Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings to play holders Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020 opener Page 14 WednesdAy, februAry 19, 2020 haydos, Afif star in Al sadd’s big Acl win over iran’s sepahan

AYENI OLUSEGUN ter than us and deserved to win. We made some mistakes and missed some opportuni- HASSAN al Haydos bagged a ties both in the first half and brace and Akram Afif scored the start of the second. It was a the opener as Al Sadd cruised tough game and we struggled to an emphatic 3-0 victory over wit injuries and unfortunately Iran’s Sepahan in their Group two days ago, our striker Kiros D match of the AFC Champi- Stanley got injured and that ons League on Tuesday. didn’t help us today,” Sepahan The Qatari national team coach Amir Ghalenoei said. captain, though limped off In the other group match, with an injury in added time Al Nassr bounced back from a but not after another industri- goal down to beat Al Ain 2-1. ous Man of the Match perfor- mance as The Wolves climb to Duhail go down 0-2 top of the group on four points. to Al Taawoun “We have lost Salem al Hajri and Ali Asad for 4-5 Meanwhile in Buraidah, Al months, hopefully we don’t Taawoun FC stunned Qatari have more injuries. Koukhi heavyweights Al Duhail SC is well and hopefully Haydos’ 2-0 at King Abdullah Sport injury will not be that bad. He City Stadium in their Group C played well today and I hope clash on Tuesday. it is not a serious injury,” The Saudi side were look- said after the match about Al ing to build on their opening Sadd’s injury woes. day win over Sharjah as they Both teams known for hosted 2018 quarter-finalists their attacking strength tested Al Duhail who had yet to beat a each other but Al Sadd kept Saudi team in the AFC Cham- created more chances and a pions League. quick one-two between Afif Veteran Mohammed Al and Haydos released Bouned- Sahlawi opened the scoring for jah, but the striker’s attempt the hosts in the 34th minute. at a pass was intercepted when The former Al Nassr strik- he should have perhaps been a er showed his poacher instinct bit selfish with a shot on goal. Al Sadd players celebrate their win over Iranian club Sepahan in the AFC Champions League Group D match at the on Wednesday. Al Sadd won 3-0. to react quickest to Amine Le- The visitors also threat- comte’s spilled ball as the Qa- ened as Mohammadreza Hos- of goal came close to drawing tari goalkeeper attempted to seini flashed a shot wide off level after Boualem Khoukhi save a long-range effort from ’s goal before fumbled the ball but Kiani Me- Abdulmajeed Al Swat. Nam Tae Hee’s effort narrowly hdi’s rising shot was palmed Al Sahlawi returned the fa- missed the target. away by Al Sheeb. vour for Al Swat in the second Five minutes before time, Al Sadd scored their sec- half providing the assist for Al Mohammad Mohebbi had the ond in the 71st minute thanks Taawoun’s second of the night. best chance of the match till to Haydos. Bounedjah found Yaseen Barnawi applied then but the midfielder some- space down the right before the pressure on Ahmed Yassir, how sent his effort wide after sending the ball across goal retrieved the ball and passed good work down the right for Haydos to attack and the to Al Sahlawi, who in turn from Hosseini. striker made no mistake, beat- fed A Swat in space inside the Al Sadd soon carved open ing his marker to the ball be- box and the winger applied a the Sepahan defense twice in fore sending his effort into the composed finish past Lecomte a minute but goalkeeper Niaz- top corner. to put the hosts’ win beyond madnd Payam thwarted both “We are happy with the doubt in the 54th minute. Bounedjah and Afif’s effort as performance, everybody The result puts Al the first half ended goalless. worked hard for the team. The Taawoun top of the group with The 2011 champions could supporters were involved and six points, while Sharjah’s 2-2 not be kept out for long and it’s one of our better games draw with Persepolis in the five minutes into the second this season. The point in Saudi other Tuesday fixture means half, Afif continued his im- Arabia was good and we got Al Duhail stay in second place pressive run in front of goal three today. I think we are in with three points, while Perse- with a delicate finish over the best moment of the sea- Al Sadd fans cheer the Wolves at the Al Sadd Stadium on Wednesday. polis are third on one point, Payam