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Home , Al Sadd SC, Ashen Bandara, ATP Tour 250, Marcus Daniell, Yusuf Abdurisag

TTENNISENNIS | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 Djokovic sets Allen leads WI all-time record to three- as world’s top win and series player triumph

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 FOOTBALL Rajab 25, 1442 AH Al Sadd’s goal GULF TIMES is to win all the tournaments: SPORT Page 7

TENNIS / EXXONMOBIL OPEN Thiem looks to bounce back from ‘devastating’ AO loss Austrian top seed and US Open champ will face semi-finalist in his Round of 16 clash

By Mikhil Bhat His best fi nish in had ATP Tour returned post the Doha also not ended according to plan Covid-19-enforced break, win- as he pulled out of the semi-fi nal ning the US Open, reaching against Gael Monfi ls in 2018 due quarters at Roland Garros and n the third round of the Aus- to fever. in , before missing out tralian Open last month, Joining Thiem at the tourna- on the ATP Finals title to Daniil mounted ment in the Qatari capital will be Medvedev, Thiem felt the halt in a fi ghtback from two sets former world No. 1 and 20-time action felt like it was longer than Idown against home boy Nick champion Roger Fe- it really was. “…three years or Kyrgios. Again down two sets derer, who only a day earlier had something, felt like a very long against Grigov Dimitrov in the spoken of the Austrian’s fi rst time,” he said. fourth round, Thiem couldn’t hit Grand Slam win at the US Open. “Many things have happened repeat. Thiem said he was looking for- on and off the court. Everyone He was candid after that loss ward to the Swiss’ return to the was preparing for Indian Wells, that he wasn’t a 100 percent, Tour after a year’s gap. and then the tournament was even though he took nothing cancelled. In the beginning I away from his Bulgarian op- I just love to watch him thought that Tour is going to be ponent, adding that he wished play . It looks so back in 2-3 weeks, and every- Dimitrov “can make a great beautiful, it looks so thing is going to be normal again. breakthrough at a Grand Slam”. the way he plays, But slowly of course me and eve- And that was that. ‘the way he approaches the ryone else realised that it is all Less than a month later, the game of tennis. I am a big very serious, a dangerous thing Austrian is at the Khalifa In- fan of him and that’s why I is going on and it is going to be a ternational Tennis and Squash really love that he is back longer break. Memories are still Complex for the Qatar Exxon- and I can watch him again very clear, but the daily routine Mobil Open as the top seed and is of myself and all the athletes is hoping to forget what he referred — Dominic Thiem, back for months now, so feels a to as a “pretty devastating loss”. on ’s return bit more normal, I guess.” “It is going to be fi rst matches, Thiem, who received a fi rst fi rst tournament in a month since “I think I speak for everybody, round bye, is up against Russian a pretty devastating loss at the even though we are rivals and we wildcard Aslan Karatsev, who Australian Open; I still had to want to beat each other in tour- won his fi rst round match against digest that one, to settle every- naments, but I just love to watch Qatari wildcard Mubarak Shan- thing,” the world No. 4 told a vir- him play tennis. It looks so beau- nan Zayid 6-4, 6-0 yesterday, in tual press conference in the Doha tiful, it looks so nice the way he the second round. yesterday. plays, the way he approaches the Karatsev had impressed many “But I guess, that’s done now, game of tennis. I am a big fan of with his run through the qualify- and it’s time to focus on new him and that’s why I really love ing rounds before falling to even- things and the tournament here Dominic Thiem’s best finish at Qatar ExxonMobil Open was when he had reached the semi-finals in the 2018 edition. that he is back and I can watch him tual champion in in Doha is the fi rst chance to play again. That’s pretty much what the Australian Open semi-fi nals better again, to get confi dence, to tions over the last weeks for this I will try to have some good re- level from the very fi rst point.” the Qatari capital, and fi rst time everybody’s thinking. I hope that last month. The two players, who get good results and to forget the tournament, and it is going to be sults. But the draw is unbeliev- This will be the fourth time since a forgettable exit against he is coming back strong as well,” were born a day apart in Septem- pretty tough start of the season. my last tournament on the hard ably strong, I will just try to have that the 27-year-old will play Frenchman Pierre-Hughes Her- Thiem said yesterday. ber of 1993, have never played “I have had good prepara- courts for a pretty long time, so a good start, be there on a good in the ATP 250 tournament in bert in 2019. While he did play after the each other on the Tour.

SPOTLIGHT Former champs Gasquet, Bautista Agut win on Day 1

By Sports Reporter a crucial break point each in the id 6-4, 6-0 in 65 minutes. Alexander Bublik (KAZ) bt Wawrinka (SUI) Doha next two sets. Karatsev won 24 of 27 fi rst- Q-Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) 6-D. Goff in (BEL) vs F. Kraji- Frenchman Gasquet took only service points and now plays top- 6-4, 6-2 novic (SRB) an hour and 15 minutes for his seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem  (USA) bt Lorenzo COURT A start 2:30 pm he two former champi- fi rst victory of the season, beat- in the second round of the ATP 250 Sonego (ITA) 7-6 (5), 6-4 Q-C. O’Connell (AUS) vs V. ons in action had con- ing Rola 6-4, 6-4. Gasquet, who event. Thiem is competing in his  (FRA) bt Pospisil (CAN) trasting victories on the had lost his only match of 2021 to fi rst tournament since a fourth- Q-Blaz Rola (SLO) 6-4, 6-4 J. Millman (AUS) / D. Vega fi rst day of the Qatar Mackenzie McDonald of the US round exit at the Australian Open. WC-Aslan Karatsev (RUS) Hernandez (ESP) vs WC-B. Rola ExxonMobilT Open yesterday. in the second Melbourne tourna- American Taylor Fritz took a bt WC-Mubarak Shannan Zayid (SLO) / M. Zayed (QAT) While the 2013 winner Rich- ment before the Australian Open 2-1 lead in head-to-head with (QAT) 6-4, 6-0 Not Before 5pm ard Gasquet eased past Slovenian last month, faces the in-form by beating the 5- (ESP) D. Lajovic (SRB) vs M. Fucso- qualifi er Blaz Rola in straight Russian next. Italian 7-6 (5), 6-4. Elsewhere, bt (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 vics (HUN) sets, the 2019 champion Roberto Rublev, the defending cham- Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilash- Doubles (Round of 16) M. Arevalo (ESA) / M. Middelk- Bautista Agut faced a tall task, pion, is fresh off his victory in vili snapped a fi ve-match losing 1-Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)/ oop (NED) vs 2-N. Mektic (CRO) / even literally, when he fought back Rotterdam. streak by beating (COL) bt WC-Malek M. Pavic (CRO) from a set down to beat American “It’s great for me to come of Australia 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one Jaziri (TUN)/Mubarak Shannan COURT B not before 3:30 pm Reilly Opelka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the here... I have great memories hour and 52 minutes. Basilashvili Zayid (QAT) 6-3, 6-2 N. Basilashvili (GEO) / A. last singles match of the day at the playing here. It’s one of the best will next face the winner of the  (NZL)/Philipp Bublik (KAZ) vs F. Nielsen (DEN) / Khalifa International Tennis and tournaments in the world, so of match between wildcard Malek Oswald (AUT) bt 3- T. Puetz (GER) Squash Complex. course it’s great for me to come Jaziri of Tunisia and Slovakian (CRO)/Filip Polasek (SVK) 6-3, 6-7 Not Before 5pm Opelka, at 6 feet 11 inches, is back and I hope to play good,” Richard Gasquet and Roberto Bautista Agut (right) lucky loser Norbert Gombos. The (2), 11-9 K. Krawietz (GER) / R. Opelka the joint tallest player on the ATP Gasquet said in an on-court in- latter found place in the main (USA) vs 4-M. Melo (BRA) / J. Tour with Croatian Ivo Karlovic, terview after the win. “I know the kumar Ramanathan 6-4, 6-2 in ternational Tennis and Squash draw after Croatian eighth seed TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY Rojer (NED) and made full use of his booming next opponent will be tough, but 73 minutes. Bublik has already Complex to qualify for the Aus- Borna Coric pulled out citing a CENTRE COURT start 2:30pm A. Karatsev (RUS) / A. Rublev serve to fi re 22 aces to Bautista I have nothing to lose and I’ll try reached two ATP Tour fi nals this tralian Open in Melbourne, shoulder injury. J. Chardy (FRA) vs D. Evans (RUS) vs L. Sonego (ITA) / A. Agut’s 6 through the match. And my best to win.” year, in Antalya and Singapore, where he reached the semi-fi - (GBR) Vavassori (ITA) while his serve helped him save Kazakh wildcard Alexander falling short on both the occa- nals, Russian wildcard Aslan Ka- YESTERDAY’S RESULTS LL-N. Gombos (SVK) vs WC-M. COURT 1 start not before 5pm the three break points he faced Bublik will take on Spanish fi fth sions. ratsev returned to winning ways Singles (Round I) Jaziri (TUN) (After Suitable Rest) J. Chardy in the fi rst set, the Spanish world seed Bautista Agut after knock- Two months on from winning yesterday. He swept past Qatari  (GEO) bt Not Before 6pm (FRA) / F. Martin (FRA) vs J. Erlich No. 13 did manage to chip away ing out Indian qualifi er Ram- three matches at the Khalifa In- wildcard Mubarak Shannan Zay- John Millman (AUS) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 Q-L. Harris (RSA) vs 7-S. (ISR) / A. Vasilevski (BLR) Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 9, 2021 SPORT

