F1 chiefs ponder new venues to save virus-hit season PAGE 12

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020 Clubs gear up for Bundesliga restart in nine days’ time AFP both teams, allowed at each game. “One must not forget, we are BERLIN “The games will look and feel now in a situation that we do not different,” Seifert admitted. know,” admitted Bayern Munich BUNDESLIGA clubs were racing All games will be played without chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. on Thursday to get ready for the spectators, but broadcaster Sky has “We’re all starting a bit from restart of the season in nine days’ said it will air matches live on Sky zero. One cannot rule out that there time, amid concerns about whether Sports News, a free channel. are one or two surprises.” the players will stick to the strict Politicians wanted matches The worry is that an outbreak of hygiene guidelines implemented to shown on free-to-air TV to help pre- the coronavirus in the league could ensure the campaign is completed. vent fans gathering to watch match- again halt the resumed season, this Twenty-four hours after Chan- es at a place with a Sky subscription. time for good. cellor Angela Merkel’s government France has already ended the There were 10 positive cases gave the German Football League Ligue 1 season, with football in Eng- from 1,724 tests of players and staff (DFL) the green light to return, the land, Spain and Italy still suspended at the top 36 clubs in the first wave league said it will resume the season and Seifert says Germany could of testing and two more in the sec- on Saturday, May 16. pave the way for other nations. ond. The Bundesliga will be the first “This concept can be a blueprint Referees are also being tested. top European league to restart for everyone,” he added. The onus is on the players to fol- matches since the outbreak of the However, clubs are under pres- low the hygiene guidelines, includ- coronavirus forced lockdown meas- sure to get their players ready. ing avoiding contact at all times. ures to be imposed across the con- In the run-up to the restart, Hertha Berlin striker Salomon tinent. all teams must go into a one-week Kalou, 34, was suspended earlier However, Christian Seifert, CEO quarantine training camp. this week by his club for posting of the DFL, warned clubs they are Until Merkel gave the go- a video on social media where he “on probation”. ahead, clubs had still been training shook hands with team-mates. “I expect everyone to live up to in small groups. Bayern Munich’s headcoach Hansi Flick (right) and Bayern Munich’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski speak during a Kalou issued an apology, but their responsibilities,” he added. Defending champions Bayern training session at the team’s training grounds in Munich, Germany. (AFP) politicians pointed to the Ivory The pick of the first matches sees Munich, who were four points clear Coast forward as an example of how second-placed Borussia Dortmund when the league was halted in mid- lost this season. also resumed team training, despite es before June 30 to secure around not to behave during a pandemic host arch-rivals Schalke in the Ruhr March, will move their stars into a On Thursday, Dortmund held announcing Thursday that one of 300 million euros ($325 million) in which has so far claimed over 7,000 derby at Signal Iduna Park. hotel on Saturday to prepare. their first full team training in their backroom staff had “a very television money. lives in Germany. Instead of being roared on by an Bayern travel to Berlin on Sun- seven weeks after “a constructive weak” positive test of the coronavi- To drum home the point, Ger- 81,000 crowd, it will be in a near- day, May 17, to face FC Union, conversation with the local health rus and had been quarantined. ‘STARTING FROM ZERO’ man daily Bild translated “Follow empty stadium with a maximum where previous leaders Dortmund authority”. The Bundesliga wants to com- However, it is a step into the un- The Rules!” into 28 languages for the number of 300 people, including and Moenchengladbach have both Borussia Moenchengladbach plete the last nine rounds of match- known. 278 foreign players in the league.

Klose promoted to Bayern Munich Tiger-Phil TV battle with NFL stars brings $10 mn virus relief AFP tive play, there will also be rst-team assistant coach FLORIDA (USA) a set of on-course challenges for charitable funds in addi- DPA goal in Brazil six years ago. TIGER Woods and Phil tion to the $10 million that BERLIN “It feels very good, I’m very much looking for- Mickelson are set for a May the players have pledged. ward to the task. Hansi Flick and I have known 24 charity showdown that The funds will go to or- WORLD Cup record scorer Miroslav Klose was each other very well since our years together in will include their NFL star ganisations working to on Thursday appointed assistant coach of Hansi the German national team. We trust each other, buddies Tom Brady and Pe- those impacted by the COV- Flick at Bundesliga champi- both professionally and per- yton Manning and a $10 mil- ID-19 pandemic. ons Bayern Munich for the sonally,” Klose said. lion donation to coronavirus Beneficiaries include Di- next season. “For me this is the next relief efforts. rectRelief.org, which equips Bayern said that Klose, step in my career as a coach. “The Match: Champions health workers with sup- 41, receives a one-year-con- I hope that I can use my ex- for Charity” will be played plies, the American Red tract until 2021 as he moves perience to make an impor- at Medalist Golf Club in Cross, the grant-making ini- up from being in charge of tant contribution in help- Hobe Sound, Florida, broad- tiative Save Small Business their under-17 team. ing FC Bayern achieve our caster Turner Sports said on and the food distribution “We are very happy that sporting goals”. Thursday. charity All In Challenge. Miro has decided to take Flick, whose contract Woods, a 15-time major The event, which has this step from the FC Bayern was recently renewed un- champion and reigning Mas- been in the works for weeks, Campus to the first team,” til 2023, said: “With his ters champion, will team follows the made-for-TV chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- experience as a former with Manning, a star quar- clash of Woods and Mick- menigge said. professional at the highest terback who retired in 2016 Tiger Woods (left) and Phil Mickelson are teaming up with NFL stars elson in Las Vegas in 2018, “He is the most success- international level, Miro is after winning his second Su- Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for a made-for-TV charity golf clash which Mickelson won on the ful German striker of the last Bayern player Miroslav Klose signing his the perfect addition to our per Bowl title. on May 24 that will bene t COVID-19 relief efforts. (AFP) fourth playoff hole. 15-20 years. I am convinced contract as new assistant coach at the coaching team.” Bayern Five-time major winner This year’s event comes that our strikers in particu- club, starting June 1, 2020. (AFP) said that another assistant, Mickelson will team with include nine holes of four- No fans will be in attend- with sports fans around the lar will benefit from him be- Danny Roehl, had his con- Brady, who recently signed ball and nine holes of modi- ance, but Turner Sports said world hungry for live action ing there as a coach. Miro was also Hansi Flick’s tract extended until 2023. with the Tampa Bay Buc- fied alternate shot in a for- all of the players would wear to watch amid the coronavi- preferred candidate.” Klose ended his glittering Bayern are seeking a record-extending eighth caneers after winning six mat “aimed to provide an microphones throughout, rus pandemic. The US PGA Germany career with a record 71 goals in 137 caps straight league title when the Bundesliga resumes Super Bowl titles in 20 entertaining mix of strat- enabling them to connect Tour isn’t set to resume play after winning the 2014 World Cup, with Flick the on May 16 from a coronavirus-related two-month years with the New England egy, team collaboration and with each other and broad- until the Charles Schwab assistant at the time to Germany coach Joachim break. They top the table four points ahead of Patriots. consequence to nearly every cast commentators. Challenge at Colonial in Tex- Loew. Klose scored his tournament record 16th Borussia Dortmund. The 18-hole match will shot,” Turner Sports said. As part of the competi- as on June 11.

