco. The think we are well prepared they are looking to kick off the totalling 1,367km - for the re- T3 category has become the for a good result at this FIA Cross-Country World Cup maining four days before the most popular of the three FIA race,” said Abraham. challenge with a good start in finish on the Pearl-Qatar. car racing categories (T1, T2 Qatar. The switch to a date in and T3) on the back of the suc- “We have done some de- February for the first time, MotoGP riders to make final cess of the Side-by-Side (SxS) erick X3 being run by South velopment after Dakar and as opposed to the customary section at the Dakar Rally. Racing. have adapted the cars to the slot in the calendar at the end The Qatar event is being Varela and Gugelmin fol- FIA rules from ASO Dakar of April, means that outside preparations at Losail organised by the Qatar Motor lowed up a stunning victory rules. That has entailed the temperatures are around 10 and Motorcycle Federation in the SxS section at the Da- introduction of a restrictor of or 15°C cooler with crews set (QMMF) and has attracted a kar Rally in 2018 with third 25mm. This has created its to race in temperatures of cially designed homologation provisional 13 entrants in T3. overall and a pair of stage own technical challenges, but around 22-25°C. The second & final preseason test in unit that judges the legality of Qatar from February 23 the fairing – if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t race. At Sepang, Da- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the start of the season factories nilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow DOHA aren’t able to make changes Ducati Team) and Jack Miller CSK to play and the very same Suzuki (Alma Pramac Racing) crashed Ooredoo extends Silver AFTER three days of testing at showed in 2017 how a slight on their different aero fairings RCB in IPL Sepang, it’s over to Losail for misstep can wreak havoc on they were trying so they’ll want those last changes before the the season as a whole. to get a little more track time Sword race sponsorship 2019 opener season begins at Losail Inter- There’s no sign of that from under their belts in Qatar be- national Circuit from March 8 the Hamamatsu factory so far fore decisions are made, and to 10. in 2019 though, and Ducati past Ducati, traditionally the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK (class 2) for the thorough- lights Qatar’s heritage and tra- IANS From February 23 to 25, and Honda both also seem masters of aero innovation, we DOHA breds (class 1). This 1,600m ditions as we look forward to NEW DELHI MotoGP makes its first visit of happy after Sepang, the latter saw plenty of different options race will carry a prize money enjoying amazing horseman- the year to the Losail Interna- trying two specs. Yamaha, after up and down pitlane. “There OOREDOO on Tuesday an- of $200,000. ship and memorable races.” LAST year’s winners Chennai tional Circuit in Qatar for the a more difficult couple of sea- are always positives and nega- nounced it is to renew its spon- The third and final day of Nasser bin Sherida al Super Kings (CSK) are to take second and final pre-season sons, also saw plenty of positive tives,” said Viñales of aero, and sorship of the Silver Sword the tournament will the big- Kaabi, QREC Chief Executive on Royal Challengers Banga- test of 2019, two weeks before comments about the engine the Qatar Test is the last chance race at the upcoming HH the gest one. Eight races will be Officer, said: “We are proud to lore (RCB) in Bengaluru in the the lung-opener at the same coming from Maverick Viñales for teams to decide which posi- Amir’s Sword Festival, which run and the sixth one is the have Ooredoo as partners for opener of the Indian Premier venue. (Monster Energy Yamaha Mo- tives outweigh which negatives. is slated to begin on February Silver Sword race sponsored sponsoring the Amir’s Silver League (IPL) 2019 that will be- Track activity for the Qa- toGP) in Malaysia. They’ve had Another man who will fi- 21 at Qatar Racing and Eques- by Ooredoo. The 1,850m race Sword Race which is consid- gin on March 23. tar Test will be from 4pm to one to work with and no direct nally be able to continue his trian Club Racecourse in New is for Arabian horses is car- ered one of the most important The schedule of the 2019 10pm with free entrance to the choice in 2019 per se, but the own adaptation in Qatar is Al Rayyan. rying $250,000 as the prize of all, as it is exclusive for Ara- edition of the IPL will be re- Grandstand for all the spec- Spaniard specifically pointed Jorge Lorenzo. After breaking The Amir’s Sword Festival money, with the winner taking bian horses. Qatar is known leased in parts by the Board tators and all fans have the out improvements in