| Page 3 FOOTBALL | Page 5 Why NBA Juve players, players are in coach Sarri agree position to lead pay cut due to Covid-19 relief coronavirus

Monday, March 30, 2020 OLYMPICS Sha’ban 6, 1441 AH Organisers eyeing GULF TIMES July 2021 start for postponed Games SPORT Page 4

FOCUS ‘We need collaboration to overcome this situation’ Qatar’s star Barshim talks about the fight against coronavirus, spending time with family and training

or years, Mutaz Essa it’s just 1 hour a day, one needs to Barshim has had to live make sure to stay active.” out of a bag to achieve Qatari high jump star Barshim, who has a run of six the success he has for his straight years when he jumped F trains at home. country and himself. 2.40m or higher to his name, has The Qatari star had told this also taken up painting the walls newspaper after becoming the of his home. “And well, cook- only high jumper to retain his ing…,” he laughed. world title last year at home in Being an athlete, staying in Doha, “I was away since May, top form may be difficult, but, preparing (for the IAAF World he said, “For the moment I can Championships). Every time I do nothing to replace competi- used to go back home, it was to tions, and we are all in the same pick up a change of my luggage situation. We just have to keep and then to the training camp. I on training until we can compete used to be home and yet I wasn’t. again. I hate hotels, but that’s my life. “The Olympics have been You have to go through this to postponed to 2021, I just need achieve what you want.” to prepare myself and keep on Fast forward to these chal- training harder like all my fellow lenging times with coronavirus athletes are doing.” concerns weighing down the Not a fan of video games, world, Barshim, like many other Barshim has taken to “Monopoly, athletes around the world, has cards, Jenga and Uno”. “These been forced to grind his other- games allow for more and bet- wise hectic training and sporting ter quality times with family,” he schedule to a halt. said. The 28-year-old has not only The spread of Covid-19 has chosen to pay heed to Qatari gov- thrown everything into disarray. ernment’s advisories and rules, But Barshim said, he is focused but is also focused on spending on working on things that are in time with his family, training as his control. much as he can, and… wait for “It’s affecting everyone. Peo- it… answering e-mails. ple from diverse work fields and But he has also indulged in professions are suffering from some introspection. the impact this virus is having on “The situation, as bad as it is our lives. health-wise, has brought every- “I will do my best on the things one closer together and I think I can change, and try to stay this will continue to be the case healthy and prepared. I would even after the recovery. It’s like prefer not to distract myself with humanity has been given a new what’s important is complying need everybody’s collaboration ipating in any kind of sport, stay- my time to do some activities at Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s world things and situations that are out life, and the human kind will stop with the rules and advisories put and support, we need to be unit- ing within the confines of home home. I clean my office, decorate record of 2.45m with a 2.43m of my hand and stay focused on taking everything for granted in place by the government in the ed to overcome this situation,” he may have been challenging but the house, play games and now I jump in Brussels in 2014. training. moving forward,” the 2017 IAAF State of Qatar. said. not impossible. can say I have more time to an- “You can do so many things at “It’s a new situation. We just Athlete of the Year said. “When it comes to health and For someone who has often in “I start my day with pray- swer more e-mails,” said the high home. Trainings and activities at do our best and hope for the But before the “recovery”, safety nothing else matters. We the past said that he loves partic- ing, and then training and use jumper, who has gotten closest to home are still an option. Even if best.”

COMMENT SPOTLIGHT wants ‘total harmony’ to Knicks and Rangers owner Dolan tests positive for Covid-19