after being teed up by son,” Xavi said. ahead of Sharjah courtesy of Bounedjah. “It was a tough game and at have Al Ain who we play back- utes from time. Afif received Sepahan tried to pull one for what would have been his away goals. Nam and Afif almost com- halftime it was even. We were to-back and if we win both, we the ball from Bounedjah, back but substitute Shahbaz- first goal of the competition Al Taawoun are away to bined for the second but the better than them today hon- will be in a good place.” skipped past two Sepahan zadeh Sajad could only flash but the Iranian goalie reacted Persepolis next, while Al Du- former’s shot was pushed out estly but they are a strong side. The game was put beyond defenders, setting up an easy his header harmlessly wide. quickly to push over the bar. hail’s Matchday Three fixture for a corner by Payam. We have to focus on the next doubt as Haydos netted his finish for Haydos from a few Al Sad’s “Congratulations to Xavi sees them hosting Sharjah in The visitors in a rare sight few league games and then we second of the match 13 min- yards out. almost caught Payam napping and Al Sadd. They were bet- Doha in two weeks’ time. Stage set for Open Amateur Championship 2020 The qualifying meet The Schedule Tournament Director Mo- hammed Faisal al Naimi said, for Qatar Masters QATAR OPEN AMATEUR GOLF 2020 “The total number of entries 19 February (Wednesday): (Registration is 105 including 30 from over- to be played at DGC & Practice Round) seas. Top three Professionals 20 February: (1st Round) and the leading Amateur will from Feb 20th 21 February 2020: (2nd Round) qualify for CB Qatar Masters.” 22 February 2020: (3rd & Final Round) Said al Hajri, who has been TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 15:30pm: Award ceremony. known for being a car rally- DoHA ist, welcomed the association fying tournament for the Qatar of Ali Bin Ali Group with the THE 34th edition of the Qatar Masters,” said QGA General- event. “Earlier I used to go and Open Amateur Champion- Secretary Fahad al Naimi. meet people for sponsorship ship 2020 will be held at Doha “Such is the quality of field as a sportsman myself, now Golf Club (DGC) from Febru- that the Qatar Open Amateur we are sponsoring a golf tour- ary 20- 22. The championship Championship now attracts, nament,” he remarked hoping acts as a qualifying for the pro that the winner is offered to see local talent excel and tournament – the Commercial an exemption into the Qatar qualify for the professional Bank Qatar Masters which be Masters – a flagship European Qatar Masters. held at the Education City Golf Tour event that lists major Eight Qatari players: Saleh Course in March. champions as past winners. al Kaabi, Ali al Shahraniy, The three-day Qatar Open “In my opinion, it will be a Abdurahman al Shahrani, Ja- Amateur Championship has very strong tournament with ham al Kuwari, Fahad Rizwan, been organised by Qatar Golf Qatar Golf Association (QGA) General-Secretary Fahad Nasser al Naimi (3rd right) addresses a media conference along with Tournament Director many professionals with very Abdelaziz al Muhannadi, Ab- Association (QGA) with sup- Mohammed Faisal al Naimi, Said al Hajri, General Manager, Ali Bin Ali Group, Royal Air Maroc Country Manager Youssef Berchid, Rayyan Waters high rankings taking part. The delaziz al Boainainm Ghanim port from Qatar Olympic Trade Marketing Manager Arun Sreekumar, and Andreas Peister of InterContinental Doha Hotel at the Doha Golf Club on Wednesday. professional section is grow- al Kuwari will playing in the Committee, InterContinental ing every year since the time championship. Doha, Doha Golf Club, Royal Fahad Nasser al Naimi ad- General Manager, Ali Bin Ali and Andreas Peister of Inter- has come a long way since its we introduced it three years The tournament format Air Maroc, Al Rayyan water dressed a media conference on Group, Royal Air Maroc Coun- Continental Doha Hotel. inception in 1983 when it was ago. Many players who cannot will be 54-Hole Strokeplay. and Almuftah Car Rent Wednesday along with Tour- try Manager Youssef Berchid, “The Qatar Open Ama- contested over a sand course make it to the Qatar Masters Half the field plus ties after 36 Qatar Golf Association nament Director Mohammed Rayyan Waters Trade Market- teur Championship organised in Umm Said to become an in- will be trying to qualify for the holes will advance to round (QGA) General-Secretary Faisal al Naimi, Said al Hajri, ing Manager Arun Sreekumar, by the Qatar Golf Association ternational tournament quali- event,” he added. three. The handicap limit is 9. sports Wednesday, February 19, 2020 13

