SPORT MONDAY 18 DECEMBER 2017 25 James lifts Australia tighten grip on the Ashes Cavs over Perth, Australia Australia’s bowler Mitchell AFP Starc (centre) celebrates Jazz in NBA the dismissal of England’s ustralia had one hand James Vince on day four of on the Ashes at Los Angeles the third Ashes Test match stumps on the fourth AFP in Perth yesterday. day of the third Test against England in eBron James posted his PerthA yesterday. 60th NBA triple-double Trailing by 259 runs in the Lon Saturday, passing first innings after Australia Larry Bird for fifth on the all- declared at 662 for nine, Eng- time list and leading the land were 132 for four when Cleveland Cavaliers to a 109- stumps was called early after a 100 victory over the Utah rain-interrupted final session, Jazz. with on 28 and James scored 29 points, on 14, still behind pulled down 11 rebounds and by 127 runs. handed out 10 assists. It was The home side lead the five- his third triple-double -- Test series 2-0 and a win in the putting up double digits in last-ever Ashes Test to be played three statistical categories -- at the WACA Ground would see in the four-game homestand them regain the urn. that concluded Saturday. England’s best hopes of stay- His drive to the basket ing alive would appear to rest with one second left in the with the weather, and there was third quarter gave Cleveland a loud cheer from England fans an 80-73 lead going into the when the forecast rain first fourth, and he scored 10 arrived just minutes before tea. points in the final period. More rain is forecast on the James had scored or final day, although it is only pre- assisted on Cleveland’s first dicted to be a problem before 13 points. He connected on lunchtime. nine of his 15 shots from the The tourists’ second innings field and made all 10 of his got off to a dismal start when free throws. opener Mark Stoneman was in the second over. Alastair brilliant one-handed return 10 to his overnight total before three for 12 runs. They Kevin Love had 15 points caught behind from the bowling Cook’s woes then continued catch to remove him for 14, leav- being dismissed for 239, his were also lucky not to lose Paine and five rebounds, and rookie of Josh Hazlewood for just three when Hazlewood snared a ing the former skipper with just innings was the cornerstone of for 11 when he was given out Cedi Osman scored a career- 83 runs at 13.83 for the series. the massive total. looking plumb lbw to Anderson, high 10 points for Cleveland, SCOREBOARD Captain was the Smith was adjudged leg only for a review to show the ball who are 17-1 since November third man out, to spinner Nathan before on review after would have gone over the leg 11 and notched an 11th straight England (I innings): ...... 403 Bowling: Anderson 37.3-9-116-4 (1nb), Broad 35-3- Lyon’s first ball of the innings, James Anderson’s confident stump. home win. Australia (I innings): 142-0, Woakes 41-8-128-1 (1w), Overton 24-1-110-2, caught at first slip by his Austral- shout was turned down by on- England have reportedly Cavaliers coach Tyronn C Bancroft lbw b Overton ...... 25 Ali 33-4-120-1, Root 3-0-13-0, Malan 6-1-13-0 ian counterpart Steve Smith for field Chris Gaffaney. been unhappy with the decision Lue earned his 100th regu- D Warner c Bairstow b Overton ...... 22 England (II innings): U Khawaja lbw b Woakes ...... 50 A Cook c and b Hazlewood ...... 14 14 off the glove of wicketkeeper The review ended a chance- review process in the match. lar-season victory since being S Smith lbw b Anderson ...... 239 M Stoneman c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 3 Tim Paine. James Vince looked less 399-ball epic innings which According to one British news- promoted to the job on Janu- S Marsh c Root b Ali ...... 28 J Vince b Starc ...... 55 impressive in making 55, but included 30 fours and one six. paper they have lodged an ary 22, 2016. M Marsh lbw b Anderson ...... 181 J Root c Smith b Lyon ...... 14 there was little he could do when The other overnight bats- official complaint after Mark The Jazz were without T Paine () ...... 49 D Malan (batting) ...... 28 a Mitchell Starc delivery hit a man, Mitchell Marsh, had Stoneman was given out conten- French center Rudy Gobert M Starc run out ...... 1 J Bairstow (batting) ...... 14 crack and deviated sharply to departed a few minutes earlier tiously by the third umpire, and Derrick Favors, who P Cummins lbw b Anderson ...... 