Paris Saint-Germain to meet Leipzig in UEFA Champions League semis today match starts TUESday, AUGUST 18, 2020 10 pm doha time Mbappe could start semi; Tuchel praises forward’s partnership with Neymar

DPA Tuchel said the team is not Lisbon dwelling on the past. PSG are only in their second semi-final Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al Khelaifi with PSG’s Sporting Kylian Mbappe could start 25 years after the first time, Director Leonardo as they cross a bridge at the team hotel in Lisbon, for Paris Saint-Germain in with many misses in-between Portugal, on Monday on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Tuesday’s Champions League and the team even going out in semi-final between PSG against Leipzig.(AFP) semi-final against RBL eipzig 2017 after winning the last-16 to form what coach Thomas first leg against Barcelona 4-0. Tuchel has praised as a great “We are not talking about partnership with Neymar. history. We deserve to be here. Tuchel said on Monday he We have worked hard and this Leipzig coach Nagelsmann would decide after the day’s is the result. The whole team training whether Mbappe will did it. We are ready, we are aims to stifle PSG stars start or not. The forward re- here to win. We want to work turned from an ankle injury for hard, we can suffer. We can’t AFP the last 30 minutes of last week’s control the result but we will Lisbon 2-1 quarter-final win over Atal- work hard for it,” Tuchel said. anta and Tuchel said he is fit. There is some added spice RB Leipzig coach Julian “He had no foot problems because Leipzig are coached Nagelsmann plans to sub- against Atalanta. Whether he by young Julian Nagelsmann, due Paris Saint-Germain’s can play 90 minutes we will who after having ended his counter-attacking game, in- decide after training. We have playing career a decade ago spired by Neymar and Kylian all options open,” Tuchel told was a scout for Tuchel at Augs- Mbappe, and pull off another a virtual news conference. burg’s reserves, which eventu- upset in Tuesday’s Champions The coach called the rela- ally brought him into coaching. League semi-final. tionship between Mbappe and “He did a good job scout- Nagelsmann, 33, is the fellow forward Neymar “our Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian MBappe waves as he leaves the hotel for a training session in ing. Now he is our opponent. youngest coach to reach the strength” as “they make the dif- Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday on the eve of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Leipzig.(AFP) You can’t foresee this to meet last four of the Champions ference.” “Neymar has a lot of in the Champions League. You League and will attempt to one-on-one situations and Ky- could see in his reports that repeat Leipzig’s surprise quar- lian is fast, has the timing and he saw details and solutions, ter-final win over Diego Sime- always a hunger to score. That the love he has for the game,” one’s Atletico Madrid when Leipzig’s German head coach is our strength. I have no prob- Tuchel said. they face PSG in Lisbon. Julian Nagelsmann (right) at- lem to admit that. Every team “It is tougher to prepare “We are a team that can tends a training session at the has certain links between play- for RB than Atletico. It is a take our chances against the Luz stadium in Lisbon on Monday ers but with those two it is quite challenge. top teams in Europe. We saw on the eve of the UEFA Cham- remarkable,” Tuchel said. Julian likes to change tac- that against Atletico,” Nagels- pions League semifinal against He also said that Neymar tics. The key is to stay true to mann said Monday. Paris Saint Germain. (AFP) has taken a big step this sea- yourself, to work tactically but “The players really have son because the whole team be confidentabout your struc- the will to win, we are hun- ing about Paris.” has developed and become a tures and strengths.” gry and I can see that in their Nagelsmann will try to tightly-knit unit, which could faces. We were great against outfox opposite number help PSG win the Champions Early goal could help Atletico, now we have a chance Thomas Tuchel for a place in League for the first time. Leipzig: Rangnick against Paris. Sunday’s final, 12 years after “He always was a leader but Former RB Leipzig coach and “We have to avoid losing the pair worked together in maybe a different leader than sports director Ralf Rangnick the ball, because PSG are very Augsburg’s reserves. what people expected. He has believes that the team has a strong on the counter-attack, When a persistent knee quality, confidence, courage, he