FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 NNHLHL | Page 3 Qualifi cation for Play could next C’League resume in two should be on to four cities, ‘merit’: UEFA says Bettman

Friday, April 24, 2020 TENNIS Ramadan 1, 1441 AH Zverev positive amid GULF TIMES Covid-19 although it halted momentum SPORT Page 5

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Neymar says Ferrari say they are lack of football committed to F1 making him anxious

Reuters had scored 18 goals in 22 appear- London, United Kingdom ances for PSG before the season was halted in March. aft er quit reports Rosa said that his main job was aris Saint-Germain and not to add to the pressure which Brazil forward Neymar Neymar is already under. Team boss Binotto had indicated that they could walk away due to the budget cap Psays that not knowing “You need to understand the when football will be environment that this player Reuters played again is making him anx- lives in,” he said. “I try to relieve London, United Kingdom ious. this by controlling the training I’d be happy for Seb to stay at Ferrari, says Leclerc The 28-year-old is prepar- load and nutrition. Everything ing for an eventual return at his is done so his performance im- errari have said they lockdown with esports, train- home in a gated community in proves and evolves all the time.” remain committed to ing and doing his best to stay Brazil under the supervision of “I try to do vary the methods, FFormula One after re- mentally in the zone needed to Ricardo Rosa, his long-standing volume and intensity of work, di- ports yesterday that the go racing. physical trainer. viding them between general ex- sport’s oldest and most suc- He said the world of virtual Despite Rosa’s best eff orts to ercises and specifi c training with cessful team could walk away if racing had helped keep con- keep him active with a varied the ball.” a proposed budget cap for 2021 centration levels up, with the daily routine, Neymar said that In physical terms, he said that was set too low. 22-year-old winning four races absence of football due to the Neymar was a cut above most Britain’s Guardian newspaper last weekend including his Covid-19 pandemic was weigh- players. suggested Ferrari were prepared second virtual F1 grand prix in ing on him. “In all those years of working to quit in a headline, later re- succession. “Not knowing when we will with him, what I would high- placed, over an interview with The next target is to race play again is causing anxiety. I light, in the physical part, is that team boss Mattia Binotto. against Vettel in the virtual miss playing, competing, the he’s a privileged athlete, always A Ferrari spokeswoman said world as well. atmosphere of the club and my at or above the average for foot- Binotto had not mentioned the Vettel told reporters last week PSG teammates. It’s a real long- ball players,” he said. team leaving Formula One. that he had also recently got a ing for football!” he said on his “Besides being an agile and “On the contrary, he said that simulator but, with three young website. quick athlete, he has a lot of we would not want to be put in a children keeping him busy, had “I’m sure that the fans want to stamina. It’s very diffi cult to fi nd position of having to look at fur- still to set it up properly. see everyone back on the pitch, an athlete with these three skills ther options, besides continuing “I’m not racing against Seb yet the earlier the better. I hope the together, but in Neymar’s case racing in F1, for deploying our but I will definitely send him decision is made as quickly as he’s outside the curve because he racing DNA,” she added. a text very soon whenever he possible,” added Neymar, who has all three.” Binotto had told the Guardian has finished his installation to that a drastic budget cut, called try and race with him a little bit, for by some teams as they face In this September 22, 2019, picture, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (right) lifts the winner’s trophy after which will be fun,” commented the fallout of the Covid-19 cri- winning the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc. (AFP) Leclerc. sis, put at risk hundreds of jobs The Monegasque has also at- at their Maranello factory. Reuters Reports in Italy have sug- wins, poles, points and podi- tracted quite a following on his “The $145mn level is already London, United Kingdom gested, however, that Ferrari ums last year in what seemed Twitch streaming channel and a new and demanding request also have Renault’s Australian at times an uneasy pairing of he said he was enjoying the compared to what was set out Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren’s a hungry young gun with a interaction with fans and fellow last June,” he said. harles Leclerc says Spaniard Carlos Sainz in mind champion used to having top racing drivers. “It cannot be attained with- Che would be happy to as leading alternatives if a deal billing at Maranello. “My main priority is to try and out further signifi cant sacri- have Sebastian Vettel falls through. They clashed on track on oc- entertain the people at home. fi ces, especially in terms of our continue as his Ferrari Formula “I am very happy with Seb,” casions, with their radio com- And obviously keeping myself human resources.” One teammate next season, Leclerc told reporters in a ments making headlines. also entertained and try to train Formula One is due to intro- despite their clashes on track virtual news conference. “I will respect Ferrari’s decision on the simulator,” he said. duce a budget cap of $175mn in last year. “It (the relationship) was good for whoever is next to me and “It’s a tough time for people 2021 but teams are discussing Vettel, 32, is out of contract at even though we’ve had some at the end it’s my job to adapt being at home that don’t have reducing that. the end of 2020 but Ferrari have few problems on the track, like to the person next to me and much to do. The Italian said the teams had said he is their first choice, sub- in Brazil. you can always learn from “I’ve had a lot of positive diff erent characteristics, some ject to negotiations, to partner “I think it has always been a whoever is your teammate,” reaction to what I was doing privately run while others were the young Monegasque whose good relationship even though said Leclerc. on Twitch with all the other F1 part of major manufacturers deal runs until 2024. from the outside it was prob- “I will welcome anybody. But drivers, people saying it will operating in diff erent countries A decision could come before ably not seen as it was but it’s if Seb stays I will definitely be help them going through these and under diff erent legislation. the start of a season stalled by always been good between us.” happy.” tough times. I was very happy “Therefore it is not simple the Covid-19 pandemic. Leclerc beat Vettel on race Leclerc has filled his time in to see that.” and straightforward to make structural changes simply by cutting costs in a linear fashion,” Covid-19 pandemic. Red Bull boss Christian ive of further cuts. year as this. he added. “However, this is not the time Horner, whose team were domi- Formula One has already de- The season has yet to start “We are well aware that F1 and to react in a hurry as there’s a risk nant before Mercedes won the layed until 2022 the implemen- with nine races called off , in- indeed the whole world right of making decisions on the back last six championships, is also tation of major technical rule cluding the showcase Monaco now is going through a particu- of this emergency without clearly opposed to a budget cap below changes planned for 2021, with Grand Prix in May which has larly diffi cult time because of the evaluating all the consequences.” $145mn. Mercedes are support- teams using the same cars next been cancelled.

FOOTBALL German football targets May 9 restart but needs political green light ‘FOLLOW THE RULES’ AFP cellor Angela Merkel’s govern- stressed that hygiene precau- ful states of Bavaria — home to room staff — would be needed to critical of a restart, accusing the Berlin, Germany ment and state leaders. tions would have to be observed. reigning German champions It is planned that the league sea- complete the season, but Seifert league and Germany’s clubs of “It is solely down to what the The players must be tested reg- Bayern Munich — and the foot- son will fi nish by June 30, which played down the numbers. being motivated by money. political leaders decide,” Seifert ularly and hygiene offi cers would ball hotbed state of North-Rhine would free up around 300mn eu- “According to the Robert Koch Bayern Munich forward Tho- erman league football is said in a video press conference. be appointed to each team to en- Westphalia have backed foot- ros ($323mn) in television money, Institute, the volume of test ca- mas Mueller says the clubs must ready to resume without “The Bundesliga is ready — re- sure the guidelines are followed. ball’s resumption. an essential boost for several pacities is 818,000 per week (in follow the rules in order to com- Gspectators on May 9 but gardless of whether it can con- “Games without spectators are Bavaria state leader Markus cash-strapped clubs. Germany,” said Seifert. plete the season. the fi nal say rests with tinue on 9 May or at a later date.” not what we want, but they seem Soeder has made it clear that There is also debate about “Professional soccer wouldn’t “As long as the rules (for the political leaders, the Bundesliga’s The season in Germany was to be the only feasible way,” said football will not be given a “blank whether the squads should be use even 0.4 percent of that.” restart) are compatible with the chief executive said yesterday. halted on March 13 in a bid to pre- Seifert. “We try to take the best cheque” to continue at a time of quarantined in separate hotels to There are still further hur- laws and regulations, we will Following a meeting with Ger- vent the virus spreading. possible precautions through competing funding priorities, further reduce the risk. dles the German Football League play, even if we have to be in many’s top clubs, Christian Seif- Germany has been less aff ect- certain measures.” and the situation will be con- Germany’s top scientists and (DFL) needs to clear. quarantine,” Mueller told Sport ert said the league was “ready” to ed by the coronavirus pandemic The Bundesliga CEO said only stantly reviewed. numerous health experts are Germany’s police union has Bild magazine. return next month, which would than other European countries, around 200 people will be al- Yesterday, Soeder said the Rob- sceptical about the testing of warned they expect locked-out “It is quite clear that football make it the fi rst major European partly due to mass testing. lowed in the stadium for each ert Koch Institute, which advises footballers in the midst of the fans to congregate outside stadi- would follow the rules.” football competition to do so. But the move to allow play- game, including players, coaches, Merkel’s government on the virus, pandemic. ums on match days despite a na- Bayern were four points clear Seifert stressed though that ers back onto the pitch is being offi cials and media. will have a crucial say on “whether One sticking point is how many tionwide ban on public gatherings. at the top of the table when the the fi nal decision lay with Chan- treated with caution and Seifert The leaders of the power- the concept is good or not”. tests — of players and back- Even some fans’ groups are season was put on hold in March. Gulf Times 2 Friday, April 24, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS COMMENT Neville urges Qualifi cation for next players to learn new skills during lockdown C’League should be AFP London, United Kingdom

