Sport

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 MotoGPM Andrea Iannone’s ‘heart ripped apart’a by 4-year doping suspension Today I’ve received the worst injustice I could ever have imagined. They ripped my heart apart from my greatest love. No logical ssense on these allegations accompanied by incorrect facts. Right nnow I am suffering at the highest level I could imagine.

Andrea Iannone Sport |08 QATAR SENIOR VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE: Al Rayyan bt Al Gharafa 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-21, 25-15), Al Arabi bt Al Wakrah 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 28-19) 2030 presents vision for magical Games to OCA Evaluation Committee

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The Doha 2030 Asian Games Bid It is an honour to welcome the Committee yesterday presented to the OCA OCA Evaluation Committee to Evaluation Committee how it plans to Doha. As people of sport, my deliver a celebration of sustainable progress, sport for life and peaceful team cannot wait to explain diversity, reflecting the resilience, strength our plans about the certainty and ambition of Asia, the OCA and Qatar. and lack of risk that we are On a full opening day of the Evaluation uniquely able to offer the OCA Committee visit, Doha 2030 combined and the best athletes in Asia in detailed presentations with interactive visits of the city’s world-class venues to 2030. Just as importantly, is explain why it is bidding and how it can why this certainty is critical for guarantee a Gateway to a Magical Asian Asia. What it will mean. And Games. how it will free Doha 2030 up Doha 2030 Bid Committee President to deliver legacy benefits for H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani wel- comed the Evaluation Committee to Doha the whole of our continent like and said: “It is an honour to welcome the we have never seen before. If OCA Evaluation Committee to Doha. As we are awarded the great people of sport, my team cannot wait to honour of hosting the Asian explain our plans about the certainty and Games, I can assure you that lack of risk that we are uniquely able to offer the OCA and the best athletes in Asia we will deliver a magical in 2030. Games. "Just as importantly, is why this cer- Doha 2030 Bid tainty is critical for Asia. What it will mean. Committee President And how it will free Doha 2030 up to deliver legacy benefits for the whole of H E Sheikh Joaan bin H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development Hamad Al Thani our continent like we have never seen with the members of the Evaluation Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia during their visit to Education City Stadium, before. If we are awarded the great honour yesterday. PIC: AR AL-BAKER of hosting the Asian Games, I can assure you that we will deliver a magical Games,” H E Sheikh Joaan who is also the Chairman of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), said. The delegation was then taken to Qatar Foundation, home to some of the world’s leading educational institutes and a regional hub for innovation, entrepre- neurship and fostering social development. Qatar Foundation will play a central role in ensuring that Doha 2030 nurtures a vibrant and dynamic environment that strengthens community and cultural bonds, and celebrates Asia’s cultural diversity. H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chair- person of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, met with the delegation at the QF Headquarters, where they discussed the important role Education City plays in the country’s preparedness to host the 2030 Asian Games. H E Sheikha Hind said: “Doha is undoubtedly a city that is ready to host the Games, housing world-class venues and infrastructure. The Games in Doha Doha 2030 Bid Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, will celebrate sports and inspire a new Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF, with the members of the Evaluation Committee. generation of athletes, not only in Doha, but in the region and beyond. “It is a pleasure to welcome the OCA Complex and would host the equestrian what is most important: delivering a legacy Evaluation Committee to Education City. events in 2030. At the venue, the Com- for Asian sport that is measured not in new Doha is undoubtedly a city that is ready to host the Games, housing At Qatar Foundation, we strive to promote mittee received presentations on Doha venues but in better lives. And as the pan- world-class venues and infrastructure. The Games in Doha will the values of participating in sport— 2030’s vision, mission and compact, demic clears, we all know there will be sportsmanship, respect, commitment and athlete-centred Games concept, as well many lives that could be helped by the celebrate sports and inspire a new generation of athletes, not only fairness and active life. We do this because as presentations on Qatar’s vast sport benefits of sport. It would be our great in Doha, but in the region and beyond. It is a pleasure to welcome we believe that creating opportunities for experience, its cultural diversity and how honour to start the real work of improving the OCA Evaluation Committee to Education City. At Qatar people to enhance their health and well- the Games will deliver legacy benefits those lives though sport with you, so that Foundation, we strive to promote the values of participating in being – and to come together as a com- before and after 2030. 2030 becomes a Gateway to a true cele- sport—sportsmanship, respect, commitment and fairness and munity – is vital to nurturing a strong, Doha 2030 CEO, Jassim bin Rashid Al bration of our success in delivering a better vibrant, and active society.” Buenain said: “We want to re-imagine how Asia.” active life. We do this because we believe that creating The Evaluation Committee was then the Games can be hosted. Instead of The day concluded with a tour of the opportunities for people to enhance their health and wellbeing – taken on a short journey to the state-of- focusing on construction timelines, we National Command Centre (NCC) and and to come together as a community – is vital to nurturing a the-art Al Shaqab Indoor Arena, which is would focus together on the future of sport Dhuail Indoor Arena, where the Qatar strong, vibrant, and active society. part of the Qatar Foundation Sports in Qatar and in Asia. We want to address handball team was training. H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of QF THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 11 Al Attiyah becomes Middle East Rally champion for 16th time

Qatar's champion driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah clinched his 16th Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title following the cancellation of the Lebanon International Rally. The third and final round of the MERC was cancelled following Lebanon's decision to close the country from November 14-30. The 49-year-old, a 3-time Dakar Rally champion, and his French navigator Mathieu Baumel won the first round of the championship in Oman before the Qatar and Jordan rounds were cancelled due to the pandemic, and then won the two stages of the Cyprus rally on October 18. The Lebanon event had been scheduled to take place from November 13-15.