chance to beat PSG. but we’ll try to take the game injury forced Nagelsmann to always wants to win. He loves Rangnick said that while by the scruff of the neck.” retire barely out of his teens, competition, that’s what you PSG had outstanding attack- Nagelsmann says the only Tuchel offered the chance to need as a leader,” Tuchel said. ers in the likes of Neymar, An- way to stop PSG’s fearsome at- scout for him. “Neymar is at another lev- gel di Maria and Kylian Mbap- tack is to defend as a unit. Tuchel, 46, is well aware el because football is a team pe “I see them vulnerable on “You can’t foresee what of his protege’s qualities as sport and he can’t win on his the defensive end, especially Neymar and Mbappe could do, a coach. “We know Leipzig own. We created a special at- Fans click pictures of Paris Saint-Germain’s players as they leave their hotel for a training session in via the full backs.” they’re top players. We need to change their tactics from game mosphere to make this possi- Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday. (AFP) An early goal and the defend them as a team. to game and can also adapt ble.” Goalkeeper Keylor Navas team’s strength on the coun- “It’ll be difficult, but we mid-match,” said Tuchel. is out after injuring his ham- lanta, will deliver. football domestically with four ous for us, but also for them ter-attack could help Leipzig need to make them work and “It’s going to be a tough string, but midfielderA nder “He has shown that he can titles, now it is a dream to play because our attackers are fast. achieve another surprise. put them under pressure. game to prepare for. We just Herrera said that reserve Ser- help tomorrow, that he is a big a Champions League semi- Of course we also know how to But he said PSG remain fa- “We want to play our need to focus on ourselves, our gio Rico, on loan from Sevilla player,” Herrera said. final and we are ready for it. counter-attack. They will press vourites because of their own game and focus on our- tactics, structure and qualities, and who replaced Navas for Looking at the game, he “Leipzig attack with six to but we know our quality and stars and “because the team selves as opposed to think- and look to impose our game.” the final minutes against Ata- added: “We played fantastic seven players which is danger- want to bring it onto the pitch.” appears as one.” PSG versus Red Bull – a Champions League semi-final for the 21st century AFP ter Lyon’s unexpected success balling model places the em- Lisbon against City, who have not yet phasis on signing and develop- made the Champions League ing talented youngsters. Either Paris Saint-Germain final 12 years on from theA bu Nevertheless, cult Ger- or RB Leipzig will reach the Dhabi takeover of the club. man football magazine 11Fre- Champions League final for Also in 2010, PSG won the unde responded to Leipzig’s the first time this midweek but French Cup but finished 13th quarter-final win over Atletico the prospect of these hugely in Ligue 1. They were going Madrid by saying it would not ambitious clubs clashing in nowhere fast. Leipzig, mean- cover their semi-final. the last four in Lisbon. while, had just made their way “RB Leipzig is a pure mar- When UEFA president up to the fourth tier of German keting project. Created solely Aleksander Ceferin spoke to football. to strengthen the Red Bull AFP last week about the future In 2011, PSG were bought brand,” it wrote, calling the of elite European football, he by Qatar Sports Investments club “an imitation”. observed that the sport had and have gone on to tram- The Red Bull stable also become “a different thing to ple over the competition in owns Salzburg, who also ap- what it was 10 years ago, let France, winning Ligue 1 in peared in this season’s Cham- alone 20 years ago”. seven of the last eight years. Paris Saint-Germain’s players leave their hotel to attend a training Leipzig’s players attend a training session at the Luz stadium in pions League, New York Red Ceferin was speaking spe- They paid the two biggest session in Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday. (AFP) Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday. (AFP) Bulls, and Red Bull Bragan- cifically about the need to transfer fees in history to sign tino, who have just reached change the Financial Fair Play Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in impression it was a different founded in 1970. But they are Football League (DFL) rules, Even before they first ap- Brazil’s top flight. rules after Manchester City’s 2017 and it is a wonder it has club that lost to AC Milan in