ormer Manchester Unit- ed Gary Nev- Fille believes footballers should be trying to learn on ‘merit’, says UEFA new skills during the game’s coronavirus-enforced shutdown UEFA is willing to consider leagues terminating competition on current standings to prepare for a potential fi nan- cial hit. Agencies postponed until further notice, The economic crisis caused Paris/Berlin with Euro 2020 postponed by 12 by the indefi nite suspension of months. matches will be felt at all levels of Of the money, 50mn euros is the sport. ualifi cation for the destined for clubs having re- And Neville, who owns a stake next Champions leased players for qualifi ers to in fourth-tier side Salford City, QLeague should be countries not involved in the encouraged players to use their “on sporting merit” play-off s, and 17.7mn euros to time wisely ahead of an expected if domestic leagues cannot be clubs whose players were set to downturn in wages and shorten- the possibility of restarting soon completed but countries should be involved with national teams ing in the length of contracts of- with games behind closed doors “explore all possible options” in the fi nal play-off ties. fered in the coming years. is a remote one as clubs cannot to fi nish seasons suspended be- The money is part of a mini- “If I was a football player to- put their players’ health at risk. cause of the coronavirus crisis, mum pot of 200mn euros set day, I’d be online learning, doing “As a Salford City owner, I UEFA said yesterday. aside as benefi t payments for a degree, doing a BTEC (qualifi - have players who potentially “If a domestic competition is clubs who release players for the cation) and trying to get a dual- have diabetes, players with asth- prematurely terminated for le- Euros. skill. That’s not panicking, that’s ma,” he said. gitimate reasons...UEFA would UEFA said the payments not suggesting that their careers “Am I going to put them on a require (leagues) to select clubs would see a total of 676 clubs are over, it’s just planning,” Nev- football fi eld and risk their health for the UEFA club competi- from all across Europe receive ille told Sky Sports. and safety for a game of football? tions 2020-21 based on sport- amounts ranging from 3,200 “The jobs in football will be The answer is quite simply ‘no’. I ing merit” in the current season, euros to 630,000 euros, giving less, the money will be less, and am not sure how Premier League European football’s governing them “vital breathing room at a players will need to go and do a clubs are going to get around it.” body said after a meeting of its critical time”. job next year or something next Any return for football is de- Executive Committee. Andrea Agnelli, Juventus year out of football. That’s a fact, pendent on regular testing for That means that, while it re- chairman and also in charge of it’s going to happen. players but Neville is uncon- mains hopeful that suspended the powerful European Club As- “And they have to plan for that vinced, against the background seasons can still somehow be sociation (ECA) said: “This rep- now. The smart ones will get of criticism of the British gov- completed, UEFA is now willing resents a much-needed liquidity their head around it quickly, and ernment over for a lack of testing to consider “legitimate reasons” injection into club fi nances and will go and do a diff erent skill, for Covid-19. to terminate leagues now, with is a result of ECA’s joint work look at the jobs they can do in the “The testing thing is a non- current standings considered fi - with UEFA on safeguarding short-term to bring in money for sense,” he said. nal and used as a basis for teams clubs at this time of existential their families.” “There is no way the Premier to qualify for the next Champi- threat.” The top four divisions in Eng- League can sell to the public that ons League and Europa League. land are still planning to complete they’re going to have access to The announcement comes EURO 2020 KEEPS ITS NAME their seasons when strict govern- tens of thousands of tests when with several countries looking DESPITE POSTPONEMENT ment restrictions are lifted. the frontline workers can’t get to bring an early end to their TILL 2021 However, Neville believes even them.” football seasons because of the UEFA gives women’s Euros new slot in 2022 Euro 2020 will keep its original complications of lockdowns name despite being postponed imposed due to the health situ- The next women’s European mind,” said UEFA president qualified for the Games. until 2021, the ruling body UEFA Neville ‘set to leave England ation. Championship in England has Aleksander Ceferin. The final of the women’s Euro said yesterday. Earlier this week the Dutch been put back a year to 2022, “We have carefully consid- is set to be played at Wembley, “This decision allows UEFA women’s job in 2021’ football federation (KNVB) an- UEFA confirmed yesterday, ered all options, with our which is also the venue for to keep the original vision of nounced its intention to call an after initially being postponed commitment to the growth both semi-finals and the final the tournament to celebrate the AFP with the FA keen for his succes- end to the season following the as a knock-on eff ect of the of women’s football at the fore- of the men’s tournament. 60th anniversary of the Euro- London, United Kingdom sor to get tournament experi- government’s decision to extend coronavirus crisis. front of our thinking.” The English FA’s director of pean Football Championships ence before the Euros. a ban on large gatherings until European football’s govern- Dismissing concerns that women’s football, Sue Camp- (1960 — 2020),” UEFA said in After taking charge in January September because of the coro- ing body confirmed that the the women’s game might be bell, said that the host nation a statement after an executive hil Neville will leave his 2018, Neville quickly made a navirus pandemic. competition will be staged considered an afterthought, backed the decision to delay committee meeting. Prole as England women’s big impact as England won the The Belgian Pro League is set from July 6-31, 2022, follow- Ceferin added that the move the tournament by a year, “It will furthermore serve to manager when his high-profile SheBelieves Cup to decide next week that it will ing a meeting of its Executive to 2022 ensured that the even though the new dates remember how the whole foot- contract expires next year, ac- for the first time and pushed end its season, thereby declar- Committee. women’s Euro would be given mean the end of the Euros will ball family came together to cording to widespread reports world champions the United ing Club Brugge champions. The competition was put back “the spotlight it deserves”. clash with the Commonwealth respond to the extraordinary yesterday. States all the way before losing The Scottish league could do the after the earlier decision to de- Moving the Euros to 2022 Games, being held in Birming- circumstances of the Covid-19 The former Manchester United a pulsating World Cup semi- same. In contrast, the German lay the men’s European Cham- also avoids any clash with the ham starting on July 27. pandemic and the diffi cult times and England defender’s deal final 2-1 last year. Bundesliga is hoping to restart pionship by a year to 2021 in Tokyo Olympics, which have “We agree that this decision Europe, and the world, had to go would have seen him take However, England’s form has early next month. the face of the pandemic, and been pushed back a year to will ultimately benefit the tour- through in 2020.” charge of the Lionesses’ Euro- unravelled since, with a run the desire to avoid a clash of 2021. nament, creating its own win- The tournament in 12 conti- pean championship campaign of seven defeats in 11 games UEFA TO ADVANCE UP TO 70 the two tournaments. The Olympics are a key part of dow in the football calendar. nental stadiums was postponed on home soil next year. leaving even Neville himself MN EUROS TO CLUBS AMID “When we had to take an the women’s football calendar, It will also allow us all more by one year to June 11-July 11, However, the reorganisation questioning whether he was CRISIS urgent decision on the post- and three European teams time following this challenging 2021, to give domestic leagues of the football calendar due the right man to take them UEFA will immediately release ponement of UEFA Euro 2020, — Great Britain, reigning Euro- period to deliver an unforget- to complete their seasons cur- to coronavirus means the forward. almost 70mn euros ($75.5mn) we always had the impact on pean champions the Neth- table event befitting of a home rently suspended because of the women’s Euros is expected to “I’ve got to start earning my in benefi t payments to clubs UEFA women’s Euro 2021 in erlands, and Sweden — have Euro,” she said. coronavirus outbreak. be moved to 2022 by UEFA this coin, being a better man- struggling fi nancially during UEFA follows the Interna- week. ager — and the results need to the coronavirus crisis, European aside to be paid to clubs who had qualifying play-off s. football across the continent tional Olympic Committee Neville is also now unlikely to improve,” said Neville after a football’s governing body an- released players for internation- Those matches were initially ground to a halt in the middle which also kept the Tokyo 2020 take charge of the Great Britain 1-0 defeat by Spain in England’s nounced yesterday. al matches after the completion due to be played at the end of of last month due to the health tag for the Games in Japan also team at next year’s Olympics, last outing in March. The money was originally put of the European Championship March but were postponed as crisis. They have since been pushed back by one year.

