FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 16

Ajax’s Blind makes comeback after heart operation REHC set for action-packed day Reuters | Amsterdam

jax Amsterdam de - REHC to host seven Afender • BETTER returned to action for the races on the card today first time since undergoing a heart operation by mak- TDT | Manama KNOW ing a substitute appearance in Wednesday’s 3-0 Dutch thrilling day of action is Cup win over Vitesse Arn- set to take place today hem. Aat Rashid Equestrian Irish Thoroughbred Blind was diagnosed with and Horseracing Club (REHC) heart muscle inflammation in Riffa. Marketing Cup, the after suffering from dizzi- Seven races are on the cards, seventh and final race ness in a Champions League with the last four offering a total of the day, will feature game against Valencia in prize of BD3,000 each. 10 imported horses December. The seventh and final race aged three years and The 29-year-old Dutch- will be for the Irish Thorough- above man was fitted with a sub- bred Marketing Cup, featuring cutaneous implantable 10 imported horses aged three cardioverter defibrillator, years old and above. It will be which sends electrical puls- over eight furlongs, and the trio Newman as the jockey. es to regulate abnormal of Al Jellaby, Coolagh Forest In race four, a massive field of heart rhythms, and he made and Balestra have been tipped 18 imported horses aged three a surprise return to first- to have a chance to win. and up and rated zero to 75 are team training last week. Al Jellaby and Balestra are in the fray. They will be battling “I am really happy to be both owned by Al Mohamediya it out over seven furlongs. back on the pitch,” Blind, Racing, with Al Jellaby trained Meanwhile, the third race of who came off the bench in by Osama Hashim and to be the day is over six furlongs with the 77th minute, told Fox ridden by Abdulla Faisal and a BD2,000 prize, and it will be Sports Netherlands. Balestra trained by Hesham Al Action from one of last week’s races (File Photo) for the Chevron Cup; while race “I had a little bit of ten- Haddad and to be ridden by two is over six furlongs with a sion beforehand because Adrie De Vries. Coolagh Forest pre-race favourites are Jazeel, dicate, Taleb Ali and Hasan Al been tipped with a chance to BD2,000 total prize. you don’t know how it will is owned by Mohammed Khalid Port Douglas and Saajid. Saffar. win. Sadara and Yaoud are both Kicking things off today, six go. Abdulrahim and trained by Paul Jazeel is owned by Victorious, Both the fifth and fourth races owned by Shaikh Mohammed horses will be competing in the “The doctor really needed D’Arcy, and will be ridden by trained by Hesham Al Haddad of the day are offering a Porsche bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khali - opening race for a Bahrain Jew- to hold me back and step on John Egan. and will be ridden by Adrie De Cup. fa and trained by James Nay- ellery Centre Cup. It will be held the brakes because I wanted In the sixth race for the Bah- Vries. Port Douglas will be com- Only four locally bred hors- lor, with Abdulla Faisal riding over 10 furlongs and it offers a to get back ASAP. I wasn’t rain Jewellery Centre Cup, six peting for Al Hassanain Syndi- es aged three years old and up Sadara and Andrew Elliott on BD2,000 total prize. scared at all, I wanted to get imported horses aged three and cate, Mohammed Al Sammak are entered in race five, which Yaoud. Ramani is owned by Al All are welcome to attend to- back on the pitch as fast as up are entered. They will be bat- and Abdulla Faisal while Saajid is to cover seven furlongs. Sa- Afoo Racing Stable and trained day’s events at REHC. Entrance possible.” tling over 12 furlongs, and the is representing Shamtoot Syn- dara, Ramani and Yaoud have by Mohammed Saeed, with Lee is free. Ajax’s Ziyech to join Chelsea in 40m-euro deal AFP | London Ziyech joined Ajax in 2016 home to Chelsea and later from fellow club FC threw away a three-goal lead akim Ziyech will join Chel- Twente for a fee of 11 million at Stamford Bridge. Hsea from Dutch champi- euros, and has now scored 49 Ziyech made his comeback ons Ajax this summer in a 40 goals in 160 appearances for Wednesday evening with his million-euro ($43.4 million) Ajax. team’s victory in Arnhem (0- deal, the two clubs confirmed His contract at Ajax was due 3) in the quarter-finals of the yesterday. to run until