SPORT SPORTS | 16 SPORT | 17 IndiaIndia duo ready Athletes and to putp Olympic teams pledge dreamdrea ahead of donations to virusviru concerns impacted workers

MONDAY 16 MARCH 2020 QFA halts activities Rooney criticises until March 29 authorities over QNA – DOHA QatarQatar Football Association (QFA) announced on Saturday that iti has halted all matches it organises until March 29. ThThe association said in a statement that the decision waswas madem following the Qatar Olympic Committee’s cir- late response cular that it will halt all its activities until March 2020. As a result,resu all football matches in QNB Stars League, Amir REUTERS – LONDONNDON werewere beingbeing treated like guineaguinea Cup,Cup, tthe second division, Qatar Gas league, and Ooredoo pigs.””pigs.”” RooneyRooney saidsaid hhee wouwouldld CupCup willw be suspended until March 29. Wayne Rooneyey (pictured) has criticised nevernever hahaveve beebeenn able to TheTh decision comes to complement the state’s efforts England’s footballotball authorities over how forgiveforgive the authorauthor-- inin tatakingk all the precautionary measures against the spread long they tookk to suspendsuspend matchesmatches in thethe ities ifif anyone ofof thethe Coronavirus (COVID-19), and to ensure the safety country amidd the coronavirus outbreak, in hhisis of players,p staff, and fans. saying it feltt like plaplayersyers were beinbeingg treated like “guineaguinea pigs”pigs”.. The Premierier League, English Football League, Women’smen’s SSuperuper LeaLeaguegue anandd ffamilyamily IOC to hold crisis men and women’smen’s FA Cup had contractedcontracted competitionsns were the virus throughthrough him. suspended on “The“The rest ofof sport - tennis, talks with member Friday followingwing FormulaFormula One, rugby, golf, football in an emergencyncy otherother countries - was closingclosing ddownown anandd organisations meeting sparkedked we were being told to carry on,” he by Arsenal boss added.added. AFP – LAUSANNE Mikel Arteta ttestingesting positive forfor thethe virus “I“I thinkthink a lot of footballersfootballers werewere wwon-on- a day earlier.. dering,dering, ‘Is it somethisomethingng to do with monemoneyy With less than five months to go before the Tokyo “Why did we wait untiuntill FriFriday?day? WWhyhy beingbeing invoinvolvedlved in tthis?’his?’ TThankfullyhankfully Olympics, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Pres- did it take Mikelikel Arteta to get ill for the football made the right call in the end. ident Thomas Bach plans emergency talks with member game in Englandland to ddoo tthehe rightright thing?”thing?” We hhadad to puputt tthehe season on hhold.old. organisations, sources close to the IOC said yesterday. the former EnglandEngland andand ManchesterManchester ““IfIf people’s lives are at risk, that has The IOC plans a conference call on Tuesday to “keep United captainin wrote in a column for the to come first.” Rooney,Rooney, currentlcurrentlyy at the international federations informed of the situation, as Times. second-tiersecond-tier DerDerbyby County,County, alsoalso proposedproposed well as the National Olympic Committees and athletes,” “For players,ers, staff and their families restructuringrestructuring the fixture calendar once one source close to the IOC told AFP. it has been a worryingworrying weekweek - one in footballfootball rresumed.esumed. The IOC “will take stock of the actions taken” to which you feltlt a lacklack ofof leadershipleadership ffromrom “We’re“We’re happyhappy to playplay untiluntil SeptemberSeptember respond to the coronavirus crisis “and the federations will the governmentment and from the FA and ifif the season extends to thethen,n, if that’s how have the opportunity to ask questions” added a source Premier League.gue. itit hhasas to bbe.e. TThat’shat’s our jojob,”b,” hhee saisaid.d. “As close to one international sports federation The IOC “con- “After the emergency meeting, at last longlong as we know we’re safe to plaplayy and ducts a regular dialogue with all the Olympic partners and the right decisionision was made.made. UntilUntil thenthen it’s a safesafe environment forfor spectators,spectators, regularly informs them of the situation,” added an IOC it almost felt like footballers in England we’llwe’ll pplay.lay. spokesman. While many international sporting events have been postponed or cancelled, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised on Friday that Tokyo would host the Olympic Games as planned in July and August, despite questions Van Dijk fears Liverpool will win title in empty stadium raised by the pandemic.

