Sports Sunday, November 1, 2020 13 Veteran rally star Sheikh Hamad bin Eid no more Tribune News Network DOHA

In an unfortunate and unre- lated incident to the Qatar Na- tional Baja, which was held on Saturday in Dukhan, Qatar’s veteran rally driver Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Thani passed away while watching the rally action. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, condoled Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Thani. “It is with great sorrow and sadness that we re- ceived the news of the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Tha- ni, may God have mercy on him,” Sheikh Joaan tweeted. The Qatar Motor and Mo- torcycle Federation (QMMF) released a statement which said the death took place after his withdrawal as a participant from the fourth round of the Qatar National Baja. Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Thani “Sheikh Hamad started has been one of the most promi- the first stage of the race but nent rally drivers in Qatar and the decided to withdraw from the Gulf region. He won many local Defending champion (right) and three-time winner of Qatar Classic will get into action with the PSA Platinum level tournament beginning at the competition and returned to and international titles most Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Sunday. the maintenance area. His notably the World Cup of Sahara condition was very normal,” Cross-Country Rally Champion- the QMMF stated. ship in the T2 category. “Sheikh Hamad accom- panied one of his friends in most prominent Qatari rally his private car to watch the drivers, and extends its deep- Ali Farag, Mohamed rest of the stages of the race est condolences to the family but he fell unconscious. His of the deceased and motor- friend informed the local or- sport enthusiasts in Qatar, the ganizing committee and re- statement added. turned him to the rally head- “Sheikh Hamad bin Eid quarters immediately,” the has been one of the most El Shorbagy all set statement added. prominent rally drivers in The QMMF statement Qatar and the Gulf region. He pointed out that ‘the medical won many local and interna- team assigned to the Qatar tional titles most notably the National Baja quickly dealt World Cup of Sahara Rally with the case and gave him re- Championship “Cross Coun- for new battles lief at the rally headquarters in try” in the T2 category. Dukhan area before moving to Winner of numerous ral- Tribune News Network the Cuban Hospital, where he lies in Qatar and around the Doha Looking forward to an exceptional edition despite challenges’ passed away.’ region, Sheikh Hamad bin Eid The QMMF mourns was hugely popular for being The Qatar Classic 2020 is all Doha: The Secretary-General of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Tariq Sheikh Hamad, one of the an avid motorsport enthusiast. set for the start at the Khal- Zainal has said that the federation is looking forward to presenting an exceptional edition of the ifa International Tennis and tournament despite the challenges and difficulties of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Squash Complex, with the PSA most prominent top-ranked players in the world are taking part in the 19th edition of the Qatar Classic Platinum level tournament re- Squash Championship which starts on Sunday at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. turning to the calendar after Zainal, who is the Director of the Qatar Classic Squash Championship, said in a press conference Five-try England beat Italy 34-5 making way for the PSA World today that all preparations and arrangements for the launch of the championship have been made in Championships in 2019. a distinctive and safe way, according to the precautionary measures. He pointed out that there is com- to keep Six Nations hopes alive Ali Farag will be World plete coordination with all concerned authorities in the country, whether the Ministry of Public Health, No.1 come the start of the the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management in Doha, AFP virus-interrupted tournament tournament, and the new man Tariq Zainal, Director, Qatar so that the hosting comes out in a manner befitting the State of Qatar and taking into account the Rome at an empty Stadio Olimpico. at the summit of the World Classic Squash 2020. standards and requirements of security and safety for all. Regarding the attendance of fans, Zainal Ireland, on 14 points, Rankings will also be the de- explained that according to the states precautionary requirements, the public attendance will be Ben Youngs touched down could win the title if they beat fending champion when play limited to 20 percent only, which will make the number of fans very limited, and therefore the federation apologises to the audience for twice as five-try England beat the French by more than seven begins on Sunday morning in that, but the Championship will be broadcasted on more