NFL | Page 3 TENNIS | Page 5 Two thumbs up Tough for for work-from- Murray to win home draft: NFL another Slam, bosses says Rusedski

Monday, April 27, 2020 FOOTBALL Ramadan 4, 1441 AH Bayern expects to GULF TIMES extends Neuer’s contract: report SPORT Page 2

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Paris 2024 Olympics F1 return with two plans ‘obsolete’: IOC member Drut races per venue looks increasingly likely ‘I have complete confidence in our ability to put on these events’

DPA Munich, Germany

ormula One has long had a habit of trying to cram in as many races as pos- Fsible but this season may take it to extremes. This year’s calendar was meant to start in Australia on March 15, but with all the teams already in Melbourne, the race was called off with two days’ notice after McLaren personnel AFP “Can the response to this cri- tested positive for the new coro- Paris, France sis be translated by simply post- navirus. poning dates, without the Games In total, nine grands prix have model — both economic and or- now been postponed or can- lans for the 2024 Sum- ganisational — also being deeply celled due to the pandemic, with mer Olympics in Paris rethought?” asked the 69-year- most in F1 accepting the French are “obsolete and out- old, who served as sports min- race on June 28 will almost cer- Pdated” in light of the ister in France between 1995-7 tainly have to be called off too. coronavirus pandemic, IOC under Jacques Chirac. That leaves the Austrian member and former French “The beautiful project that we Grand Prix at ’s own sports minister Guy Drut said built and carried in the bid phase track in Spielberg on July 5 as a yesterday. for Paris 2024 is now obsolete, possible starting point, if the Former Olympic champion outdated, out of touch with real- government gives the go ahead. Drut, who won gold in the 110m ity. After initial stringent lockdown hurdles in 1976 and took silver “If the project is to remain measures, the Austrian authori- four years before, added in a col- unchanged, we must review its ties have begun to ease restric- umn for franceinfo that the Ol- means and refocus on the es- tions. ympic Games needed to be “re- sential. The first necessity is to “Obviously a lot of research invented” to put them more in make a budgetary reassessment has gone on into how a race touch with reality. of what Paris 2024 Olympics will could be hosted without fans “The crisis we’re going cost. and the minimum amount of through has a lasting impact on “The Games of yesterday will people in attendance,” Red Bull In this November 15, 2019, picture, McLaren’s (right) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc drive around the Jose Carlos Pace Circuit during our daily lives, our way of life, not be the Games of tomorrow. team boss Christian Horner told a practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. (Reuters) our economy, our social pact, our We have to accept that and to- Britain’s Sun newspaper. choice of society,” wrote Drut. gether imagine a new model. “Procedures would be put in But F1 bosses, whose original “two races, on Sundays, July 5 of permutations including host- Races at Silverstone would al- “It cannot and must not re- “We have to rethink them to place, including (virus) testing calendar included 22 races from and 12,” and that only a second ing two races over one weekend most certainly have to be with- main without effect on the im- adapt them, to keep them rele- with team numbers reduced to March to November, are target- wave of the coronavirus pan- and two races over consecutive out spectators too, while there perative necessity which is to vant to the changing world. They around 80 people. ing 18 races in the season despite demic could change that. weekends,” managing director is speculation it could host a reinvent ourselves. will not be able to take place at “The global crisis is bigger than only starting in July. Austrian sports minister Stuart Pringle told the Guardian race on a Wednesday as well as “The Olympic and Paralympic any cost, disconnected from our sport, but if you put a marker That raises the obvious pros- Werner Kogler has said the gov- last week. a Sunday to quicken the pace Games are no exception to this reality, on the ‘margins’ of the in the sand and say, July 5 is the pect of some tracks like Spiel- ernment would “at least not “I have complete confidence of the season or even host three new context. They too must re- world.” starting point, if things change berg hosting double header stand in the way” of racing be- in our ability to put on these grands prix. invent themselves.” In that context, Drut suggest- and get worse, they can always be races to avoid immediate travel hind closed doors, which pre- events. We have a lot of experi- Pringle expects F1 bosses to The International Olympic ed hosting certain events on a changed,” Horner added. to another destination where sumably would extend to two ence, a lot of knowledge, we can announce a new calendar in Committee, jointly with local single site “whatever the organ- “It is all set up and ready to lockdown measures may be dif- races. turn that on definitely.” early May. organisers, has been forced into ising country”, citing as an exam- go. It is just a case of flicking the ferent and which potentially A double header in Austria With seven of 10 teams based Only Monaco is definitely delaying the 2020 Tokyo Olym- ple Tahiti or Hawaii for surfing. switch. It is a bespoke facility all further exposes F1 personnel to would open the door for other in England, two races at Silver- cancelled, raising the prospect pics by one year to 2021 because He also proposed limiting the geared up for F1.” the virus. tracks to follow suit. stone would make sense. But the of venues whose races have al- of the Covid-19 outbreak. number of additional sports. The Red Bull Ring even has an Helmut Marko, the motor- The British Grand Prix is slated pandemic has taken real hold ready been postponed reappear- But Drut, an IOC member “It is very expensive to build airport very close if authorities sport adviser of the Red Bull for July 19 but Silverstone is also in Britain and the government ing on the schedule. It is a huge since 1996, argued that post- new equipment for an event that wanted to further reduce poten- team, told Austria’s Oe3 radio looking at holding two races. there is cautious about lifting a undertaking but F1 always likes ponement of dates was just the lasts only three, four days,” Drut tial contact. last week that F1 is planning “We have discussed all sorts lockdown too early. to think big. tip of the iceberg. argued.