AFP – LONDON for Liverpool defender Van Dijk. Some have suggested the Virgil Van “If we won it in an empty season should be scrapped for Dijk Virgil Van Dijk fears Liverpool stadium and the fans weren’t safety reason, which would leave Garay among Valencia will be forced to celebrate their there, I’d be gutted for them,” he Premier League chiefs to decide first English title for 30 years in told several British newspapers if Liverpool should be given the an empty stadium as a result of on Sunday. title even though the campaign players tested positive coronavirus chaos. “Obviously, if there are no did not reach its scheduled REUTERS - VALENCIA All Premier League games fans at Anfield, then it will be a 38-game conclusion. have been postponed until at bit of a blow. No one wants to Sport is expected to be sub- Five members of the playing squad and staff of La Liga least April 3 due to the spread of play games without the fans. jected to further restrictions next club Valencia have tested positive for the coronavirus, the the global pandemic. “Until a decision is made on week, with British Prime Min- Spanish side said yesterday. Premier League chiefs are set how we go on from here, then ister Boris Johnson reportedly “Valencia CF inform that five positive cases of the to meet on Thursday to discuss we just have to deal with it. But ready to announce a ban on COVID-19 coronavirus have been detected amongst first if it will be possible to continue when it happens, we are still major public gatherings. team staff and players,” the club said in a statement. the season and, if so, in what bringing the title to our fans, def- The sporting programme has “All of these persons are now at home, in good health format. initely.” Liverpool could have once again been decimated on and obeying self-isolation measures.” Games could be played wrapped up the title on Monday Sunday, although the Super Earlier yesterday, Valencia and Argentina defender behind closed doors, which with a win at Everton if Man- League match between Castl- Ezequiel Garay became the first La Liga player to confirm would mean Liverpool, who are chester City were beaten by eford and St Helens, the All he has the virus. 25 points clear of second placed Burnley on Saturday, but both England badminton Champi- “It’s clear that I have got off to the wrong start in 2020. Manchester City, winning the title those games were postponed, onship and Olympic boxing qual- I’ve tested positive for the coronavirus, I feel very good without their fans being present. along with the rest of the Premier ifiers are still going ahead in and now I just have to listen to the health authorities and That is a depressing prospect League programme. Britain. for now remain isolated,” he wrote on Instagram. Al Maadheed, Al Khelaifi emerge QTCC champions

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Ghanim Al Maadeed was crowned champion of the Qatar Touring Car Championship in the 2K Class at the Losail Inter- national Circuit at the end of the final round of the season on Saturday. Al Maadheed, who drove a Lotus Elise in the championship, has been on the podium 9 out of the 10 races as he missed one race due to a mechanical problem with his engine. In the first race, Al QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai presenting the champion's trophy to Ghanim Al Maadheed, winner of the 2k Class. CENTRE: Al Maadheed (bottom) driving his Maadheed finished in front of Lotus Elise. RIGHT: QMMF President Al Mannai presenting the QTCC M240 championship trophy to Abdulla Al Khelaifi. Ibrahim Al Abdulghani who was second and Hamad al Asam who finished in third place. In "I am very happy for this is very good for the champi- In the first race of M240, "Very happy to win QTCC Hamad Al Sulaiti finished the second race, the victory was championship title. Last season onship as it is more challenging the victory was for Nasser the fourth consecutive time. second in the championship again for Al Maadeed but this I finished second overall and for all the participants," said Al Saadon Al Kuwari followed by Hamad was very strong and I standings, with 92 points. time, Abdulla Abdulaziz came this year I took the champi- Maadheed. Abdulla Al Khelaifi and Hamad couldn’t put two cars between Only one point behind in second place and Nasser Al onship title, so I couldn’t ask In the QTCC M240 Class, the Al Sulaiti. In the second race, us first race so coming to second Hamad Al Sulaiti, Nasser Ahbabi completed the podium. for more. Overall, it was almost championship title was clinched with the reverse grid, Saadon race I almost lost all believe in Saadon Al Kuwari finished third With a total of 140 points, Al a perfect season as we had an by Abdulla Al Khelaifi, the Al Kuwari got the victory. winning the championship in the championship, with 91 Maadheed was crowned as the issue with the engine in the three-time QTCC champion. Al Abdulla Al Khelaifi finished in since the gap was more than 6 points. new champion in the 2K Class, round 2 but thanks to my team, Khelaifi, who started the season second place again and Nasser points and to win I had to