BOTTOMLINE SPOTLIGHT Caution needed over return to Free agents will be in demand aft er football: Italy’s sports minister Covid-19 crisis, says Vertonghen AFP Reuters Milan, Italy London, United Kingdom Spurs’ Dier charged by FA taly’s sports minister Vin- ottenham Hotspur de- for confronting cenzo Spadafora warned fender Jan Vertonghen fan in stands Ion Wednesday caution was Tsays that players who needed as he promised a de- are free agents when Tottenham midfielder Eric cision “in the coming days” on the season ends will be coveted Dier has been charged by whether Italian football clubs more than others as clubs look England’s Football Asso- can return to training amid the to rebound from the fi nancial ciation for climbing into the coronavirus pandemic. crisis caused by the Covid-19 stand to confront a support- Spadafora held a two-hour pandemic. er after Spurs’ FA Cup exit to video-conference with repre- Professional football has Norwich. The England inter- sentatives of Italian football, Spadafora later said in a post on which has been suspended since been suspended across the ma- national could face a lengthy including federation chiefs, pro- Facebook. March 9. The federation pre- jor European leagues due to the suspension for climbing fessional and amateurs leagues, “But we have the duty and re- sented Spadafora with a medical pandemic and questions remain several rows to intervene players and doctors. sponsibility to ensure that the code to allow the resumption of over whether players whose after he saw his brother in an “I listened with great atten- whole country, obviously includ- competition. contracts end on June 30 will be In his March 4, 2020, picture, Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen argument with a fan at the tion to the various positions ing the world of sport, can soon Players could start training allowed to continue playing for is in action against Norwich City during the FA Cup fifth round match Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. that emerged and in the next few emerge from this health crisis. again, in small groups and under clubs if the season is extended. in London, United Kingdom. (Reuters) “It is alleged that the Tot- days, after a discussion with the “I am also a fan who misses strict medical supervision, from Vertonghen, who will be a free tenham Hotspur midfielder’s Minister of Health and the Tech- following my team. May 4, the date on which the agent himself when his contract me are even more coveted in the boat with their contracts also actions at the conclusion of nical Scientifi c Committee, we “I was looking forward to the government plans to start easing with Spurs ends this season, coronavirus crisis. ending in June. the Emirates FA Cup fixture will issue the updated provisions European championships this the containment measures. said he is looking at off ers from “But I will wait a little longer, “In any case, it should be a against Norwich City FC regarding the possibility and the summer, but they will be post- Matches would start at the end teams in Italy and Spain but has because I really want to sign for club with a lot of ambition,” on Wednesday 4 March procedures for a return to train- poned, like the Olympics, the of May or the beginning of June. not ruled out re-signing with the right club, that could also Vertonghen added. “I want to 2020 were improper and/or ing,” said Spadafora. Giro d’Italia and all sports com- Spadafora earlier addressed the London club. be Tottenham again... Since continue at the highest level for threatening,” the FA said in All sport in Italy has been sus- petitions in our country. the Italian Senate on the “gradual “The lockdown has brought a January, a number of clubs have a few more years and preferably a statement. “Eric Dier has pended for the past six weeks as “It is a huge disappointment, resumption” of sports activities, lot of uncertainty to the transfer come forward with serious pro- in the Champions League. until Friday 8 May 2020 to the country grapples with the in a much bigger and deeper pain, and later held talks with repre- market and, strangely enough, it posals. Spain and Italy are cer- “I would really like to play in provide a response.” Totten- Covid-19 crisis which has killed in an atrocious mourning that sentatives of 19 other Italian fed- has only had a positive eff ect on tainly options.” Europe and would like to learn ham manager Jose Mourinho over 25,000 people. has struck our country, Europe, erations. interest,” Vertonghen told Bel- Vertonghen said fellow Bel- another language.” was highly supportive of his “I can assure you that main- the whole world.” “This restart is necessary be- gian TV channel Play Sports. gium internationals — Napoli Spurs were eighth in the Pre- player after the incident and taining a profi le of extreme pru- The 20 Serie A clubs voted cause sport is important not only “Of course I’m free and many forward Dries Mertens and Paris mier League standings before the said he hoped Dier would not dence, as I am doing, is the most unanimously on Tuesday to for its economic value but also its clubs don’t have the money to Saint-Germain defender Tho- season was suspended — seven be subject to a ban. unpopular position imaginable,” complete the league season, social value,” he said. do transfers. Free players like mas Meunier — are in the same points adrift of the top four. Gulf Times Friday, April 24, 2020 3 SPORT

NBA COMMENT Play could resume in two to four NHL Wolves like how cities, says Bettman Beasley has played for them so far ‘I have to stay in shape and be ready if this season starts now or if the season is next season’

