WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 SPORTS19 Madrid 2020 low-budget bid could reap riches

MADRID: Debt-struck Madrid is bet- because 28 of the 35 venues already not have to turn itself upside down result could go any way. You have to visitors today, Madrid’s more modest ting its penny-pinching bid to host the exist and only four permanent struc- with works across the whole city,” said be optimistic, fight to the last and wait ambitions could have a slighter long- Olympics in 2020 will reap rich eco- tures will be added, including an Juan Maria Gay de Liebana, economist for the decision.” term impact, he said. nomic dividends for recession-hit Olympic Village of 19 apartment and professor at Barcelona University. Madrid 2020 bid organisers say After failing to win the Games in Spain. The Spanish capital is banking blocks, to be built with private invest- The investment should be financed hosting the Games in Madrid would 1972, 2012 and 2016, many people in on a low-cost $5 billion (3.8 billion ment and later used as social housing. as much as possible so that payments provide a 3.87-billion euro boost to Madrid believe it could be fourth time euros) Olympic bid that relies heavily As recession-hit Madrid residents are made in the 2018-2020 period, he the Spanish economy and generate lucky, and they hope for a boost to a on existing stadiums to surprise Tokyo protest health and education cuts, and said, a time when the Spanish econo- 83,000 full-time jobs. national economy that has been in and Istanbul when Olympic chiefs with popular unease over Olympic my “in principle” should be growing “I sincerely believe that the Games recession for two years with a jobless make their decision in Buenos Aires on spending already evident in Brazil and the income from tourists and ben- would revitalise the economy, though rate of more than 26 percent. Saturday. It is a tactic of necessity for ahead of Rio 2016, a costlier bid could efits from business investment would they would not be a panacea,” Madrid “We need it more than ever. It is the Madrid 2020 team, backed by the have been difficult to sell at home and be visible. Mayor Anna Botella said in an inter- going to create jobs and that will give city, the region and the central gov- abroad. Spanish Olympic Committee presi- view with leading daily El Pais a week us some motivation, a dream for the ernment. One member of the minor left-wing dent Alejandro Blanco has said that in before the decision. But analysts say it young,” said 23-year-old Diego Madrid has debts of 7.4 billion opposition Izquierda Unida in Madrid the seven weeks from the opening of is hard to predict the economic impact Casada, visiting a Madrid 2020 exhibi- euros ($9.8 billion); the wider Madrid city hall, Jorge Garcia Castano, derided the London Games to the closing of accurately. “It is obviously a plus if you tion at the city hall. region is in debt to the tune of 21.6 bil- the bid earlier this year in an opinion the Paralympics, an extra 2.6 billion can afford it, if you have got the infra- Gildo Seisdedos, an economist lion euros; and Spain’s overall public piece headlined “The Hunger Games”, pounds or 3.0 billion euros entered the structure built and you can bring peo- and lecturer at IE Business School, debt stands 923 billion euros, equal to criticising it as wrong-headed in a peri- city. Madrid offered a no-risk option as ple in to use some of these things,” said Madrid had been smart to stress 88.2 percent of the country’s entire od of financial and economic crisis. host for the Games despite the eco- said Edward Hugh, independent econ- the infrastructure it already has annual economic output. But an International Olympic nomic crisis, he said in an interview omist based in Catalonia. rather than mounting grand projects Madrid 2020 is proposing to spend Committee-commissioned poll found with AFP in the run-up to the decision. “But since we have no idea where like Brazil’s for 2016 or Istanbul’s $3.1 billion to put on the Games, plus 76-percent popular support for Madrid “The investment required to have the Spanish economy is going to be in rival bid for 2020. “The country is another $1.9 billion in construction 2020 in the capital, and 81 percent in everything ready is not affected at all 2020 it is very hard to make more than going through such a restructuring investment. It is a modest sum com- the rest of the country. by the crisis. That is why we have the very general platitude-type state- and such cost cutting that it is pared to London 2012’s estimated “We need it more than ever”- “Most citizens’ support,” Blanco said. ments.” impossible for these Games make us cost of 8.8 billion pounds, or $13 bil- of the investment to celebrate and “We are all in high spirits, we all Whereas the Barcelona Games in commit the error of inflating struc- lion. organise 2020 has already been done. have a good feeling about it, but we 1992 had transformed the city, open- ture and equipment investments,” Madrid says it can save money Madrid today, unlike other cities, does also realise that there is a vote and the ing up beachfront areas that still lure Seisdedos said.—AFP Winners and losers: A wrap-up of deadline day

