Barshim Cynosure of All Eyes at Indoor Worlds

Home , Andrew Pagett, Jean Fernandez, Soccer Aid, Sylwester Bednarek, Wayne Hennessey

SPORT Wednesday 28 February 2018

PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 32-33 Australia’sA fearsome Usain Bolt to face Neymar could attackattac creates dilemma Robbie Williams still face Real, saysays for South Africa at Old Trafford coach Emery Barshim cynosure of all eyes at Indoor Worlds

THE PENINSULA The 2017 IAAF world who starts as Male Athlete of the favourite to LONDON: Mutaz Essa Barshim, the Year, Barshim leapt a regain the title 2017 IAAF World Male Athlete of the world-leading 2.38m she won in Year, will be one of the biggest stars 2014. in action at Arena Birmingham this at the Asian Indoor There will week during the IAAF World Indoor Championships in early be two British Championships. February and will be athletes in the The 26-year-old Qatari athlete 3000m with Scots, leapt a world-leading 2.38m at the one of the biggest stars Laura Muir, who won Asian Indoor Championships in early in action during this double gold at last February, but withdrew from the week’s IAAF World Indoor year’s European Indoor recent Athlone Grand Prix, citing Championships. Championships and Eil- “difficult technical problems”. ish McColgan lining up If the two-time Olympic medal- , in an exceptional field list is unable to rectify his issues winning the 2017 IAAF World Indoor that includes three-time before the World Indoor Champion- Tour. The 2007 world champion, world indoor champion, ships, he may not be able to regain now 33, has competed just once this Ethiopia’s Genzebe the title he won in 2014. winter, but showed decent form by Dibaba; and Kenyan Hel- Barshim’s fiercest competitor leaping 2.31m in Banska Bystrica. len Obiri, the current may come in the shape of Danil Birmingham-based Robbie 5000m word champion. Lysenko, who will jump as an Grabarz is the home hope for the The action continues authorised neutral athlete. British team in this, an event in which on Friday with two jam- The 20-year-old world silver he shared the Olympic bronze medal packed sessions. medallist has enjoyed an unbeaten in 2012 and took silver in Portland. Highlights include the winter campaign, setting lifetime The 30-year-old 2012 European women’s 60m heats, semis bests of 2.35m, 2.36m and 2.37m en champion has a season’s best of and final and all five events route to his seven victories. 2.30m set on 6 January. of the women’s Poland’s Sylwester Bednarek More than 600 athletes from pentathlon. should also be in the medal mix. The nearly 150 countries will be compet- Further sessions on Sat- European indoor champion equalled ing from tomorrow to Sunday. urday and Sunday will his lifetime best of 2.33m in Trinec British hopes in the women’s high complete the fantastic four last month to finish second to jump rest with 20-year old Morgan days of action at the Arena Bir- Lysenko. Lake, who earlier this month won mingham with a total of 24 Bronze medallist in Portland two the British Indoor Championships in individual and two relay titles at years ago, USA’s 2012 Olympic sil- Birmingham, so she’ll be relishing a stake. ver medallist Erik Kynard has return to the Arena. The IAAF World Indoor Champi- jumped 2.31m this season and can Lake, the 2014 World Junior onships Birmingham 2018 is the never be discounted. Champion in both the high jump and biggest indoor sports event to be Bahamian Donald Thomas heptathlon, faces the current outdoor staged in Birmingham for 15 years and Qatari high jumper earned his place in Birmingham by world champion Maria Lasitskene it’s organised on behalf of the IAAF Mutaz Essa Barshim

Mathews Germany on course for Doha double ruled out of ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA Tri-Nation DOHA: Germans kept themselves in series the hunt for a Doha double as both the boys and girls team booked a place in AFP today’s finals of the 24th ISF World Schools Handball Championships here COLOMBO: Sri Lanka yesterday. limited-overs captain Angelo Both the finals – boys and girls – Mathews has been ruled out will be all-European events. of next month’s Tri-Nation In the boys final, Germany will meet Twenty20 tournament after Austria while in the girl’s section Hun- failing to recover from a gary will seek to stop the rampaging hamstring injury, the coun- Germans in their tracks. try’s cricket board said The German girls team set the pace yesterday. in the morning session yesterday by The hosts will be led by scripting a fighting 33-26 win over Bra- Dinesh Chandimal in the zil while the boys did not lag behind. series starting March 6 at The Germans will meet Hungary in Colombo’s R Premadasa Sta- the title clash. Hungary edged yet dium. India and Bangladesh another European team, Denmark are the other two teams. 27-21 to make it to the final. Sri Lanka Cricket In the evening session, the German announced a 20-man prelim- boys cheered by their girls edged past inary squad that will be neighbours Poland 35-30 and set up a cropped to 15 on final clash with yet another neighbour- Wednesday. ing country Austria. “Angelo Mathews was not Austria easily accounted for Israel considered for selection as he coasting to a comfortable 31-18 over is still recovering from the Israel. injury he suffered during the Earlier, in the play-off round, hosts concluded Tri-Nation Series Qatar defeated Serbia 24-23 in a nail in Bangladesh,” the board biting thriller. said in a release. The nine-day championship which Mathews, 30, was in Jan- is organised by Qatar School Sports uary named as Sri Lanka’s Association (QSSA), in technical collab- captain in the shorter format oration with Qatar Handball until the 2019 World Cup. Federation. Over 20 countries are taking part Belgium, Bulgaria, Serbia and hosts A Qatari player prepares to shoot while But the all-rounder has The championships is played at in the event including Austria, France, Qatar. a Serbian player attempts to spoil his been beset by injuries and has three venues in Doha, at the Ali bin Turkey, Germany, Poland, Croatia, The competition concludes today effort during their placement match led the side in just a single Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium in Al Sadd, Brazil, Israel, Hungary, Slovenia, Den- and the closing ceremony will be held played at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah one-day international, Aspire Dome and Qatar’s Women’s mark, Romania, Morocco, Georgia, tomorrow at the Ali bin Hamad Al Atti- Stadium in Al Sadd. Qatar won 24-23. against Zimbabwe in Dhaka Sports Committee Hall Romania, Czech Republic, Greece, yah Stadium in Al Sadd. last month. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 Mixed fortunes for Pakistan at World Snooker Team Cup 2018 in Qatar

THE PENINSULA back doubles frame. In fourth Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif takes aim in this ﬁle photo. frame, Lee Chun Wai, once again DOHA: It was day of mixed shown his class to defeat Hesham fortunes for teams competing at Shawky 47-29 to register first the inaugural edition of World win for Hong Kong. Snooker Team Cup 2018 here For Team India-1 (Shahbaaz yesterday. Khan / Malkeet Singh) they could On the first day of the event, not have asked for a better start. one of the strong title contender, In the first frame, Malkeet Wales-1 comprises of Andrew Singh took on Gunnar Hreidars- Pagett and Alex Taubman son and succeeded to win that crashed out of the championship having decent victory margin after losing both group D (73-12). His partner, Shabaaz Adil matches while defending cham- Khan, in second frame, crafted pion Pakistan suffered at the the first century break (109) of hands of Russia but recovered in the competition to raise the lead quick time to win their second to 2-nil. match. Being in comfort zone, both Elsewhere, Team India-1 of them complimented each registered a 3-0 win over Ice- other in doubles frame too to land 3-0 to begin their campaign score 56-17 and won the match in style. 3-0. The Qatar Billiards & Snooker Meanwhile, team Iran of Federation (QBSF) is hosting the Amir Sarkhosh and Ehsan Hey- event which ends on March 2. dari Nezhad surprised Welshmen The competition is approved Andrew Pagett / Alex Taubman by the International Billiards & by defeating 3-1. Snooker Federation (IBSF) under Despite trailing, Andrew the chairmanship of Mubarak al made a good comeback in the Khayareen. get $15000 and $7500 respec- pink despite being terribly down Mikhail Terekhov delighted the margin (54-59). In fourth frame, first frame but before he could The total number of partici- tively. The teams which make it where he required three Russian spectators by overcom- Ivan played, once again a com- seal the frame, the brown ball pating teams will be 24, including to the last 24 will be awarded snookers. ing reigning World Team manding game to defeat Asif railed over the cushion after hit- two teams from Qatar. Other $1000. On the other side, full credit champions Muhammad Asif & 65-25 and registered first win for ting the jaw of green pocket. countries which have confirmed The 24 teams will be divided goes to Darryl Hill of Isle of Man, Babar Masih of Pakistan 3-1 in team Russia 3-1. That chance Amir capitalized participation include Pakistan, into eight groups of three each. who not only curtailed Alex their opening group A tie. In the group of three, now it’s with his clearance of 22 points Wales, Ireland, Iran, Thailand, No two teams from the same Taubman in second frame but Babar missed on a crucial must-win situation for the Paki- to take initial lead. India, Hong Kong, and Egypt country are allowed to be in one also shown excellent potting point in first frame leaving last stan-1 team to stay in the The second frame was easy among others. In addition to group. Top two from each group skills in fourth frame to send colour balls, which Ivan cleared competition. for his partner Ehsan Heydari Qatar, Pakistan and Wales will will qualify for the Round of 16 strong opposition to Pagett. to take first frame lead. In sec- Fourth match of session 1 Nezhad, which he wrapped up participate with two teams each. knock-out stage. In another match, team Paki- ond frame, Mikhail fought hard was between Hong Kong-1 and by scoring 67-11. Ireland and Thailand will also Earlier, Wales-1 got off to an stan-1 (Muhammad Asif, Babar against former world champion, Egypt where Lee Chun Wai of Though the Welshmen participate with two teams each. excellent start with Andrew Masih) who had lost the first Asif but couldn’t save it and again Hong Kong started with a well managed to secure the doubles The total prize money for the Pagett winning the first frame match, secured 3-0 win in the match rested at 1-1. crafted 80 points break. Though frame (87-07) but Ehsan coun- competition is $60,000 with the 94-14 against Sean Corkish but next match against Iraq to stay Pakistan team, however, put his partner Fung Kwok Wai lost tered Andrew very well in the winner getting $15,000. Run- the crucial fourth frame he in the competition. in all efforts to secure the dou- the next frame but after that they fourth frame to register 3-1 ners-up and semi-finalists will required to win, missed on last Earlier, Ivan Kakovskii & bles frame but lost by a narrow both coördinated well to pull victory.