TENNIS MOTOGP Barwa title Djokovic sets sponsor of all-time record as Grand Prix of Qatar By Sports Reporter and once again, Aleix Espargaro Doha (Aprilia Racing Team) was up the world’s top player sharp end on the brand-new RS- GP – a 1:54.152 saw the Spaniard Djokovic reclaimed the top ranking from Nadal in February 2020 orna Sports yesterday place 0.212 off Quartararo. announced Barwa as Day 2 brought the best condi- AFP the title sponsor for tions the riders have faced since Paris Dthe 2021 Grand Prix pitlane opened at the Losail of Qatar. The event takes place International Circuit on Friday at Losail International Circuit afternoon. There was still a little ovak Djokovic set from March 26 to 28. and will bit of wind swirling across the a new landmark of be offi cially named the Barwa track but nowhere near as bad as 311 weeks as world Grand Prix of Qatar. Founded in the Shakedown and Saturday’s number one yesterday, 2005, Barwa is the largest listed fi rst Offi cial Test Day – great None week longer than Roger Fe- real estate company in Qatar in news for the runners. Midway derer whose tally of a record 20 terms of development and has through Sunday’s action, HRC Grand Slam titles is now fi rmly become a key contributor to test rider Stefan Bradl had beat- in the Serb’s sights. the stratospheric growth of the en Aleix Espargaro’s Day 1 pace “Big day today”, tennis super- country. – albeit by mere thousandths – wrote on Twitter. Dorna said Barwa’s com- and the pace would get quicker Djokovic, 33, won his 18th mitment to the development as the day passed by. major at the Australian Open in of Qatar makes the company a Quartararo didn’t enjoy the February. perfect partner for one of the best return to track on Saturday With Federer turning 40 in country’s best established in- as he fi nished outside the top August, the Serb has time on his ternational sporting events. Pau ten and struggled readjusting to side. He is also a year younger Serracanta, Managing Direc- his M1, but the 21-year-old was than who also has tor of Dorna Sports: “I’m very much more comfortable from 20 majors. happy to announce that Barwa the beginning on day two. Asked “It really excites me to walk will take top billing at the fi rst about his feelings and trying out the path of legends and giants Grand Prix of the season. Qatar the new chassis package, Quar- of this sport,” said Djokovic, in is a spectacular place to race and tararo said: “Well yes, today the a statement released by the ATP. welcoming a new title partner feeling was much better. It is “To know that I earned my is great news for both parties, still diffi cult to evaluate because place among them by following further cementing MotoGP as a we didn’t stay with the same my childhood dream is a beauti- key international sporting event package as yesterday. So it was ful confi rmation that when you in the country and region.” not easy to make clear com- do things out of love and pas- ments about the 2021 chassis. sion, everything is possible.” QUARTARARO QUICKEST We also tried a new swing arm, He has spent 88 weeks at ON DAY 2 but the feeling was not the best, number one, across two diff er- Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo so we need to try it better and in ent stints. Djokovic reclaimed was the fastest rider on day 2 of all conditions.” the top ranking from Nadal in the offi cial MotoGP testing at Maverick Vinales ended the February 2020 and fi nished as the Losail International Circuit day two Day 2 in P7, 0.455s year-end number one for the on Sunday night. The French- from his teammate Quartararo. sixth time, tying the record set man becomes the fi rst and so It wasn’t a totally slick day by . far only rider to dip into the 1:53 for Vinales, both he and test ATP Chairman Andrea Gau- seconds. rider Cal Crutchlow crashed at denzi said: “Novak’s many in daily newspaper Vecernje Ducati’s Jack Miller was less Qatar’s notorious Turn 2 – both achievements in tennis are novosti. than a tenth off his Yamaha rival were perfectly ok. nothing short of extraordinary. Videos of the most impor- Among them this record may tant moments of his career will stand as his single most impres- be projected on town sive. “Reaching No. 1 is some- hall on Monday evening, and thing many players dream of and the capital’s authorities called very few ever accomplish, and to on fans to gather and honour have held the top spot for longer Djokovic despite the pandemic than anyone is testament to the measures. levels of sustained excellence that Novak has redefi ned in our ATP rankings as of March 8: sport.” 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12,030 Federer, who returns to action points in Doha this week after more 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,850 than a year out of action to re- 3. (RUS) 9,735 cover from two knee operations, 4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 9,125 slipped out of the top fi ve on 5. (GRE) Monday to sixth. His place was 6,660 (+1) taken by Stefanos Tsitsipas. 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,630 Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo in action during the first off icial MotoGP Djokovic made his top 100 de- (-1) test at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday. but in July 2005, just weeks after 7. (GER) 5,615 Nadal had won his fi rst Roland 8. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 5,019 Garros. 9. (ARG) He was top 50 in June 2006, 3,640 top 20 for the fi rst time in Oc- 10. (ITA) tober 2006 and top 10 by March 3,480 2007. 11. (CAN) He fi rst became world number 2,910 one at the age of 24 on July 4, 12. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2,860 2011, the day after winning Australian Open champion Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with the Australian Open trophy. 13. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,770 Wimbledon for the fi rst time, 14. David Goff in (BEL) 2,760 beating Nadal in the fi nal. by November and with the ex- man to break the $100mn prize the majors, including 2019’s 15. (CAN) 2,630 Only a six-month injury ab- ception of November 2019 until money barrier, ending his ca- epic Wimbledon fi nal where he 16. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2,585 sence in 2017 saw his ranking January last year, when Nadal reer with more Slams than Fe- saved two match points. 17. (BUL) 2,575 plunge, all the way to 22 the fol- reclaimed pole position, he has derer and Nadal. Djokovic’s record was top 18. (ITA) 2,535 lowing summer. been rock solid. In head-to-heads, he leads news in his native Serbia on 19. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) It was just a blip — Djokovic Few would bet against Djok- Federer 27-23 and has won all Monday, with headlines like 2,516 The Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar will take place at the Losail was back at number one again ovic, who in 2016 was the fi rst six of their last meetings at “No-one was never like Nole” 20. (SUI) 2,365 International Circuit from March 26 to 28.

BOTTOMLINE FOCUS IOC does not recognise Ooredoo Silver Sponsor of Lukashenko son’s Belarus Olympic vote Qatar ExxonMobil Open had not appropriately protected the Belaru- Reuters oredoo announced trophy this year, joined by two- Berlin sian athletes from political discrimination,” yesterday it is to re- time Grand Slam winner Stan the IOC said in a statement. prise its role as Silver Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem, It said the IOC Executive Board during OSponsor of the Qatar the fi - he International Olympic Com- its meeting yesterday decided not recognise ExxonMobil Open at this year’s nalist. mittee yesterday refused to recog- Lukashenko’ election as the new president event. Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, nise the election of Belarus Presi- and upheld all provisional measures taken The Qatar ExxonMobil Open Director PR at Ooredoo, said: Tdent Alexander Lukashenko’s son in December. The IOC has said Belarus ath- 2021, the 29th edition of the “We’re delighted to have our Viktor as head of the country’s Olympic letes had not been protected from political ATP 250 tournament, began name linked with the ATP Tour Committee. discrimination during the country’s recent yesterday at the Khalifa Inter- again in 2021 at this prestig- With both father and son having already political turmoil. national Tennis and Squash ious event. Supporting events been banned from attending the Olympic Alexander Lukashenko, who had served Complex in Doha, and is ongo- that promote a healthy, active Games as part of provisional measures taken as the head of the Belarusian Olympic Com- ing until 13 March 2021. lifestyle is a key focus for us at by the IOC in December, the Olympic body mittee since 1997, claimed his sixth presi- The event attracts a large Ooredoo, as is helping to bring said it did not recognise Viktor’s Feb. 26 dential term in August last year in a vote the number of the world’s top as many high-profi le interna- election to the top position of the national opposition says was rigged and marred with players, who are keen to use tional sporting events to Qatar Olympic Committee (NOC). violations. He denies electoral fraud and the opportunity to warm up as possible. We look forward to Viktor succeeded his father as head of the has been accused of orchestrating a massive for Grand Slam events later in welcoming some of the world’s NOC. crackdown on protesters who took to the the year. Multiple Grand Slam greatest tennis stars to Doha, “The IOC also noted with great disap- streets in the wake of last year’s contested winner Roger Federer has con- and to seeing some awesome pointment that the NOC had failed to fully election, as well as targeting elite athletes fi rmed he will challenge for the tennis!” address... that the previous leadership... who openly backed the opposition. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 9, 2021 3

TWENTY20 FOCUS World T20, Ashes loom for Aussies aft er Allen leads Windies disappointing season