FOOTBALL Everton ‘appalled’ by Kean lockdown breach

Reuters policy in relation to the corona- the country. A return is not im- had let down his family, friends, London, United Kingdom virus crisis,” the Premier League minent with the best-case sce- club, supporters and the public. club said in a statement. nario being a re-start in mid June. Tottenham’s Serge Aurier and “The club has strongly ex- Soccer has been in the spot- Moussa Sissoko apologised after verton say they are “ap- pressed its disappointment to the light with clubs and players com- a photo emerged of them training palled” after images player and made it clear that such ing under scrutiny about their together while Tottenham man- emerged in the media actions are completely unaccept- response. Tottenham Hotspur ager Jose Mourinho “accepted Eshowing Italian striker able. and Liverpool both came under his actions were not in line with Moise Kean flouting govern- “Everton has regularly stressed fire for furloughing non-playing protocol” after holding a one- ment lockdown rules by hosting the importance of following all staff — decisions they later re- on-one training session in a pub- a house party. the Government guidelines — versed. lic park with midfielder Tanguy The 20-year-old, who joined including rules and advice for Kean is not the only player to Ndombele. from Juventus last summer, was inside and outside of the home — flout rules during the lockdown. Players and clubs have offered reported by British media to have through a series of official com- Manchester City’s Kyle Walker support throughout the crisis filmed himself at his apartment munications to all staff members, could be disciplined after British though. Premier League players partying with guests. including players.” media reported he broke lock- joined forces to start the #Play- “Everton Football Club was British soccer has been sus- down rules by hosting a party in- ersTogether initiative to raise appalled to learn of an incident in pended since mid-March due to volving two sex workers. money for the Britain’s National which a first team player ignored the Covid-19 pandemic that has Walker apologised for his ac- Health Service. Government guidance and club killed at least 20,000 people in tions in a statement, saying he Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 27, 2020 SPORT

FOOTBALL Blast from the past PHOTO OF THE DAY

With sporting events around the world grinding to a halt, Gulf Times Sport dived down the vault for some fantastic, Bayern expects sometimes offbeat stories that can be told through pictures. to extend Neuer’s contract: report ‘It just becomes harder and knowing that we played so well the entire tournament’

DPA Munich, Germany

ayern Munich’s sport- ing director Hasan Salihamidzic said he Bexpects to renew goal- keeper Manuel Neuer’s con- tract and also hopes to sign an- other top player in the coming months, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported yesterday. “I’m an optimist, so I hope we can extend the contract with Manuel,” Salihamidzic told the German newspaper. Recent disagreements be- tween Neuer and the German Bundesliga champions have been “resolved internally,” Sali- hamidzic said. In an interview with the The date was July 31, 2012, and it was a shoot-off yet again in the Sunday newspaper earlier this men’s skeet competition, eight years after he had missed out month, Neuer complained that on a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. This time, however, he missed the discretion afford- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah edged out the other contender, ed in the past, amid his contract Valeriy Shomin of Russia 6-5, to win the country’s third Olympic negotiations with Bayern. medal and first in shooting. The 2011 champion had He was “irritated” by the con- barely had a few days of practice before he headed to London tract talks’ content being made for his fifth Olympic appearance, but on the day he handled his public. nerves well to win bronze. (Reuters) “Manuel knows that we ap- preciate him very much. I played with Oliver Kahn. I know how good a world-class goalkeeper UPDATE can be to a team. Manuel is a world-class goalkeeper. He is held in high esteem in our club,” Salihamidzic told the paper. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer takes part in a training session in Munich, Germany, on Friday. (Reuters) Belgian league leaves Negotiations between the club and captain Neuer over a new contract beyond June 2021 door ajar for restart have been difficult and media Dortmund CEO calls for quick resumption to save football reports have said the sides were DPA ing the issue. man clubs go bankrupt, Watzke “Footballers have to go in Reuters strapped clubs clamoured for the at odds when it comes to length Berlin, Germany “If we don’t play for the next few said, adding that the 50+1 rule for tackles. Even when the Brussels, Belgium campaign to be declared over in and worth of the deal. months, the whole Bundesliga which prevents big investors hairdressers reopen, there will an open letter to the league. Goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel will go downhill. Then it will no dominating club boardrooms be physical contact. They can Runaway league leaders Club will arrive from rival Bundesliga orussia Dortmund chief longer exist in the form we have would then be at risk. reduce the risk with a mask. We elgium’s Pro League, Brugge were declared champions side Schalke in July, unless the executive Hans-Joachim known it,” Watzke told Sky TV “Everyone knows that if there are can do it by isolating our play- who meet today for the but other decisions around pro- coronavirus pandemic and the BWatzke wants the yesterday. “Of course I know insolvencies, the so-called ‘White ers as much as possible and first time since a - deci motion and relegation, as well as league hiatus means agreements Bundesliga to resume as soon many fans say there will be no Knights’ will also come and say doing constant tests.” sion to cancel the rest places in next season’s European as possible with games behind atmosphere in the stadiums and we’ll give you money, but you The Dortmund chief also B are reached to push back the deal of this season, are expected to club competitions, were referred until this season is completed. closed doors. that will also come across on TV. have to make sure that 50+1 is denied fans would congregate put off formal ratification of that to a five-man working group. Coach Hansi Flick has indi- The German top flight has been That’s absolutely clear. (But) this got rid of,” he said. “You have outside stadiums if games are decision, leaving the door open The league’s plans have been cated Nuebel will be Neuer’s suspended since mid-March is about saving football.” to be careful that there are not played behind closed doors, for a possible resumption of the muddied by the failure of Bel- deputy for the foreseeable fu- because of the coronavirus There are nine games left in the developments in football that we risking a spread of the virus, campaign. gium’s government to provide ture. pandemic. The league hopes Bundesliga season. Playing them will never be able to reverse.” and his view was mirrored by a The meeting of the league’s 24 clarity on when sports events According to Salihamid- to restart in May under strict also means the clubs will unlock Watzke, like Germany’s labour leading supporter group. member clubs has already been might be able to restart after a zic, Bayern are planning further hygiene conditions but needs around 300mn euros (324mn minister, rejected suggestions “It would be completely insane postponed twice, fuelling me- stringent lockdown. transfers despite football figures the government to give the dollars) in television money. players should wear masks to go to the stadiums,” Thomas dia speculation that the decision Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes across Europe saying big moves green light, with a big political A long delay in the league re- when action resumes and said Kessen from fan alliance Un- made by its board at the start of told a news conference after sev- will be unlikely because of the meeting on Thursday discuss- starting would mean some Ger- contact was unavoidable. sere Kurve told Sport1 TV. the month to end the campaign en hours of discussions on Fri- financial impact of the Covid-19 could yet be overturned. day that Belgium could tighten crisis. The teams are scheduled to restrictions or delay easing de- “We want to strengthen our tional star to Munich who will tators highly profitable and at- Coutinho, on loan at Bayern League after mixed performanc- meet via video conference on pending on the health situation. team with a top talent from Eu- raise the quality of our team and tractive football,” he said. from Barcelona, may be shipped es – freeing up space for another Monday but Belgian media re- She detailed a staggered eas- rope and also bring an interna- help the team to offer our spec- Media reports say Philippe out to the English Premier top name. ported at the weekend that a ing of restrictions over the next decision to ratify the cancella- weeks but said they would clarify tion of the season would be post- sports events shortly. SPOTLIGHT poned. Belgian football association Covid-19 outlier Belgium, which has been hit president Mehdi Bayat said he hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, had hoped for more clarity by Tajikistan was the first league in Europe to next week. “But we understand suspends call off the remainder of its season. that professional football is no Arsenal to re-open training ground domestic football Seventeen of its financially- priority,” he said.

