Stroll takes maiden pole in Turkey to upstage title-chasing Hamilton SUNday, NOVEMBER 15, 2020 page 14 Argentina stun All Blacks for first-ever win over New Zealand

AFP Sydney

A gutsy Argentina stunned the All Blacks 25-15 Saturday to pull off one of rugby’s biggest upsets, consigning an embar- rassed New Zealand to their firstback-to-back defeats in almost a decade. Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scored all the Pumas’ points to hand them their maiden victory over the rugby pow- erhouse in the 30 Tests they have played. Mario Ledesma’s side were given virtually no chance ahead of the Tri Nations match in Sydney after the coronavi- rus hindered their prepara- tions to just two low-key prac- tice games.

It’s surreal what happened, not just the result but playing, getting on the field after everything that has happened this year. Argentina coach Mario Ledesma.

But in their first Test since the World Cup last year, they pulled off a miracle. “It’s surreal what hap- pened, not just the result but playing, getting on the field after everything that has hap- pened this year,” said Argen- tina coach Ledesma. “Some of the boys haven’t seen their families for four months but they have all been positive... they have been awesome. “I think we will remember Argentina’s players celebrate victory with their fans at the end of 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match against New Zealand at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. (AFP) this for a long time, not only the game but because of the their country which has gone points on the board in the fifth ill-discipline handed them an- special situation,” he added. through a heck of a hard time. minute with Sanchez nailing a other penalty which the laser- It was a humiliating defeat “I want to congratulate penalty from the half-way line like Sanchez again put over. for New Zealand who were them on the result, it is a bit of after some push and shove It sent them to the break shocked 24-22 by the Walla- an historic day for them.” instigated by New Zealand’s with a comfortable lead, leav- bies in Brisbane last week and Unlike Australia and New Shannon Frizell. ing New Zealand with a major have now lost back-to-back Zealand, Argentina did not It didn’t take long for Rich- task to save their blushes. Tests for the first time since have a Super Rugby competi- ie Mo’unga to level the scores That only got harder when 2011 when they crashed to tion to help them prepare. But but Argentina were playing the boot of the irrepressible South Africa and Australia. after months of quarantine, well, stringing together plenty Sanchez earned Argentina an- Coach Ian Foster axed 10 they were chomping at the of phases. other three points soon after players and named what many bit and took their frustrations Their pressure culminated the restart. regarded as the All Blacks’ best out on a sloppy All Blacks in a in dangerman Sanchez cross- With their reputation on run-on side after last week’s dominant first-half. ing for the first try of the game, the line, New Zealand finally game, but they were no match With New Zealand strug- getting on the end of his own woke up and skipper Sam for a Pumas team helped by gling to create chances with chip kick to touch down under Cane crashed over for their former Australian coach Mi- poor kicking, ill-discipline and the posts. opening try on 52 minutes chael Cheika. too many errors, they incredibly He converted to give his after a nicely worked rolling “Obviously from an All went to the break 16-3 in front. side an unlikely lead which maul from a lineout. Black view we are bitterly dis- New Zealand staged a sec- they stretched to 13-3 when Mo’unga converted only appointed with the result, with ond-half fightback, but with Sanchez drilled another pen- for Sanchez to move the Pumas the way we played,” said Foster. their eyes on a major upset, alty, with Jordie Barrett the back into a 12-point lead with “But what I think we saw Argentina grimly resisted in- offender. another successful penalty. was a team that despite the tense pressure to post their Only a try-saving tackle New Zealand began apply- disadvantage of not playing a best-ever result. from Aaron Smith prevented ing heavy pressure and Caleb lot of rugby ... they have come the Pumas going further in Clarke scored a late try, but the here with massive energy and Dangerman Sanchez Argentina’s Nicolas Sanchez (right) runs with the ball during the 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match against front after Tomas Cubelli Argentinian defence had done a desire to prove something to Argentina got the first New Zealand at the Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. (AFP) broke free, but more All Blacks enough to ensure a famous win. Djokovic eyes record as Nadal seeks first ATP Finals crown