Khaled Mubarak Al Kuwari Trainingg attending the AFC Marketing privilegesges Calls for Sharma Committee meeting. revokedd as Windiesdies to replace break rules Kohli as skipper AFP – WELLINGTONN AFP – NEW DELHI DELHI The West Indies ccricketricket squad was rebukedebuked IndiaIndia cacaptainptain Virat KoKohlihli is facing calls yesterday for repeatedlypeatedly tot hand over some of hish leadership Al Kuwari participates breaking Covid-19vid-19 dutiesdduties to RRohitohit ShaSharmarma after another isolation rules ininsideside missedmissed oppopportunityo in the in AFC Marketing their team hotel iinn NNewew IndianIndian PrPremiere League. Zealand, promptingmpting SharmaSharm led the health authoritiesies to MuMumbaimbai Indians Committee meeting revoke their trainingaining TuesdayTuesday to a fifth IPL title privileges. -- somethingsomethi that has THE PENINSULA – DOHA West IndiesIndies eluded Kohli in the 13 edi- chief Johnny Graveve saidsaid tionstions of the tournamenttou -- Khaled Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and he was “bitterly ddisap-isap- promptingprompting calls forfor him to take Communications at the Qatar Football Association (QFA), pointed” at the breaches,eaches, overover thethe captaincy ofof tthehe national T20 Virat Kohli and a member of the AFC Marketing Committee, partici- which he said hadhad tthehe side.side. pated in the second meeting of the AFC Marketing Committee potential to jeopardisepardise IndiaIndia leave for AustraliaAustr this week to begin a two-week coro- on Tuesday. the entire tour. navirus quarantine beforebef playing three T20s, three one-day The participation of the officials was arranged via a video “They’ve let themselveshemselves internationalsinternationals and four Tests. conference chaired by Dasho Ugen Tsechup in the presence down, let West Indiesdies crickecrickett FollowingFollowing the IPL finfinal,a former India batsman Gautam Gambhir of the committee members and with the participation of the down and potentiallytially put tthehe andand ex-Englandex-England captaincaptain Michael Vaughan said Sharma should AFC Secretary-General. tour at risk andd the New take over as the nationalnationa T20 . After the introductory remarks, the topics on the agenda Zealand populationion at risrisk,”k,” “Rohit“Rohit hhasas won fivefive IIPL titles; he is the most successful captain were discussed which included receiving reports regarding the Antigua-baseded adminis-adminis- in thethe historyhistory ofof tthehe tournament,”to Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo. marketing matters for the tournaments that the AFC trator told Kiwi reporterseporters in a ““GoingGoing forwardforward, it’ll be a shame if he doesn’t get India’s organised in the past period. hastily arranged conferenceconference white-ballwhite-b (one-day) or just T20 captaincy.” The key AFC events recently included the AFC Cham- call. SharmaSha has transformed Mumbai since pions League 2020 competitions for West Zone hosted in The cricketerss aarere uunder-nder- takingtaking over the captaincy from Australian great Doha from September 14 to October 3. going a mandatorytory 14-day14-day RickyRicky PPonting in 2013, and all five of their titles Matters relating to marketing and commercial were also quarantine in Christchurch,hristchurch, have comeco under his leadership. reviewed for all Asian championships conducted by AFC. but the health departmentpartment saisaidd Kohli’sKoh Bangalore, however, bowed out in the The second meeting of the Marketing Committee also they had not abidedded by strict playoffsplayoffs this season -- after two bottom-placed touched on the 2020 AFC Champions League competitions bio-security protocols ffinishesinishes ini the previous three editions. for East Zone, which will be held in Doha from November requiring the squaduad to stastayy in VaughanVaugh also backed Sharma to become India’s 18 to December 13. two separate bubbles.bbles. T20 leadeleader.r The work plan and the marketing strategy for the coming Grave said Cricketricket West “Without“Withou question Rohit Sharma should be the years and key recommendations were also discussed. Mar- Indies was launchingunching an IndianIndian T20 ccaptain,”a he wrote on Twitter, describing keting matters in the East Zone event - where Al Kuwari internal investigationgation aandnd him as a “fantastic“fanta man manager and leader”. chairs the marketing and communication committee - were would interview all playersplayers “He“He knowsknows exactlye how to win T20 games. It would also discussed. to determine wwhathat alsoalso give Virat a cchance to take a breather and just be the occurred. pplayer.”layer.” VauVaughanghan saids relieving Kohli of the captaincy was The first of threeree not “an admittanceadmittance oof failure”, but rather “what is best for the Twenty20 inter- Indian cricket team”.team”. national against SharmaSharma is not incincludedlu in India’s one-day and T20 teams for the Black Caps AustraliaAustralia as hhee is recorecoveringv from a hamstring injury that saw is scheduled for him a miss several IPL ggames. November 27 att TheThe 33-year-old willw be part of the four Tests, however, Eden Park, followedwed while Kohli will missmiss three of them as he is taking paternity by two Tests. Rohit Sharma leaveleave afterafter tthehe opopeningenin match in Adelaide. focus on fresh talent for upcoming tour to New Zealand Qatar Sports Club and Rock Real Estate Investment Company representatives during the sponsorship signing ceremony. AFP – LAHORE ROCK Real Estate Pakistan will focus on up-and- We have opted to invest, develop and focuscus on ththee coming talent for next month’s New Zealand tour, the chief promising and emerging players. These Investments to support selector said yesterday, dropping unprecedented COVID-19 times provide a unique three big names from the 35-strong squad after lacklustre opportunity to select a larger squad. table tennis at Qatar SC performances in England. Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Pakistan chief selector Misbah-ul-Haqq THE PENINSULA – DOHA Amir and will stay home for the Twenty20 interna- Qatar Sports Club yesterday signed a one-year sponsorship tional and Test tour, chief agreement with Rock Real Estate Investment Company. The selector Misbah-ul-Haq said. of the three T20 internationals, Butt, Danish Aziz, Imran Butt and “These unprecedented contract will see the company supporting the club's table “We have opted to invest, while he did not bat in the other Rohail Nazir are all solid young COVID-19 times provide a unique tennis team in their upcoming local and international events, develop and focus on the prom- two. Amir failed to get a domestic performers included in opportunity to select a larger it was announced during a press conference yesterday. ising and emerging players,”players,” iinn ttwowo TT2020 ininterna-terna- the squad -- larger than usual in squad,” Misbah said. The press conference was attended by Faisal Al Shuaibi, Misbah told a press conferencenference tionals in EnglanEngland.d case players have to drop out The Test squad will be cap- Executive Director of the club Khaled Sultan Al Jaber, in Lahore. UncappedUncapped AmadAmad because of coronavirus. tained for the first time by Babar Chairman of the Company and Khaled Ali Al Kuwari, Pres- He said the big-namee omis-omis- Azam, who was appointed on ident of the club’s table tennis apparatus. sions were due to a “lacklack ofof Tuesday. The contracts were signed in the presence of the stars performance” on the summerummer PAKISTANPAKISTAN SQUSQUADA FOR NEW ZEALAND TOUR The team will depart of the first team, Al Mohannadi, and Mohamed England tour. Babar Azam (captain),(captai Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar November 23 for Lincoln, where Abdel-Wahab and member of the technical and adminis- Pakistan lost the three-Testree-Test ZZaman,aman, Imam-ul-HaImam-ul-Haq,q , Zeeshan Malik, Azhar Ali, they will spend two weeks in trative staff Abdel Qader Al Ariqi the team manager and series 1-0, and the Twenty20enty20 DDanishanish AzizAziz,, Fawad AlAlam,a Haider Ali, Haris Sohail, , quarantine. coaches Walid Samir Abu Al Fattouh, Fahd Gibran and Yasser series was tied 1-1 with oonene T20 internationals are Sobhi. IIftikharftikhar AhmedAhmed,, IImranm Butt, , Mohammad no result. scheduled for Auckland on During the ceremony, Al Jaber congratulated the club HafeezHafeez,, MohaMohammadm Rizwan, Rohail Nazir, Sarfaraz Shafiq, who hass December 18, Hamilton on for its achievements and added that 'if the club benefits from played a Pakistan AAhmed,hmed, ImImada Wasim, , , December 20 and Napier on this support and sponsorship contract, then there is no doubt record of 72 consec- YYasirasir SShah,ha , , , December 22. that the company is also benefiting from the successes of utive Tests in his HarHarisis RRauf, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad The first Test is at Mount Qatar SC team'. 77-match career, HHasnain,asn Mohammad Musa, Naseem Shah, Maunganui from December Meanwhile, Al Kuwari said that the agreement includes managed just 67 runs in SShaheenha Shah Afridi, Sohail Khan, Wahab 26-30, with the second at support for all table tennis teams in the club during the new five innings in England. RRiazi Christchurch from January season 2020-2021 and it gives the club the confidence in Malik made 14 in onee Babar Azam 3-7. domestic and overseas participations. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 Ajal lands Al Wukair Cup title with big win RESULTS (Top 3) THE PENINSULA — DOHA side got richer by QR57,000. Alberto Sanna, astride Ajal’s closet rival was Ajal during Al Wukair (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi’s Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim-trained Cup race , yesterday. Ajal clinched Al Wukair Cup Al Faisaliya, helmed by Soufiane AL WUKAIR CUP with a huge victory as Italian Saadi, taking QR 22,000 for the 1 - Ajal (QA), Majed Mahadi jockey Alberto Sanna enjoyed second place. Rider Tomas Seifeddine, Alberto Sanna a successful run, sealing back- Lukasek guided Attaf to third 2 - Al Faisaliya, Ibrahim Saeed to-back wins at Qatar Racing position in the race to win QR Ibrahim Al Malki, and Equestrian Club’s Al Rayyan 11,000. Soufiane Saadi Park yesterday. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi 3 - Attaf (QA), Ali Yousuf J Y There was no close com- presented trophies to the Al-Kubaisi, Tomas Lukasek petitor for Majed Mahadi winners of Al Wukair Cup. THOROUGHBRED Seifeddine-trained Ajal in yes- Earlier, Sanna registered HANDICAP (Class 4) terday’s feature race as the first of his two triumphs yes- 1 - Bint Saffian (IRE), Bader Al 4-year-old colt stormed to a terday, riding Bint Saffian to Balushi, Alberto Sanna massive 11-length win in the victory in the Thoroughbred 2 - Zarandi (IRE), Hamad 1700m Handicap for Local Handicap Class 4. Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani, Thoroughbreds. The winning Al Azraq Stable’s Bint Carlos Henrique 3 - Wayside Flower (GB), Mohammed Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento THOROUGHBRED CONDITIONS (Class 2) Saffian – a runner-up. Wayside Flower, and Topsy Turvy finished 1 - Daneyan (FR), Zuhair 5-year-old mare with Marco Casamento in the second and third respectively. Mohsen Zuhair Maki, Ronan recorded a saddle, finished third. In Class Today, Doha Cup will be at Thomas 3¼-length in 2 Thoroughbred Conditions, stake in 10th Race Meeting of 2 - High Commander, Gassim 1100m run, with Zakhir Racing’s Daneyan the season as eight more races Mohammad Ghazali, Saleh Hamad Ahmed emerged victorious with a are scheduled to be held at Salem Al-Marri Al Malki Al 2-length win in the 1900m run. QREC’s Al Rayyan Park today. 3 - Topsy Turvy (IRE), Ibrahim Jehani-trained Ronan Thomas rode the The feature race carries a Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, A group photo of Team Ajal. Zarandi (IRE), Zuhair Mohsen-trained 5-year- total prize money of Francois Herhold ending up as old horse. High Commander QR100,000. Amir Cup 2020 Shooting & Archery Championship kicks off at Losail