uefA champions league kozlov’s late equaliser Spurs holding on breaks sporting hearts for dear life after Son’s injury

Al Kass Intl Cup AFP LoNDoN TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DoHA TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s hopes of obtaining something from ZENIT St Petersburg mid- the season have been equated fielder Igor Kozlov grabbed a to someone hanging on for dear dramatic equaliser just 90 sec- life from a balcony in a typically onds from the end of normal colourful analogy by their man- time to send Sporting Clube de ager Jose Mourinho. Portugal crashing out of the Al The 57-year-old Portu- Kass International Cup. guese made the comparison Skipper Mateus Fernandes after he said he believed Ko- looked set to be a two-goal rean star Son Heung-min’s hero for Sporting but Kozlov season could well be over due had other ideas and he struck to a fractured right arm. late to send FC Zenit into the Mourinho is already with- quarter-finals where they will out star striker Harry Kane -- face Paris Saint Germain. side-lined since January with A keenly-contested clash a torn hamstring -- as the club saw play flowing from end to enters a crucial period. Mid- end throughout the 90 min- fielder Moussa Sissoko is an- utes, producing the second 4-4 other long-term casualty. draw in the space of two days Spurs host German side following Aspire Academy’s RB Leipzig in a Champions match with Glasgow Rangers League Last 16 first leg match a day earlier. on Wednesday and play Chel- Tottenham Hotspur’s Portuguese Zenit go through as run- sea in a match that could head coach Jose Mourinho dur- ners-up of Group D, which prove pivotal in the dog-fight ing a team training session at produced 21 goals in just three for the fourth and final Cham- Enfield rainingT Centre in london matches with both of these pions League spot. on Wednesday, ahead of their teams having lost to Real Ma- Zenit St. Petersburg players try to tackle a Sporting Club de Portugal forward during their Al Kass International Cup match at the Aspire “You know I like analo- uEFA Champions league last 16 drid earlier in the tournament. Academy in Doha on Wednesday. An enthralling 4-4 draw saw Sporting Club de Portugal crash out of the tournament. gies,” said Mourinho, who match against RB leipzig. (AFP) Sporting took the lead on 15 took over after Mauricio Po- minutes though following a fine from the penalty. his second of the night. of Group C. close after just 45 seconds, Er- chettino was sacked in late rich vein of form scoring in the move down the left-hand side. At the other end, Ilia Rodi- Zenit reduced the arrears Altinordu had given them- nesto Greco throwing himself November last year. last five matches after filling in Influential striker Diogo onov crossed low for Pshennik- on 61 minutes when Sergei selves a huge task to stay in the at full stretch to keep out Ha- “Sometimes I do good ones for Kane up front. Travassos produced an excel- ov who just failed to get on the Muradian rose well to head competition after losing 3-0 to kan Ozturk’s well-struck shot. and sometimes silly ones. This The 27-year-old South lent backheel to send Martim end of it. Travassos then stung powerfully past Diego Calai, Mohammed VI Academy of Mo- It was the 20th minute time I do this. Korean international forward Marques clear down the wing, the palms of Moskvichev with who hit his head against the rocco in their opener and they until another good opportu- “When we arrived we were suffered the injury in the 3-2 where he sent an enticing ball a powerful shot on 39 minutes post in trying to keep it out. needed to win by three goals to nity presented itself, but Inter in minus 12 floor, we got on the Premier League victory over into the box that was flicked after being teed up by Tiago Chermiti should have re- progress to the quarter-finals. striker Dennis Curatolo failed stairs and we started climbing. Aston Villa – in which he goalwards by Chermiti. Zenit Octavio as Sporting looked for stored Sporting’s two-goal ad- Given that Italian sides are to connect with a header fol- “But immediately the scored twice including the late goalkeeper Bogdan Moskvichev a