Reuters Many of the players most like- ly to take them to a maiden title will head off overseas again next month to hone their T20 skills in ustralia’s international the Indian Premier League. to three-wicket win season came to a close India’s fourth test victory over with an emphatic loss England means Australia will not to in a be contesting the newest global Twenty20A series decider in Wel- trophy in the men’s game with lington on Sunday, leaving many Virat Kohli’s team now set to take questions to be answered over on New Zealand in the World the coming months. Test Championship at Lord’s in Unlike the home test series June. and series triumph loss to India around the New The decision not to tour South Year, there were mitigating cir- Africa all but sealed Australia’s cumstances to the 3-2 defeat at fate on that score but there is a ‘I PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING, INCLUDING BOWLING IN THE POWERPLAY’ the hands of the Black Caps eight blockbuster home Ashes series months out from the T20 World later this year to look forward to. AFP Cup in India. The Australians repaired some St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda There was no question the of the damage done to their rep- squad was weakened by the ab- utation by the Newlands ball- sence of top players including tampering scandal in the manner ll-rounder Fabian Al- David Warner and Steve Smith, of their retaining the urn in Eng- len clobbered three who were selected instead for the land in 2019. sixes off the penulti- test tour of South Africa which The leadership of the captain- mate over to lead West Australia subsequently aborted coach combination of Tim Paine IndiesA to a nervy three-wicket due to health concerns. and Justin Langer that orches- win against Sri Lanka in the fi - After coming out of quaran- trated that feat was, however, nal International on tine, Aaron Finch’s side lost the increasingly questioned during Sunday. fi rst two matches but rebounded and after the humiliating home Chasing a modest target of to level the series before Sun- test series loss to India. just 132, the two-time world day’s decider. Those questions, as well as a champions struggled in the run “I was really pleased with our big one over Australia’s middle- chase as their star trio of Chris resilience through the series to order batting, will be thrashed Gayle, skipper Kieron Pollard bounce back from 2-0 down,” out over the coming months and Dwayne Bravo all fl opped. Finch said after Sunday’s fi fth and, for Finch and his New Zea- Allen’s three sixes came off T20 loss by seven . land tourists, there was just one spinner Akila Dananjaya as the “Even when we lost the second thought as they boarded their 25-year-old Jamaican smashed a game in particular, we were right charter fl ight on Sunday. desperately needed 21 off just six there, probably one swing of the “It’s been a long summer for balls faced at Coolidge Cricket bat from pinching it. There was a a lot of guys who have been in Ground. West Indies fi nished on lot of character from the group.” bubbles, I know some guys in WA 134-7, clinching the three-game The T20 World Cup is the one (Western Australia) haven’t been series 2-1 after a four-wicket global cricket trophy Australia home for quite a few months,” win in the fi rst match followed have never won and they will be Finch said. by Sri Lanka’s 43-run victory in confi dent of being competitive “We’re all looking forward to the second. with a full-strength side in Oc- getting home and seeing family Dananjaya was again the vic- tober and November. and stuff .” tim of some explosive West In- dies batting after Pollard hit six sixes off one of his overs in the fi rst game on Wednesday. India women’s team to play England “I prepare for everything, in one-off Test this year including bowling in the pow- erplay,” said Allen, who earlier India’s women will play their first Test match since 2014 when they took 1-13 opening the bowling. take on England in a one-off game later this year, India’s cricket “When I look in the dressing Fabian Allen of West Indies celebrates winning the 3rd and final T20I against Sri Lanka at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Osbourn, Antigua and board (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said yesterday. room we have a lot of batting Barbuda. (AFP) The test marks the first time India have played in the five-day format power. since November 2014 when they beat South Africa by an innings and “I told (batting partner) Jason national return for the 41-year- But with 20 runs required off his best of 58 in the format made amassed 94-0 at the halfway 34 runs in the southern Indian city of Mysore. Holder that I’m not comfort- old who made just nought and the last 12 balls, Allen smashed against Australia at Pallekele in point. “On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I’m pleased to able batting against (Wanindu) 16 in the fi rst two games. Dananjaya for 20 runs off the 2016. The 31-year-old, playing On Sunday, they managed announce that Team India will play a one-off Test match against Eng- Hasaranga, so I told him to bat Gayle has now gone fi ve years penultimate over for the victory. in his 57th T20 International, just two boundaries in the fi rst land later this year. The women in blue will be donning the whites him out and I’ll be fi nishing. I without a fi fty in T20 interna- It was a topsy-turvy series for had contributed just 11 and three 10 overs with opener Danusha again,” Shah wrote. Shah did not elaborate on where the match just backed myself in the end. It tionals. Dananjaya, who was the fall-guy in the fi rst two games. Gunathilaka, who top-scored would be held. India are currently playing a home one-day inter- was a good performance overall.” Pollard, who became only the for Pollard’s pyrotechnics last Bandara, 22 and on his debut Friday with 56, out this time for national series with South Africa, their first series since last year’s The home side were cruising third man to hit six sixes in an Wednesday having taken a hat- tour, hit an unbeaten 44 with just nine, caught and bowled by Twenty 20 World Cup after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancel- after limiting Sri Lanka to 131-4. international over on Wednes- trick in the same game. three fours and his team’s only Allen. The two sides will now lation of the England tour and postponement of a tour to Australia. Openers Evin Lewis (21) and day, was bowled by seamer Earlier, former skipper Dinesh two sixes. Sri Lanka were in play three ODIs and two Tests, Meanwhile, England hosted West Indies in a T20 series in September Lendl Simmons (26) gave them Dushmantha Chameera for Chandimal hit his fi fth Twen- desperate trouble early in their all in Antigua. and travelled to New Zealand last month to play in limited overs a solid start before Sri Lanka leg nought. Bravo too went for a ty20 International half-century innings, reaching 10 overs with international matches. spinner Hasaranga (2-13) dis- duck, a second wicket in two as he and promising youngster just 47 on the board for the loss BRIEF SCORES missed them both for a series balls for Sandakan having also Ashen Bandara took Sri Lanka to of four wickets having won the West Indies 134 for 7 (Simmons 73-0: AUSSIE WOMEN CRICKETERS FINALLY GET A STATUE haul of eight wickets. sent back Rovman Powell. a modest 131-4. toss and deciding to bat fi rst. 26, Pooran 23, Sandakan 3-29) Sports-mad Australia has 73 statues and sculptures of cricketers Wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan fi nished with 3-29 Chandimal carved out an un- On their way to winning the beat Sri Lanka 131 for 4 (Chandi- dotted around the country, and they all depict men. But that will Sandakan clean-bowled Gayle to follow his 3-10 from Friday’s defeated 54 with three bounda- second game on Friday at the mal 54*, Bandara 44*, Allen 1-13) change with Cricket Australia yesterday commissioning the first of for 13, completing a poor inter- game. ries to fi nish four runs short of same venue by 43 runs, they had by three wickets a female player to address the glaring gender imbalance. Who will be immortalised in bronze has not been revealed, but it will go on prominent display at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The governing body also announced a working group to further champion female recognition, including naming sporting ground stands after women, Women’s World Cups to get two more teams from 2026: ICC to coincide with International Women’s Day. “Just as this year’s Inter- The International Cricket Council said become a 10-team tournament. en’s T20 Champions Cup tournament, to allows us to give more member coun- national Women’s Day theme promotes ‘choose to challenge’, we are yesterday it would add two more teams “We have a clear focus and commitment be held in 2027 and 2031. tries greater opportunities to compete committed to challenging ourselves to continue to address gender to both the one-day and Twenty20 edi- to an ambitious long-term growth plan The announcement comes exactly a year on a global stage,” Sawhney said. inequality across our game,” said CA interim chief Nick Hockley. tions of the women’s World Cup from for the women’s game,” ICC chief execu- since Meg Lanning’s Australia beat India “This means that more teams will also Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes will be involved in the eff ort 2026 as part of its plans to expand the tive Manu Sawhney said after sharing in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup get the opportunity to compete in and told reporters she was excited to be “working alongside some women’s game. The Twenty20 World the post-2023 cycle of events. in front of a record 86,000-plus crowd in the qualification pathways for the pretty incredible female leaders to help us try and improve some Cup in 2026 and the two subsequent “We have been building momentum Melbourne. The tournament in Australia respective ICC events over the coming of the inequalities that exist in our sport”. A statue has been a long editions would feature 12 teams, the around the women’s game for the last also attracted record television numbers, years.” time coming, with the nation’s women playing their first Test match ICC said in a statement on International four years investing in global broadcast making it the most watched women’s New Zealand hosts the next ODI World against England in 1934. They have since claimed six one-day World Women’s Day. The four previous editions coverage and marketing to drive fan cricket event of all time. Cup, featuring eight teams, in 2022. The Cups, five Twenty20 World Cups and won more matches across the have had 10 teams. engagement.” “This decision to expand our women’s tournament could not be held this year three formats than any other team.When I was told about the statue, The 50-overs World Cup in 2029 would The ICC also unveiled a six-team wom- events builds on these foundations and because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I could have cried,” she told cricket.com.au.

SPOTLIGHT Sam Curran backs England’s rotation policy AFP players including Jos Buttler, three one-day internationals af- Ahmedabad Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali ter the T20 matches in India. during the India Tests. “It’s a re- Curran and some other Eng- ally busy period and I think Eng- land players will have an extend- ll-rounder Sam Cur- land are trying to make sure they ed stay, with the Indian Premier ran yesterday backed get it right,” said Curran. League scheduled to start on England’s much-crit- “And make sure we play a lot of April 9. icised rotation policy cricket but at the same time make Curran, who plays for the Ma- asA he returns “refreshed” for the sure we’re not burning out.” hendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai series in England have a busy year with Super Kings, said playing in the India. 16 or 17 Tests including the Ashes IPL would be “great” in a year Curran was not part of Eng- series, as well as the T20 World of the T20 World Cup in India. land’s 3-1 Test series loss against Cup in October. But Curran remains hopeful to India after he fl ew back home Coach Chris Silverwood said be available for the start of Eng- from Sri Lanka in January. He has the policy had “worked” and they land’s Test summer as they host rejoined the team for the fi ve T20 could even consider giving play- New Zealand for a two-match matches starting Friday. ers a break during the Ashes later series in June. The IPL fi nal is “As a player, personally I fi nd it this year. scheduled for May 30, while the was very benefi cial,” the 22-year- “Could players be fl ying home fi rst New Zealand Test starts old said on his month’s break midway through the Ashes? We on June 2 at Lord’s. “Any time from the coronavirus-enforced have to be proactive in look- there’s England games in the team bubble. “I do feel really re- ing after them, so it’s certainly summer you do want to play in freshed and raring to go for this something that we may have to them,” said Curran. white-ball series. Various players look at, yes,” Silverwood said. “You’ll have to see how the have had breaks so I’m sure guys Curran called the Ashes series IPL pans out. I guess if you miss might say similar things.” “the pinnacle” of a player’s ca- the qualifi cation then most likely Some pundits slammed the reer but said it’s a “very long time you’ll be available for those Tests. England and Wales Cricket Board away” to think what might hap- If you’re in the fi nal it might be a (ECB) for giving breaks to key pen then. England will also play bit diff erent.” Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 9, 2021 SPORT