finish Championship trophies in front of Ibrahim Al we managed to fix it and here competing in the 2K class but Saadon Al Kuwari finished 1st and Hamad had to finish 5th. were presented by QMMF Pres- Abdulghani who finished we are, on the top. The com- switched to the M240 class after third. It seemed like a long shot but it ident Abdulrahman Al Mannai second in the standings with 111 petition has been very tough the second round, finished the The M240 championship was the last race of the season and LCSC Vice President and and Nasser Al Ahbabi third with and strong due to the large M240 championship on top winner, Al Khelaifi, was very and I had to give it all," said Al General Manager Khalid Al 83 points. number of competitors but this with 100 points. happy with his victory. Khelaifi Remaihi. 16 SPORT MONDAY 16 MARCH 2020

“We will respond by closely coordi- Status of Olympic qualifying events nating with offi- AP — LAUSANNE cials concerned, As the IOC attempts to keep the 2020 including the IOC Olympics on schedule, many of the (International events that determine who would Olympic Com- compete in Tokyo have been postponed or cancelled. Here is the status of US or mittee). There is no world qualifying in many of the Olympic change in this. We disciplines: ATHLETICS want to hold the The US Olympic track and field trials Olympics as are still scheduled for June 19-28 in planned without Eugene, Oregon. Other countries use a variety of methods, including trials, any trouble by world rankings, and appointment based overcoming the on results. spread of infec- BASEBALL Four countries - Israel, Mexico, tions. We agreed South Korea and host Japan - are in the that Japan and the six-team field. The final two spots are US will cooperate to be determined by tournaments that were postponed: An Americas qualifier and closely coor- in Arizona has been indefinitely post- dinate for success poned, and a last-chance qualifying in the Olympics.” tournament in Taiwan slated for April is now scheduled for June 17-21. Japanese BASKETBALL Men: Eight teams, including the Prime Minister United States, have already qualified. The remaining spots in the 12-nation Shinzo Abe field will be determined in four winner- take-all, six-team tournaments A man wearing a protective face mask, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks past a Tokyo scheduled from June 23-28 in Serbia, Olympics 2020 souvenir shop in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. Games: India Canada, Croatia and Lithuania. Women: The 12-team field was filled duo ready to in February with four tournaments. Canadian trials scheduled for March GYMNASTICS Sailing an extension of the qualification Although defending world champion 30-April 5 in Toronto. The team fields for both men’s and period to June 30. put Olympic United States and the host Japanese EQUESTRIAN women’s gymnastics were set at last SOCCER were already guaranteed spots, both fin- All of the equestrian qualifying year’s world championships. The Men: Fourteen of 16 teams have dream ahead ished in position to qualify anyway. events have been completed in every remaining individual all-around and already qualified. The tournament to 3x3: FIBA has postponed the quali- discipline. None of the events was single apparatus spots are determined produce the two teams from the North fying tournament scheduled for March affected by the virus. at World Cup events. The International and Central American and Caribbean of coronavirus 18-22 in India. A second qualifying tour- FENCING Gymnastics Federation has cancelled region was scheduled for March 20 to nament scheduled for April in Hungary Qualification was to be based on an all-around World Cup event in April 1 in Guadalajara, Mexico, but was concerns is in limbo. Four women’s teams and rankings set to be released on April 4, Germany and postponed an apparatus indefinitely postponed. four men’s teams have already qual- with some additional slots to be deter- World Cup event in Qatar from March Women: Ten of 12 teams have REUTERS — NEW DELHI ified for the eight-country fields. mined in zonal events from April 15-26. until early June. already qualified, including the reigning BEACH VOLLEYBALL But the International Fencing Feder- HANDBALL World Cup champion United States. Indian shooter Mairaj Ahmad Most Olympic spots are earned over ation suspended all international com- The International Handball Feder- China and South Korea were scheduled Khan and javelin thrower a two-year points race on the interna- petitions for 30 days, delaying five ation has postponed the final qualifying to play in a two-legged playoff that has Shivpal Singh say competing tional tour. At least three of the final 10 major competitions that must be com- tournaments until June. The host nations been pushed back to early June. Cam- at this summer’s Tokyo events have been cancelled or post- pleted before zonal qualifying. The FIE were Spain, Hungary and Montenegro eroon is set to play Chile in a two-legged Olympics is their top priority poned, and the final event is scheduled is requesting an extension of the qual- for the women and