By Stefan Bondy of his attention recently into live return to as coach event venues, and currently owns New York Daily News (tca/dpa) AFP insist I would like to have total Madison Square Garden, the Hulu Madrid, harmony. I don’t know if that Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and can happen... I have nothing ew York Knicks own- Radio City Music Hall. He has are- against anyone and I don’t have er James Dolan has nas opening soon in Las Vegas and avi Hernandez has a bad relationship with Bar- tested positive for the London. He also just sold The Fo- reiterated his desire to tomeu. Ncoronavirus. rum in Inglewood to coach Barcelona in the Xavi mentioned the likes of The 64-year-old billionaire Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for Xfuture but suggests he Puyol, whom he played with un- is exhibiting “little to no symp- 400mn dollars. will not return until a different der Pep Guardiola, and Cruyff, toms,” according to the team, and Despite his vast business suc- board brings a new sense of di- son of Johan and former Barca remains in isolation while over- cess, Dolan’s Knicks have long rection to the club. and Manchester United winger, seeing MSG’s business opera- been a mess. The franchise owns Hernandez is in charge of Al as the kind of people he would tions. Dolan lives in Oyster Bay the NBA’s worst record in the last Sadd in Qatar and turned down like to work alongside. on Long Island but it’s unclear 20 years and is riding a six-year an approach in January after “I would like to work with where he’s self-quarantining. the NBA players who’ve tested streak without the playoffs. Barca sacked Ernesto Valverde, people in whom I have confi- The diagnosis was disclosed positive said they don’t have This season — which is post- which led to the surprise ap- dence, with whom there is loy- on the same day Dolan pledged symptoms. Health officials are poned indefinitely because of pointment of Quique Setien. alty,” said Xavi. “We are talk- to pay the salaries of event staff generally recommending that the coronavirus outbreak — was In an interview with Span- ing about Carles Puyol, who in all of MSG’s venues through at tests be saved for the sick. another disaster and Dolan often ish newspaper La Vanguardia was captain of Barca, and Jordi least May 3, despite the Covid-19 New York City is the world ep- took centre stage. After a blow- published yesterday, Xavi said Cruyff, a very good business- pandemic shutting down his are- icentre of the coronavirus pan- out November defeat at home, he Neymar would be a “spectacular man with a lot of experience as nas indefinitely. demic, with more than 30,000 persuaded team president Steve signing”, and singled out former a technical secretary.” Dolan represents the first cases out of America’s more than Mills and GM Scott Perry to hold Spain defender Carles Puyol and He also said Neymar, whom known NBA owner to contract the 124,000 and the world’s nearly an impromptu news conference the one-time Dutch winger Jor- the Catalans tried and failed to coronavirus after several players 700,000. The virus has killed at that sent coach David Fizdale to di Cruyff as people he would like sign from Saint-Germain — most notably Brooklyn’s Kevin least 672 people in the city, in- the hot seat. Fizdale was fired in to work with. last summer, would be a “spec- Durant — tested positive. Ironi- cluding 222 on Saturday alone. December, then Dolan dismissed Yet the relationship between “I am clear that I want to “Everything has to fit,” Xavi tacular signing”. cally, the Knicks reportedly de- Dolan is a recovered alcoholic Mills in February. Barcelona’s board, led by presi- return to Barca, I am very ex- added. “I would like to come in “Most of the squad seems cided against testing their players who inherited MSG from his father Dolan also reportedly ordered dent Josep Maria Bartomeu, cited,” said Xavi, who was asked with people from my environ- extraordinary,” Xavi said. “The because they, like Dolan, exhibited and took over the Knicks in 1999. the ejection of a young fan when and the players has remained if a change of board would be ment that could form a good base is very good. I would sign no symptoms. Many of the Knicks He has been wildly unpopular the Garden crowd chanted, “Sell tense, with Lionel Messi’s needed for it to happen. “Obvi- team.” forwards, like Neymar. I don’t have left the New York area during and unsuccessful as a basketball the team.” Just this month, the public criticism of technical ously I would like to be in tune Pushed on whether working know if he would fit in a so- coronavirus shutdown. owner, but his other team — NHL owner was accused by Spike Lee secretary Eric Abidal among a with everyone,” he said. “In the with the current board would cial sense but in football terms Access to tests for asympto- ice hockey’s New York Rangers — of harassment after the Knicks number of off-field controver- dressing room there can’t be a be a deal-breaker, Xavi said: I have no doubt he would be a matic and healthy people has has experienced more positives superfan got into an argument sies. negative or toxic atmosphere.” “It wouldn’t be definitive but I spectacular signing.” been controversial, as most of recently. Dolan has poured much with Garden security. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 30, 2020 SPORT

FOCUS Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation postpones IJF Masters By Sports Reporter tional Judo Federation (IJF), Doha where the championship’s new date will be confirmed later. he Qatar Taekwon- The event, which will feature Smith eligible for do, Judo and Karate the participation of the Federation (QTJKF) world’s 16 top seeds of each announced yester- weight, will act as a qualify- T ing tournament for 2020 day that it has postponed the 2020 IJF Masters which Olympics which has was scheduled to take place been postponed for next from 28-30 May in Doha year. in line with the protective Doha will host the 2023 captaincy measures taken by the state World Judo Championships of Qatar to limit the spread which will serve as a qualify- of coronavirus (Covid-19). ing tournament for 2024 The QTJKF’s decision to post- . The event pone the event came upon will bring together more than again as ban expires the request of the Interna- 117 countries. RUGBY There have been calls for Smith to take back the Test captaincy from Tim Paine French clubs raise funds to help virus File photo of Australia’s Steve Smith. (AFP) victims and carers

File photo of La Rochelle’s French full back Arthur Retiere (left) in action during regular club match. (AFP)

