WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016 SPORTS

Rooney named England Aubameyang fuels Asprilla joins UAE Player of the Year transfer talk champions Al Ain LONDON: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been voted BERLIN: Bundesliga leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang SOFIA: England’s Player of the Year for the fourth time after Colombian forward Danilo Asprilla has signed a deal to join has fuelled speculation he is set to leave Borussia Dortmund United Arab Emirates champions Al Ain, ending his successful stint at breaking his country’s scoring record, the Football after missing the club’s return to training following the winter Association announced yesterday. The 30-year- Bulgarian club Litex Lovech. “I know that my new club’s goals are very break yesterday. A club spokesman said the Gabon international high and I’m aware of what is required of me,” Asprilla, who old took his England tally to 51 goals, breaking was absent “for personal reasons” although reports have linked Bobby Charlton’s longstanding record of 49, and will turn 27 next week, told a news conference. “I’ve the 26-year-old with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool achieved a lot with Litex and it’s time to try something top-scored with seven goals as Roy Hodgson’s and Manchester United. “We all hope he’ll (Aubameyang) stay,” side qualified for Euro 2016 with a perfect record new,” he said, adding that he turned down offers from said teammate Matthias Ginter after the first training session in several European clubs to join Al Ain, the first Emirati of 10 wins. Rooney, England’s captain, received January for a Dortmund side who are second in the Bundesliga, 37 percent of the votes in a poll of England club to win the Asian Champions League in 2003. The eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich. “He’s very important, skilful Colombian, who signed a two-and-a-half-year Supporters Club members. He previously won the on the pitch and off, for what he contributes to the group atmos- award in 2008, 2009 and 2014. Stoke City goalkeeper contract with Al Ain, scored 25 goals in 74 appear- phere.” Aubameyang has had his best start to a season since ances for Litex. He is the Bulgarian league’s top Jack Butland, who has produced some impressive arriving from Saint-Etienne in 2013, scoring 18 goals in 17 performances this season, was elected the scorer with 11 goals after the first half of Bundesliga games and 27 in all competitions. Ginter expressed this season. Al Ain, coached by Croatian Under-21s Player of the Year. Rooney and the same hope regarding midfielder Ilkay G¸ndogan, reportedly Butland, 22, will be presented with their Zlatko Dalic who led them to their 12th a target for Serie A giants Juventus. “We would be delighted if Arabian Gulf League title last season, awards prior to England’s friendly against they stayed as long as possible with us. I hope they will extend Germany in Berlin on March 26. — AFP top the domestic championship with their contracts.” —AFP 34 points from 13 matches. — Reuters Nasser Al Attiyah to attend events of Liwa International Festival 2016

KUWAIT: Nasser Al Attiyah FIA vice president & QMMF president will arrive at Abu Dhabi tomor- row, upon an official invitation from Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla Motorplex chair- man to attend the conclusion events of Liwa International Festival 2016. About the nature of this visit, Al Attiyah con- firmed that Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla is considered one of the main supporting char- acters for motorsport within Gulf, this is quite clear when we see the number of events hosted and organized in Motorplex Club, confirming in the same time that UAE is considered as one of the pioneers in motorsport and auto bikes. Al Attiyah also mentioned the positive inter- action led by Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla which contributed positively in finding a special prestigious position for the Emirati motorsport among regional and international occasions, throughout taking care of many Emirati champions in all different kinds of Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla - Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah. motorsport. Motorplex chairman. Nasser Al Attiyah as FIA vice president & FIM Manny Pacquiao deputy president assured his full support for the the presence of Nasser Al Attiyah in this event touch such realization before Al Attiyah took efforts of Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla in will give a new addition to it as an international over his current positions. It’s a self clear reality, order to achieve more achievements for UAE festival organized annually in UAE and consid- which should be realized and appreciated by all.” and Arab in general, by hosting more interna- ered a focus point of all official parties within We have enough experience (either technical or Pacquiao ‘to retire’ tional motorsport events. At the end of his state- UAE. Al Mualla stated that this visit is considered administrative) to