third, but instead they found vantage but he shot straight at notoriously solid defensively, lowing a corner when well stairs broke and trouble. winner – on Sunday. blocked the effort but Fernandes themselves pegged back to 2-2 the keeper’s leg, and it proved Altinordu were never likely to placed to score. “We were trying to find a Son suffered the injury in a was following up to score. just a minute later with a pow- costly as Zenit grabbed a dra- reach the last eight but their Ozturk was the main thrust way. Lots of effort but we were robust first-minute challenge Sporting’s second followed erful header by Ilia Kirsh. matic equaliser when Kozlov hopes were helped by the fact of Altinordu’s attacks and he going and going. from Villa’s Ezri Konsa. on 20 minutes and came A superb end to the first got in behind the Sporting de- Inter made the maximum fired wide on 26 minutes be- “Then 11th floor and when The club did not specify courtesy of a fine solo goal by half saw Sporting back in front fence and slotted past Calai. possible number of changes – fore setting up the only goal of we arrived on the fourth floor, how long Son would be out -- Malam Mane. just a minute later when Tra- nine, as squads consist of 20 the match one minute later. where we wanted to arrive, he is due to undergo surgery The Russians found a way vassos sent in a perfect cross No Turkish delight players – following their 3-1 The striker curled a ball to- someone took the stairs away this week – but Mourinho was back into the match on 23 for Chermiti to tap in. despite Altinordu win opening match victory over wards the edge of the box and so we are now in trouble. pessimistic. minutes when Evgenii Pshen- Sporting extended their Turkish academy side Altinor- Mohammed VI Academy. Greco came out to try and claim “We are holding by our “I’m not going to count on nikov’s right-wing cross hit the lead on 58 minutes when du defeated Italians Inter Mi- Altinordu, meanwhile, it, only to be caught well out of arms on the balcony.” him again this season,” Mour- arm of Rui Carreira and Hus- Mane nutmegged Pavel Kula- lan in the Al Kass Internation- made just four changes and position and Muhammet Turan Mourinho said the club inho said. sein Sayed pointed to the spot. kov before squaring for Fer- al Cup, but it wasn’t enough to they produced a much im- sent a superb chip over the keep- were at a crossroads in their The club said only after Nikita Luzan made no mistake nandes to sidefoot home for prevent them finishing bottom proved display. They went er to give Altinordu the lead. season. “Now we have two op- the medical operation would tions,” he said. “To fall and die they be able to say how long he because it’s the fourth floor. would be absent. The other is to climb. We will “Following surgery, our be on that balcony fighting medical staff shall be review- with everything we have.” ing management options for Hamilton, Messi share Laureus men’s title Son’s absence comes as a Son’s rehabilitation with the cruel blow to the player and player expected to be sidelined She also won silver medals the team as he had been in a for a number of weeks.” Top sporting moment over the last in the road race and time trial H5 at the para cycling road 20 years award for Tendulkar world championships. Colombia’s Egan Bernal, AFP pionships in Stuttgart to leave 22, who became the young- Quick read BERLIN her with a record 25 worlds est rider to win the Tour de ‘faster than bolt’ indian buffalo runner beaten gold medals, took the Lau- France for 110 years, won the FORMULA One champion reus sportswoman of the year breakthrough award after win- NEW DELHI: A buffalo racer in India whose blistering pace along a Lewis Hamilton and football award for the third time. ning the world’s top cycling muddy field prompted comparisons to olympic legend Usain Bolt has superstar Lionel Messi shared “It means the world to me, race in what was only his sec- been beaten at his own game. Srinivas Gowda ran 142.5 metres in the Laureus sportsman of the this is my third Laureus award ond three-week classic event. 