QSL: All eyes on key Friday clash Belmadi between Al Duhail and Al Sadd named Coach THE PENINSULA of the Month DOHA: The QNB Stars League match between Al Duhail and Al THE PENINSULA Sadd will be crucial as the winners will most likely become DOHA: Al Duhail’s Djamel Belmadi (pictured) has the ultimate champions this been named as the QNB Stars League’s (QSL) best season. coach for the month of February. Al Duhail are leading the table Under the Algerian, who is a shrewd tactician with 48 points, followed by Al and produces consistent results, Al Duhail played Sadd on 46. four games (Weeks 15, 16, 17 and 18) during the period, Al Duhail defeated Al Khor winning all of them. In fact, The Red Knights are the 4-0, while Al Sadd beat Al Ahli only unbeaten side in this QSL season. They have so 5-0 last week. far notched up 15 victories, the same number as Al Al Rayyan, third with 39 Sadd. points, take on Al Gharafa who Al Duhail garnered 12 points to stay as table top- are placed sixth with 23 points. pers with 48 points. They have a twotwo-point po lead over Al Rayyan will be keen to second-placedsecond-placed AlAl Sadd,Sadd, whomwhom theythey willwill play in Week extend their winning streak, hav- 19 tomorrow.tomorrow. ing defeated Qatar SC 4-0, AlAl Sadd scored a whoppingwhopping 18 goalsgoals from the four whereas Al Gharafa have the games,games, with 37 shots on targtargetet and jjustust eight against heartbreak of a 2-3 defeat at the it. AndAnd theythey hadhad concededconceded onlyonly one goal.go According hands of promoted side Al to Stats,Stats, tthehe officialoffi statistics Markhiya to put behind. andand figuresfigures provider for Al Markhiya, nevertheless, are thethe QNB StarsS League, at the rock bottom on 12 points. Al DuhailDuha made an It was The Oryxes’ only second averageaverage number of victory in this season’s QNB Stars 663663 passes,pa out of League. It was also their second whichwhich 5905 were suc- match under the tutelage of Tuni- cessful.cessful. Short passes Al Duhail players celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Sadd during their QNB Stars League ﬁrst leg sian coach Adel Sellimi, who numberednumbe 410 and match in this ﬁle photo. replaced Yousef Adam. forwardforward passes 213. Al Ahli, despite losing to Al ThereThe were 19.3 Sadd, are relatively safe in the top Meanwhile, when Al Gharafa As a coach, Laudrup created and lost as many. And both ccrossesrosses (7.3( from the flight on 19 points when they take and Al Rayyan clash against each waves in South Wales when he Laudrup and Bulent are extra left andand 112 from the on Al Kharaitiyat, who remained other in Week 19 of the QNB Stars won the League Cup, the first busy with their AFC Champions right).right). TheTheyy also made 21 in the danger zone after their 1-2 League tomorrow the sub plot will major English trophy in Swansea’s League engagements too. tacklestackles anandd 12 dribbles. loss to Al Arabi, with 13 points. be the encounter between the 100-year history. Under, Laudrup Al Rayyan TheyThey mmade 73 final- Al Kharaitiyat only have 13 coaches. Bulent too had made it big at have become a more offensive thirdthird eentriesn and 44 points, one more than Al Both coaches Michael the club and country levels as an side. They have so far scored 46 penalty-areapenalty entries. Markhiya, and are 11th. Laudrup of Al Rayyan) and Bulent attacking midfielder. He had cap- goals, the third best in the QNB ShotsShots for reached Al Sailiya (25 points) and Al Uygun of Al Gharafa) have proved tained Fenerbahce, where he Stars League after Al Duhail (68) 2200 and shots Khor (15 points) are also coming their worth in the profession. spent most of his club career, and Al Sadd (55). againstagai nine. The off defeat. While Al Sailiya will be They have another thing in apart from playing for the Turkey Bulent replaced Frenchman aaverageve number keen to get back into the top four, common. They both were great national team 18 times. Jean Fernandez before the start of shots on tar- Al Khor still face relegation. players even though Laudrup has They both had prior experi- of QNB Stars League second phase get was Qatar SC, on 18 points, have a had much more credentials as a ence coaching in Qatar. Laudrup and The Cheetahs have been nine. tough task on hand when they are forward having donned the jer- was at the helm of erstwhile making steady strides ever since. up against fourth-placed Umm seys of Spanish giants Real Madrid Lekhwiya, while Bulent was in They are sixth with 23 points. Salal (27 points). and Barcelona. The Dane had also charge of Umm Salal. The Turk will also be looking Al Arabi received some con- represented top Italian side Laudrup has been doing well to make up for their shock defeat fidence boost with their third win Juventus and Dutch stalwarts Ajax with Al Rayyan as well. The Lions to Al Markhiya last week, whereas and will look to build on that Amsterdam besides playing for are third with 39 points. They Laudrup will be keen to ensure when they face the Al Markhiya the Denmark national team ump- have 12 victories under their belt. his wards stay motivated with yet challenge. teen times. They have drawn three matches another victory. WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 31