GOLF SPOTLIGHT and Qatar Duty Free DeChambeau closes sponsor Qatar ExxonMobil Open atar Airways and Qa- sleh, said: “Qatar Duty Free tar Duty Free (QDF) is proud to sponsor the 30th out win at Bay Hill are excited to be edition of the Qatar ExxonMo- sponsoring the Qatar bil Open. This tournament is a QExxonMobil Open 2021, an an- major event in Qatar’s sport- ‘We just talked about keep fighting no matter what happens and play boldly like Mr. Palmer said’ nual star-studded Association ing calendar and Qatar Duty of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Free’s longstanding relation- Tour event taking place in Doha ship with Qatar ExxonMobil Reuters from 8 – 13 March. Open reflects our ethos in the Miami The ATP Tour event, which power of sport to bring people will be held at the Khalifa In- together and our commitment ternational Tennis and Squash to the Qatar 2030 vision. We ryson DeChambeau Complex, is set to feature a look forward to welcoming the gathered the crowds total of 28 tennis players, in- world’s leading players on the with his long drives, cluding the Swiss legend and men’s circuit and we wish them while using his putter to 20-time Grand Slam champion a successful tournament.” sealB a one-shot victory Sunday Roger Federer, world number In all, 28 players made the in the Arnold Palmer Invitation- four Dominic Thiem, and de- entry list for the singles event al near Orlando, Fla. fending champion Andrey Ru- of this year’s ATP Tour 250 DeChambeau made a 5-foot blev. series tournament, while 16 par putt at 18 to win it, fi nish- The Qatar ExxonMobil Open teams are taking part in the ing at 11-under-par 277 in front tournament is one of two high doubles event. of a limited crowd at the Bay Hill profile ATP Tour events hosted The award-winning airline Club and Lodge, just in front of in the Middle East. The pres- is proud to sponsor and sup- England’s Lee Westwood, while tigious tennis championship port top-level athletes such as Canada’s Corey Conners fi n- received the ‘Tournament of Ons Jabeur, the highest ranked ished alone in third place at 8 the Year’ award in the 250 cate- Arab player in Women’s Ten- under. gory on three occasions – 2015, nis Association’s (WTA) his- DeChambeau’s 1-under 71 in 2017 and 2019 – as voted by tory and Qatar Total Open 2021 the fi nal round matched the low ATP players. wildcard, as well as some of the round of the day with Andrew Qatar Airways Senior Vice- world’s biggest football clubs Putnam and England’s Matt President Marketing and Cor- including Paris Saint-Ger- Wallace. They were the only porate Communications, Salam main, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, three in the fi eld to break par al-Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways FC Bayern München, K.A.S. during a sunny but windy fi nal is pleased to sponsor the Qatar Eupen and Al Sadd SC. round. ExxonMobil Open 2021, a re- As official FIFA partner, The victory was DeCham- nowned ATP Tour event that Qatar Airways has sponsored beau’s fi rst since a dominating unites some of the top global mega events such the 2019 and run to the U.S. Open title in Sep- tennis players here in the heart 2020 editions of FIFA Club tember. And it was inspired by of Doha. As the national airline World Cup and will sponsor the a text from Tiger Woods before sponsor of this championship, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. the fi nal round began. we are delighted to be support- The airline was also recently “I got a text from Tiger this ing the Qatar Tennis Federation announced as the official air- morning and he had obvi- as they welcome world-class line sponsor for the UEFA Euro ously done really well here and tennis players.” 2020, set to take place from 11 was very instrumental in Mr. Qatar Duty Free Vice Presi- June – 11 July 2021, across 12 Palmer’s life as Mr. Palmer was dent Operations, Thabet Mu- European cities. to Tiger,” DeChambeau said, referencing the eight Arnold Palmer Invitational titles won by Woods, who was involved in Stockdale returns to Ireland squad a serious car crash on February 23. “We just talked about keep for Scotland Six Nations clash fi ghting no matter what hap- pens and play boldly like Mr. Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale Scotland have included Nick Palmer said.” has returned to Andy Farrell’s Haining, Sam Skinner and While low scores were hard squad for Sunday’s Six Nations Rufus McLean in their 34-man to come by, the conditions did clash with Scotland after miss- squad. Edinburgh back-row allow for DeChambeau to take ing the opening three matches forward Haining and Exeter a gamble with his tee shot at of the championship. second row Skinner have both No. 6 for the second consecu- Bryson DeChambeau holds the champions trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in The 24-year-old damaged his been recalled, while Glasgow’s tive day. Instead of following the Orlando, , USA. (USA TODAY Sports) knee playing for provincial side US full-back or wing McLean fairway along a lake on the par-5 Ulster against Munster in early has won his first senior call-up. hole, DeChambeau took a short green and again putted past the shot diff erence) all day and there In the end, though, the fi - (RSA) 70-70-70-73 January. The trio were not included cut over the water with a breeze hole. He then drained another were tough conditions out there nal round turned into a match 284-Chris Kirk 71-70-69-74, “Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale in Gregor Townsend’s squad mostly in his favour. pressure-packed putt, this one and it wasn’t going to be a day play competition between the Jason Kokrak 68-73-69-74 returns to the squad having for the scheduled Six Nations His 376-yard drive found a from 5 feet to earn the victory. where... anybody was going to 27-year-old DeChambeau and 285-Will Zalatoris 73-68-72- missed the opening three clash with last month, bunker 88 yards from the pin, “It’s beyond my wildest shoot 68 or 67. It was a day for the veteran Westwood. 72, Max Homa 70-70-72-73, rounds through injury while which was postponed due to changing the dynamics of what dreams (to win) Mr. Palmer’s playing sensible and hanging on “It was a lot of fun and I was Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) Shane Daly will remain at a coronavirus outbreak in Les is regularly a 565-yard hole. His event,” DeChambeau said. “I and grinding out the pars.” defi nitely playing a little bold,” 69-71-71-74, Paul Casey (ENG) Munster,” the Irish Rugby Bleus’ squad. second shot missed the green, came hear as an amateur, he gave Putnam, Jordan Spieth and DeChambeau said when asked 70-69-72-74, Charley Hoff man Football Union announced There is no place for Glasgow but he scrambled for a birdie 4 to me an invitation and I loved this Richy Werenski fi nished in a tie about his tee shot at No. 6. 71-72-67-75, Rory McIlroy (NIR) yesterday. forward Zander Fagerson, who reach 11 under and found himself golf course the minute I arrived for fourth place 6 under. Spieth “But my hat’s off to Lee. He 66-71-72-76, Tommy Fleetwood “The 36-man squad will travel lost his appeal against a four- alone in the lead when Westwood and I love the atmosphere and shot a 3-over 75 on Sunday after battled all day out there and it (ENG) 70-70-68-77, Keegan to Edinburgh on Friday ahead week suspension after being bogeyed the seventh hole. I love the fans. I loved what Mr. starting the day two shots off the was an amazing battle. I loved Bradley 69-74-64-78 of playing Scotland on Sunday sent off against Wales. Westwood tied DeChambeau Palmer did with this place and lead. every minute of it. I know we’ll 286-Matt Wallace (ENG) 70-73- at BT Murrayfield. Glasgow team-mate Adam again at 11 under with a birdie what he’s done and his legacy The breezy conditions proved be doing it for years to com 72-71, Brendan Steele 71-72-71- “Josh van der Flier will go Hastings is also suspended at No. 12, but fell out of the top he’s left here. It’s quite amazing.” diffi cult for a few fi nal-round 72, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) through the graduated return- after he was handed a three- spot with a three-putt bogey at The 47-year-old Westwood contenders. Northern Ireland’s Leading final-round scores 75-70-69-72 to-play protocols this week in game ban for his red card in No. 14. DeChambeau made a 37- was unable to gain any momen- Rory McIlroy shot a 4-over 76 (USA unless noted, par-72) 287-Harold Varner III 72-72- the Ireland camp while there last month’s Pro14 defeat at foot putt for a birdie at No. 4, a tum, shooting a 1-over 73 on and fi nished in a tie for 10th 277-Bryson DeChambeau 67- 70-73, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) were no significant injury Leinster. 49-foot putt for par at No. 11 Sunday after taking a one-shot place at 3-under 285. 71-68-71 71-74-68-74, Im Sung-jae (KOR) concerns from the other 12 Ireland are third in the Six Na- and a knee-knocking 4-foot par lead through three rounds. Con- Keegan Bradley, whose 64 278-Lee Westwood (ENG) 69- 69-70-72-76, Lanto Griff in 69- players who featured in the tions table after a win against putt at 17 with the pressure on ners shot a 2-over 74 in the fi nal in the third round was the low 71-65-73 68-73-77, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) Guinness Pro14 fixtures over Italy followed defeats against after he blasted his birdie putt round. round of the tournament, shot 280-Corey Conners (CAN) 66- 77-67-66-77 the weekend.” Wales and France. past the hole. “I thought we had a really 6-over 78 on Sunday and also 69-71-74 288-Bo Hoag 74-70-71-73, Harris Stockdale, who has 33 Irish Scotland, who have played just On the par-4 18th hole, De- good battle,” Westwood said fi nished tied for 10th with McIl- 282-Andrew Putnam 70-72-69- English 73-70-71-74, Ian Poulter caps, returned to action in twice, are fifth after a shock Chambeau hit his drive to the about playing the fi nal round roy and six others, including 71, Richy Werenski 71-69-69-73, (ENG) 70-73-70-75, Branden Ulster’s Pro14 victory over win against England and defeat center of the fairway, hit his ap- with DeChambeau. “It was Max Homa, who won the Gen- Jordan Spieth 70-69-68-75 Grace (RSA) 74-71-67-76, Denny Ospreys on February 26. by Wales. proach shot to the center of the never really more than (a one esis Invitational last month. 283-Christiaan Bezuidenhout McCarthy 72-73-67-76

FOCUS Ernst rolls to 5-shot victory in Drive On Championship AFP lead after every round. Last-group a two-stroke cushion over third- Miami playing partner Kupcho carded a placed Jenny Coleman, who carded two-over 74 for 278, the former top- a 71 for 280. South Korea’s Chun In- ranked amateur remaining in search gee posted a 69 for solo fourth on 281, ustin Ernst started strong of her fi rst LPGA win. and Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela and held on through two late She couldn’t match Ernst’s strong was fi fth after a 73 for 282. bogeys Sunday, fi ring a fi nal- start, dropping a shot with a bogey at round 70 to beat Jennifer Kup- the third before her fi rst birdie of the LEADING SCORES choA by fi ve strokes in the LPGA Drive On day at the 10th cut Ernst’s lead to fi ve. (USA unless noted, par-72) Championship in Ocala, Florida. Kupcho applied more pressure at 273-Austin Ernst 67-67-69-70 Ernst started the day with a one- the par-fi ve 12th, where her eagle 278-Jennifer Kupcho 67-67-70-74 stroke lead over Kupcho, and built attempt barely missed and left her a 280-Jenny Coleman 70-69-70-71 it to six with a burst of four straight tap-in for birdie. 281-Chun In-gee (KOR) 70-73-69-69 birdies from fourth through the sev- Ernst, meanwhile, was unable to 282-Albane Valenzuela (SUI) 70-73- enth holes. get up and down and her bogey saw 66-73 Back-to-back bogeys at 12 and 13 her lead shrink to three as they head- 283-Leona Maguire (IRL) 69-71-73-70, saw her lead dwindle to three strokes, ed to 13. Danielle Kang 72-70-69-72 but Kupcho’s challenge fi nally faded “(At) 13, I just told myself I hit a 284-Charley Hull (ENG) 74-70-70- with a double-bogey at the par-three good putt on 12 and I was still three- 70, Megan Khang 69-72-73-70, Jaye 15th and Ernst cruised home for her under for the day and still had the Marie Green 68-72-74-70, Jennifer third LPGA Tour title with a 15-under lead, and I was still playing good,” Chang 73-71-69-71, Jessica Korda 69- par total of 273. Ernst said. “I just made one bad 75-69-71, (NZL) 69-72-72-71 “The diff erence this week, I just swing on 12.” 285-Perrine Delacour (FRA) 71-74-70- fully committed to believing in what After both bogeyed 13 and parred 70, Kim Sei-young (KOR) 72-70-73-70, I do and that it’s good enough,” said 14, Kupcho came unstuck at the 15th, Jennifer Song 70-72-73-70, Gaby Ernst, whose second title last August where her tee shot found the water. Lopez (MEX) 69-72-74-70, Patty Tava- at the NW Arkansas Championship Her third shot from the drop zone left tanakit (THA) 70-70-69-76 came six years after her fi rst. her a lengthy bogey attempt and she 286-Lexi Thompson 74-69-74-69, “I think this week it proved it was walked off fi ve adrift again. Liu Yu (CHN) 70-70-77-69, Caroline more than good enough,” added Kupcho fell further back with a Masson (GER) 70-75-70-71, Carlota Austin Ernst of the poses with the trophy after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship at Golden Ocala Golf Club Ernst, who held at least a share of the bogey at 17, but she birdied 18 for Ciganda (ESP) 71-65-75-75 in Ocala, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, March 9, 2021 5 SPORT

FIVB WORLD TOUR 4-STAR KATARA CUP BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Austria’s Alexander Huber and Christoph Dressler defeated Qatar’s Denis Messelmani and Gusson 2-0 (21-11, 21-10) in their qualifying round one match of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 4-Star Katara Cup yesterday.