veritable old-timers compared a team may not carry a spon- peared in the Bundesliga in In Leipzig, RB have at least successful appeal against a taken them this long to reach a the 1995 semis. to Leipzig. sor’s name. 2016, Leipzig were hated by revived a tradition of footballing two-year Champions League Champions League semi-final In most ways it was. PSG The German club was only They also navigated their supporters of other clubs. success – Lokomotiv Leipzig, a ban. But his point was about again, 25 years after their first are now the fifth richest club founded in 2009 when energy way around the DFL’s so- Dynamo Dresden fans leading club in the old East Ger- much more than that. and last appearance. in world football, according drinks giant Red Bull bought called ‘50+1’ rule in place to threw a severed bull’s head many, were UEFA Cup semi- Ten years ago Inter Milan “It is very special. It is the to Deloitte’s Football Money the licence of fifth-division min- prevent any individual having onto the pitch during a game finalists in 1974 and Cup Win- won the Champions League, first time we have made it to League. Their revenue in nows SSV Markranstadt, creat- a controlling stake in a club. between the teams. Borussia ners’ Cup runners-up in 1987. beating Bayern Munich in the the semi-finals.I t is history for 2018/19 was 635.9 million eu- ing RasenBallsport Leipzig. Red Bull, founded by Dortmund fans have boycott- Both PSG and RB Leipzig final. Bayern had defeated the club,” said PSG president ros ($753 million). ‘RasenBallsport’ is a fab- Austrian billionaire Dietrich ed matches against Leipzig in are now within touching dis- Lyon in the last four. Nasser Al Khelaifi after their Fans of other clubs some- ricated German word, a way Mateschitz, owns 49 percent, protest at the club’s ownership tance of the Champions League Those teams meet again in quarter-finalwin over Atal- times laugh about PSG lacking of getting around Red Bull’s with the remaining 51 percent structure. final, but neutral support could the semis on Wednesday af- anta, a remark that gave the tradition, given they were only problem that, under German owned by company employees. Unlike PSG, Leipzig’s foot- be thin on the ground. 14 Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Sports Barcelona sack Setien, Koeman fav to take charge

AFP Madrid

Barcelona have sacked Quique Setien as coach, the club confirmed on Monday, with Ronald Koeman the front- runner to be his replacement. “The new coach will be an- nounced in the coming days as part of a wide ranging restruc- turing of the first team,” Barca said on Twitter. Setien was only appointed in January but has paid the price for Barca surrendering Barcelona’s former Spanish the La Liga title to Real Ma- coach Quique Setien. (AFP) drid and then being humili- ated by Bayern Munich in the and the World Cup in 2022. Champions League. Mauricio Pochettino was His exit was finalised dur- also considered but his pre- ing an emergency board meet- vious comments dismissing ing at Camp Nou, which lasted Barca due to his links with almost six hours and saw Koe- rivals Espanyol have counted man emerge as the favoured against him. choice to take charge. Koeman and his agent The club also announced were negotiating a two-year next year’s presidential elec- contract on Monday night, tions, scheduled for June, will according to reports in Spain, be brought forward to March 15. with the second year depend- Sevilla players and staff celebrate after the UEFA Europa League semi-final against Manchester United in Cologne, Germany, late on Sunday.(AFP) Angry supporters had ent on the outcome of the hoped they would be held im- presidential elections. mediately but that possibility He enjoys hero-status at was ruled out, meaning under- Barcelona after starring for fire president Josep Maria them as a player under Johan Sevilla knock out Man United Bartomeu will continue. Cruyff and scoring the win- “After analysing all the ning goal in the 1992 Europe- options, the Board consid- an Cup final. But his coaching ers that this (March 15) is career has been mixed and he to reach Europa League final the most viable date for would arrive at a club in crisis, holding these elections,” the with one of his first tasks to statement continued. persuade captain Lionel Messi DPA minutes with typical panache a scrappy, nervy spell before team into the lead from close they had difficult moments, we “The Board understands not to depart. Cologne after Diego Carlos felled Mar- half-time. range after 78 minutes. scored the goals. that the immediate call for cus Rashford. United