MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015 SPORTS Even Paralympians could struggle in unfriendly Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO: With their Mad Max-style wheel- said Junior, “is what we are living with.” Some 4,350 athletes from 178 countries are “The handicapped parking spaces are constantly chairs, tattoos, and aggression-filled faces, Rio de Wheelchair rugby players are not complainers. expected at the Rio Paralympics. But the city is barely taken,” his girlfriend Tarcila Formiga, who is able-bod- Janeiro’s wheelchair rugby players would seem near When their game was invented in the 1970s in Canada, ready. “Just to accommodate the athletes, welcome ied, said while watching from on the sidelines of the impossible to stop. early participants called it “murderball.” Becoming a the athletes and help them in-we have to make an rugby court. But in the city hosting the Paralympic Games a year full Paralympic medal sport in 2000, murderball fea- effort,” Rio 2016 organizing committee spokesman Formiga, 30, said her relationship with Prestes has from today, just one typically broken sidewalk is tures teams of four dodging, passing, sprinting and Mario Andrada admitted last month. opened her eyes to the reality faced by the disabled in enough to bring the toughest to a halt. battering their way with a ball to the opposing end By way of example, he pointed out that the the world’s seventh biggest economy. “Accessibility is our number one problem,” said line. It’s full on. biggest private vehicle currently available for carrying “It’s the details. For example, you go to a hotel here Gilson Dias Wirzma Junior, 28, part of the national The wheelchairs, fitted with battering rams and wheelchair passengers has a capacity of only eight. and ask if they have an adapted room and they say Brazilian wheelchair rugby team and a hopeful for the special wheel covers, look more like miniature battle That’s not one full squad from a typical wheelchair yes, but then the bed turns out to be too high for the Summer Paralympics, which start September 7, 2016 wagons from a dystopian movie than the symbol of rugby team. Even with all their skill and strength, person in the wheelchair to transfer easily,” she said. in Rio. In his Rio suburb of Sao Goncalo, for example, people who have been crippled. And while striking wheelchair rugby players are no different when it “It’s the little details-but imagine all that together “there are no real sidewalks,” said Junior, who was left a with hands is not allowed, the wheelchair-on-wheel- comes to the Rio obstacle course. when the games start?” Celebrations marking the tetraplegic when he was dumped by a wave while chair hits are brutal. “One of the symbols of Rio are the Portuguese Paralympic one-year countdown on Monday will aim swimming in 2007. “Taking the bus is nearly impossi- During training, Santer members raced around the sidewalks,” said another player, Renan Prestes, 28, to start raising awareness. ble. There’s only one bus on my route that has wheel- basketball-sized court, strapped into their chairs, and referring to the stylish, but uneven black and white Accessibility will also be a key theme at the open- chair access. You can wait for up to two hours.” Rio de using their partially disabled hands and arms to power mosaic paving common in southern neighborhoods. ing ceremony on September 7 next year. “Things are Janeiro, the “Marvelous City,” will attract visitors from themselves with surprising speed and agility. One of “But for us they’re a nightmare.” getting better” ahead of the games, says Mayr, one of around the world during the Paralympics and the the heaviest players, a tall bearded man with a number Crossing Rio’s busy streets can be equally frustrat- the first in Brazil to take up the sport in 2008. But after Olympics in August. But anyone relying on wheel- 7 shirt, was knocked clean over, requiring two assis- ing and more dangerous. “You find streets where having traveled widely-he will soon go to San Diego, chairs-fans and athletes alike-will face Olympian-sized tants to pick him up and put the chair back on its there’s a ramp on one side, but not the other and California for a disabled surfing contest-Mayr knows hurdles. Preparing for practice at a spartan court in wheels. “The hits are what I really enjoy,” veteran player you’re half way across the street when you realize,” how far Rio has to climb before becoming wheelchair- northern Rio, members of the Santer wheelchair rugby Eduardo Mayr, 43, said with a great smile from his Prestes said. “You’re stuck.” Prestes, who suffered spinal friendly. “This is not Europe and this is not the United club traded horror stories of broken pavements, miss- heavily scarred wheelchair, before wiping the sweat cord injuries during a swimming accident, drives a car, States,” he said. “The United States-that’s like ing ramps and malfunctioning elevators. “Sadly, that,” from his face and racing off again. but even so he is not in the clear. Disneyland for us.” — AFP Ghana, Senegal win but suffer shock