13.62 seconds on January 31 behind two buffaloes, setting a record year award at Monday’s cer- and I’m really grateful,” said “I’m really happy, this is a in the annual race known as Kambala in the southern state of Karna- emony in Berlin. Biles in a video message. big result for me in my career,” taka. This equated to running 100 metres in 9.55 seconds, compared Hamilton, 35, a six-time South Africa, who won the the Colombian said in a video. with the retired Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds, earning the world champion and Barcelona 2019 World Cup, were named German F3 driver Sophia construction worker fame and an invitation from the sports minister to star Messi, 32, share the award team of the year, beating Jur- Floersch scooped the come- take part in track trials. But according to local media, Nishant Shetty for their achievements in 2019. gen Klopp’s Liverpool and the back of the year award for rac- and his buffaloes have pipped Gowda, running 143 metres in 13.61 This is the first time a foot- US women’s football team. laureus World Sportsman of the year nominee lewis Hamilton poses ing once again at the Macau seconds. This is the equivalent of 9.51 seconds over 100 metres. baller has won the award and Springboks captain Siya on the red carpet prior to the 2020 laureus World Sports Awards GP last November, a year after Kambala is an annual festival in the farming belts of Karnataka during also the first occasion in the Kolisi was joined on stage by ceremony in Berlin on Monday. (AFP) a crash on the same circuit left the winter when contestants sprint along waterlogged muddy fields event’s 20-year history when six South African team-mates her with a spinal fracture. holding a rope attached to two buffaloes. Gowda, who met the state’s the jury reached a tied decision. to collect the trophy. “With erations to come.” by radiation from Chernobyl Indian cricketer Sachin chief minister on Monday but turned down an immediate trial to con- “I am honoured to be the this group of players, we came Snowboarding sensation and later adopted in the US, Tendulkar won the public vote centrate on his sport, saying Kambala and track events are different. first to win this award being together for the love of the Chloe Kim, 19, won the action won the sportsperson with a for the top sporting moment “Many who have achieved in track events have tried Kambala and a sportsperson coming from a game with one goal and fought sportsperson award after tak- disability award. over the last 20 years for lead- have not been successful,” he had said. “In Kambala we run on heels team sport,” Messi said from so hard for each other,” Kolisi ing gold medals at the world The 30-year-old won five ing his country to victory at whereas in track it is on toes.” He admitted the buffaloes are a vital Barcelona via a video message. told the audience in Berlin. championship halfpipe and X gold medals and a silver at the the 2011 ICC World Cup. component. “Never in my dream did I think that I would be so famous. US gymnastics superstar “We gave everything we Games super pipe. world para nordic skiing cham- Germany’s basketball star The credit should go to my buffaloes,” Gowda, 28, told Indian media. Simone Biles, who won five had to win the trophy and Oksana Masters, who born pionships, plus took the cross- Dirk Nowitzki was recognised “I could achieve this only because they cooperated with me.” (AFP) titles at the 2019 world cham- hopefully inspire kids for gen- with limb impairments caused country overall world cup title. with the lifetime award. Al Shaqab to host 2nd Internations Camp for talented young riders TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK designed to include two high- who thoroughly enjoyed the SHAQAB and LGCT will pro- DoHA profile qualifying competi- experience. We hope for simi- vide a clinic for the camp par- tions that will be held on the lar positive results this year. ticipants,” explained Al Suwaidi. AL Shaqab, member of Qatar opening days of the upcom- “The focus of this camp is “Similarly, the qualifying Foundation, is gearing up to ing international equestrian not merely on improving the competitions of our camp will welcome talented young rid- events at the Longines Arena height a rider can clear. Besides be held alongside these events. ers from around the world to at Al Shaqab, Commercial regular lessons and training ses- These prestigious equestrian the second edition of the Al Bank CHI Al Shaqab Present- sions, we have lined up several competitions offer our young Shaqab Internations Camp. ed by Longines from 27 to 29 unique activities to help them riders an unparalleled oppor- Scheduled to run from 21 February and the Longines acquire important leadership tunity