might have been “It feels very nice to be in This team has good mo- elections is not feasible con- Messi future uncertain Luuk de Jong struck with 12 It was the Portuguese play- awarded another penalty as the final,” said Suso. “They tivation and now we have a sidering the league will begin Shortly before the board meet- minutes to go to fire Sevilla maker’s 14th converted penalty Carlos barged into Fernandes, were a strong, fast opponent beautiful final.” United sought on the weekend of September ing began on Monday, sources into the Europa League final, since joining Manchester Unit- but the officials turned a blind and had several really good to cap a good finish to the sea- 12 and due to the economic at Barcelona insisted the club with a 2-1 win over Manches- ed in January – the English side eye to the challenge and the chances. I’m really happy we son after the restart by getting and social framework caused had not heard anything from ter United on Sunday. have been awarded a remark- video-assistant referee did not won this game. to the final - but it wasn’t to be. by the Covid-19 crisis.” Messi about wanting to leave. The record five-time win- able 22 in all competitions. intervene. “Now I’m looking forward “The boys are devastated Setien’s successor will still But the 33-year-old has ners rode their luck in the first Fred came close to dou- Sevilla goalkeeper Bono to playing the final.A s an in there, we created numer- be under pressure to deliver grown increasingly frustrated half but edged an even second bling the lead but could not made a string of fine saves at ex-Milan player I know how ous chances and the best quickly given a new board next in recent months and a report to beat the English side in Co- find the net at the near post the start of the second half to tough it is to face Inter. But team lost the game,” said year could install their own from Esporte Interativo on logne, consigning United to and regretted it when former deny Mason Greenwood and it would be tough anyway.” Manchester United defender coach, with Xavi Hernandez Sunday claimed he has made a third semi-final defeat this Liverpool winger Suso levelled Martial, and the Red Devils Bono’s six saves proved crucial Harry Maguire. linking himself to rival presi- up his mind to find a new club season following their FA Cup after fine work by left-back came to rue those misses. to help Julen Lopetegui’s Eu- “We’ve been ruthless at dential candidate Victor Font. this summer. and League Cup knock-outs. Sergio Reguilon. The game settled down ropa League specialists reach times this year and today we Koeman has been in charge Gerard Pique said he Bruno Fernandes fired Anthony Martial curled into an even encounter, but their sixth final. weren’t. We scored and then of the Dutch national team would depart if it was neces- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man- narrowly over the crossbar as Sevilla substitute De Jong lost “We were clever and in the we maybe let them out a bit too since 2018 and is due to lead sary and it remains to be seen chester United ahead from the game lurched from end- Victor Lindelof to convert Je- bad moments we were strong,” easy and they had too much them at the postponed Euro- which players are considered the penalty spot after just nine to-end, before giving way to sus Navas’s cross and fire his added the goalkeeper. “When possession for our liking.” pean Championship next year surplus to requirements.

Vincent Kompany ends ‘glorious chapter’ as player England, Pak rain-disrupted 2nd Test drawn the club announced on Monday. my role as a coach and need ed as one of the club’s greatest AFP the whole of Saturday’s third pour meant Monday’s play did Kompany joined Ander- 100% of my time and focus for ever players. Southampton day washed out completely. not start until 1420 GMT. lecht from Manchester City in it. That’s why I’m quitting as After making his interna- Abbas, who took 2-28 from England were then 7-1, 2019 as player-manager, and a football player,” said Kom- tional debut as a 17-year-old, Pakistan’s Mohammad Ab- 14 overs, removed Zak Crawley with Sibley two not out and now takes over from Franky pany, who enjoyed a trophy- he went on to play 89 times for bas took two wickets on Mon- (53) and Dom Sibley (32). Crawley, playing after star all- Vercauteren, who had been laden 11-year spell in England Belgium, notably leading them day as a weather-interrupted The batsmen shared a sec- rounder Ben Stokes opted out handling coaching duties, in a with City. to third in the 2018 World Cup. second Test against England ond-wicket