Established 1961 15 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Sports ‘FC Erdogan’- Title-winners aim to unsettle Champions League elite Istanbul Basaksehir face a tough baptism in Champions League

ISTANBUL: Newcomers Istanbul Basaksehir face The modern high-rise suburb is seen by a tough baptism in the Champions League after Erdogan as a showcase for the conservative “new shaking up the Turkish football hierarchy and earn- Turkey” that he has promoted. Following the 2014 ing a reputation as the plaything of President takeover a 17,000-capacity stadium was built, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Basaksehir earned their named after the legendary former player and man- place in Europe’s elite club competition by pipping ager Fatih Terim, who ironically manages Turkey’s traditional giants to win the title for the Galatasaray. Erdogan blessed the club’s new look first time. when in July 2014 he donned Basaksehir colours to They could scarcely have asked for a harder play in a charity game at the new stadium and draw as a reward. They host Paris Saint-Germain scored an improbable three goals in 15 minutes. today after losing 2-0 to RB Leipzig last week. After In a country where football, business and politi- that they play Manchester United home and away. cal power are intricately linked, the creation of the A win against PSG, last season’s runners-up, modern Basaksehir, a year after the widespread would be symbolic beyond the pitch at a time when “Gezi Park” anti-government protests in which Ankara and Paris are locked in a diplomatic stand- “ultra” supporters of different Istanbul clubs off over Islam and freedom of speech. Basaksehir’s played a key role, had clear political undertones. title triumph was coming after they finished second “During the Gezi Park protests, they (the govern- in 2017 and 2019. Yet their rise has been remark- ment) could see the political power of the support- able. The achievement stands out given the tradi- ers. Basaksehir is a project aimed at creating a club tional dominance of Turkey’s Super Lig by under their control,” said one Besiktas ultra who Istanbul’s big three of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing his Besiktas. Between them, that trio had won all bar job in the civil service. one of the previous 35 titles, with the exception being Bursaspor in 2010. ‘The old system is broken’ But beyond their links to power, Basaksehir owe Links to power their success to a strict economic model which is in LEIPZIG: Istanbul Basaksehir’s Belgian defender Boli Bolingoli Mbombo (left) and Leipzig’s For their detractors, Basaksehir owe their suc- stark contrast to the country’s traditional giants Spanish Dani Olmo both jump to head the ball during the UEFA Champions League cess to the support of the government and the whose elected presidents are compelled to spend, Group H football match RB Leipzig v Istanbul Basaksehir FK in Leipzig. —AFP financial clout of companies close to the ruling sometimes recklessly, to satisfy demanding sup- Islamist-rooted AKP party of President Erdogan. porters. “The major Istanbul clubs are in financial The close relationship between the club and the ruin after being run into the ground by presidents the supporters group Basaksehir 1453, says their Ba and Nacer Chadli. Yet it would be a stretch to Turkish leader is such that rival supporters have and boards who come, leave and rarely put any- success can also be put down to “a tailor-made call Basaksehir the fourth giant of Istanbul. Before labelled Basaksehir “FC Erdogan”. Created in the thing back into the club,” says Emre Sarigul, co- transfer policy”. While Fenerbahce, Galatasaray coronavirus restrictions, their stadium was rarely 1990s by the municipality of Istanbul, the club was founder of the website Turkish Football. and Besiktas have splashed the cash to sign foreign more than a quarter-full. After winning the league sold in 2014 to a consortium of businessmen reput- “The old system is broken. Basaksehir are run in stars who are past their peak, Basaksehir’s squad is in July, the team paraded through Basaksehir, but edly close to Erdogan. The club’s main backer is what can be described as a more modern, corpo- a mix of local talent, like Irfan Can Kahveci, and the streets were deserted. “It will take a huge effort Medipol, a group of private hospitals run by rate-minded, accountable system and it is no sur- unearthed treasures like the Bosnian Edin Visca. for Basaksehir to build a football culture and Turkey’s health minister. The club is based in the prise they are doing so well. “They are perhaps the There are some foreign veterans, though, with become accepted as a genuine rival to the big district of Basaksehir in the European part of only professionally-run club in the top tier with a the Brazilian ex-Manchester United full-back three,” says Sarigul. “It would take at least a gener- Istanbul, far from the heart of the sprawling city. long-term strategy.” Huseyin Avcilar, who co-runs Rafael recently arriving from Lyon to join Demba ation to build up any sort of support.” —AFP