AFP first staging of the event. surgery, is the most notable “But at the same time it phies has come on the surface. London World number one Djoko- absentee after a global tennis doesn’t change what I hope “I think I am able to play a vic is in Group Tokyo along- season truncated by the Cov- to achieve in this tournament little bit better the last couple Novak Djokovic is bidding to side Daniil Medvedev, 2018 id-19 pandemic. and why I’m here. of years indoors than what I win the ATP Finals for a record- winner Alexander Zverev and Five-time champion Djok- “I really want to win every did at the beginning of my ca- equalling sixth time as Rafael Argentine debutant Diego ovic, who recently equalled single match that I get to play reer without a doubt but that’s Nadal chases the biggest title Schwartzman. Pete Sampras’s record of six and try to get my hands on the the numbers and I can’t say missing from his glittering re- Second-seed Nadal will year-end number one finishes, trophy and I want this trophy something different,” said the sume at London’s O2 Arena. compete against defending has lost just three matches this as much as anybody.” 34-year-old two-time finalist. The top eight available champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, season, with one of those his “I hope to change that players in the men’s rank- Dominic Thiem, and Andrey default at the US Open. Nadal drought this week.” ings – with Roger Federer Rublev, who is appearing for The Serbian, who has not Nadal, who pulverised Despite his lack of indoor absent – will compete at the the first time, in Group London. won the London event since Djokovic in the French Open fi- success, the shortened season end-of-season tournament, The four best-placed play- 2015, said he was looking to nal last month to pull level with could count in Nadal’s favour which starts on Sunday behind ers from the round-robin stage end his season on a high at the Federer on 20 Grand Slams, has – he has been forced to with- closed doors despite a corona- will progress to the semi-finals elite eight-man event. qualified for the ATP Finals for a draw from the ATP Finals six virus lockdown in England. of the event, taking place in “Coming into the tourna- record 16 consecutive years times previously. The two round-robin London for the final year be- ment and knowing that I have The Spanish world num- Last year’s winner Tsitsipas, groups have been named To- fore a move to Turin. clinched the year-end number ber two is well aware of his who beat Thiem in the final, Novak Djokovic is bidding to win the ATP Finals for a record-equalling kyo 1970 and London 2020 Six-time champion Feder- one releases some of the pres- shortcomings on indoor hard comes into the tournament after sixth time at O2 in London. (AFP) on the 50th anniversary of the er, recovering from knee sure, definitely,” he said. courts – only one of his 86 tro- early exits in Vienna and Paris. 14 Sunday, November 15, 2020 Sports Lance Stroll takes maiden pole to upstage title-chasing Hamilton

