THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016 SPORTS

Magnussen returns in Bayern’s new signing Pellegrini deserves new-look Renault F1 team concussed in training silver send-off: Hart

PARIS: Renault announced the Formula One come- BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s bad luck continued yesterday as new LONDON: Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says that he and his back of Danish driver Kevin Magnussen at the signing Serdar Tasci suffered concussion in his very first training team-mates “love” outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini and are launch yesterday of a new-look team that will put session and had to sit out his introductory press conference. “He determined to give him a trophy-laden send-off before Pep the French carmaker back on the starting grid as went into a collision with his head and was shaken, it means he Guardiola arrives. City announced yesterday that Bayern a constructor this season. Magnussen, whose has a slight concussion. It’s a bit unfortunate,” admitted Bayern’s Munich coach Guardiola will take over from Pellegrini at F1 career appeared to have stalled after he director of sport Matthias Sammer. The Bundesliga leaders expect the end of the season, bringing an end to the Chilean’s spent last year on the sidelines and then got the defender to be out for the next two or three days and it is three-year stay at the Etihad Stadium. City are in con- cast aside by McLaren, has replaced Pastor unclear whether he will be fit for the runaway Bundesliga leaders’ tention for glory in the Premier League, Champions Maldonado after the Venezuelan’s funding dried next league match at fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. League, FA Cup and League Cup and Hart says it up. He will partner British rookie Jolyon Palmer, Germany international Tasci, 28, only signed on a six month loan would be fitting for Pellegrini, 62, to bow out with whose signing was announced last year by the team deal from Spartak Moscow on Monday as emergency cover after some silverware in his hands. “It was never going when they were racing as Lotus F1. Frenchman the Bavarian giants were plagued by a run of injuries in defence. to be a distraction. We’re here to win titles, Frederic Vasseur will run day-to-day operations as rac- With Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng and Medhi Benatia all out, Manuel’s here to win titles,” Hart said after ing director. Renault bought back the team, which Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has just one fully-fit centre-back in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Sunderland, which kept they had sold at the end of 2009 after winning champi- Holger Badstuber. Martinez underwent knee surgery in Barcelona City three points below league leaders onships with Spaniard Fernando Alonso in 2005 and on Tuesday, and the club has said the Spanish international will be Leicester City. “We back him. We love him 2006, last December. They will now compete under the out for four weeks, while Boateng is expected to be out for three as our manager.” Hart added, on CityTV: Renault Sport Formula One name. — Reuters months. —AFP “He has been a top manager for us.—AFP

Wessels lauds return of Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup

ABU DHABI: More than 300 tennis players are thing that is quite unique in the UAE. Sports City, said: “The Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis expected to participate in the region’s largest “I believe it’s very important for the devel- Cup has been a complete hit with the players tennis participation event, the Abu Dhabi opment of tennis players to have these tour- and really encompasses the spirit of the sport. Wilson Tennis Cup, which will take place from naments, so players can match up and lift each It’s about inclusiveness, sportsmanship and 4 - 25 March at Zayed Sports City. other up to a higher level. It is also a great personal growth. The response from tennis The fourth edition includes twenty divi- opportunity for people that are usually not players around the country has been incredi- sions in the Open and Cup categories which involved in tennis to see and experience how ble and anyone who wants to participate ensure play is evenly matched across the 500 much fun it can be.” should register early so as not to miss out.” expected entries. It is the only tournament Wessel’s counterpart, three-time undefeat- Kamyar Minachi, Managing Director for that allows athletes to enter into multiple divi- ed Women’s Open Champion, Magali De Wilson Middle East said:”Wilson is a worldwide sions, separating men, women, boys and girls Lattre, commented: “I encourage my friends racket sports leader brand for its high quality by both age and skill. It is lauded by the com- and even my students to join the tournament tennis equipment and it so follows that we munity for its inclusive atmosphere and devel- because there is a good mix of strong and not- would associate with high quality tennis pro- opment opportunities. so-strong matches for everyone, so it is a fun grammes like the Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Among those committed to participate way to enjoy the sport with friends.” Cup. It’s clear to me there is no better amateur is Peter Wessels, defending champion in The tournament is supported by Wilson, tennis tournament in the region and that is the prestigious Men’s Open category and Sport 360, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and PSS why we wholeheartedly support it year on former ATP 47. Commenting on the tour- Emirates. It has seen a significant year-on-year year.” nament, he explained its significance for rise in attendance, growing from 83 players in Entries for the fourth Abu Dhabi Wilson the local tennis scene: “Having so many 2013 to 339 last year. The organisers, Zayed Tennis Cup are now open. Registrations are players, parents and supporters around at Sports City, expect the competition to be at accepted at the International Tennis Centre or the beautiful location of Zayed Sports City capacity this year. by contacting Laith Al Ani atlaith@pss-emi- really makes you feel part of a club, some- Barry Bremner, General Manager of Zayed rates.com