41 Extras (LB4) ...... 4 crash into his stumps as England -- failing to add to his 181 when caught off his glove, in their first were both hurt in a win over N Lyon c Ali b Anderson...... 4 Total (for four wkts) ...... 132 slumped to 100 for four. he was trapped leg before wicket innings. Boston on Friday. Gobert is Extras (B4, LB16, NB1, W1) ...... 22 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-29, 3-60, 4-100 Total (for 9 wkts) ...... 662 Bowling: Starc 10-3-32-1, Hazlewood 9-3-23-2, Earlier Australia scored their by Anderson to end a 301-run Anderson finished with four expected to miss up to a

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-55, 3-179, 4-248, 5-549, M Marsh 3-1-14-0, Cummins 8.2-2-31-0, Lyon highest Ashes total at home and partnership with Smith. wickets, all claimed on day four, month with a sprained left 6-560, 7-561, 8-654, 9-662 8-3-28-1 fifth-highest against England. Australia then had Mitchell while Stuart Broad recorded knee, while Favors suffered Although Smith added just Starc run out for one as they lost career-worst figures of 0-142. an eye laceration. Meanwhile, Michael Bea- sley had the hot hand as the New York Knicks used a bal- anced scoring attack to defeat Kuldeep, Chahal set up ODI series win for India the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-96, spoiling the return of Carmelo Anthony to Madison Visakhapatnam SCOREBOARD Indian team Square Garden. Reuters captain Rohit Sharma Beasley shot 11-of-18 Sri Lanka Bowling: Kumar 6.5-0-35-1, Bumrah 8-1-39-1, D Gunathilaka c Sharma b Bumrah ...... 13 Pandya 10-1-49-2 (w1), Yadav 10-0-42-3 (w2) looks on as he holds from the field to tally 30 pinners Kuldeep Yadav and U Tharanga st Dhoni b Yadav ...... 95 Chahal 10-3-46-3 (w1) the One Day trophy points as six players scored Yuzvendra Chahal picked S Samrawickrama c Dhawan b Chahal ...... 42 India after winning the third in double figures for the Sup three wickets each to set A Mathews b Chahal ...... 17 R Sharma b Dananjaya ...... 7 Knicks, who improved to up a comfortable eight-wicket N Dickwella c Iyer b Yadav ...... 8 S Dhawan (not out) ...... 100 match against Sri 16-13 on the season. win for India against Sri Lanka A Gunaratne c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 17 S Iyer c Lakmal b Perera ...... 65 Anthony struggled in his Lanka at the Dr. Y.S. in the deciding third and final T Perera lbw b Chahal ...... 6 D Karthik (not out) ...... 26 return, making just five field Rajasekhara Reddy ACA- one-day international in Visa- S Pathirana c Chahal b Pandya ...... 7 Extras (B4, LB2, W15) ...... 21 goals and finishing with 12 A Dananjaya b Yadav ...... 1 Total (2 wkts) ...... 219 khapatnam yesterday. VDCA Cricket Stadium points including none in the S Lakmal lbw b Pandya ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-149 The wrist-spinners scythed in Visakhapatnam second half. N Pradeep (not out) ...... 0 Bowling: Lakmal 5-2-20-0 (w1), Dananjaya 7.1- yesterday. through the Sri Lankan batting Extras (LB4, W4) ...... 8 0-53-1 (w6), Mathews 3-0-30-0, Pathirana 4-0- Anthony, who was fea- order to bundle them out for 215 Total (all out) ...... 215 33-0, Pradeep 3-0-10-0, Perera 5-0-25-1, Gu- tured in a highlight video

in under 45 overs after the tour- Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-136, 3-160, 4-168, 5-189, naratne 4-0-30-0 (w8), Gunathilaka 1-0-12-0 during the introductions, ing side had made a blazing 6-197, 7-208, 8-210, 9-211, 10-215 Result: India beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets heard cheers from the crowd start. of 19,800 but also a smatter- The hosts, who won the second wicket with Shreyas Iyer ball, Sri Lanka lost opener ing of boos. three-Test series between the and an unbroken 70 with Dinesh Danushka Gunathilaka for 13. sides 1-0, breezed to their tar- Karthik, who finished on 26 not But former captain Upul get with almost 18 overs to spare out.The left-handed opener Tharanga launched a brutal NBA RESULTS to secure their eighth series vic- reached his 12th ODI hundred counter-attack on the Indian Utah 103 Dallas 100 tory in a row in the 50-over in 84 balls, hitting 13 fours and quicks, smashing all-rounder Milwaukee 95 Chicago 69 format. two sixes. Playing his third ODI, Hardik Pandya being smashed Sacramento 96 Memphis 92 Stand-in captain Rohit Iyer compiled his second suc- for five successive boundaries Houston 122 New Orleans 100 Sharma, filling in for the rested cessive half-century before he in his second over. LA Lakers 100 Philadelphia 89 Virat Kohli, fell for seven to off- was out for 65, his knock includ- Tharanga hit 12 fours and LA Clippers 102 Miami 98 spinner Akila Dananjaya but ing eight fours and a six. three sixes in his 83-ball 95 and Boston 96 Charlotte 88 Shikhar Dhawan remained After Rohit won the toss and gave Sri Lanka a strong platform Atlanta 125 Toronto 121