‘Biggest secret’ - baseball draws foreign fans during sports shutdown

AFP born pitcher for Mon- land’s most popular sport with ures -- although from Friday, a the Detroit Tigers, said he felt TAOYUAN (TAIWAN) keys, told AFP. notoriously raucous and excit- maximum of 1,000 spectators blessed to be playing his first “I think having English able fans. will be allowed in with social season with FOREIGN fans starved of base- commentaries really helps.” The league has been pep- distancing measures in place. when so many others remain ball are tuning in to Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys, owned pered with betting scandals Thanks to effective trac- under lockdown. often-overlooked league as the by the Japanese e-commerce -- most recently in 2009, after ing, quarantine and testing, “It’s great to come out here island basks in the glow of be- giant, was the first team to which attendance plunged. Taiwan has reported just and step on the baseball field ing one of the few places in the broadcast in English with near- But crowd size and enthu- 439 confirmed cases and six every day,” he said. world hosting live sports. ly five million views for its first siasm has bounced back, es- deaths despite its close prox- Veteran commentator The coronavirus pandemic five games of this season. pecially after former MLB star imity to China. Richard Wang, who delivers has devastated the global sport- The debut English broad- slugger Manny Ramirez briefly As Rakuten Monkeys took English commentary for Ra- ing calendar but Taiwan has cast for Chinatrust Brothers via joined the league in 2013 and on Chinatrust Brothers last kuten and largely halted local transmis- Twitter on Tuesday also attract- reignited a frenzy of interest. weekend, the home stands matches, says the sudden glob- sions and its Chinese Profes- ed more than one million views. Those tuning in from were filled with mannequins al interest is also a way to show- sional Baseball League (CPBL) Analysts say much of the in- abroad will see “an offensive and life-sized, cardboard pic- case Taiwan itself. has kept on batting. terest is coming from the Unit- style of baseball”, according to tures of fans dressed in Ra- Wang and his broadcast All of the league’s four ed States where Major League DuBreuil, who lived in Taiwan kuten’s red colours. partner Wayne McNeill, a Ca- teams have begun stream- Baseball remains shuttered. for 11 years. A troupe of robots banged nadian, have discussed Taiwan- ing games with English com- “This is the biggest secret “There are some really great drums while the team’s cheer- ese culture during games and mentary, racking up millions little league that no one knows Rakuten Monkeys players (from L-R) Dominican pitcher Lisalverto hitters and the runs are through leaders broadcast their dance showcased popular local food, of views for games featuring about,” Rob Liu, who runs the Bonilla, US pitcher Elih Villanueva, and US pitcher Ryan Carpenter the roof. There are home runs routines to fans on mobile from bubble tea to hotpot. cardboard cut-outs of fans and English-language CPBL Stats pose with life-size cutouts depicting a crowd of spectators at the everywhere,” he said. phones. One dancer even live- “I hope that after they robots beating drums. blog, told AFP, adding traf- Taoyuan Baseball Stadium. (AFP) Alongside Taiwan, South streamed herself eating barbe- watch our games, they will “A lot of people back home fic to his site has increased Korea is the only professional cued food. know more things, little by lit- in the US are dying to get sports tenfold, mainly from the US DuBreuil from Covers.com, a - ‘Home runs everywhere’ league now running. This sea- tle, about Taiwan,” Wang said, back, they are really just trying and Canada. “We would have North American sports betting -Introduced a century ago by son the usually packed stands ‘BIGGER THAN BASEBALL’ adding he hoped baseball fans to find something to watch,” never thought about count- information company. “People Japan when Taiwan was a in Taiwan have been devoid of Rakuten pitcher Carpen- would come visit once global Ryan Carpenter, an American ing the CPBL,” added Brandon are betting on it.” colony, baseball is easily the is- fans as part of anti-virus meas- ter, who previously played for travel resumes. Sports Friday, May 8, 2020 11 Mbappe given Ligue 1 golden boot award Back-to-back MotoGP races TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK PARIS proposed for Spain’s Jerez in July

KYLIAN Mbappe has been AFP A round of the Superbike than 25,000 people dead and awarded the Ligue 1 Golden MADRID Championship was also pro- over 220,000 infected. Boot following the cancella- posed for Jerez on August 2. Dorna’s CEO Carmelo tion of 2019-20 season due MOTOGP promoters Dorna “Once authorisation from Ezpeleta last week indicated to coronavirus despite being made a proposal to the Span- the Spanish government has that the opening legs of the level on goals with Monaco’s ish government on Thursday been given, the three events championship would most like- Wissam Ben Yedder. to stage back-to-back races at will be proposed to the FIM ly be held without spectators. Both strikers notched 18 Jerez in July. (motorcycling’s ruling body) He said “the most impor- goals in France’s top flight be- The first, on July 19, for inclusion on their respec- tant thing” was to “organise fore the season was ended last would be the new season- tive calendars,” a Dorna state- races and broadcast them on week. opener for MotoGP after the ment read. television”. Paris Saint-Germain’s first 11 rounds of the corona- On Wednesday the Span- The numbers of people Mbappe was crowned the virus-truncated champion- ish parliament voted to ex- allowed to be in the paddock Ligue 1 top scorer on Thursday Mbappe also had a better goals-per-game ratio, scoring 18 in 20 - the same number in six games less ship were either cancelled or tend stringent coronavirus will be restricted. by the Ligue de Football Pro- than his rival Ben Yedder. postponed. lockdown measures for at For a MotoGP factory fessionnel (LFP), according to Dorna then suggest slot- least two more weeks. team, the limit will be 40, reports in France. 18 goals came from the spot Ben Yedder. scoring 33 goals in 29 appear- ting in a second race, the The country has been one for satellite or independent The World Cup winner while none of Mbappe’s 18 The 21-year-old’s goals- ances. Grand Prix of Andalusia, at of the hardest hit by the COV- teams in the elite class it edged out Ben Yedder because were penalties. per-game ratio was 0.9 while PSG were crowned cham- the same circuit on July 26. ID-19 pandemic with more will be 25. he scored more goals from Mbappe also had a better Ben Yedder’s was 0.69 after pions last week after Ligue 1 open play, according to French goals-per-game ratio, scoring netting 18 in 26 matches. and 2 were cancelled following outlet L’Equipe. 18 in 20 - the same number Mbappe won the Ligue 1 the French government’s ban Three out of Ben Yedder’s in six games less than his rival Golden Boot last season after on all sport until September.