June 2022. Dutch KNVB Cup after a calf The announcement ends muscle tear in January. days of speculation over the ‘Originality, bravery’ Dutch media this week said future of the 26-year-old at- Ziyech was a key figure in believed Zi- tacking midfielder, a Moroccan Ajax’s sensational run to the yech “is a top player and such international. Champions League semi-finals an essential reinforcement to “Ajax and Chelsea have last year. his 11 that he gave the club in- reached an agreement for the But he reportedly want - structions to have a deal done transfer of Hakim Ziyech. The ed more football in Europe’s before the summer.” Cars lined up prior to a race at BIC player will join the Premier top flight after the Dutch side Clubs can agree and sign League club on July 1st 2020 w e r e eliminated in the transfers outside the English and will finish the season in group stage ’s January BIC hosts back-to-back days of exciting Amsterdam,” the Eredivisie this year -- in transfer window, but players champions said in a statement. part because may not be registered with new “The clubs have agreed a deal they lost at clubs until it opens again in the action in 15th annual GulfRun of ?40 million euros. This sum summer. could potentially increase to a Ajax is known for selling and the action continues un- bility, power, weight and tyre maximum of ?44 million, with home-grown talent to richer GulfRun is one til today evening with an - type. variable factors.” European clubs. After last sea- • other whole day’s worth of GulfRun showcases many Chelsea confirmed the son, they sold of several major running. top-of-the-line sports cars deal, praising Dutch-born to Juventus and Frenkie de motorsport events for Spectators are welcome to from major internationally re- Ziyech as a “prolific scorer Jong to Barcelona. groups of motorsport watch the event. Today’s activi- nowned brands each year. It throughout his career.” In 2018, Ziyech, who was enthusiasts hosted ties will be held from 10am until started in 2005 as a weekend “Ziyech is a left-footed born in the central Dutch the awarding ceremony at 7pm. getaway for a group of friends attacker who is comfort- town of Dronten, was by BIC throughout Entry is free of charge. passionate about automobile able playing off the right crowned Dutch Player the calendar year The action is taking place racing. The goal is to promote flank and coming inside, of the Year. along four of BIC’s track con- automobile racing and train- as he has often done in “He brings technique, TDT | Manama figurations, including the Inner, ing in a professional environ- recent years to such originality, bravery, depth Outer, Endurance and Grand ment; while educating drivers devastating effect for and enjoyment,” to the ahrain International Circuit Prix circuits. on proper racing techniques. Ajax, or on the left game, said De Volkskrant B(BIC) is hosting a group of The schedule includes a There are track-certified mar- to attack with width daily newspaper. around 50 cars from Kuwait friendly timing competition. shals monitoring the event at all and deliver into the “After eight seasons in this weekend for the 15th edi- Points will be awarded for each times to ensure that the event is box,” Chelsea said. the Eredivisie he’ll leave tion of the annual GulfRun. participant’s fastest completed safe and secure. The Lon - behind an emptiness” on The meeting is one of the time per track, with the win- GulfRun is one of several don-based side Dutch football fields, the longest-running and most be- ners being determined based major motorsport events for added: “The paper lamented. loved events at “The Home on the combined points from groups of motorsport enthusi- move is subject The top two finishers of Motorsport in the Middle all four tracks. Trophies will asts hosted by BIC throughout to the player Hakim Ziyech in the Dutch league qualify East”. then be presented to the top the calendar year. BIC has be- agreeing personal terms each year for the Champions It kicked off yesterday three in each car class. Cars are come a favourite amongst race and he will remain at the League and Ajax are top, 10 morning with a full-day pro- placed in their respective cate- lovers from across the region Dutch club for the rest points clear of third-place Wil- gramme of on-track sessions gories according to their capa- and beyond. of this season.” lem II.