AFP final. Another winger Vincent Paris Rattez gave the France jersey he wore when he came on as a substitute in the World Cup rench rugby clubs are quarter-final against Wales. taking the shirts off Other players have chipped their backs as a way of in and more than 1,500 en- Fdisplaying the “soli- trants have contributed over darity” they cherish in the face 30,000 euros. of the coronavirus pandemic. “Usually they support us They are not alone in French at the stadium. Today it’s our sports, with footballers and turn,” Orioli told French me- basketballers making dona- dia. Bordeaux Begles, the Top tions to help the sick and those 14 leaders, have also launched who care for them. a fund to support the nursing Rugby clubs and players are staff of a Bordeaux hospital, the making donations of time and club announced. money but have also started a Prizes include signed jerseys series of raffles to raise funds from Nans Ducuing, Jefferson with shirts worn by players in Poirot, Semi Radradra, Jean- AFP There have been calls for Smith to Smith admitted the IPL appeared un- big matches as a common prize. Baptiste Dubie and Santiago take back the Test captaincy from Tim likely to go ahead. England players set for pay cuts La Rochelle hooker Jean- Cordero, as well as training Paine, but it remains unclear wheth- “I think the country’s basically shut Charles Orioli was one of balls and training shirts. er he wants to, with the 35-year-old its borders until the 15th of April,” he England’s cricket players must “realise the the first to get involved on 17 French champions, Toulouse two-year leadership ban seemingly intent on playing on. said. bigger picture” and will be expected to take a March, the day restrictions on can boast a kitty of 45,000 slapped on Steve Smith after Coach Justin Langer last year praised “It’s obviously not looking likely at pay cut as the country’s cricket governing body movement were announced in euros. “As a good captain, Ju- the ball-tampering scandal Paine’s leadership as “brilliant” and the moment, I think there might be (ECB) tries to deal with the financial impact of France, offering to help people lien Marchand opened the prize in South Africa ended yester- said Smith may not want the “burden” some meetings over the next couple of the coronavirus pandemic, The Times reported on an island connected to the pool,” wrote prop Clement A yesterday. More than 662,700 people have been day, leaving the master batsman free to of captaincy on top of batting pressures. days to discuss what the go is with it all. town by a bridge. Castets promoting the draw in skipper Australia again. Aaron Finch is skipper of the Twenty20 “But just trying to stay physically infected by the novel coronavirus across the “If you have a family isolated a column in a local newspaper. The 30-year-old captained the team and one-day teams. fit and mentally fresh,” he added. “If it world and 30,751 have died, according to a Reu- on the Ile de Re and need to “It’s all voluntary, and there until he was suspended for 12 months Smith told Channel Nine television goes ahead at some point, then great. If ters tally, and the outbreak has brought global run errands or get help,” Orioli will be at least 10 jerseys. Some over a brazen attempt to alter the ball yesterday he was focused only on trying not, then there’s plenty going on in the sport to a virtual standstill. tweeted. “Let’s stay at home will be very interesting! The with sandpaper under his watch during to stay physically and mentally fit dur- world at the moment. Just play it day by England’s tour of Sri Lanka was cancelled earlier but also show solidarity.” aim is to be as attractive as pos- a Test in Cape Town in 2018. ing the coronavirus shutdown of Aus- day.” this month and the ECB announced no profes- Orioli and his team-mates sible.” Part of his punishment included a tralian cricket. All cricket in Australia has been can- sional cricket will be played until the end of May. created a raffle to support the “One of the values of rugby further year-long exile from any lead- He was supposed to be preparing for celled, with the team’s three-match England’s home test series against West Indies La Rochelle hospital. Each do- is solidarity. Everyone can par- ership role, which has now expired. a big-money payday at the Indian Pre- T20 series against New Zealand this and Pakistan and limited overs series with nation the public makes earns a ticipate and help the hospitals,” Co-conspirator and former vice- mier League, but the tournament has month a casualty after just one game. Australia from June to August are also at risk of chance to win a jersey donated said Castets, a student at the captain David Warner was banned from already been delayed until April 15 in Australia has a Test tour to Bangla- being postponed or cancelled if the situation by a player. School of Chiropody who has any leadership role for life, although response to the pandemic. desh scheduled for June and a subse- does not improve, leading to a further loss of Winger Arthur Retiere put been working at the Toulouse both have successfully resumed their With India in a three-week lockdown quent one-day campaign in England, revenue. Reuters up the jersey he wore when in University Hospital during the international careers. in a bid to contain a spread of the virus, but both appear to be at risk. last year’s European Challenge crisis.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION Iran’s discus trailblazer Hadadi Cook says cancelling tests positive for coronavirus County Championship Reuters Tehran may be best option hsan Hadadi, Iran’s first Olympic medallist, has tested positive AFP for coronavirus, re- London Eported on Saturday. Hadadi, the Asian discus champion who be- came a national hero when he won silver at the ormer England captain 2012 Olympics in London, has an athletics base Alastair Cook on Sat- in the US but was at home in Tehran when he urday called on cricket contracted the virus. Fchiefs to cancel the Eng- “We’ve received word that Iranian discus lish County Championship if the thrower @EhsanHadadi has tested positive for season cannot be played in full Coronavirus. We wish him a full and swift re- due to the coronavirus. covery,” World Athletics, the sport’s global gov- The England and Wales Crick- erning body, said on Twitter. et Board have postponed all do- Tasnim news agency reported Iran Athletic mestic action until at least May Federation doctor Ashkan Ordibehesht as say- 28 because of the pandemic. ing that the 35-year-old Ehsan had self-quar- The County Championship, antined after being diagnosed with the virus. which was due to begin on April slimmed-down schedule. play any sort of cricket, which “His recovery is going well,” the doctor added. 12, faces a lengthy delay after Tom But Cook, who won the Divi- hopefully we will, what I hope is Hadadi, a six-times Asian Championship Harrison, chief executive officer sion One title with Essex last sea- that they don’t try and have a six- winner and Asian discus record holder, had at the ECB, said that the “most fi- son, believes a shortened season game County Championship or been among the favourites to win gold at this Iran’s Ehsan Hadadi in action during the World Athletic Championships in Doha. (Reuters) nancially important forms of the would lose value. something like that. year’s Tokyo Games before the announcement game” will be prioritised. “In this year, over the next six “I would rather have one or of their postponement on Tuesday. tling, weightlifting or taekwondo. fected by the spread of the coronavirus. The That puts the Twenty20 Blast months, the bigger picture is the two full tournaments, because if When Hadadi won his , it was He was also his country’s first-ever world death toll in the country rose to 2,517 on Sat- and the inaugural season of most important,” Cook told the you do then play that tournament the first time an Iranian had stood on the podi- championship medallist in 2011. urday, with 139 fatalities in the past 24 hours, a The Hundred as the most likely BBC. or two tournaments it is so much um at the Games in any sport other than wres- Iran has been among the countries worst af- Health Ministry spokesman said. competitions to be retained in a “Whatever happens, if we do more rewarding to win it. Gulf Times Monday, March 30, 2020 3 SPORT