THE PENINSULA — DOHA We will strictly follow all the The event After a long break due to the guidelines to control the spread will feature coronavirus pandemic, top of virus as health of all those Qatar's top shooters Qatari shooters will be back in involved in the championship is action at the highly-anticipated in all Amir Cup 2020 Shooting & our top priority. categories. Archery Championship, which Majid Ahmed Al Naimi begins today with various titles QSAA Secretary General up for grabs. Action from fifth round The event, which will con- match between Qatar clude on November 28, will kick SC and Al Sailiya. off with the PET Trap event, and will witness competitors fighting for top honours in Trap, PET Skeet, PET Double Trap, Stage set for exciting PET 25m Rapid Fire and Pistol competitions at Qatar Shooting & Archery Association’s (QSAA) Ooredoo Cup quarters Shooting Complex in Losail, today. QSAA Secretary General THE PENINSULA — DOHA QUARTER-FINALS Majid Ahmed Al Naimi said all November 15 preparations have been com- The fifth and final-round 5:15pm: Al Wakrah vs Al Kharaitiyat pleted to host the event in a matches of 2020-21 season at Grand Hamad Stadium befitting manner. “We will strictly follow all have been prepared well for the Championships, and this year Ooredoo Cup’s group stage, 7:30pm: Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya “We wish shooters all the the guidelines to control the challenge, saying thrilling com- too we are hoping to see prom- played on November 9 and 10, at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium best in this elite shooting cham- spread of virus as health of all petitions will be seen during the ising shooters,” he added. witnessed exciting contests and November 16 pionship,” said Al Naimi before those involved in the champi- event. Saud Hamad Al Qahtani is dramatic action, at the end of adding all precautions have onship is our top priority,” he “Top-ranked shooters in all head of the shotgun referees which the eight quarter- 5:15pm: Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd been taken to ensure health said. categories are competing in this committee, while Ahmed finalists (top-four teams from at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium

7:30pm: Al Khor vs Al Rayyan safety of all the participants. Al Naimi added the shooters championship and there will be Abdulrahman Al Jaida has been Group A and B) were deter- exciting competition appointed head of the gun and mined. at Grand Hamad Stadium in the next few days,” pistol referees committee for Al Wakrah topped Group A he added. the event. with 11 points following their eight points. In Group B, Al Mohamed Ahmed Today’s events will be fol- 5-0 victory over Al Sadd, who Gharafa came in first place with Taher, Executive lowed by 10m Air Pistol and finished fourth with seven 13 points. They beat Al Ahli by Director and Director 10m Air Rifle, 10m Running points. Neveretheless, Al Sadd a 3-0 margin in Round 5. of the Tournament, Target, 50m Rifle Prone, 50m too progressed to the knockout Al Ahli, who finished last in hoped the contest Rifle 3 Positions and 25m quarter-finals. the group with one point, exited will help scout out Centre Fire Pistol competitions, Al Khor emerged as the the tournament alongside Umm new talent of the which will be held tomorrow. runners-up in the group with Salal, who finished fifth with country. The skeet and double trap nine points after they beat Al four points following their 0-2 “Qatar has many events will be held on Duhail 6-0. loss to Al Rayyan. talented shooters November 20 onwards while Al Duhail, who ended up Al Rayyan ended up third The Amir Cup 2020 Shooting who want to achieve the skeet mixed teams action last with three points, and Qatar with seven points. & Archery Championship is accolades at the will be on the final day SC, who lost to Al Sailiya by a Al Arabi secured the second expected to unearth Qatar's highest level. We (November 28). last-gasp goal to finish fifth spot in the group with 11 points young talent. have found very good Meanwhile, two-day with four points, bowed out of after defeating Al Kharaitiyat talent in the past archery action will start from the competition. Al Sailiya 2-1, who came in the fourth Amir Cup tomorrow. secured the third spot with position with six points. AFC Competitions Al Rayyan, Al Arabi collect full points Committee praises Qatar for hosting West Zone games