stand of 91 after to be with his ill father in New purely managerial role. “Our ambition and our hun- “It’s the end of a glorious at Southampton ended in a Rory Burns fell for a duck to Zealand, five not out. Former Manchester City and Bel- “If I hadn’t been injured, I ger remains the same. I want to chapter as a player. But now predictable draw. left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi Crawley, beneath sun- gian international defender Vincent would have continued,” Kom- stay with the club for at least he starts another exciting England were 110-4 in re- on Sunday. ny blue skies, confidently Kompany during a press confer- pany told a news conference. four seasons and prove that chapter as a coach,” Belgium ply to Pakistan’s first innings England, who enjoyed a pulled and drove the usually ence in Brussels on Monday. (AFP) “I don’t want to set the bar Anderlecht can play a modern manager Roberto Martinez 236 when home captain Joe three-wicket win in the first accurate Abbas for two well- lower than winning the title. style of football, with results.” said in a video on the national Root (nine not out) declared Test at Old Trafford earlier struck fours. elgian international de- I’m here to win.” As a defender and skipper team website. to hasten the end of a match this month, remain 1-0 up in Brief Scores: England 110 for Bfender Vincent Kompany Kompany’s first game in at City, Kompany won four “I’m convinced he’s going ahead of what would have a three-match series ahead 4 declared (Crawley 53, Abbas has hung up his boots at the age charge will come on Sunday as Premier League titles, two FA to be a real successful figure been the statutory last hour. of Friday’s finale, also at 2-28) drew with Pakistan 236 of 34 to become manager of An- Anderlecht take on Mouscron. Cups and four League Cups for Belgian football as a coach. Root’s declaration ended Southampton. (Rizwan 72, Abid 60, Broad derlecht on a four-year contract, “I want to fully commit to with City and is widely regard- I have no doubts.” (AFP) a match beset by delays, with An early morning down- 4-56). You will always be my captain: Kohli hails mentor Dhoni AFP Cricket Team. @msdhoni,” the Mahendra Singh Dhoni New Delhi former South Africa batsman, Born: 7 July, 1981 who coached India between India skipper Virat Kohli Words fall short a lot of 2008-2011, wrote on Twitter. told Mahendra Singh Dhoni times in life and I think The captain and coach THE ONLY CAPTAIN “you will always be my cap- shared mutual respect, with IN INTERNATIONAL tain” as he hailed the influ- this is one of those Dhoni once saying he was CRICKET TO WIN ALL ence of the cricketing great, moments. “the best thing to happen to THREE LIMITED-OVERS who has called time on his in- Indian cricket” while Kirsten TROPHIES ternational career. – India captain Virat Kohli quipped: “I would go to war Kohli, who made his India on MS Dhoni’s retirement with Dhoni by my side.” 2007 2011 2014 debut under Dhoni’s leader- Dhoni led India to the T20 World Cup ODI World Cup Champions trophy ship in 2008, heaped praise on Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, the talismanic captain who led India coach Ravi Shastri the 50-over event and the his country to Twenty20 and said: “As a leader and captain Champions Trophy in 2013. 50-over World Cup triumphs. he can sit on Mount Everest Dhoni will continue to lead Most Number of stumping First cricketer to win most Highest score by a “Words fall short a lot of with those kind of achieve- his Indian Premier League in International Cricket T20 Matches as a captain wicket-keeper in ODIs times in life and I think this Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) and India captain Virat Kohli. ments. side Chennai Super Kings, 195 150 matches 183* is one of those moments,” “Multiple world cups, which has won three titles (in 2005, against Sri Lanka) Kohli said in an emotional years later, paving the way for win,” said Kohli. Champions Trophy, number under him, next month in the video message on the Board Kohli to lead the team across “It’s been a pleasure play- one Test team in the world, United Arab Emirates. of Control for Cricket in India all formats. ing alongside you and playing IPL titles, Champions League. Dhoni has not played for website. But Kohli has frequently under you initially in my ca- You name it and he has got it.” India since their World Cup Played the most international “All I can say is that you called on his mentor for guid- reer. You showed belief in me, Former India coach Gary semi-final loss against New matches as captain: will always be that guy