DPA Minneapolis

pon coming to Min- nesota after a February Utrade, Malik Beasley joked that the Tim- Reuters man ruled out the possibil- berwolves “messed up” by con- Los Angeles ity of going to a remote site to necting the hotel where he was play games behind closed doors temporarily living to the practice with just players and essential facility. Beasley will spend all of hen the NHL personnel on hand. his free time working out in a resumes play af- “We can’t play in a small gym if given the choice, so to go Wter the corona- college rink in the middle of a over a month without access to virus pandemic smaller community, because facilities has been a bit of an ad- eases, non-NHL arenas won’t if we’re going to be central- justment for him. be utilised, according to com- ised, we need the back of the “I’ve had my parents try to lock missioner Gary Bettman. house that NHL arenas pro- me down from the gym,” Beas- Interviewed Wednesday by vide, whether it’s multiple ley said. “This is their time right Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean on locker rooms, whether it’s the now.” Facebook, Bettman said that technology, the procedures, Beasley, the fi rst player the the league’s options include the boards and glass, the video Wolves have made available via restarting in two to four of the replay, the broadcasting facili- teleconference since the NBA regularly used venues. ties,” he said. postponed it season March 11, has Bettman acknowledged that Responding to a Sportsnet been with his girlfriend and son all contingencies are iff y at this report on Tuesday that indi- in Denver while teams have not point, with multiple ideas being cated the NHL might return been allowed to hold workouts or considered. with teams from each division practices amid the coronavirus “We’re modelling,” he said. playing at a single site, Bettman pandemic. “We’re trying to see what our said, “Maybe it’ll be two cities. Like his teammate Karl-An- options will be under whatever It’s not something that we can thony Towns, whose mother scenario unfolds.... predict right at this moment, Jacqueline died from Covid-19 “The decision ultimately will but this is part of the contin- last week, Beasley recently had a be made by medical people and gencies. It doesn’t necessarily family member die of the illness. people who run governments have to be by division, although He didn’t specify, but said it was at all diff erent levels, so we’re the centralisation could be by a relative on his mother’s side of not going to try to do anything division. “But the particular lo- the family. that fl ies in the face of what cation could be anywhere that “She started off with a cough... we’re being told is appropriate.” isn’t a hot spot and has what we then she got worse and got sent to In terms of when action might need both in terms of the arena the hospital,” Beasley said. “They resume, Bettman said, “This and having practice facilities put her in a coma and things like isn’t a race. The stakes are too because if you bring in seven or that and (she) just didn’t make it, important. eight clubs to a particular facil- man. “While some of (the players) ity and you’re playing lots of “It’s been tough for all of us as may have been able to work out games on a regular basis with- a family, but like I said, the best in terms of physical strength out travel, there does need to be thing we can do is (try to) prevent over the last few weeks, the fact ice for practice.” that and communicate with each is, none of our guys really have Games without fans are a other.” That’s been easier said been on skates. We’re going to possibility. than done for the Wolves amid the have to make sure that they’re “I think there will be some pandemic, even as they try to stay in game-ready condition, be- social distancing for a while,” in touch with each other virtually. cause we don’t want to put Bettman said. “I think there will But there’s only so much that can them on the ice and risk injury be masks. There will be Purell. be done. and their careers. There will be lots of things, but “It’s been terribly diffi cult,” “So we’re going to need time that’s something that ultimate- President Gersson Rosas said. “... to come back right, and when ly the medical people and the We’ve tried really hard, anything we come back, it’ll be having government leaders will be the and everything that we can to done the right things.” Bett- best able to tell us.” connect with Karl and his family and other players and other staff members that are going through Malik Beasley is averaging 20.7 points in 14 games. (TNS) SPOTLIGHT it. “But it’s not the same. You can’t be a restricted free agent at the reer with the Wolves, averaging of revenue from the pandemic. decide the rest of that.” Beasley hug somebody, you can’t spend end of the season, however that 20.7 points in 14 games since be- “Right now it’s tough to decide chuckled as he said that last line. one-on-one time with them. You happens, and Rosas has said the ing traded. for anything,” Beasley said. “We “We’re big fans of Malik,” Rosas Gretzky, Ovechkin can’t help them through this pain Wolves want Beasley, who came The Wolves would have the don’t even know if we’re playing then said. “We paid a very, very in a physical, personal way.” What form the Nuggets in the multi- right to match any off ers that or not, so it’s just tough to decide strong premium to get him here happens for the remainder of this team trade that involved Robert come Beasley’s way and have his that. The best thing right now is, in Minnesota. But we’re excited. play to draw season — whether the league de- Covington, in their long-term Bird Rights, meaning they can regardless, I have to stay in shape I think the small sample size we cides to play it or postpone it — plans. exceed the salary cap to sign him, and be ready if this season starts saw with him with the Minnesota will have an impact on Beasley Beasley was playing the most a signifi cant point when the cap now or if the season is next sea- Timberwolves showed his poten- and his contract situation. He will productive basketball of his ca- may go down because of the loss son. And then I’ll let Gersson tial.”

NFL Gronkowski mulled comeback before Brady signed with Bucs AFP the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls Miami in tandem with Brady, before retiring in 2019. The chance to reunite with the quarterback regarded as the greatest in AFP an NHL record 894 goals while ob Gronkowski said Wednesday NFL history was too good to pass up, Los Angeles Ovechkin had scored 706 to he had hinted at the possibil- Gronkowski said. rank eighth in league history Rity of reuniting with Tom Brady “Playing with Tom is special. He’s one when the deadly virus out- months before his shock deci- of the greatest quarterbacks of all time,” HL all-time scor- break shut down the 2019-20 sion to come out of retirement and follow Gronkowski said. ing leader Wayne NHL campaign. the six-time Super Bowl champion to the “And to build a connection with a quar- NGretzky and Rus- Ovechkin, 34, has had seven Tampa Bay Buccaneers. terback, too, is something special. Every sian winger Alex 50-goal seasons and was near- In a conference call with reporters, time we get together, it’s just like the old Ovechkin, the current star ing another when the cam- Gronkowski said he had told former New days. It doesn’t matter if we take a month chasing Gretzky’s career goals paign was halted, putting an England Patriots team-mate Brady he was off or six months apart; we just go out mark, played to a draw in an indefi nite hold on his bid to taking a keen interest in the quarterback’s there and we’re throwing the ball just like internet videogame matchup overtake Gretzky’s all-time career move after deciding he was ready to it’s a normal practice, no matter what.” for charity. mark. Gretzky, 59, won the return to the NFL. Gronkowski quit the NFL after help- The meeting between the fi rst game 5-4 in overtime and Gronkowski stunned the NFL on Tues- ing the Patriots to their record-equalling Canadian legend known as the second was shortened to day after announcing he was joining Brady sixth Super Bowl in a victory over the Los “The Great One” and the two periods, with Ovechkin at Tampa Bay next season after a one-year Angeles Rams in 2019. Washington Capitals star winning 4-1, which prompted exile from the sport. It followed a lengthy injury history dubbed “The Great Eight” the players to skip a scheduled The 30-year-old tight end revealed he which included multiple concussions as streamed Wednesday night third game and together match had long had his eye on where Brady might File photo of Tom Brady (left) and Rob Gronkowski. (AFP) well as serious knee and back injuries. and raised more than $40,000 $20,000 in fan donations. land as he entered free agency. Gronkowski said the season out of sport (37,055 euros) for the Edmon- “We both are not very good Brady joined Tampa Bay last month af- “I told him like, ‘Hey, I’m kinda getting there, and [you] go somewhere and that had allowed his body to recuperate. ton Food Bank and a Washing- at this game, but what a great ter two decades with the Patriots. that fi re underneath me again.’ opportunity is right — even if you go back “I said it from the beginning, that I ton foundation that provides cause when everybody’s so “We rarely talked about what his de- “I said, ‘I’m defi nitely interested in the to the Patriots and I feel like the opportu- wouldn’t come back unless if I’m feel- meals to medical workers down and out,” Gretzky said. cision was gonna be, where I’m at,” decision that you make.’ I didn’t put any nity is right — there’s a possible chance ing it, unless if I’m feeling good, feeling combating the coronavirus “A fun night and hopefully Gronkowski said of his discussions with pressure on him. that I would defi nitely love to reconnect.’” healthy. And I’m feeling like I’m ready to pandemic. everybody’s having a little bit Brady. “I said, ‘If there’s a right opportunity out Gronkowski spent nine seasons with go,” Gronkowski said. Gretzky retired in 1999 with of enjoyment laughing at us.” Gulf Times 4 Friday, April 24, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Cyclists “suff er alone” in Some dopers are set to profi t virtual Tour de Suisse from Olympic postponement DPA year — but gives her plenty of time to Frankfurt make it in 2021. Bulut was promoted to Olympic 1,500m gold from 2012 when compatriot Asli Ca- or some doping off enders the kir Alptekin was disqualifi ed for doping, postponement of the Tokyo Ol- only to be stripped of it later when she was Fympics to next year could be an banned. unexpected ticket to the Games, The same could apply in several other provided they qualify. The bans of a sports including swimming where veteran number of athletes who couldn’t have South African relay gold medallist Roland Kilian Frankiny of Switzerland during the Digital Swiss 5 virtual cycling competed this year expire in time for Schoeman and two-time relay gold med- pro race at his home in Naters, Switzerland on Thursday. (Reuters) the rescheduled edition July 23-August allist Conor Dwyer of the US have bans 8, 2021. Many are not happy about this expiring in time as well. Dwyer however t is a quiet spring evening course by avatars in their team development caused by the coronavirus retired last year after being banned for 20 at a typical Swiss housing uniforms. As the profile of the pandemic, but there appears to be no le- months but could possibly reconsider. Icomplex in the village of course goes up and down, the gal way to challenge it. German swim federation performance Naters and on the balcony connected bicycles automati- “This leads to distortion of competition director Thomas Kurschilgen said the re- of a second fl oor apartment cally reflect that in the resist- and I hope it is unique. This year with the vi- turn of banned athletes for the postponed block, professional cyclist ance they off er to the turning of rus has had a lasting impact on equal oppor- Games was “a bitter pill which clean ath- Kilian Frankiny is competing the pedals. The 26.6 kilometre tunities and competition,” former German letes must always swallow when former in the Tour de Suisse. virtual course — far shorter athletics chief Clemens Prokop said. that ruling was successfully challenged to introduce rules that would exclude ath- doping criminals start again.” Like nearly all sporting events than a real one would be — led German anti-doping activist Fritz So- by the US athletics body on behalf of their letes convicted of doping from the sub- World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe around the world, the annual the cyclists from Agarn in the ergel would prefer bans to be frozen when 400m runner LaShawn Merritt. sequent Olympic Games. This has never said that “this is something we will need race has been called off this Rhone valley, up a twisting no competition is possible such as cur- CAS said the rule could be introduced if been allowed by the Court of Arbitration to look at” but WADA president Witold year because of the Covid-19 mountain road to Leukerbad rently, saying that “valid bans should re- it was part of the World Anti-Doping Code for Sport (CAS).” Banka said recently that anti-doping or- pandemic. So, like the Tour de and featured 1,192 metres of late to competitions and training times” (and not the IOC Charter) but WADA in- Dozens of athletes from the sport of ganisations (ADOs) can’t “cherry-pick” Flanders earlier this month, climbing and descending. because “time has stopped.” stead extended bans from two years to four athletics could compete next year in Tokyo when athletes should serve bans. organisers instead decided to “It’s completely diff erent. You However, similar eff orts by the Inter- years because of the Olympic cycle. while they would have been denied this “While an athlete cannot choose when hold a virtual race. don’t see the opponents,” national Olympic Committee (IOC) have “WADA, as the global anti-doping reg- year. Athletics Integrity Unit head Brett he or she would like to be ineligible, an The 57 cyclists, from 19 teams, Frankiny, who set up his bike been thwarted by the Court of Arbitration ulatory body, has clarifi ed that under the Clothier has been quoted as calling it “an ADO cannot either,” Banka said. “This is put their road bikes onto smart on his balcony where he has a for Sport (CAS). current rules, doping bans are chronologi- unfortunate situation” but a legally cor- entirely consistent with principles of nat- roller trainers at home which view of the surrounding hills, In the so-called Osaka rule, the IOC cal and not event-specifi c,” the IOC said rect one. These athletes include Turkey’s ural justice and other areas of the law as it were hooked up to the virtual told Reuters after finishing 36th wanted athletes who had served doping in a questions and answers section on the middle distance runner Gamze Bulut, relates to sports or even criminal activity. cycling platform. They were in the stage which was won by bans of six months or more to be banned postponement of the Tokyo Games. whose ban expires on May 20 which would When an off ender has done the time, the represented on the virtual Rohan Dennis in 53.07 minutes. from the following Olympics as well. But “The IOC has tried on several occasions have been too late to qualify for Japan this sentence is considered to be served.”