FOCUS Why NBA players are in good position to lead coronavirus ‘THEY’RE NOT ONLY HAPPY THAT WE’RE ABLE TO BE MORE THAN JUST ATHLETES AND ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THESE relief efforts KIND OF THINGS, BUT THEY’RE A DRIVING FORCE’ DPA been thrust into the middle of Los Angeles a major public health issue and decisively led the global con- versation. On November 7, 1991, ore than 915,000 NBA Commissioner David Stern people have watched sat to Magic Johnson’s left when Kevin Love, a five- the Lakers star announced he Mtime All-Star and an had contracted HIV. And it was NBA champion, speak earnestly Stern who fought push-back about the uncertainty Ameri- from around the league to in- cans face with Covid-19 trans- clude Johnson in that season’s forming their lives. All-Star Game. “What’s up everybody? It’s Johnson praised Stern, who Kevin Love here, just check- died in January, and the NBA ing in. I know that we’re going during a memorial for dispelling through some tough times... “ myths about HIV/AIDS while He filmed the message in a few increasing awareness. Behrens takes — the first couple of tries also eulogised her former boss were longer than five minutes that day, and now, she can’t help — from his dining room table, but see similarities in the NBA’s an American flag painted on mission. distressed wood directly behind “David always talked about him. what that platform could mean, Eventually, he got it trimmed that it could literally save lives to less than three minutes, em- beyond Magic’s. That’s always phasizing three things. Be kind. been who we are. And (current Help if you can. Stay resilient. Commissioner Adam Silver), “Our actions and our words he’s been all over me making speak volumes at this time,” sure we’re getting all these PSAs Love said. out there, that we’re using our Love started his charitable ef- global message, that we’re cre- forts by donating 100,000 dol- ating these ways for people to lars to workers at his home arena be engaged. “... It’s a playbook in Cleveland within a day after we’ve used before, unfortunate- the NBA season was suspended ly.” And it’s become a part of the indefinitely March 11. Now it was league’s lifeblood. this — a message directed at bas- In 2018, Love wrote a first- ketball fans all over the globe. person story for “The Players Public service announce- Tribune” about his battles with ments from the NBA have been anxiety, becoming an advocate seen more than 49mn times. for mental health awareness in Ten players, including Love, and out of the NBA. Hearing a have pledged financial support player talk about things other for arena workers. Teams and than basketball? It’s a part of players have donated more than NBA life, whether it’s mental 38mn dollars and nearly 1.5mn illness, the league’s relation- meals. ship with China, gun violence or Love’s video went up March Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is one of many NBA players to donate time and money for Covid-19 relief efforts. (TNS) criminal justice reforms. 17, and by then the league was “We all feel some of that already well into a coordinated working to spread messages of least seven NBA players — past well-being. Thirteen current minimum amount of commu- Behrens said Love, Young anxiety and stress and the un- plan to become an active mem- hygiene, social distancing and and present — recorded PSAs for players — Love, Gobert, Victor nity events each season. While and Stephen Curry were known — at least that’s what ber of public health discourse, mental well-being while their China and Wuhan, the original Oladipo, Jayson Tatum, Damian some of those appearances re- among those to respond. She really works me up and is really tapping into a part of the NBA gyms and arenas are dark. “Once epicentre of the novel corona- Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Trae quire more nudging than others, also praised Mitchell, who like scary,” Love said of dealing with that’s different than other major we ended suspending the sea- virus. One night after the league Young, Luka Doncic, Dwight Behrens said the response to the Gobert tested positive for the vi- Covid-19. “Day to day with this pro sports leagues. son, we just pivoted right away suspended its season, “Inside the Powell, , Jamal Murray, Covid-19 pandemic has been or- rus. Mitchell appeared on “Good thing, turning on the news and “They’re not only happy that to what we could do to help,” NBA” — the beloved and irrever- Al Horford and Tacko Fall — have ganic. Morning America” to talk about seeing the new reports and the we’re able to be more than just said Kathy Behrens, NBA presi- ent pregame and postgame show video messages at the bottom of “It’s super gratifying. But his experience being asympto- numbers... it’s a really odd time athletes and able to talk about dent of social responsibility and on TNT — didn’t have to strain to a coronavirus fact sheet on the honestly, it’s not surprising. matic. “He was unbelievable,” to navigate things. But the com- these kind of things, but they’re player programs. “... We’re try- turn its show into a public health NBA’s web page (the top link on We’ve been hearing from guys Behrens said. “That first week- munity aspect, helping others a driving force,” Love said of the ing to put as much of what we’re forum, with Dr Sanjay Gupta NBA.com). At least six others who are like, ‘What do you want end, he kept raising his hand.” and random acts of kindness — if NBA in a phone interview on doing... directly focused on this fielding questions from Kenny have participated in PSAs. me to do?’ ‘What can I do?’ “ Curry, a two-time MVP, host- you’re able to do it, it absolutely Saturday. “They want us to be issue right now.” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal like Player involvement in the Behrens said. “... I’m not calling ed one of the clearest, clutter- is what makes me and a lot of that. That’s what helps make our The NBA wasn’t caught by he was an All-Star guard instead community isn’t new. The Joel Embiid and telling him that free discussions about Covid-19 people feel better. league powerful.” surprise by the Covid-19 out- of a neurosurgeon. The NBA had league formed NBA Cares in he should be giving 500,000 with Dr Anthony Fauci on In- “It’s a common enemy. It’s a The NBA has been active in break. With two league offices stars instruct fans on the impor- 2005 with the goal of generating dollars to support your commu- stagram — an event that even sense of being united. Nothing the fight against Covid-19 since in China, employees had been tance of hand-washing before 1mn hours of community serv- nity. These guys understand the had former president Barack unites us like a common enemy. I it was announced that Utah’s working from home as early as shifting the messaging to self- ice. NBA players are contractu- obligation and the responsibility Obama as a commenter. This feel, selfishly, helping, it’s a way Ruby Gobert tested positive, late December, Behrens said. At distancing, generosity and social ally required to participate in a that they have.” isn’t the first time the NBA has of therapy for me.”