AFP Istanbul Lewis makes light Lance Stroll upstaged For- mula One’s title-chasing Lewis Hamilton on Saturday when of qualifying flop he grabbed the first pole posi- tion of his career at the Turk- ish Grand Prix, the Canadian AFP whatever reason, some people saying “it feels really good Istanbul can get their tyres going, but right now”. ultimately, we’re all struggling The 22-year-old Racing Lewis Hamilton made light of out there. Point driver made the most of his and Mercedes first qualify- “I did the best I could and drying conditions on a treach- ing flop of the year on Saturday I didn’t really make any mis- erous track to end Mercedes’ after they had been upstaged takes so I’m generally happy. 13 race domination of qualify- by Racing Point’s Lance Stroll I did everything I could with ing this year. at the Turkish Grand Prix. what I had.” Stroll delivered a dazzling The defending six-time Asked by Sky Sports F1 if he fastest lap in one minute and champion, who bids to seal a was disappointed by his pace 47.765 seconds in the closing record-breaking seventh driv- and form, after the prolonged seconds to usurp his team- ers’ championship in Sunday’s red flag-interrupted session, mate Sergio Perez and then race, was sixth in qualifying, Hamilton retorted: “Have you resist a last surge from Red but two places ahead of his not been watching all week- Bull’s Max Verstappen. ‘black arrows’ team-mate Kimi end? I was 20th before this so The disappointed Dutch- Raikkonen. this is an improvement.” man was second, three-tenths The Finn is the only driver His tone was light and ge- behind Stroll, but ahead of Racing Point’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll drives in front of Racing Point’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez during the qualifying session at the who can stop him taking the nial, betraying relief that he Mexican Perez who claimed Intecity Istanbul Park circuit in Istanbul on Saturday ahead of the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix. (AFP) title again, if he can outscore had qualified in the top ten with his career-best starting posi- him by eight points or more, a good chance of claiming a po- tion after finishing fourth nine but he like Hamilton struggled dium finish, at least, ahead of times in the past. Turkish Grand Prix grid in treacherous rainswept and Bottas to take his seventh title. Stroll was the first Cana- 1st row: Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes); Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) low-grip conditions. Stroll’s success in gaining dian to take pole since Jacques 2nd row: Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point-Mercedes); Alex Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda) “There isn’t any grip at all,” his first pole and Canada’s Villeneuve at the 1997 Euro- 3rd row: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault); Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) said Hamilton. “I don’t really first since Jacques Villeneuve pean Grand Prix at Jerez and 4th row: Estéban Ocon (FRA/Renault); Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) know what to say. We did the at the 1997 European Grand 5th row: Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes); Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) it was the Silverstone-based 6th row: Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault); Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) best we could and that was the Prix on his way to winning the Racing Point team’s first pole 7th row: Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault); Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) fastest we could go. title had ended Mercedes run since, racing as Jordan, they 8th row: Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Honda); Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) “The track feels terrible. of 13 consecutive pole posi- did so at the 2009 Belgian 9th row: Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri-Honda); Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) It feels like driving on ice. For tions this season. Grand Prix. 10th row: Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes); George Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes). The outcome left Mercedes well-beaten on the weekend prevents Bottas from outscor- daylight receded in the appall- when Lewis Hamilton bids to ing him by eight points. ing conditions, but the bril- seal a record-equalling seventh After Friday’s ice rink liant car control of Verstappen drivers’ championship and draw conditions on the resurfaced and his Red Bull team-mat level with seven-time champion Pole position winner Racing Point’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll circuit, heavy rain ushered in Albon was on display as they Michael Schumacher. celebrates after the qualifying session at the Intecity Istanbul Park even more treacherous chal- topped the times, the Dutch- The six-time champion circuit in Istanbul on Saturday. (AFP) lenges in which most of the man 1.9 seconds clear. wound up sixth behind Alex drivers slithered and spun. In the drama, Leclerc slith- Albon in the second Red Bull “There were a lot of things “It has been a pretty rough The Q1 session was in- ered through to Q2 while Ham- and Renault’s Daniel Ricciar- we weren’t sure about coming ride for me so it feels good. terrupted twice for red flags, ilton, his best lap cancelled for do whose team-mate Esteban into qualifying. We didn’t look Feels really good right now.” when Race Control declared exceeding track limits, strug- Ocon qualified seventh. that competitive in Q3.” This is the first time this the track was unsafe - firstly gled through in 14th place. “Yes, Yes, Yes boys,” Stroll His surprise qualifying season that neither Hamilton due to the conditions and Grosjean was eliminated screamed on the team radio. performance comes after a dif- (nine) nor Bottas (four) have then, secondly, when Romain along with his Haas team- “I can’t really put it into ficult few weeks when he had topped qualifying. Grosjean spun into a gravel mate Kevin Magnussen, the words,” he added. to miss the Eifel Grand Prix, Hamilton can seal a re- trap in his Haas. two Williams of George Rus- Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the third prac- “I’m shocked. I didn’t ex- testing positive for coronavi- cord-equalling seventh driv- The interruptions added sell and Nicholas Latifi andA l- tice session at the Intecity Istanbul Park circuit in Istanbul on Satur- pect to be up here after FP3. rus the next day. ers’ world title on Sunday if he 50 minutes to the schedule as pha Tauri’s Daniil Kvyat. day ahead of the Turksish Formula One Grand Prix. (AFP)