Four Sampdoria, three Fiorentina Danish and Norwegian training can players test positive restart after lockdowns eased MILAN: Four Sampdoria players, including one who had previously COPENHAGEN: Danish and Norwegian professional football recovered, and three from Fiorentina have tested positive for coro- teams can restart full training immediately after the two Scan- navirus, the two Serie A clubs announced on Thursday. dinavian countries opted to ease lockdown restrictions on “During the tests to which the footballers were subjected, three Thursday. new cases of COVID-19 emerged, with one player testing positive The Norwegian league can begin playing matches without fans again,” Sampdoria said in a statement. from June 16, the government announced. The top ight in Norway Top clubs in Italy are testing team members and staff as they was due to begin in April but the start was postponed due to the prepare to return to training facilities this week for individual ses- novel coronavirus outbreak. sions. The Danish league said in a statement it would decide in the Earlier Fiorentina had revealed that three players and three of coming days when matches behind closed doors could be played, the club’s staff had tested positive for the virus, taking this week’s with ofcials hoping that a resumption on May 29 will be possible. Spanish star Marc Marquez at Jerez last year. (AFP) tally among Italy’s top ight clubs to eight after Torino announced on The league in Denmark has been suspended for two Wednesday that one player had the virus. (AFP) months. (DPA) Holy eld makes F1 chiefs ponder new charity comeback venues to save at 57 — could Tyson be next? AFP to make a charity comeback in NEW YORK exhibition bouts. virus-hit season Holyfield has not fought FOUR-TIME heavyweight since stopping Danish fight- boxing champion Evander er Brian Nielsen in the 10th Holyfield says he is making round at Copenhagen in 2011, a ring comeback for char- improving his record to 44-10 ity at age 57, hoping to help with two drawn. first responders and chil- He last owned one of the dren combat the coronavirus three major heavyweight pandemic. crowns in early 2001 after And it could set the stage beating John Ruiz for the for a third fight against Mike World Boxing Association ti- Tyson more than 20 years af- tle in August 2000. ter the originals. Holyfield stopped Mike Holyfield said he would Tyson in the 11th round in fight in exhibition matches 1996 to win the WBA title to raise support for Unit- and then won a 1997 rematch e4OurFight, which helps when Tyson was disqualified learning and emotional de- for biting. velopment projects aimed at Two of Holyfield’s other children whose schooling was biggest fights came in 1999 disrupted by the deadly virus when he fought a controver- outbreak. sial draw with Lennox Lewis “Are you ready? The mo- in New York for the undis- ment you’ve all been waiting puted heavyweight crown, for... The Champ is back!” then lost to the British star Holyfield posted on Twitter. by unanimous decision eight “I’d like to announce that I months later in Las Vegas. A le photo of Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas steering his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria. Austria’s will be making a comeback “My name was made on Spielberg circuit is expected to host a second race on July 12, 2020 according to the new plan. (AFP) to the ring. I will be fighting fighting,” Holyfield said on the in exhibition matches for a charity’s website. “It’s time I AFP said Carey. dar to be races without fans, great cause.” bring that fighter out with the New venues which are reportedly being PARIS “We’re in discussion but we hope to be able to al - Holyfield’s move comes man I have always been. It’s with all of our promoters as low fans to attend in the lat - after Tyson, 53, was shown time to step up as citizens need considered are Portimao in Portugal FORMULA One could stage a well as some tracks that are ter part of the year.” training and saying he wanted help like never before.” series of races at new venues not currently on our 2020 Earlier Thursday, Lib- and Imola in Italy, once the long-time in an attempt to salvage the calendar to ensure we ex - erty announced that their home of the San Marino Grand Prix. coronavirus-hit season, the plore all options.” F1 revenue had collapsed to sport’s chief Chase Carey said New venues which are just $39 million in the first Austria’s Spielberg circuit is expected on Thursday. reportedly being considered three months of the year, On the day that Liberty are Portimao in Portugal from $246 million in the to host a second race on July 12 with Sil- Media, the company which and Imola in Italy, once the same period in 2019, a dra - verstone, the home of the British Grand runs the sport, reported a long-time home of the San matic drop of 84 percent. collapse in revenues of more Marino Grand Prix. The operating loss Prix, also tipped for back-to-back events than $200 million (184.7 Austria’s Spielberg cir- reached $137 million com- million euros) in the first cuit is expected to host a pared to $47 million over on July 19 and 26. quarter of the year, Carey second race on July 12 with the same period last year. insisted that a 15-18 race Silverstone, the home of The share price of Lib- season was still possible. the British Grand Prix, also erty Media’s F1 activities He also admitted that all tipped for back-to-back stood 0.4 percent lower scenarios are on the table events on July 19 and 26. in mid-session trading on “including the remote possi- “We are in advanced the Nasdaq on Thursday at F1 boss Chase Carey sees bility of no racing in 2020”. stages of putting together a $29.47. a 15-18 race season still So far, 10 races of what schedule of additional Eu- The stock has lost almost possible. (AFP) was to have been a record ropean races through early 33 percent of its value since 22-event championship have September, including races the start of the year. either been cancelled or post- during the traditional Au- Carey at least had some poned. gust break,” added Chase. positive news to share in The season will only get “We will then plan to his conference call, claiming underway in Austria on July race in Asia and the Ameri- that the first three ‘virtual’ 5 and behind closed doors. cas in September, October, races staged this year had “We have two primary November before finishing generated 12.9 million digi- challenges, identifying loca- in the Gulf in Bahrain and tal views and total viewer- tions where we can hold the Abu Dhabi in December. ship, including TV, standing races and determining how “We hope to have a cal - at an estimated 16.3 million. Four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holy eld (left) we transport all necessary endar with 15 to 18 races.” “We will continue with and former champion Mike Tyson are both looking to ght charity parties and their equipment He added: “We expect these virtual GPs until we exhibition bouts in their 50s and could wind up meeting in the ring to that location for a race,” the early part of the calen- return to racing,” he said. for a third time. (AFP) 12 Friday, May 8, 2020 Sports Wood willing to spend nine 4 Kuwaiti entries weeks in England camp