unbeaten on 100 to guide India opted to field fearing the and shared a second-wicket Washington 122 Detroit 108 home. evening dew would make it dif- stand of 121 with Sadeera Orlando 118 Brooklyn 111 Dhawan added 135 for the ficult for his spinners to grip the Samarawickrama. Mayweather-McGregor fight second richest ever

Los Angeles and mixed martials arts king all time, Oscar De La Hoya’s significant and distinct global fan fight was widely dismissed as a AFP McGregor generated 4.3 million 2007 fight with Mayweather, bases in one truly unprecedented circus before the bout, which pay-per-view buys in North which had 2.48 million buys. event,” Showtime Sports chief was eventually won by May- loyd Mayweather (left) and America. Only one other fight -- Showtime said in a statement Stephen Espinoza told ESPN. weather -- returning from a Conor McGregor’s cross- Mayweather’s 2015 bout with that global revenues, including “The remarkable results are two-year retirement -- with a Fcombat superfight was the Manny Pacquiao -- has ever ticket sales, sponsorship and all the more impressive consid- 10th round knockout.Meanwhile second richest boxing bout in drawn more, racking up 4.6 mil- international distribution, May- ering that the planning, Philippine boxing hero Pacquiao history, long-awaited final fig- lion buys to earn around $600 weather and McGregor had marketing and execution took said last week he too was seek- ures revealed on Friday. million. exceeded $600m. place across a span of just 72 ing his own showdown with A statement from Showtime The Mayweather-McGregor “The pairing of Floyd May- days from the initial announce- McGregor, confirming he had sports said the August fight pay-per-view total is almost weather and Conor McGregor ment to fight night.” opened talks with the Irishman between boxing star Mayweather double the third biggest fight of brought together two very The Mayweather-McGregor to possibly fight in April. 26 SPORT MONDAY 18 DECEMBER 2017 MONDAY 18 DECEMBER 2017 SPORT 27

Serbia win international friendly against Qatar U-23 United beat Albion; A Qatari under-23 player vies for the ball possession with the goalkeeper of Serbia’s under-21 team during their Liverpool brush international friendly match played in Doha yesterday. Qatar went down aside Bournemouth fighting to Serbia 2-1. London AFP

anchester United kept their faint Premier League titles hopes alive with a 2-1 win at West Brom- Mwich Albion, while Liverpool moved back into the top four with a 4-0 rout of Bournemouth yesterday. With Manchester City romping away with the title race, United had to win at the Hawthorns to have any chance of reeling in their local rivals. Romelu Lukaku put Jose Mourinho’s side in front with a 27th-minute header and Jesse Lingard netted with the aid of a deflection to double the visitors’ lead in the 35th minute. But what looked destined to be a comfortable win became tense when Gareth Barry prodded home for Albion in the 77th minute. United ended the game defending for their lives before claiming the win that left them 11 points behind City. At Dean Court, Liverpool demonstrated their goal power with a clinical display that took them above Arse- nal and Burnley into fourth place. Ending a two-match winless run in the league, Jur- gen Klopp’s side took the lead in the 20th minute. Philippe Coutinho took possession 30 yards from goal and weaved his way past several Bournemouth defenders before planting a precise strike past Asmir City crush Begovic. Ronaldo free kick seals Liverpool’s second goal came six minutes later when Spurs to Bournemouth failed to clear a corner and Roberto Firmino hooked the ball into the six-yard box, where defender Dejan Lovren stooped to head in. Mohamed extend lead Salah bagged number three for the Reds in the 44th Club World Cup for Real