Norway, France and playoff in early April but no despite concerns about the for Rome on June 9-14. ification period. Germany for the men. Six of 12 spots announcement on those matches has health risks to athletes from BOXING been made. the coronavirus outbreak. Two of the four regional SOFTBALL The number of corona- Olympic qualification tourna- The field for the six-nation virus infections in Japan rose ments have already taken competition was set in four to 1,484 yesterday, increasing place, and the third for qualifying tournaments in by a faster pace than the pre- European fighters began Sat- 2018 and 2019. vious day, public broadcaster urday in London. The Americas SWIMMING NHK reported. qualifier scheduled for March Most Olympic berths will More than 150,000 people 26 in Buenos Aires has been be determined at national have been infected around the postponed due to the corona- trials. The US meet is world and 5,800 have died. virus outbreak, and organizers scheduled for Omaha, The outbreak has brought haven’t set a plan for the final Nebraska, on June 21-28; Aus- elite-level sport to a standstill steps in qualification, including tralia’s is scheduled for June and sparked fears that the the last-chance World Olympic 14-19 in Adelaide; Japan’s 2020 Olympics may have to Qualifying Tournament national championship is in be postponed or cancelled. scheduled for May 13 in Paris. Tokyo on April 1-8. The final However, skeet shooter CYCLING two events on the TYR Pro Khan says he would ignore the The selection criteria is dif- Swim Series, a big part of pre- risks to have a shot at Olympic ferent for each discipline: BMX Olympic training, are gold. freestyle and racing, mountain scheduled for April 16-19 in “If the Olympics were to be biking, track cycling, and the Mission Viejo, California, and held now, despite the health road race and time trials. Each May 6-9 in Indianapolis. risk that the coronavirus discipline has a series of auto- TABLE TENNIS poses, I would go and compete matic qualification standards, The US already wrapped without even thinking about and a committee will choose up qualifying, with three men the consequences,” Khan told athletes to fill out the US team. and three women earning yesterday’s edition of The The world championships May spots in Tokyo. Qualifying Indian Express newspaper. 30-31 in Houston is crucial for A police officer stands guard outside the Panathenaic stadium, where the handover ceremony of the elsewhere was still in progress “... it’s my dream and I can BMX, and at this point is still Olympic flame for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics will take place and remains closed to visitors as and scheduled to continue put my life on the line to win scheduled. The last Olympic a precaution against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece. through May. But the Interna- an Olympic medal.” qualification event in freestyle tional Table Tennis Federation Japanese Prime Minister BMX, the World Series in Hiro- suspended all activities until Shinzo Abe said on Saturday shima April 3-5, has been post- the end of April and recom- the country was still preparing poned. Final rosters for each discipline FIELD HOCKEY remain open for each field. mended that continental associations to host the Olympics while are announced in June. Tournaments to fill the 12-team JUDO follow that decision. An meeting of the Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike DIVING men’s and women’s fields were com- The International Judo Federation ITTF executive committee is scheduled vowed to take thorough Dozens of divers have already qual- pleted in 2019. Ten countries qualified has cancelled all Olympic qualifiers for today. measures against the ified based on their performances at last for both: Australia, Argentina, Germany, through April 30, including a Grand TENNIS outbreak. summer’s world championships or other India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Slam and two Grand Prix. Another The International Tennis Federation There has also been sug- major meets over the last eight months. Spain, the Netherlands and Britain. Grand Prix last weekend, in Morocco, says Olympic eligibility still will be gestions that the Games could The last big qualifier is the Diving World GOLF was cancelled earlier. Qualifying ends based on the WTA and ATP rankings of take place without Cup, set for the new Olympic aquatics Sixty golfers are determined by the on May 25. June 8, even though more than a month spectators. venue in Tokyo on April 21-26; FINA is world rankings, two per country with ROWING of the tours’ schedules in March and “Personally, I don’t mind still considering whether to proceed. US a maximum of four if they are among World Rowing has cancelled a April have been scrapped. Requirements that,” said Khan, who earned divers also must get through the the top 15. The PGA Tour and European European Olympic qualifying regatta related to minimum participation in Fed his spot at the Olympics by national trials in Indianapolis on June Tour, which offer the most ranking that was scheduled for April 27-29 in Cup or Davis