17 FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018 sports

Bahrain’s first global Thomas, Froome to sports media streaming ride in Tour of Britain platform launched TDT | Manama mentaries, programs, live events and competitions. Froome set to appear in race for first time since 2009 rave Combat Federation an - Brave Combat Federation has esti- Bnounced the launch of Brave TV, mated that more than a billion mixed the first online sports media stream- martial arts fans it can potentially ing platform from the Kingdom of reach through online streaming. Bahrain. Brave TV will give global exposure to Brave Combat Federation will pro- athletes and the sport by ensuring total vide two events exclusive for those global coverage for the organisation who subscribe the platform initially. found in Bahrain. Brave Combat Federation expanded The launch marks the first of its kind its global reach by being broadcasted in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Currently live through Abu Dhabi Sports in the Brave Combat Federation is the fastest MENA region, StarSat and VodaCom growing mixed martial arts organisa- for Africa, FloCombat for the United tion in the world. The launch of Brave States of America, Combate in Brazil, Combat Federation had enabled swift B1B in Bulgaria and Fite TV in USA, UK, growth of sports media and online Canada and Australia. powered web streaming services. The rest of the world will be covered Currently Brave Combat Federa- through online services provided by tion has announced upcoming events Brave TV. in Colombia, UAE, Pakistan, Bahrain, The launch marks a major success Saudi Arabia, India and South Africa. for the initiative which functions The development will boost the up- under the instructions of HH Shaikh coming Brave International Combat Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Week 2018 which is the largest sports The platform will feature extensive initiative to be hosted in Bahrain with martial arts content as well as related participation confirmed from over 103 licensed material, including docu- nations.

Geraint Thomas and

AFP | Thomas in this year’s Tour, said he had focussed on the Vuelta in the past four BRAVE 14 features two our de champion Ge- years finally winning it in 2017. raint Thomas and the man “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced Twhose crown he took in July, As soon as I’d finished the the Tour of Britain,” said Froome. Combat Sambo champions Chris Froome, will compete in next “The Vuelta a Espana has always month’s Tour of Britain rather than Tour I knew I wanted to been such a big goal and sadly coin- the final Grand Tour of the season, the ride the Tour of Britain cided with the Tour of Britain, but Vuelta a Espana. and race on home roads. not doing La Vuelta this year gives Both riders have rarely graced their It starts in which me the chance to come back to the home Tour in the past decade, Thomas will be special, and then I UK and race on what looks like a great finishing seventh last year in what get to go and race across parcours. was his first appearance since 2011 the whole of the United “I’m really looking forward to rid- and Team Sky team-mate Froome ing. I always remember there being last competing in 2009 when he Kingdom. I can’t wait a great atmosphere at the Tour of finished 50th for his previous team Britain and the race has only got big- Barloworld. ger over the years. I’m really looking Thomas, 32, was only drawn to com- forward to coming back,” added the Ikram Aliskerov with the Russian squad during 2017 Combat Sambo World Championships pete last year because the race fin - told the Team Sky website. 33-year-old Kenyan-born star. ished in his home city of Cardiff and “It starts in Wales which will be Surprisingly given their dominance TDT | Manama appearance for the Brave Combat Fed- has been lured back for what will be special, and then I get to go and race especially of the , Team eration. his first major race since the Tour de across the whole of the United King- Sky has only won the Tour of Britain rave Combat Federation features Ikram is undefeated in his profes- France as this year’s edition begins in dom. I can’t wait. once when prevailed Btwo Combat Sambo World cham- sional MMA career with five straight Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthen- “I want to go to the race in the shape in 2013. pions in the fight card for Brave 14 wins. In his previous appearance he shire, Wales, on September 2. to compete and enjoy it. We’ll have to Following the start in Wales, this hosted in Tangier, Morocco. defeated South African superstar in a The Vuelta gets underway on Au- see how the next few weeks go but I’m year’s race will take riders into the Velimurad Alkhasov claimed the bout that went the distance. gust 25. looking forward to it and I know we West Country and up to Cumbria be- gold in Combat Sambo Wolrd Champi- The former ACB flyweight champion “As soon as I’d finished the Tour I will have a strong team there.” fore returning to its regular finishing onships in 57 kg category during 2016 Velimurad will be competing after an knew I wanted to ride the Tour of Brit- Four-time Tour de France champion circuit in central London on Septem- while Ikram Aliskerov had secured the absence of two years. ain and race on home roads,” Thomas Froome, who finished third behind ber 9. gold in Combat Sambo World Champi- The flyweight division will have a onships during the year 2017. decisive battle when Velimurad clash- This marks the first time a global es with the veteran Brazilian Jiu Jitsu mixed martial arts promotion is fea- specialist, Sean Santella. Sean Santella turing multiple Combat Sambo World had specified that he will not be dis- Champions in the same fight night. counting Velimurad for his profes- Ikram Aliskerov will be facing Diego sional record due to his vast Combat Sainz to replace Alonso Gonzalez from Sweden in his third Sambo experience and background.

Reuters | London hind the wheel of a McLaren.” It is not clear who will be Sainz’ arlos Sainz has signed a multi-year team mate at McLaren next season, Cdeal to replace Fernando Alonso though current driver Stoffel Van- at McLaren from the 2019 Formula doorne and British youngster Lando One season, the team confirmed on Norris are favourites for the seat. Thursday. McLaren chief Zak Brown executive Double world champion Alonso said Sainz, who began his Formula announced his retirement from the One career with Red Bull-owned Toro sport on Tuesday, ending months of Rosso, would bring a lot of racing ex- speculation about his future. perience to the role. Sainz will enter his fifth season of “We’ve been assessing him for some Formula 1 when he joins the McLaren Carlos Sainz time now and rate him very highly at Seef District too team next year. among the next generation of young The 23-year-old Spaniard, current- “It’s something I’ve been looking at talent emerging through the ranks in Um al Hassan +973 17728699 ly on loan at Renault from Red Bull, for a while and I’m very excited about Formula One,” he said. Seef District +973 17364999 sits 11th in the drivers’ championship this next chapter in my career. “Although he’s just 23, he’ll be start- standings with Renault. “Fernando is of course one of them, ing his fifth season in the sport with us “I’m delighted to finally be able to so it’s particularly special that I’ll be and will bring with him a huge amount confirm that I’ll be a McLaren driver taking his seat as part of the next gen- of racing experience, both in Formula from the 2019 season,” Sainz said. eration of Spanish racing drivers be- One and with our partner Renault.”