AFP give international LONDON ENGLAND fast bowler Mark Wood has said he is pre- boost to QORC Moto pared to spend more than two months away from his family if that’s what it takes to play this season’s home interna- Former QSTK600 tional series amid the corona- virus pandemic. champion Sulaiti According to a report in the & ex-QSTK Trophy Guardian, the plan is for the squad to be kept in an ‘isolation winner Sheikh Jassim bubble’ so as to reduce the risk of players contracting COV- also in the fray ID-19, with daily temperature checks and swabs also part of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the regime. DOHA Plans are now being dis- cussed for England to play six THE second Qatar Online Tests, six ODIs and six T20s England’s Mark Wood: Ready to be away from his family for the sake Racing Championship for in just over two months from of playing in the season rider got international boost the start of July, with the cen- with four Kuwaitis sending in trepiece two three-Test series I’d be willing to do it,” added side problems. their entries. against the West Indies and Wood, currently in lockdown But he insisted the pro- Alexander Qabazard, Mo- Pakistan. with his wife and baby son. posed new schedule, which hammad al Zaidan, Moham- The start of the English Some 30 players could be could feature six Tests in seven mad al Eidi and Ali Boushehri cricket has been delayed until chosen for a run of six Tests weeks, would not put him at a are the four entrants from Ku- July 1 at the earliest by the pan- behind closed doors staged greater risk of breaking down wait who have confirmed their demic, with the West Indies se- at the Ageas Bowl, the head- and that he had no expectation participation. ries already postponed from its quarters of southern county of appearing in all the matches The three-round qualifying QSTK600 runner-up Saeed al Sulaiti (centre). original June dates. Hampshire, and Manchester’s even if they had been played as stage is all set to begin on Sun- Trying to salvage lucra- Old Trafford. scheduled. day (May 10) night. After three tive men’s internationals is Both venues are considered “I wouldn’t have played eve- rounds, four top performers the priority for the England to have greater ‘bio-security’ ry game, I’d be in and out of the from each of the three groups and Wales Cricket Board, with than other Test match grounds side to manage my workload will make it to the finals, to be chief executive Tom Harrison thanks to the presence of on- and manage my body,” he said. held over three races. Five rid- warning a complete wipeout of site hotels. “I think that will probably ers who collect the maximum the 2020 season could cost the be the same for the all the fast points will be rewarded and governing body £380 million DESPERATE bowlers, as long as we’ve got a presented trophies. the overall third-place with ($469 million). Meanwhile Wood said he good pool which I think we have All the four Kuwaitis Hassan Ali al Mansoori behind England players can be with and his teammates were “des- at the moment. Coming in and have competed in the Qatar winner Jeremy Parola and run- their families between matches perate” to get going again. out of the side shouldn’t be a Superstock600 Champion- ner-up Rayad al Emadi. Kuwait’s Alexander Qabazard (right) on the podium of the QSTK Trophy during a standard home season, “I think everybody in the problem.” ship. Zaidan was runner-up Qabazard might have after a race. but Wood said what was being squad, as long as the condi- But Wood said it would to Sheikh Jassim al Thani in finished better if he had not proposed was not that different tions are right, would be will- feel strange being unable to the 2018-2019 QSTK Trophy, crashed in the opening race champion Saeed al Sulaiti is Thani, who was fourth in the from a tour schedule. ing to come back and play go home if he wasn’t in the while Eidi finished in overall or skipped the fifth and final also among the contestants on QSTK 600, Sheikh Jassim al “I’d be willing to do it,” he some cricket.” Test side. fifth spot in the same season. round in March due to flight the MotoGP 19 PS4 console. Thani, the 2018-19 QSTK Tro- told reporters in a conference “We’re desperate to get go- “We’ve never been in these Qabazard is also a strong restrictions. Sulaiti was toppled by his pro- phy winner, and QSTK 300 call on Thursday. ing. I know it would be a long circumstances before where we rider and has been improving On the third day since the tege and eventual champion Supersport champion Hamad “Being away on tour for long stint and it would be hard but don’t know what’s going to hap- his position. In the 2018-2019 entries opened on Tuesday, 19 Abdulla al Qubaisi in a thrill- al Sahouti. periods of time you sort of get it would be good to get back out pen on the down days -- I guess QSTK Trophy, he was overall riders have applied to compete ing finale to the QSTK 600 Sheikh Soud al Thani took used to it. there at the same time.” you can’t just go home, so may- sixth but last season, he turned and the field looks quite rich Championship this season. part in the QORC (auto) re- “It would be very hard but Wood has played just 15 be you’ll have to train in small in impressive and consistent indeed. By 3 pm on Friday, the Also among those who cently and put up a superb as long as the environment is Tests in five years since a 2015 groups,” he said. performances to record six QMMF will close. showed their intent to com- showing, getting overall fourth safe, my family are safe and debut, with his career blighted “It will be interesting to see third-place finishes. He shared Multiple times QSTK pete included Sheikh Soud al spot in the finals. everybody else there is safe then by injuries, including ankle and how it does work.”

SA cricketer Three or four sports to be added to Nqweni tests NBA, players to hold coronavirus conference call AFP ance element to this that I per- 2022 European Championships positive for LOS ANGELES NBA commissioner sonally am not really all that COVID-19 Adam Silver. (AFP) concerned about,” Vogel said. DPA Olympic Park are athletics, NBA commissioner Adam Sil- “I think we’re still a long way MUNICH cycling, gymnastics, rowing AGENCIES ver and the head of the players away from returning to play.” and triathlon. JOHANNESBURG union, Michele Roberts, will Dallas Mavericks owner THE 2022 European champi- They were also part of the host a conference call on Friday Mark Cuban is also lukewarm onships in Munich could see maiden edition of the multi- SOLO Nqweni, a South Afri- as the league attempts to map about returning to practice an increase to nine sports be- sports event 2018 in Berlin can first-class cricketer who out a possible return to action, while there remained so much ing contested, organisers con- and Glasgow. A sixth 2018 has been battling Guillan-Barre ESPN reported. uncertainty about the testing of firmed on Thursday. sport, golf, meanwhile won’t Syndrome since last July be- The call between Silver and asymptomatic individuals for A statement said that organ- make another appearance due sides other health issues, has NBA Players Association ex- COVID-19. isers and the Munich city coun- to scheduling problems, the tested positive for the novel ecutive director Roberts is an “Even though we can try cil have agreed on the inclusion statement said. coronavirus. opportunity for players to air Since then, the NBA has vantage of the green light to and take all different kinds of of three or four sports to be add- “I am pleased that the The 25-year-old all-round- concerns and quiz been exploring ways for the return to practice facilities but precautions, it’s just not worth ed to the existing programme. programme of the European er, who is being treated for his chiefs about how the league sport to resume. many franchises have said they it -- particularly when our guys Canoeing, sports climb- Championships ... illness in Aberdeen, Scotland, may resume. Friday marks the first day intend to wait. Los Angeles Lak- are staying in shape and they’re ing, beach volleyball and ta- can become even more shared the news on Twitter. The NBA has been in shut- that teams in the league will ers head coach Frank Vogel said going outside and shooting on ble tennis are the new sports diversified than previously Nqweni is the third crick- down since the coronavirus be allowed to reopen practice Wednesday he is in no rush to outdoor hoops and working in question, with a final deci- planned. Exactly 50 years after eter known to have contracted pandemic brought sport to a facilities for limited workouts, reopen the team’s El Segundo out in various ways,” Cuban sion expected before the end the 1972 Olympic Games in Mu- the disease after Pakistan’s standstill in mid-March, forc- which will take place under training base, believing that any told The Athletic website’s “77 of the month. nich, we can thus look forward Zafar Sarfraz and Scotland’s ing the suspension or post- strict safety protocols. resumption of the NBA was still minutes in Heaven” podcast. The five sports so far to a truly worthy anniversary Majid Haq. ponement of every professional A handful of teams have a distant prospect. “I just don’t think the risk is confirmed for the August 11- event,” Munich mayor Dieter “So last year I got GBS, and league in North America. indicated they plan to take ad- “There’s a competitive bal- worth the reward.” 