14 TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019 sports

Proposal for sports villages presented TDT | Manama Barca stretch lead proposal to build a Asports village in each of Bahrain’s four governo- Goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez help the Catalans to overcome Getafe rates was presented in the build up to the 2019 Bah- rain Sports Day, scheduled Barcelona are now to take place on February • BETTER 13. five points clear at the Supreme Council for top of the Liga table Youth and Sports assistant KNOW secretary general and Bah- Reuters | rain Olympic Committee (BOC) secretary general Ab- dulrahman Askar chaired ionel Messi scored for the Luis Suarez (centre), with the first preparatory meet- seventh time in four La 12 goals, and Lionel Messi, ing for the third edition of LLiga games as champions with 16, have together the Bahrain Sports Day at Barcelona scrapped their way to scored more La Liga goals the Regency Hotel in Ma- a hard-fought 2-1 win at Getafe this season than 16 teams nama. on Sunday that propelled them in the competition Askar, who is also chair- five points clear at the top of man of the organizing com- the table. mittee, made a presenta- Messi, La Liga’s top scorer this ond half, ballooning the ball over tion to representatives of season, opened his account for the bar with Barca’s goalkeeper national sports federations 2019 with his 16th goal, giving Marc-Andre ter Stegen strand- as well as from different Barca a 20th minute lead as he ed. ministries and the private tucked the ball into the net from Ter Stegen then made a fly- sector, in which he gave de- a tight angle after his initial shot ing save to keep out a powerful tailed background on the was saved by the legs of Getafe Leandro Cabrera header, while previous two editions of the keeper David Soria. Soria also did well to prevent event. It took the Argentine’s career both Messi, hunting that land- A short film on the 2018 tally to a staggering 399 goals in mark 400th goal, and French edition of the event was also La Liga before Uruguay strik- defender Clement Lenglet from played during the meeting, er Luis Suarez doubled Barca’s stretching Barca’s lead. Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) vies with Getafe’s Togolese defender Djene Dakonam while the pros and cons of advantage in the 39th with a “These are the types of games the previous Bahrain Sports spectacular volley from outside that win you half the title, es- Day were discussed in an the area. points after 18 games, stretching “We were aware of those re- They got right back into the pecially considering the other attempt to make next year’s Yet Getafe hit back two min- the gap to five points over their sults before going out on the game with their goal but we are results before we played,” said gathering a special occa- utes before the interval with a nearest pursuers Atletico Ma- pitch and were under pressure very happy. We’ve increased the goalscorer Suarez. sion. close-range finish from strik- drid, who drew 1-1 with third- to make the most of the oppor- gap with our rivals, but there’s “The other team plays as well, The parties also present- er after a splendid placed Sevilla. tunity, and we went out to do still a long way to go.” and Getafe are very strong at ed an idea to make a dedi- team move and continued to The Catalans are 10 points that at a very difficult ground,” Getafe’s Mata, who had an home so it was very difficult. cated sports village for each push hard after the break. ahead of European champions Barca coach Ernesto Valverde earlier first-half strike ruled There were a lot of battles out of the four governorates to Barca, who have won seven Real Madrid, whose struggles told reporters. out at 0-0 for an apparent foul there but it all stays on the pitch. promote sports prior to the out of the last 10 La Liga titles, continued with a 2-0 home de- “We expected it was going by team mate Angel Rodriguez, We’re feeling very positive, the main event. now lead the standings on 40 feat by Real Sociedad. to be a tough game and it was. missed a big chance in the sec- title is in our own hands.”

Dune raider Loeb eyes Dakar title AFP | Lima, Peru ot factory team in the last three Dakar races with a best finish of ebastien Loeb may never get second spot in 2017. Sa better opportunity to win The French manufacturer the Dakar Rally but the French may now have called time on driver admits the sand dunes of I am coming with their desert raid involvement Peru will present a very differ- a private team to but Loeb will still enjoy a fa- ent challenge to the mud, snow have fun. I also miliar feel behind the wheel and asphalt on which he swept in Peru as he pilots a private to nine world rally titles. told myself that we Peugeot entry instead. Loeb went into yesterday’s don’t often have the He will be attempting to be- opening stage of the world’s opportunity to race come the first privateer to win most famous endurance race in places like this the Dakar since Jean-Louis as one of the favourites follow- SEBASTIEN LOEB Schlesser back in 2000. ing the decision of 2016, 2017 “I am coming with a private and 2018 winners Peugeot to “On paper, this does not look team to have fun. I also told my- pull their factory team from like a good Dakar for me,” said self that we don’t often have the the race. Loeb of the prospect of racing opportunity to race in places However, Loeb remains cau- over sand. like this,” he said. tious as he heads into his fourth “But I will drive the way I “Doing it as a private entry Dakar which this year is con- know how. It will be compli- means a different approach, it’s Supreme Council for Youth and Sports assistant secretary general and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) secretary tained within the borders of cated for us because of the sand cooler and more relaxed and I general Abdulrahman Askar during a meeting with President of the Bahrain Fencing Federation Shaikh Ibrahim bin Peru and at 5,000km is almost dunes -- they are not my strong am happy to share the expe - Salman Al Khalifa and Secretary General of the Federation Saleh Faraj. Askar asserted the committee’s support to the half the distance of last year’s point.” rience with Daniel Elena (his Bahrain Fencing Federation in hosting the Asian and World Fencing Championship in the second half of January 2019 event. Loeb, 44, drove for the Peuge- long-time co-driver).” Sydney to host finals of new ATP World Team Cup AFP | Sydney men’s game, voted in London There will be group action earlier this year to award the in Brisbane along with another ydney will host the finals tournament to Australia. city, reportedly Adelaide. The of the new innovative ATP It will be played from January existing Brisbane International at Seef District too S World Team Cup, organisers 3 over 10 days in lead-up to Aus- will continue as women-only announced yesterday, while tralian Open, first Grand Slam of event. Brisbane and one other city will the year, starting in 2020. $15m Perth was widely seen to be feature round-robin games in a Sydney will host the final of is the prize money for in running, but ongoing success revamp of the season-opening the 24-team event at the Ken the ATP World Team of mixed-teams Hopman Cup, tennis calendar. Rosewall Arena, which will get Cup spearheaded this year by Roger The Association of Tennis a new roof, along with some Federer and Serena Williams, Um al Hassan +973 17728699 Seef District +973 17364999 Professionals, which runs the round-robin matches. has thrown that into doubt.