minute. Manchester The Egyptian winger ran on to Alex Oxlade-Cham- Reuters Abu Dhabi berlain’s pass, held off Charlie Daniels, cut inside Nathan AP Ake and slotted past Begovic for his 20th goal in a superb anchester City first season with Liverpool. Firmino wrapped up Liver- emphatically under- ristiano Ronaldo scored pool’s commanding performance in the 66th minute, Mlined their complete from a free-kick as Real heading in Coutinho’s cross despite appeals for offside. dominance of the Premier Madrid claimed its third League on Saturday as they Club World Cup title beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 after beating Brazilian to go 14 points clear at the Cteam Gremio 1-0 on Saturday. top of the table. The Ballon d’Or winner fired Neymar shines A 16th straight Premier his right-footed shot between two League win was secured with players in Gremio’s defensive wall, a first-half header from Ilkay leaving goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe on return as PSG Gundogan and further efforts no hope of reaching the ball before after the break from Kevin it bounced inside the post in the De Bruyne and a double from 53rd minute. Raheem Sterling, rendering “(Ronaldo) is always there at trounce Rennes Christian Eriksen’s stoppage- the key moments,” Madrid coach time goal a consolation. Zinedine Zidane said. “Nobody can Paris Just as in the Manchester do what he does.” AFP derby last week, City showed Madrid became the first team Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) that for all their pretty foot- to retain its Club World Cup title, eymar starred on his return to the Paris Saint- ball, they are also adept at and collected its fifth trophy of is awarded the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball by FIFA Germain line-up after two games out with two taking a more basic route to 2017, along with the Champions President Gianni Infantino after real Madrid won the final match Ngoals and two assists in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat goal and opened the scoring League, Spanish league, European against Gremio FBPA at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu of Rennes in Ligue 1. from a set piece. Gundogan Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup. Dhabi on Saturday. The world’s most expensive player missed last was left unmarked from a Ronaldo celebrated the goal by weekend’s win over Lille due to suspension and sat 14th minute Sane corner and rushing to Madrid’s dugout where Zidane played the same start- He twice erred in short passes with out Wednesday’s French League Cup clash at Stras- the German’s stooping he was embraced by his team- ing 11 from last season’s Champions his back heel that failed to reach bourg after travelling back to Brazil to deal with a header flashed past Hugo mates. The goal increased League final in June, when Madrid his teammates, and he squandered family matter. Lloris in the Spurs goal. Ronaldo’s record to seven goals in crushed Juventus 4-1 — led by Ron- a good opportunity when he took But he made an immediate impact in Rennes by The home side were the competition. He also scored in aldo’s double. too long to shoot when a loose ball scoring the opening goal after just four minutes before bursting with attacking Madrid’s 2-1 comeback win over The European champions out- fell to him close to the net. teeing up Kylian Mbappe to add a second for PSG just intent and sensed the Al Jazira in the semifinals. classed Gremio throughout the All that changed after the inter- past the quarter-hour. opportunity to the kill game “What am I going to say? The match, but the closest they got to val. Ronaldo baited Jailson into Firmin Mubele halved the deficit after the break, off early as Sergio Aguero numbers speak for themselves. I scoring in the first half was Dani fouling him outside the area with but Rennes were reduced to 10 men when Benjamin had a low shot parried by am very happy. The team played Carvajal’s goal-bound volley in the some fancy dribbling, setting up Andre picked up a second booking and Edinson Cav- Lloris with Sterling unable fantastically well and it has won 20th that was cleared by Pedro his winner. ani netted PSG’s third on 75 minutes. to keep his follow-up effort another title,” Ronaldo said. “We Geromel. Ronaldo thought he had Neymar swiftly made it four as he turned home