GOLF REPORT Rugby Australia Players want fans chief Castle resigns for Ryder Cup buzz, says Harrington ‘You get the partisan crowd supporting us or against them. It’s like being in a football match’

Reuters London

he decision on whether to hold the Ryder Cup with- out fans at the course is in T (AFP) the hands of the organis- File photo of Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle. ers, but the players do not want the biennial competition to take AFP and I will always love the code place with empty galleries, Eu- Sydney and the people I have had the rope captain Padraig Harrington honour of working with since I said. took this role,” Castle said. The golf calendar has been ugby Australia’s be- “I made it clear to the board massively disrupted by the coro- leaguered chief exec- that I would stand up and take navirus pandemic but the Ryder Rutive Raelene Castle the fl ak and do everything Cup is clinging to its scheduled resigned yesterday, possible to serve everyone’s start in Whistling Straits, Wis- abruptly ending a turbulent best interests. consin from Sept. 25-27. reign marked by a series of “In the last couple of hours The US PGA and European crises and escalating fi nancial it has been made clear to me Tours are suspended, three of the problems. that the board believes my no year’s four majors have been re- The 48-year-old New Zea- longer being the CEO would scheduled and the British Open lander had been the subject of help give them the clear air has been cancelled. growing speculation after the they believe they need.” PGA of America chief Seth coronavirus shutdown piled Waugh has said the Ryder Cup further pressure on the gov- Ravaged sporting calendar may have to be played without erning body. Castle’s position had looked fans, but raucous galleries are one “The game is bigger than perilous in recent days, after of the things that make the clash any one individual — so this a letter reportedly signed by between the United States and evening I told the chair (Paul 11 former Wallabies skippers Europe stand out from regular McLean) that I would resign called for the Rugby Australia tour events. from the role,” Castle said in a leadership to step down. “Nobody wants it to happen statement. Rugby Australia laid off without spectators,” three-times “I will do whatever is need- most of its staff and slashed major champion Harrington told In this file photo taken on October 1, 2019, US team captain Steve Stricker (left) and European team captain Padraig Harrington posing with the ed to ensure an orderly hando- players’ pay by 60% as it grap- Reuters. “You get the partisan Ryder Cup trophy after a press conference. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports ver.” ples with the coronavirus cri- crowd supporting us or against Castle’s departure leaves sis, which looks set to torpedo them. It’s like being in a football number of events that have been Rugby Australia facing fur- much of this year’s Wallabies match. called off due to the coronavirus. NFL greats join Woods and Mickelson in golf charity match ther upheaval as it eyes a cur- schedule. “We all grew up with those Team Europe was set to include tailed international schedule, Home Tests in July against feelings of wanting to be a hero, the top four on the European Tour iger Woods, Phil Mick- after reporting a provisional Ireland and Fiji are highly un- and it’s our one chance where we list, the leading fi ve on the world elson and NFL quarter- Aus$9.4mn ($6mn) operating likely, while the Rugby Cham- get it. It’s the spectators that drive points list and three captain’s Tback legends Tom Brady defi cit last year. pionship also involving New that. The team atmosphere, the picks, but that could now change. and Peyton Manning are The former New Zealand Zealand, and adrenaline, the buzz you get from “We’ve had half a dozen planning a charity golf match for netball boss took charge in Argentina also looks in severe the crowd. For us, that’s our pay- (mathematical) models depend- May, the US media reported on late 2017, as Australian rug- danger. back.” Harrington has shared his ing on when they restart,” Har- Wednesday. by reeled from Perth-based On Wednesday, Castle opinions with the organisers. rington said. “The biggest thing is The event would be held without Western Force’s axing from raised hopes Australia, where “I’ve been very much in- that they’re fair.” spectators in Florida, airing live the Super Rugby competition, Covid-19 cases are dwindling, volved,” the Irishman said. “They The 48-year-old has kept busy on TV with the proceeds going which was downsizing. could face New Zealand’s All ask me for my opinion which I’m during the lockdown by fi lming to help battle the COVID-19 But the problems have kept Blacks later this year, salvag- sure they take to the meetings. golf lessons in his Dublin home pandemic, American broadcaster piling up, including the costly ing some Tests from the rav- But ultimately it is slightly above for his 150,000 Twitter followers ESPN reported. sacking of star fullback Is- aged sporting calendar. the pay grade of a captain.” and spending time with his fam- Turner Sports said one possible rael Folau for homophobia But a day later she an- Other than in wartime, the only ily. date is Memorial Day weekend File photo of Tiger Woods (left) and Phil Mickelson. (AFP) — which ended in a reported nounced her departure to occasion the Ryder Cup has been “Everybody is going to have May 23-25. Manning, now retired, multi-million dollar settle- Rugby Australia chairman postponed was when the 2001 worries, whether it’s for them- told a Denver radio station on is likely Woods and Manning will is evaluating health and safety ment. McLean, a former Wallabies event in England was delayed for selves, their friends, their fami- Wednesday that there had been compete against Mickelson and concerns. One location said to be The Wallabies were captain. a year following the September 11 lies, or fi nancially. It does weigh talks about such an event any- Brady. considered is Medalist Golf Club thrashed by England in last “I wish the code and every- attacks in New York and Wash- down on us and the key is to fi nd way. “And now, to have a chance Florida’s Republican Governor in Hobe Sound, Florida, located year’s World Cup quarter- one who loves rugby nothing ington. somebody to have a conversation to have a major fundraising event Ron DeSantis recently expressed just north of Woods’ home in fi nals and Australia’s Super but the best and I would like to In the meantime, preparations with,” Harrington said. for COVID-19 relief, almost like a support for the event featuring Jupiter. The PGA Tour has sus- Rugby teams have long un- thank the people I work with for Europe’s title defence are in “The biggest thing is to talk. telethon if you will... if that can golf superstars and football icons. pended play since the first round derperformed, while the de- and the broader rugby com- full swing, and Harrington’s pri- Get it out there. I know that’s how take place, I’m all in for that.” The The PGA Tour said it hasn’t of- of The Players Championship on mise of a lucrative TV deal has munity for their enormous ority is drawing up a fair blue- I used to deal with the stress and Action Network reported that it ficially endorsed the event but March 12. AFP clouded the sport’s future. support,” Castle’s statement print for qualifi cation given the pressure of competing.” “I love rugby on every level said. Gulf Times Friday, April 24, 2020 5 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Murray ‘would play’ September French Zverev positive amid Open, if it goes ahead