Coach Walsh Australia’s fearsome attack seeks consistency from Bangladesh creates dilemma for SA AFP AFP DHAKA: Bangladesh interim coach Court- ney Walsh said yesterday he would be DURBAN: Some of the world’s best pushing his side for consistency in next fast bowlers will square up when the month’s tri-nations series in Sri Lanka after first Test between South Africa and a string of poor finishes. Australia starts at Kingsmead tomor- The former Caribbean fast bowling great, row. usually a pace instructor for Bangladesh, is They may find, however, that some stepping up in the absence of a coach for the of their sting drawn by pitch Twenty20 tournament. conditions. Bangladesh lost a tri-nation tournament Kingsmead has lost the reputation at home last month despite a strong start, it once had as a fast bowler’s paradise. before losing a series-deciding Test match It has been many years since wicket- against Sri Lanka inside three days. keepers had to leap around as balls Walsh, who has been working with Bang- soared and sped off the playing ladesh’s bowlers since 2016, said the side surface. lacked consistency, not talent. Indications are that the pitch will “If we can get consistent, we will be offer encouragement but not exces- happy. It is going to be the biggest challenge sive help to the fast men, with enough and it is something that I will be stressing on grass on the surface to assist move- a lot,” he told reporters. ment off the seam. Bangladesh have been without a head The South African team, it seems, coach since October when Chandika Hathu- has given up on trying to influence rusingha, a former Sri Lankan batsman, quit conditions after their “requests” to Australia’s captain Steve Smith laughs as after three years to join his struggling home groundsmen resulted in pitches that he holds a replica Ashes urn after winning team. were less than ideal for a recent three- the ﬁfth Ashes Test match and the series Former skipper Mahmud filled the void Test series against India. The surface 4-0 in this January 2018 ﬁle picture. as team director recently, when Bangladesh for the third Test at the Wanderers was lost a Test and Twenty20 home series against condemned as poor by International Sri Lanka. Cricket Council match referee Andy batting at the expense of one of the Both Klaasen and De Kock have Teams: South Africa (from): Faf Walsh said he had not needed “a long Pycroft. specialist bowlers. been named in a 15-man squad for the du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden discussion” to take up the offer. “Everybody knows what happened That decision may be influenced first two tests. Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, “Once the opportunity came, it wasn’t at the Wanderers, so we’ve left the by a lack of form of key players as well South Africa’s batsmen will face a Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Phi- anything too difficult to discuss. I want to groundsmen to prepare the best pos- as injuries which kept several out of fast bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, lander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso improve what we are doing here and hope- sible pitches that they can,” coach Ottis action in recent weeks. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi, fully take up a challenge,” he said. Gibson said last week. Captain Faf du Plessis is expected backed by the off-spin of Nathan Lyon Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, The 55-year old former West Indies cap- Assuming the conditions are fair, to play, although the right index fin- - rated by former Australian captain Wiaan Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), tain, who was once Test cricket’s leading it should be a red-blooded battle ger he broke four weeks ago remained Steve Waugh as the best in the world. Australia (likely): Steve Smith (captain), wicket-taker with 519 scalps, said his role between the teams ranked second and bandaged and he took a minimal part Australia’s batting has relied David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, would be more that of a mentor than a coach. third in Test cricket behind India. in the team’s first practice in Durban greatly in recent times on captain Steve Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch- “It is going to be like a father figure, to Both have potent fast bowlers and on Monday. Smith and opener David Warner, so ell Marsh, Tim Paine (wkt), Pat give them the confidence,” he said. exciting, if fragile, batting line-ups. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, South Africa will be hoping to get Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, The competition, which has been organ- South Africa won the first two Tests was woefully out of form with the bat through their two stars and put pres- Josh Hazlewood. ised to mark Sri Lanka’s 70th independence against India with a four-man pace before being injured in a one-day sure on the rest of the batting line-up Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena anniversary, will run from March 6-18 in attack, left-arm spinner Keshav Maha- series against India, opening the door with a bowling attack spearheaded by (SRI), Sunderam Ravi (IND). TV umpire: Colombo. raj and just six top-quality batsmen. for Heinrich Klaasen to take over the Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Chris Gaffaney (NZL). Match referee: India are the other team in the But may be tempted to strengthen their gloves and play some crucial innings. Kagiso Rabada. Jeff Crowe (NZL). tournament.

MEXICAN OPEN Becker scotches rumours Results from the ATP and WTA Mexican Open on Monday in Acapulco, Mexico (x denotes seeding): he will coach Zverev Men First Round Ryan Harrison (USA) bt John Isner AFP Djokovic for three years up until 2016. be difficult,” said Becker. (USA x8) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) However, Becker rates Zverev, “It’s a matter of time, Sascha Jared Donaldson bt Nikoloz BERLIN: Boris Becker has scotched ranked fifth by the ATP, as “the best (Zverev) will eventually finish his Basilashvili (GEO) 6-2, 3-2 (retired) rumours he is poised to coach rising 20-year-old tennis player in the development. David Ferrer (ESP) bt Andrey Rublev German star Alexander Zverev world”. “He will become more experi- (RUS) 6-4, 6-3 (pictured), who recently split with Juan “The boy is a diamond, we have enced, and eventually the others will Kevin Anderson (RSA x5) bt Radu Carlos Ferrero. to be happy that we have him,” said stop playing tennis.” Becker has also Albot (MDA) 6-4, 6-3 Zverev has reportedly parted Becker, a six time former Grand Slam welcomed plans to revamp the Davis Women company with his former coach Fer- winner. Cup with a week-long World Cup of First Round rero, 38, a Spanish former world The towering six foot, six inches Tennis Finals contested by 18 nations number one, after just six months. (1.98m) Zverev, is one of the biggest every November. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU x5) bt However, Becker, 50, who was last hitters on the circuit. “It’s the most important and old- Christina McHale (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 year declared bankrupt by a London He won both his Davis Cup sin- est team competition in tennis, but it’s Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) bt court, says he wants to focus on his gles rubbers in a 3-1 win over Australia a bit dusty,” said Becker. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), work with the German Tennis Feder- earlier this month with Germany to “We need to make changes.” The 6-3 ation (DTB) and as a Eurosport play Spain in the quarter-finals in new-look event could start as early Daria Gavrilova (AUS x3) bt Madison pundit. April. as 2019. Brengle (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 “In my role as the head of men’s Becker says Zverev must be Becker says the current structure, Lesia Tsurenko (UKR x7) bt Lauren tennis at the DTB, my job is to look patient in his bid to usurp the likes of a 16-nation World Group contested Davis (USA) 6-4, 6-1 after our best,” Becker was quoted by Roger Federer, 36, and Rafael Nadal, over four weekends during the year, Arina Rodionova (AUS) bt Kateryna SID, an AFP subsidiary. 31, the world number one and two is too long. Kozlova (UKR) 6-2, 1-0 (retired) “But travelling with him (Zverev) respectively. “The current format of four games, Monica Puig (PUR) bt Dayana

every week, training and organising “The positions above him are if you reach the final, is hard to do in Yastremska (UKR) 2-6, 6-4, 5-0 everything - no thanks!” Becker’s last occupied, by Roger Federer and Rafael terms of time, at least not for a world- (retired) coaching role saw him mentor Novak Nadal, so getting there fast is going to class player every year,” he added.

Davis Cup revamp could ‘kill its soul’, say Belgians

REUTERS Expo in Ghent in 2015 was an away format) creates big event home and away ties would be federations would also vote “And with the emotions unforgettable experience for value.” lost. against it at the ITF’s annual involved it’s very hard to pre- LONDON: A proposal to rip up the 13,000 fans who crammed The International Tennis “I can’t imagine that (the meeting in August. dict how people will react to the Davis Cup format and inside the arena over the three Federation, in partnership with ITF) are not thinking about this Kooken stopped short of this.” replace it with a one-week days. Barcelona soccer player Ger- because they know what makes echoing those comments but Ultimately, however, World Cup of Tennis Finals in Last year’s first-round clash ard Pique’s Kosmos investment Davis Cup different from all the said he thought it unlikely the Kooken, said making sure that a single city risks ‘killing the against Germany in Frankfurt company, plan a single city, rest,” he said. plans, described as a game- the leading players commit to soul’ of the historic competi- and the final against France in 18-nation event to be held over “You have to change what changer by ITF president David the Davis Cup - something that tion, according to Belgian Lille brought thousands of Bel- seven days, starting in Novem- is necessary to change and Haggerty, would pass through has not been the case in recent tennis chief Gijs Kooken. gians across the border to roar ber 2019. strengthen what is good or at easily. years - was vital for its future. When it comes to produc- on their players. A 25-year, $3bn investment least keep it. To drop the most Last year the ITF’s board “What is certain is that ing the raucous atmospheres “Our major concern is that would see cities bid for staging unique thing of a product, that failed to ratify a rule-change change was needed,” he said. which help make the Davis Cup we are risking killing the soul rights, with Singapore a possi- isn’t the right way to develop a that would have scrapped best- “If the details are presented unique among tennis events, of the Davis Cup,” Kooken ble inaugural venue. sport.” of-five-set matches in favour in a way that top players react few do it as well as the Belgians said. While Kooken says change Royal Belgian Tennis Fed- of best-of-three-set rubbers. positively towards it then yeah, who have reached two of the “The Davis Cup atmosphere is needed to ensure the partic- eration president Andre Stein “Reforms last year were it can go very quickly the other last three finals, losing on both is really something unique. The ipation of the world’s top was quoted in local media on minor compared to this. So I way. But we as a federation will occasions. ITF are focusing on having a players - he is sceptical about Monday as saying he was wouldn’t expect for it to be a discuss it with our players and The final between Belgium bigger event but our concern is the radical revamp, especially “absolutely against” the pro- positive outcome,” Kooken captains, see how it fits into and Britain in the Flanders that this part of it (the home and the fact that the traditional posals and that other European said. their programme.” 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 33

Multiple FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour Olympic and world Kane must leave champion Usain Bolt Neymar could still face Real, Tottenham to win trophies: no operation planned: Emery Villas-Boas