NFL SPOTLIGHT Ravens add Wolfe on one-year deal Former MLB All-Star By Jonas Shaffer drug policy.) In 2017, he suffered a Edmonds hospitalised The Baltimore Sun season-ending neck injury, and he hurt his elbow in Week 13 last year. The coronavirus pandemic has with Covid-19 symptoms he Ravens and defensive limited teams’ availability to eval- end Derek Wolfe have uate players, but Wolfe appears AFP agreed to a one-year deal, close to full strength. On Friday, Los Angeles Taddressing a position he posted a video to Twitter that of need one day after a deal fell he said was from two weeks ago through for the team’s top free- in which he’s bench-pressing two ormer eight-time Gold agent acquisition. 130-pound dumbbells. The cap- Glove winner Jim Ed- The 6-foot-5, 285-pound tion reads: “Elbow is good to go.” monds was in hospital Wolfe, 30, is coming off a career- Wolfe joins a defense in need of Fon Saturday with symp- best seven-sack season for the pass-rush pop. The Ravens’ line toms similar to the Covid-19 Denver Broncos, the only team combined for just five sacks last disease. he’s played for in his eight-year season, led by defensive end Chris The 49-year-old Edmonds is NFL career. He was one of the Wormley (1 1/2), who was traded awaiting test results after trying top free agents still available af- March 20 to the Pittsburgh Steel- to tough it out on his own. But he ter the Ravens announced Friday ers. The trade with the Jackson- says his condition worsened and that they would not be signing Los ville Jaguars for Pro Bowl defensive he decided to check himself into Angeles Rams defensive lineman end Calais Campbell, who can also a hospital. Michael Brockers, who’d agreed wreak havoc as an interior pass “Held off as long as I could,” to sign before free agency opened rusher, underscored the team’s Edmonds wrote on Instagram March 18. emphasis on upgrading its defen- and included a photo of himself Concerns about an ankle injury sive line production. wearing a mask. “I thought I was reportedly doomed the three-year, Over 108 games, Wolfe has 33 tough enough to get through. $30 million deal for Brockers, who sacks, 77 quarterback hits and This virus is no joke. #geth- quickly signed a similar contract 299 tackles. The Super Bowl 50 ealthy.” Edmonds’ delay in get- monds hit 393 career homers in extension Friday with the Rams. champion told Denver7 on Satur- ting to hospital is not unusual. 17 seasons — mainly with the Wolfe, who was limited to 12 day that that he feels “like I have Because of an overwhelmed Anaheim Angels (1993-99) and games last season after dislocating plenty of good football left” and mainly private health care sys- St. Louis Cardinals (2000-07). his elbow, could earn up to $6 mil- that the signing gives him a chance tem, Americans who suspect An all-round player, he also cap- lion in 2020, according to ESPN. to compete for another NFL title. they may have the new corona- tured eight Gold Glove awards Injuries have been a nagging “I am coming off one of my best virus are being told to stay away for brilliant defensive play. problem through Wolfe’s ca- seasons. I was on pace for 10-plus from emergency rooms unless Edmonds batted.284 with reer. While he’s played in at least sacks. That’s my goal to get that their symptoms are serious. 1,199 RBIs in 2,011 career games. 11 games every season since the every year,” Wolfe said. The has the He currently works as a broad- Broncos took him No 36 overall out “It’s going to be weird (not see- highest number of new corona- caster for the Cardinals. of Cincinnati in the 2012 draft, he’s ing Von Miller and other team- virus cases in the world, more “Thinking of our friend, Jim played in all 16 games just three mates). And it will be weird being than 120,000, and its death toll Edmonds, and hoping he starts times. (In 2015, he missed four in a different locker room. But I am is around 2,150 and climbing. feeling better soon!” the Cardi- games for a violation of the NFL’s super stoked.” File photo of Derek Wolfe. (TNS) The four-time all-star Ed- nals tweeted on Saturday. Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 30, 2020 SPORT

OPINION UK Athletics chief shuns ‘medals at all costs’ mentality

AFP resist,” she told the Sunday Postponing Olympics saves athletes from mental turmoil: Coe London Telegraph. “The board has given me the World Athletics president remit to make changes to ensure said yesterday the decision to postpone K Athletics’ new chief this organisation gets back to this year’s Tokyo Olympics because of executive Joanna where it should be. the coronavirus has saved athletes from Coates does not want “What that team looks like “mental turmoil”. “medals at all costs” as that drives it forward, let’s see. Former Olympic champion Coe supported U the move to push the Games back to 2021 she tries to steer the organisation There will be major change through a turbulent period. in the organisation, and that and said competitors would have been UK Athletics recently pub- doesn’t just mean people. That placed in an impossible position if the lished the results of an inde- means policy, procedures, how event had been left to start on July 24 as pendent review into the han- we liaise with other organisa- originally scheduled. dling of Mo Farah’s controversial tions.” They would have been tempted to con- former coach Alberto Salazar, Coates was chief executive tinue training despite large parts of the which prompted performance of England Netball as the team world being in lockdown due the Covid-19 director Neil Black to leave his won Commonwealth Games pandemic, which has now killed more than role last year. gold in 2018 but she insists suc- 31,000 people. US coach Salazar was banned cess in major competitions is “We didn’t want to have the athletes in a for four years in October after just one part of her vision for position where they were countering gov- being found guilty of doping vi- the sport. ernment advice, maybe even breaking the olations following an investiga- “I wrote a list of what I wanted law,” Coe told TalkSport yesterday. tion by the USADA. to achieve in the sport before I “And of course in the back of their minds The Nike Oregon Project was started and the big one at the was always that concern, it wasn’t just their used as a training base by four- top was that perception had own training programme, but that they ran time Olympic champion Farah changed,” she said. the risk of effectively infecting themselves, between 2011 and 2017. “I do not want medals at all their families, their kids, grandparents or Farah’s relationship with costs. I hope that Dina (Asher- parents, and we just wanted to take them Salazar has come under the mi- Smith) wins. I believe she will out of that mental turmoil as quickly as we croscope but there is no sugges- and we want her to. possibly could. tion of any wrongdoing by the UK Athletics’ chief executive Joanna Coates. “But it’s about her story, her “We’re no different from everyone else out British long-distance runner. journey in athletics and what there but I think we just concluded that There was criticism of UK the organisation after a sepa- “The opportunity to change a athletics can bring to anybody sport, on this occasion, had to take a back Athletics’ failure to step in and rate review by UK Sport was sport and make people proud of that participates. That’s what it seat.” Coates wants to restore trust in launched. it again is something I couldn’t should be about.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT ICSS chairman lauds Qatar’s efforts in fight Organisers eyeing against coronavirus