to measure themselves February to 8 March at the Global Championship Tour and communication skills.” against the best, and to in- Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, (LGCT) first leg the following Camp participants will crease their levels of confi- the camp will be conducted in weekend, from 5 to 7 March. benefit from the opportunity dence and self-esteem. two stages. It will offer partici- Mohammed Sultan al to learn from the experienced “Also, importantly, at the pants an opportunity to refine Suwaidi, Manager, Equine world-class riders participat- same time that Al Shaqab’s their riding skills, while enjoy- Education Department at Al ing in and the LGCT. programs provide the platform ing an enriching experience in Shaqab, came up with the con- “Thanks to the cooperation to foster and nurture the next a multicultural, motivating, cept of the camp. A rider him- Shaqab is dedicated to provid- services. Participants in the sources. We had a fantastic re- of the Al Shaqab Commercial generation of riders, they also and challenging environment. self, with several triumphs to ing the highest level of eques- Al Shaqab Internations Camp sponse from the young riders Department, some of the top promote Qatar’s reputation as a The programme has been his credit, Al Suwaidi said: “Al trian education programs and will receive the best of our re- who attended last year’s camp, riders taking part in CHI Al premier sporting destination.” 14 Wednesday, February 19, 2020 sports

Al hAzm to sPonsor hh the Amir sWord Police Post 11th Victory AgAinst QAtAr sc grouP 1 Purebred ArAbiAns rAce AgAin

Defending champions Police posted another victory as they beat Qatar Sports Club 25-19, 25-14, 25-20 in the QVA league at the QVA Indoor Hall in Doha on Tuesday. The GCC clubs volleyball winners are in the second place behind leaders Al Arabi Club with 32 points from Al Hazm and Al Emadi Enterprises will sponsor HH The Amir Sword Group 1 PA Race once again. Qatar 11 wins in 13 matches. Al Arabi are on the top with 38 points after Racing & Equestrian Club CEo Nasser Sherida al Kaabi and Mohammed Abdul Kareem al Emadi, Manag- 13 victories in 14 matches. Al Wakrah are in the third spot, after ing Director of Al Hazm and Al Emadi Enterprises, declared this at a press conference in New Al Rayyan on collecting 29 points from 10 wins in 15 matches, while Al Rayyan are Tuesday. HH The Amir Sword Group 1 PA, one of the two main races at the premier horse racing event in in the fourth from nine wins and four losses and Al Ahli round out the Qatar - HH The Amir Sword Festival 2020, carries $1 million prize money and is scheduled on February 22. top five, being one point adrift from Al Rayyan.

Quick takes Przygonski to join Attiyah Women’s golf great Wright dies at 85 LOS ANGELES: Thirteen-time major winner Mickey Wright, often described as the greatest woman golfer of all time, died on Monday in toyota hilux for Qccr aged 85. Wright, who accumulated 82 LPGA Tour titles during a profes- sional career which stretched from 1954 to 1969, died in Florida after OT3 by Overdrive a heart attack, reports said. “We’re saddened to learn today of the T3 entries for Mickey Wright. passing of Mickey Wright, a 13-time Major Champion and 82-time winner Kees Koolen and on the @LPGA, just three days after celebrating her birthday,” the World Golf Hall of Fame announced on Twitter. “one of the best Fedor Vorobyev to ever play the game, she will be greatly missed. #RIPMickey.” Born Mary Kathryn Wright in San Diego, California in 1935, TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Wright’s haul of 13 major victories included four US Women’s LoSAIL open titles and four US Women’s PGA Championships. only Patty Berg, who had 15 major wins, has won more. (AFP) JAKUB ‘Kuba’ Przygonski, the winner of the 2018 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country chennai to play mumbai in iPl opener Rallies, has reached an agree- ment with Overdrive Racing NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings will take on and will drive a Toyota Hilux Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski of Poland is relishing the chance to drive Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al Attiyah in action at the Dakar Rally this year. defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening match alongside Nasser Saleh al At- overdrive Racing’s Toyota Hilux for a first time. He finished second in the gruelling rally. of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 extravaganza on tiyah and Yazeed al Rajhi at March 29, organisers said on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Dhoni, next week’s Manateq Qatar petitive kilometres in a route of tors coming to Qatar,” said Jean-Marc Fortin, CEO Bull Off-Road programme. Chennai’s captain, has not appeared for club or country since Cross-Country Rally. 