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MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 SPORTS Neuville claims maiden Kuwait to compete in Arab Di Maria exit imminent, win in German Rally table tennis tournament Ancelotti confirms TRIER: Belgian Thierry Neuville, driving a Hyundai i20, took advantage of with- KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti table tennis team is to head to Amman, MADRID: Argentine midfielder Angel di Maria’s expected move to Manchester drawals by defending world champion Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matta Latvala to Jordan Saturday to compete in an Arab Championship, which kicks United should be completed in the coming days, Real Madrid boss Carlo win his and the car manufacturer’s maiden title at the German Rally yesterday. off tomorrow and concludes on August 31, with participation of 14 Ancelotti confirmed yesterday. Di Maria had previously expressed his desire to Neuville, 26, finished 40sec ahead of Spanish teammate Dani Sordo in a first-ever countries. Thirteen players, including six women, will represent leave the European champions before the end of the transfer window and the one-two and victory for Hyundai in the World Rally Championship. Norway’s Kuwait during the Arab event, whose competitions are open to all 26-year-old is on the verge of a 60-million-euro move to United, according to Andreas Mikkelsen came in third to save some face for Volkswagen after Ogier and reports in Spain and England over the weekend. “Di Maria hasn’t trained, it is Latvala’s crashes. Frenchman Ogier’s involvement in the ninth leg of the world age and gender groups, Humoud Al-Daihani, Vice President of Kuwait Table Tennis Association, stated to KUNA, adding that cate- not official but the transfer is very close,” Ancelotti said ahead of his side’s La rally championship came to a premature end on Saturday when his Liga opener against Cordoba today. “I thank him for what Volkswagen Polo smashed into a roadside barrier on Stage 8, which was then gories in which Kuwaiti players will compete are juniors (under 18), cadets (under 15), and mini cadets (under 12). The Kuwaiti team had he has given this club. Personally I had a fantastic rela- cancelled for safety reasons. And yesterday, overnight leader Latvala went off tionship with him and he did great work for this club. “It excellent physical preparations for this event, including a 16-day the road in a vineyard section about 14km after the start of the was his decision. The club has done everything possible training camp in Hungary, during which they competed against opening 18.03km Dhrontal stage. The Finn’s demise left Briton Kris to make him stay. I wish him luck.” Di Maria Meeke with an 8.4sec lead over Neuville, but Meeke then some of the most challenging Hungarian teams, Al-Daihani said, was the man-of-the-match as Real claimed crashed into a wall early in the following Grafschaft stage, ripping affirming the Kuwaiti Federation’s keenness in providing best their 10th European Cup with a 4-1 win over the rear left wheel from his Citroen DS3. The drama handed preparations for Kuwaiti teams to achieve best results during this Atletico Madrid back in May to cap a fine sea- Neuville an unassailable lead over Sordo and continued to important Arab sport event. He also indicated that Kuwaiti players son. However, he is believed to have wanted a hand the Hyundai team a maiden WRC victory and a 1-2 fin- showed will and desire to attain prominent results and ranks during vastly improved contract from Real and became ish. Neuville himself had overcome a dramatic crash on the this championship, which includes participating Arab teams from frustrated with the arrivals of World Cup stars opening day of action on Thursday, when he barrel-rolled UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos in recent through the vineyards near Trier. —AFP Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. —KUNA months. —AFP GT Academy Middle East’s Winner Revealed KUWAIT: The Nissan PlayStation GT Academy International Race Camp drew to a thrilling conclusion at the UK’s Silverstone circuit as Ahmed Khaled from Saudi Arabia, 25, was crowned the Middle East champion of the racing challenge. The Civil Engineer, who finished in fourth place in the overall competition, won his place at the GT Academy Race Camp against hundreds of thousands of Gran Turismo(r) gamers that entered the compe- tition across Australia, India, Mexico, the Middle East and Thailand. Having won through Middle East National Finals, he arrived at Silverstone as one of five to repre- sent the Middle East, alongside 27 International competitors overall, represent- ing six countries split into five territory groups. Over the course of six days, the