Reuters AFP London, United Kingdom Dushanbe, Tajikistan FOCUS

rsenal will re-open ne of the few foot- their London Col- ball leagues in the Hearts owner fears ney training ground Oworld still playing to their players next will be suspended next A week after authorities in week for individual training no more Scottish but the Premier League club Tajikistan ruled to temporar- will continue to observe social ily ban sports events over distancing rules amid the coro- coronavirus concerns. football ‘this year’ navirus outbreak, they said on The Tajik football fed- Saturday. eration said that domestic AFP tion that any initial resumption Soccer in England was sus- league matches would go Glasgow, Scotland of fixtures will likely have to be pended indefinitely last month ahead on Sunday before behind closed doors. due to the virus and no clubs a suspension until at least Leann Dempster, the chief ex- have been in training. May 10. earts owner Ann Budge ecutive of Hearts’ Edinburgh rivals “Players will be permitted The federation “completely questioned yester- Hibernian, remains “more hope- access to the Colney grounds supports” the government’s day whether Scottish ful” of finishing the current Scot- next week,” Arsenal said in a decision to halt sporting football can “resume tish Premiership season and sug- events, it said in a statement H statement. any time this year” even while gested the final eight rounds could “Access will be limited, Saturday. talks continue over salvaging the be played in July and August. carefully managed and social and Granit Xhaka were pic- But with the ban on mass visions below the Premier Tajikistan’s authoritarian country’s top-flight Premier- Scottish football’s lower distancing will be maintained tured allegedly breaking social public gatherings likely to be League, on Saturday high- government insists there ship season from the coronavirus league campaigns for 2019/20 at all times. All Colney build- distancing guidelines. one of the last restrictions to be lighted testing of players and are no coronavirus cases in pandemic. have already been ended and ings remain closed. Premier League clubs have lifted, rescheduled games will others involved in games as the the country, despite reports Budge, who has warned her Budge is now also the co-chair “Players will travel alone, do been working on the basis that almost certainly be held behind key issue. of several suspicious players to accept temporary of a task force on league recon- their individual workout and the earliest they may be al- closed doors. “Clearly, before any return deaths. wage cuts or receive nothing at struction amid a bitter debate return home,” the club added. lowed to resume training would The Department of Culture, to football can take place, suit- Authorities on Saturday also all, told Scotland yesterday: “I whether Premiership promotion Arsenal manager Mikel be in early May. The British Media and Sport has been li- able testing arrangements for ruled to shutter schools for don’t think any of us genuinely and relegation should take place Arteta was diagnosed with the government is expected to re- aising with a number of sports participants must be in place two weeks and block grain believe we are going to be play- if their season is curtailed as well. novel coronavirus on March view current lockdown restric- bodies, led by the England and and this is core to our current exports. ing football, especially in front Meanwhile Rangers are calling 12, which led to the Premier tions on May 7. Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on planning, as is ensuring there Tajikistan’s football season of normal crowds, any time this for a general meeting of the Scot- League postponing the next Should teams be allowed to how things might work should is absolutely no negative im- began on April 4 after year so deferring wages is sim- tish Professional Football League round of matches and none train, it is expected they would the green light be given by the pact on the country’s front- leagues the world over ply pushing the problem further in a bid to force an independent have been played since. need two to three weeks to get medical experts for sport to line workers, the Emergency stopped, with matches down the line.” inquiry into the vote that ended Arsenal spoke to all their prepared to play competitive resume safely. services, League and Club staff being played in empty With all major sport in Brit- the lower league season — a deci- players after Alexandre Laca- matches, making the earliest The Football League (EFL) members,” the league said in a stadiums. ain brought to a standstill by the sion that could have a knock-on zette, David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe possible return in June. which organises the three di- statement. virus, there is a growing realisa- effect for the Premiership as well. Gulf Times Monday, April 27, 2020 3 SPORT