NBA NHL Penguins blast Rangers with Giannis wins MVP fi rst-period fl urry

Reuters ahead from Brian Dumoulin, Pittsburgh entered the New York zone and split defensemen Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren before wristing a asperi Kapanen had a shot past Georgiev’s glove. as Team LeBron goal and two assists That chased Georgiev for Sunday and the Pitts- Kinkaid. burgh Penguins scored Malkin extended the lead to threeK times in a 61-second span 4-1 at 13:57 of the third when, of the fi rst period en route to a off the rush, he one-timed a pass 5-1 win over the visiting New from Kapanen, and Aston-Reese York Rangers. at the right post batted the puck Evgeni Malkin had a goal and past Kinkaid’s skate at 16:37 of rule All-Star Game an assist, and John Marino, the third. Sidney Crosby and Zach Aston-Reese also scored RESULTS ‘IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIGGER DEAL NOT TO HAVE IT’ for Pittsburgh, which improved to 10-2-0 at Penguins 5-1 Rangers home. Goaltender Casey Predators 4-3 Stars DeSmith, playing for the AFP Capitals 3-1 Flyers second time since Febru- ary 11, stopped 23 of 24 Islanders 5-2 Sabres New York shots. Devils 1-0 Bruins amian Lillard nailed a game- Mika Zibanejad scored ending three pointer from just for the Rangers, who had Lightning 6-3 Blackhawks inside half court as LeBron scored 12 goals over their Hurricanes 4-2 Panthers James improved to 4-0 as an previous two games and Senators 4-3 Flames NBAD All-Star Game captain with a 170- 15 over a three-game win- 150 win over Team Durant on Sunday ning streak entering Sun- night. day. Alexandar Georgiev gave up Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetok- three goals on six shots before he PREDS COUGH UP ounmpo captured the Kobe Bryant MVP was relieved by Keith Kinkaid, THREE-GOAL LEAD, BUT BEAT Award going a perfect 16-of-16 from the who in his fi rst appearance of the STARS IN SHOOTOUT fi eld for a game high 35 points in Atlanta. season made 16 saves. Roman Josi scored the decisive “It’s fun. I was happy,” said Antetok- Pittsburgh forward Jared Mc- shootout goal, and the visiting ounmpo. “I just love being around great Cann, who had an assist, left late Nashville Predators overcame players. It makes it easier to play with in the second period for an un- blowing a three-goal, third-pe- them.” specifi ed reason. riod lead to beat the Dallas Stars New York started strong, 4-3 on Sunday night. Pekka ringing up a 9-1 lead in shots Rinne made 35 saves and a huge and taking a 1-0 lead on Zibane- stick stop on Dallas’ Joe Pavelski jad’s goal at 1:18 of the fi rst. Off in the shootout to help the Pred- a 2-on-1, he put a shot past De- ators snap a three-game losing Smith’s glove. streak. Mikael Granlund, Calle Pittsburgh went into quick- Jarnkrok and Eeli Tolvanen each strike mode later in the fi rst. had a regulation goal while Filip Two seconds after a power Forsberg added two assists as play expired, Marino used a Nashville regrouped from a late screen by Evan Rodrigues and breakdown to beat Dallas for the whipped a shot far side from just fi rst time in three 2021 tries. beyond the right dot at 16:13 of Down 3-0, the Stars not only the fi rst to tie it. ruined Rinne’s 60th-career Kapanen made it 2-1 at 16:52. shutout bid when Radek Faksa New York defenseman K’Andre scored for a second straight Miller couldn’t corral a bounc- contest with 7:30 left in regula- ing puck in the neutral zone. tion, but opened the door for an Kapanen caught up with it for a impressive comeback. Pavelski breakaway from just inside the followed with his team-leading blue line and chipped the puck 12th goal – and NHL-best 10th over Georgiev. Crosby struck 23 power-play score – while the Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail seconds later with a skilled play net was coming off its moorings Blazers celebrates after winning the 2021 to make it 3-1. He took a feed with 5:14 to go. NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Night at State Farm Arena in Team LeBron forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with the MVP trophy of the 2021 NBA All-Star Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP) Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (USA TODAY Sports)