AFP REUTERS Neymar lies on the pitch after sustaining an injury during the Ligue 1 match played between Paris St Germain PARIS: Neymar still has a “small LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry and Olympique de Marseille at Parc des Princes in Paris chance” of playing against Real Madrid Kane must eventually leave the Premier on Sunday. It would be very risky Bolt to face in the Champions League and there are League club if he wants to win trophies, no plans for an operation on his as it’s a fragile bone in former manager Andres Villas-Boas has said. cracked bone, Paris Saint-Germain the foot which is difficult Kane won the league’s Golden Boot Williams at coach Unai Emery said yesterday. to protect. (Playing award for the last two seasons and is chas- “For Neymar there has been no ing a third as he sits atop the charts with 24 decision to have an operation,” said against Real) could goals in 27 matches. Old Trafford Emery, denying an earlier report in the compromise the rest “If he has a hunger for trophies and for Brazilian press that the world’s most of his season: Former notoriety he would have to leave Spurs, if AFP expensive player would go under the he has no hunger for that, but (wants) rec- knife to fix the cracked bone in his foot. French team doctor ognition and stability, he would stay at PARIS: Multiple Olympic champion Usain “Neymar is the first to want to play Spurs,” Villas-Boas, who managed Totten- Bolt will line up opposite British pop star every match, he’s very focussed on ham from 2012 until December 2013, told Robbie Williams in a charity football match Real. I think there’s a small chance that with the France national football team. British media. at Manchester United’s Old Trafford he’ll be ready for the match,” added “(Playing against Real) could com- “Spurs are in that breakout moment of A man takes a photo of the FIFA World Cup Trophy displayed at the Kenyatta International Confernce Center (KICC) stadium, the Jamaican revealed yesterday. Emery. promise the rest of his season.” becoming a great football team - the (new) Now retired, Bolt had given a teaser of PSG trail 3-1 from the last 16 first Parisian osteopath Alain Gosp in Nairobi yesterday during a ceremony which was held as part of FIFA’s world trophy tour. The trophy is making its stadium, infrastructure, training ground is what was to come on Twitter on Monday, leg in Madrid two weeks ago and the Server said such injuries normally take way across Africa to 11 countries, as part of a world tour that sees the trophy presented at 91 cities in 51 countries there, the team is building up, very well claiming that he had signed for a football loss of Neymar would be a huge blow “three weeks to heal”. spread over six continents. managed. club and would reveal all 24 hours later. to their chances of overturning that “It will all depend on his treatment “The trophy cabinet is still what is miss- Well, his new team is the Soccer Aid deficit at the Parc des Princes on March but what’s sure is that he wouldn’t be ing for this great club. That is in the end what World XI -- a motley crew put together to 6 and reaching the Champions League at 100 percent (in eight days),” added footballers chase - glory, winning. I think help raise funds for the United Nations quarter-finals. Gosp Server. for Harry, one or two more years at Spurs Children’s Fund, Unicef. Neymar suffered a cracked meta- wouldn’t be bad and then see how the club Not only had football-mad Bolt, the tarsal in his foot and a twisted ankle in World Cup coaches gather in develops...” fastest man alive, been recruited for the an innocuous looking incident against Tottenham have finished in the league’s match, but he comes straight into the team Marseille on Sunday night. I told you, which is what the doctor told a “pin” attached to hhisis metatarsal bone top three positions in the last two seasons as captain, with former Take That star Wil- And while Spaniard Emery said me.” and would be fit too return in MaMay.y. Sochi ahead of VAR decision but are yet to win any silverware since their liams leading out an England side in there is a possibility he’ll recover by While PSG’s primary concern is Recovery from metatarsal ininjuriesjuries League Cup triumph in 2008. opposition. next week, he was more pessimistic having the world’s most expensive usually take weeks,s, if not mmonths.onths. AFP But global body FIFA has been leagues have started using VAR, to The Portuguese also said that he was not Speaking on a publicity clip published than he had been on Sunday night. Neymar is the ﬁrst to player available for their Champions Just last year, NNeymar’seymar’s internainterna-- pushing hard for VAR use in game- mixed reviews. the best coach for the 24-year-old during by Bolt, 31, on his Twitter account on Tues- “Today, after analysing Neymar, it want to play every match, League match next week, in Brazil it is tional team-mate GGabrielabriel JesusJesus was SOCHI: Football World Cup team changing situations such as goals and Controversies have dogged calls his reign at Tottenham, saying that Kane was day, Williams, decked out in an England looks less likely than it did on Sunday he’s very focussed on Neymar’s participation at the World out of action for ttwowo montmonthshs aafterfter coaches gathered yesterday in Russia penalty decision. made in England and Italy. sent out on loan or used sparingly in the shirt, says the match will feature “celebri- that he’ll be ready for this match,” said Cup that is most pressing. breaking a metatarsalarsal pplayinglaying fforor ahead of a crunch decision on wether “I used to be sceptical about VAR The Sochi gathering is meant to league and Europa League as Roberto Sol- ties, legends and a brand new captain for Emery. Real. I think there’s a The 26-year-old captained Brazil Manchester City. to introduce the VAR video replay but statistics now show 99 percent give coaches a rundown about how dado was chosen to play in most matches. Soccer Aid World XI”. However, he was clear in his dis- small chance that he’ll be to their first ever Olympic gold medal Former Englandd stars David Beck-Beck- system at this summer’s tournament. perfection,” FIFA president Gianni the World Cup will be organised in “His real breakthrough came with Tim Manchester United fan Bolt then missal of a report published by ready for the match: PSG 18 months ago on home soil and is seen ham and Wayne Rooney spent six The last meeting of the 32 partic- Infantino said earlier this month. Russia. Sherwood a few months after I left (but) I appears and adds: “Robbie, let me enter- Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte on Coach Emery as crucial to their hopes in Russia in weeks on the sidelineslines witwithh metatametatar-r- ipating nations before the June 14-July The ruling on whether to use VAR It represent a logistical challenge had good, fond memories of him,” Villas- tain you,” in a reference to Williams’s hit Tuesday morning that claimed a deci- June and July. sal injuries in the ppast.ast. 15 global extravaganza comes with for the first time at a World Cup will for both the hosts and teams because Boas said. 1998 song of the same name. sion had already been reached for Were he to undergo an operation Earlier yesterday,day, AFPAFP spoke to a debate still raging about the contro- be issued on Saturday in Zurich by the of the great distances they will have “Of course, I was surprised at how well The promotional video features the Neymar to undergo an operation, and “You need discussions with the now and return to fitness in May, that number of medicall exexpertsperts who all ssetet versial Video Assistant Referee International Football Association to travel between the 11 host cities. it turned out for him and the striker he has likes of Brazilian great Ronaldinho and that he would be out until May. doctor, the player, his entourage. would suit Brazil, who could then rely a downbeat tone. technology. Board (IFAB). Another worry is that some of the become - so powerful, a record-breaking Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, as well “Last night (Monday) the club “To make such an important deci- on a fully fit and fresh Neymar for the “It would be veryery risriskyky as iit’st’s a UEFA President Aleksander This means the two-day gather- stadiums have still not been striker. as American comedy actor Will Ferrell. issued an official statement: it said how