‘Phenomenal’ Kane can be England Quick singles IPL-winning Indian cricketer held over record scorer, says Southgate gold watches: reports AFP was involved but beforehand Mumbai: Two days after win- London he is in the changing room, ning the Indian Premier League getting everyone ready and with the Mumbai Indians, Gareth Southgate says talking to the lads individu- cricketer Krunal Pandya was “phenomenal” Harry Kane ally,” Rice said. stopped by airport customs car- In this file photo taken on April 4, 2018 shows people sitting at a cafe is capable of becoming Eng- “For a youngster like me, rying gold and luxury watches, in downtown Cairo with a mural depicting Liverpool’s Egyptian striker land’s record goal-scorer as the who is aspiring to be a future media reports said on Friday. Mohamed Salah painted in the background. (AFP) Tottenham striker prepares captain, you have to look at The 29-year-old all-rounder was to win his 50th cap against what he does. stopped at Mumbai airport Belgium on Sunday. “He might not be the loud- late Thursday as he returned Distancing ‘was maintained’ England captain Kane is est on the pitch, but the way he from Dubai where the IPL was sixth on his country’s all-time takes the ball under pressure played, the Press Trust of India scoring chart with 32 interna- and gets defences scared, he is news agency and other media at wedding Salah attended tional goals, 21 behind record a real leader.” reported. Pandya, who is often holder Wayne Rooney. While Kane was prepar- photographed wearing expen- before virus positive Southgate believes the ing for the Belgium match, it sive jewellery, was carrying 27-year-old should be setting emerged that his £100,000 gold watches worth more than AFP Salah’s, was also at the wedding. his sights on passing Rooney. ($131,000) Range Rover was $115,000, which exceeded Cairo Salah, 28, had also at- Kane has scored 13 times stolen from outside his house his customs limit. The player, tended a ceremony organised for Tottenham already this on October 25. brother of fellow India interna- The mayor of Mohamed by the Egyptian Football As- season, but drew a blank in Kane is reported to have tional Hardik Pandya, was held Salah’s home town in Egypt sociation (EFA) in Cairo to each of his four appearances CCTV footage showing a car for several hours but was freed has insisted social distancing celebrate his achievement of for England this term. driving past his luxury ve- after telling investigators he was was observed at a family wed- being the firstE gyptian to win Ahead of his side’s Nations hicle on multiple occasions, unaware of the rules and would ding the Liverpool forward at- the Premier League and the League visit to Belgium, Eng- leading to fears he was tar- pay any penalties, the reports tended before he tested posi- Champions League. land boss Southgate outlined geted by a gang. said. Neither the Directorate of tive for COVID-19. The interim president of the case for Kane to chase After Jack Grealish’s eye- Revenue Intelligence nor Pandya The two-time African foot- the EFA, Amr El-Ganainy, told football immortality. catching display in Thursday’s commented on the case. (AFP) baller of the year has been in MBC Egypt TV on Friday: “He “In terms of what is pos- 3-0 friendly win over the Re- isolation in Egypt since Friday appeared in the ceremony for sible, the goalscoring record public of Ireland, it has been following the test that was car- no more than five minutes, is the really interesting one widely suggested the Aston Vil- SA cricketers in ried out when he joined up with entered a corridor alone, re- because his strike rate for us is England’s striker Harry Kane (right) sits in the stands during the inter- la winger deserves a sustained ‘despair’ at his international teammates. specting social distancing and phenomenal and he has time national friendly between England and Republic of Ireland at run in Southgate’s team. administrative chaos Salah had attended his wearing a mask. “He received on his side to chase Wayne the Wembley stadium in London on Thursday. (AFP) Chelsea midfielder Mason brother Nasr’s wedding in the award himself... according Rooney’s record which would Mount has been perceived as Johannesburg: South Africa’s the town of Nagrig and pho- to Liverpool’s requirements.” be a remarkable feat,” South- Asked about his favourite had scored and that was a bril- a rival for Grealish’s place, de- cricketers’ association on Friday tographs show him dancing The EFA said a second test gate told a press conference memory of Kane in his first liant moment for all of us be- spite playing against Ireland expressed “despair and disbe- with a mask pushed onto his had confirmed Salah had coro- on Saturday. 49 caps, Southgate picked cause you want your boys to in a more central position. lief” at the continuing chaos chin at one point. navirus and he was in isolation “I know from his per- out the striker’s first interna- progress and do well. But Rice, a lifelong friend in the game, four days before The mayor of Nagrig, Ma- in the team’s hotel but was not spective, while the personal tional goal. “His goal at Hampden of Mount, launched a staunch England are due to arrive for a her Shtiyah, told Egyptian me- showing any symptoms. achievement is something Southgate was England (against Scotland) as well defence of his team-mate after limited overs tour. The chairman dia that the number of guests at Team doctors are in con- he is driven towards, it is the Under-21 manager at the time and of course his goals at the criticism of his performances of Cricket South Africa’s interim the ceremony had been limited tact with Liverpool’s medical team achievement. and had worked with Kane at World Cup. To win the golden on social media. board, Judge Zak Yacoob, warned to between 60 and 70 people team. He is not showing any “He is so focused on the that level before he was given boot is an incredible personal “We don’t speak about it earlier that the conflict could dis- and only relatives attended. symptoms of coronavirus. team having success and he a debut by Roy Hodgson in achievement.” but it is very harsh,” Rice said courage England from travelling “There was social distanc- Salah will miss Egypt’s Af- would want to look back over March 2016 against Lithuania. - ‘Feel his presence’ -Eng- of Mount’s doubters. - although a spokesperson for ing,” the mayor said. “Salah rica Cup of Nations qualifier the next few years at the team “I think his first goal for land and West Ham midfielder “I know what his mentality the England and Wales Cricket removed his mask only while against Togo on Saturday. achieving.” England with Roy because Declan Rice has been as im- is like. I know how driven he Board said he expected the tour taking photos. Even when we He could miss Liverpool’s Kane has enjoyed a host we were with the Under-21s pressed by Kane’s leadership is. It is no surprise that Gareth to go ahead. “Our position is at it embraced him, we kissed him next two matches, depriving of memorable moments since and whenever one of your qualities as by his predatory picks him, Frank (Lampard) has been for the past few weeks on his shoulder, not his face.” the champions of a player who winning his first England cap players get called up, you al- finishing. picks him and if you gave eve- - it’s business as usual,” said the Mahmoud Trezeguet of Pre- has scored eight times in eight four years ago, including fin- ways want them to do well,” “With ‘H’, you feel his ry Premier League manager spokesperson. “We travel mier League side Aston Villa, league Premier League games ishing as top scorer at the Southgate said. presence all the time. If you the chance, they would pick on Monday.” (AFP) an international teammate of this season. 2018 World Cup. “I remember hearing he look at the other night, he him as well.” Sports Sunday, November 15, 2020 15 Amir Cup archery golds for Al Muhannadi, Saeed Abu and Noura Al Ali