than one TV channel. Regarding the Qatari participation in the Championship, Italy 34-5 to keep their hopes points. For France to win, they the Qatari capital. Zainal revealed that there are three Qatari players in this edition, the first is Abdullah Al Tamimi, and the second is Syed Azlan, who was of lifting the Six Nations tro- would need a bonus-point and awarded an exceptional card, and the third is Abdulrahman Al Maliki. Zainal explained that all tickets for the tournament will be online via phy ahead of Ireland alive. a 32-point winning margin. Home favourite Abdulla Al the website, pointing out that there will be no printed tickets, and this is one of the precautionary measures. (QNA) Youngs marked his 100th “We started the game well,” England cap with tries at the said Farrell. “I thought we went Tamimi will take on start of either half with Jamie at them. But there was a large England’s Patrick Rooney in Fallows in the second round. event (2013, 2015, 2017), and nent, ’s . Qataris in action this week, George, Tom Curry and Henry chunk of the first half when we the first round. There are He may meet the reigning could face either England’s There are some interest- with Syed Azlan Amjad, fresh Slade adding three more in the couldn’t get our hands on the two other Qataris in action world champion George Parker or Frenchman ing first round ties at the PSA off a first title on the PSA Chal- second half to secure a bonus- ball, and we couldn’t get our in the semi-finals. Momen won Victor Crouin in the last 32. Platinum event as well. Giv- lenger Tour, meeting Egypt’s point win. game on the field. this week, with Syed Azlan his crown at this venue last The Kiwi, who reached the en a wildcard for the event, Mohamed El Sherbini, while England now need the re- “We went in at half-time and Amjad meeting Egypt’s year, so both have an affinity final of the PSA Men’s World France’s Gregory Gaultier will Abdulrahman Al Malki will sult of France versus Ireland we got the job done in the end. Mohamed El Sherbini, with the place. ‘The Viper’ will Championship in Doha take on Spanish No.1 Iker Pa- face England’s Declan James. in Paris later on Saturday to go We’ll watch the game (in Paris) have an all-Egyptian battle in last year, could face either jares Bernabeu, in a rematch Play begins at 11am on their way to win their first Six and we’ll see what happens.” while Abdulrahman Al RD2, facing either Mazen Ga- Frenchman. Baptiste Masotti of their clash at the WSF Men’s Sunday with action then taking Nations title since 2017. England piled on early Malki will face England’s mal or Youssef Soliman. or India’s Ramit Tandon in World Team Squash Cham- place across the next seven days. “We’ve done our job, re- pressure for 10 unanswered Declan James. The top half of the draw the second round. pionships in Washington last The action will be available ally, we’ll wait and see now,” points in the first quarter of an will see Mohamed El Shorbagy Also in the top half of the December. to watch throughout the week, said captain Owen Farrell, who hour. But Franco Smith’s side The 2018-19 world champi- take on New Zealand’s Paul draw are Germany’s Simon Home favourite Abdulla Al with play from the glass court scored nine of his side’s points. gave a spirited fightback with on will be the No.2 seed, and will Coll in the semis. Rosner and Egypt’s Marwan El Tamimi will take on England’s streamed LIVE on SquashTV, World Cup runners-up Jake Polledri touching down face either Pakistani No.1 Tayy- El Shorbagy ‘The Beast’ Shorbagy. The former already Patrick Rooney in the first and the official Facebook page England have 18 points after after 18 minutes with the score ab Aslam or England’s Richie is a three-time winner of this knows his second round oppo- round. There are two other of the PSA World Tour. their final game in the corona- 10-5 at the break.

Maryam, Asmaa claim Longines Hathab second round dressage honours

Maryam Ahmed Al Semaitt (left) stood out with her performance on her mount dark bay gelding Rythm to emerge as best in the Medium Level Test 1A dressage competition of the 2nd Longines Hathab Tour held at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena on Saturday. Maryam tallied 70.893 and 68.036 cummulative points in the A and B category for a total score of 69.464 to also win the top prize of QR4,200. Finishing as runners-up was Jassim Al Jaham Al Kuwari on Monopoly with a total score of 64.821points. In the dressage Prelim (Level 2) event, Asmaa Yasser Mohamed excelled on Quatro Junior, a dark chestnut, to claim the first prize of QR2,750. Asmaa scored 72.361 points (73.611 & 71.111) and finished ahead of Jassim Al Jaham Al Kuwari on Sandro Girl. He tallied a total score of 70.278pts and was awarded QR2,000. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Equestrian Federation and Asian Equestrian Federation, honoured the podium finishers of the dressage events.(TNN)