be pioneers, we have to sus- ment, Al Attiyah thanked the organizers of Liwa a new step to reinforce the communication and tain these concepts throughout the well com- after Bradley fight International Festival which has become one of cooperation among the Middle East and North munication based on positive cooperation the most important touristic stations in UAE and Africa clubs and federations, which would among us for better motorsport’s future, we Gulf in general. absolutely create new positive concepts for the have also to exploit well these chances repre- GENERAL SANTOS: Filipino boxing cham- Pacquiao is ranked seventh in the race future of motorsport. sented in the presence of Nasser Al Attiyah in pion Manny Pacquiao said he would end for 12 seats in the nationally-elected sen- NEW ADDITION Al Mualla said that “Due to God, Al Attiyah’s these important positions - which he is currently his legendary career after fighting Timothy ate. He currently represents the southern Marwan Al Mualla: The presence of Nasser Al efforts and MENA officials, Arab states has now occupying. At the end, I would like to emphasize Bradley in April to concentrate on his politi- province of Sarangani in parliament. Attiyah is a new addition to the festival. become more prominent on the motorsport once more that we as Motorplex will continue cal career, dousing hopes for a rematch The senate is a traditional springboard From his side, Sheikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al world map larger than before. Moreover, we - as working side by side upon our agreed strategy, with Floyd Mayweather. for future presential campaigns. Three of Mualla - Motorplex chairman welcomed the Arabs became more affective in the process of hoping to achieve more progress in motorsport The winner of an unprecedented eight the last Philippines presidents, including expected visit of Nasser Al Attiyah, he said that, decision making in FIA and FIM, we could not in UAE, Gulf, Middle East and North Africa. world titles, who has flirted with the idea of the incumbent Benigno Aquino, were sena- running for president, said he was confi- tors before they were elected to the coun- dent of winning a senate seat in the May try’s highest office. “My survey rankings elections. have been consistent and I expect it to Pacquiao is facing American welter- improve once the campaign starts,” he said. weight Bradley for the third time on April 9, The former fish vendor is adored by the after losing to his biggest rival Mayweather Filipino masses who are inspired by his in the sport’s richest fight in May last year. rags-to-riches life story. “I am retiring from boxing to concen- Aside from politics, Pacquiao has par- trate on my political career. My fight with layed his ring legend status to a career in Timothy Bradley will be my last,” Pacquiao movies, television and product endorse- said in an interview in his mansion late ments. He is also a pastor in a born-again Monday. Christian group and credits his renewed The 37-year-old member of parliament faith for transforming him to a devoted dismissed reports that he would not step family man from a hard-partying womanis- away from the sport without a rematch er. In a recent television interview, with American Mayweather, who himself Pacquiao said he “prayed to God for guid- retired after beating Pacquiao. ance” before deciding to concentrate on “I did not say anything like that. Nobody politics. Pacquiao, however, has been criti- interviewed me about that. I will retire after cised for putting his boxing training before my April 9 fight,” he said. Pacquiao lost by his duties in parliament. Last year, he unanimous decision to his brash arch-rival attended just four of the 70 legislative ses- Mayweather, whom he fought with a torn sions. In one of the rare times he took the rotator cuff that later required surgery. He floor in parliament in 2011, he argued has won 57 fights, including 38 knockouts, against a bill that would provide free con- lost six and had two draws in a professional doms for the poor, citing his Christian career spanning more than 20 years after beliefs. The bill was eventually signed into being raised in poverty. law. — AFP Hughes extends Wasps contract

LONDON: Future England back-row for- and reached the quarter final, so we really ward Nathan Hughes confirmed yesterday want to continue that progress. he has extended his contract with “We know we need to improve our SANTA CATERINA: Norway’s Nina Loeseth, the winner, center celebrates on podium with runnerup Sarka Strachova, left, and third placed Premiership side Wasps. Fiji-born Hughes league form and get consistency in our Veronika Velez Zuzulova, after an alpine ski, women’s World Cup slalom, in Santa Caterina, Italy, yesterday. —AP will qualify for England at the end of June, game, so that will be our focus during the and recently confirmed he will make him- second part of the season.” self available for Test selection for head Rugby director Young admitted Wasps coach Eddie Jones’ set-up. had to move quickly to complete new Norway’s Loeseth claims “I’m really excited to have signed a new terms for Hughes, with Premiership rivals contract with Wasps as I can see the direc- hovering. Young tipped the hard-running tion the club is going in,” said Hughes. The backrower to fight hard for an England maiden World Cup win 24-year-old sat out the 2015 Rugby World berth once he qualifies for Test action. Cup in a bid to complete the three-year res- “We are thrilled Nathan has committed idency qualification period to be eligible to his future to Wasps: it was a no-brainer SANTA CATERINA VALFURVA: Nina Loeseth Courchevel, France. She positioned herself for standings. The Swede has 365 points, followed represent England. offering him a new contract and I’m sure a ended a 16-year World Cup victory drought for her maiden victory by gaining a 0.25-second by Strachova with 271 and Slovakian pair Velez Wasps have moved quickly to tie down number of other clubs would have been the Norwegian women’s slalom team yesterday, lead over Charlotte Chable of Switzerland in the Zuzulova and Petra Vlhova with 220 each. Vlhova the in-demand Hughes to a new deal, fresh tracking his progress closely,” said Young. posting the fastest time in both runs on the opening run. didn’t score points after sliding off course in her from securing an extended contract for “Nathan has made a huge impact since Deborah Compagnoni course. “It was a stable run, no mistakes,” Loeseth said opening run. club captain and England flanker James joining Wasps and the great thing is there Loeseth finished in 1 minute, 57.65 seconds about the first leg. “I am a very safe skier. I have Hansdotter also overtook Lindsey Vonn in the Haskell. is so much more to come from him. to secure her first victory in dominating fashion, to challenge myself to ski more on the limits.” overall standings and climbed to second place “I really appreciate Dai (Young) giving “He is only 24 and is still raw in some beating second-place Sarka Strachova of the Chable, who started the race 28th, lost bal- behind Lara Gut of Switzerland. Vonn and Gut me the opportunity to come here and over aspects of the game, having only made the Czech Republic by a big margin of 1.12. Veronika ance and fell just a few gates before the finish of don’t compete in slalom. Gut has 658 points, the past two years it has been a great club switch from hockey to rugby at 17. “Given Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia, who was 13th after her second run. “I felt I had some mistakes,” Hansdotter 521 and Vonn 500. Loeseth climbed to be part of,” he siad. his growing performances this season, it’s the opening run, was third, 1.37 behind. Loeseth said. “I had a bit of problems but it was to fourth with 406. “We have secured our own home and no surprise many are talking about him as “That was about time,” Loeseth said. “We have OK, actually. I just pulled out everything I had The result left Mikaela Shiffrin as the only ski- have seen some really exciting players join- an international prospect for England when to drive for 6.5 hours today so maybe I open a and it was worth it.” er with more than one slalom victory this sea- ing Wasps and I really want to be part of he qualifies over the summer.” bottle of champagne in the car.” Norwegian Loeseth draw praise from Strachova, the 2007 son. The Olympic and world champion from the the club moving forwards. Hughes’ new deal was tempered slightly women had been unsuccessfully chasing a world slalom champion who has been without a United States won the first two events but is out “We know success won’t happen by Samoa prop James Johnston’s immedi- slalom win since Trine Bakke triumphed in World Cup win for more than six years. “(Loeseth) recovering from knee injury for an indefinite overnight and there is a lot of work to do, ate departure, to “pursue alternative Maribor, Slovenia, on Jan. 6, 2000. has done very well lately, in giant slalom as well,” time. A men’s slalom on the same course is but long-term we really want to be a squad options”. “It’s just amazing,” said Loeseth, whose sisters Strachova said. “The second run looked so easy scheduled for Wednesday. Both races were winning silverware - that has to be the Injury on Samoa duty in the build-up to Mona and Lene also competed on the World but she was brutally fast. She fully deserved to moved from Zagreb because of a lack of snow ambition. Rugby World Cup 2015 limited Johnston’s Cup for several seasons. “I did not think that I win here.” and mild temperatures in the Croatian resort. “In my first year we finished 7th and Wasps openings, leaving boss Young to would win. But it’s a good feeling.” Loeseth had Frida Hansdotter, who was on the podium in The women’s World Cup travels to Altenmarkt- reached the European play-off against accept the 29-year-old’s departure as the three career podium finishes before, most all four previous slaloms this season, finished Zauchensee, Austria, for speed races this week- Stade Francais, last season we finished 6th best course of action. — AFP recently in last month’s giant slalom in fifth and retained the lead in the discipline end. — AP