Antetokounmpo’s 16-for-16 game eas- ily eclipsed the previous All-Star record NBA commissioner Adam Silver re- putting on a show at the State Farm Arena guys shooting half-court threes, threes of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Hal Greer, who sponded to the criticism from James and including a healthy dose of dunks, alley- from the timeline, there’s not much you went eight-of-eight in 1968. Antetok- others at a news conference earlier Sun- oops, behind the back passes and long- can do. So give credit to them,” said Ir- ounmpo also made all three of his three day, saying the players he spoke to this range threes like the one by Lillard, who ving. The NBA and the players union point attempts. weekend were in favor of holding the fi nished with 32 points. agreed to hold Sunday’s modifi ed All-Star James improved to 4-0 in All-Star contest. “It would have been a bigger Stephen Curry, who won the three- Game weekend, salvaging a scaled-down games he has served as a team captain. He deal not to have it,” Silver said. “I know point shooting contest earlier in the day, showcase after the pandemic scuttled fi nished with four points in just 13 min- that some players have made public com- hit six threes in the fi rst half en route to plans to hold the event earlier in Indiana- utes of playing time. ments suggesting they’d rather not be a 28 point night for Team LeBron. Jaylen polis. “I always try to pick the right team, and at All-Star. Many have told me directly Brown tallied 22 points and Chris Paul This is the second straight year using I’ve been lucky enough for four years to they’re thrilled to be All-Stars. dished out 16 assists. Both Curry and Lil- the new scoring format which calls for an pick the right team,” James said. “Guys “It should be judged, when people are lard fi nished with eight baskets from be- “Elam Ending,” which provides a target go out and compete and play to win. I’ve looking back, as to what this meant to yond the arc. Bradley Beal scored a team score during an untimed fourth quarter. been on the winning side of all four.” them as opposed to what some of the ini- high 26 points and Kyrie Irving delivered Team LeBron dominated the fi rst three James’ participation in the annual tial reactions were from the players.” 24 points and 12 assists for Team Durant. quarters to take a 146-125 lead into the showcase was at one time in doubt. Last The 70th All-Star Game had a diff erent In a sign that defense took the night off fi nal quarter. That set a winning target month James slammed the NBA for hold- feel to it because there were no fans in the no player from either team grabbed more score of 170 which Team LeBron easily Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Kasperi Kapanen scores a goal ing the contest during the global pan- arena due to the global pandemic. than nine rebounds. achieved despite being outscored 25-24 against New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the demic calling it a “slap in the face.” But that didn’t stop the players from “When you’ve got Steph, Dame, those in the fourth by Team Durant. first period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 9, 2021 FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Pirlo denies Juventus future under spotlight Dortmund’s Haaland in Porto decider AFP Forward Paulo Dybala remains Turin, Italy injured while full-back Danilo is suspended and midfi elder Rodri- go Bentancur is recovering from fi t for Sevilla clash ndrea Pirlo brushed coronavirus. aside talk his Juven- “Everyone trained today, ex- The 20-year-old striker has scored 29 goals in 28 games this season tus future would be in cept De Ligt who only warmed the balance in today’s up,” said Pirlo. “Not everyone is season to take his career tally in the com- secondA leg of their Champions at 100% but it is already a lot to AFP Dortmund, Germany petition to 18 in 13 games for Dortmund Erling Braut Haaland trains on the League last-16 tie with Porto, be able to choose among them. and Salzburg. He netted two early goals eve of the Champions League last 16 with the Italians trailing 2-1 Chiellini only trained today but at Bayern on Saturday before match against Sevilla in Dortmund, heading into the must-win clash can be available for tomorrow. orussia Dortmund striker Erling the club world champions fought back to western Germany, yesterday. (AFP) in Turin. (Arthur) is not at his best but Braut Haaland will be available claim a 4-2 win as Robert Lewandowski Pirlo’s predecessors Maurizio with Danilo out he could start for today’s Champions League scored a hat-trick. Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri from the beginning.” last 16, second leg at home to Se- His record of 29 goals in 28 games this both paid the price for the club’s Pirlo took over at Juventus villa,B coach Edin Terzic said on the eve of season has unsurprisingly attracted the failure to win Europe’s top foot- with no senior coaching experi- the game. Haaland, 20, who has scored 29 attention of Europe’s top teams. “Only ball competition. “If I thought ence, after a playing career that goals in 28 games this season, had been a a maximum of 10 clubs can aff ord to buy my (future on the) bench de- brought a host of trophies to AC doubt after leaving the pitch on the hour him and give him the platform he wants pended on it I wouldn’t be here,” Milan and Juve, as well as the mark of Saturday’s Bundesliga loss at after his time in Dortmund,” Haaland’s Pirlo said in Turin. 2006 World Cup for Italy. Juve Bayern Munich. agent Mino Raiola said recently. “For me it’s a match like other fi nished top of their Champions “Erling is doing well, he was on the Real Madrid and Chelsea are report- important matches. I continue to League group ahead of Barcelona fi eld this morning, we assume he’ll be edly at the head of the queue, eager to buy work day after day knowing mine and also won the Italian Super there tomorrow,” Terzic said, with his Haaland out of his contract, which ex- and the club’s plan. Tomorrow Cup, his fi rst trophy as a coach. side holding a 3-2 advantage from the pires in June 2024. According to German it is decisive to move forward, They are also into the fi nal of fi rst leg in Spain. Dortmund will be with- magazine Sport Bild, Haaland admires but for (my) future the club will the Italian Cup and are third in out England attacker Jadon Sancho after Real, who are seeking a replacement for always decide based on the re- Serie A, as they target a 10th con- he suff ered a muscle injury in last Tues- Karim Benzema, 33, whose contract ex- sults.” secutive Scudetto. “For us it’s as day’s German Cup quarter-fi nal win over pires next year, although the La Liga The pressure is on Juve great if it were a fi nal,” he added. “We Borussia Moenchengladbach. champions have long been linked with Pirlo to keep the club in the run- have to overturn the result of the “Jadon will not be at our disposal for France star Kylian Mbappe. ning for the trophy they last won fi rst leg with all our strength, be- the weeks to come,” Terzic said. Por- Manchester City, owned by Sheikh 25 years ago. “We know we’re ing clear-headed and managing tugal’s Raphael Guerreiro and teenage Mansour, have the fi nancial clout to sign under pressure, we’ll not under- the game.” midfi elder Giovanni Reyna remain injury Haaland, with their fi rst-choice striker estimate Porto,” continued the For Porto coach Sergio Con- doubts. “For them it’s a question of days. Sergio Aguero out of contract in June, and 41-year-old. “We know the im- ceicao, the Champions League We’ll see... what they’re like on Tues- plagued by injuries this season. A move to portance and the beauty of play- is also a crucial test as they sit day at training, to see if they can play the the Etihad Stadium would see the Leeds- ing the Champions League, it’s 10 points behind rivals Sporting match,” Terzic said. born striker follow in the footsteps of his a very important match for the Lisbon in the league. “We’ll keep Meanwhile, Dortmund do not expect father Alf-Inge Haaland, who played for team, the club. When you play the same spirit as the fi rst leg,” “crazy things to happen” this summer City from 2000-03. these games you have a diff erent said Conceicao. despite a host of Europe’s biggest clubs Even Bayern have expressed interest in energy.” “They’ve recovered some im- reported to be queueing up to try and sign Haaland as a potential replacement for Record Champions League portant players and have the Haaland. The Norwegian became the fi rst Lewandowski. “Lots and lots of things goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo strength to aff ord to leave the player to reach 10 Champions League are possible, you can’t rule anything out,” carries Juventus’ hopes and was best player in the world, Cris- goals in just seven games for a single club Bayern coach Hansi Flick said Saturday rested for most of Saturday’s win tiano Ronaldo, on the bench and when he netted twice in Dortmund’s 3-2 when asked about signing Haaland. “But over Lazio as in-form Spaniard beat Lazio. Juve have recently win at Sevilla in the last 16, fi rst leg. that is something for the future. He has Alvaro Morata, with six Europe- played Champions League fi - The German side have often relied a long-term contract at Dortmund and a an goals this season, spearheaded nals, it’s a team that has invested this season on the 20-year-old Haaland. lot of clubs come into play.” the 3-1 success over the Romans. in order to win the competition. There is reportedly a release clause in his It could be that Haaland is not the “These are his matches, he has They are used to the pressure contract which applies from the summer only star to leave Dortmund this year, as always shown it,” said Pirlo of of these matches, but we have of 2022 for around 105mn euros ($125mn). Sancho has been targeted by Manchester Ronaldo. “He is energised, he is to think about ourselves and be But Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim United in previous transfer windows. Like rested, and he can’t wait to play.” well-prepared.” Watzke said weekend he does not expect Haaland, fl eet-footed Sancho has a mar- Pirlo is also hopeful of bring- Conceicao said there were “crazy things to happen” in the transfer ket value of around 100mn euros. ing back players from a long doubts over the fi tness of de- market after this season. According to reports, Chelsea man- injury list which includes Italy fender Pepe and midfi elder Jesus But if and when Haaland leaves, Dort- ager Thomas Tuchel wants to buy both defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Corona, with Marko Grujic, on mund stand to make at least fi ve times Haaland and Sancho, having been given Leonardo Bonucci, as well as loan from Liverpool, struggling the 20mn euros they paid Salzburg for his a transfer budget of 260mn euros by Arthur and Matthijs de Ligt. with a foot injury. services in January 2020. And Watzke did Blues owner Roman Abramovich. Clubs not rule out losing either Haaland or Eng- are counting the cost of the coronavirus land winger Jadon Sancho if “extraordi- pandemic, but as Watzke points out, the nary things happen”. biggest teams have wealthy owners who Haaland has scored eight goals in just “fi nd ways and means to pump money fi ve Champions League appearances this into them”.

Offi cial in suspended PSG-Basaksehir game banned for rest of season Paris: A match off icial in the December reprimand for inappropriate behaviour. dent erupted and was given a one-match But I would say within a couple of weeks Champions League game between Paris The entire Romanian team of off icials suspension for unsporting conduct. everything should be pretty much Saint-Germain and Basaksehir were replaced for the restarted game by UEFA said his sending-off occurred sorted. It’s very, very close to an ideal that was suspended after allegations of a new refereeing team headed by the before the incidents “and was therefore Champions League.” racism has been banned for the rest of Netherlands’ Danny Makkelie. not provoked by them”. Discussions will continue over who the season for “inappropriate behav- The match restarted 24 hours later will benefit from the four extra spaces iour”, UEFA announced yesterday. with players taking a knee and wearing FOOTBALL ‘CLOSE TO AN IDEAL although it looks likely France, which Sebastian Coltescu, from Romania, anti-racism T-shirts before PSG won 5-1. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE’: AGNELLI currently only have three spots, will be was banned from carrying out “any Television microphones in the empty The new format of the Champions allocated one of them to bring them referee’s function until the end of the stadium — the match took place without League after 2024 could be “close to into line with England, Spain, Germany 2020/21 season, i.e. until 30 June 2021” spectators because of Covid-19 restric- ideal” and just a short time away from and Italy. The new format would see the but was not found to have breached tions — picked up the argument, as a furi- being formalised, Andrea Agnelli, boss of scrapping of the current ‘round-robin’ UEFA articles covering racism and other ous Webo repeatedly asked why a racist Juventus and the European Club Union group stage comprising eight groups discriminatory conduct. term had been used to describe him. (ECA), said. of four clubs, each playing the other The group-stage game was stopped in In the exchange in question Coltescu “I would dearly hope that everything three teams home and away, a total of the 14th minute, and then finished a day said: “The black one over there. This is would be done within the next couple six matches leading into the knockout later, after a touchline argument erupted not possible. Go and identify him. That of weeks,” said Agnelli after a general stage. over accusations Coltescu, who was the guy, the black one.” assembly of the ECA which confirmed In its place will come a single group fourth off icial, had described Basakse- In its statement on Monday, European the consensus around a remodelling of of 36 clubs playing a ‘Swiss system’ hir’s Cameroonian assistant coach Pierre football’s governing body said that “off i- the group phase and the expansion from in which they would play 10 matches Webo as “black”, or “negru” in Romanian. cials should be adequately and specifi- 32 to 36 clubs. against 10 diff erent opponents, before Coltescu was also ordered to attend cally trained to make better decisions on “There are details that need to be switching to the knockout phase. This an educational programme along with the choice of language and words to be addressed, one being the access to the mini-championship is likely to lead to assistant referee Octavian Sovre. The used in UEFA competitions”. Webo had competitions,” he said. “If we have four even greater media exposure and hence Juventus’ forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and coach Andrea Pirlo latter avoided a ban but did receive a been shown a red card before the inci- extra spots, how will these be allocated? inflated TV rights. attend a training session yesterday on the eve of the Champions League match against Porto in Turin. (AFP)

FOCUS Barca given fresh start as Laporta elected new club president AFP and see if we can make another ‘remon- and I want him to show me his way,” belonging to this club and that feeling Madrid tada’ happen!” Koeman said on Friday. will make us all go together to face the Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain Laporta’s main rival for the presi- challenges that lie ahead.” on Wednesday in the Champions dency was Font, who was the early fa- The last president Josep Maria Bar- oan Laporta returned as Barce- League last 16, with a 4-1 defi cit to vourite after claiming he would bring tomeu was forced to resign in October lona president on Sunday after make up from the opening leg. Longer- former Barcelona midfi elder Xavi after the club’s members succeeded winning the club’s elections by a term, Laporta’s task will be to rebuild a Hernandez in as coach. But the team’s in achieving a vote of no confi dence landslide, with his central pledge club in crisis, with crippling debts ex- progress under Koeman and Laporta’s against him. But Bartomeu quit before toJ try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay. acerbated by the pandemic, its reputa- superior campaign cast doubt over the facing the vote after overseeing a dis- Laporta was last president at Barca be- tion damaged and Messi considering promise, with Laporta questioning last astrous fi nal year that included Messi tween 2003 and 2010, which included leaving for free when his contract ex- week why Xavi had not come out in attempting to leave, the team being overseeing the hugely successful ap- pires this summer. He has said he will support of Font publicly. humiliated by Bayern Munich in the pointment of Pep Guardiola as coach do everything possible to keep Messi Xavi may have been keen to keep his Champions League and the club post- and the iconic treble-winning team of at Camp Nou and campaigned heav- options open and the Spaniard caused ing gross debts of 1.2 bn euros. 2008/9. ily on the idea he was the best-placed a stir on Sunday by liking, and then Bartomeu spent the night in prison In total, the club won four La Liga candidate to convince the Argentinian, unliking, an Instagram post of Laporta last Monday after being arrested as part titles and two Champions Leagues owing to their relationship during his casting his ballot. Laporta will also of a police investigation into alleged during Laporta’s seven-year spell in previous time in charge. have to make decisions on Xavi’s other corruption. charge. The 58-year-old will return In his victory speech, Laporta picked former team-mates still at the club like Voters had been due to go to the polls after holding off competition from Vic- up on Messi showing up to vote earlier Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jor- on January 24 but were prevented due to tor Font and Toni Freixa, the other two in the day. “Seeing Leo, the best player di Alba, who have contributed so much restrictions in relating to the pandemic, candidates to gain enough support to in the world, come to vote with his son but whose peak years are now behind meaning the election was postponed. make the fi nal stage. is for me a sign of what we have said all Joan Laporta celebrates after winning the election for the FC Barcelona them. Ballots on Sunday were held at six dif- Laporta won 30,184 votes, Font along,” Laporta said. “Leo loves Barca presidency in Barcelona yesterday. (AFP) Perhaps most importantly, his job ferent polling stations in Catalonia and 16,679 and Freixa 4,769 from a total of and knows that we are a big family. will be to heal the deep mistrust that Andorra between 9am and 9pm, while 55,611 lodged by the club’s members. Hopefully that can help us encourage with Laporta insisting the Dutchman Koeman’s contract runs until 2022. has developed between the board of just over 22,000 voters were able to Amid celebrations shared with his team him to stay.” “deserves respect” for his work this “I am not worried because I have a con- directors and the dressing room, led by vote by post for the fi rst time. Laporta’s on Sunday night, Laporta shouted with A change of regime also leaves coach season while maintaining his future tract and when we know who is going to Messi and Pique. “We are a great fam- victory was confi rmed offi cially by the a grin on his face: “Now let’s go to Paris Ronald Koeman’s position uncertain, will depend on results. be the president of course we will talk ily,” Laporta said. “We have a feeling of club at just before midnight. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 9, 2021 7 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Al Sadd’s goal is to win all the tournaments, says Xavi The Wolves lifted the QNB Stars League title with four rounds left to play FOCUS