Cup remain in place - as winning a silver medal at the 13-21 to confirm their Olympic spots. points, have cancelled or postponed all Varese, Italy, and relocation is being does an appeal process for players who Asian Championship in Doha No decision has been announced on the events at least through April 12. considered. US Rowing said Olympic do not meet those standards. last year. trials in Sarasota, VOLLEYBALL “My dream is to win an Florida, from March The qualification was completed in Olympic medal and ultimately 16-21 and April January with the 12 teams for both the you will be called an Olympic 13-18 have been men’s and women’s competitions champion; no one will bother postponed and the already set. or care to remember if it was organization will WATER POLO behind closed doors.” not hold a national Men’s and women’s qualification Singh, who booked his team event for at tournaments scheduled for this month Tokyo ticket at a meet in South least 30 days. have been postponed until May. At stake Africa on Tuesday, says ath- SAILING are the final three spots for the 12-team letes are trained to get over Many spots in men’s field and the last two openings setbacks but missing out on the 10 classes have in the 10-team women’s competition. the Olympics would be on A man wearing been clinched. An The US men and women have already another level. a protective Asian Olympic qualified. “... athletes are taught to mask, following qualifier in Abu WEIGHTLIFTING brush off disappointments and an outbreak of Dhabi has been Spots are decided by the world move forward. But this is not the coronavirus postponed until ranking. The continental championships just another tournament,” the disease (COVID- mid-April, and a next month were meant to be the last 24-yer-old told the 19), walks in front World Cup Series gold-level events offering extra quali- newspaper. of an advertising regatta in Genoa, fying points. However, the European, “I will definitely pack my billboard of Tokyo Italy, that would Asian and African championships have bags for Tokyo if the event Olympics 2020, have been a qual- all been postponed along with another happens, whether risky or not. near the Shinjuku ifier for African, gold-level event, junior worlds. “It’s a dream for every station in Tokyo, Asian and European WRESTLING athlete to be at the biggest Japan, yesterday. countries, has been The US trials that had been sporting stage in the world. It’s cancelled. The IOC scheduled for April 4-5 in State College, my desire to do well at the has granted World Pennsylvania, have been postponed. Games and until then I won’t rest in peace.” MONDAY 16 MARCH 2020 SPORT 17

The rest of sport - tennis, Formula One, rugby, golf, football in other countries - was closing down and we were being told to carry on: Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney says the British government and football authorities have treated players like 'guinea pigs' during the coronavirus.

Pistons player tests positive for coronavirus

AFP — LOS ANGELES for the disease which has Christian Wood sparked a global pandemic. Detroit Pistons player Christian Jazz team-mate Donovan Wood has tested positive for the Mitchell was the second. coronavirus, becoming the third Wood, who is in his first NBA player to contract season with the Pistons, scored COVID-19. a career-high 32 points against The Pistons, without iden- the Sixers on Wednesday. tifying Wood, issued a That was the same evening statement saying that one of that Gobert’s diagnosis with their players had tested COVID-19 prompted the NBA positive. to suspend its season Members of the Woods’ agent Adam indefinitely. Ferrari team arrive Pensack told the Detroit News On Thursday, the Pistons to pack up their on Saturday that his client is the said that all of their players, equipment after one, adding “he feels 100 coaches and staff would “self- the Formula One percent fine.” isolate until further notice.” Australian Grand “A player on the Detroit The Pistons, Cleveland Cav- Prix was cancelled Pistons, who is under the care and all those potentially The 24-year-old forward aliers, Boston Celtics and the in Melbourne. of team medical staff and in impacted by this situation is experienced flu-like symptoms Toronto Raptors all played self-isolation since Wednesday paramount. We are working before playing in Wednesday’ games against the Jazz recently. night, was tested for COVID-19,” closely with team medical staff, game against the Philadelphia The Raptors, who played the Pistons said in a statement. state and local government and 76ers. the Jazz on Monday in Salt Lake “A preliminary positive public health officials and the On March 7, Wood scored City, have tested all of their result came back on March 14. NBA on reporting. The indi- 30 points and pulled down 11 players and the majority came “The health and safety of vidual will remain in isolation rebounds against the Utah Jazz, up negative, but they said our players, our organization, and under the care of team whose Rudy Gobert became the Friday they were still waiting those throughout our league, medical staff.” first NBA player to