CAPE TOWN: Ghana and Senegal places below them, as goalkeeper secured away wins in the African Nations Itumeleng Khune dropped a free kick Cup qualifiers on Saturday but it proved into his own net in the opening five min- an embarrassing day for the continent’s utes before the visitors’ debutant defend- other footballing heavyweights with er Siyabonga Zulu was sent off. Nigeria drawing and South Africa and Despite being down to 10 men, South beaten. Africa equalised only to give away two There was an historic first-ever victory late goals in a 3-1 defeat which marks the for South Sudan, who beat Equatorial biggest scalp in Mauritania’s limited Guinea 1-0 at home after failing to win in international history. their first 11 internationals since becom- Tunisia lost 1-0 away in Liberia, who ing the world game’s newest nation four were celebrating a return home as they years ago. A late free kick from Mubarak hosted their first full international since Wakaso handed Ghana a 1-0 win over the end of the Ebola crisis. Francis Rwanda in Kigali and a second successive Grandpa Doe, whose recall to the squad win in the preliminaries for the 2017 had been criticised, got the game’s only finals in Gabon. goal. Joel Mogorosi’s strike handed Cheikhou Kouyate and Sadio Mane a 1-0 home win over Burkina scored either side of halftime to give Faso, who were Nations Cup runners-up Senegal a 2-0 away victory in Namibia in 2013. Nordin Amrabat, Youssef El Arabi and maintain their 100 percent record in and Nabil Dirar scored as Morocco won Group K. 3-0 away in tiny Sao Tome e Principe and But Nigeria were held to a goalless Fode Dore got a hat trick as Congo draw away in Tanzania in a disappointing emerged 4-2 winners in Guinea Bissau. A start for new coach Sunday Oliseh with further 12 games are scheduled for debutant English-born goalkeeper Carl Sunday as teams continue the qualifica- Ikeme proving the difference between a tion process for the tournament in single point and defeat for the visitors. Gabon. The winners of the 13 groups South Africa suffered a major setback plus the two best-placed runners-up in Mauritania, ranked by FIFA some 40 qualify for the finals. — Reuters Scots counting on Hampden boost : has vowed to to the Germans in Dortmund in the help save Scotland’s Euro 2016 dream if group opener in September last year he is unleashed against Germany at thanks to a double from Bayern Munich today. star Thomas Mueller. HARRISON: Brazil’s Neymar (10) has his jersey tugged by Costa Rica’s Daniel Colindres (24) during the second half of an international friendly soccer match. — AP The Celtic striker was limited to a The Germans enjoyed a stuttering fleeting appearance as a second half sub- start to their campaign with a draw stitute in the disappointing 1-0 defeat to against Ireland and a defeat to Poland Hulk gives lacklustre Brazil Georgia on Friday which severely dented but moved to the top of Group D follow- Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for their ing Friday’s 3-1 win over Poland, who first major finals since 1998. Scotland will face at Hampden in Ireland’s 4-0 win over minnows October. 1-0 victory over Costa Rica Gibraltar saw Scotland drop to fourth in Despite the fact the World Cup win- Group D and means the match against ners appear to be hitting top form again, NEW YORK: Lacklustre Brazil beat Costa Rica 1- five minutes, shooting straight at the keeper left. Brazil perked up when Kaka replaced Hulk world champions Germany is almost a forward Shaun Maloney believes 0 in New Jersey on Saturday but the revamped when it looked easier to score. midway through the second half as the experi- must-win if ’s side are to Scotland can make up for the defeat team of the five-times world champions failed Dunga’s team could not build on the Hulk enced midfielder brought an urgency and cre- secure one of the two automatic qualify- against Georgia by picking up points to impress in their penultimate friendly before goal and neither team looked particularly men- ativity to the side. ing spots. against Germany and Poland. “These are next month’s World Cup qualifiers. acing for the remainder of an uneventful first “It was great. I was proud to be back after Griffiths has grabbed eight goals for two humungous games and it adds pres- Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk scored after period. The pace quickened in the second half eight months and feeling the warmth of the Celtic in a prolific start to the season and sure, but this is why teams qualify and nine minutes when he muscled his way past a with Brazil looking the more dangerous. fans here was special,” Kaka told TV Globo. “I the striker hopes to bring that form into teams don’t,” Maloney said. “I think we defender and fired home from 12 metres. Marcelo cut in from the left and came close feel I can contribute a lot in the short and medi- the match against Joachim Loew’s side if have to deal with that pressure and we Hulk started for the first time since enduring twice in the first few minutes and Douglas um term. Strachan gives him a chance up front. are very hopeful that we can change the a disappointing World Cup last year while Costa, one of Brazil’s best players, did the same. I’ve played in two World Cup qualifiers and if “I would love a crack at the Germans. result of late yesterday, or on the follow- coach Dunga gave debuts to Gremio goalkeep- Bryan Ruiz thought he had equalised in the Dunga wants me I have plenty to offer.” Brazil It’s an honour to put a strip on for your ing gathering. “Obviously we’re going er Marcelo Grohe and Santos midfielder Lucas 55th minute, smashing a through ball into the meet the United States in a friendly on Tuesday Lima. Only two players remained from