LONDON: As football managers Moyes failed in his attempt to the year Kaka left Real Madrid to Fabio Coentrao seems to have around Europe recover from a also bring in defender Leighton rejoin AC Milan on a free transfer. broken down over the paper- frenzied night of negotiations on Baines from his former club. The Brazilian playmaker had work, and a deal for the transfer deadline day, the tradi- largely been a bit-player at Portugese left back was not com- tional post-mortem begins. We JAMES McCARTHY Madrid for the last few seasons pleted by the deadline. That left look at five of the transfers that Having sold Fellaini, Everton and looked a pale shadow of the many fans wondering why the dominated the headlines and replaced him with midfielder player who was widely regarded club had left the deal so late. attracted the big money. James McCarthy from Wigan as the best in the world during LEIGHTON BAINES GARETH BALE While teammate Fellaini man- Gareth Bale is now the most aged to rejoin former manager expensive footballer ever after Moyes at Old Trafford, Leighton Real Madrid paid Tottenham 100 Baines remained at Everton. The million euros for the Welsh club rejected a reported bid of 15 winger, who was officially pre- million pounds from United to sented in the iconic white jersey poach the England defender, in front of around 20,000 delight- with Martinez clearly reluctant to Adidas signs Pep Guardiola as ambassador RS ed fans on Monday. However, it lose two of his regular starters. remains to be seen how Bale combines with fellow superstar ANDER HERRERA Pep Guardiola announced Cristiano Ronaldo in his much- In one of the more bizarre anticipated debut, which could transfer-day twists, Manchester as the Adidas ambassador come as soon as Madrid’s La Liga United did not succeed in their KUWAIT: FC Bayern Munich manager twice as a manager and has recently match at Villarreal on Sept. 14. attempt to sign Herrera, amid Pep Guardiola has been officially joined the reigning UEFA Champions reports that impostors posed as announced today as an Adidas ambassa- League holders FC Bayern Munich. MESUT OZIL United officials in Spain and dor. Formerly a cultured defensive mid- Further details on Gamedayplus will be Finally silencing the loudest of attempted to sign the young fielder for FC Barcelona and Spain, announced in the coming weeks. his critics, Arsenal manager Athletic Bilbao midfielder. Guardiola is now undoubtedly one of the Upon signing with Adidas, Pep Arsene Wenger secured the serv- However, United said the deal best managers in the game and over the Guardiola said: “It is with great pride that ices of Germany’s attacking mid- collapsed because of the player’s course of his career he has become one I have signed with adidas as one of their fielder Mesut Ozil for a fee of 50 buy-out clause of 36 million of the most decorated names in football. ambassadors. Adidas have an amazing million euros from Real Madrid, euros. As part of his new ambassadorial role, heritage but at the same time they are which needed the money to help Guardiola will become the face of this also proud to be at the cutting edge of pay for Bale. The transfer, which SHANE LONG season’s Adidas UEFA Champions football and these are two qualities that I shattered Arsenal’s previous Shane Long arrived at Hull late League campaign, Gamedayplus, which really admire. I’m looking forward to transfer record of 15 million Monday night to formalize his will run for the entirety of the forthcom- fronting their forthcoming UEFA pounds for Andrei Arshavin, is a move from West Bromwich ing European season. Champions League campaign and fans strong sign of intent from Albion, only for his current club Guardiola has won the UEFA can look forward to a further announce- Wenger that his team is to be to change its mind with less than Champions League once as a player and ment in the next few weeks.” taken seriously. The face that 30 minutes to go of the transfer fans at the Bale presentation at window. The Ireland striker is the Santiago Bernabeu on likely to be frustrated with West Monday were chanting “don’t Brom for pulling the plug, having Del Bosque: Injuries should sell Ozil” demonstrates just how already undergone a medical for not be a problem for Spain much the 24-year-old German Hull. international meant to his former MADRID: New Welsh striker of Real Madrid Gareth Bale waves club. DEMBA BA MADRID: Spain should not be too con- during his presentation in this file photo at the Santiago Talks between Chelsea and cerned about the absence of key players Bernabeu stadium. —AFP MAROUANE FELLAINI Arsenal over a loan deal for strik- due to injury before Friday’s World Cup With new Manchester United with only minutes to spare. his days in Italy. He’ll have a er Demba Ba broke down late Group I qualifier against Finland, accord- manager David Moyes having It was another case of a man- chance to rediscover that form Monday, with the Gunners ing to coach Vicente del Bosque. struggled all summer to make a ager raiding his former club, with now at a club where the fans still reportedly hesitant over a 3-mil- The world and European champions, first big signing, he finally pulled Roberto Martinez having left hold him in the highest regard. lion pound asking price and Jose who top the group by one point from one off late Monday by getting Wigan to replace Moyes at And then there are those Mourinho’s club unwilling to France after five of eight matches, will be Marouane Fellaini from his for- Everton - a typical example of a nearly-happened deals, that did- lend the forward to a title rival. missing midfielders Sergio Busquets and mer club Everton. The Belgian Premier League merry-go-round. n’t quite get over the line: That in turn seems to have led to Xabi Alonso for the game in Helsinki midfielder had been a target for Crystal Palace failing in its bid to before they play a friendly against Chile Moyes for months, and a deal KAKA FABIO COENTRAO sign Arsenal forward Nicklas in Geneva on Sept. 10. was finally struck for a reported No money was involved in this Manchester United’s attempt Bendtner, with the Dane possibly Del Bosque told yesterday’s edition of 27 million pounds. However, one, as former world player of to sign Real Madrid defender needed at the Emirates.