21, 2022, event in Munich’s Reiter said. have been battling this disease for the past 10 months and I’m only half way through my re- covery. I got TB, my liver failed and my kidney failed. Now to- day I tested positive for corona NBA teen hopefuls pick money and G-League over college virus. I don’t understand why all of this is happening to me,” AFP and guard Daish- excited to have him develop “That’s what’s worshipped Nqweni tweeted. WASHINGTON en Nix followed for a reported his professional skills in our there,” Gurney said. “Most elite This diagnosis is the latest $250,000 to $300,000. league.” athletes have one thing in mind in a long line of health issues for SOME American high school “A lot of opportunities University of Memphis and that’s to get into a major Nqweni, who spent four weeks basketball stars are taking a came,” Green said in a social coach Penny Hardaway, who sport. in an induced coma last year. new and more profitable road to media video. “But the ultimate hoped to land Green, told the “The more options a high Nqweni played for South the NBA than the usual college end goal is to get to the NBA.” Memphis Commercial-Appeal school player has, apart from Africa Under-19s in 2012 and route - the G-League’s new elite The team, open to all glob- newspaper he objected to the G- the academic setting, the better. has been contracted to Eastern Pathway Program squad. al talent, is expected to play League as a new recruiting rival. I celebrate that.” Province and has also played for The development plan for a schedule of 20-25 games “Taking guys out of their Abdur-Rahim says the G- franchise cricket for the War- players waiting the one year against international lineups commitments they have already League program “doesn’t have riors. after high school before they and clubs in the G-League, the signed and continuing to talk a huge impact on the NCAA” The former Grey High star, become eligible for the NBA top talent development squads to their parents, it’s almost like and dismisses tampering talk, who is playing as a professional allows them to prepare like a for NBA teams. tampering,” said former NBA telling ESPN: “Our process at Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, pro, be coached by pros, play Guard Guard Daishen Nix star Hardaway. “I really don’t has been educating folks and is in the intensive care unit of alongside and against veteran BETTER GROOMING agree with that.” letting folks know what we’re Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, ac- talent, avoid university classes It allows more time for from the University of Oklaho- helped three US teams to global providing.” cording to Herald Live. and, unlike collegians, receive workouts and instruction with ma, told AFP. youth crowns, went directly to CONTENTIOUS ISSUE A new National Collegiate a salary. almost as many games as a col- “You are probably bet- the G-League. University of Kentucky Athletic Association (NCAA) “We’ve been asked by the lege season would offer. ter off in the G-League. “Jalen will learn from an coach John Calipari told the plan would let students receive basketball community to pro- Teens who might have That’s a good option NBA-caliber coaching and Louisville Courier-Journal that, endorsement money, offering vide an alternative to the tradi- played gone to teams in Europe rather than going to col- player development staff as “my issue with the G-League some funds to athletes who typ- tional route,” G-League Presi- and Australia, as 2020 NBA lege.” he begins his professional trying to entice players by giv- ically can’t work even part-time dent Shareef Abdur-Rahim Draft top pick contender La- The pathway basketball journey,” for- ing them more money is not the jobs while schools and coaches says. “We want to be available Melo Ball did in 2018 in Lithu- team prompted mer NBA player Ab- kids that you’re getting -- it’s the reap millions of dollars. to young players. We believe the ania or last year for the Aussie Nix to back out of dur-Rahim said on the thousands of ninth and 10th “It’s a step in the right direc- marketplace demanded it.” league’s Illawarra Hawks, now a commitment to G-League website. graders that think that’s how tion,” Gurney said of the new Jalen Green, a guard of have a new US-based non-col- UCLA. Todd had “He represents they’re going to make it.” plan. “But it’s far too limited for Filipino descent considered lege opportunity. said he would at- the next generation While most will fail, it’s not the athletes.” one of the best US prep play- “If an athlete has a chance tend Michigan of NBA players, and like colleges don’t make kids And it could be delayed in ers, became the first to join the at a salary and goes to the G- but never signed we couldn’t be more dream of NBA careers, often court for years to come, Gurney G-League team, reportedly for League, I applaud that,” Gerald a letter of intent with school photos of pro stars saying, “The anti-trust lawyers Solo Nqweni a $500,000 salary. Forward Gurney, a college sports expert while Green, who Forward Isaiah Todd in university locker rooms. are licking their chops.” Friday, May 8, 2020 13 FEATURE How hotels are doubling down on hygiene — and what that means for your next stay

LORI RACKL When The Langham hotels in TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE the US start accepting new reser- vations, the luxury properties will THE coronavirus crisis has not only be taking guests’ and employees’ sent the hotel industry reeling by ❍ temperatures. If they have a high cratering occupancy rates. It’s forc- enough fever, a security officer ing hotels to ramp up their cleaning The new measures mandate wearing personal protective equip- protocols and hygiene — things that ment will escort them to a room will be more of a priority for con- extra disinfection of the 10 set aside for quarantine so they can sumers in a post-pandemic world, most often touched parts of a contact their doctor for guidance. where safe is the new sexy. “If they cannot reach a doctor, “What would have been in the hotel room — light switches, we will find one for them,” Langham back of customers’ minds is now spokeswoman Louise O’Brien re- front and centre,” said Phil Cordell, TV remotes, thermostats, toilet sponded in an email. Hilton’s global head of new brand handles — and putting a seal When Turks and Caicos ends development. its lockdown and hotels on its Hilton, Marriott and, as of on room doors to let guests tropical islands reopen, breakfast Wednesday, Chicago-based Hyatt, buffets will be on hold at least un- have all announced plans for up- know they’re the first to enter til the end of the year at The Sands dated cleaning standards and other their freshly cleaned quarters The St. Clair Hotel manager Bruce Hutch- at Grace Bay and two other resorts steps aimed at protecting the health eon says his 208-room property off North owned by the Caribbean-based of guests and staff at thousands of Michigan Avenue is about 15% full. (TNS) Hartling Group. properties around the world. Home- “Everything will be a la carte — rental companies such as Airbnb tember. Hyatt also is the first hospi- for now, no more buffets,” said Ka- have made similar moves. tality brand to commit to getting all ren Whitt, vice president of sales and Demand for hotel rooms has of its hotels accredited by the Global marketing. On the beaches and pool tanked during the pandemic. Biorisk Advisory Council, a division decks, lounge chairs will be spaced Among the US hotels that are still of the Northbrook, Ill.-based clean- further apart, and dining rooms will open, about 3 out of 4 rooms are ing industry trade association, ISSA. operate at about half capacity, she vacant, according to data released The new GBAC STAR certifica- added. “We’re also enhancing room Thursday by the hospitality research tion is meant to ensure that a hotel service, so guests have the option of company STR. In Chicago’s central — or restaurant, arena or conven- having any meal they would have business district, the occupancy rate Maria Medina cleans a guest bathroom at The St. Clair Hotel, part of Red Roof's Red Collection of properties. Red Roof, like tion centre — has the proper chemi- had at our restaurant in the comfort is just shy of 14%. many hotel chains, recently enhanced its hygiene protocols as a result of the coronavirus crisis. (TNS) cals, equipment and procedures to and privacy of their rooms.” When people start staying in remove harmful pathogens. The Home-rental companies Airbnb hotels again, they’ll notice some have high-tech tools at their dis- of Lysol for its new “CleanStay” pro- sanitation and be less hands-on. concept of GBAC STAR certifica- and Turnkey Vacation Rentals also changes as new hygiene measures posal, such as germ-zapping robots gram at the company’s 6,100-plus “Maybe you scooped your own tion predates the coronavirus