QNA Doha

nternational Center for July 2021 start for Sports Security (ICSS) chairman Mohamed bin IHanzab said the State of Qatar has given an ideal model in societal and human interac- tion with atypical global crises. Referring to the challenge of coronavirus, bin Hanzab added postponed Olympics that the power of sport and its ICSS chairman Mohamed bin impact on societies emerge in Hanzab. times of crises and adversities. The 2020 Tokyo Games, postponed because of the coronavirus, would start July 23, 2021 ICSS chairman said sport the precautionary and preven- has demonstrated once again tive measures taken by many its ability to contribute to al- countries, particularly the leviating the impact of this State of Qatar, which provided crisis and that “in the Save a transparent model in social The Dream programme we and human interaction with are satisfied with our con- global atypical crises such as tribution in the efforts of the the coronavirus pandemic. World Health Organization Through its global pro- (WHO) through participation gramme Save the Dream, ICSS in the international campaign has participated in the interna- to raise awareness and raise tional efforts aimed at raising funds and through the ambas- the pace of health awareness sadors of the programme from in various societies on ways the former stars in football and to prevent the spread of novel other games. coronavirus, which is ram- pant in most countries of the world. The “Safe the Dream” programme participated in DPA held August 24-September 5, likely new slot is “realistic” even Vast majority of German athletes support the “Clean Hands” challenge, Berlin according to NHK. though it is “far from ideal.” a campaign launched by the IOC president Thomas Bach Keeping the July/August slot Olympics postponement WHO, in which the pro- said earlier in the week a final de- makes it easier to accommo- gramme contributed to raising he postponed Tokyo cision should be reached within date the Games in a full sports Vast majority of German athletes support Olympics postponement awareness about personal hy- Olympics appear set the next three weeks. NHK said calendar and should also be the German athletes are in full support of the postponement of He also praised the efforts giene through a wide campaign to have the same time a new date could be confirmed preferred scenario for American this year’s Tokyo Olympics to 2021 because of the coronavirus of the World Health Organi- on the official platforms of the slot in 2021 as originally within a week. broadcasters NBC who have paid outbreak, according to the nation’s Olympic Sports Confederation zation, reiterating ICSS’ full “Safe the Dream” programme T (DOSB) yesterday. planned for this year, according Another emergency IOC ex- more that 12 billion dollars for the commitment, as a civil soci- on social media with the par- to reports yesterday. ecutive board meeting was re- rights 2014-2032. The DOSB told dpa that almost 95 per cent of the athletes sur- ety organisation, to contrib- ticipation of a number of the Japanese broadcasters NHK portedly scheduled while Japa- Several world champion- veyed just before Tuesday’s decision by the International Olympic ute to international efforts of programme’s ambassadors. and the New York Times said that nese organisers were set to meet ships, including in the Olympic Committee (IOC) and local organizers in were in favour of a combating Covid-19; to par- The Director-General of the the preferred option is to open the today. showcase sports of swimming postponement, and 70 per cent of them for a move to next year. ticipate in global awareness World Health Organization Games on July 23, with the clos- Bach had been open to other and athletics, would have to be The survey was conducted among 1,409 athletes, with 808 from 35 campaigns in different socie- Dr Tedros Adhanom, com- ing ceremony on August 8, citing dates and some international rescheduled to fit in the Games sports participating. ties; and to provide advice and mended the “Save the Dream” sources familiar with the matter. federations had suggested mov- next year. Weikert meanwhile A group of 43.4 per cent meanwhile said they would have par- guidance to children, youth programme’s contribution The Games were originally set for ing the Games to spring 2021, to said that the table tennis worlds ticipated if the Games had been staged as planned this year, with and all segments of society to to supporting the organisa- July 24-August 9 this year before avoid the intense summer heat would not get a new date. another 20.6 per saying this would have depended on additional stay in their homes and at the tion’s campaign for combat- being pushed back in an unprece- which has been a concern. World Athletics chief Sebas- measures such as a go-ahead from the World Health Organization. same time practice habits that ing Covid-19, and commend- dented move by the International They included the ruling ta- tian Coe, the chief organizer of “With a week now elapsed it becomes clear how important our reflect their activity so that ed the participation of the Olympic Committee (IOC) and ble tennis body ITTF which also the London 2012 Olympics, has open exchange with the Team athletes really was in this athletes are truly role models programme’s ambassadors, local organizers because of the its world championships set for said his body and local organis- crisis situation,” DOSB President Alfons Hoermann said. for others in times of crisis. extending thanks for the pro- coronavirus pandemic. June 17-26 next year in the US. ers are looking into the possi- “The result now available also clearly confirms our clear position ICSS chairman expressed gramme’s support of the in- The Paralympics are also to But ITTF president Thomas bility to push back the worlds in towards the IOC at the beginning of the week.” satisfaction with the level of ternational campaign through keep their slot, expected to be Weikert admitted to dpa that the Oregon to 2022. response of many nations with social media platforms.