Saeed Hamad Abu Shareb with his gold medal.

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar archer Ibrahim Al Muhannadi on the podium with silver and bronze winners in the Olympic competi- tion in the Amir Cup 2020 Shooting and Archery Championship at the Lusail Complex on Saturday. Qatari archer Ibrahim Al Muhannadi clinched gold in Saeed Hamad Abu Shareb. there was variable wind and Al Rumaihi in the finalround the Olympic competition while Mohammed Ahmad Al and this affected the course and his second place helped Ali Al Yazidi won the 30-metre Rumaihi claimed silver in the of the arrows, but thankfully me stay on path to achieve the The women’s competition podium finishers Noura Al Ali, Noura Al Mohannadi and Khouloud Al Khalaf. competition in the Amir Cup event while the bronze went to I was confidentand it helped best result. Chances in such 2020 Shooting and Archery Khaled Rashid Al Muhannadi. me achieve the desired goal. tournaments are not easy, but competiton, Noura Al Ali In the youth category, In the beginners’ category, Championships at the Lusail Speaking of his triumph, The HH Amir Cup is a prestig- I stayed true to my ambition claimed the gold medal while Ibrahim Al Tamimi claimed Ahmed Al Khulaifi stood out Complex on Saturday. a delighted Abu Shareb said, ious ad very important com- and the last shot in the end Noura Al Mohannadi and the first place on the podium as first,A bdul Aziz Al Hamidi Also claiming gold in the “The competition was tough, petition for we athletes and proved decisive.” Khouloud Al Khalaf claimed followe by Ahmed Al Khulaifi came in second, and Salman compound competition was moreso on the first day as the presence of Muhammad In the women’s archery silver and bronze respectively. and Muhammad Al Kharraz. Mohammed was third. Johnson makes best major round start to seize Augusta Masters lead