—AP As sports daily there was no need to make a drama out of the absences, say- ing Spain had plenty of other players capable of rising to the occasion. Sturridge and Wilshere sit out England training “We have a number of important mid- fielders missing,” the former Real Madrid LONDON: Liverpool striker Daniel in central England, but they were due go to tournaments. It helped me have a game in hand. “We are very coach said before the squad met up at Sturridge and Arsenal midfielder Jack to take part in light fitness exercises when I went to the 2006 World Cup. professional, we know the task ahead the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) Vicente del Bosque Wilshere both missed England’s later in the day. England manager “I didn’t feature but I knew what and we have to treat Moldova with headquarters outside Madrid yesterday. regard. “It’s not a comfortable situation training session yesterday, Britain’s Roy Hodgson has already seen three to expect at the next tournament, respect. Ukraine is the big one,” “But those that are here will do a good for anyone but above all it’s uncomfort- Press Association reported. players withdraw from his squad. which sadly didn’t happen. You want Walcott said. job because they are in excellent shape. able for him.” Spain can take a big step Sturridge recently sustained a Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson to see the best young talents come “I like to look at games coming up. “We are relaxed about the trip to Finland towards securing their place in the tour- thigh injury, while Wilshere was sub- and Manchester United defender Phil through very early and they will only Hopefully we can have a good per- due to the players we ultimately have nament in Brazil next year with a win in stituted in the first half of Arsenal’s 1- Jones both picked up injuries during improve.” England currently trail formance and not pick up any 0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on their clubs’ Premier League clash on Montenegro by two points in injuries going into Tuesday’s selected.” Helsinki. Del Bosque mounted another strong Sunday due to stomach cramps. Sunday, while United striker Wayne European qualifying Group H, but match.”—AFP However, they will not take their Both players are nonetheless Rooney was ruled out with a head defence of his captain and goalkeeper opponents lightly after surrendering the expected to remain with the squad injury. He can nonetheless call upon Iker Casillas, who has yet to win back his lead to draw 1-1 with them in Gijon in for Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Everton teenager Ross Barkley and place in the Real Madrid starting lineup March. Finland are third in the group, home to Moldova and the trip to Spurs winger Andros Townsend, who after injuring his hand and then falling four points behind the French. Ukraine four days later. Winger Theo trained with the squad for the first out with coach Jose Mourinho last sea- “France are lying in wait and Finland Walcott played down the significance time on Monday after being handed son. still have a chance and will be looking to of the duo’s absence from training. their first senior international call- Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes has beat Spain and fight for a playoff spot,” “He (Sturridge) is here-that is the ups. “It’s a great opportunity for been in fine early-season form, prompt- Del Bosque said. positive. Hopefully Dan can get over youngsters coming into the squad, ing speculation that he might start “We have to be very careful about this the knock,” he said. “He played with it that they are going to take their Friday’s match. “I am not saying, nor will I match. What’s more, I recall that all (against Manchester United on chance,” Walcott said. say, that Iker Casillas has to play for Finland’s qualifiers have been close, Sunday), I think, so fingers crossed he “I came in at such a young age Madrid,” Del Bosque told As. meaning they are tough opponents who will be OK for Friday and Tuesday.” and I got a hat-trick against Croatia “What I am doing, and what I will do, improve at their own stadium. “We drew On his Arsenal team-mate (in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in is defend him because he, Casillas, is the in Gijon in March and the last time we Wilshere, Walcott added: “He’s had September 2008). Anyone can do captain of the national team and a lad visited Helsinki in 2007 we could not do an illness so he needs an extra couple that against Moldova and Ukraine. who is part of Spanish football, and a key better than a 0-0 draw. “I don’t expect an of days to recover. I am sure he will There are chances there to be taken. part,” he added. easy game but we are confident that we be fine, hopefully.” It’s only going to be positive when “He is going through a bad patch and will get the result we want and then wait Cardiff City centre-back Steven you see these youngsters coming Caulker and Spurs striker Jermain through. “It is important to get to LONDON: England midfielder Frank Lampard kicks the ball dur- he needs the support of those who for the matches against Georgia and ing a training session ahead of their World Cup 2014 European appreciate him and hold him in high Defoe were also absent from the know the players and staff and the Belarus in October.”—Reuters morning session at St George’s Park set-up here. It helps you when you zone Group H qualifying football match against Moldova. —AFP