competi- tors were put through their paces both on and off track. They enjoyed some of the best racing instruction and mentoring in the world in a range of Nissan cars, including the mighty GT-R, the 370Z Nismo and 370Z race cars. Each group formed a close bond with their territory judge, who acted as a mentor, but then had to make the difficult decisions when it came to eliminations from the competition. “For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a racing driver, this was why I spent so much time playing Gran Turismo. The Nissan PlayStation GT Academy Challenge has made this dream come true,” said Ahmed Khaled. “The Race Camp at Silverstone was a really tough competition, testing physical and mental capabilities and honing our skills as an actual racing driver. With no professional motorsport experi- ence, I channeled my passions for racing which pushed me to do what I never thought possible. I want to thank all the organizers for developing this program and particularly Nissan and Sony PlayStation for the life changing opportunity.” As well as the circuit driving and assess- ment, the competitors were judged on a series of challenges that included the Mud Mayhem assault course, Nissan Micra Stock Car racing, the Traffic Challenge in the Nissan GT-R, the Dirt Track Time Trial in the Nissan Juke, the head-to-head Gymkhana, Buggy Racing, and a head-to-head Dogfight pursuit race in Nissan 370Zs. Each challenge was accompanied and assessed by their judges that included ex-F1 test driver Dani Clos, V8 Supercar legend Rick Kelly, ex-F1 racer Karun Chandhok, Rally Driver and Drift King Abdo Feghali and renowned Thai Formula racer Tor Graves. Gradual eliminations led to the challenge finale, and the penultimate day of Buggy and Dogfight challenges formed the deci- sion from each judge on which of their two best drivers would take the wheel of the 370Z race cars for an eight-lap race of Silverstone’s National circuit. Samir Cherfan, Academy’s selection process and driver Marketing and Sales, NISMO said: “GT PlayStation at home. I am proud of the con- mirror and every single winner of the con- Managing Director, Nissan Middle East com- development programme has produced Academy offers PlayStation Gran Turismo tinued globalization of this important brand test has tasted real racing success, including mented: “GT Academy demonstrates genuinely fast racing drivers. We have every racers a great chance to move from virtual asset for Nissan and we look forward to wel- class wins at 24 Hours of Dubai and gamers Nissan’s belief in delivering innovation and confidence that Ahmed will add to this racing to real life professional racing! coming even more countries to the pro- going all the way from their lounge to Le excitement in everything we do - the pro- legacy and raise the region’s interest in Congratulations to our Saudi Arabian gramme next year.” Mans, standing on the podium of the gramme is both unique and thrilling. motorsport.” Champion, Ahmed, who proved to the GT Academy now has more than 500 mil- world’s most toughest and most famous Wherever it is run in the world, GT Darren Cox, Global head of Brand, world that a racing career can start on a lion miles of virtual racing in its rearview race. Day finishes strong to share Barclays lead PARAMUS: Jason Day, proud of how he han- because of lush rough and slick greens, strug- Staying Patient dled his nerves, rebounded from a double- gling to a 75 to slide five shots of the pace. While Day took a roller-coaster ride to the bogey at the 13th with three birdies in the last Top-ranked Rory McIlroy, on a sizzling top of the leaderboard, PGA Tour veteran four holes to grab a share of the lead after the three-tournament winning streak that includ- Furyk followed a very different route, staying third round of The Barclays on Saturday. ed major triumphs at the British Open and patient as he ground out a flawless round that The Australian signed off with a 10-foot PGA Championship, was level with Scott at was highlighted by birdies at the 13th and birdie putt at the last to card a three-under 68 four under after carding a 70. 16th. at Ridgewood Country Club, finishing level Day, who clinched his second PGA Tour vic- “Those holes, six through 12, are pretty dif- with American Jim Furyk (69) at nine-under tory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play ficult and I gave myself a lot of really good 204 in the opener of the PGA Tour’s four-event Championship in late February, was delighted birdie opportunities through that stretch but FedExCup playoffs. “I am very proud of how I to be in contention for another title after mak- wasn’t able to convert,” said the 44-year-old, handled my nerves today,” the 26-year-old ing a mess of both par-fives after the turn.