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

In an online meeting chaired by Dr. Tran Quoc Tuan, the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Competi- tions Committee yesterday praised Qatar for hosting the West Zone matches in Sept-Oct. Dr. Tran thanked the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Qatar authorities, as well as the AFC Administration, for the successful staging of the AFC Champions League (West) as well as the prepara- tions for the East Zone matches. Dr. Tran said: “We have successfully completed the AFC Champions League in the West and in just a few days, we will kick-off the competition for the East region clubs. Our sincere thanks go to the Qatar Football Asso- ciation and the Qatar government as well as our con- gratulations to the AFC Administration. “They have done an excellent job. I am sure they Al Arabi and Al Wakrah players compete for a point during their Senior Men's League match will build on their expertise to stage an outstanding at QVA Hall yesterday. Al Arabi won the match 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-19). RIGHT: Action from tournament, including the Final on December 19. At all times the safety and health of all the players, yesterday's other match between Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa, which the formers won 3-1 with teams and officials have been and remain our a 25-12, 22-25, 25-21, 25-15 score-line. priority.” THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 SPORT 09

Qatar and Bangladesh to resume Asian Qualifiers in December

THE-AFC.COM DOHA

Qatar and Bangladesh will play the first fixture of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 in over a year, with their Group E clash rescheduled for December 4, 2020. The Matchday Eight clash will be the first and only Asian Qualifiers match to be held in Qatar's Akram Afif (left) and team mate Musaab Khidir are seen during a training session in Vienna yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar's Ahmed Moein chases a ball during the same 2020 with the change in training session ahead of Qatar's friendly against Costa Rica tomorrow. Qatar will play South Korea on November 17. schedule approved by FIFA as well as the two participating member associations. Clubs will not be obligated to release their players for the Football: Qatar's young players December 4 fixture, which will be staged outside of FIFA’s international match calendar, however, both national teams are overwhelmingly com- aim to impress in 'chilly' Vienna prised of players based in their respective domestic leagues. THE PENINSULA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA present a good level that shows us as While Qatar will qualify champions of Asia and everyone is automatically for the 2022 Asian champions Qatar have hit the excited about such important matches," FIFA World Cup as hosts, Felix ground running in 'chilly' Vienna where he said. Sanchez’s side are chasing a they will take on Costa Rica in an inter- Qatar player Moaied Hassan said: spot at the AFC Asian Cup national friendly tomorrow. "The atmosphere within the squad is China 2023, where they will Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar great. Everyone seems to be enthusiastic. aim to defend the title they trained a day after landing in Vienna We are facing a strong side in Costa Rica. won in 2019. where the squad trained twice on Playing with different sides will be of With 13 points from five Tuesday and once yesterday despite great help to us as we build momentum matches, Qatar are the current 'very cold conditions'. going into our events next year." leaders of Group E, while Tomorrow's match will be played at The training grounds on which Qatar Bangladesh, who have claimed at BSFZ Arena Admiral Stadium with national team is training are located one point from four outings, kick-off set for 6:00pm Austria time. close to the Hilton Vienna hotel where sit bottom of the section, The Qatar will play South Korea on the squad is camped, he team's media defending Asian champions November 17. chief Ali Salat said. defeated Bangladesh 2-0 Qatar midfielder Ahmed Moein said "The weather is cold but the players when the teams met in Dhaka the Qatar squad aims to deliver a strong are adjusting well," Salat said. "We had on Matchday Three. performance against Costa Rica. the COVID-19 swab tests done today. It Meanwhile the AFC U23 "This is a very important preparatory is mandatory that we get it done 48 hours Qatar coach Felix Asian Cup 2022 bidding camp for us," Moein said. "Every player prior to our match," he added. "There Sanchez (right) process was also agreed by the is striving to provide their best technical are number of new players featuring on and his assistants AFC yesterday. The tour- level in these two matches and to under- this trip. We are building momentum are all wrapped up nament was originally score the readiness for the next stage of ahead of Copa America and the Gold Cup in team trainers scheduled for China PR in our overall preparation," he added. debut we will make next year," he said. and jackets in 2022 but the Chinese Football "The players are ready to play "Last month we played against Vienna, Austria, Association (CFA) has now matches to get a positive result," he said. Ghana and now we are set for Costa Rica yesterday. informed the AFC they are no "I feel we are required to be at our and South Korea (on November 17). longer able to stage the tour- best for these two important matches. These are three different schools of nament. Now the Committee Playing such matches will be a huge football for us. We look forward to our The technical staff have watched Costa North Korea, Sri Lanka and Turkmen- has agreed that the hosting benefit to us as we prepare for events matches in Austria," Salat said. Rica playing against Mexico, Panama and istan. "South Korea is considered one of process for the 2022 and 2024 like 2021 Copa America and Gold Cup," Sanchez's assistants have been busy the United States. the best Asian teams and facing them is AFC U23 Asian Cup editions he added. "We are ready to play the first watching videos of Costa Rica and South Similarly they also followed Korea's a good preparation for Annabi in the next will be reopened to Member match (against Costa Rica). We hope to Korea matches played in recent times. matches against Brazilian, Lebanon, stage," Salat said. Associations in the West. Fajitas, feelings on Tiger’s menu for Masters meal