FOCUS Eagles acquire Goodwin from 49ers Two thumbs up for work-from-home draft: NFL bosses ‘He had a great feel and knew it was the right thing, so he deserves a lot of credit’

Reuters Los Angeles

hether posing with progeny or petting the pooch, deci- Wsion makers made themselves comfortable in un- familiar territory during the 2020 NFL Draft. Marquise Goodwin of the San Francisco 49ers. (AFP) Admitted workaholics who typically spend 60-plus hours AFP Covid-19 pandemic. huddled in a room at team Los Angeles The 29-year-old Goodwin headquarters during the draft, spent the past three seasons coaches and general managers with the 49ers, catching 91 were forced into a virtual envi- he Philadelphia Ea- passes for 1,543 yards and ronment due to the coronavirus gles acquired wide seven touchdowns in 36 pandemic for all 255 picks over receiver Marquise games. The Texan’s best three days of the NFL draft. Goodwin and a sixth- season came in his first in San T Francisco in 2017, with career And after pushing back with round pick from the San Fran- two hands at the initial thought cisco 49ers on Saturday, the bests of 56 catches for 962 of being at home and break- final day of the NFL entry yards. He is due to earn almost ing regimented routine, almost draft. $4mn in salary next season. everyone associated with the The Eagles used their sixth The 1.96 metre Wanogho event gave it a standing ovation round draft pick from the started 32 games for Auburn and high marks for approval. 49ers to take Nigerian after winning the starting left “I thought it went great,” offensive tackle Prince Tega tackle role in 2017. Broncos president of football Wanogho, who played last Wanogho was born in Delta operations John Elway said. season at Auburn University. State, Nigeria and moved to “There were really hardly any In return, the 49ers received the United States to pursue a issues at all. I’m sure there are the 190th pick in the draft basketball career. Wanogho other teams that had some is- which they used to take switched to American football sues here and there, and other NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks from his home in New York during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. (TNS) tight end Charlie Woerner of and won a scholarship despite than the first day with (head University of Georgia. having played just one year of coach) Vic (Fangio’s) internet The pre-draft process was was the biggest challenge. But down type. But Payton said he “It was kind of neat hav- This was the NFL’s first-ever the sport. going out, we really didn’t have different in almost every pos- even the devout traditionalist thought the draft went “great” ing the family around, having virtual draft as the league’s The 49ers also traded running any issues at all. I will say this... sible way since mid-March, learned to love the freedom he and endorsed the format. my wife involved, our two dogs 32 GMs were forced to make back Matt Breida to the Miami I think the credit goes to Com- just as pro day workouts were had at his Nantucket pad. And former Belichick pupil and then our daughter Court- their selections from locations Dolphins for a fifth-round draft missioner (Roger) Goodell and set to kick into high gear and “That leaves a little bit of a Bob Quinn, general manager of ney, who’s actually doing our across the United States. A pick. The 49ers used the pick the fact that he was taking a prospects were due to visit team question mark about some of the Detroit Lions, had some of social media stuff for the team, planned Las Vegas gala event to select West Virginia tackle lot of heat because there were facilities for face-to-face in- their testing numbers and so the most poignant thoughts on so we were able to give a lit- had to be scrapped due to the Colton McKivitz. a lot of people that wanted to terviews. Because of state and forth,” Belichick said Saturday. the 2020 draft protocol. Quinn, tle behind the scenes stuff to push it back, didn’t want to do national social distancing re- “But, I mean, look, every team is who was joined in his home of- our fans, which I thought was this, didn’t want to attempt it, strictions, the NFL rewrote the dealing with the same situation. fice by his son and daughter kind of a unique thing as well,” didn’t want to have to stay at book on pre-draft rules — quite It is what it is. Yeah, (Belichick’s crossing names off the team Rivera said. Dallas Cowboys REPORT home and do it, wanted every- literally — forcing player inter- girlfriend) Linda did a great job draft board, said the weekend owner Jerry Jones spent the body to get to their war rooms, views to take place electronical- with Nike. As you can see, he’s was a reminder to him to work draft aboard Bravo Eugenia, the and he pushed everyone out of ly before entirely closing team very personable, friendly, gets a “smarter not harder.” Quinn superyacht — worth a reported their comfort zone and I think facilities to prevent the spread lot of attention.” said he will consider opportu- $250mn — that is named after NBA to reopen practice it came off great. I think Com- of coronavirus. Saints coach Sean Payton nities to do a day a week where his wife. The 360-feet yacht has missioner Goodell gets all that Patriots head coach Bill Beli- traded most of his third-day staff can work virtually to spend four decks and includes a gym, credit for holding his ground chick, whose dog Nike became a draft haul away and, like Beli- more time away from the office massage room and sauna. facilities in places with and doing the right thing. He meme-worthy star of the three- chick, trained under Bill Par- and with their families. “This situation might bring had a great feel and knew it was day broadcast, said not having cells. For those who don’t recall, First-year Redskins coach out the best in me,” Jones the right thing, so he deserves a time or opportunity to get up he wasn’t exactly the warm- Ron Rivera also felt the family- cracked after the draft was eased restrictions lot of credit.” close and personal with players and-fuzzy, let-the-hair- friendly draft was a hit. complete.