down. played a very good game and Gremio had to scramble on another goal moments later, but his second goal of the afternoon, while Wahbi Khazri Spurs manager Mauricio deserved the victory.” several occasions to stop Madrid Karim Benzema was ruled offside blazed over a late penalty for Rennes after PSG cen- Pochettino deserved credit Madrid equaled Barcelona’s inside its own area. At the other before he passed the ball back to tre-back Presnel Kimpembe was sent off. for at least trying to take City record of three titles for the short end, a free-kick by Edilson for the Ronaldo. Neymar and Mbappe promptly linked up to great on at their own attacking knockout tournament between the South American champions Marcelo Grohe kept his side in effect as Mbappe exchanged passes with Marco Ver- game, rather than following champions of FIFA’s six continen- swerved onto the top netting near the game by pushing Luka Modric’s ratti before slipping a ball across the face of goal for the example of so many other tal confederations and the host the half-hour mark. shot onto his post and denied Ron- Neymar to tap in from point-blank range. teams and merely seeking to nation’s league winner. Geromel had tried to set the aldo a second goal, but Gremio It was the same combination that produced PSG’s nullify and frustrate the European clubs have won 10 tone early on with a hard tackle never mounted a serious response second goal on 17 minutes as Neymar turned pro- leaders. of the last 11 Club World Cups, with that left Ronaldo writhing in pain, to get the equalizer. vider by sliding over a low cross with the outside of Guardiola took off only Brazil’s Corinthians interrupt- and hoping for a booking that Mexico’s Pachuca beat Al Jazira his right boot for Mbappe to convert. Aguero and introduced ing that streak in 2012 when it never came. 4-1 in the third-place match ear- Cavani twice went close to further stretching the Gabriel Jesus and while the defeated Chelsea. Ronaldo had a poor first half. lier on Saturday. lead, first when his clever back-heel was stopped on Brazilian’s direct impact was the line by Hamari Traore and then as he was denied minimal, City took total con- by Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek with his fol- trol following the switch. low-up blocked by Joris Gnagnon. De Bruyne blasted in the Mubele gave Rennes hope on 53 minutes when second in the 70th minute, he forced the ball in after Morgan Amalfitano’s header after being picked out by from a corner rebounded off the inside of Alphonse Gundogan at the end of a Areola’s near post. counter-attack. The hosts suffered a damaging blow when Andre The third came 10 min- was dismissed after catching Kimpembe as the utes from the end when defender cleared, although they nearly equalised Raheem Sterling tapped-in when Khazri broke into the box only to be thwarted from close range after a by Areola. typically devastating City But Cavani snapped a four-game drought with a counter-attack and the brilliant lob on 75 minutes after he collected a lofted England forward added a pass from Neymar on the edge of the area, his league- fourth after a mistake from best 18th goal of the season ending Rennes’ Eric Dier left him to cheek- resistance. ily round Lloris and slot Neymar capped off a memorable performance home. a minute later when he tucked away another Mbappe Eriksen scored an injury assist, sliding in at the far post to increase his league time consolation for Spurs tally for PSG to 11 goals. with a fine solo effort but that The visitors lost Kimpembe to a second yellow was barely enough to inter- card after he conceded a penalty by bringing down rupt the songs of celebration Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (right) celebrates after scoring a goal during their French James Lea Siliki, but Khazri drilled the resulting spot- from the appreciative City L1 football match against Rennes (Stade Rennais FC) at the Roazhon Park, in Rennes, France on Saturday. kick over in the final minute. supporters. SPORT

Monday 18 December 2017

PAGE | 25 PAGE | 25 PAGE | 27 Australia Mayweather-McGregoregor Neymar shines on tighten grip fight second return as PSG extend on the Ashes richest ever lead with Rennes romp ‘Our aim is to unite the nation through achievements of Team Qatar’