sion you need tranquillity and a bit of World Cup. Four years ago, Neymar fragile bone in thehe footfoot Ceferin said on Monday that European ing in the Russian Black Sea resort of completed. “I attribute this to his own merit, (he is Soccer Aid aims to raise money to help the player was medically,” said Emery. patience. missed the semifinal against Germany which is difficult too football’s governing body would not Sochi will leave teams none the wiser “We don’t want surprises,” Iran’s a) really well-driven individual and I’m glad children around the world and organises “Things (like operations) aren’t “Right now, I don’t think you need with injury and Brazil were thrashed protect,” said Jean- use it in next season’s Champions about how exactly the World Cup will Portugese coach Carlos Queiroz told for him that he has been able to turn it charity matches featuring celebrities and decided like that,” he added, clicking anything else. There’s a lot of informa- 7-1. Marcel Ferrat, a League because “nobody knows be refereed. AFP before the start of the meeting. around.” former football stars. his fingers. tion from outside, but the truth is what Globo had said Neymar would have former doctor exactly how it works yet”. Several of the big European “We don’t like surprises.” This match will be played on June 10, just before the the World Cup gets under- way in Russia. Bolt is an eight-time Olympic champion, 11-time world champion and holds the world records in the 100 and 200 UEFA hit Nasri Dier defends metres. Williams is the best-selling British solo Wright calls on Wenger to leave Arsenal team-mate Alli artist in the United Kingdom. with six-month over diving AFP accusations LONDON; Former Arsenal striker doping ban Ian Wright has called on struggling manager Arsene Wenger to step REUTERS down as reports suggest succession AFP planning at the club has already LONDON: Totten- begun. PARIS: Former Manchester ham Hotspur The Frenchman, under contract City midfielder and France midfielder Eric Dier at the Emirates until 2019, is under international Samir Nasri (pictured) has increasing pressure after his team’s (pictured) was handed a six- defended team mate abject display in Sunday’s 3-0 month doping ban “for using Dele Alli after he was League Cup defeat against Manches- a prohibited method” by Euro- criticised for diving ter City -- their sixth loss in 12 games pean football governing body in Sunday’s 1-0 Manchester United’s this year. UEFA yesterday. Premier League Romelu Lukaku Arsenal are 10 points adrift of Nasri, 30, had appealed to victory over Crystal fourth-placed Tottenham in the Pre- UEFA for a therapeutic use Palace. mier League and look likely to miss exemption (TUE) following a Midfielder Alli claimed a penalty after out on Champions League football multi-vitamin intravenous going down under a challenge from defender Lukaku for the second consecutive season. booster he received at a Los Patrick van Aanholt. He went to ground “There are excuses (from Angeles clinic in 2016. again near goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey Wenger) and he is mollycoddling a That was rejected last later in the match but neither incident led ponders EPL team,” Wright told BBC radio. March, as was an appeal in to a penalty or a booking for Alli. “Whether he stays at the end of Arsenal fans hold up a banner in support of manager Arsene Wenger during the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley December to the Court of England international Alli, who was this season, I could not make a case. Stadium in London on Sunday. RIGHT: Arsene Wenger Arbitration for Sport. booked for diving against Huddersfield All-Star match However, he still has the Town and Liverpool this season, came under Reuters I am not sure anyone can. This devel- anything and has given Wenger carte head of a seven-man list. Henry, 40, right to appeal against his ban, fire again from television pundits. opment of mediocrity has to be blanche to carry on.” who is a member of Belgium’s coach- UEFA said. “Obviously, because it’s Dele, it proba- LONDON: Manchester United striker arrested.” Wright’s comments follow sting- ing staff, said after the Wembley The method is on the bly gets more attention than it deserves,” Romelu Lukaku has suggested the Premier Wright also had harsh words for ing assessments from the club’s defeat on Sunday that it would be a World Anti-doping Agency’s Dier said. “It’s difficult sometimes because League host an match similar to the NBA’s Everyone else can American owner Stan Kroenke. record goalscorer Thierry Henry and “dream” for him to manage Arsenal prohibited list and carries a if you take the action in the game against All-Star game. start to see that is it “The owner has to take a lot of former Manchester United and Eng- one day. maximum ban of four years. Liverpool, where he got booked for diving, The NBA hosts an annual All-Star blame for this,” he said. “Kroenke land defender Gary Neville, who But Wright urged caution over Nasri is currently without I was standing right behind him. When he’s weekend with the main feature being a getting to a point where does not care. If he cared, Wenger labelled Arsenal’s performance appointing the man who overtook a club having left Turkish side running towards the ball, he’s taken a touch match contested by two teams comprised Wenger needs to go. would not have got a two-year deal. against City “spineless”. him as the club’s all-time leading Antalyaspor by mutual con- and it looks like the guy is about to come and of the league’s best players, who are picked The owner has to be “Everyone else can start to see Britain’s Daily Telegraph news- goalscorer. sent last month. take him out. There’s a sense of ‘I need to get by popular vote. here, ﬁnd out what is that is it getting to a point where paper reported that Wenger’s “Arsenal are not in a position The doping affair started out of the way’. If (the opponent) then goes “Here’s an idea for you guys... the NBA Wenger needs to go. The owner has position would be reviewed at the where they can go from someone when a Los Angeles clinic called Drip Doctors tweeted the fact they had and stops, it’s difficult.” has an all-star game!,” the 24-year-old Bel- happening, how is this to be here, find out what is happen- end of the season but said that like Arsene Wenger, who we love so treated Nasri with an intravenous vitamin booster whilst the player was Dier said the 21-year-old Alli remained gian wrote on his verified Twitter account. working, what are we ing, how is this working, what are Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim much, yet who you mention to some on holiday there. unaffected by the accusations against him. “Don’t you guys think we should organ- going to do, how are we going to do, how are we going to and former captain Mikel Arteta people in the fan base and their faces Nasri was at that time on loan from City at Sevilla, who expressed sur- “That’s the great thing about Dele. I don’t ise one in the Premier League. The north get back to where the fans want us were among replacements being screw up. prise when the story broke in the media -- Spanish anti-doping authorities think he pays any attention to it and that’s vs the south! And the fans vote... what do we going to get back to to be. considered. “They are so angry. I would not quickly took up the matter and opened an inquiry at the end of 2016. the most important thing,” Dier said. you guys think?” where the fans want us “The fans have been saying it for The Sun said Celtic boss Brendan want that to happen to Thierry, After shining as a youngster at his hometown club Marseille, Nasri was “All he needs to pay attention to is how United are second in the Premier to be: Wright years but no-one is paying any atten- Rodgers, Arteta and Germany head because he has taken the job straight recruited by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and switched three seasons later his team mates feel and how the manager League and travel to Crystal Palace next tion to them. The owner has not done coach Joachim Loew were at the after Wenger.” to City for a then sizeable £25m ($35m) transfer. sees him and how his family see him, and Monday. He won two Premier League titles at City but was loaned out to Sevilla the rest really is irrelevant.” and then sold to Antalyaspor at the end of last season. 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018