2,200km across the length and Attiyah. “We narrowly missed of Overdrive Racing, said: Two cars have been en- the 50-over World Cup last year and speculation has swirled The Polish former motor- breadth of the State of Qatar. out on another Dakar Rally “We are delighted to welcome tered in the Manateq Qatar over his international retirement. But cricketers and pundits cycle enduro racer switched to Attiyah has been a domi- win, but Matthieu and I re- Kuba and Timo to the team Cross-Country Rally with believe the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman’s performance in rallying on four-wheels after a nant force in cross-country turned to action last week and and look forward to work- Dutch businessman Kees the cash-rich IPL could be key if he is eyeing a last hurrah at successful career with the Or- rallying in recent years, but we won the Oman Interna- ing with them. We have seen Koolen driving one for the the T20 World Cup in october and November in Australia. The len Team on a KTM and vic- the Qatari narrowly missed tional Rally. We are looking in recent seasons what a de- first time and the other be- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the IPL tory at the Qatar event in 2018 out on a fourth Dakar Rally forward to keeping up that termined competitor he can ing prepared for the Rus- fixtures on Tuesday but has yet to reveal the venue of the May was a springboard for his FIA victory last month and will be momentum with another win be and know that he will add sian driver Fedor Vorobyev, 24 final.(AFP) World Cup success. Przygons- keen to make a good start to in Qatar.” strength in depth to the Toy- the 2019 FIA World Cup for ki finished third in the Losail- his FIA World Cup campaign Yazeed al Rajhi finished ota challenge in the 2020 FIA Cross-Country Bajas champi- based event in 2019. after falling short to eventual runner-up to Attiyah in Qa- World Cup.” on. He finished eighth overall Vietnam f1 grand Prix gets go-ahead He and German navigator winner Stéphane Peterhansel tar last season and arrives Overdrive Racing teamed and second in T3 in Qatar last despite virus fears Timo Gottschalk have been in 2019. in Doha fresh from finishing up with Red Bull at the end of season in a Can-Am and again one of the leading pairings at The Qatari has won his fourth in January’s Dakar 2019 to launch the new OT3 teams up with fellow Russian HANOI: Vietnam’s inaugural Formula one Grand Prix will take the Dakar and on rounds of home event on seven occa- Rally and from a recent out- by Overdrive, a prototype T3 Kirill Shubin for his debut in place in Hanoi in April as planned, organisers told AFP on the FIA World Cup in recent sions, beginning with a win ing at the Ha’il International vehicle that the Belgian car an OT3. Tuesday, avoiding the fate of the Chinese Grand Prix which was seasons and Przygonski is rel- on the candidate rally in 2011 Rally. He teams up with Ul- preparations company hopes Historic Souq Waqif in postponed over the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The virus, ishing the challenge of racing and following up that success ster navigator Michael Orr, will challenge at the top of the downtown Doha will host the which has killed more than 1,800 people in China, has trashed with a V8-engined Toyota for with victories in 2012, 2014- with whom he claimed four leader board in the up-and- ceremonial start on February Asia’s sporting calendar, forcing the postponement of top the first time. 2017 and last year. Two of victories on rounds of the coming open and modified 22 and the prize giving cer- events including the Hong Kong Sevens rugby. But Vietnam- With his switch to a Hi- those wins came with his reg- FIA Middle East Rally Cham- all-terrain class. emony on February 27 after ese authorities said the country’s inaugural F1 race would go lux, Overdrive Racing has a ular French navigator Mat- pionship. The pair used the The car was tested in five demanding