SPOTLIGHT Could Heat go from surplus to shortage at small forward? By Ira Winderman The Heat certainly could make it work with what Sun Sentinel is in place and then back-filling at other spots. With Jimmy Butler anchoring the roster as the starting small, a case could be made that Duncan t’s not exactly a yard sale, and the timing, as Robinson gives the Heat 1-2 depth at that spot, The Los Angeles Lakers training facility in El Segundo, California. (TNS) with all things NBA at the moment, remains in with Andre Iguodala also in that mix, at $15 mil- flux. lion next season. Such logic would then still leave AFP place, so the league is telling I But when it comes to teams shopping for options elsewhere on the wing, with Tyler Herro, Los Angles clubs they will work to find al- free-agent small forwards this offseason, the Mi- Kendrick Nunn and, if re-signed, Goran Dragic. ternative workout arrangements ami Heat will be offering the widest selection. Of course, in Erik Spoelstra’s position-less so- for players not in areas where The question for Pat Riley, therefore, is how ciety, Butler and Robinson have started together, BA team practice fa- they could report to team facili- much is considered surplus and how much essen- with Jones and Crowder receiving minutes at pow- cilities will reportedly ties. tial. er forward in smaller-ball lineups. reopen Friday in states With many NBA players not As a matter of perspective, Yahoo Sports this However, with Kelly Olynyk likely to opt in to Nand cities where coro- hunkered down in their club’s past week offered an analysis of the upcoming the $13.2 million on his contract next season, and navirus pandemic stay-at-home home markets, it could happen free-agent class at small forward, an analysis with with Meyers Leonard, an impending free agent, requirements have been loos- that NBA franchises with open a decided Heat bent. effusive in his respect for the organisation, it cer- ened, allowing players to con- facilities allow players from op- The overall listing had three Heat players ranked tainly is possible that the big lineup, the one that duct individual workouts. posing clubs to use gyms on a among the top 12 free-agent options at the posi- thrived with the Bam Adebayo-Leonard pairing ESPN reported that teams will limited basis for solo workouts. tion. But taking the list a step further, it had the at the start of the season, makes a return, thereby remain banned from conducting With Georgia reopening many Heat with three of the top seven options when lessening the need for small forwards cast as power group workouts or other activi- businesses in the past few days, eliminating those who are restricted free agents or forwards. ties, citing unnamed sources. some players had asked team of- hold player options. So, yes, the Heat certainly could survive with- The May 1 move would allow ficials about the possibility of For example, although Brandon Ingram (re- out Jones, Crowder and Hill, particularly if 2019 players to return to team facili- going to Atlanta and working out stricted, with the New Orleans Pelicans having the second-round pick KZ Okpala develops. ties in such states as Georgia, in gyms there, a move team gen- right to match outside offers) and Gordon Hay- A tell of the Heat’s approach with the trio could home of the Atlanta Hawks, and eral managers did not favour. ward (a $34.2 million player option with the Bos- come in the draft, where the Heat currently stand Oklahoma, home of the Okla- Some general managers, ac- ton Celtics) top the list, the Heat’s Derrick Jones at No. 23. homa City Thunder, for fitness cording to ESPN, expressed con- Jr. is the highest-rated unrestricted free agent on Or the Heat could come to view Jones, who workouts in a safe and controlled cerns about the safety of reopen- the list. Moving past Otto Porter (who has a $28.5 turned 23 in February, as their draft pick, con- environment. ing facilities given that medical million player option with the Chicago Bulls), the sidering he is just a year older than leading draft The move, according to the officials have been against the Heat’s Jae Crowder then falls fifth on the overall prospects such as Obi Toppin, Nick Richards and report, does not reflect a new idea of reopening businesses. list, but second only to Jones among the unre- Payton Pritchard. timetable for resumption of Georgia’s reopening move, for stricted free agents. In addition, the Heat’s Solo- In a typical season, such decisions for the Heat the 2019-20 season, which was instance, came without the 14 mon Hill stands seventh among the unrestricted would have to come by July 1. Now, with free agen- halted March 12 when Utah Jazz days of diminishing coronavirus free agents on the list. cy likely to be put off amid the shutdown due to the center Rudy Gobert was diag- positive tests that were sought So, could the Heat afford to lose Jones, Crowder new coronavirus pandemic, there will be addition- nosed with the deadly virus. in federal guidelines of a multi- and Hill? al time to formulate the future. There also could But it would mark a small first step process to reopening busi- If the ultimate goal is to maximise 2021 salary- be a read on which of the impending free-agent step on the road back to a pos- nesses across the United States. cap space (an ever-changing dynamic amid the forwards provides the greatest payoff in a playoff sible completion of the regular NBA commissioner Adam Sil- league’s uncertain financial future), that could setting. season and playoffs, which typi- ver has said he will not begin to be the case, with the Heat possibly (probably?) to When it comes to free agency, the Heat have cally last two months. consider a timetable for resump- limit offers this offseason to a single season. plenty to offer in Jones, Crowder and Hill. The cor- Most areas with NBA teams tion until May. That’s the financial side. responding issue is how much they value what al- have more restrictive confine- The NBA playoffs were to have Then there is the basketball side. ready is otherwise in place. File photo of Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. (TNS) ment measures remaining in started on April 18. Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 27, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Haouas cleared to play after Wallabies fly-half Toomua calls for serving ban in lockdown rethink of ‘outdated’ Super Rugby Reuters New Zealand focused or some- Sydney thing along those lines.” The Super Rugby season Wallabies fly-half Matt Toomua (right) in action. was suspended after round allabies fly-half seven because of the Covid-19 Matt Toomua has pandemic and the competi- joined calls for a tion is set to shrink to 14 teams Wrethink of the Su- next year with the loss of the per Rugby competition once the Tokyo-based Sunwolves. In- sport re-starts after the corona- creased airfare costs are ex- virus shutdown. pected even after the crisis has The Melbourne Rebels back passed, however, which will believes the competition, hang heavy on national unions which features 15 teams across already hard-hit financially by Australia, New Zealand, South the sporting shutdown. Africa, and Japan, Echoing the recent com- needs to be replaced by a more ments of his former ACT local product. Brumbies and Australia cap- “Maybe the model that tain Stephen Moore, Toomua we’ve got is a little bit aged and said he felt the competition AFP Haouas, 25, was sent off after outdated and maybe we need to was simply no longer engaging Paris striking Scotland flanker Jamie have a rethink,” the 30-year- fans. Ritchie in the March 8 Test, old told rugby.com.au. “If I’m a Rebels member, a match the French went on “I guess this is almost forc- what do I get? I get seven home ontpellier prop to lose 28-17 after picking up ing us to do it, whether it be games, maybe five against Mohamed Ha- three wins from their opening in the short term until those teams that I know, two or three ouas, who picked three games. borders open or whether it be against teams that I don’t up a three-week The prop, the federation M added, will be able to play long-term into something else know or don’t care about, and ban for punching in France’s that’s a bit more sustainable, then three games that are in Six Nations match against again “as soon as the sporting bit more domestically focused. time zones that aren’t suit- Scotland, will be deemed to season resumes”. “I think there’s a lot of peo- able,” he said. have served his sentence dur- The Top 14, France’s elite rugby ple who are wanting to have “It’s just not, for me person- ing the coronavirus lockdown, union division, came to a halt a domestic model for quite a ally if I’m a supporter, I don’t the French rugby federation on March 13 as the Covid-19 while now, whether it be Aus- think that’s an attractive prod- announced Saturday. outbreak swept the globe. tralia-focused or Australia- uct, I really don’t.”