Russia gives Olympic Beijing set to spend big as it athletes a heroes’ prepares for 2022 Olympics welcome AFP AFP once lived were abandoned ear- he groomed the nearby Genting Pyeongchang Mayor Sim Jae-guk, IOC lier this year and are set to be ski resort, which will hold some President Thomas Bach and Beijing Mayor MOSCOW: Russian fans CHONGLI, China: Villages are demolished. events. Chen Jining are seen at the Olympic ﬂag yesterday gave gold medal- being razed in northern China. A new expressway and high- China’s new national sliding handover during the closing ceremony of winning athletes a heroes’ Mountains are being cut to size. speed train for whisking athletes centre (for bobsledding and luge) the 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the welcome home at a Moscow And new stadiums, high-speed to events will cut through the will run to at least $257m. The airport following games over- Pyeongchang Stadium last Sunday. train lines, expressways and area. national alpine ski centre for ski shadowed by the country’s three separate Olympic villages Ying Gui, 64, and his family racing will cost $311m. A Nordic doping scandal. are coming to life. of five are among the few centre with ski jumping is esti- Russia’s team competed With the Pyeongchang remaining villagers. mated at $246m. as “Olympic Athletes from Games in South Korea having “We will leave once we sell Even projects to rehabilitate Russia” (OAR) and were una- wrapped up on Sunday, the focus all this,” said his daughter-in- land scarred by mining that tour- ble to fly the national flag at turns to Beijing as China spends law, waving at the candies, rice ists might see out the window as the closing ceremony. big to host its first Winter Olym- wine and gloves packed onto the they hurtle north from Beijing Two athletes competing pics in 2022. shelves of their home, which are under way. in the games, curler Alexan- Still four years out, the tab doubles as the village store. When summed together, der Krushelnitsky, and for the Games has ticked “We will have no home, no earmarked costs for a portion of women’s bobsleigh pilot upwards, with outlays appear- land for crops, nothing at all left,” the Olympic projects already Nadezhda Sergeyeva, gave ing to eclipse the budget in she said, adding however that exceeds $2bn, according to the positive tests for doping and Beijing’s winning bid by at least she was satisfied with the com- estimates in bid requests have been provisionally half a billion dollars, according pensation offered by the reviewed by the media. suspended. to a review of government government. That vast sum does not Yet the mood was buoy- requests for the massive project. Ying is not sure what he will include the billions needed for ant as fans feted athletes Beijing won the Games for do. He sold his 40 cows and har- the high-speed rail line or including the men’s ice its willingness to spend. For the vested his last crop of potatoes expressways to link together the hockey team, which on Sun- 2008 Summer Olympics the and purple cabbage. three different Olympic zones, day won the country its first nation poured in an estimated “I’m a farmer,” he said. “I or compensate displaced farm- Olympic title for 26 years $40bn. don’t know what to think.” ers like Ying. against Germany, and That event amounted to a For now Ying often wanders Ballooning costs for host cit- 15-year-old figure skating stunning coming out party for up the mountain where work- ies shelved plans to host the sensation Alina Zagitova, all the rising giant -- but afterwards ers are burrowing tunnels for the 2022 Games in a slew of Euro- decked in gold medals. many of the venues sat empty. train and expressway. He can sell pean cities, and have been the A crowd carrying flowers Beijing has pledged this time scrap metal he finds at the con- focus of reforms under way at and balloons and chanting will be different, with officials struction site for a couple of the International Olympic “Well done!” greeted the ath- drumming up sustainable devel- cents a pound. Committee. letes as they arrived at opment and post-Olympics plans Extra budget requests, on top The Beijing Games may not Moscow’s Sheremetyevo for the heap of new facilities. of $1.5bn allocated in China’s bid be an example of thriftiness for airport. But in Chongli, where snow- for the Games, show Beijing is other nations to emulate. The head of the Russian board and ski events like the once again pulling out all the Heavy private financing Olympic Committee Alexan- halfpipe will run, thousands of stops to put on a flawless Win- described in its bid has given event in a star-studded cere- project, but the government has der Zhukov thanked the farmers are being pushed from ter Olympics. way to funding from government mony featuring actor Jackie ample cash.” athletes for making the deci- their land. The rural corridor north of and state-owned enterprises, the Chan and pianist Lang Lang. Ying’s family too said they sion to compete despite the In Taizicheng village, the site the city is turning into ski fields, bid requests show. “For winter sports enthusi- did not mind giving up their land. obstacles, which he said their of a planned Olympic village, stadiums and housing. The heavy costs figure little asts like me, I’m a supporter of “We’re happy to give it to the performance had ultimately mammoth train station and snow Millions have been budgeted into the discussion in China, the government’s investment,” nation,” said his daughter-in- swept away. town, only soil remains where just to bring water to the area where state media continues to said Lu Shan, a Beijing snow- law. But they had no plans to hit “Many had doubts about villagers’ homes once stood. and build artificial snow paint the upcoming Games with boarder sipping tea in a Genting the fake snow. whether to go to these Olym- Up the valley, the brick and blowers. an adoring glow. ski lodge. “No one from here can ski, pics but I”m sure that now no red-tiled roof homes of Qipan- “It’s 100 percent man-made In December, Beijing “Perhaps it’s not economi- they come from Beijing,” she one doubts that on Sunday liang village where 300 families snow,” said a snowcat driver as unveiled the emblems for the cally worth it to build this rail said. the gold medal for hockey was won by the team from Russia, and no other,” he said. “Our athletes performed with Russia in their hearts,” Zhukov said. Russian ice hockey player Sergei Andronov, who played in the gold medal-winning side, gave a defiant speech, hugging his daughter. “Thanks to our leadership for helping and allowing our team to play at the Olympics. We proved once again that you can’t break our country. That only makes us stronger,” said the player for Russia’s CSKA. Overall athletes from Russia won 17 medals and out of those two were gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze. At the home Winter Games in 2014, Russia won Lizzy Yarnold and Laura Deas of Great Britain pose after arriving at the Heathrow Airport, London, with their medal’s won at the 2018 Winter Olympics. RIGHT: Russian 29 medals overall (11 gold, 9 ice hockey player Mikhail Grigorenko holds his son during a welcoming ceremony upon his return from the 2018 Winter Olympics, near Moscow. silver and 9 bronze. North Korean delegation returns after Games outreach AP US President Donald Trump North and South Korean offi- Seoul’s decision to allow Kim responded to North Korea’s cials also yesterday began Yong Chol to visit trigged con- SEOUL: North Korea’s delega- overture by saying that talks with working-level talks on the details troversy because South Korea tion to the closing ceremony of North Korea will happen only if of the North’s participation in the had accused him of being the the Winter Olympics left South conditions are right. Paralympics, which begin in mastermind of two attacks on the Korea yesterday after a visit in “We want to talk only under Pyeongchang on March 9. South that killed 50 people in which the former general the right conditions,” Trump said South Korea’s Unification 2010 when he headed the North’s suspected of masterminding at a White House meeting with Ministry said the countries Reconnaissance General Bureau. deadly 2010 military attacks told the nation’s governors on agreed that the North Korean Hundreds of protesters ral- Seoul officials the North is will- Monday. delegation to the Paralympics lied outside the Olympic ing to talk with Washington. The administration’s position will cross into the South via a Stadium, holding signs like The delegation’s return home is that North Korea must make land route on March 7. “Killer Kim Yong Chol go to hell,” completes North Korea’s diplo- a clear commitment to eliminat- During last month’s inter- while Kim attended Sunday’s matic outreach to the South ing its nuclear and missile Korean talks, North Korea said closing ceremony with President during the Pyeongchang Olym- programs before any talks can it would send a 150-member del- Moon and US presidential pics that was seen as an attempt take place. egation including officials, adviser Ivanka Trump. to break out from the isolation The United States applied athletes, artists and cheerlead- Several conservative law- and pressure North Korea faces new sanctions Friday in an ers to the Paralympics. But after makers protested on a road near Two-time Olympic winner Ester Ledecka attends an event to over its nuclear program. extension of what it calls a “max- yesterday’s talks, Seoul’s Unifi- the inter-Korean land border on celebrate her success in Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, in In a meeting with South imum pressure campaign” to cation Ministry said it seemed the Tuesday, demanding Kim apol- Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday. Korean President Moon Jae-in force North Korea to disarm. North no longer intends to send ogize over the attacks before shortly before the Olympic clos- The North sent the sister of artists and cheerleaders but leaving. Seoul should be in control of ballistic missiles that could, when ing ceremony on Sunday, Kim ruler Kim Jong Un to the Feb. 9 would send 20 athletes. Seoul’s Unification Minister international efforts to deal with perfected, target the US Yong Chol, currently vice chair- opening ceremony of the North Korea sent around 500 Cho Myoung-gyon had break- North Korea’s nuclear weapons mainland. man of North Korea’s ruling Pyeongchang Olympics as a spe- people to the Olympics, includ- fast with Kim and other North programme. But experts say South Korea may also need Workers’ Party Central Commit- cial envoy. Kim Yo Jong told ing officials, athletes, artists, Korean officials earlier in the arranging an inter-Korean sum- to persuade the United States and tee, said the North has “ample Moon in a luncheon at Seoul’s journalists and 229 cheerlead- day. mit would be difficult after a year Japan, which are concerned intentions” for holding talks with presidential palace the next day ers who amused spectators with Reviving inter-Korean dia- in which North Korea conducted North Korea is using its outreach the United States, Moon’s office that her brother wishes to meet their synchronized routines and logue is critical for the policies its most powerful nuclear test to Seoul to relieve pressure over said. Moon in North Korea soon. songs. of Moon, a liberal who insists and flight-tested intercontinental its nuclear programmes. WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 SPORT 35