By Sports Reporter Doha Qatar Airways here is no stopping Al Sadd and congratulates Xavi Hernandez. Since Xavi took over the Qatari football giant in May 2019, the Spaniard had to Al Sadd on winning Tendure some diffi cult moments in his maiden managerial role. But the former Barcelona midfi elder quickly found his QNB Stars League feet and has steered Al Sadd to complete dominance. atar Airways, the Offi cial special pride of place in the annual On Sunday, The Wolves lifted the QNB Partner, congratulated Qatari football calendar, and we Stars League title with four rounds left Al Sadd Sports Club who are delighted to witness Al Sadd SC to play after defeating Umm Salal 3-0 at claimed their 15th QNB win their 15th league title in such the . The win StarsQ League title after a 3-0 vic- exceptional style. The club contin- took Al Sadd to an unassailable 50 points tory against Um Salal on Sunday. ues to set high standards in region- as they claimed their 15th league title to Coached by Xavi Hernandez, Qa- al and international competitions extend their record as the most success- tar’s most successful club claimed and we are proud to have them as ful club in the competition. the Falcon Shield with four games part of our diverse sporting spon- Al Sadd, who are unbeaten in the league to spare, while maintaining their sorship portfolio. We look forward this season with 16 wins and two draws, unbeaten league run. to witnessing their continued suc- dethroned Al Duhail SC who are on 37 Goals from , cess in future competitions.” points from 18 matches. Under Xavi, Al and Rodrigo With the recent announcement Sadd now hold all of Qatar’s domestic ti- Tabata clinched the win for the as the Offi cial Airline for UEFA tles – the QNB Stars League, Amir Cup, Wolves, sweeping the domes- EURO 2020, Qatar Airways con- Ooredoo Cup, Sheikh Jassim Cup and tic double on their home turf. Al tinues to strengthen its presence . Sadd’s 15th league title is all the in the world of sport; with the likes “We created a new history for Al Sadd. more praiseworthy after emerging of FIFA, CONMEBOL, Paris Saint- I am happy to win the league title for the winners with most goals scored, Germain, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, fi rst time as a coach with Al Sadd, after least goals conceded and exhib- FC Bayern Munich, KAS Eupen and winning it as a player,” said Xavi on Sun- iting outstanding performances Al Sadd SC well placed in the car- day night. “I am happy to be in this group throughout the season. rier’s global football sponsorship of players, offi cials, technical and medical Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex- portfolio, further representing its staff . Our goal is to win all the tourna- ecutive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: alignment with the national vision ments we participate in,” he added. “The QNB Stars League holds a of Qatar. The Spaniard, while thanking the fans for their support, vowed to win more ti- tles for the club. “Special thanks to the fans of Sadd who support the team with full force throughout the season and also against Umm Salal, and we promise them to continue working to make them happy and win more championships for the club,” Xavi said. Meanwhile, Al Sadd forward Baghdad Al Sadd’s Spanish head coach Xavi Hernandez celebrates with his wife Nuria Cunillera and Falcon Shield after leading the club to Bounedjah, who scored his 20th league QNB Stars League title at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday. goal of the season on Sunday, said the ti- tle triumph was one of the ‘beautiful mo- result of hard work by the whole club,” he played every match with an aim to win.” Afi f said Al Sadd were determined to win ments’ of his career. “We aspired to win added. Capatain Hassan al-Haydos said: He added: “This season was long and the title. “We found competition from the title and Al Sadd deserved to win the “I am undoubtedly very happy with this arduous, in which we faced diffi culties the rest of the teams, but Al Sadd proved league this season. We have played a high achievement, and that to we did it with and challenges and surpassed them. We its ability and strength. This season level of football this season and broken four rounds to spare. Winning the league want to continue that winning momen- was not easy, especially with pandemic many records,” the Algerian said. this season was considered a challenge for tum and are focused on doing well at around. I want to thank all my teammates “Everyone contributed to this victory, us, but we as players pledged from the be- Asian Champions League and the Amir for their great eff ort as everyone worked including the support staff . Winning the ginning of the season to work hard to win Cup.” hard. I also want to thank coach Xavi and league has a diff erent feeling and it’s the the title. It was not easy though, but we Meanwhile, Qatari star striker Akram his support staff ,” he added. Al Sadd players celebrate after winning the QNB Stars League.

TABLE TENNIS Al Gharafa strengthen top four hopes Hungary to host Qatar’s India’s Manika enters last 32 European By Sports Reporter Doha Qualifi ers Doha: Nagyerdei Stadion in ndia’s Manika Batra entered the Round of 32 the Hungarian city of Debre- at the World Table Tennis Star Contender cen, will be the venue for the tournament yesterday with a 3-0 win over first three matches involving Chinese Taipei’s Hsien-Tzu Cheng. Qatar this month in the Euro- IAt the Losail Sports Arena, Batra beat Cheng pean Qualifiers for the 2022 11-5, 11-9, 11-9. The world No. 63, who had fal- FIFA World Cup. tered in the qualifying stages of the WTT Con- The 20,340-capacity venue tender last week, will take on Japanese world is a substitute for the Generali No.3 Mima Ito today. Ito, the top-seed, had won Arena in Austria. The change the singles title at the WTT Contender. came due to the strict proce- Other Indian paddlers too won their matches dures for movement between yesterday. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran came back European countries because from two games down to beat Frenchman Em- of the Covid-19 pandemic, manuel Lebesson 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4. which necessitated the na- The World No. 37 Sathiyan will face world No. tional team to make changes 5 Japanese prodigy Harimoto Tomokazu in the to the venues after an agree- Round of 32. ment with UEFA and their Later in the day, Achanta Sharath Kamal also member federations. It was came back from a game down to beat Puerto also agreed that Ireland’s third Rico’s Brian Afanador 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-1 and match would be in the same will now play Germany’s Patrick Franziska for a stadium and that Qatar would place in the pre-quarter-fi nals. be the host. The UEFA invited Meanwhile, Egypt’s Dina Meshref scored a Egypt’s Dina Meshref in action during the Qatar to participate in the first comprehensive 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 win over South World Table Tennis Star Contender tournament European qualifiers for the Al Gharafa climbed to fourth place in the QNB Stars League with a 3-1 win over Al Khor yesterday. Oth- Korea’s Hyojoo Choi to move into the next at the Losail Sports Arena yesterday. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. man al-Yahri opened the scoring with a header in the 31st minute, before Omiad Hassan made it 2-0 round. Chinese Taipei’s Kim Ha-young, ranked The Asian champions will join in the 42nd minute. Jacheol Koo added a third in the 56th minute to seal Gharafa’s win, even as Hilal No. 122 in the world, defeated Hungary’s 66th- up a clash against Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcha- Group A – alongside UEFA Mohamed scored a consolation goal for Al Khor in the stoppage time. With four matches to be played, ranked Dora Madarasz 11-6, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10. rov, who won the contender event last week. Euro 2016 winners Portugal, Gharafa have 30 points, one behind third-placed Al Rayyan and two more than fifth-placed Qatar SC. In the men’s singles, Egypt’s, Ahmed Ali Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ahmed Khalil al-Mo- Serbia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Al Khor, meanwhile, stare at relegation with 14 points and are in 11th place. Saleh, ranked number 50 in the world, beat Jap- hannadi lost his Round of 64 match to Slova- and Azerbaijan. anese Yukiya Oda 12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11 to set kia’s Wang Yang 8-11, 3-11, 4-11.