who sat ance from his position behind which I would always be grate- Kirsten, who was in charge Zealand in England last year 332 in the last seat of the bus. Not the stumps. ful for. when Dhoni’s team won the – his 350th One-Day Inter- saying much but your pres- “We have shared a great “I have said it before, I will 2011 World Cup, praised the national. The only player to captain a team ence, your aura saying a lot.” camaraderie, friendship, un- say it again, you will always be enigmatic leader. He holds the record for in most no. of T20 World Cups: 6 Dhoni, a flamboyant wick- derstanding and that has hap- my captain.” “A privilege to work with one most international matches as etkeeper-batsman, quit Tests pened because we have always Dhoni, 39, drew the cur- of the best leaders I have come captain, 332, and his 195 inter- in 2014 and stepped aside as played for the same goals, tains on his 16-year interna- across. Thanks MS for many national stumpings is also the 2007 2009 2010 2012 2014 2016 limited-overs captain three which was to make the team tional career Saturday. fond memories with the Indian most by any wicket-keeper. (Graphic: Jitendra Patel/TNN) Sports Tuesday, August 18, 2020 15

Abdulrahman Al Dosari, Advisor to HE the Minister of Culture and Sports participates UNITAR and ICSS to launch in the meeting of GCC Undersecretaries of Ministries of Youth and Sports first UN certified training framework on sport security Tribune News Network Doha

Sharing a common goal of safeguarding sport, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) joined forces by signing a Memoran- dum of Understanding to de- velop internationally certified, innovative and cutting-edge learning solutions. In recognition of the fact that advanced education and training are essential tools to protect sport - particularly major sporting events - from Abdulrahman Musallam Al Dosari, Advisor to His Excellency the Minister of Culture and Sports, took part in the continuously evolving se- Julio Andrade, UNITAR Associated the 36th meeting of Their Excellencies Undersecretaries of the GCC Ministries of Youth and Sports, which was curity challenges and global Alex Mejia, Director of the Division for People and Social Inclusion at Fellow and CIFAL Malaga Director held via video on Monday. Al Dosari represented the Ministry of Culture and Sports at the meeting. The meet- threats, the learning and UNITAR signing the agreement. signing the MoU. ing discussed several topics, most importantly the measures and efforts carried out by the GCC countries to training solutions will be tai- address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The participants reviewed a set of recommendations related to lored for practitioners and the work of youth committees and the sub-committees emanating from the General Secretariat. (QNA) officials from organisations across sectors such as sport bodies, events’ organisers and public institutions to: Trans- fer knowledge in the field of sports security through most effective and advanced train- Halep the latest ing methodologies; Provide a certified and verifiable train- ing scheme with a global rec- ognition; and Internationally to skip US Open align sport security industry and academic requirements. In conjunction with this AFP framework, the ICSS has Paris signed a cooperation agree- ment with UNITAR and its World number two Simona International Training Centre Massimiliano-Montanari, CEO, ICSS during the signing of the MOU. Halep joined a growing list of for Authorities and Leaders in tennis stars when she said on Malaga (CIFAL Málaga), which in view of promoting future up a range of training and Monday that she would skip forms an integral part of UNI- employability and job crea- learning opportunities towards the US Open over coronavirus TAR’s Global CIFAL Network, tion; and Legacy and econom- leveraging sport for the 2030 Massimiliano Montan- fears. to promote training opportuni- ic impact of sport and major Agenda achievement, and we ari, CEO, ICSS said “Since “After weighing up all the ties in different regions of the sporting events, particularly look forward to seeing the fruits its establishment in 2010, factors involved and with the world, including but not lim- regarding the achievement of of this new partnership.” the ICSS has worked hard to exceptional circumstances ited to the Mediterranean re- the Sustainable Development Julio Andrade, UNITAR gather and develop knowl- in which we are living, I have gion, Latin America and Africa. Goals (SDGs). Associated Fellow and CIFAL edge on the security of major decided that I will