accelera- his scaphoid and being forced is one of the most prominent home $142,500. for its interest in this breed of of Control for Cricket in India chance to enter the Paddock tion. That’s been a key issue for to miss the Sepang Test, the international horse racing Speaking about the excit- horses, and the global festi- (BCCI) in view of the coming during the test just showing the Japanese factory, so that five-time World Champion will events in the region, with the ing event, Yousuf Abdulla al val has attracted well-known Lok Sabha elections. A total of your ticket for the Grand Prix bodes well…but will that re- be able to get back on his new best local and international Kubaisi, COO, Ooredoo, said: trainers and jockeys from 17 matches will be played dur- of Qatar. main true at a different venue? Repsol Honda machine at Lo- horses taking part. “We are committed to sup- around the world. The festival ing the two-week period from After the first outing in Aerodynamics – formerly sail and continue getting up to The premier annual event porting events and activities also contributes to the vision March 23 to April 5 across the Malaysia, teams now have to winglets, now “aero fairings”; speed. will see eight races every day aimed at preserving the herit- of the Racing and Equestrian eight home venues of the re- make their final preparations specificity important – are So as well as the final ad- for three days. The first day’s age and traditions of Qatar, in Club to become a world-class spective franchises. for the year on everything from another key component that justments to the machinery, final race will be dedicated to line with our corporate social equestrian centre. I am confi- All teams will play a mini- aero to engines, and they’ll be teams must make a final deci- he’s sure to be a key talking the Zubarah Arabian Horse responsibility strategy. We are dent that this partnership with mum of four matches with the trying new things as well as sion on during the Qatar Test. point of the Qatar Test come Award (local breed), while proud to sponsor the Silver Ooredoo will create more op- newly-christened Delhi Capitals comparing new data with their This year it’s a simple choice struggle or shine, as will new the second day will see the fi- Sword race at the His High- portunities for cooperation and RCB playing five matches. findings from the very different of two fairings for the year, teammate Marc Marquez after nal race dedicated to the Irish ness the Amir Sword Festival. and joint ventures to serve the venue of Sepang. So what are one of which must be decided surgery on his shoulder. Will The schedule is: Thoroughbred Marketing Cup This prominent event high- Qatari equestrian sport.” March 23 - Chennai Super Kings vs Royal we looking out for? upon before the season begins, their fights back to fitness steal Challengers Bangalore - 8 p.m. Engines, for those with- the other mid-way through, the headlines from Honda’s Match 24 - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers out concessions – which now and neither of which can be testing program? And is that Hyderabad - 4 p.m. includes Team Suzuki Ecstar changed once homologated. because – cue the Jaws music March 24 - Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals - 8 p.m. after their stellar 2018 – are And this time around, – it’s all going so scarily well Match 25 - Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab - one of the biggest keys. From they also have to fit in a spe- behind the scenes? 8 p.m. March 26 - Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings - 8 p.m. March 27 - Kolkata vs Kings XI Punjab - 8 p.m. March 28 - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians - 8 p.m. March 29 - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals - 8 p.m. March 30 - Kings XI vs Mumbai Indians - 4 p.m. March 30 - Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata - 8 p.m. March 31 - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - 4 p.m. March 31 - Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals - 8 p.m. April 1 - Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Capitals - 8 p.m. April 2 - Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - 8 p.m. April 3 - Mumbai Indians vs Chennai - 8 p.m. April 4 - Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers - 8 p.m. Yousuf Abdulla al Kubaisi, COO, Ooredoo, and Nasser bin Sherida al Kaabi, QREC Chief Executive Officer, April 5 - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata MotoGP riders will be back to Qatar for a three-day test from February 23 for fine-tuning their machines with other officials after the sponsorship signing ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Knight Riders - 8 p.m. before the season-opening race at Losail next month.