Sports Monday, October 26, 2020 15 QMMF honours Al Meer with FIA trophy as T2 world champion QMMF also receives an award from the FIA in recognition of Qatari driver’s top achievement TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA THE Qatar Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) on Sunday awarded Cross-Country World Cup De- sert Rally Championship win- ner Mohammed Al Meer with the FIA trophy he won as top driver in the T2 category. QMMF celebrated Al Meer’s big success with QMMF President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai present- ing him with the International Federation award (FIA) trophy along with Amro Al Hamad, Executive Director, QMMF. The event was originally supposed to be hosted by the FIA but it was put off following the coronavirus pandemic. Al Mannai expressed his happiness over the award of the T2 World Championship to Al Meer, stressing that the Qa- tari driver has achieved a great Qatari driver Mohammed Al Meer and 2020 FIA World Cup for Cross- The Qatar Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai with Mohammed Al Meer (left) and achievement for Qatari sports. Country Rallies T2 category champion with the trophy on Sunday. Amro Al Hamad, Executive Director, QMMF, soon after the FIA awards presention in Qatar on Sunday. Al Mannai said the QMMF waited for the right time to “Praise be to God, there is championship for Qatar. sively to emerge as the world award to Al Meer adhering to Qatari supremacy in the T2 Praise be to God, there is Qatari supremacy in the T2 category in the world “It was not easy to get the champion. He’s our hero. I’m all the precautionary measures category in the world cham- championship where we have had a diversity of champions. Mohammed Al Meer’s title title and now it has made me sure this success will keep him and preventive measures to pionship where we have had ambitious. I will compete motivated enough in future as preserve the safety of everyone. a diversity of champions. was preceded by Adel Abdullah in 2016, and Sheikh Hamad bin Eid. This shows that this next season in the higher cat- well since reaching the top is He said: “We received two Mohammed Al Meer’s world category is suitable for Qatar, both in terms of cars and Qatari drivers’ success. egory T1 and the focus will be easy but staying there is dif- awards from FIA – one of Mo- title was preceded by Adel to excel and succeed,” said ficult and requires great effort hammed Al Meer and the sec- Abdullah in 2016, and Sheikh QMMF President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai Al Meer. and hard work,” he said. ond for QMMF in recognition Hamad bin Eid. This shows Amro Al Hamad, Executive Al Meer’s achievement of this achievement. It was an that this category is suitable coronation will act as an in- A delighted Al Meer ex- tar. I thank God on this great Director, QMMF, also applaud- shows the world knows that opportunity for us at this time for Qatar, both in terms of cars centive for Meer and the rest pressed great happiness on achievement, especially since ed Al Meer’s achievement. Qatar has other world cham- to honor our hero and congrat- and Qatari drivers’ success. from Qatar to excel in the fu- the honour. “I thank and con- my goal was to participate “Despite the difficulties faced, pions besides the legendary ulate him on his achievement. “We also hope that this ture,” he added. gratulate the people of Qa- for the first time in the world Al Meer made his way aggres- Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah. QNB Stars League Scores Rajasthan Royals 196 for 2 (Stokes 107*, Al Sadd pump in seven goals against Samson 54*, Pattinson 2-40) beat Mumbai Indians 195 for 5 (Hardik 60*, Yadav 40, Gopal 2-30) by eight Ahli; Al Duhail pip Al Rayyan 2-1 wickets. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the half saw them surge ahead, DOHA with Brahimi applying the fin- ishing touch to a pass from Yo- FORMER champions Al Sadd han Boli, giving goalkeeper Mo- humbled Al Ahli in their Week hammed Al Bakri no chance. Ben Stokes of Rajasthan Royals scored unbeaten 107 reaching his 5 match of 2020-21 season Al Rayyan’s Abdulaziz century with a six against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL on Sunday. QNB Stars League by 7 goals to Hatem sent his shot wide, Ga- 1 at the Al Ahli Stadium while briel Mercado headed the ball reigning champions Al Duhail wide of the target and Naif Al Stokes ton provides Royals pipped Al Rayyan 2-1 at the Al Hadhrami’s rising shot hit the Gharafa Stadium on