Cambage happy to be NHL: Sharks acquire Kane back in the WNBA in new deal with Sabres AP AP 28 assists in 63 games this sea- NEW YORK : Liz Cambage son for St Louis, which entered needed some time away from NEW YORK: The San Jose Sharks the day just one point out of the basketball to rediscover her acquired left wing Evander Kane Western Conference’s second passion for the sport. from the Buffalo Sabres in wild-card spot. The two-time The 6-foot-8 Australian exchange for a pair of condi- All-Star has 633 points (216 goals center took more than a year tional draft picks and a prospect and 417 assists) in 805 career off after the 2016 Rio Olym- less than an hour before yester- games with the Colorado Ava- pics to “find herself.” day’s NHL trade deadline, per lanche and Blues. Now she’s back in the multiple reports. Foley, a 20-year-old for- WNBA, signing a multiyear Kane fetched a return of a ward, was selected in the third contract with the Dallas 2019 conditional first-round round (No. 78 overall) by Win- Wings earlier this month. draft pick, a 2020 conditional nipeg in 2015. He is currently a She’s returning to the organ- fourth-rounder and prospect junior at Providence College, ization that drafted her Daniel O’Regan. where he has a team-best 34 second overall seven years TSN reports the condition of points in 32 games this season. ago. the first round pick is that, if ** The Columbus Blue Jack- “(Last year) was just a big Kane does re-sign with the ets reportedly acquired forward year of me wanting to step Sharks, the picks remains a first Thomas Vanek from the Vancou- back from a lot of things and -- but it will convert to a 2019 ver Canucks before yesterday’s get the right mentality and second-rounder if he stays. trading deadline for forward Vancouver Canucks’ goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) stops a shot by Arizona Coyotes’ left wing take a lot of things off my The 26-year-old Kane is in Tyler Motte and winger Jussi Jordan Martinook (48) during the first period of their NHL game at Gila River Arena on Sunday. bucket list,” Cambage said in his ninth NHL season, totaling Jokinen. a phone interview yesterday 20 points and 20 assists for 40 TSN’s Bob McKenzie was the before she was formally points through 61 games with the first to report the deal/ first-rounder from the Predators, and three assists in 22 games ** The Columbus Blue Jack- introduced at a news last-place Sabres. Vanek is slated to be an a 2018 fourth-rounder and pros- with Columbus’ American ets acquired center Ryan conference. He has 177 goals and 163 unrestricted free agent follow- pect Victor Ejdsell. Hockey League affiliate, the Kujawinski from the Arizona “I did a self-discovery. ... assists for 340 points in 557 ing the season. The 34-year-old A first-round pick (30th Cleveland Monsters this season. Coyotes in exchange for center I really needed it to remem- career games with Buffalo and has 17 goals and 41 points this overall) by the Blackhawks in The 6-3, 222-pounder will be Jordan Maletta. ber who I am as a person and the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta season and 738 career points 2013, Hartman was in his sec- assigned to Ottawa’s AHL affili- Kujawinski, 22, has one goal what direction I want to be Thrashers. (350 goals, 388 assists) in his ond full season with Chicago and ate, the Belleville Senators. and three assists with 11 penalty going in. I matured a lot. It The No. 4 overall pick of the 13-year career. Motte, 22, has had tallied eight goals and 17 ** The Vegas Golden Knights minutes in 24 AHL games with was great for me to step back Thrashers in 2009 is in the last five points (three goals, two assists for 25 points through 57 traded forward Brendan Leipsic the Binghamton Devils and Tuc- and remember who I am.” year of his six-year deal with an assists) in 31 games this season. games in 2017-18. to the Vancouver Canucks in son Roadrunners this season. He Cambage was only 19 annual cap hit of $5.25m. After He was a fourth-round pick of ** The Columbus Blue Jack- exchange for defenseman Philip has recorded 37 points (13 goals, when the Tulsa Shock drafted the franchise relocated to Win- the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 ets acquired defenseman Ian Holm. 24 assists) and 69 penalty min- her and she acknowledged nipeg, the Jets traded Kane to the and has 12 career points (seven Cole from the Ottawa Senators Leipsic, a 23-year-old left utes in 115 career AHL games. He that the Oklahoma city wasn’t Sabres on Feb. 11, 2015. goals, five assists) in 64 games in exchange for center Nick wing, has two goals and 11 assists was selected by the New Jersey the right fit. ** One of the hottest teams over parts of two seasons. Moutrey and a third-round pick for 13 points through 44 games Devils in the third round of 2013 “I wasn’t happy in Tulsa. in the league and closing in on ** The Nashville Predators in the 2020 NHL draft. with Vegas in his first full NHL NHL draft. I was 19 and looking for a the top overall seed in the West- acquired left wing Ryan Hartman Cole, 29, was previously season. Maletta, 22, was signed by team that was going to sup- ern Conference, the Winnipeg from the Chicago Blackhawks in acquired by the Senators on Fri- Holm, 26, made his NHL Columbus as a free agent on port me and help me grow,” Jets acquired veteran two-way a multi-player deal less than day in a trade with the Pittsburgh debut Friday -- at Vegas -- March 21, 2016. He has collected said Cambage, who only forward Paul Stastny from the three hours before the Penguins. He has 90 points (18 recording a plus/minus of 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) and played in 2011 and 2013 with St Louis Blues in exchange for a deadline. goals, 72 assists) with 332 pen- minus-2 in 15 minutes, 12 sec- 101 penalty minutes in 104 career Tulsa. 2018 first-round pick, prospect Hartman, 23, was dealt to alty minutes in 385 career NHL onds of ice time. He has 11 goals games with Cleveland over the “I don’t think that hap- Erik Foley and a conditional Nashville along with the Chica- games with the Penguins and St. and 18 assists (29 points) in 42 past two seasons, including four pened in Tulsa. I’m older now fourth-round pick in 2020. go’s 2018 fifth-round draft pick Louis Blues. games with Utica of the AHL this assists and 32 penalty minutes and more mature.” Stastny, 32, has 12 goals and in exchange for a 2018 Moutrey, 22, has three goals season. in 28 contests in 2017-18. When the franchise moved to Dallas a few years ago, Cambage began consid- ering a comeback after her hiatus from the WNBA. A trip Hoy tips Kennys to win to the Texas city in May helped seal the deal. world track medals Cambage got to talk with staff members, including coach Fred Williams, who AFP are both capable of going home weren’t in Tulsa when she from Apeldoorn in the Nether- was drafted. Also, former APELDOORN, Netherlands: lands with something tangible. Australia teammate Erin Phil- Husband and wife Olympic “I think Jason will medal in lips was now working with cycling champions Jason and the team sprint, although they the Wings. The two Aussies Laura Kenny will make their (Britain) are not by any stretch of have been tight ever since return to international competi- the imagination assured to medal, Cambage started playing for tion at the World Track Cycling so if they get a bronze it will be a the national team. Championships this week and great result,” Hoy said from “It’s a pretty cool city,” former British cyclist Chris Hoy Monaco, where he was attending Cambage said of Dallas. believes they can win medals. the Laureus Awards. “Erin’s been a big sister to me. After winning five Olympic “Jason has kept ticking it over When I joined the Australia gold medals between them in Rio and was still riding his bike but team, I was 17 or 18. She took in 2016, the couple got married wasn’t riding flat out. me under her wing. It will be and took 2017 off to start a fam- “He just seems to have come great having her here as an ily. And Hoy, whose British record back with rejuvenated enthusi- assistant coach as well.” Philadelphia Phillies’ outfielder Dylan Cozens (77) is tagged out by New York Yankees’ third of six Olympic gold medals Jason asm for his sport and that is the Cambage also credited baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) as he slides into third during the fifth inning of a Spring Training Kenny matched with a triple vic- perfect way to do it. If he had kept Australian national team baseball game at Spectrum Field. tory in Brazil, said that while they racing, I think he would have def- coach Sandy Brondello for won’t dominate as before, they initely chucked it in.” convincing her to play in the WNBA again. Brondello, who coaches the Phoenix Mercury, told Cambage that she should Seung-Hwan go up against the best competition, which exists in the Oh, Blue Jays Kings beat Golden Knights 3-2 WNBA. In the past, former Aus- finalise deal AP his first goal of the season when his shot to just start with your next shift. It’s a sim- tralian coaches would deflected in off the helmet of Vegas’ Cody ple thing. There are no three-point plays.” strongly encourage players to AP LOS ANGELES: The new kids kept having Eakin. The Golden Knights appeared to have stay in Australia to train for their way with the Los Angeles Kings - until “It was a great game,” Golden Knights things in hand early. the Olympics and world DUNEDIN: Free agent late in the game Monday night. coach Gerrard Gallant said. “Our team com- In a tight game, they seemed to take championships and not play reliever Seung-Hwan Oh and Anze Kopitar tied the score with 10.8 sec- peted hard and played really well tonight. command 47 seconds into the third when in the WNBA. Cambage gives the Toronto Blue Jays have onds left in the third period and Dustin We had a 2-0 lead and, unfortunately, they Smith came around from behind the net to the Wings a dominant post finalised a $2m, one-year Brown delivered a power-play goal 3:14 into got a power-play goal that was a bit lucky.” flick William Karlsson’s rebound past Quick player. Getting her to play contract. overtime, rallying the Kings to a 3-2 victory Los Angeles pulled Quick and, after a for his 21st goal of the season and a 2-0 lead. was a priority for Wings pres- The deal announced yes- against the Vegas Golden Knights. flurry of shots, tied it 2-all when Kopitar took The Golden Knights struck first 4:37 into ident Greg Bibb when he terday includes a $1.75m It was the first win for Los Angeles in a sharp pass from Dion Phaneuf on the left the game, which appeared to be particularly joined the franchise in 2015. salary this year and a $2.5m three games against the expansion Golden side and fired it past Fleury for his 26th goal. bad news for Los Angeles. Vegas had been “I made a short list of pri- team option for 2019 with a Knights, who sit atop the Western Confer- “The flurry at the end was outstanding,” 26-3 when scoring first. orities. No. 1 on that list was $250,000 buyout. The sec- ence. The teams meet again today in Las Stevens said. “Guys came up with a lot of The opening score came from Haula, sign Liz Cambage,” Bibb said ond year would become Vegas. loose pucks. There was a lot of hunger for who broke through alone on the right side at the news conference. guaranteed if he appears in “You know what? We stayed with it,” loose pucks.” and fired a wrist shot over Quick’s left shoul- “Obviously, I was very famil- 70 games this season. Kings coach John Stevens said after his team Fleury appeared to be headed for his der. It was his 23rd of the season. iar with her from her previous Oh could make $500,000 stopped a two-game skid. “We chased the third shutout of the season until the Kings’ But things turned late. experience in this league and in performance bonuses game a little bit there.” late rally. Then they started patiently with “They kept creating chances,” Smith said. mine. I recognised her as a based on pitching appear- Jeff Carter, in his second game back after their power play in overtime, working the “They created a lot of scrambles in front of game-changer. When I ances: $125,000 each for 40, missing 55 with a cut tendon, trimmed Los puck around until Brown found Tyler Tof- the net. We played a good team game. Quick looked at our roster back 50, 60 and 70. Angeles’ deficit to 2-1 on a power play at foli’s rebound in front of a sprawled-out made a lot of big saves and kept them in it.” then, I didn’t feel like we had He also could make $1m 12:28 of the third. Jonathan Quick stopped Fleury and flicked it in for the Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault the right mix. We’ve worked in bonuses for games finished: 37 shots. Erik Haula and Reilly Smith scored game-winner. was happy with the Knights’ play and upset hard over the last two years $125,000 apiece for 25, 30, for Vegas. Marc-Andre Fleury made 41 saves. It was Brown’s 19th goal of the season. about only one thing: “Fleury was outstand- to get the right mix. And we 35 and 40m and $250,000 Los Angeles needed a bit of luck to finally “You can’t look at the scoreboard during and he didn’t get the win. That’s the only had one piece of the puzzle each for 45 and 50. break through against Fleury. Carter scored ing the game,” Brown said. “I mean, you have thing that’s not positive.” to add, and that’s Liz.” WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 36

