WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016 SPORTS

Toure happy to come Conte hopes record Bowler Giles hired in from the cold run sparks title glory as Warwickshire chief LONDON: Yaya Toure admits he feels reborn after returning from exile to LONDON: Antonio Conte has challenged his Chelsea stars to use their LONDON: Former England spin bowler Ashley Giles was appointed as play a key role in Manchester City’s title challenge. Toure, club record run of 12 successive victories as the foundation to win the Warwickshire’s sport director yesterday after quitting his role as Lancashire 33, appeared destined to leave City after being frozen out by new man- Premier League title. Conte’s side moved seven points clear at the top after coach. Giles had served as Warwickshire director of cricket between 2007 and ager earlier in the season. But the Ivory Coast a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday and they are now just two more 2012 and he returns to Edgbaston in a more wide-ranging role. has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in the space of just victories away from equalling Arsenal’s Premier League record of 14 con- The 43-year-old will oversee all the English county’s professional six weeks. Surprisingly brought in from the cold by secutive wins. Should the Blues defeat Stoke and Tottenham in their next teams as well as the academy, high performance and develop- Guardiola after the resolution of a row with his agent in two games, they will have earned a significant statistical landmark. But it is ment of excellence programmes. “The new role at Edgbaston is November, Toure has regained his old place at the heart trophies that matter most to former Juventus and Italy boss Conte and he a great opportunity and I am delighted to return to of City’s midfield engine room. The former Barcelona has set his sights on leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown they last Warwickshire,” Giles told Warwickshire’s website. “Whilst I have star delivered his latest impressive display as City won in May 2015. “I prefer to win the title than the record,” Conte told a lot of history with the Bears and have previously enjoyed suc- overcame Hull 3-0 at the KCOM Stadium on Chelsea TV. “Records are important, but not all. It’s important to write his- cess as a player and a coach, this is a brand new challenge Boxing Day to stay in touch with leaders tory only when you win. “To be in the history of the club and to win 12 and I look forward to meeting up with all the players and Chelsea. “I look like a kid, just enjoying play- games in a row is fantastic. But with the players we want to continue.” the new management team in January.” Giles played ing football and helping my team-mates Bournemouth switched to three at the back to try to match the Chelsea for Warwickshire for 13 years and, as director of crick- and the fans. It’s very important to me,” formation that has proved such a success since Conte first deployed it ear- et, led the team to the English County Toure said. — AFP lier this season. — AFP Championship title in 2012. — AFP

Kuwait’s victorious wheelchair basketball team returns home

By Abdellatif Sharaa Dr Shaifqa Al-Awadhi, Deputy Director of tors and the efforts of the team’s members. He wins. He said the tournament was tough and Meanwhile, Kuwait’s team captain Essa Al- Public Authority for Sports Dr Humoud said this win comes as a completion of the competitive, adding that Kuwait’s win over Fadhly said, he along with his teammates are KUWAIT: Kuwait’s wheelchair basketball team Fulaiteh, Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Disabled successful march of the disabled sports in for- Saudi Arabia with the score of 62/56 was the happy for winning the tournament for the returned Monday from Abu Dhabi after win- Sports Club Nasser Al-Ajmi, Secretary Abdallah eign participation. key for Kuwait’s win of the title for the 16th eighth time, adding the team is looking for- ning the eighth Gulf tournament there and Al-Azmi and a large crowd. Meanwhile, KDSC Chairman of the Board year. He pointed to the support of Information ward for more wins in the future. Kuwait won continued its dominance over the tournament Dr Fulaiteh lauded the achievements of dedicated the win to HH the Amir, HH the Minister, Sports Minister for Youth Affairs the title with four wins and 8 points, followed since its launch 16 years ago. Kuwait Disabled athletes, adding that this lat- Crown Prince and all Kuwait people and laud- Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al- by the Saudi team with 7 points, Bahrain was The team was received at the airport by est achievement was made due to the distin- ed the performance of athletes during the Sabah and PAS which resulted in the club’s third with 6 points, UAE fourth with 5 points Director General of Disability Public Authority guished performance of KDSC board of direc- tournament which witnessed four consecutive winning of many tournaments. and Oman fifth with four points.