CRICKET COMMENT I want to win World Knight concerned Cups for India : Rohit for women’s sport ‘THAT’S THE WORRY IN WOMEN’S SPORT ACROSS THE BOARD, NOT post-virus JUST IN CRICKET’

IANS in a message posted on Mum- Mumbai bai Indians’ official Twitter handle. In an Instagram chat with ace off-spinner Har- erming World Cups bhajan Singh, Rohit recently as the pinnacle, India said his target is to help the In- limited overs vice- dian team win two of the three Tcaptain Rohit Shar- World Cups they are slated to ma has said his wish is to win be part of in the near future. the coveted trophy. India are scheduled to take Ace opener Rohit, who leads part in the 2020 T20 World Mumbai Indians in the Indian Cup later this year in Aus- Premier League (IPL), has been tralia followed by another T20 part of two World Cups (2015, World Cup in India next year. 2019). Then there is the 2023 Fifty- India crashed out in the over World Cup. semi-finals on both occasions, “We know we have three losing to Australia and New World Cups coming up. Zealand respectively. Among the three World Cups, “Every time you go out there we should win at-least two. you want to win every game That is my goal,” Rohit had but the World Cup is the pin- said. nacle of everything. I want to Rohit will celebrate his 33rd win World Cups,” Rohit said birthday on April 30.