Sunday. underneath of the horizontal The Wolves went on the and the ball came back to play. play-offs boost, CSK out rampage right from the word Meanwhile, Dudu’s go. Hashim Ali scored a brace grounder was neatly collected AFP IPL 2020 Points Tally while five others scored a goal by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fa- DUBAI each for Al Sadd. The goals had Younis and Abdulrahman came through Hashim Ali Mohammed’s shot crashed ENGLAND’S Ben Stokes (5th & 36th minute), Rod- against the horizontal. smashed an unbeaten 107 to rigo Tabata (13th), Akram Afif Changing ends, Brahimi keep Rajasthan Royals in the (30th), Santi Cazorla (45th), continued to lead Al Rayyan’s chase for the Indian Premier Nam Tae-Hee (58th) and challenge, but Al Duhail’s per- League play-offs after their Ahmed Sayyar (90+1). Al Sadd players celebrate with Hashim Ali (No. 23) after one of his two goals during the QNB Stars League sistent efforts bore fruit as Dudu eight-wicket win over holders Nabil El Zhar gave Al Ah- match against Al Ahli at the Al Ahli Stadium on Sunday. converted a penalty awarded Mumbai Indians on Sunday. coming on nicely.” li’s the lone consolation goal in when Dame Traore fouled sub- The win for Steve Smith’s The New Zealand-born the 54th minute. Under-23 player in Al Sadd’s scoring act as he hit his shot champions and runners-up, stitute Mohammed Muntari. Royals knocked the Mahendra Stokes, whose father is bat- The win saw Al Sadd take starting XI, grabbed the chance against the right upright. both strong title contenders, The free-kick that resulted Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Su- tling cancer, said: “Things are their tally to 13 points and top by netting a brace. lived up to its billing. Possession in Al Duhail’s winner came per Kings out of the final-four a bit difficult right now, but the table ahead of Al Ahli with Cazorla was again the Al Duhail edge Rayyan was almost even and both sides after Ahmed Abdel Maqsoud race despite their win over hope this has given a bit of their fourth victory of the league. livewire in Al Sadd ranks, In the second match of the created opportunities galore. tripped Msakni and Ramin Royal Challengers Bangalore happiness back home.” The only time The Wolves pulling strings in the midfield evening, Al Duhail went past Al Duhail produced an sent in a measured one even in the first match of the day. Mumbai still stay top of the dropped points was when they with occasional forays into the Al Rayyan 2-1 at the Al Ghara- improved performance in the though the goalkeeper got his Stokes combined with table, locked on 14 points with were held goalless by Al Khor goal, as they continued to miss fa Stadium on Sunday. second half as they fought hand on to the ball. Sanju Samson, who made 54 Delhi Capitals and RCB in the in Week 4. striker Baghdad Bounedjah Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) back from a first-half deficit to On Monday, Al Sailiya will not out, to put on 152 runs fight for a place in the top two. The result also broke Al Ah- and goalkeeper Saad Al Dos- and Ramin Rezaeian scored for win by a last-gasp goal, which play Al Gharafa (5.30pm), for the third wicket as Royals The qualifiers begin on Nov 5. li’s all-win record that stretched sari to injuries. And Meshaal Al Duhail in the 68th (penalty) came off a free-kick. while Al Kharaitiyat will meet achieved their target of 196 in to four matches. The Brigadiers Barsham rose to the occasion and 90+3 minutes respectively The Red Knights could Al Khor at 7.45pm. 18.2 overs in Abu Dhabi. CSK down RCB remained on 12 points. below the bar, while his Al Ahli after Al Rayyan took the lead not have afforded defeat after Results The left-handed batsman Earlier on Sunday, opener Al Sadd thus built on their counterpart Ivanildo Rodri- through Yacine Brahimi in the losing their postponed match Al Sadd 7 (Hashim Ali 5’, 36’; came into his own, hitting 14 Ruturaj Gaikwad hit his maid- 3-1 victory over strong title guez had a harrowing time. 42nd minute. from Week 3 to Al Sadd in Rodrigo Tabata 13’, Akram Afif fours and three sixes in his 60- en IPL half-century as CSK rivals Al Duhail midweek, in Akram too was in outstand- Al Duhail raised their the midweek by a 1-3 margin. 30’, Santi Cazorla 45’, Nam Tae- ball knock to help Royals rise thrashed Virat Kohli’s Banga- a match that was postponed ing form as Al Sadd dominated points tally to nine and Al Dudu, Yousef Msakni and Al- hee 58’, Ahmed Sayyar 90+1’) to sixth in the eight-team table lore by eight wickets in Dubai.