test positive on the results of one more test. Athletes and teams pledge F1 drivers turn to virtual donations to impacted workers racing after cancellation REUTERS — NEW YORK suit.” Ilitch Companies, which payment for the six home Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, owns among other things the games that were to take place Colorado Avalanche, Colorado of Australian Grand Prix What started as an idea by Mark Detroit Tigers, the Red Wings and during the 30-day NBA hiatus.” Rapids and the Premier Cuban on Wednesday and Little Caesars Arena, announced The impacted staff will League’s Arsenal F.C., pledged LONDON REUTERS — we guessed that the IndyCar became a gesture by Kevin Love the establishment of a $1m fund include security, police, parking to continue paying its part-time race might be canned and we a day later is now a full-blown to cover one month’s wages “for attendants, housekeeping, in- and hourly staffers for the next Formula One drivers Max already knew that the movement as the world heads our part-time staff for games, arena entertainers and guest 30 days while asking its vendors Verstappen and Lando Norris Formula E races were done,” into its first weekend since the concerts, and events that they services staff, according to the to do the same. are revving up to race in a Darren Cox, founder of the coronavirus outbreak was clas- would have otherwise worked release. In the NHL, Florida Pan- coronavirus-free virtual Race and CEO of Torque sified as a pandemic by the were it not for the recent cancel- Milwaukee Bucks star and thers goaltender Sergei world after the cancellation Esports, said. World Health Organization. lations and postponements reigning NBA MVP Giannis Bobrovsky donated $100,000 of the season-opening “We started on Thursday Shortly after the NBA caused by the coronavirus Antetokounmpo pledged to to part-time workers at BB&T Australian Grand Prix. morning to put together a announced on Wednesday that crisis.” donate $100,000 to Fiserv Center in Sunrise, Fla. -- a Norris, whose McLaren plan and then by yesterday its season was being put on hold The Golden State Warriors Forum staff. Shortly after, Bucks donation matched by team- team pulled out of the Mel- (Friday) lunchtime we had the because of the coronavirus, announced that their owners, senior vice president Alex Lasry mates as a group and added to bourne race weekend before programme launched. Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks players and coaches are tweeted that “we follow our by team ownership. it was cancelled after a team “We thought some of the owner, said he would work on donating $1 million to a dis- leader” and announced the Pittsburgh Penguins players member tested positive for real drivers would fancy a go getting arena employees paid aster-relief fund that will aid team will match Antetok- have started a fund to pay “full the virus, will be competing but the reaction has been while they wait for the games the more than 1,000 part-time ounmpo’s donation. and part-time arena/service against a field of top gamers. absolutely massive. It’s snow- to return and they go back to Chase Center workers. Warriors New Orleans Pelicans employees who would oth- The ‘Not the Aus GP’ balled really.” work. guard Stephen Curry said in a rookie Zion Williamson pledged erwise lose income on regular organised by Veloce esports Cox said the free-to-air A day later, Love, the statement released by the team, to pay the salaries of all season games due to the pause will be live on Twitch.TV and streamed race would not use Cleveland Cavaliers forward, “As players, we wanted to do Smoothie King Center in the NHL season.” YouTube from 1745 GMT. the Australian Grand Prix announced he was donating something, along with our own- employees for the next month. Other NHL franchises that “Racing in Australia but circuit, with the track kept $100,000 to help the organisa- ership and coaches, to help ease “My mother has always set as of Friday night have pledged not actually in Australia,” the secret to prevent drivers tion’s arena staff and support the pain during this time.” an example for me about being to pay arena workers at least 20-year-old Briton said on putting in practice time in staff. In his announcement he The Mavericks issued a respectful for others and being through the end of the month, Twitter. the simulators before the added, “I hope that during this statement saying the organi- grateful for what we have, and if not longer, include the Red Bull’s Verstappen, a start. time of crisis, others will join me sation is making arrangements so today I am pledging to cover Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey regular virtual racer alongside BBC radio’s Formula E in supporting our with American Airlines Arena the salaries for all of those Devils, Phoenix Suns, Phila- Norris, is joining a stellar cast and F1 esports commentator communities.” and other corporate partners Smoothie King Center workers delphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, of other top-line real racing Jack Nicholls will be the voice The hours since have seen “to ensure