days of timed ahead as “scheduled” on April 5, Le Ngoc Chi, CEo of Vietnam formidable line up of three T1 thieu Baumel. recent Ha’il event to test vari- Morocco in the autumn and action through the Qatar de- Grand Prix told AFP. That flies in the face of mounting fears Toyotas set to tackle the open- “This is always an impor- ous components and settings driven by five-time Dakar serts, where the emphasis will over the spread of the virus from neighbouring China and the ing round of the FIA World tant rally for me and a pleas- after a wheel failure had cost champion Cyril Despres and be as much on precise navi- risk of transmission among the crowds expected to make the Cup, which will run over five ure to compete at home and them a potential win on the several rookies at the Dakar gation as outright speed and journey to the Vietnamese capital. (AFP) days and around 1,430 com- to see international competi- second day. Rally, as part of a new Red performance. Galfar Al Misnad first sponsor of Qatar national cricket team TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK this sponsorship will go a Qatar team skipper Iqbal DoHA long way in not only boosting Hussain Chaudhry, who also the national team but also plays for Galfar Al Misnad, GALFAR Al Misnad is the first the sport in Qatar,” the QCA said his team appreciates the proud sponsor of the Qatar chief added. sponsorship and would try senior national cricket team, Galfar Al Misnad Execu- to do its best in the upcom- which will compete in various tive Director Satish G Pillai ing tournament in Oman. upcoming tournaments. commented: “The human “We’re lucky to have very QCA President Yousef development is at the core supportive people in the Jeham al Kuwari declared at of our company’s strategy so QCA and Galfar Al Misnad. the Qatar Olympic Committee we started many initiatives. As a result, we get everything headquarters on Tuesday that Football and cricket teams that benefits all of us. This is the QCA has signed the spon- are among those. We have the first time that the Qatar sorship agreement with the developed a good cricket national team has got the rising construction company team which is finishing regu- sponsorship. The boys are of Qatar for one year. larly among top two or the feeling quite motivated and Also present on the occa- best four. we would keep working hard sion were Galfar Al Misnad “We decided to strength- towards improving our rank- Executive Director Satish G en our relationship with ings through good results.” Pillai, QCA Assistant General cricket further and we’re ex- On the occasion, Kuwari Secretary Eissa Ali al Gha- QCA and Galfar Al Misnad officials after the press conference to announce the sponsorship of the Qatar national team in Doha on Tuesday. Also tremely happy to get the op- and Pillai presented both nem, QCA Public Relations present on the occasion were Qatar skipper Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry and vice-captain Mohammed Rizlan portunity to sponsor the Qa- Chaudhry and Rizlan the Director Eissa al Yacoub, QCA tar national team. The Qatar Qatar national team T-shirts Operations Manager Man- sponsorship of the national pleased with the rapid rise national team. this gesture of Galfar Al Mis- national team has been pro- with Galfar Al Misnad name zoor Ahmad, Qatar national senior team and thanked of the national team. Gal- “We’re proud to announce nad. This is an ideal partner- gressing well and we would across the front. Qatar will team captain Iqbal Hussain the Galfar Al Misnad man- far Al Misnad has already that Galfar Al Misnad has tak- ship which will hopefully set a soon like to see the team soon travel to Muscat, Oman Chaudhry and vice-captain agement for their support. been supporting the sport en this partnership to another good example. playing in the World Cups. to play in the eight-team Mohammed Rizlan. “Cricket is undoubtedly one for many years, their team is level by becoming the sponsor “We expect more Qatari The sponsorship right now Western Region T20 Inter- QCA president Kuwari of the most popular sports also very strong and its many of the Qatar national senior companies to come forward is for a year but it will be ex- national qualifiers for the expressed his delight at the in Qatar and we’re extremely players are playing for the team. We’re really thrilled by in support to cricket. Also tended,” Pillai added. 2020 Asia Cup.