the side roof of the net, but Canadian referee Mathieu in New England and then kick off their World country and if I’m selected or on the into it as huge underdogs with the way that lost the Copa America quarter-final to Bourdeau unfairly ruled it offside. Cup qualifying campaign against Chile in bench I would love to get on,” Griffiths Germany have played over the last year Paraguay in July. Brazil dominated the first half Bayern Munich’s Costa also had a goal Santiago in October. Costa Rica host Uruguay in said. “I don’t see why we can’t still beat or two. “We’ll give it our best shot and and David Luiz almost gave them the lead after unluckily chalked off with a quarter of an hour a friendly next week. — Reuters Germany. It’s at Hampden Park and we see if it’s good enough.” have beaten the best there before. “We Despite Scotland’s defeat in Georgia, got good results against France, Holland, Germany’s World Cup-winning defender Italy. A draw against Germany. I don’t see Mats Hummels believes Strachan’s side Early England qualification gives why we can’t get something on Monday will remain a threat in Group D. as well. “Teams come to Hampden and “They are dangerous and it doesn’t tend to raise their game a bit. I don’t depend on how they played the last Hodgson time to experiment know why. But now we just have to look game,” the Borussia Dortmund centre- to go and get the three points.” back said. LONDON: England’s early qualification for next formances for Swansea. Everton defender John Griffiths added: “The group is definite- “We know they have a good team, a year’s Euro 2016 finals in France has given man- Stones and his club mate Ross Barkley, also 21, ly not dead. The gaffer came in and told strong team and some good individual ager Roy Hodgson the rare luxury of being able who scored his first goal for England against San us it could easily have gone the other players and of course a very passionate to experiment with his selections well ahead of Marino and now has 14 caps, look set for long way. “We still have three games to play, stadium. “It will be a tough game if we let the tournament kicking off. England’s 6-0 win international careers. nine points to play for. I still believe we them play, if we let them have chances, over San Marino on Saturday maintained their Young forwards like Harry Kane, 22, of have a realistic chance of winning them the crowd will get enthusiastic and the perfect record in Group E with seven wins out of Tottenham Hotspur, and Raheem Sterling, 20, of all.” Scotland suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat team will always be better then.” — AFP seven and they became the first country to take Manchester City, also provide options for their place alongside the French hosts in the Hodgson in attack. expanded 24-team finals. Rooney, meanwhile, may not have made a It was the earliest England have ever quali- blistering start to the season with Manchester fied for any major tournament apart from when United, but the skipper, who will be 30 next they hosted the World Cup in 1966 and the month, is still a key figure as far as Hodgson is European championship in 1996, and skipper concerned. Rooney equalled Bobby Charlton’s Wayne Rooney now wants them to win every all-time England record of 49 goals against San match in their qualifying group for the first time. Marino before Hodgson swapped him for Kane With a home game to come against with nearly an hour played. Switzerland on Tuesday followed by October’s Some have criticised Hodgson for taking him double-header against Estonia at Wembley England coach Roy Hodgson off when the record was there to be broken, but before signing off with a visit to Lithuania, Although England failed to get out of the the manager explained: “The substitution was England could well make it 10 wins out of 10 group stage in the World Cup last year, they are planned with a view to Tuesday night against and preserve their long unbeaten run in both now unbeaten in their last 12 internationals. Switzerland. World Cup and Euro qualifiers which dates back They were always likely to emerge unscathed “It would be nice if Wayne got his 50th goal 26 matches to a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in October from a Euro qualifying group against the likes of against Switzerland, but one thing for certain is 2009. Hodgson told the BBC: “I’m not sure early San Marino, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia and that he will get it. “It is not as if this was his last qualification gives us any particular advantage Switzerland, but younger players have game and his only chance. “If this was his last because we are going to take a lot of time to impressed Hodgson during the course of the game for England and he needed that one goal, plan and improve anyway. campaign. then I wouldn’t have taken him off.” “What it could do is give me the opportunity Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne, 24, looks Rooney added: “I’m delighted to have for experimentation because we did not get that like being England’s best right-back since Gary equalled the record, now I’d like to break it, but ahead of the World Cup when we had to win our Neville while Jonjo Shelvey, 23, has played his more importantly I hope we can make it 10 wins Leigh Griffiths last two qualifiers to get to Brazil.” way back into the squad after some fine per- out of 10.” — Reuters