ESPORTS Franchitti a virtual winner while Fittipaldi still has it at 73

Reuters Circuit in simulated 1975 Brabham The race was a prelude to the third I really enjoyed it very much. Es- London BT44 cars with all competitors join- in a series of All-Star Esports bat- pecially with Emmo Fittipaldi. So ing remotely. tles, with the latest won by Dutch much respect for him joining the British endurance racer Darren professional gamer Bono Huis. race with us,” he added. riple 500 win- Turner was second with Mexican “I wish, in my time, we had simu- “I really hope there will not be ner Dario Franchitti won a Adrian Fernandez third and Aus- lators. My life would be much easi- many occasions (to race online) be- virtual ‘Legends Trophy’ tralian 2009 Le Mans winner David er,” Fittipaldi, whose Italian son-in- cause of course the reason why we Ton Saturday while two- Brabham, son of the late triple F1 law Max Papis was also competing, are all free is because of this world times Formula One world champion world champion Jack, fourth. said before the event. situation.” Emerson Fittipaldi showed at 73 that “It was a lot of fun and all the guys Italian Emanuele Pirro, a five Fittipaldi has plenty of family esports is not just for the youngsters. are already on the chat group mak- times Le Mans winner and regular competition to keep him on his toes, The Brazilian, who won his F1 ti- ing arrangements for next week,” Formula One steward, was in a first with young children from a third tles in 1972 and 1974, joined a stel- said Franchitti of a fun event put to- corner collision with Colombian marriage and two grandchildren lar field of drivers from the Ameri- gether after all real-life motorsport pole-sitter Juan Pablo Montoya at making their way as professional cas and Europe in an over-40s race was stalled by the coronavirus pan- the start. racers. organised by Torque Esports and demic. Pirro blamed the Latin American Pietro Fittipaldi, 23, is a test and www.the-race.com. Fittipaldi came 13th, ahead of and said Montoya, a two times Indy reserve driver for the Haas F1 team Franchitti, 46 and a four times compatriot and three-times Indi- 500 winner, had been ‘very optimis- while 18-year-old Enzo Fittipaldi is IndyCar champion, came out on top anapolis 500 winner Helio Castron- tic’. a member of the Ferrari driver acad- after 11 laps of Silverstone’s National eves who failed to finish. “Apart from this it was great... emy. Two-times Formula One world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

Monday, March 30, 2020 GULF TIMES FOOTBALL

FOCUS UPDATE Turkish World Cup hero Recber tests Juve players, coach positive for Covid-19 Sarri agree pay cut due to coronavirus ‘The economic and financial effects are positive for about 90mn euros’

AFP “We are in a state of shock af- Ankara, Turkey ter the symptoms developed rap- idly while everything was nor- mal. These are critical times and ormer Turkish national it’s very difficult.” team and ex-Barcelo- She added that she, as well as na goalkeeper Rustu their son and daughter, had test- FRecber is in hospital af- ed negative for the virus. ter testing positive for coronavi- The goalkeeper, now 46, en- rus, his wife said. joyed a brief spell at Barcelona in Recber took on hero status in 2003 after starring in the World Turkey as he kept goal at the 2002 Cup a year earlier when Turkey World Cup, anchoring his team beat co-hosts South Korea 3-2 in to the semi-finals and ultimately the third-place play-off. third place, their greatest ever per- He also played for Istanbul gi- formance in the tournament. ants Fenerbahce and Besiktas in The powerfully built and football-mad Turkey before re- poney-tailed goalkeeper was tiring in 2012. easily recognisable at the World Last week, Galatasaray man- Cup due to the black, anti- ager Fatih Terim said he also reflection product he smeared tested positive for the virus. beneath his eyes like some NFL Turkey has officially recorded players. 7,402 cases of the new corona- “Rustu is in hospital with a virus while 108 people have died, Covid-19 diagnosis,” Isil Recber according to the health minister said on Instagram late Saturday. on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT Spurs’ Son returns In this February 26, 2020, picture, Juventus players pose for a team group photo before the Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France. (Reuters)