It is hugely important to SPORT try and break down the FA Cup PSL barriers that have existed in FOOTBALL CRICKET Tottenham Hotspur Islamabad United golf between the men’s and Thomas Bjorn, women’s games. Ryder Cup captain vs Rochdale vs Quettta Gladiators Qatar set to host Bonallack and Patsy Hankins events next month

ARMSTRONG VAS morning and five four-ball matches each THE PENINSULA afternoon. On the final day, all twelve team players DOHA: Doha Golf Club which last week played will compete in singles match play. host to the world’s leading golfers at the A win will count as one point, a half yields Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - European half a point and a lost match will return zero. Tour event – will welcome some of the top In the event of a tie, the trophy shall be retained amateur men and women players during the by the holders. Bonallack and Patsy Hankins tournaments. The World Amateur Golf Ranking will be The two events, to be held from March used as the main reference in addition to a 8-10 at the Peter Harradine designed course, number of captain’s picks. According to the will pit the best of male and female amateur match conditions, no more than two players European players against an Asia-Pacific may be selected from the same country. team. Meanwhile, Europe has announced its The men will be vying for the Bonallack team. Trophy while the women for the Patsy Hankins European Team: Edgar Catherine (France), honours in the three-day tournament. Todd Clements (England), Robin Dawson (Ire- Two teams of twelve representing Europe land), Oliver Gillberg (Sweden), Marc Hammer and Asia- Pacific will be vying for top honours (Germany), Rasmus Hojgaard (Denmark), in the tournament which will be played in Matias Honkala (Finland), Angel Hidalgo Por- match-play format. tillo (Spain), Matthew Jordan (England), Fred- The first two days, of the three days format, eric Lacroix (France), Kristoffer Reitan will comprise five foursomes matches each (Norway), Sami Valimaki (Finland).

MotoGP riders set for last shakedown Coric beats Gasquet at Losail ahead of Qatar opener to advance in Dubai AFP Grigor THE PENINSULA Dimitrov A ﬁle picture of one of DUBAI: Croatian Borna Coric of Bulgaria the riders taking part in DOHA: The MotoGP field is in Qatar for one returned to the scene of one of serves during the MotoGP race at Losail final three-day test under the lights to make his best wins, starting the Dubai the Dubai International Circuit. their final preparations before lining up for championships on Tuesday Duty Free real. with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over singles match Losail International Circuit in Qatar will injured Richard Gasquet. yesterday. be hosting the first race of 2018, but before The Frenchman was both- the lights go out and the points are in play, ered by a knee injury which there’s one last three-day test at the venue limited his effectiveness in the from March 1 to 3 – the final shakedown and 76-minute match. chance to get in gear for the season. Cric will next face a second So far in testing, Honda have been on a Frenchman, Benoit Paire, who roll, with Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka Gasquet made the effort but (Repsol Honda Team) joined by Cal on Monday. was unable to get the win. Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) in the upper German Jan-Lennard Struff “He did came back in the echelons of the timesheets at both Sepang advanced to the second round both sets, it was pretty good and Buriram. beating Andreas Haider-Maurer effort from him,” the winner The going seems to be going well for the of Austria 6-2, 6-4. said. “But I managed to stay Japanese factory – but Qatar can sometimes Coric beat Andy Murray calm. I didn’t panic. It was prove more difficult, and they’ll be wanting here in a 2015 quarter-final but good.” Coric said he first to get as setup as possible for the race to their sights set on the top five. Alex Rins, Meanwhile at Yamaha, the test is another went out in the second round a learned of Gasquet’s condition attack from the front. starting his sophomore season at full power opportunity for the Iwata marque to figure year later. when the Frenchman cancelled At Ducati, Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) after injury troubles last year, especially out their issues before there are 25 points “I knew Gasquet was semi- a Friday training session at the set the quickest ever lap of the track in shone in Buriram, but team-mate Andrea on the board. injured, but I didn’t know what Aviation Club. Sepang in the first test, but then find Bur- Iannone is always a threat on race day. After initial good reports at Sepang, to expect,” the 50th-ranked “I saw yesterday he played iram much tougher going. He’ll be raring to And Red Bull KTM Factory Racing once Thailand was more difficult and both Coric said. “I was really just doubles. They won. I knew he get back on track on the GP18 at another dif- again showed their progress in preseason Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Mav- trying to focus on myself. was injured on Friday, but...” ferent venue – and Andrea Dovizioso, his so far – looking to mix it up with their fellow erick Viñales and Valentino Rossi left the “Otherwise I could get lost Coric added: “I was happy with teammate, will too. factories more often from the off. venue needing more track time in Qatar in the match. I was just trying my return, that got me through Team Suzuki Ecstar had early crashes In Buriram it was Bradley Smith and to try and work on their problems. Grip to be aggressive, trying just to the match. I was not serving for both riders, but it’s all largely positive for Mika Kallio on track, but the injured Pol issues remain – with the electronics a move him as much as possible, very well and was not happy the Hamamatsu factory so far and they have Espargaro should be back in action at Qatar. key focus. not play only in one place.” with it.” 5 female golfers to take part in men’s European Tour event AP It is not the first time women Bjerregaard and Thorbjorn Olesen have been included in a European are the defending champions. VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND: Tour field, however. Teams will be split into four Five female golfers will compete American golfer Michelle Wie groups of four, with the top two in a men’s European Tour event played in the European Masters in each advancing to the knockout in May as part of more innova- in 2006, missing the cut at 15 stage. Both players tee off before tions to the GolfSixes tournament. over. From 1988-91, the Benson choosing the better of the two Suzann Pettersen and Mel and Hedges Trophy was a mixed drives and completing each hole Reid will form a European Wom- strokeplay event on the tour. with one ball, hitting alternately. en’s team and Georgia Hall and It was announced last year There will be a 40-second shot Charley Hull will combine for an that Laura Davies will play in The clock in play. England Women’s team in the six- Shipco Masters on the European “All tours are trying to think hole match-play tournament at Seniors Tour in Denmark in June. of ways to make golf different and Centurion Club, England, on May The move to include women encourage a new and younger 5-6. in GolfSixes has the full backing audience,” Matthew said, “and so In another team, Ryder Cup of the European Tour’s all-male I think this whole concept is very captain Thomas Bjorn will join tournament committee, said Keith exciting.” forces with Solheim Cup captain Pelley, the tour chief executive. The European Tour said data Catriona Matthew. There will be a fourth “wild from the inaugural GolfSixes last “It is hugely important to try card” team, which will be year showed a 42 percent and break down the barriers that revealed next month, to play increase in new golf fans at the have existed in golf between the alongside the 11 men’s national event compared to regular Euro- European Team members Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, Catriona Matthew of men’s and women’s games,” Bjorn teams who will qualify automat- pean Tour events. Those Scotland, Graeme Matthew of Scotland and Suzann Pettersen of Norway said. ically from the European Tour attendees were also 14 percent celebrate Tthier win at the Solheim Cup on Day Two at the Colorado Golf The female players will play ranking list. younger than those seen during Club in Parker, Colorado, in this ﬁle picture. off forward tees. Denmark pair Lucas the rest of the golfing calendar.