AFP Miami Open last month. Paris The 32-year-old Scot had considered retiring before sur- gery allowed him to make an ndy Murray has said initial comeback from injury Covid-19 although it that he would “defi - last year, winning his fi rst ATP Anitely” play in the title since 2017 in Antwerp last rescheduled French October. Open in September, if it is able “I was training to get ready to take place as planned. for that and that was going The tennis season has been to be a good test. I was fi t and shut down due to the coro- feeling pretty strong,” Murray, navirus pandemic since last currently ranked 129th in the halted momentum month and will not resume world, said. until mid-July at the earliest. Tennis chiefs said this week ‘I think that travel restrictions are the biggest problem we have in tennis’ Wimbledon has been can- they were launching a relief celled and Roland Garros programme would be launched organisers controversially to help lower-ranked players DPA Alexander Zverev Hanover moved the French Open un- fi nancially during the lock- til September 20-October 4, down. starting just a week after the “Players ranked 250-300 in erman tennis star Alex- end of the US Open, from its the world, it’s going to be real- ander Zverev is in a lucky usual start date in May. ly, really challenging for them,” Gsituation that he can “I’d defi nitely play on the added three-time Grand Slam continue training amid clay, if it goes ahead,” former champion Murray. the coronavirus outbreak which world number one Murray “And I think in the last few has, however, halted play at the told CNN. “I’m a bit sceptical years, there has been some im- worst possible time for him. whether it will. I would imag- provements and some chang- Zverev had reached his fi rst ine tennis would be one of the es, but probably not enough. career grand slam semi-fi nal in last sports to get back to nor- “Sometimes you see the January at the Australian Open mality because you’ve obvi- prize money cheque for the before the pandemic stopped ously got players, coaches and winner of the Grand Slams. play in March, with a restart not teams coming from all over the And it’s... something like $4 possible until mid-July, at the world into one area. million. Could that money be earliest. “I’d be surprised if they’re used better and spent else- “I felt that I was playing really back playing sport by Septem- where in the earlier rounds or well, that I was very close to the ber time, but we’ll see.” the qualifying draws or may- top at a grand slam tournament,” Murray had been due to re- be used to grow some of the Zverev, who turned 23 on Mon- turn from a hip injury at the smaller events?” day, told DPA in a telephone in- terview from Florida. “My serve was getting better and better, I felt really comfort- Getting to know you: Life with 10 kids able on the court. I also didn’t under Hungary’s lockdown have a lot of (ranking) points to defend. So of course it’s bitter, I could have risen in the ranking. But there are more important things at the moment.” Zverev, one of the rising youngsters on the circuit, has been as high as number three in the rankings and is currently seventh in the ATP list. He has 11 career titles including at the 2018 it is at times diffi cult for him, ATP Finals but until the Mel- Rubin says hitting ‘rock bottom’ will force change in tennis like many other top athletes in bourne major had never excelled With no tournaments and earn- cially with professional tennis on ute to a relief fund for players other sports, to motivate him- at the grand slams. Now Wim- ing potential on hold, these are hold until at least mid-July. struggling financially during the self because a restart date can’t bledon is cancelled, the French worrying times for rank and Many are even worse off and coronavirus shutdown. be given but he is trying to stay Open postponed until Septem- file tennis players such as Noah there are fears some lowly- Federer believes the ATP and positive. ber (if possible) and the fate of Rubin, the American ranked ranked players will be forced to WTA should merge to improve “Of course it is not always Hungarian canoe world champion Marton Joob poses for a the US Open not fully clear de- 225th in the ATP rankings. quit. “It’s a tough thing to say, the health of the sport while easy. You don’t really know what photo with his family during the Covid-19 outbreak in Szeged, spite still being on the calendar But he thinks that tennis needs but I am almost hoping that it Andy Murray has called for you’re training for. But I now see Hungary, on April 18, 2020. (Reuters) from late August onwards, with to hit “rock bottom” during the hits rock bottom,” Rubin told Grand Slam prizemoney to be that as an eff ort for the next few its host city of New York hard hit coronavirus pandemic so that Eurosport’s Tennis Legends more equally distributed. years. I am sure that I will ben- When Hungarian ex-world just 14 months - have been by Covid-19 in the US. things can change for the bet- podcast yesterday. Rubin says that in these “crazy efi t from working so hard now,” champion canoeist Marton studying at home for weeks, “It is diffi cult to say. But it is ter for the sport’s lesser lights. “But I am hoping because I have times”, tennis bodies must he said. Joob and fiancee Dora got and all have assignments to diffi cult to imagine, especially as Rubin, 24, inhabits a vastly spoken to ATP and WTA before take radical steps to sustain “I would rather play than ex- married they planned to have be coordinated, completed the hard court season in the US is diff erent world to the likes of and the urgency to change the depth of the Tour, rather ercise. That’s obvious. But you six children. So far they’ve and delivered on time. The supposed to start in late July and Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal tennis... hasn’t been there. “So, than just apply band-aids that have to see the positive in every- had 10, with an 11th on the lockdown has taught the chil- early August,” he acknowledged. whose vast earnings mean, I am hoping that rock bottom will have no long-term benefit. thing. We’d all rather be playing way - and now that schools dren to be more self-reliant “I think the ATP has to see financially at least, they are almost like lights a fire under “We have some of the most the clay court season in Europe are closed and the country and cooperate more readily what is possible at what time. If insulated against the shutdown. their butts and says ‘hey, we’re incredible minds in the world in now, but because that doesn’t is under lockdown, looking in tidying the house, playing it doesn’t work in the US, it might According to the ATP website, in trouble. Other sports aren’t in the sport of tennis,” New Yorker work, we just use the time to after them has become a together in smaller groups work in Europe. There they are a Rubin has earned $33,000 trouble as much as we are, let’s Rubin said. Rubin says that while prepare as best we can for the full-time job with sometimes and packing away toys - help- little further. Maybe you have to this season, although deduct do something.” World number he can scrape by for a while, he moment when it starts again.” unforeseen consequences. ing to bring the family closer stage tournaments there.” expenses and that doesn’t off er one Novak Djokovic has called knows of friends on Tour who And Zverev also believes that “We think everything is all together and reinforcing their Zverev said he would be con- much financial security, espe- on the tennis world to contrib- are struggling to pay rent. the coronavirus outbreak can right and the fridge is full, Christian values. tent with matches behind closed deliver some positives for man- and then 2-3 days later we “This virus has changed doors to get going again but is kind for the future. open it and its almost empty,” many things... we have well aware of the unique prob- lem we have in tennis.” Zverev Apart from that we are practi- ing on improving his serve and “I think that people can enjoy said 37-year-old Marton. slowed down a little,” said lems his sport faces. is in Florida with his parents cally only at home. We don’t his backhand, as well as his over- simple things more. Spending They get by with two fridges Marton, a three-time sprint “At the end of the day I would and his brother’s family but his see anyone, I haven’t even been all fi tness to be ready for the re- time with friends, just having a and a big freezer, and use a canoe world champion be- rather play without a specta- girlfriend can’t join because of to the supermarket the whole start. He has also joined German good meal. Things like that are 17-seater bus to transport the tween 2003 and 2007. tor than not play at all. Even if travel restrictions imposed be- time,” he said. football champions Bayern Mu- more valued now,” he said. family around their home city While the epidemic is a wor- it were a shame. But if it’s safer, fore she could travel. The coronavirus threat is very nich in one of their cyber train- “And maybe we will fi nally of Szeged. rying time “seeing our chil- why not?” he said. “We are in a small village real for him and his relatives be- ing sessions and has donated for take a closer look at our climate, But their biggest challenge dren around us gives us great “The biggest problem is that near Tampa, where only around cause “the father of my mother’s the Kick out Corona campaign the environment, and our planet has been home schooling. hope (and)... if God (wills it)... we have to travel from all over 20,000 people live. We train at best friend died of Corona, so of set up by Bayern players Joshua in general. I do believe that you Six of the children - they we would like to have one or the world. I think that travel re- the Saddlebrook Academies, on course you start to worry.” Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. can take something positive range in age from 15 years to two more.” strictions are the biggest prob- the tennis court and in the gym. Zverev said he is mainly work- Zverev also readily admitted that from this time.”