minutes, running onto a diagonal Roma level three pass behind the defense from Rafael Leao and poking the ball past goal- times in Milan keeper . Milan’s problems at corners were Hamilton’s record stalemate 3-3 not entirely the fault of Tatarusanu. Edin Dzeko was unmarked in front of keeps the ‘GOAT’ MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored goal when he headed his team’s first twice but AC Milan dropped their equaliser after 13 minutes. Milan first points of the season as started the second half as they had debate raging Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 the first. Portuguese winger Leao at the San Siro on Monday. In a game outpaced his fullback and laid the PORTIMAO: Damon Hill hailed Lewis Hamilton as the played in an empty stadium after the ball back to Belgian Alexis “GOAT” (greatest of all time) as he and Jackie Stewart led tributes on Monday following their compatriot’s imposition of a coronavirus curfew, Saelemaekers who guided a shot in from 10 yards. French midfielder record-breaking 92nd win in Sunday’s Portuguese Grand Milan were without goalkeeper Prix. “Well I guess I can’t say I’ve beaten the best driver Gianluigi Donnarumma and young levelled from the penalty spot after 70 minutes fol- in F1 anymore. I had a good run though. Thanks @schu- Norwegian striker Jens Petter Hauge, macher and welcome @LewisHamilton. GOAT,” 1996 who the club announced earlier on lowing a clumsy challenge by Ismael Bennacer. world champion Hill said on Twitter. Stewart was less Monday had tested positive for MILAN: AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic vies with Roma’s effusive, referring to Hamilton’s “remarkable success” Covid-19. Ibrahimovic completed his third double in three league appearances Brazilian defender Bruno Peres (right) during the Italian Serie A football and “hugely impressive career”, but without declaring Veteran Romanian goalkeeper him one of the sport’s greatest drivers. with a penalty after 78 minutes, but match between AC Milan and AS Roma at the Meazza Stadium in Milan on Ciprian Tatarusanu, who joined Milan October 26, 2020. —AFP “He is undeniably one of the best athletes in history in September, made his debut in had an unwitting assist as Roma and an inspiration to so many young people,” he added, place of Donnarumma, and was twice leveled for a third time. The Swede just weeks after excluding him from his leading all-time caught on his line from corners and jumped to meet an 83rd minute to volley Roma’s third equalizer two points ahead of Napoli who greatest F1 drivers. The comments provoked argument, also spilled a shot in the build up to corner but only deflected it to the from close range with Tatarusanu have won all four games they have not least because Hamilton’s statistical landmark of 92 Roma’s second-half penalty. far post where Roma’s Albanian stranded. Milan, with 13 points, played, and Sassuolo. Roma wins is likely to be enlarged by him after passing seven- Ibrahimovic struck after just two defender Marash Kumbulla slid in remain at the top of the standings, remained ninth. —AFP time world champion Michael Schumacher’s 14-year- old record of 91 wins. He is also set to equal Schumacher’s haul of drivers’ newly begun career as a cricketer. titles this season and, in all likelihood, claim an eighth Bulgaria’s He was almost instantly absorbed into next year. Stewart’s reluctance to include either the National cricket team of Bulgaria Hamilton or Schumacher alongside his idols - Argentine cricketer ‘master which played Malta in a 4 match t20 Juan Manuel Fangio and fellow Scot Jim Clark - series late September. In views of the sparked widespread debate. Few paddock observers formalities to be followed, he made his agreed, but clues to Hamilton’s success since being blaster’ debut for Bulgarian International cricket beaten by team-mate Nico Rosberg, were articulated team on the 23rd of September this year, late Sunday by the team’s track performance boss KUWAIT: Kevin Chris D’souza, a Andrew Shovlin and rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull. young Kuwait-based student of 22 2020 against Malta, this being the quali- fier series for the ICC world cup T20 Stewart, an admirer of Alain Prost’s ‘professorial’ style, years earned the title of the ‘’MAS- has often said he values studied and well-prepared TER BLASTER” as he played for the tournament in Europe. Kevin Chris D’souza was born on consistency and “smooth” driving above raw speed and cricket team of the “Medical aggression in his evaluations. It is why he overlooked September 16th 1998 in Kuwait to his University of Sofia- Bulgaria, in the three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, Schumacher European T10 cricket league tourna- proud parents Norbert D’souza and and Hamilton. ment series hosted by ECN. In the Clera Noronha, who hail from Yet, since 2016, Hamilton has transformed his T10 innings that he played, he scored Karnataka, India. He draws apprecia- approach and style to become the sport’s most consis- a total of 198 runs, comprising of 19 tion from his elder sister, Nicole very good percentage and thereby the basketball and football team and tent finisher with a record 45 consecutive points finish- sixes and 9 fours, he being a 2 down D’Souza. Kevin received his early qualified for his further studies in won many trophies and medals for the es and 161 career podiums - a metronomic return that batsman, that’s where he was education from United Indian School, Medicine at the Medical University of school and himself. He is a right-hand left Verstappen full og admiration. “Everybody knows announced the “MASTER BLASTER” Kuwait where he acquired his higher Sofia, Bulgaria. During his school batsman and his bowling style is right he’s very quick,” said the Dutchman. “But I think what a prestigious milestone indeed, in his secondary education certificate with a years, he represented the school in arm medium. has also been a very strong point is that he’s consistent and he very rarely makes a mistake — and that’s why I think he got through these numbers so quickly.” —AFP National Guard. He defeated his team- First Rafael Nadal mate Essa Qabazard 2-0. The women’s tournament was won by Iman Al- Academy Kuwait Mitwally who beat Yasmeen Al-Shimali in the final match 2-1. Matches on TV Tennis Tournament KTF Secretary General Faleh Al- Otaibi, Treasurer Ali Al-Daihani, (Local Timings) By Abdellatif Sharaa Technical Director Abbas Al-Busairi, representative of the women’s commit- UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KUWAIT: The first Rafael Nadal tee Dana Al-Fulaij, RNAK Director FK Krasnodar v Chelsea 20:55 Academy Kuwait (RNAK) Tennis General Martijn Belgraver and Head beIN Sports HD 2 Tournament was concluded in the pres- Tennis Coach Nuno Marques attended Istanbul Basaksehir v PSG 20:55 ence of President of Kuwait and Arab the final match. The Academy plans to beIN Sports HD 1 Tennis Federations Sheikh Ahmad Al- organize two similar tournaments in Sevilla v Stade Rennais 23:00 Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah and November to be followed by the fourth beIN Sports HD 3 National Guard Undersecretary Lt - for the masters where the best 8 play- Ferencvarosi v Dynamo Kiev 23:00 General Engineer Hashim Al- Refae. The ers in the three tournaments will partici- beIN Sports HD 6 tournament which started on October pate. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber was Juventus v Barcelona 23:00 21st was one of a series of tournaments pleased with the success of this first beIN Sports HD 1 RNAK tournament - following a long organized by RNAK in cooperation Club Brugge v Lazio 23:00 period of lack of activities abroad due to with KTF. The matches were played at beIN Sports HD 4 the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al- Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg 23:00 Sabah international tennis complex. The series of tournaments will make it easier beIN Sports HD 5 first men’s tournament was won by for the players as they get ready for the Manchester United v Leipzig 23:00 Abdelhameed Jumaa (from Salmiya third Gulf games to be hosted by Kuwait Sports Club) and is a lieutenant at the from March 7-17, 2021. beIN Sports HD 2