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani President, Qatar Olympic Committee For me, sport ach year, Qatar transcends National Day provides a wonderful opportu- everything that nity for us all to reflect this year’s on our nation’s National Day Eprogress and come together to celebrate the achievements and celebrations inspirational spirit of our peo- epitomise and it is ple and our country. This year, it feels more poignant than ever for this reason that to take this moment to reflect sport is at the and commemorate our journey and how far we have come heart of our together. nation’s future President of the Over recent months, I have Qatar Olympic been incredibly humbled by development Committee, H E how our nation has united plans: Sheikh Joaan Sheikh Joaan bin through a shared pride and love Hamad Al Thani for Qatar. We are an ambitious and optimistic nation, driven H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Mutaz Barshim carrying the Qatar flag during the Flag Relay forward by our solidarity and organised to mark the National Day on Thursday. the strength and ability of our people to achieve the very best carried the flag 200km across pistol shooting title, whilst team- global female medallist with and jumped over 2.40m for the Development Pathway that has for our country. His Highness the our country and its most iconic mate Kholood Al Khalaf won Paralympic silver at Rio 2016, fifth consecutive year, and the objective to identify, nurture Emir of Qatar has outlined that landmarks, transporting it via a bronze in the mixed team trap added another silver medal to received ANOC’s Award for best and develop talent at every stage this year’s National Day will rep- wide-variety of sporting activ- shooting, reflecting the strength her collection, also in the T34 athlete in Asia in 2017, Barshim of an athlete’s career. The first resent the ‘promise of prosperity ities including running, cycling, and exciting future potential of shot put. Just a few weeks later concluded the year by winning stage focuses on early child- and glory’ and from what I have rowing, sailing, wheelchair rac- our young female shooting team. in the same London Stadium, the prestigious IAAF World Ath- hood, encouraging active play witnessed of all residents of ing and more, before In June, 19-year-old Fares Ibra- 20-year-old Abdelalah Haroun lete of the Year title, taking the and exploration for 0-7 year olds Qatar, I am more confident than culminating in a unifying cele- him was crowned World Junior built on his 2016 World Youth crown from Usain Bolt. In doing to help them develop motor ever that, together, we will bration at the heart of Qatar’s Champion in weightlifting, add- Championship gold medal to so, Barshim became the first skills that will become effective achieve a bright and prosperous National Day festivities, Darb Al ing to his 2016 Asian Games title claim a senior World Champi- high-jumper and the first ath- later in life. The launch was a future. Saii. The Team Qatar flag relay and seventh placing at the Rio onship bronze medal in a strong lete from our region to win the huge success and it was a pleas- For me, sport transcends was a wonderful occasion that 2016 Olympics. Our prodigious 400m final. award. Barshim is a truly ure to simply see how much fun everything that this year’s showcased the very best of our talent continued his strong form In September, our young deserved winner and we could and enjoyment the children got National Day celebrations epit- nation and its people, whilst by claiming a silver medal in the equestrian athlete, Hamad Al not be prouder of him for dem- from participating in the sport- omise and it is for this reason transmitting a message of peace, Clean & Jerk in his first senior Attiyah, shone at the Ashgabat onstrating what can be achieved ing activities. I’ve no doubt that that sport is at the heart of our friendship and solidarity, World Championships in early 2017 Asian Martial Arts and through dedication and deter- a future Barshim was amongst nation’s future development spreading the Olympic values December and as the youngest Indoor Games as he won Qatar’s mination, and for consistently them! plans. Sport showcases the very and uniting everyone through weightlifter in the competition, first gold in the individual show flying the flag high for Qatar. He Another significant oppor- best of humanity and it inspires Team Qatar. proving once again that he