CRICKET 47 years of Master Blaster Reuters pressure. The unprecedented bloodied nose in the Sialkot Test. back, he walked up to the young Mumbai century of centuries included Over the next two decades, it bowler. “...I heard him tell Ishant the fi rst double hundred in the was the bowlers who bled runs in a calm and measured tone, but history of men’s one-day inter- as Tendulkar married his near- with gravitas, that it was because achin Tendulkar, who nationals. ly-impregnable defence with a of this ball that he had the privi- turns 47 today, compiled It was quite an incredible breathtaking array of shots. leges he was currently enjoying a mountain of runs for cricketing journey that began in life,” Upton wrote. S DON COMPARISONS almost a quarter of a cen- with a rejection by Dennis Lil- “Sachin Tendulkar had, and tury and reached cricket’s dizzy- lee. The Australian pace great He delighted the purists with still has, the utmost respect for ing heights by defying a burden refused to entertain Tendulkar’s his backfoot punch and wowed the game of cricket - he would of expectation that would have dream of becoming a fast bowler the crowd with the audacious not stand by and watch a young- crushed lesser mortals. at a Chennai academy. He asked upper-cut, managing to look ster compromise this value.” Whenever Tendulkar came to the youngster, then a school stu- equally elegant. Tendulkar’s captaincy stints the crease, India’s billion-plus dent, to work on his batting in- His never-ending appetite were far from impressive but he population made secret deals stead. Tendulkar took the advice to collect batting records drew famously solved a leadership cri- with gods, froze where they to heart and found a mentor in comparisons with Australian sis when he recommended Ma- were, clutched lucky charms and Ramakant Achrekar, who shaped great Don Bradman, who confi d- hendra Singh Dhoni for the job. indulged in all sorts of supersti- several Test careers in Mumbai. ed to his wife that the diminutive Dhoni led India to, among tions. And the sport’s most pro- Achrekar would make Ten- Indian reminded him of himself. other things, World Cup tri- lifi c run-accumulator created dulkar sit behind him on his Throughout his career, Ten- umphs in the 20-overs (2007) plenty of those heart-in-mouth rickety scooter and crisscross dulkar somehow retained a and 50-overs (2011) formats. moments in his 24 years in inter- Mumbai to get him to bat in up to childlike enthusiasm as well as After India won the 2011 World national cricket. four matches a day. deep respect for the game. In Cup fi nal in Mumbai, Virat Koh- On other occasions, fans Obsessed with batting, Ten- his book “The Barefoot Coach”, li, who is tipped to scale similar switched off their televisions dulkar would get a friend to bowl former India mental condition- heights as a batsman, and other as soon as Tendulkar was dis- at him with a soaked rubber ball, ing coach Paddy Upton narrated team mates hauled Tendulkar on missed. For them, the rest of the so the wet marks would confi rm an incident to illustrate Ten- their shoulders for a victory lap. match did not matter. whether he was middling them. dulkar’s approach to the game. “Tendulkar has carried the The 34,000-plus internation- The curly-haired wunderkind During a net session, Ishant burden of the nation for 21 years. al runs that Tendulkar amassed, with a sing-song voice made his Sharma kicked the ball in frus- It was time we carried him,” including a record 100 centuries, India debut in 1989 on the tour tration after struggling to fi nd his Kohli famously said, summing speak as much of his hunger for of Pakistan, where Waqar Younis rhythm. Tendulkar fetched the up a grateful nation’s sentiments India’s Sachin Tendulkar holds the trophy near the Gateway Of India, the day after India defeated Sri Lanka runs as for his ability to handle left the then 16-year-old with a ball and, instead of throwing it for their favourite son. in the ICC final, in Mumbai on April 3, 2011. (Reuters) Friday, April 24, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Al-Kholy wins Qatar Online Racing Championship By Sports Reporter Doha

hmad al-Kholy clinched the Qatar Online Racing Cham- Apionship yesterday after win- ning the third race of the fi nal week of the competition, organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- eration (QMMF). Al-Kholy, who started from pole po- sition, was dominant throughout the 13-lap virtual race set at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Going into the third and fi nal race, al-Kholy had a slender six-point lead over Hamad al-Sulaiti. Yesterday though, al-Kholy was on his own as he cruised to his sec- ond victory to fi nish with 116 points and take home QR15,000 in prize money. Overwhelming favourite Khalid al- Kuwari, who had won six out of six races at the qualifying stage and topped the Group B, could not live up to his high standards. He fi nished third over- all, having come second in the fi nal Drivers battle it out in the third race of the final week of the Qatar Online Racing Championship, organised by the Qatar race. Al-Kholy’s closest rival Hamad Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). al-Sulaiti came second overall but had a poor race yesterday. Starting fi fth on awarded QR6,000 and Q5,000. utes of racing. 9. Faesal al-Yafei; 10. Basil Sholy 71; 11. the grid, he could not climb up posi- The competition, which was open for Mohamed Emadadhi 55; 12. Khalid tions but a 100-point tally ensured he Qatar residents only, was organised by FINAL STANDINGS Saadon 47; 13. Salman al-Khater 26; 14. Abdulla Shaikhan 22. (QMMF) was richer by QR13,000. QMMF to engage fans as the Covid-19 1. Ahmad Kholy 116; 2. Hamad al-Sulaiti Top five finishers of the Qatar Online Racing Championship. Third-placed al-Kuwari walked pandemic has brought an halt to on- 100; 3. Khalid al-Kuwari 97; 4. Soud away with QR10,000. Saoud al-Thani track action. Races were held in the fol- al-Thani 96; 5. Rashid al-Lebdah 92; RACE 3 RESULTS Hamad al-Sulaiti; 6. Mansour Dbeissy; 7. Khalid Saadon; 12. Abdulla Shaikhan; and Rashid Lebdah fi nished fourth lowing format: 10 Minutes for practice, 6. Khalid al-Abdulla 86; 7. Abdulla 1. Ahmad Kholy; 2. Khalid al-Kuwari; 3. Khalid al-Abdulla; 8. Abdulla al-Khelaifi; 13. Ibrahim al-Muntafeky; 14. Mohamed and fi fth place respectively and were 15 minutes for qualifying and 25 min- al-Khelaifi 83; 8. Mansour Dbeissy 82; Soud al-Thani; 4. Rashid al-Lebdah; 5. 9. Faesal al-Yafei; 10. Basil Sholy; 11. Emadadhi.; 15. Salman al-Khater