Former Japan star Kiyohara Tom James to make arrested on drugs charge

TOKYO: Former Japanese baseball star return in 6-Nations opener Kazuhiro Kiyohara has been arrested on suspicion of possessing stimulant drugs, Tokyo police said yesterday, in a humili- : Cardiff wing Tom James will end ating fall from grace for the one-time his five-year Wales exile in Sunday’s Six Nations sporting idol. game against Ireland in Dublin after being The 48-year-old former Yomiuri named in the team announced yesterday. Giants slugger, once one of the biggest James, 28, last played for Wales in November names in Japanese baseball, was taken 2010, but will win his 10th cap on the wing after into custody and accused of possession impressing head coach with his of approximately 0.1 gram of an undis- club form this season. Blues full-back Gareth closed substance after police raided his Anscombe, Scarlets prop Rob Evans and home in the plush Azabu district of flanker also start, while captain Tokyo on Tuesday night. moves to blindside flanker and Kiyohara admitted the drugs centre Jonathan Davies returns after a knee belonged to him and did not resist injury. “We are excited by the make-up of the arrest, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police squad. It’s very experienced, along with one eye Department told AFP. looking to the future,” said Gatland in a press He is set to undergo medical exami- release. “Rob (Evans) gets a start at loosehead. nations to determine whether he was He’s played well for us before and deserves a using the stimulants himself, it added. chance looking ahead to the next few years. Japanese television yesterday showed “We have been impressed with Tom James’s form for and we are excited by the Kiyohara with head bowed being taken Kazuhiro Kiyohara away for questioning in the back of an mix of the back-row, which has played well Tom James unmarked police car, reporting that a had been hospitalised because of a drug together before. Wales team (15-1) announced on Wednesday Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (capt); Alun Wyn pipe, syringe and four mobile phones problem, but his management denied “It’s great to see Jonathan (Davies) back and for Sunday’s Six Nations game against Ireland at Jones, ; , Scott were among items seized. the rumour, insisting he had been alongside Jamie (Roberts), which makes a pretty Dublin’s Aviva Stadium (1500 GMT): Baldwin, Rob Evans Replacements: , “I’m lost for words,” Japan’s baseball undergoing treatment for diabetes. experienced midfield. Gareth (Anscombe) at full- ; , Jonathan , , , commissioner Katsuhiko Kumazaki told Due to his power, Kiyohara was back also gives us the option of having two first Davies, , Tom James; , Lloyd Williams, , Alex local media. “Baseball is a beacon for among a handful of Japanese players receivers.” Clermont centre Davies missed the , Gareth Davies; , Cuthbert. — AFP young children and ex-players too must subjected to whispers of suspected World Cup with a knee ligament injury, but continue to be role models. steroid use after the Barry Bonds scandal returns to resume his midfield partnership “We must double our efforts to reject rocked Major League Baseball in the alongside Harlequins’ Roberts. Federer out for month and stamp out this kind of harmful United States, although doping is less A powerful bench, meanwhile, features behaviour and (the use of) illegal sub- part of Japan’s sporting culture than in British and Irish Lions trio , Gethin stances,” added the Nippon Professional many other countries. Jenkins and Dan Lydiate, who has been out for after knee surgery Baseball boss. During his heyday, Kiyohara was over a month with a neck problem. A top draft pick out of high school, often spotted out at Tokyo’s nightspots But there is no place in the match-day 23 for BASEL: Seventeen-time Grand Slam winner set defeat by eventual winner Novak