Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 Asian Games: Indonesia wants 37 sports

JAKARTA: Host Indonesia said yesterday it like soft tennis, Indian wrestling-style sport are not ready to host 42 sports.” Ministry financial problems, has a chequered history wanted 37 sports at the 2018 Asian Games, kabbadi and Chinese martial art wushu. spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto confirmed to when it comes to staging multi-sport events. lower than the maximum of 42 previously Indonesia is already facing myriad chal- AFP that Indonesia wanted to host 37 sports. When the country hosted the Southeast Asian announced by the Olympic Council of Asia lenges, from creaking infrastructure to graft Authorities did not say which disciplines they Games in 2011, the event was marked by a (OCA). The maximum put forward by the OCA allegations, and Vice President Jusuf Kalla sig- wanted dropped, but a task force has been major corruption scandal, delays in getting earlier this month had raised eyebrows as it naled this week at an organizing committee established to carry out a review. In their venues and infrastructure ready and a deadly was more than at the last games in South meeting he wanted fewer sports than the announcement this month, the OCA had already stampede at the football final. The 2018 Asian Korea, despite pressure to reduce the number OCA’s suggested maximum. Following the said the number could be reduced, and indicat- Games will be held in Jakarta and the city of of sports. The Incheon games in 2014 fea- decision by Kalla, who is leading preparations, ed cricket, paragliding and jetski could be axed. Palembang from August 18 to September 2 tured 36 disciplines, including the full Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi said: “We will Indonesia, which was picked late to stage next year. The country last hosted the Asian Olympic program plus more obscure pursuits convey to the OCA as soon as possible that we the games after Vietnam withdrew due to Games in 1962, in Jakarta. — AFP

MOTOR RACING joins Williams as technical head, shareholder

LONDON: Paddy Lowe has joined the Williams team from champions Mercedes with immediate effect as chief technical officer and shareholder in the group, Williams announced yesterday. The team did not say how big a stake Lowe had taken or where it had come from, with details expected to be made known at a later date. The Briton, who started his Formula One career at Williams in 1987, also joins the board of directors and will run the business with deputy principal Claire Williams and chief executive Mike O’Driscoll. “This is a game changer for us and once again makes us extremely excited about this team’s future,” said Claire Williams. The Briton had been on ‘gardening leave’ from Mercedes, who have already replaced him with former technical director James Allison. At Mercedes, Lowe played an integral role in the team winning the last three drivers and constructors’ world champi- onships. Before that he won titles with McLaren and Williams. Mercedes have won 51 of the 59 races since the 1.6 litre V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced in 2014. In his previous six-year stint at Williams, Lowe worked with co- PHILADELPHIA: ’ Evgeni Malkin (71) cannot get a shot past ’ Steve Mason (35) as Travis Konecny (11) and Nick Schultz (55) defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. — AP founder and designer and helped pioneer the active suspen- sion system that took Britain’s to Bruins end Calgary winning streak the 1992 championship. “It is a huge honour to return in this leader- CALGARY: Brad Marchand scored his NHL- Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux and Dale made 26 saves for his ship position and to have the opportunity to leading 36th goal, David Backes put Boston Weise also scored for the Flyers, who closed fourth straight win as Anaheim passed become a shareholder,” said Lowe. “I am ahead after returning from an injury and within five points of the idle New York Calgary for second place in the Pacific extremely motivated to play my part in bring- the Bruins ended Calgary’s 10-game win- Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Division. Ivan Barbashev scored his third ing success back to the team. “The vision for ning streak Wednesday night with a 5-2 Eastern Conference. Making the postseason career goal and Jake Allen made 20 saves, the future set out by the Williams Board is victory over the Flames. Marchand is also remains a long shot for Philadelphia with but the Blues’ five-game winning streak powerful and has compelled me to join an tied with Chicago’s and just 13 games remaining and four teams to was stopped. St Louis missed out on its organization committed to building on its Edmonton’s Connor McDavid for tops in pass. Philadelphia snapped a three-game chance to pass Nashville for third place in unique legacy and to reaching the pinnacle of the league with 76 points. Backes got tied losing streak while handing the defending the Central Division. The Blues still hold the Formula One once again.” Claire Williams said up with Flames defenseman Mark Stanley Cup champions their fourth second wild card in the Western Lowe’s arrival was a boost for a team that last Giordano and was taken into the corner of the season. The road-weary Conference, four points ahead of Los won a Formula One title with Canadian boards 12 minutes into the game. Backes Penguins completed an eight-day, five- Angeles. Rakell hit the 30-goal mark for the in 1997. was favoring his leg as he was helped off game road trip that took them through four first time in his five-year career by putting The current line-up also includes a the ice. But he returned seven minutes time zones as they traveled 4,763 miles. The the Ducks ahead 5:32 into the first period. Canadian, 18-year-old rookie , into the second period and on his second journey got longer due to Tuesday’s snow- alongside Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa fol- shift back he broke a 2-all tie. Backes took a storm in the Northeast, which caused the AVALANCHE 3, RED WINGS 1 lowing the departure of Finland’s Valtteri pass from David Krejci on a 3-on-2 and Penguins to fly home from Calgary late JT Compher scored his first NHL goal Bottas to Mercedes in place of retired champi- from 30 feet whipped a wrist shot over the Monday night rather than directly to and Calvin Pickard stopped 27 shots in on . “Having someone of Paddy’s glove of Chad Johnson. David Pastrnak Philadelphia. Pittsburgh arrived in Colorado’s win over Detroit. Matt Duchene calibre and engineering competence is not scored twice, and Matt Beleskey also Philadelphia late Wednesday morning. scored his first goal in 12 games and Carl scored for Boston. The Bruins’ fourth With 95 points, Pittsburgh remained two Soderberg added his first in 18 games as only a morale boost for everyone at Williams, straight win moved them within three behind idle Washington for first place in the the NHL-worst Avalanche won at home for but I know it will also significantly support our points of second-place Ottawa in the Metropolitan Division and the best record the third time in four tries. They are 11-22-2 efforts to return this team back to the front of Atlantic Division. Alex Chiasson and in the NHL. Mason posted his third shutout at the Pepsi Center this season. Andreas the grid,” she said. Dougie Hamilton scored for the Flames. of the season and the 33rd of his career. Athanasiou scored for the Red Wings, who, “We want to win races and championships, like their once-hated rival, are well out of but to do that you need the best talent in the FLYERS 4, PENGUINS 0 DUCKS 2, BLUES 1 the playoff hunt. Jimmy Howard made 26 business. In Paddy we believe we have just that Wayne Simmonds scored the 200th goal Rickard Rakell scored his 30th of the saves in his second start since returning as well as a leader who will drive change.” The of his career and Steve Mason made 23 season and Ryan Getzlaf added a short- from a knee injury that had kept him out season starts in Australia next week. — Reuters saves to lead Philadelphia over Pittsburgh. handed goal as Anaheim defeated St Louis. since Dec 20. — AP