Reuters closed doors due to the spread of virus — forward Paulo Dybala, “The understanding pro- Long-standing player Giorgio to South Korea for London, United Kingdom the virus. defender Daniele Rugani and vides for the reduction of the Chiellini is understood to have “The economic and financial midfielder Blaise Matuidi. compensation for an amount led the players’ negotiations effects of the understanding Soccer around the world has equal to the monthly wages of amid reports in the Italian me- ‘personal reasons’ uventus players and reached are positive for about been brought to a standstill by March, April, May and June dia that Cristiano Ronaldo had coach Maurizio Sarri have 90mn euros ($100.26mn) for the pandemic and ’s top- 2020. agreed to sacrifice 3.8mn euros AFP after returning from South Korea reached an agreement the 2019/2020 financial year”, fight Serie A has been suspended “In the coming weeks, per- of his yearly wage to ease the fi- London, United Kingdom at the end of February, having Jover a wage reduction Juventus said in a statement on since March 9. Italy has seen the sonal agreements with the play- nancial burden on the club while travelled home for surgery. that will save the Italian cham- Saturday. highest number of deaths in any ers and the coach will be final- Italy is in lockdown. He will take part in Totten- pions 90mn euros in the 2019- “The understanding pro- country from the virus so far. ised, as required by the current The agreement comes the day ottenham forward Son ham’s remote training pro- 2020 financial year, the Serie A vides for the reduction of the regulations. after leading Spanish club Atleti- Heung-min has been gramme, which is set to begin via club announced on Saturday. compensation for an amount HEALTH EMERGENCY “Should the current season’s co Madrid took the decision to cut allowed to fly home to video call today. Sarri and the players have equal to the monthly payments “Juventus Football Club S.p.A. matches be rescheduled, the the wages of their staff, including TSouth Korea for “per- Son was not expected to return agreed to what amounts to a of March, April, May and June announces that, due to the cur- Club will negotiate in good faith the players, to ease the financial sonal reasons”. from injury this season, but the four-month pay cut to help the 2020”, it added, saying personal rent global health emergency with the players and the coach burden on the club. Although Britain is on lock- pandemic has postponed English Italia champions during the agreements with Sarri and the (which) is preventing the per- conditional increases of com- Atletico joined La Liga ri- down due to the coronavirus, the football until at least April 30. coronavirus crisis. players will be finalised in the formance of the sporting activity, pensation according to the ac- vals Barcelona, who imposed a Premier League club on Sunday Meanwhile, Son’s Tottenham The agreement comes at a coming weeks. it has reached an understanding tual resumption and finalisation compulsory wage reduction on said Son has been given permis- team-mate Steven Bergwijn has time when leading clubs around The Turin-based club, in one with the players and the coach of official competitions. their players during the period sion to return to Asia. travelled to the Netherlands Europe have had to slash wage of the regions hit hardest by the of the First Team regarding their “Juventus would like to thank of lockdown after Spain became The 27-year-old has been re- ahead of the impending birth of bills because of the dramatic crisis, have suffered in recent compensation for the residual the players and the coach for the second-most affected coun- covering after suffering a frac- his child. impact of matches having to weeks with three of their play- portion of the current sport sea- their commitment at a difficult try by the coronavirus in Europe tured arm during Tottenham’s “The club has given permis- be postponed or played behind ers having tested positive for the son,” the statement said. time for everyone.” behind Italy. win at Aston Villa on February sion for both Heung-Min Son 16. and Steven Bergwijn to return to It was reported Son and his their home countries,” a state- BOTTOMLINE parents arrived in on Sun- ment on Tottenham’s website day and will spend two weeks in said. quarantine in line with South “Both players will continue Korean government guidelines. their individual rehabilitation Son had already spent two and training programmes during Trophy-hungry Kane says he cannot weeks in self-isolation in Britain their time away.” guarantee Spurs stay without progress MEASURES

Reuters team and how we progress as a team. Minister to propose London, United Kingdom “So, it’s not a definite ‘I’m going to stay there forever’ but it’s not a no either.” no Serie A, Italian ottenham Hotspur striker The closest Kane has come to Harry Kane said yester- winning a trophy was in the League day that he could leave the Cup final in 2015 and the Champi- sports in April TPremier League club if the ons League final last season, with team does not progress in the right Spurs losing to Chelsea and Liver- DPA some 92,000 overall cases. direction as he wants to win tro- pool, respectively. , Italy Spadafora also said he would phies “sooner rather than later”. “We’ve been saying that (Spurs make available 400mn euros Kane has scored 181 goals for can win trophies with this team) for (445mn dollars) for amateur Spurs in all competitions — aver- a couple of years now,” he added. talian sports minister Vin- sports hit hard by the pandemic, aging 30 goals a season since his “We have a fantastic team but for cenzo Spadafora has told insisting that “sport isn’t just breakthrough into the starting one reason or another we haven’t yesterday’s La Repubblica football, and football not only lineup in 2014 — but he is yet to win been able to get those trophies. Ipaper he will propose an na- Serie A”. a trophy with the London club. “It’s a hard thing to take as a tionwide sports ban extension The minister added that the The England striker signed a six- player, as a person... I want to win until the end of April. Seria A must must be ready for year contract extension in 2018 that in everything I do. When we come For now, football’s Serie A and big changes in light of the out- would keep him at Spurs until 2024 close and don’t quite get there, it’s other events are suspended un- break, with many clubs facing but admitted in an Instagram Q&A hard to take and it starts to build up. til April 3 but Spadafore named major economic hardship due to with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Red- “Of course I want to win tro- a restart then “unrealistic” and the suspension and uncertainty knapp that he could not guarantee phies, I want to be doing it sooner that his proposal to be made when and whether at all the sea- he would stay if Spurs were not rather than later.” Monday would also include son can resume. successful. Spurs, who were knocked out of training — now that the Tokyo “The big clubs live in a bub- “I’ll always love Spurs, but it’s all cup competitions this season, Olympics are also postponed. ble, beyond their means, looking one of them things. I’ve always said are eighth in the league standings “I will propose extending the at the millionaire wages of the if I don’t feel like we’re progress- — seven points adrift of fourth- ban on sports competitions at players. They need to understand ing as a team or going in the right placed Chelsea and the Champions every level for all of April,” he that nothing can be like before direction, I’m not someone to stay League qualifying spots. said. anymore after this crisis,” he there just for the sake of it,” Kane Kane has been recovering from The Serie A has been suspend- said. said. a hamstring injury that required ed since March 9 and at least On Saturday, players of “I’m an ambitious player, I want surgery and was expected to return 15 top flight players have tested champions Juventus agreed to to improve and become better. I next month before the coronavirus positive for Covid-19. The Ital- forego four months in salaries, want to become a top, top player, so pandemic suspended the season ian death toll from the disease amounting to some 90mn euros it all depends on what happens as a until at least April 30. topped 10,000 yesterday, with (100.5mn dollars).