not travel While giving initial priority Alex Mejia, Director of the Malaga Director, said “CI- sporting events, always in to New York to play the @uso- to the security of major sport- Division for People and Social FAL Malaga is proud of this great partnership with Unit- pen,” tweeted Halep, the cur- ing events, both cooperation Inclusion at UNITAR, said new partnership that will also ed Nations’ bodies, other key rent Wimbledon champion. frameworks will address other “We know that sport can be a bring other opportunities to international organisations “I always said I would put crucial areas pertaining to the powerful tool for development the CIFAL Global Network. and the sport movement. my health at the heart of my protection and the promotion and learning. It promotes par- Together, we will be able to “The cooperation with decision and I therefore prefer of the values of sport, particu- ticipation, inclusion, human raise awareness among the UNITAR and the Interna- to stay and train in Europe.” larly with reference to: Train- values, acceptance of rules, greatest number of people in- tional Training Centre for The Romanian added: “I ing for sport volunteers both discipline, healthy lifestyles, volved in sport, about the im- Authorities and Leaders pro- know the @usta and @WTA in the context of major sport- non-violence, tolerance, gen- portance of each individual in vides an opportunity to share have worked tirelessly to put on Romania’s Simona Halep with the Prague Open trophy she won in ing events and sport for de- der equality, and teamwork. protecting our planet, in fight- the knowledge internation- a safe event and I wish everyone the Czech Republic on Sunday and took on a tour of the city, starting velopment initiatives; Youth We are confident that the ing poverty and in trying to ally through most advanced there a successful tournament.” nearby with the lake in Stromovka, a historic public gardens, empowerment and skills de- recent agreement signed be- make all people enjoy peace, training methodologies and Halep joins a host of top on Monday. (Pic: Jimmie48/WTA) velopment through sport also tween UNITAR and ICSS opens equality and prosperity.” digital platforms.” players who are passing on playing at Flushing Mead- finals last year – and past win- world, and Naomi Osaka, who ows when the next Grand ner Svetlana Kuznetsova of sits in 10th place. Slam tournament begins on Russia, currenty ranked 32nd That leaves 38-year-old Japan’s August 31. in the world. Williams with a golden oppor- QCA to host Katara International online Reigning US Open cham- Serena Williams, seeking tunity to equal Court’s Slam pion Bianca Andreescu of Can- a 24th career Grand Slam title record, which has been in her Nishikori tests ada will not play, joining men’s to match Margaret Court’s all- sights since she won her last ‘Bullet’ tournament from Aug 24 2019 winner Rafael Nadal in time record, will compete, as major tournament – the 2017 positive for skipping the tournament. will men’s world number one Australian Open. coronavirus Tribune News Network Also absent from this Novak Djokovic. Williams, who suffered a Doha year’s US Open will be Aus- The only other players shock quarter-final defeat by AFP tralia’s top-ranked Ashleigh from the WTA top 10 remain- Shelby Rogers at the recent New York The Qatar Chess Association Barty, Ukraine’s fifth-ranked ing in the tournament are WTA tournament in Lexing- (QCA) in collaboration with Elina Svitolina, number seven world number three Karolina ton, Kentucky, has lost four Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the Cultural Village Foundation Kiki Bertens, eighth-ranked Pliskova, reigning Australian Grand Slam finals since then, 2014 US Open runner-up, – Katara will hold the ‘Katara Swiss Belinda Bencic – whom Open champion Sofia Kenin, including last year’s US Open said Sunday he has contracted International Chess Tourna- Andreescu beat in the semi- who is ranked fourth in the final toA ndreescu. COVID-19 and has withdrawn ment 2020 Online Bullet tour- from an ATP event in New ney from August 24 to 26. York with this year’s US Open The tournament will be only two weeks away. played in two stages of Bullet World number 31 Nishikori Chess on Lichess.org at three Ronnie rockets to 6th snooker world title said he took the test and received different time zones where play- the positive result on Sunday in ers are free to join and partici- little time in securing the pected to win”. Florida and will isolate himself pate in any time zone they pre- one frame he required after a “Any world title you win despite few