AFP - AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES sixth Masters victory to Tiger Woods of the US tees off on the 4th during a practice round yesterday. match the record set by Tiger Woods opened his heart to fellow Jack Nicklaus. Being in green jacket winners while serving sushi Two-time Masters and fajitas at the Masters Champions champion Bubba Watson contention Dinner, where legends gathered to share recalled the pressure of his stories ahead of today’s start at Augusta first hosting stint after National. winning in 2012, two years not winning is It was the 15-time major winner’s turn before he captured a -- thanks to his epic 2019 triumph for a fifth second green jacket. green jacket -- to select the special extras “I was scared to death. Mickelson’s for yesterday’s annual gathering, delayed I didn’t know what to do,” from April like the tournament by the he said. “There’s no rules. Augusta goal Covid-19 pandemic. There’s no rule book. “Awfully special for me,” Woods said There’s no regulations. You yesterday. just show up. REUTERS - AUGUSTA, GA Two-time Masters winner Ben “Having the old guys Crenshaw said Woods shared his emotions here, the champions we Phil Mickelson no longer comes to after a victory that came after back injuries look up to, it was a dream Augusta thinking about winning the which threatened his ability to live a normal come true. I love hearing Masters and would be happy just to be in life, much less play golf. the stories.” contention for another Green Jacket, the “Tiger last night was so wonderful,” Watson still shakes his three-times champion said yesterday. Crenshaw said. head in disbelief that he is Splitting his time between the PGA “He was very self-effacing and open and among the select group. and Champions Tours and a decade we really enjoyed it. We had a really nice “I’ll be still trying to removed from his last Green Jacket, Mick- time. figure out why I’m here,” elson spent as much time during his pre- “He was very personal, very giving, very Watson said. “We talk Masters news conference reliving past open about how he feels and people love about legends and greats glories and speculating about the future that. We had fun.” of the game and then as discussing the present. Crenshaw praised the changes he saw somehow Bubba is in the Playing in his 28th Masters there is in Woods, who turns 45 next month. locker room with them certainly plenty to reflect on for the “It’s a revelation that does come over a with the green jacket on. 50-year-old fan favourite, who also took long period of time,” he said. “It’s tough to What an honour and a a moment to ponder the idea of one day be Tiger Woods, one of the world’s most privilege.” taking over the ceremonial starter role famous athletes.” Watson looks forward with long time rival Tiger Woods from At least one member of the select club to being the old man one Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. of 33 living winners of the Masters was not day, explaining how he smashed a hook In 27 Masters appearances he has on hand, with Spain’s Sergio Garcia, the shot from the trees to set up his play-off won three Green Jackets, the same 2017 champion, having withdrawn from victory over South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen I'm hitting it further than the US Open. I've only seen improvements in number of times he has missed the cut. the tournament on Monday after con- in 2012. strength increase. Hitting it further is definitely an easier way to play Since his last win in 2010 he has finished tracting coronavirus. “One day, 40 or 30 years from now, I’ll the game. I'm going to be able to hit it on certain lines where patrons runner-up in 2015 and in a tie for third Woods, the man who offered up milk- be the guy telling random stories,” Watson would be. I feel like it does provide me a little bit of an advantage in in 2012. shakes and cheeseburgers after his record- said. “People will be like, ‘No, that didn’t that case, to hit into those areas without thinking about it at all. “I like that feeling about this golf setting 1997 Masters victory at age 21, this happen, you didn’t hit that hook shot,’ and US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau course that you don’t have to be perfect,” year served spicy tuna and tempura shrimp, I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, I did’.” said Mickelson. “There’s something very steak and chicken fajitas, wine and des- Three-time Masters champion Phil spiritual about this place as a golfer, and serts of flan, churros and sopapillas. Mickelson sees the dinner as one of the tra- I've gotten more comfortable with the fact that if it (career Grand Slam) to have won this tournament means a lot “To see Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen ditions that makes the Masters beloved by happens great, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. When you're to me. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years drinking milkshakes, that was awesome,” the world’s top golfers. comfortable with the result either way, it frees you up and relaxes you since I won it last. I would love nothing Woods recalled. “Just to hear the stories of “The ability to spend time with, hang to go out there and play your best. I've had some success at this course. more than to have an opportunity to be all the guys over the years... they’re around and be a part of the champions from in contention, and that’s my goal. I just have to put it all together. I still feel like I have plenty more awesome stories,” he said. the past meant a lot to me then and I think “I’m not going into this event thinking Woods will try to add to his own leg- it’s one of the great traditions now,” the chances. about winning. I’m going into this event endary tales by winning his 83rd US PGA 50-year-old said. Rory McIlroy, who would complete a career thinking about trying to get into con- Tour title this week to break the career “This tournament treats past champions Grand Slam by lifting the green jacket. tention for the weekend and then hope- record he shares with Snead and taking a better than any tournament in the world.” fully take it from there.” Sport THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 08 Hamilton set for 7th world NFL owners back play-off plan and title as F1 returns to Turkey diversity initiative