crisis, are enhancing their cleaning proto- get rolled out in the coming weeks that look straight off the set of “Star properties spread over 18 brands, green beans before, but now some- but the pandemic fast-tracked the cols in light of COVID-19. and months. Wars” and electrostatic sprayers to including Waldorf Astoria, Embassy one will put them on your plate,” launch of the program, which starts Turnkey will soon debut a Expect less furniture to make rapidly disinfect guest rooms and Suites and Hampton hotels. Cordell said. accepting applications May 7. training and certification pro- way for more social distancing in fitness centres. The latter is part of The new measures mandate ex- “Some of this is the new normal “We had to hasten the develop- gram for its new cleanliness and lobbies and other public areas. Marriott’s plan, which also involves tra disinfection of the 10 most often and some of it will vary over time,” ment because the demand in the safety standards for all of its Hand sanitizing stations will be testing ultraviolet light technology touched parts of a hotel room — he added. “The visibility of house- marketplace is mind-boggling,” housekeepers, who will use an highly visible. So will housekeep- to sanitize guests’ key cards. light switches, TV remotes, thermo- keeping, the cleaning products … ISSA Executive Director John Bar- app to photo-validate their use of ers, whose role moves from behind- The Westin Houston Medical stats, toilet handles — and putting that may be forever. Other elements rett said. “People need this assur- coronavirus-fighting products. To the-scenes to centre stage as they Centre hotel started using its pair of a seal on room doors to let guests like the distancing of tables in the ance, so we hustled to get it built.” guard against the spread of dis- frequently and conspicuously wipe LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots know they’re the first to enter their restaurants, that will probably start The heightened emphasis on ease through airborne particles, down railings, elevator buttons and in March. Made by Xenex Disin- freshly cleaned quarters. to wane a bit at some point.” hygiene is happening across the the vacation rental management door handles with hospital-grade fection Services and costing about “I remember as a kid we’d travel Marriott recently created a lodging spectrum, from budget ho- company is requiring a 24-hour disinfectants. $100,000 each, the machines emit on vacation, check into a motel and Global Cleanliness Council that’s tels and luxury resorts to vacation buffer between guest stays, lasting “You can’t just tell people you’re broad-spectrum ultraviolet light to there’s a seal around the toilet seat,” outlined multiple measures to re- rental homes. through June at the earliest. cleaning, you have to let them see destroy viruses and bacteria within Cordell said. “It harkens back to that. duce the spread of disease. Disin- Housekeepers at the Red Roof Airbnb worked with former US people cleaning,” said Jonathon minutes. They’ve been used for in- It’s a confidence builder for guests.” fecting wipes will be put in all guest chain now sanitize corridors, eleva- Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Day, associate professor at Purdue fection control in hundreds of hospi- Hilton is ditching some tra- rooms throughout the company’s tors, the front desk and other high- to craft guidelines that call for clean- University’s School of Hospitality tals for several years. Now the hos- ditional guest room staples such 7,300 properties. In nearly half of traffic areas up to four times a day ers to wear masks and use certain and Tourism Management in West pitality industry is showing interest. notepads, pens and directories full these hotels, guests can use their with coronavirus-killing products disinfectants. Hosts also are sup- Lafayette, Ind. “These companies “We’ve been contacted by doz- of well-thumbed pages. Fitness cen- phone to check in, access their room approved by the Environmental posed to wait at least 24 hours be- need to be transparent about what ens and dozens of hotels in Europe, tres will close periodically through- with a digital key and order a meal Protection Agency. tween check out and the arrival of they’re doing and demonstrate it, so the Middle East, here in the US,” out the day for additional cleaning, that will be packaged and deposited Cloth towels have been replaced the next guests. we have a sense of comfort. It’s only said company spokeswoman Melin- and the number of guests exercis- outside the door. by disposables in the public restrooms Airbnb hosts are being encour- when I feel safe about going back to da Hart. “They’re all trying to find a ing at the same time will be limited. Over at Hyatt, a new initiative of the high-end, Switzerland-head- aged, not required, to follow the hotels that I’m going to let my guard way for travellers to feel safe again.” Breakfasts will likely entail more requires that each of its 900-some quartered Kempinski Hotels, where new protocols. But customers will down enough to leave my house.” Hilton is working with health ex- grab-and-go options. Buffets, where properties has at least one specially employees have donned white gloves be able to see which ones do and Some housekeeping teams will perts at Mayo Clinic and the makers they still exist, will have enhanced trained hygiene manager by Sep- and designer face masks. which don’t. Travel industry offers new safety procedures in bid to revive business HUGO MARTÍN industry. The American Hotel Administration, said the big- guests, crew and the communi- TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE and Lodging Association re- gest challenge for the hospi- ties we serve,” Carnival Corp. leased its protocols Monday, in tality industry is to convey a said in a statement. OPING to give Ameri- cooperation with the US Travel welcoming atmosphere while Although the country’s cans confidence to trav- Association. hotel staff are practicing social airlines haven’t adopted uni- el again, the nation’s “When officials give the distancing and staying clear of form protocols for air travel, biggest travel trade clearance to travel, we want to guests. At the same time, staff the nation’s largest airlines group has unveiled give the public confidence that must be trained to be visible announced last week that pas- enhancedH cleaning, social they can travel again,” Roger while continually sanitizing fa- sengers will be required to distancing and touchless pay- Dow, president of the US Trav- cilities, she said. wear masks or other face cov- ment procedures for hotels, el Association, said in a confer- “The entire business mod- erings during flights. Some of airlines, airports, theme parks, ence call Monday. el and value proposition will the largest carriers are also re- restaurants and cruise lines. Most of the steps called for need to be reexamined,” Walsh quiring masks and face covers The protocols by the US by the US Travel Association said. “However, this is also an for flight attendants and other Travel Association are an at- are among the practices pro- opportunity to rethink what employees. tempt by travel business lead- moted for weeks by the Centers service truly means in this new United, Delta and JetBlue ers to help revive an industry for Disease Control and Pre- normal.” implemented the requirement that was setting profit and pas- vention, including increased In a sign that some travel starting Monday; American, senger total records only a few cleaning and hand washing, companies are ready to re- Southwest and Alaska Airlines months ago but has been los- installation of physical barriers, launch service, Carnival Corp., will implement the mask re- ing about $18 billion a week use of masks and gloves and so- the world’s largest cruise com- quirement starting May 11. since the coronavirus began to cial distancing. pany, said Monday that trips In announcing the proto- spread in the US in March. Dr. Michael D. Parkinson, will resume Aug. 1 from Miami; cols, Dow noted that the travel The protocols for operat- past president of the American Galveston, Texas; and Port Ca- industry has been particularly ing in a post-COVID-19 world College of Preventive Medi- naveral, Fla. All other cruises in hard hit by the coronavirus out- don’t dictate when it’s safe to cine, said he worked on the North American and Austral- break, with the loss of 8 million travel again but set basic stand- travel industry protocols with