AFP and made a long birdie putt at Woods, a 15-time major roy, needing only a green jack- birdied the second to stay on Augusta (UNITED STATES) the fourth to seize command. winner, seeks a sixth green et to complete a career Grand Johnson’s heels. South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, jacket to equal the record set Slam, was making a charge. They were level with John- Top-ranked Dustin John- Spain’s second-ranked Jon by Jack Nicklaus. The for- The four-time major win- son, Ancer and Australian son went four-under par in the Rahm, third-ranked American mer world number one had ner birdied the second and be- Cameron Smith on 135 after first four holes to seize a three- Justin Thomas and Mexico’s matched his best Masters start gan a run of three birdies in a 36 holes, the first time the stroke lead early in Saturday’s Abraham Ancer shared third with a 68. row at the eighth to reach 7-un- world’s three top-ranked play- third round of the Masters, on 10-under. Woods, who turns 45 next der before a futher birdie took ers shared the lead after any pulling away from an elite field Johnson is trying to be- month, also chases an 83rd him to within five of the lead. major round. at Augusta National. come the first top-ranked career PGA Tour victory to A Masters victory would Im birdied the second and The 36-year-old American, golfer to win the Masters since break the record he shares put McIlroy in a select group third to join the 10-under pack who grew up only an hour’s drive Tiger Woods in 2002. with Sam Snead. to win all four majors in a ca- while Ancer birdied the third. from the course, unleashed his Defending champion Nine golfers shared the reer, including Woods, Jack US Open winner Bry- best to any major round in his Woods, who began the third lead at one stage as Augusta Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben son DeChambeau, who many career to stand on 13-under par round four strokes off the National’s notorious undulat- Hogan and Gene Sarazen. feared would overwhelm Au- for the tournament. pace, opened with seven pars ing greens became dryer and Rahm, chasing his first gusta National with his pow- Dustin Johnson of the United States reacts after making a putt for birdie Johnson made a tap-in ea- before taking a bogey at the faster, setting an epic stage for major title, birdied the par-4 er-driving game, struggled to on the seventh green during the third round of the Masters at Augusta gle at the par-5 second, curled in par-5 eighth, finding trees to a shootout. third while Thomas, the 2017 make the record-low Masters National Golf Club in Georgia, US, on Saturday. (Getty images/AFP) a six-footer for birdie at the third the left and rough to the right. Fifth-ranked Rory McIl- PGA Championship winner, cup of par 144 on the number. 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Champions a big success

Tribune News Network Doha

The 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Champions, organised annu- ally by Qatar Cyclists Center, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, was successfully held on Friday featuring more than 1,700 cyclists (from ages 3 to 68) and more than 70 na- tionalities in its fourth edition including for the first time wheelchair, handcycle and ability sport participants. As could be expected, the 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Cham- pions was very different than in the past four years. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, President of Qatar Cyclists Center, the event organiser, said “In 2020, in these chal- lenging times, the organising team, government bodies, our host venue at Education City, Qatar Foundation, event partners and Qatari cycling community have shown great resilience and co-operation to ensure and deliver an event for the physical and mental well- being of participants in a year with few opportunities to cele- brate sport and enjoy a shared community moment.” Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR at Ooredoo, said: “Supporting events that pro- mote a healthy, active lifestyle is a key priority for Ooredoo, both as part of our corporate social responsibility strategy and in line with our commit- ment to the United Nations Sustainability Goals. We’ve had a challenging few months with physical events, due to the ongoing pandemic situa- tion, so to see so many riders out enjoying themselves at the The 2020 Ooredoo Ride of Champions, organised annually by Qatar Cyclists Center, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, was held on Friday featuring more than 1,700 cyclists. Ooredoo Ride of Champions was immensely encouraging. years. This year, hitting a record break of COVID-19,” said front of the event, we hope in at just 3 years of age. There sador of France to Qatar, was The day ended as a big suc- We hope everyone enjoyed it number reflects the growth in Mohammed Fakhroo, Execu- that we will be able to set an were more than 40 participants one of the many impressed cess, with hundreds of partici- as much as we did.” the cycling community in Qa- tive Director of Outreach and example for others.” in the new Ability-Friendly participants. “As ambassa- pants already entering on so- Dr. Mohammed Jaham Al tar. Being a founder of Qatar Institutional Advancement at The oldest rider in this Ride, featuring wheelchair and dor of one of the most cycling cial media for their chance to Kuwari, President of Qatar Cy- Cyclists, I could not be happier.” Qatar Foundation. “However, year’s Ooredoo Ride of Cham- hand pedal riders as well as the countries in the world, I was earn valuable prizes from Offi- cling and Triathlon Federation “It has been difficult to we’re delighted to have played pions was Ammed Raoof, Best Buddies ride, with more pleased to join the remarkably cial Partners of the event such had this to say: “It’s great to see host live community events host to the 2020 edition. With 68. The youngest cyclist was than 20 participants. well organised event. It was a as Turkish Airlines, Rasen this event’s progress over the this year, following the out- health and safety at the fore- Hagan Joseph Jilin, clocking HE Franck Gellet, Ambas- great time altogether,” he said. Sports and Garmin Lingawi.