symptoms. He and fer and as many tournaments as dominant afternoon session has to be up there,” he told his team plan more tests and a they want to take part in. in which he won seven of the the BBC. status update on Friday. The tournament carries eight frames. “I never really think about “I have some unfortunate a total prize fund of $10,000 Around 300 fans were titles. When I was a kid I never news,” Nishikori said in a state- with the winner’s prize being able to watch at the Crucible really dreamed I would be here. ment posted on social media. $3,000 and for the runners-up in Sheffield due to the British “To be here and have had “This morning, while still in being $1,500. The top 16 place Government reviving their pi- all those victories is a dream Florida, I got tested for COV- finishers will all be rewarded lot scheme to allow spectators that has become a reality.” ID-19 and tested positive.” with cash prizes. into selected sporting events O’Sullivan said he had nev- Nishikori had planned to provided they were socially er believed he could win such fly toN ew York on Monday Qualifying Stage – 90’ To register to any of the of a draw score 6-6, players distanced due to the coronavi- a marathon event -- his first ahead of this week’s Western Arena sessions qualifying sessions, a partici- shall play up to the first win. rus pandemic. world title came in 2001. and Southern Open, an event The qualifying stage consists pant must have played at least Victory moves the enig- “There was part of me that usually played in Cincinnati in three independent Arena 15 rated games on lichess. Tournament Schedule matic Englishman to within decided I didn’t play enough to but moved to New York in a Bullet qualifying sessions of Every participant in any Qualifying Stage – 90’ Bullet one of equalling the modern justify winning a tournament quarantine setting to serve as 90 min each. Arena must fill up the fol- Arena Ronnie O’Sullivan of England day record of seven world of this stature which is an en- a final tuneup for the US Open, Top 5 players from each lowing online form: https:// Katara Arena A: 24th Aug with the trophy after winning the crowns held by Scotsman Ste- durance test,” he said. which starts August 31 in the qualifying session qualify for docs.google.com/forms/ 10AM (Doha Time); Arena Sys- Croal Tour World Championship phen Hendry. “I am not really an endur- same bubble atmosphere. the Katara Bullet Finals. d/1p32xVH2B_S9JOo8Vi- tem 90 minutes Top 5 players in London on Sunday. O’Sullivan, who reached ance type player because I “I will have to pull out of Players are free to join one YmBS9G9tUWhgqAkhXrDe- qualify his first world semi-final back don’t compete enough.” the Cincinnati tournament,” or several Katara Arena (A, B TZIFPg/edit Katara Arena B: 24th Aug 4PM AFP in 1996, set a new record for As for Hendry’s record he Nishikori said. “I am feeling or C) to qualify for the Finals. (Doha Time) ; Arena System 90 London victories in ranking tourna- said he had to keep focussed well and have very little symp- Players may play in several Finals minutes Top 5 players qualify ments of 37. which has been a problem in toms but will obviously be in Katara Arenas (A, B and/or C) The Katara Online Bullet Fi- Katara Arena C: 24th Aug 10PM Ronnie O’Sullivan eased to The Englishman, whose recent years. complete isolation.” if they wish so. nals consist in a 16-player (Doha Time) ; Arena System 90 his sixth snooker world title on recent record had been poor “My thing is longevity,” he Nishikori has enjoyed his In case a player reaches the knock out session. minutes Top 5 players qualify Sunday, and first since 2013, by his standards, failing to said. “I go in and out of form. best Grand Slam efforts at top 5 in 2 or more qualifying Every one-to-one Match Katara Bullet Finals: 26th Aug defeating fellow Englishman reach the semi-finals since los- “My mind can wander Flushing Meadows, including sessions, the session where he shall be played in 12 games of 6PM (Doha Time); Knockout Kyren Wilson 18-8 in the best- ing to Mark Selby in the 2014 sometimes and I then get a bit his loss to Marin Cilic in the reached the highest final rank- Bullet Chess. System 16 players (15 quali- of-35 frames final. final, saidhe thought he had of taste for it and think ‘come on 2014 final and semi-final runs in ing will be kept and his other The Match is won once a fiers + organiser’s wild card) 12 The 44-year-old wasted “half a chance but never ex- let’s see if you have still got it’”. 2016 and 2018. results will be disregarded. player scores 6.5 points. In case Bullet games/Match.