OPINION Paine says India’s tour of Australia taking place will help CA File photo of England women’s cricket captain Heather Knight. (Reuters) IANS our game thriving well into AFP board, not just in cricket. came to watch and enjoyed will Melbourne the future, then that’s some- London “We’ve obviously got to ac- continue to do so, not just in thing we’ll certainly have to cept that the most commercial- Australia but all over the place.” Archer finds his lost World Cup 2019 medal look at.” Stumper batsman ly viable parts of the game will But with the start of the Eng- England’s Jofra Archer said house so I will keep eyes out ustralia Test cap- Paine also hoped India’s tour ngland women’s cricket be given priority. lish cricket season put back yesterday he’d finally found for it but I’ve gone mad looking tain Tim Paine has of Australia, slated to begin captain Heather Knight “But we’re making sure that until July 1, doubts remain over his World Cup winner’s medal for it already.” Last year saw the said players won’t be in November this year, is on revealed yesterday her the women’s game gets a bigger England women’s limited overs after “going mad” looking for Barbados-born Archer establish greedy at this hour course as it would solve a lot the prized possession following himself on the global stage as A “worry” that all wom- voice and we’re given the same matches at home to India, orig- of crisis but has urged Cricket of financial problems of CA. E a house move. The 25-year-old he helped England win their en’s sport could get left behind sort of chance to get back play- inally scheduled for June. Australia (CA) to explain the “I think there’s a bit of once the coronavirus pandemic ing as the men are.” England and Wales Cricket Sussex fast bowler published a first men’s 50-over global title, financial condition to them. safeguarding towards the po- ends. Women’s cricket has made Board chief executive Tom Har- photograph of the medal on a with his 20 wickets at 23.05 the He has also opined that In- tential of India not coming Sport around the world has huge strides in recent years, rison refused to say Friday that bed with the caption: “Random- most taken by any member of dia’s tour of Australia seeing (on a tour in December/Janu- been left in limbo by Covid-19 with more than 86,000 specta- if men’s international cricket ly searching the guest bedroom the champions’ squad during the light of the day will help ary) which is worth some- and now there are concerns tors attending the Melbourne was given the go-ahead on and boom.” Archer, when the tournament. the cause. thing like 250 to 300 million that cash-strapped governing Cricket Ground to see Australia health and safety grounds later previously asked about the Archer, who only made his “Players need to know the dollars. bodies, desperate to regain lost beat India in the Twenty20 in the season that women’s whereabouts of his medal, told international debut in 2019, was absolute financial positions “I’m hoping that they get income, will prioritise money- World Cup final in March — a matches would be played as BBC Radio on Saturday: “I had it also given the daunting respon- of the game and the players here, that would solve a lot of spinning men’s events over match that took place shortly well. hanging off a portrait someone sibility of bowling the Super aren’t going to be greedy,” issues. generally less lucrative wom- before sport was brought to a However, he did say the ECB did for me and sent to me, I had Over in the final at Lord’s. Paine said on ABC Radio. “I know there’s been some en’s fixtures when live action standstill by the virus. were working “very closely” my medal hanging on that. But he held his nerve brilliantly “Our livelihood, all the early talks with Cricket Aus- resumes. “I’ve only ever seen it like with their Indian counterparts “I moved flat and the picture is as England edged out New Zea- people associated with the tralia and the government Asked if she feared women’s that for a Test match, that was to reschedule the series. on the new wall but there’s no land in a thrilling finish decided ACA and the players asso- around the potential of what cricket might now be less of a pretty cool knowing it was for a “We are going to, of course, medal. I turned the house up- on boundary countback when ciation, their livelihood is could be done, chartering concern in the current climate, women’s game,” said Knight. do everything we can to get side down for about a week but the teams’ scores were level dependent on the game of planes and getting them in Knight told Britain’s Press As- “I just hope it was not just a women’s cricket on,” Harrison I still haven’t managed to find after both regulation play and cricket being healthy. So at isolation when they get here sociation: “That’s the worry one-off event and that support insisted. “It’s no less important it. “I know it should be in the cricket’s answer to ‘extra time’. the moment if a pay cut for us to make sure that we can get in women’s sport across the continues and the people that than the men’s game.” is on the cards and that keeps India here,” Paine said.

Monday, April 27, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS Thiem fumes over plan to help out lower-ranked players

Agencies thing else and don’t live in a pro- World tennis has been at a Vienna fessional manner.” standstill since the beginning of “I wouldn’t really see why I March and will not resume until should give such players money,” mid-July at the earliest follow- ennis world number he went on. I would rather give ing the postponement of Roland three Dominic Thiem ex- money to people or organisations Garros and the cancellation of pressed scepticism yes- that really need it,” Thiem said. Wimbledon. Tterday about plans to set The plan proposed by Djokovic Earlier ATP, WTA, ITF, and up a fund to help lower-ranked would involve raising between $3 the organisers of the four Grand players struggling because of the million (2.75 million euros) and Slams also took a joint decision shutdown of the sport. $4.5 million, with the cash com- to help these players financially In an interview with Aus- ing from the prize money for the during the public crisis. tria’s Krone newspaper, Thiem season-ending World Tour Fi- “With so much uncertainty was asked about last week’s an- nals or the final bonus pools for around when it will be safe to nouncement by world number top players. restart the professional tennis one Novak Djokovic that he was The Austrian has made $37.4 tours, the international govern- working with Roger Federer and million in prize money over his ing bodies of world tennis can Rafael Nadal to organise aid for career and has already made $2.7 confirm they are in discussions players struggling with the pa- million in 2020, after making a to create a Player Relief Pro- ralysis of the game due to the run to the Australian Open final gramme,” read a joint statement coronavirus pandemic. where he lost to Novak Djokovic from the ATP, WTA, ITF and “Quite honestly I have to say in straight sets. The $US30,000 four Grand Slam tournaments. that no tennis player will be contribution would therefore be According to reports Djokovic, fighting to survive, even those 0.12 per cent of his all-time win- as president of the ATP Players’ who are much lower-ranked,” nings. Council, proposed to members Thiem said, adding: “None of “None of us top players got that players in the top 100 for them are going to starve.” anything handed to us, we all had singles and the top 20 in doubles He said that his experience to fight our way up,” Thiem said. contribute according to their competing on the sport’s Futures “I don’t have the guarantee rankings. The proposed scale circuit had shown him that there in any job that I will do well and runs from $30,000 for a top-five are “many, many players who earn lots of money, that’s my player to $5,000 for those be- don’t put the sport above every- opinion on the matter,” he said. tween 51 and 100. Dominic Thiem isn’t happy about a plan to donate to lower-ranked players.

TENNIS HORSE RACING Exultant back on top form with win Tough for Murray to in QE II Cup