REUTERS — LONDON already holds records for most FORMULA ONE STATISTICS FOR THE TURKISH GRAND PRIX AFP — NEW YORK pole positions, podiums and Some statistics for Sunday's Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit, the 14th Lewis Hamilton (pictured) can points finishes, has only twice NFL team owners backed match Michael Schumacher’s finished out of the top three in race of the season: a contingency plan which recordd seven world championchampion-- 2020 with a worst result of Lap distance: 5.338km. Total distance: 309.396km (58 laps) could see this season’s ships andand overtakeovertake thethe formerformer seventh.seventh. No race at this circuit since 2011. play-offs expanded to 16 Ferrariri great as the most HHee isis oonn a rrecordecord rrunun of 4466 Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) 1:24.770 (McLaren, 2005) teams if disruption from successfulssful FormulaFormula OneOne driverdriver successive scoringscoring finishes. Start time: 1010 GMT (1310 local) coronavirus prevents the of all timetime in TurkeyTurkey on Sunday.Sunday. MeMercedesrcedes wwonon tthehe ccon-on- TITLE regular season schedule Thehe Mercedes aceace,, who has structors’structors’ titletitle forfor anan Lewis Hamilton can become a seven-times world champion and, having already won a record 93 from being completed. a recordord 93 race wins, willwill bbee unprecedentedunprecedented seventhseventh races, the most successful Formula One driver of all time on Sunday. With the NFL more championpion again at thethe IstanbulIstanbul year in a row at ImolaImola Mercedes have already taken their seventh successive constructors' title. than halfway through its Park circuitircuit if hishis team-mateteam-mate andand inin ItaItalyly on NovemNovemberber There are plenty of permutations but Hamilton will take the title if he beats Bottas. 16-game schedule, the sole titletle rivarivall VaValtteriltteri Bottas ffailsails 1 anandd are assureassuredd of If the Finn wins the race, then Hamilton can still seal the championship with second place provid- league has already been forced to swap around games to scorere eight points more. ing Bottas does not set the fastest lap. on several occasions this season because of Covid-19 Thehe 35-35-year-oldyear-old Briton lleadseads Should Bottas finish second, Hamilton needs to finish fourth or higher. outbreaks. While the NFL remains on track to complete Bottass bbyy 85 points, witwithh 78 If Hamilton fails to score, something that has not happened for more than two years, Bottas the season in its normal 17-week time-frame, the league remainingning to be won afteafterr must still finish at least sixth. has left itself the option of staging an 18th week of Turkeyy whenwhen thethe seasonseason TURKEY regular season fixtures in the event of further Covid-19 heads to thethe MiMiddleddle East disruption. If potentially decisive regular season fix- All seven Turkish Grands Prix to date have been won by a driver starting on the front row. On for a closingclosing triple tures are unable to be completed, the league will boost headerer in BaBahrainhrain anandd five of those occasions, the man on pole position has gone on to win. the number of play-off teams from 14 to 16. Abu DDhabi.habi. Jenson Button (winner with Brawn in 2009) and Hamilton in 2010 both started in second place. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, meanwhile, said Thathat mmeanseans a Three of the races have ended in one-two finishes (Ferrari 2007, McLaren 2010, Red Bull 2011). the league continued to plan for a Super Bowl on Feb-