will jumping, adding another victory is humble, hardworking and an tunity to inspire future sporting humanity to give the very best Our National Day celebra- be one of the key weightlifters to our equestrian team’s recent inspirational role model to heroes will be through our version of itself. It inspires us all tions also recognised the to watch at the Tokyo 2020 accolades. young people in Qatar and upcoming World Champion- to push our boundaries, break- outstanding achievements of our Olympics. However, the highlight of around the world. ships. This year, as part of down barriers and set our goals athletes on the world stage In July, our para-athletes the year for Qatari sport was The Qatar Olympic Commit- momentous handover ceremo- higher. It brings together differ- throughout the past year, and it made further history at the Lon- created once again by our sport- tee is committed to building on nies, we had the honour to ent cultures, backgrounds and is the diversity of these achieve- don 2017 World Championships. ing legend, Mutaz Essa Barshim. these achievements and ensur- receive the flags for the FIG beliefs and promotes inclusiv- ments that has made me most Abdelrahman Abdelqader Following another outstanding ing that our development Artistic Gymnastics and IAAF ity, diversity and respect. Sport proud. In May, Al Dana Al became Qatar’s first-ever Para- season where he became World systems continue to produce Athletics World Championships, is an incredibly powerful tool to Mubarak became our first Athletics World Champion with Champion, won the Diamond more and more Qatari champi- which Doha is hosting in 2018 guide the aspirations, hopes and female athlete to win a gold gold in the T34 shot put, and League Trophy, became the first ons. In October this year, we and 2019 respectively. dreams of our young people. medal at the Islamic Solidarity Sara Masoud, who last year high-jumper to be undefeated successfully rolled out the first Both events will be staged This is why I love sport so Games as she claimed the 25m became Qatar’s first-ever in an entire season since 2004 stage of Kun Riyadi, our Athlete in the Middle East for the first much and this is why we time in their histories and bring launched our new ‘Team Qatar’ with them a unique chance to brand and strategy earlier this showcase the very best of each year, which embodies the sport to new audiences, capture shared values of our nation and the attention of new genera- of sport. Every day our own ath- tions of athletes, and inspire our letes are striving to better young people to participate in themselves and to make Qatar sport at any level. We are proud. They show what can be incredibly honoured and achieved through hard work, excited to host these events and determination, self-belief and progress is very much on track, fair play. There are no better role continuing unaffected by the models for our young people current political situation. and, through our new brand, we Most importantly, we are are determined to place a committed to hosting these greater focus on our heroes, events to the highest possible sharing their stories, showcas- level, continuing to show the ing their journeys, and inspiring world what Qatar is capable of our nation through their incred- and creating a unique and mem- ible achievements. Our athletes orable experience for everyone are constantly flying Qatar’s flag that participates – whether that high and it is our ambition to be spectators, athletes, coaches, unite our nation in pride through officials, media, volunteers and Team Qatar. more. It was with this vision in We firmly believe in the mind that we organised this INSET: Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim competes during the final of 94kg power of sport to unite, inspire year’s National Day Team Qatar category of the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in and transform lives in Qatar and flag relay. Over 400 athletes, Anaheim, California on December 2. RIGHT: Qatari high jumper around the world. This is exactly schoolchildren, sports fans and and reigning world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim poses for a what the Olympic spirit is all inspirational individuals repre- photograph with the IAAF Men’s Athlete of the Year award. about and this is the fundamen- senting the diversity of Qatar tal ethos of Team Qatar.