NBA | Page 5 FORMULA 1 | Page 6 Pelicans pick Stewards reject Williamson Ferrari appeal, fi rst overall Mercedes in draft dominate Friday Saturday, June 22, 2019 FOOTBALL Shawwal 19, 1440 AH Qatar and Argentina GULF TIMES set for crucial Copa America match SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL World Cup winner Cafu unveiled as SC Ambassador ‘I have witnessed the SC’s commitment to ensuring Qatar’s World Cup looks beyond the 28 days of football to inspire’ By Sports Reporter timate honour – winning the Education through sport is a Doha World Cup – it has always been subject close to Cafu’s heart. He my passion. has played an active role in help- “During my time as a player – ing to deliver educational and razil’s legendary 2002 and since then in retirement – I vocational courses to underpriv- FIFA World Cup win- have also witnessed the game’s ileged children in Jardim Irene, ning captain Cafu has unique power to educate, inspire the area of São Paulo in which he offi cially joined Qatar’s and provide outlets for under- grew up. Bjourney on the road to 2022 after privileged people, no matter “There are a great deal of par- being unveiled as an SC Ambas- where you are from in the world.” allels between this and the work sador. He continued: “Through its that the SC is doing, through Established by the Supreme legacy programmes, such as the Josoor and also other pro- Committee for Delivery & Legacy Josoor Institute, Generation grammes such as Generation (SC) – the organisation respon- Amazing and Challenge 22, I have Amazing. So to combine this sible for delivering tournament witnessed the SC’s commit- kind of work with the next World infrastructure for the FIFA World ment to ensuring Qatar’s World Cup in Qatar, and the work I have Cup 2022 – the ambassador pro- Cup looks beyond the 28 days of done in the past, it really does feel gramme works alongside some football to inspire and help peo- a perfect fi t for me.” of the game’s most iconic stars ple far away and for generations Adding his own words of wel- to help deliver and promote the to come. It is for these reasons come, al-Thawadi added: “We numerous legacy programmes that I did not hesitate to join the are delighted to welcome Cafu and infrastructure projects asso- organisation and help it continue to our team. His legendary sta- ciated with the Arab world’s fi rst to deliver its work.” tus and the legacy he leaves be- FIFA World Cup. Although his remit will cover hind from his on-fi eld activities One of the game’s most re- a wide range of SC programmes, are clear for all to see. But what spected and iconic stars, in 2002 projects and initiatives, Cafu will is equally impressive to us is the Cafu joined an elite group of just work closely with the Josoor In- work, commitment and dedica- fi ve men to have captained Brazil stitute to help deliver its ground- tion he has shown towards us- to FIFA World Cup glory when he breaking academic and voca- ing his profi le to deliver genuine lifted the famous trophy in Japan tional courses and qualifi cations hope and opportunity to the un- following his nation’s 2-0 victory to the next generation of sports derprivileged. over Germany. With 148 interna- and events professionals. “That he joins us with a com- tional appearances, he is also the Josoor Institute was launched mitment to helping ensure that most capped player in Brazil’s il- Brazil’s World Cup winner Cafu (left) with Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary-General HE Hassan al-Thawadi. in December 2013 with the pur- the next generation receives the lustrious football history. pose of building the capabilities opportunities and avenues to suc- At a special unveiling ceremo- Samuel Eto’o and Mohamed Saa- our and a privilege to offi cially may say even from birth. would be my destiny to have a of the sports and events indus- ceed – whether it be on or off the ny in his home city of São Paulo, don al-Kuwari as an offi cial SC become part of the team helping “As many know, I was born lifelong affi liation with the sport. tries in Qatar and the Mena re- pitch – makes him a perfect fi t for hosted by SC Secretary-General, Ambassador. to deliver the World Cup in Qa- during the famous 1970 World From dreams of playing as a small gion through education, training, our organisation. I look forward to HE Hassan al-Thawadi, Cafu of- Refl ecting on the announce- tar. The World Cup has played a Cup game between Brazil and child, to getting the chance to professional certifi cation, con- working alongside him up to and fi cially