Al-Attiyah Aims for Individual Gold at His 7Th Asian Games
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SWIMMING | Page 2 CRICKET | Page 6 China’s Sun Pandya’s completes fi ve-for sparks ‘golden slam’ England at Asiad collapse Monday, August 20, 2018 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 9, 1439 AH Messi, Coutinho GULF TIMES star in Barcelona’s winning start SPORT Page 7 FOCUS Aspetar wins best medical project in Asia award By Our Correspondent research. tigious award, which is the cul- ternationally recognised referral Jakarta, Indonesia Organised on the sidelines of mination of the hospital’s eff orts centre for establishing clinical this year’s Asian Games 2018, over the past years, and testa- pathways in acute groin pain and the awards ceremony was held ment to the top rank the hospital injuries. It does this by collabo- spetar, Qatar’s ortho- yesterday at the Olympic Coun- has risen to since it was launched rating with prominent specialists paedic and sports med- cil of Asia (OCA) General As- in 2007. This isn’t the fi rst time at the forefront of this specifi c icine hospital, has won sembly in Jakarta, Indonesia. It Aspetar has won this prestigious area of medical expertise, to es- the 6th Sheikh Fahad was attended by Qatar Olympic award; the hospital won it back tablish best practice assessment, AHiroshima-Asia Sports Medicine Committee President HE Sheikh in 2014 and 2010, thus showcas- diagnosis and treatment of this and Science Award, a prestig- Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and ing its dominance in the fi eld of condition, which can have ex- ious award that rolls out every OCA president Sheikh Ahmad sports medicine and science in treme consequences for aff ected four years on the sidelines of the al-Fahad al-Sabah. the Asian continent.” athletes. Asian Games to determine the Hussain Sultan al-Jaber, at- The Olympic Council of Asia Aspetar has a mission to sup- best medical project in Asia. tended the ceremony as Aspe- chose Aspetar’s Sports Groin port athletes to achieve their best Aspetar won the award specif- tar’s representative and received Pain Centre (SGPC) as the win- performances and fulfi l their ically for the eff orts undertaken the award on behalf of Aspetar ner of this award after a rigorous sporting potential. It focuses on by the Aspetar Sports Groin Pain director general and Aspire Zone testing process that looked into achieving these aims through the Centre (SGPC) during the last Foundation CEO Mohamed Kha- the Centre’s past achievements, delivery of excellence in sports four years, which have contribut- lifa al-Suwaidi. scientifi c research and contribu- medicine, physiotherapy, sports Hussain Sultan al-Jaber (left) receives the 6th Sheikh Fahad Hiroshima-Asia Sports Medicine and Science ed positively to the scientifi c fi eld Al-Suwaidi said, “We’re very tions to the scientifi c fi eld. science, orthopaedic surgery and Award on behalf of Aspetar in the presence of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad of sports medicine and medical proud to have received this pres- SGPC aims to become an in- rehabilitation. al-Fahad al-Sabah (centre) at the OCA General Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. SPOTLIGHT Al-Attiyah aims for individual gold at his 7th Asian Games London Olympics bronze medallist has won a skeet team gold, and individual silver and bronze medals at the Asiad By Anil John Jakarta t’s diffi cult to be a top sports- man in this fi ercely competi- tive age, more so if one hap- pens to be somebody like INasser Saleh al-Attiyah. It’s even more diffi cult to maintain a pleasing disposition all the time, address everyone as “brother”, and go about one’s business as if it’s the most natural thing that comes to you. But then we are not speaking of a run-of-the-mill champion here – in fact, even a casual glance at his CV would be enough to con- vince anybody that he is one of the most extraordinary sports- men the world has ever seen. In an era where achieving ex- cellence in one sport can turn out to be an all-consuming passion, the Qatari has blazed a rare trail in two – both extremely chal- lenging pursuits, that demand one’s total focus and commit- ment. It’s all about staying motivated, for your country, for your fl ag. ‘ Putting Qatar ahead of everything plays a big role in what I do.’ — Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah How many, for example, have won the gruelling Dakar Rally, not once, but twice, and can also boast a shooting medal at the Ol- Gulf Times from Palembang, he made amends at the Asian over and over again can be bor- a point to motivate them when- keep going till I fi nish!” representing your country. I am ympics? where the shooting competitions Championships in 1995 where he ing, but al-Attiyah begs to diff er. ever he gets a chance. Al-Attiyah will be aiming for thankful to HE Sheikh Joaan bin We have not even begun talk- at the 18th Asian Games are be- took the silver. “I like training and keeping “It’s a great honour for me that his fi rst individual gold medal Hamad al-Thani, the president ing about his exploits in Asia ing held. Close to a quarter century after myself fi t – I enjoy the hard work. youngsters look up to me. When- at the Asian Games, after miss- of the Qatar Olympic Committee yet – suffi ce to say that he is Al-Attiyah, who is 47 now, fi rst that, the Qatari shows no signs Age has nothing to do with it. ever I get chance, I try to speak ing the chance twice previously, for all the support he has given a 13-times Middle East Rally got a taste of the Asian Games at of slowing down. In fact, such is It’s all about staying motivated, to them and motivate them. I having had to settle for a silver sportsmen in Qatar.” champion, besides being a skeet Hiroshima in 1994, which was his motivation that the thought for your country, for your fl ag. tell them that representing one’s and bronze. Al-Attiyah will be taking part team gold winner and an individ- incidentally his fi rst internation- of quitting one sport to fully Putting Qatar ahead of every- country is the greatest honour “My preparations have been in the individual skeet competi- ual silver and bronze medallist at al competition in shooting. concentrate on the other doesn’t thing plays a big role in what I one can have. perfect this time. Along with my tion to be held on August 25 and the Asian Games. “I was very young then. I still re- even cross his mind. do.” “In fact, I met the Qatari bowl- brother, Rashid, we had an excel- 26. “I was just looking back in his- member I was in awe of all the great “I enjoy what I do. I not only He is conscious of the fact that ers in Indonesia who had won lent training camp in Italy. We are “It’s going to be tough as some tory a few days ago when I real- sportsmen and women who had enjoy taking part in the big com- he is considered a role model by the World Youth Championships in very good shape and we will try of the best shooters in the world ised this would be my seventh gathered there,” he reminisced. petitions but also the whole young sportsmen and women in boys’ title in the USA recently. to do our best. have assembled here. But I am Asian Games. I just can’t believe Although he didn’t win a med- process it involves.” Qatar and also in the larger Arab They asked me how long will I “As I said before, motivation confi dent and looking forward to it. It’s amazing,” al-Attiyah told al in Hiroshima Asian Games, Doing the same fi tness routine world, saying he always makes it keep going, and I told them I will is not a problem when you are the challenge.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 20, 2018 ASIAN GAMES TOP OF THE LINE QOC showcases the best of Qatar to Olympic family of Asia By Our Correspondent Asian Games 1990 in Beijing. QOC secretary-general Jassim Jakarta The exhibition also presented al-Buenain said, “It was an hon- the many events and Champi- our to welcome and host every- onships Qatar has hosted since one from the Olympic family to he Qatar Olympic Com- the 1990s, as Qatar has taken our reception in Jakarta. I hope mittee (QOC) hosted a great pride in hosting world that everyone had a taste of Qa- reception for the mem- class events and welcoming tar’s sport culture. We would bers of the Olympic many nations and international also like to thank the Organis- TCouncil of Asia, members of the sporting federations to Doha. ing Committee for hosting us National Olympic Committees The exhibition also had a fo- in Jakarta and wish all athletes of Asia and distinguished guests cus on Qatar’s future, one that from across Asia the best of luck in Jakarta at the offi cial Asian is bright with many possibili- in their competitions and hope Games 2018 hotel. ties especially for Qatari ath- that they give the performance The reception showcased the letes that have emerged from the of their lives.” best of Qatar’s sports with a dis- many innovative programmes At the 18th Asian Games, play of past, present and future and initiatives such as the Ath- Team Qatar is represented by accomplishments and projects.