BOTTOMLINE PSG Academy in Qatar celebrates International Women’s Day SG Academy Qatar is pleased tunities as the youth players. Claudine and exercises. For novice players, this is to celebrate International Lopez, women’s head coach, states – the perfect opportunity to take part in a Women’s day today with over “As a woman living and playing football structured training environment while 100 females taking part in in Qatar for over 10 years, it’s nice to see learning the basics of the game. As for Pweekly football and handball activities. the Academy growing in the right di- more advanced players, it’s an ideal way Since December 2020, in addition to rection. We’re extremely excited about to keep improving. the existing girls training programme, this programme. Supporting the local Paris Saint-Germain’s regional of- PSG Academy has been running free community and promoting women’s fi ce General Manager Fabien Dilem women’s football sessions twice a week activities are part of the many PSG said: “The idea for launching this pro- gathering over 40 women passionate of Academy commitments” gramme stemmed after speaking with sports. Located in Duhail at The Col- Participants benefi t from the PSG several groups of women looking for lege of The North Atlantic, and Qatar Academy training Methodology which more than just a pitch to play on, but a Foundation, the programme is de- allows them to interact and learn from proper training environment delivered signed to give adults the same oppor- expert coaches through various drills by experienced coaches.” Tuesday, March 9, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Qatar Olympic Committee celebrates Int’l Women’s Day with inspiring video series By Sports Reporter Reem al-Sharshani,Team Qatar’s skeet spire others. While great progress has sonality until Monday, March 15. The Head of Events at Aspire Logis- the norms. I invite all women in Qatar Doha shooter; Maryam al-Thani, Qatar Mu- been made, we must always be looking Hannah al-Bader (West Asian hand- tics, Al Anood Al Misnad added on her to step out of their comfort zone and seum’s Curator, a mountain climber, to do more and analyse where we can ball gold medal, several GCC gold med- behalf: “I grew up in a sporting family challenge themselves in a new activity. and a triathlon athlete; Al Anood Al improve. als, 2014 YOG young ambassador) said: and I had the chance to participate in If you put your mind on what your love he Qatar Olympic Commit- Misnad, Head of Events at Aspire Lo- “The QOC is committed to ensur- “Women’s has come a multiple sports like football, volley- and dedicate your energy towards it you tee yesterday marked Interna- gistics; Fatima al-Ghanim, Director ing equal opportunities for women and long way in recent decades. The de- ball, and padel. My passion for sport will pave the path for the future genera- tional Women’s Day with the of Marketing and Communications at men and to promoting greater women’s velopment of world class facilities and pushed me to pursue a career in sport tions” launch of a week-long cam- Doha Film Institute, and Fatima al- participation in sport. Women in Qatari the plethora of top international events administration as head of events at As- Mariam al-Thani, who is a curator of Tpaign dedicated to championing wom- Naimi, Communications Director at sport have achieved at many levels in taking place in the country, has opened pire logistics. I would like to encourage photography and exhibitions at Qatar en in sport in Qatar and sharing their the Supreme Committee of Delivery recent decades. Continuing develop- a lot of opportunities for me and my all women in the sport sector to believe Museum, added “Sports made me cu- inspiring stories and experiences. and Legacy 2022. ment, starting with grassroots all the fellow women athletes to thrive and in yourself, be confi dent, and maximise rious about challenging myself and to The video series, which will be QOC President Sheikh Joaan al-Tha- way up to elite, is an important factor progress. My message to all women all the opportunities that are provided follow my passion specially in Triathlon broadcast on Al Kass channels and on ni said: “Women have, and continue to that will ensure a bright future for all participating in sport is to continue to you. and mountain climbing. On Women’s the QOC’s social media channels, will play, a central role in the development women athletes in Qatar” what you’re doing, keep putting in the Team Qatar Skeet Shooter, Reem al- Day I, encourage all the women in Qatar feature infl uential women from the of sport and society in Qatar. It is im- The series began yesterday with an eff ort, and keep being optimistic. As Sharshani said: “As a shooter compet- to follow your dreams and get in touch world of sport including: Hannah al- portant that we champion the role they interview with Hannah al-Bader and long as you’re putting in the hard work ing in a male dominant sport, I knew with like-minded people who want to Bader, Team Qatar handball player; play and promote their stories to in- will run every day with a diff erent per- eventually you will be rewarded.” that I had to be fi erce and challenge push themselves and conquer goals.”

FOCUS CYCLING Matthews claims Paris-Nice lead as IOC to re-elect Bol wins stage

AFP Overall favourites Primoz Amilly, France Roglic and Tao Geoghegan Hart both fi nished with the main pack behind the crash but were utsider Cees Bol won awarded the same time as the Bach as chief with a crash-strewn stage winners. two of Paris-Nice yes- Monday’s stage embarked terday as the indus- from the tiny village of Oinville- triousO Australian Michael Mat- sur-Montcient with 160 riders thews took the yellow jersey in for an almost pancake fl at 188km his fi rst major race for the Bike run. Exchange team. Wind not hills was the diffi - As a crash disrupted the fi nale culty of the day as the race head- Games looming Bol rocketed to the head of a re- ed south of Paris into the great, duced bunch sprint outpacing green pastures of wind-exposed the 2019 world champion Mads fi elds where the wheat and corn The 67-year-old German’s second mandate as president of the International Peterson, while Matthews came have not yet grown to create any third. shelter for the cyclists. Olympic Committee promises to be as eventful, or turbulent, as his first But Matthews in his fi rst ma- But the crosswinds that have jor race since leaving Sunweb in so aff ected recent editions AFP January also took bonus seconds caused only a brief break in the Lausanne in the intermediary sprints on pack on Monday as the peloton both Sunday and yesterday. trudged along together most In the general classifi cation of the way to the fi nish line at homas Bach will be re- he edges four seconds ahead of Amily. elected unopposed for a Pederson and overnight leader Kiwi cashed second term as Olym- Sam Bennett, who was bam- into a post on a tricky vil- pic chief this week, just boozled by the late fall and came lage road and hit his head hard Tfi ve months before the opening fi fth in a tight fi nish. enough to break his helmet. ceremony of the coronavirus- “I was in just the right place The Jumbo climber gathered delayed Tokyo Games and less going into the fi nal corner and his senses and was off on his way than a year from the increasingly that did the trick,” said the before the race doctor could ex- scrutinised 2022 Beijing Winter Dutch DSM rider who was fast- amine him. Olympics. est to react to the fall. Faring worse was Alexis Vuill- The 67-year-old German’s Matthews is unlikely to keep ermoz of Total Direct Energie, second mandate as president of the race lead today when a who pulled out after another fall the International Olympic Com- 14.7km time-trial will blow the in which he appeared to suff er a mittee promises to be as event- fi eld apart. shoulder injury. ful, or turbulent, as his fi rst. The most pressing agenda item at the start of his new four- year term, after an opening eight years that saw him deal with, among other things, the prob- lem-laden 2014 Sochi and 2016 Rio Games, state-sponsored Russian doping and the deadly wave of coronavirus, is the To- kyo Olympics. The IOC took the decision to postpone the 2020 Games for a year to July 23-August 8 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The question is now how they will go ahead. Bach, who won Olympic fenc- ing gold for West Germany in the team foil in 1976 and has been an International Olympic Commit- tee member since 1991, should have been reinstalled as IOC president in the Greek capital Athens which was the site of the fi rst Modern Olympics in 1896. But the Covid-19 pandemic quickly put paid to that. The 137th IOC Session will instead take place with Bach at Lausanne headquarters and IOC President Thomas Bach attends the virtual International Olympic Committee Executive Board meeting in Lausanne yesterday. members connecting through video-conferencing from dacy process for bidding Olym- press ahead with a Games con- Tokyo metropolitan government respected insidethegames.biz Wednesday to Friday, with the pic cities in a bid to cut costs. tained in a bio-secure bubble. and Tokyo 2020 organising com- website called Bach “an unlucky executive board meeting Mon- It saw Paris granted the 2024 Bach has been at pains to reit- mittee are leaning towards hold- president” of the IOC. Team Sunweb rider Netherlands’ Cees Bol (C) celebrates as he day seen as preparation for the Olympics and the erate that the IOC remains com- ing the massive event in front of “It is sobering to refl ect that, crosses the finish line at the end of the 2nd stage of the 79th Paris- main event. 2028 Games back in 2017, and mitted to holding a “successful a domestic audience only, the having completed a full term, he Nice cycling race, 188km distance between Oinville-sur-Montcent Before reinstalling Bach, the the IOC last month accorded and safe” Tokyo Games this year, Yomiuri Shimbun and other out- has still to preside over a truly and Amilly. executive board is scheduled to preferred candidate status ac- dismissing cancellation talk as lets said. unblemished Games – and given receive updates on the activi- corded to Brisbane for 2032. “speculation”. Offi cials fear that an infl ux of the darkening political shadows ties of the IOC administration What most eyes will be on, Overseas spectators, however, visitors from abroad will endan- hanging over Beijing, Paris 2024 and reports from the Organising however, is Tokyo. There still lies are likely to be shut out, Japanese ger the Japanese public, with To- might represent his fi nal chance Banned Korean Olympic champ to skate for China Committees for the upcoming a degree of unpredictability. media reported last week after kyo currently under a Covid-19 to do so,” Owen said in reference Olympic Games. A cancellation of the Tokyo organisers said that public safety state of emergency that limits to threats to boycott the 2022 Seoul: A South Korean Olympic The verdict was overturned on Among them will be the Games is of the realms would be the “top priority” at capacity at sporting events to Winter Games over alleged hu- short-track speed skating cham- appeal, but the case is now be- “Agenda 2020”, which has of imagination despite the race the Games. 5,000. man rights abuses by the Chi- pion banned from the national fore the South’s Supreme Court sought to streamline the candi- to contain the coronavirus and The Japanese government, Columnist David Owen of the nese government. team for harassment has taken for a final decision. Chinese citizenship and will The Korea Skating Union sus- skate for the hosts at next year’s pended Lim for a year in August Beijing Winter Games, reports 2019, and while the penalty has said. It will be the second con- been put on hold during the Most Japanese don’t want foreign fans at Olympics: poll secutive home Winter Olympics legal process, if the court finds for Lim Hyo-jun, after he won against him it would rule him Tokyo: More than 75% of Japanese op- the coronavirus-delayed Games, with Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto of spectators in general attending the 1500m gold and 500m bronze out of the Beijing Games. pose overseas fans attending the Tokyo 77% against. said Friday that organisers “really want Games, with 48 % opposed. at the 2018 Winter Games in Lim decided instead to become Olympics, a poll showed yesterday, as Games organisers said last week that to hold the event in full stadiums with Organisers have said they plan to make Pyeongchang, South Korea. a naturalised Chinese citizen organisers prepare to make a decision they plan to rule on the matter this fans from around the world”, but would a decision on overall attendance limits But last year the 24-year-old and skate for China, according on foreign spectators. month, likely before the nationwide find it difficult “if we’re not in a position in April. was convicted of harassment to South Korean media reports. The poll, by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily, torch relay begins on March 25. where we can accept them and the The poll was conducted between March after he pulled down another He left for China on Friday after found that only 18% of people who But Japanese media say Games chiefs situation with medical facilities isn’t 5-7 through random phone calls, with male athlete’s trousers in front receiving his new passport, responded were in favour of foreign have already decided to bar foreign perfect”. The Yomiuri poll also revealed 1,066 of the 1,977 people contacted of teammates at the national South Korean broadcaster MBC spectators being allowed into Japan for fans. that 45 % of respondents were in favour responding. training centre. said.