ian markets will be cancelled jobs in the industry in the last ards that all travel and hospital- the trade group to establish protocols call on housekeepers not be returned to service until ship with the manufacturer of through Aug. 31. few months. ity businesses must adhere to very broad and basic stand- to stay out of a guest room un- undergoing an enhanced clean- Lysol cleaners. Choice Hotels Carnival is calling the Asked how travel business- once government and medical ards, noting that experts still til after a guest checks out and ing and disinfecting utilizing on Monday announced a new launch of the first cruises part es can afford to adopt the new experts lift stay-at-home orders have many unanswered ques- requires that groups lounging EPA approved products within cleaning protocol that includes of its “plan to phase in service.” protocols, Dow said the indus- and give a green light for leisure tions about the virus. around hotel pools be kept sep- CDC guidelines.” using hospital-grade disinfect- “We will use this additional try has no choice but to spend and business travel. “This is a work in progress,” arate by at least six feet. In ad- Last week, Hilton Corp., ant at such high-use areas as time to continue to engage ex- the money to regain the trust of Travel businesses, such as he said. “I can tell you the sci- dition, the hotel protocols say one of the world’s largest ho- the front desk, the pools and perts, government officials and the public to travel again. airlines, hotels and cruise lines, ence is changing and the num- that if a guest has tested posi- tel companies, announced the gyms. stakeholders on additional pro- “The cost is one they will will be encouraged to adopt bers are changing.” tive for COVID-19, the room a new cleanliness standard Kate Walsh, dean of Cornell tocols and procedures to pro- bear because the cost of not do- specific protocols for their own The hotel trade group’s where that guest stayed “shall called CleanStay, in partner- University’s School of Hotel tect the health and safety of our ing it is worse,” he said. 14 Friday, May 8, 2020 The Last Word 105 engineers graduate from QF partner Texas A&M at Qatar

presided over the ceremony. change, and each of you has To date, the university has granted He congratulated the gradu- shown your strength and resil- ates while acknowledging the ience, and your commitment a total of 1,161 degrees unusual and less than ideal to being an engineering leader circumstances the ceremony in Qatar. Remember that you TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and 42 percent are Qatari. The took place in. are now among more than DOHA graduates represented 23 na- “This is not how we want- 500,000 graduates of Texas tionalities. ed to celebrate this mile- A&M University around the TEXAS A&M University at Qa- To date, Texas A&M at Qa- stone”, Malavé said, “but I world. Show the world how tar, a Qatar Foundation part- tar has granted a total of 1,161 can send you into the world Aggies live their core values — ner university, awarded bach- degrees. with the knowledge that you not just in the workplace, but elor’s and master’s degrees to Abdulkarim Mohamed, a have achieved something also into your communities 105 engineers at a ceremony Class of 2020 petroleum en- remarkable: Not only have and your families. We could on Thursday. gineering graduate, addressed you earned a degree from not be more proud of you.” The Class of 2020 included his classmates and fellow grad- one of the top engineering The ceremony ended af- 94 Aggies, who received bach- uates on behalf of the student Of the total graduating class, 43 percent were female and 42 percent were Qatari. programmes in the world, ter Dr. Dhabia al Mohannadi elor’s degrees in chemical en- body. He came to Texas A&M but you have done so under — a Class of 2012 graduate gineering, electrical engineer- at Qatar to start his freshman ever, and these people weren’t we are done. I wish you all the through your studies, partici- difficult and unprecedented of Texas A&M at Qatar and ing, mechanical engineering year after leaving his home in just classmates or colleagues best, wherever the road takes pation, research and your ex- circumstances. So much has now an assistant professor and petroleum engineering. Yemen when war broke out — they were a second family you.” traordinary service, and now changed in such a short time, in the Chemical Engineering Fifteen students were rec- during his senior year of high to me. So thank you, Class of Texas A&M President Mi- your journey continues as you and yet learning — and life — programme — inducted the ognised as undergraduate school. He credited the friends 2020, for never letting me feel chael K Young sent his video represent our core values of goes on. You adapted to your graduates into The Associa- research scholars of Texas and family he made at Texas like an outsider. “ greetings to the graduates and excellence, respect, leader- new normal, and you kept tion of Former Students, Tex- A&M’s main campus in Col- A&M at Qatar for his success. He continued, “The A&M honoured their parents, fami- ship, integrity, loyalty and self- yourselves on track. You per- as A&M’s alumni organisation lege Station, Texas (USA), and “Texas A&M at Qatar has community has always made lies and mentors who encour- less service. I know that the severed, and more than that, that comprises the more than 34 students graduated with been my home for the past sure we can reach our own aged them during their stud- leadership team, faculty and you succeeded.” 500,000 graduates of the uni- Latin honorus. Texas A&M at four years”, he said. “These goals while giving us a chance ies. staff of Texas A&M at Qatar He continued, “The proof versity and is known world- Qatar also awarded 11 master’s years have not been easy, but to make the best of our time. “I want to offer my heart- join me in wishing you the best is that you’re here today, ready wide as the Aggie Network. degrees in chemical engineer- we have learned and pros- This is a moment we have felt congratulations to all of in your next exciting chapter.” to leave university behind and Watch the recording of the ing. Of the total graduating pered so much. I made strong been patiently waiting for and you”, Young said. “You’ve Dr César Octavio Malavé, head on to your next adven- event at https://2020.tamu. class, 43 percent are female friendships that will last for- tonight, we can all finally say contributed to our university dean of Texas A&M at Qatar, tures. With challenge comes qa. GU-Q launches data portal QU-CPH student evaluates the cost-effectiveness of to support research work CYP2C19-guided therapy TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA on COVID-19 at QF, globally QATAR University’s College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) student in Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Sawsan al Mukdad (Msc) The portal explains how the GCC countries and Iraq are being affected by the crisis defended recently her MSc thesis entitled the ‘Economic Evaluation of the CYP2C19 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy DOHA Compared to the Universal Use of Ticagre- lor or Clopidogrel in Qatar’. THE Center for International The defence was conducted recently and Regional Studies (CIRS) due to suspension of classes for students at Georgetown University in and precautionary measures to prevent Qatar (GU-Q), a QF partner novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Sawsan institution, has launched the evaluated the pharmaconomics of CYP2C19 QU-CPH MSc student in Clinical Pharmacy and COVID Project, a data portal genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy com- Practice, Sawsan al Mukdad. to support research into the pared to the universal use of antiplatelets societal, economic, cultural, after a percutaneous coronary intervention which is very important. Her resolution to religious and political conse- with the acute coronary syndrome. succeed is impressive and will surely take quences of the pandemic in As a direct response to a request by her places.” Qatar and the region. decision-makers at the Hamad Medical Sawsan said, “This analysis is the first The portal will serve as an Corporation (HMC), Sawsan evaluated the economic evaluation in Qatar and the re- important tool for analysis cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 genetic test gion about CYP2C19 genetic-guided an- and a deeper understanding guided therapy compared