that scheduled event for the next 30 days,” he said in Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto drivers in an ‘All Star esports of the event, which will start plenty of steppingng up.up. staff will an InstagramInstagram post. Maple Leafs and Washington battle’ on www.the-race.com with 60 drivers in three heats --Also on TThursday,hursday, the rreceiveeceive TheThe PhPhoenixo Suns and Wizards. YouTube channel. and the top 20 competing in Cavaliers joinedned Love and Talking StickStic Resort Arena Other virtual competitors the final. pledged to compensateompensate all announced ono Friday plans to include Indianapolis 500 “In 48 hours we’ve turned Rocket Mortgagege FieldHouse “ensure tthath all part-time winner Simon Pagenaud and around what was nothing into hourly and event stafstafff stastaffff anandd hourly workers, former F1 drivers Juan Pablo something that looks like one employees “as if every game includiincludingn employees that Montoya and Rubens Bar- of the races of the year,” said and every eventnt is still takingtaking work in guestg service rela- As players, we richello, as well as their Cox. place.” tions, concessions,conce ticketing, wanted to do respective sons, and double Formula One has said it On Friday,, the Pistons’ security,security, parkingpar and events Formula One esports hopes to start the season in Blake Griffin saidd he is donatingdonating servicesservices willwill receive financial something, along champion Brendon Leigh. Europe at the end of May, $100,000 to helpelp pay the compensationcompensati for the six with our ownership Formula E drivers Neel subject to review, while salaries of workerskers at remaining scheduled Suns and coaches, to help Jani, Max Guenther and Formula E is temporarily sus- Little Caesarsars homehome gamesg and concerts Antonio Felix da Costa are pended with hopes of racing Arena in andand shows that have ease the pain during also in that lineup along with again in June. US-based Detroit. bebeen canceled in this time: Warriors IndyCar driver Colton Herta. IndyCar has cancelled all Griffin March.”M “We got wind that Aus- events through March and tweeted to Kroenke Sports guard Stephen Curry Stephen Curry tralia wouldn’t be going on, April. Love, “Just & Entertainment, following whichw owns the Los PSL: Lynn’s blazing century lifts Lahore to maiden semi-final AP — LAHORE In the first semi-final tomorrow between them, but Khushdil cut loose the only success in his first PSL Chris Lynn celebrates after at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, in the last five overs against fast appearance this season when he had scoring a century yesterday. Chris Lynn smashed a 52-ball century will face former bowlers Haris Rauf, who conceded 50 Fakhar in the ninth over. and propelled Lahore Qalandars to champions , runs in his three overs and Dilbar But Lynn continued to smash their maiden semi-final appearance while in the second semi-final, Hussain (0-37). Multan bowlers with ease and raised in the with a As many as 14 overseas cricketers the victory by hitting two successive thumping nine- win over table Karachi Kings will lock horns have already left for home due to fears sixes against fast bowler , toppers Multan Sultans in an empty with Lahore Qalandars at the of flight closures in the wake of the who ended up with 0-40 off his 2.5 Gaddafi Stadium yesterday. same venue. coronavirus outbreak including Mul- overs. Lynn bludgeoned eight sixes and a tan’s and Rilee Roussouw. Lahore will also host both semi- dozen boundaries against a second- Lahore is the only franchise among the final matches on Tuesday and the final string Multan bowling attack and fin- down targets of 180 runs-plus in a six participating whose entire com- without fans in the stadium. Multan will ished unbeaten on 113 off 55 balls as remarkable turnaround of form after plement of six foreign cricketers has meet Peshawar Zalmi in the first Lahore breezed to 191-1 in 18.5 overs. losing three in a row at the start of the remained in Pakistan. semifinal. Earlier, lefthanded batsman tournament. Lahore has finished last Lynn and Fakhar Zaman (57) At Karachi's National Stadium, Khushdil Shah hit a belligerent 70 off in all four previous editions of the PSL blazed to a 100-run opening wicket defending champions Quetta Gladi- just 29 balls and lifted Multan’s total to since 2016. stand off only 54 balls after Multan ators defeated Karachi Kings by five 186-6. “It’s great to get triple figures. I love rested four frontline bowlers -- , but bowed out of the tour- Lahore finished the league stage in playing in the day, but it was important , , nament despite the win. third place with 10 points and will now to get to that semi-finals after five years and -- ahead Shane Watson (66, 34 balls) and meet Karachi Kings in the second semi- of trying,” Lynn said. of their semifinal match. Khurram Manzoor (63, 40 balls) final on Tuesday. Lahore won three of Shaheen Afridi (2-23) and David , son of legendary guided Quetta to a target of 151 with their last four matches by chasing Wiese (2-24) shared four wickets Pakistan legspinner Abdul Qadir, got 22 balls.