CRICKET VIRUS PUTS PAID TO SIDDLE’S ESSEX STINT London: Former Australia fast at least May 28, with further almost $24,000 for the coun- bowler Peter Siddle’s return delays looking likely, Siddle and try’s coronavirus campaign by to county champions Essex Essex have agreed to hold his auctioning the bat he used to has been delayed until at least deal over until next year. score 606 runs at last year’s 2021 after the coronavirus put Several counties have either World Cup. ICC still planning paid to the start of this year’s postponed or completely can- The winning bidder at the English season, he announced celled contracts with overseas online auction was a New York- yesterday. players as a result of the ongo- based Bangladeshi, said Arif The 35-year-old took 34 wick- ing pandemic, with Australia R. Hossain, co-founder of an ets at an impressive average of batsman Peter Handscomb organisation established to raise 20.08 in eight matches last year saying earlier Thursday that his funds for charity. Shakib, once as Essex won the County Cham- deal to captain Middlesex was rated one of the best all-round- for T20 World pionship First Division title. He “on hold”. ers in the game, was banned for had been all set for a return to two years last year for failing to the county’s headquarters in SHAKIB AUCTIONS BAT report being approached by a Chelmsford, east of London. FOR VIRUS VICTIMS match-fixing syndicate. But with the pandemic Former Bangladesh captain With one year of his ban bringing cricket to a standstill Shakib Al Hasan, banned in suspended, he is due to resume worldwide and suspending the October for failing to report a international cricket in October Cup in October start of the English season until match-fixing attempt, raised 2020. ‘We are jointly exploring all other options in relation to staging the event’ OPINION McCullum says T20 World Cup could be moved to early 2021

Reuters would look like, it would be that “The ICC and world cricket need New Delhi the T20 World Cup has got to be crowds to operate but India can at risk,” McCullum said on the probably sustain things com- Sky Cricket podcast. mercially behind closed doors ormer New Zealand cap- “For Australia to move 16 in- because they are going to get so tain Brendon McCul- ternational teams, plus all of many eyeballs,” said McCullum. Flum thinks this year’s their support staff and then “I think the IPL will try and World Cup is broadcasters, seems a bridge too target that October window unlikely to go ahead as planned far. I can’t see them playing the and the T20 World Cup will due to the Covid-19 pandemic T20 World Cup behind closed get pushed back,” added the and could be moved to early 2021 doors either. There may be a win- 38-year-old, now head coach of with the dow a bit later in the new year of the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders. (IPL) taking the October-No- 2021 which could then open up a Playing in empty stadiums has vember slot. window for the IPL.” been mooted as one way of get- The outbreak of the novel The governing International ting cricket back underway but coronavirus has brought sport to Cricket Council met yesterday former New Zealand seamer Si- a standstill around the world and and said it is going ahead with mon Doull agreed that doing so jeopardised T20 cricket’s fl ag- plans to host Twenty20 World at the Twenty20 World Cup was The men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in Australia from October 18 to November 15. ship tournament in Australia. Cup and next year’s women’s 50- a non-starter. The IPL was scheduled to begin over World Cup. “A lot of the ICC’s revenue AFP events, including the T20 World Cup, due consider everything from player preparation on March 29 but has been sus- McCullum said the IPL could for down the track comes from London to start in October, and next year’s women’s to government restrictions and advisories pended indefi nitely. be played behind closed doors as the World Cups so they want Cricket World Cup. Cricket Australia chief and bio-bubbles,” he said. “As a punter, if I were to put my strong television numbers were as many people in the stands as executive Kevin Roberts said his organisa- “The scale and complexity of getting fi nal dollar on what the schedule guaranteed in cricket-mad India. possible,” he said on the podcast. lobal cricket chiefs said planning tion was working closely with the ICC, the cricket started again cannot be underesti- for this year’s Twenty20 World Australian government and local organisers mated, particularly with respect to a global GCup in Australia was still going to gain a “comprehensive understanding” event. The more teams, venues and cities in- ahead as scheduled after they dis- of what it would take to host the T20 World volved in an event, the greater the risk which PHOTO OF THE DAY cussed the huge disruption caused by the Cup as planned. has to be assessed and managed.” Blast from the past coronavirus pandemic yesterday. “We are also jointly exploring all other The outbreak of the virus has also placed a The conference call brought together the options in relation to staging the event and huge question mark over whether next year’s With sporting events chief executives of the International Cricket will take the right decisions at the right time inaugural World Test Championship fi nal at around the world grinding Council’s (ICC’s) 12 full member nations so we can host a wonderful celebration of Lord’s can take place as scheduled should to a halt, Gulf Times and three associate representatives. Global the sport and keep everyone involved safe teams be unable to play all their qualifying Sport dived down the cricket is at a standstill as a result of Cov- and well,” he added. matches. The ICC added yesterday that dis- vault for some fantastic, id-19, with stark warnings issued over the ICC medical committee chairman Peter cussions about the Championship’s future sometimes off beat stories damaging economic fallout. Harcourt said the next step for cricket chiefs would be held at a later date “when there is that can be told through Yesterday’s meeting received updates was to create a “roadmap” for the resump- a greater understanding of the impact of the pictures. on contingency planning for all ICC global tion of the international game. “This will cricket that has been lost”. With a performance that will go down in history in FOCUS the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand, England’s ascended to the cricketing England’s Anderson, Broad set Ashes target pantheon. The all-rounder’s knock, which enabled him AFP in sight, both are eager to keep their England playing and you just assess that year by year. to win the man of the match London places long enough for a memorable farewell And we’ve got that carrot dangling over us award, provided the turning Ashes series in Australia in 2021/22. of Australia in Australia which looks like an point in England’s success When asked by Anderson for his retire- achievable carrot to grab.” story at the hallowed turf ngland pace bowlers James Ander- ment plans during an Instagram Live Q&A, Australia are the current Ashes holders of Lord’s. son and Stuart Broad have set their Broad said: “I don’t think I could go until after they retained the urn following the His 2019 highlights included Esights on a fi nal Ashes series in Aus- your age. Your action’s so smooth, it looks drawn series in England last year. The last one of the most memorable tralia before they consider retire- a lot calmer on your body whereas mine is a time either side won an Ashes series away Test knocks of all-time – a ment. Anderson and Broad are fi rst and sec- little more forceful through my body I think. from home was when England triumphed remarkable 135 not out that ond respectively in England’s list of all-time I’d never want to get to that place where I’m 3-1 in Australia in 2010/11. secured an unlikely victory Test wicket-takers, but both are entering bowling against a 19-year-old and they’re Anderson sees no reason why he should for England in the third the twilight of their careers. going, ‘I thought someone said he used to be not feature when England next meet their Ashes Test at Headingley. Anderson is 37 and has endured a series a good bowler’. I’d hate that. old rivals, as long as he maintains his high Stokes was named as the of injury problems over the last 12 months. I’d prefer to go that little bit earlier than standards. “The big thing is standards. If ICC Men’s Player of the Although Broad is four years younger than that little bit later. But I’m loving the en- your standards feel like they’re dropping Year in recognition of a Anderson, he believes his career will not last vironment at the minute. I love playing for then yeah you might consider fi nishing,” he memorable 2019. as long as his fellow paceman. With the end England. I still have huge motivation to keep said.