to the general tiplatelet therapy versus universal use of of how the pandemic is being use of Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel from the Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor. Further, it in- experienced in real time, with perspective of the HMC. Using decision- cludes several methodological aspects that updates made on a regular ba- analytic simulation models, this research make it unique among similar studies in sis to a crisis that continues to demonstrated that CYP2C19 genetic-guided international settings.” unfold. therapy is between dominant (higher effect On her journey as a postgraduate stu- This digital compilation of with lower cost) and cost-effective com- dent, Sawsan said: “The College of Phar- data and statistics on COVID-19 larly updated data portal will to the complex issues that will pared to the general use of Clopidogrel and macy, under the leadership of Dean Dr provides a focused understand- also feature expert analysis by continue to emerge over time,” universal Ticagrelor, over the short- and Mohammed Diab, has unlocked the doors ing of how the six countries of GU-Q scholars and global ex- explained Dr Kamrava. “And by long-term follow up durations, against clini- of success and a career that I love. I feel at- the Gulf Cooperation Council, perts in economics, political leveraging our in-house exper- cal and quality-adjusted life years outcomes. tached to this institution as I spent seven as well as Iraq, are being af- tise as well as GU-Q’s network The research was conducted under years living in its halls, starting with a BSc fected by and responding to the of regional and international the supervision of CPH Associate Profes- degree and finishing with MSc. Addition- ongoing global crisis. Through The portal will serve as an scholars, we hope to draw at- sor Daoud al Badriyeh, co-supervised by ally, my truly dedicated supervisors Dr dynamic graphs, the site pre- important tool for analysis tention to the issues that will CPH Associate Professor Hazem Elewa. Daoud al Badriyeh and Dr Hazem Elewa sents aggregated data on each and a deeper understand- become increasingly important Dr Badriyeh said, “Sawsan’s findings of the were always keen to provide me continu- country’s health system that ing of how the pandemic in the coming period.” high likelihood of the CYP2C19 genetic- ous support and extensive personal and builds a profile of their health is being experienced in Key areas of interest in- guided antiplatelet therapy to be a cost- professional guidance. My overall experi- capacity. In addition, the por- real time, with updates clude the state of the health effective approach is of significant value for ence as a postgraduate student in the Col- tal includes a collection of the made on a regular basis sector, challenges for Gulf mi- decision makers in Qatar so far as cutting lege of Pharmacy was exceptional as the various policy measures these grants, Islamic ethics, the im- spending on healthcare resources is con- supportive research environment allowed seven states are undertaking to to a crisis that continues pact on family life, marriage, cerned.” me to have the opportunity to learn a valu- limit the spread of COVID-19 to unfold birth and death and national He added, “I have supervised many able set of skills and knowledge. She added and offers a way to view these development plans. postgraduates over the years. Sawsan is “I had the unique opportunity of being the from a comparative perspec- science, health and social poli- The COVID Project can be one of the most successful and has put her president of the Interprofessional Educa- tive. Dr Mehran Kamrava cy, through a series of analyti- viewed on the CIRS website, heart, mind and soul into even the small- tion (IPE) Student Association that consid- Dr Mehran Kamrava, di- cal articles, panel discussions and on GU-Q’s COVID-19 mi- est detail of this project. In this case, we erably enriched my personality”. rector of CIRS, said: “As part and is ideally placed to under- and podcasts. crosite, which includes health have a multidisciplinary project between Sawsan’s was awarded the 5th Gradu- of Georgetown here in Educa- take a project focused on the “The unprecedented impact guidance, contact information pharmacoeconomics and pharmacogenet- ate Sponsorship Research Award, QNRF, tion City, the centre has built experience and the needs of of the current crisis will require and academic updates for the ics. Sawsan loved the areas of her research, Qatar Foundation. its scholarship on the region Qatar and the Gulf.” The regu- a multidisciplinary approach school community. Pandemic habits can lead to better climate in the long run, says QF expert

Centre, Qatar Environment and be directly attributed to social ments are at a higher advantage cent this year – a drop this steep QEERI scientist speaks Energy Research Institute. distancing policies. Particulate than others. And new studies have would be the largest ever recorded on air quality in post- Ayoub was speaking at a webi- matter 2.5 (PM2.5) refers to tiny found traces of the virus in par- in terms of tonnes of CO2, about nar hosted by QEERI on the topic particles or droplets in the air that ticulate matter in areas that have six times greater than the impact COVID-19 world ‘Demystifying the Links Between are two and one half microns or high infection rates.” of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. COVID-19 Response and Local Air less in width, and is a concern for Pertaining specifically to COV- And if people worked out of TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Quality’. people’s health when its levels in ID-19, improving air quality dur- the office for only half of the work DOHA “Are the reductions associated the air are high. QEERI also noted ing the pandemic alone will not week, there could be a reduction with social distancing restrictions decreases of 9 percent and 19.7 eliminate this risk. The only way of greenhouse gas emissions by 54 “WHAT we are seeing now is a for a period of a month or two, or percent respectively, in ozone and to achieve that is to reduce the million tonnes every year, accord- glimpse of how things can be. even a year, going to have a dent nitrogen dioxide concentrations – population’s long-term exposure ing to Global Workforce Analytics From China to India to the United in terms of climate change? Likely both of which are also harmful to by reducing air pollutant concen- estimates. States, people have been shar- not in the short term. But, if we humans. trations in the long term. Ayoub hopes that people can ing pictures of clear blue skies look at adopting these measures “You have a 15 percent higher Studies suggest that outdoor start looking at some of the gains on social media. I don’t know the in revising how we do business or likelihood of death if you live in air pollution kills around 4.2 mil- in climate change that we as a authenticity of these images, but have greater reliance in terms of a polluted county in the US and lion people worldwide each year. global community need to priori- that’s the kind of potential we are remote working or remote com- get infected with COVID-19 than But with the pandemic, global car- tise. “It is my sincere hope that the looking at. And my sincere hope munication strategies to decrease some of the cleaner counties”, bon dioxide emissions are plum- answer is in the affirmative, but is that people like what they see our movement, we can look to de- Ayoub said citing a recently pub- meting to levels last seen 10 years that only happens with engage- with respect to air quality, and crease our emissions”, Ayoub said. Mohammed Ayoub lished study by Harvard Univer- ago, according to a recently pub- ment – at a public-level, research- that they insist that this becomes QEERI, part of Hamad Bin sity. “Air pollution does in fact lished report by the International level and with policy and decision- the new norm”, said Mohammed Khalifa University – a homegrown that it had observed a 30 percent reduce the body’s immunity and Energy Agency (IEA). It stated making engagement. So, keep the Ayoub, senior research director, university of the Qatar Founda- decrease in PM2.5 concentrations ability to fight the virus. Those that the world’s carbon dioxide discussions going, and keep the Environment and Sustainability tion – had recently announced across greater Doha, which can of us living in cleaner environ- emission is set to plunge 8 per- insistence.”