secondnd place Kimi Raikkonen (2005), Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel (2011) are the only active drivers to have ruary 7 next year in Tampa as scheduled. wouldld bbee a seseventhventh sucsuc-- won in Turkey. None won with their current teams. Goodell reiterated that the league aimed to allow enoughgh even iiff cessivecessive drivers’drivers’ an unspecified number of fans into the Raymond James Bottass wins, crowncrown as well.well. Stadium for the showpiece. providingding the “We,“We, as a yetye to sign a contract beyond this closed doors due to the Most teams around the NFL are playing games this Finn ddoesoes not team, hhaveave season,se may feel differently on pandemic. season without spectators because of the ongoing also takeake the ddoneone sucsuchh a Sunday.Su The title race is the focus “It’s a track that made for Covid-19 crisis. bonus ppointoint reremarkablemarkable butbu Turkey’s first race since 2011, good racing in the past, so it will Meanwhile, in a separate decision at Tuesday’s for fasteststest job,”job,” said as a replacement to fill out a be interesting to see how the meeting, NFL owners approved a proposal that will lap. HamiltonHamilton afterafter championshipch depleted by the modern Formula One cars do on offer incentives for teams that develop minority coaches At its thatthat success,success, COVID-19CO pandemic, will be wel- it,” said Alfa Romeo’s Kimi and front office executives. Under the initiative, teams simplest,lest, sayingsaying thethe comedco by all. Raikkonen. who lose a minority coach to a head coaching role else- Hamiltonilton teateamm titletitle The circuit, with its Turn The battle to be best of the where will be given an additional third round draft pick just hasas to beatbeat was “almost“almost EiEight triple left-hander, was rest behind Mercedes and Red for two years. Bottass -- something better” than alwaysalw a driver favourite even if Bull is also on a knife edge, with he hass dodonene 1100 ttimesimes the ddrivers’.rivers’. crowdscr were small. only a point separating third in 13 rracesaces so ffarar thisthis Hamilton,Hamilton, They will be non-existent this placed Renault, McLaren and year. Hamilton, whwhoo who has weekend,w with the race behind fifth placed Racing Point. NHL exploring reduced Dovizioso to schedule, short-term Iannone’s ‘heart ripped apart’ sit out of hubs for new season by 4-year doping suspension 2021 season REUTERS — TORONTO AFP — PARIS The National Hockey AFP — LAUSANNE these allegations accompanied However, CAS rejected his League (NHL) could have a by incorrect facts. argument and upheld a World Antonio Dovizioso says he will reduced schedule, Italian MotoGP rider Andrea “Right now I am suffering at Anti-Doping Agency appeal take a break from MotoGP next temporary realignment and Iannone (pictured) was the highest level I could imagine,” seeking a four-year ban. season but hopes to return to the short-term hubs in the suspended four years for an anti- said Iannone, adding he would “The panel found that Andrea track as soon as the right job 2020-21 season amid the doping violation on Tuesday, “not give up”. Iannone had failed to establish offer comes along. COVID-19 crisis, the after the Court of Arbitration for In its ruling, CAS said the Ital- neither the precise type of meat The 34-year-old Italian, who commissioner of the US Sport extended his initial ian’s suspensionp he had consumed nor the origin finished runner-up to Marc and Canada-based league 18-month suspension following wouldwould be backback-- of said meat,” read a CAS Marquez three times in the world Gary Bettman said. an appeal. dated to statement. championship, announced in Speaking during a Iannone, 31, was suspendeduspended DecemberDecember 117,7 It said that contrary to the August he was leaving Ducati at virtual panel discussion, Bettman said teams would rotate in March after testing positiveositive for 2019.2019. original decision taken by the the end of the year. in and out of hubs if that was the way forward but any an anabolic steroid inn a urine IannoneIannone International Motorcycling Fed- The following day he won in plan would be a collaborative effort between the league sample collected at ann in-com-in-com- hhadad cocontestedntested eration (FIM), the violation was Austria, and briefly led this and its players’ body (NHLPA). petition test at the MMalaysianalaysian that the presencepresence to be “treated as intentional for year’s riders’ standings before “You’ll play for 10 to 12 days. You’ll play a bunch of MotoGP in Sepang last NNovember.ovember. of ddrostanolonerostanolone purposes of the applicable anti- slipping out of contention. games without travelling. You’ll go back, go home for a The Aprilia rider, whosehose lone in his system wawass doping rules, and therefore In his Instagram post on week, be with your family. We’ll have our testing pro- MotoGP win came inin thethe resultresult ofof eatingeating upheld WADA’s Appeal.” Tuesday he said he had declined tocols and all the other things you need,” Bettman said. Ausria in 2016, was alsoo contami-c ontami - “The CAS award sets aside the several offers as a test rider next “It’s not going to be quite as effective as a bubble, but disqualified from thee nated mmeatea decision rendered by the FIM year, explaining that he wanted we think we can, if we go this route, minimise the risks final two races of thee in International Disciplinary Court “to remain free from formal to the extent practical and sensible... that’s one of the 2019 season -- inn Malaysia.Malaysia dated 31 March 2020 and agreements for now”. things we’re talking about.” Malaysia and thenn imposes a four-year period of “I have an immense passion Border restrictions due to the pandemic will prevent Valencia -- which hee ineligibility on Andrea Iannone,” for racing,” he wrote. teams from moving smoothly between Canada and the had not finished. it added. “I still have the ambition to United States and Bettman said that was another factor “Today I’ve receivedd Marco Bezzecchi has compete and fight to win." to consider. the worst injustice I reportedly been tipped as the “I will return to MotoGP as The NHL and NHLPA said last month they were tar- could ever haveve favourite to replace Iannone next soon as I find a project driven geting January 1 as the start date for the 2020-21 season. imagined,” Iannonene year at Aprilia, where he would by the same passion and The 2019-20 season stalled by the pandemic was wrote on Instagram. line up alongside Aleix Espargaro. ambition that I have and within completed on September 28 when the Tampa Bay “They ripped my heartart Bezzecchi, 21, is fourth in the an organisation that shares my Lightning won the Stanley Cup in a bio-secure bubble apart from my greatestest Moto2 championship and won same objectives, values and in Edmonton, Canada. love. No logical sense onon Sunday’s race in Valencia. working methods.” Celtics legend NBA approves 2020-21 season deal Heinsohn dies at 86: Team AFP — NEW YORK The statement said the The Los Angeles Lakers league would continue to nego- were crowned 2020 The NBA’s board of governors tiate with the National Bas- champions after the season AFP — NEW YORK formally approved a deal for a ketball Players Association on resumed in July following shortened 2020-2021 season other aspects of the upcoming a four-month hiatus. Boston Celtics legend Tommy on Tuesday, with the new season. Heinsohn, who won 10 NBA campaign tipping off on Under a deal reached on championships with the club December 22. Monday, the NBPA and the as a player and coach, died on An NBA statement said the league agreed on each team Tuesday, the NBA team said. league’s board unanimously playing a 72-game schedule. He was 86. approved adjustments to the The agreement caps pos- Hall of Famer Heinsohn current collective bargaining sible player salary reductions was part of the Celtics team agreement, which has been due to the pandemic to no more which dominated US bas- impacted by the Covid-19 than 20% and at that level ketball during the late 1950s pandemic. spread over up to three seasons. to mid-1960s, a period which In the 2020-21 campaign, included a run of seven the salary cap level for clubs straight titles between 1959 Under a deal reached on Monday, the would be $109.140m with a and 1965. salary tax on clubs going above He also led Boston to titles NBPA and the league agreed on each $132.627m. as a coach in 1974 and 1976 team playing a 72-game schedule. In future seasons, the salary during a nine-year reign The agreement caps possible player cap and tax level would between 1969-1978. salary reductions due to the increase by 3-10% over the Heinsohn led the Celtics pandemic to no more than 20% and prior season, with tax payments scoring in four of his eight trimmed in proportion to its lucrative slate of televised selection in Tokyo. The new following a four-month hiatus. championship-winning at that level spread over up to three income decreases. Christmas Day fixtures. season will tip off a little over Although teams restarted seasons as a player. seasons. In the 2020-21 campaign, Free agency negotiations Starting in December also two months after the conclusion the season in a single, secure He finished his playing the salary cap level for clubs would would start on November 20 allows the league to complete of the pandemic-interrupted “bubble” location in Orlando, career in 1965 with 12,194 be $109.140m with a salary tax on with signings allowed starting the playoffs before the 2019-2020 season. Florida, the upcoming season points and 5,749 rebounds, clubs going above $132.627m. on November 22. rescheduled Olympics in mid- The Los Angeles Lakers is expected to take place with before returning to coach the The December 22 start date July, meaning the league’s top were crowned 2020 champions teams playing at their home team in 1969. means the NBA is able to retain players will be available for after the season resumed in July venues.