Agencies second to Japanese runner Win Shatin, Hong Kong Bright 12 months ago but there were no internationals to spoil his party this time around as xultant returned to his the coronavirus pandemic re- win another Slam, best in Hong Kong’s stricted the meeting to local QE II Cup yesterday, horses. Ewinning in the Group No crowd was permitted at One 2,000 metres event to Sha Tin either, with only com- atone for the Tony Cruz- peting horse owners and their trained horse’s near-miss in guests allowed on the track. the Sha Tin race last year. Jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu On a day when fellow hot meanwhile won his first Group says Rusedski favourites Aethero and Beauty One aboard Southern Legend Generation couldn’t deliver, in the Champions Mile, hold- ‘The good news for him is that he’s had more of a rest at this point’ Exultant reigned supreme to ing out against fan favourite win his fourth Group One and Beauty Generation in a nail- Reuters first for the 2019-20 campaign. biting finish. London Exultant victory meant “It’s amazing, there were jockey Zac Purton added the no spectators but it’s a Group only missing piece of Group 1 One,” Ho said. “I have been he extended lockdown of tennis silverware in Hong Kong to his working really hard and I’m will help Andy Murray’s return trophy cabinet. thankful for all the opportuni- from injury but it will be “a big He said: “The feeling going ties. It’s definitely not easy but Task” for him to add to his three over the line – it was a com- hopefully there’s plenty more Grand Slam titles, according to former bination of everything! I’ve to come.” British number one Greg Rusedski. come close to winning this race Mr Stunning turned back Murray underwent hip re-surfacing so many times, it’s been very the clock in the Chairman’s surgery at the start of 2019 and resumed frustrating and after missing Sprint Prize (1,200 metres), playing doubles in June before returning the bob in the previous race, to winning for the first time since to singles action in August. win this was a sense of relief. his Hong Kong Sprint vic- He did not compete at the US Open but “I didn’t want a repeat of tory in December 2018 to add a won the title in Antwerp in October – his getting beat last time, that third Group One success to his first on the ATP Tour for two years. didn’t go well for us. I had resume. Murray, 32, has not played a competitive planned to be outside in the The Frankie Lor Fu-chuen- match this year because of bone bruising run but my guy showed no trained seven-year-old was near the site of his surgery. speed early so I just had to wait ridden by Mauritian Karis With tennis unlikely to return until at until we got around that first Teetan, who was also in the least late July because of the coronavirus corner and then allow him to saddle for the horse’s last top- pandemic, the Scot has plenty of time to move into the race. level success. get himself 100 percent fit for when play “My fella, at the 300-me- Teetan said he knew the resumes. tre mark, was just starting to horse wouldn’t go down with- Yet Rusedski says it will be tough for struggle a little bit. Down to out a fight after entering the twice Wimbledon champion Murray to the 200 (metres) I knew there home straight travelling in regain his former place in the so-called big was a horse coming and I could midfield. four of men’s tennis alongside Roger Fed- sense my bloke was at his bot- “I just had so much horse erer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. tom, he didn’t have anything underneath me and I was just “ ” Rusedski told Sky Sports yesterday. else, so I was certainly worried, waiting for that gap to open. “Hopefully his body comes back, but to but my guy, he just kept gal- This horse, his heart is big- challenge week in week out with Nadal, loping along and did enough.” ger than anything so I knew he Federer, Djokovic, (Stefanos) Tsitsipas is The six-year-old was a close would let down,” he said. going to be hard. “Can he win matches. Can he possibly win a Tour event, yes he can do so. But to win Slams, that’s three out of five sets, seven matches, that’s a little bit difficult. It’s possible he can get to a quarter-final, fourth round, but to go all the way with the surgeries he’s had, that’s a big ask. “But I hope he proves me wrong, like he’s done on several occasions.” Former world number one Murray is now ranked at 129. Next week he will swap his racked for a controller as he plays in the ‘virtual’ Madrid Open, featuring 32 of the world’s best players including Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Great Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates with the trophy after winning Wimbledon title on July 10, 2016. (Reuters) Exultant won the feature race on Champions Day at Sha Tin.

SPOTLIGHT Australian coach Cahill rallies behind ATP/WTA merger idea

Reuters social media with the men’s ATP the best interest of the game,” sion contracts and sponsorship and equal standing are road- Greg Rusedski, now a televi- Mumbai Tour Chairman Andrea Gaud- Cahill told the National news- deals. “At the moment, as a fan blocks that need to be crossed, sion pundit, also backs a merger enzi and his women’s WTA Tour paper. Governance in tennis re- of tennis, if you want to try to Cahill said. of men’s and women’s tennis. counterpart Steve Simon both mains fractious with as many as follow tennis, whether it’s Davis “At the moment the men “I think it would be a good idea ustralian Darren Ca- welcoming the suggestion. seven associations running dif- Cup, Fed Cup, the WTA, the ATP, command a little more at the ne- because you look at the biggest hill, the coach of two- Cahill, who has also previous- ferent parts of the game. smaller events, there are so many gotiating table when we’re talk- events in the world right now, times Grand Slam win- ly worked with Andre Agassi and Besides the ATP and the WTA different platforms a fan has to ing about TV rights,” he said. the four majors, the Masters Se- Aner Simona Halep, has Lleyton Hewitt, said uniformity Tours, the sport is also control- subscribe to and it’s confusing,” “I think, to a large extent, eve- ries in Miami and Indian Wells backed the idea of merging the in rules and rankings will help all led by the International Tennis Cahill said. “Social media be- ryone will take this. Obviously and Rome, they are combined men’s and women’s tours, saying stakeholders. Federation and the boards of the comes much easier as well, if there would be some resentment events, and I think it’s good,” he it would make tennis simpler for “I think, hypothetically, it four Grand Slam tournaments. the tours are merged. Instead of from some male players but the told Sky Sports. both players and fans. would be a pretty good position Currently TV viewers need dif- competing against each other majority I think would see the “If you put the men’s and Roger Federer called for a for a tennis player to be in, be- ferent pay-TV platforms to watch for a social media space, that be- benefits and understand that women’s games together it’s a merger between the two gov- cause you know that every single tennis matches and a merger of comes all one.” this is the right thing to do.” better product and better for the erning bodies on Wednesday on decision being made is made in the Tours would simplify televi- Issues over equal prize money Former world number four fans.” Darren Cahill,