joined Xavi Hernández, ment, Cafu said: “It is an hon- dominant role in my life, some England, so you could say it represent my nation, to the ul- sultancy and research. beyond Qatar 2022.” HORSE RACING SPOTLIGHT Al Shaqab’s Meethag leads a Baghdad wins at second Qatari one-two in Chantilly Gr2 straight Royal Ascot QREC Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi (right) with the winners of the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Group 2 PA) after Meethag won the race at Chantilly yesterday. (JDG) Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winners pose during the prize distribution ceremony after Baghdad won at Royal Ascot. PICTURES: Zuzanna Lupa Agencies Moroccan raider, Salma Nour a neat ability to quicken. She is Agencies pulled out all the stops to hold Chantilly, France Grine, was a further length back among the best three-year-old Ascot, England off Frankie Dettori-ridden Ben in third. fi llies in the yard,” Jerome Ca- Vrackie, owned by Princess Haya QREC Racing manager Ab- bre, the winning rider, said of of Jordan and trained by John Qatari one-two was dulla Rashid al-Kubaisi was the Thomas Fourcy runner. ohamed bin Hamad Gosden, by a short head. Sheikh the order of the day present at the QREC-spon- Meethag is a daughter of Da- bin Khalifa al-Atti- Mohamed Obaid al-Maktoum’s in the Qatar Rac- sored event and presented the hor de Brugere and Al Nach- yah’s Baghdad won Fujaira Prince, ridden by Andrea ing and Equestrian trophies to the winners. miya. The latter was a winner at the Duke of Edin- Atzeni for trainer Roger Varian, AClub (QREC)-sponsored Qatar It was Meethag’s second ca- Group 1 PA level in the colours Mburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot yes- completed the frame fi nishing Coupe de France des Chevaux reer start, and she only reiterat- of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad terday, adding to his victory in one and a half lengths further Arabes (Group 2 PA) at Chant- ed the promise she made on her al-Thani. the King George V Stakes at the behind. illy yesterday. victorious debut in Toulouse The QREC’s sponsorship of same meeting last year. Baghdad was injured after the The mile long race saw a tight earlier this month. the race is part of its strategy The four-year-old bay colt Ascot meeting last year and had a fi nish with Al Shaqab Racing’s “She showed her business to have a strong presence and battled bravely to win the 2400m nine-month break. However, he Meethag denying His Highness like and professional qualities to facilitate the participation class 2 race in a thrilling fi nish. has returned even stronger this Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al- on her debut and confi rmed of Qatari-owned horses in Eu- Ridden by Ryan Moore, the year. The win was Baghdad’s fi fth Ryan Moore rides Baghdad to Duke of Edinburgh Stakes victory at Thani’s Al Hazm by a nose at those impressions today. She is rope, and the world’s top race- Mark Johnston-saddled Baghdad from 10 starts. Royal Ascot yesterday. the line. a straight forward ride – with courses and racing events. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 22, 2019 FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT Qatar and Argentina set for crucial Copa America match Against Argentina, Qatar will fancy their chances, with the Lionel Messi-led team struggling to make an impact so far Almoez Ali (L) and other members of the Qatar team pictured on arrival in Porto Alegre, Brazil, ahead of their match against Argentina tomorrow. Agencies lombia. We deserved a draw. We had to three major tournament fi nals in as Porto Alegre, Brazil a lot of chances to score while the many years – all lost – from 2014-16. Colombians played one of their best Argentina had been second best in matches. When they scored, we didn’t the fi rst half of their 2-0 defeat by Co- head of the Copa America, not have time to stage a comeback. These lombia last Saturday, but then still con- many would have given Qa- are the games you see now and we have ceded both goals in a much improved tar a semblance of a chance to forget this clash now and look to our second-half showing. Scaloni dropped Aagainst Argentina. But after meeting against Argentina,” he added. Manchester City’s Aguero and Di Maria two matches – where Qatar staged a Meanwhile, Messi was looking at a of Paris Saint-Germain for the Para- stunning fi ghtback to draw against Par- glass half full after the stalemate against guay match but Argentina produced aguay and then went down fi ghting to Paraguay.