Djokovic the Osaka-born Kiyohara smashed 31 with tabloids salaciously reporting on full-back Liam Williams, despite him playing 60 Roger Federer underwent “successful” surgery in the Australian Open semi-finals, going home runs in his rookie year in Japanese alleged visits to hostess clubs and even minutes for the Scarlets last Saturday as he on his knee yesterday and will be ruled out of down 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, in his eighth loss to the baseball with the Seibu Lions in 1986 claiming he had ties with gangsters. returns to fitness following a foot injury. action for one month, his agent said. Serb in their last 10 Grand Slam meetings. and went on to win six Japan Series Celebrity drug cases in Japan are rel- Wasps lock Bradley Davies, named among the Federer underwent the surgery to repair a Federer hasn’t beaten the runaway world titles with the team. atively few and far between and tend to replacements, will win his 50th cap if he comes torn meniscus sustained the day after his number one at a major since the Wimbledon After joining former Major League be splashed front and centre across the on. In total Gatland has made four changes from semi-final match at the Australian Open, semi-finals in 2012, when he last won a Grand star Hideki Matsui at the Giants in 1997, news when they do happen. Wales’s last game, a World Cup quarter-final according to Tony Godsick. Slam title. Unlike great rival Rafael Nadal, Kiyohara won two more Japan Series Actress-singer Noriko Sakai received defeat by South Africa, with James, Davies, Evans As a result of the surgery, Federer will now Federer has enjoyed a relatively injury-free crowns, although he was often criticised a suspended jail sentence for using ille- and Tipuric replacing Cuthbert, , miss the ATP tournaments in Rotterdam and career, the exception being bouts of recurring for spending long periods on the bench gal stimulants in 2009, while pop star Jenkins and Lydiate. Dubai this month. “I am so disappointed to back pain. The last time that happened was at with a variety of injuries throughout his Aska also escaped with a suspended Wales finished third behind champions have to miss Rotterdam and Dubai as they are the 2014 ATP World Tour Finals in London 22-year career. term two years ago after being found Ireland and England in last year’s Six Nations. two of my favourite tournaments on the ATP when he withdrew at the last minute from the guilty of using stimulants and MDMA, They beat Ireland 23-16 at the Millennium World Tour,” Federer said. final against Djokovic. Drug rumours commonly known as ecstasy. Stadium last year, but Gatland has not forgotten “While this is an unfortunate setback, I feel The following week, however, he returned He retired in 2008 ranked fifth on the In arguably Japan’s most infamous their 26-3 defeat at Irish hands on their last trip grateful that up until now I have remained to action and helped Switzerland win the list of career home runs with 525. drug bust, Beatle Paul McCartney spent to Dublin in February 2014. mostly healthy throughout my career. My doc- Davis Cup for the first time, defeating France However, Kiyohara has been no stranger nine days in a Tokyo jail in 1980 after “It’s going to be a physical game,” said the tors have assured me that the surgery was a in the final. Federer will now aim at being fit in to controversy and a weekly magazine being caught at the airport with a bag of New Zealander. “Two years ago, they strangled success and with proper rehabilitation, I will time for the first two Masters Series tourna- reported in 2014 that the former player marijuana in his suitcase. — AFP us out of the match and played well, and we be able to return to the Tour soon.” ments of the year at Indian Wells and Miami in have to rise to that challenge on Sunday.” The 34-year-old Swiss great suffered a four- March.—AFP